Page 58 of Set My Soul Ablaze

I set my purse and keys on the table by the front door and made my way to the living room.

“Hey, beautiful.”

“Those bitches tried to jump me today. Can you believe they showed up to my fucking place of business with bullshit?” I paced the floor. I tossed my hands into the air and let out a frustrated breath.

“Whoa. What the hell are you talking about? Who tried to jump you?” Artez stood up and grabbed me by the arm to stop my movements.

“Juda’s sister and mother pulled up to the shop and blamed me for his death. Mind you, I didn’t even know the nigga was dead. I’m not gon’ cry over spilled milk, though. He was a horrible man, and if someone felt he deserved to die because of his actions, then so be it. I’m just so pissed they came to my job on that bullshit. Trying to jump me instead of asking God to forgive them for the role they played in pacifying a man as evil as Juda.” I ranted to my man as he held me in his arms.

One thing I loved about Artez was how grounded he made me feel through all my heightened emotions. He always gave me the space and freedom to vent to him without feeling judged or a burden.

“Sit down with me, baby.”

Artez tugged me over to the couch and set me in his lap. He rubbed my back soothingly as he took a deep breath.

“Are you about to ruin my day too?” I asked with a pout at the stressed look in his eyes.

“Maybe.”

I let out a huff. “Please don’t break my heart, Artez. I really fucking love you, and I can’t handle losing you today . . .”

“I love you too, Mali. More than I’ve ever loved a woman in my entire life. I want to spend forever with you, but I can’t keep secrets from my future wife. You can do with this information as you please, but I really hope you still choose me.”

My heart skipped a beat. “Rip it off like a Band-Aid. I can’t survive the suspense.”

“I saw the pain Juda put you and your family through. I saw the depression and the heartache and the tears. I couldn’t let him continue to hurt you. I couldn’t put my full trust in the justice system because niggas like him always evaded the true consequences. So . . . I took matters into my own hands. I made a call and made sure Juda didn’t make it to a court of his peers. I made sure he got his justice a different way. If you hate me for my actions, I understand, but know I did it all for you.”

I didn’t know what I thought he was going to tell me, but this was definitely not on the list. Artez was one of one, for real. I was shocked to hear him explain everything to me, but a part of me felt pride and . . . arousal?

“You paid someone to kill Juda?” I clarified.

Artez nodded.

“You risked your freedom for me?”

He nodded again.

“You would kill for me?”

“Baby, I’d go to war behind you.” He pecked my lips.

“I’m shocked, for sure, but I’m also grateful. I’m grateful you put me first. I’m grateful you choose me. I’m grateful you love me.”

“Forever and always.”

A weight liftedfrom my shoulders. With everything out in the open, I felt like a new and improved man. I could breathe better, see clearer, and live in my truth. Mali accepted my actions and made love to me to show her gratitude for what I did for her. It was the best sex of my life, and that was saying a lot.

“Look at y’all grinning like schoolgirls with a crush. I know Mali’s got you whipped, but what’s going on withyou, Probie?” Juliet teased as she sat beside me on the couch. She kicked her feet up on the coffee table.

“I’m not going to lie . . . I got Joylei’s number after we helped Mali move. We’ve been talking for a while.”

I shook my head. “Does she know you still have baby formula on your breath?”

“I’ll literally be twenty-two on my next birthday . . .” Charles crossed his arms over his chest.

“Isn’t Joylei almost thirty? You don’t know what to do with a grown woman,” Juliet concluded.

“Y’all are haters. Plus, we’re just talking right now. She could be a lesson or a blessing. We’ll see in a couple of months from now.”