Page 48 of Set My Soul Ablaze

I reached over and held his arm. “You’re the best.”

A weight lifted off my shoulders. I could breathe better. To know Flame would handle things the right way eased a lot of my worries.

My man is a good man. A real good man.

“Thankyou for bringing me home, Flame. I really don’t know if I would have made it home safely with my emotions all out of whack.” She fiddled with her fingers as we sat in her parked car outside her parents’ house.

“You know I got you, baby. How are you feeling now?” I reached over and held her hand in mine.

A soft sigh slid from her lips as she replied, “If I’m being honest, I feel so defeated. Everybody suspected Juda was involved but me. Wishful thinking . . . I guess, but I didn’t want to believe someone I once loved would be capable of trying to harm me, you know?”

I nodded. “It’s a tough pill to swallow. I couldn’t imagine what you were going through—what you’re still going through as you navigate this information.”

“It really sucks, Flame. I hate how much this affected me. Not only do I have to work through this . . . I have to pull the Band-Aid off and tell my parents.”

“You can do it,” I encouraged.

“I really don’t want to face my parents alone. I don’t know if I could handle their reactions on top of my already fragile heart. It’s a lot.”

“You’re right. It is a lot. But you’re not alone. I’ll face them with you if you need me to. I think we’re overdue for a formal meeting, anyway. Don’t you think?”

Over the last couple of weeks, we’d been insatiable. Since the first moment I slid into her warmth, I was hooked. We got lucky because the last few weekends, her parents had taken trips out of the city. But there were times I’d sneak in during the night and be gone before the sun rose in the morning. Mali’s taste was my favorite addiction.

She glanced over at me with wide eyes. “You’re ready to meet my parents?”

“Yeah. You not ready for me to meet your folks?” I asked with a raised brow.

She shrugged. “I’d love for you to meet them. Might as well have a positive announcement sprinkled in with the shit show about to happen.”

“I know you, so I feel like I know your parents. I don’t think they’re going to be upset with you. I doubt they’ll be anything other than concerned for your safety.”

She nodded. “You’re right. I just don’t want to upset them.”

“It’ll be okay.”

“Let’s do this.”

We climbed out of her car and headed up the path to the front door. I kept a protective distance behind Mali as she unlocked the door and walked in. My nerves were calm. I wasn’t afraid to meet her parents. I was secure in my place in her life, and I hoped they welcomed me with open arms.

“Mama! Daddy!” she called out.

“We’re in the living room,” a seasoned, velvet-like voice called back.

Mali glanced back at me and smiled. I reached for her hand and locked our fingers as she led me into the living room. It was part of the house I had seen little of, but it was nice. There were family portraits hung on the wall, a nice, clean fireplace, and a modern-style furniture set.

Her parents sat on the couch, limbs intertwined, watching a black-and-white movie on the TV. When we entered the room, both of their gazes landed on me.

“This is Artez.” Mali introduced me to her parents.

Part of me expected her to introduce me as Flame, since I’d never heard her use my government name before. Now, I think I wanted her to stop calling me Flame altogether because the way Artez slid from her lips stirred something deep in my core. I made a mental note to mention it later.

“Good afternoon, Mr. and Mrs. Flowers. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

Mr. Flowers stood up first. “You’re the man who has been sneaking in and out of here at all times of the night. Good to put a name and face to the intruder.”

I chuckled and used my free hand to rub my fingers through my beard. “Yeah, that’s me. I’m sorry it took so long for us to cordially meet.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Artez.” Mali’s mother stood up and closed the distance between us. She pulled me into a warm hug.