Page 37 of Merci

“You would?” I asked softly.

“For you? Absolutely.”

“Well… Daddy did say he was willing to sit down with y’all eventually, but that was more so to commit to peace, not for us to be together. Maybe if we kept our relationship between us until then?—”

“Merci, we’re in this position now because I kept that secret. I don’t want us to have another one.”

“I don’t care. I want you. I miss you. I’m not giving you up because they don’t believe you. So we can do this in secret and keep it to ourselves until they are ready to sit down and talk, or we can do it publicly now and let this turn into something bigger than it is. It’s your choice.”

“You know I’m not going to war with your people, sweetheart. Even if I won, I’d lose you.”

My smile spread as I wrapped my arms around his neck. “I know. So what’s your choice?”

His head shook before he cursed under his breath. “We can keep this between us for now, but I ain’t doing it for more than a month, Merci. I’m a grown-ass man, and I ain’t finna hide this knowing it will make things worse for you and your family. I let them be on that rah-rah shit that night, but they won’t be able to disrespect me again. Do you understand the risk you’re taking? Are you sure I’m worth that?”

“Yes. I know it will work in the end. I just need a little time so they can calm down, and then y’all can talk. It’ll be fine then. Maybe not perfect, but they’ll accept you with time. Am I worth the risk to you?”

“You’re worth the risk and so much more.”

Knowing that he killed Rey was a blow. He was close to both of my parents and like a grandfather to me. If I was going to be with Hammer, I’d have to make sure my daddy never found out.

Hammer’s declaration led to our lips connecting, and shortly after, our centers. We came immediately, simultaneously, and if I needed any confirmation that Hammer was my other half, that was it. I didn’t move until we both stopped cumming, and when I did, he moaned, “I missed you and this good-ass pussy.Fuck.”

I couldn’t say anything.

As always, having him inside of me left me speechless.

I was glad he was controlling my movements because I was so weak from the pleasure and trembling so bad I could barely focus. Hammer kissed all over my face, bit my neck, nibbled my nipples, squeezed and caressed and smacked my ass. It was the most overwhelming, euphoric feeling I’d ever had. Tears slipped down my cheeks, and he kissed them away before reminding me of how much he loved me.

It was raw.

And it was passionate.

And it was real.

And I was determined to make sure no one took him away from me.

22

HAMMER

October

I could tell Cujo had returned back to his shell. His eyes were darker, like he was losing sleep again. While Merci and I were doing our thing in secret, Cujo hadn’t talked to Ariel since everything went down. When I tried to talk to him about it, he told me he was cool. That they were just friends. That she had every right to not hear him out. Regardless of what he said, I could tell it fucked with him that she was able to think the worst of him. I battled with if I wanted to let things be how they were or try to get him to reach out to her. My decision probably would have been easier to make if I knew Ariel better.

We’d taken Mama out to eat so she wouldn’t have to worry about cooking. She’d started picking up new hobbies lately, and apparently, she was so busy enjoying life that she didn’t have time to take care of her sons anymore. We were so used to coming over and there being a fresh meal or at least leftovers that we thought something was wrong with her when we first pulled up. I thought it was great that she was out and enjoying her life, though.

After we said our goodbyes to her, Cujo and I headed out. I was going home to my baby, and I couldn’t wait. It had been inconvenient laying low, because I couldn’t go to her job or house, but the chance to be with her was worth it. It also added a level of spice because, when we got tired of being cooped up in my house, we went to hotels or skipped town for a quick trip when our schedules allowed.

Before Cujo made it to his car, I asked, “You still ain’t talked to Ariel?”

He frowned and shook his head. “Nah. After she ignored my calls that night, I didn’t try again.”

“You really willing to let it go that easily?”

With a shrug, he opened his door. “Really ain’t up to me, young one. I ain’t gon’ beg her to be my friend, and I for damn sure ain’t gon’ beg her to hear me out.”

“What if she’s not waiting for you to beg? What if she’s just waiting for you to put forth the effort?”