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Relief made my entire body relax. Looking down at the body on the floor, I was relieved that he had scared the others away and at least kept this nigga from taking my shit. Even though one of them got away with the money, my client got to keep her car, and I got to keep my engagement ring. Crouching down, Wilde snatched the mask off ole boy’s face, and I gasped.

“What the fuck?” Wilde’s voice boomed as we stared at Nine. The nigga that Nina was dating.

WILDE

I approached Nina’s door and prayed to God I’d be able to keep my cool. I had known Nina for a long time, and she didn’t give grimey. Never once did I have a reason to look at her sideways. She could be livid with Pierre, and I’d never suspect her of doing anything to cross him or me. But I didn’t put anything past anybody, and I’d put a bullet in her head if I thought for one second that she’d sent that nigga to Wonder’s shop. I was practically foaming at the mouth the entire time I drove to Nina’s crib. Before I could make it to the door, it flew open, and she came storming out of the house frowning. When she saw me, she stopped in her tracks.

“What are you doing here? Did dumb ass call you?”

“Who is dumb ass?” I asked in a flat tone. My trigger finger was itching.

“Pierre. This bastard got pulled over with my kids in the car. He had weed and a gun, and his stupid ass is going to jail. I have to go get my kids.”

Nina was visibly pissed, but I didn’t give a fuck about that shit. “That nigga Nine is dead,” I stated in a menacing tone. I knew the police would look at the video footage from Wonder’s security system, so I chose to stick around and talk to the policewith her even though I hated them. I was tired and fucking annoyed, but I was going to get to the bottom of that shit.

“W-what? What are you talking about?” the anger had disappeared from Nina’s face, and she was scared. “How?”

“Him and two other niggas ran up in Wonder’s shop and tried to rob her.”

“Oh my God! What the fuck?” Nina appeared genuine. I didn’t want to be naïve as hell, but I also didn’t want to kill an innocent person.

I explained everything that happened to her, and she began to cry immediately. “Oh my God. That night he asked me if Wonder was the person that wrapped cars, and he said he heard she was nice with it. That’s all he said, and we never discussed her again. You know I love Wonder. Please tell me you don’t think I had anything to do with this. I haven’t even talked to Nine in a few days. I think he was just a thrill for the moment, but he wasn’t anyone I could be with long term. Is Wonder okay?” Nina’s eyes darted back and forth across my face, and I could tell she was concerned. If shorty was acting, she needed to be on the big screen because I was convinced she was telling the truth.

“She’s good.”

Nina breathed a sigh of relief. “I have to go get my babies, but I swear to God first thing in the morning I’m going to check on her. She has to know I didn’t know about this. I swear I didn’t.”

“It’s all good, G. I can tell you’re telling the truth.”

Once I was confident that Nina was being honest the reality of what she said about Pierre hit me. That nigga just wasn’t going to get his shit together. I tried to help him, but he obviously didn’t want it, and I wasn’t big on wasting my time. He would have to figure his own shit out. Nina didn’t appear convinced. Her face was crumpled as her eyes darted back and forth across my face.

“Go get the kids, Nina. Let me know how much Pierre’s bail is.”

“Fuck, Pierre,” she spat. “I have terrible fucking taste in men.”

Life was determined not to let up off me. I ran one hand over my curls before getting back inside my car. I made it clear to Wonder that at no time was she to ever be at the shop alone. I was also going to hire security to come in around three in the evening and stay until she closed. I didn’t want to end up in prison and leave Wonder alone with the kids, but I’d burn the city down behind her, and I needed niggas to know that before they tried her. I had no issue being alone, but I was used to being able to confide in and kick it with Pierre. His idiotic ass couldn’t stay free long enough to take my advice or give me any. Wonder had become my best friend, but I felt like there was certain shit I couldn’t tell her. I was supposed to be the provider and the protector. I felt whining to her about being stressed out would make me seem weak. Like she couldn’t trust me to hold us down.

I didn’t want to leave her alone for too long with the kids, but I needed to take the edge off, and weed wasn’t going to cut it. I stopped by the nearest bar and ordered a double shot of cognac. When I was done, I ordered another. All in the past month, I could have lost my daughter and my girl. That shit made chills run down my spine. A stranger would have assumed I’d known Wonder for years because even in the short time that we’d been together, I barely remembered what life was like before her.

The alcohol did what I needed it to do. I felt a bit better as I sat in my car and rolled a blunt. On the way home I drove slow, so I could enjoy the weed. When I got home, the house was quiet. Wonder was in the kitchen washing dishes.

“Bae, we have a dish washer. Why you in here washing dishes when you could be in bed?”

Wonder turned around to face me. “It was only a few dishes, Wilde. I’m not made of glass. I won’t break. What did Nina say?” the same fear I saw in Nina’s eyes, I saw in Wonder’s. She really liked Nina and didn’t want to believe that she had anything to do with Nine robbing her.

“She said she didn’t know, and I believe her. You the coldest in the state when it comes to wrapping cars. Muhfuckas know you get money. She didn’t have to be in on it for him to get at you.”

I could see the relief practically oozing off Wonder. “That’s good to know. I really didn’t think she would do that, but you never can be too sure.”

“I know.” Grabbing her waist, I pulled her into me. “I’m going to take a quick shower then get in the tub. Join me?” The idea of soaking in a tub with my lady sounded good, but I wasn’t a fan of soaking in my own dirt.

“I think I will.” Wonder’s subtle smile made my dick jump. “I love you.” Briefly, I peered into her eyes before pecking her on the lips.

“I love you too.”

“I got us, G. You know that, right? No matter what happens. I got you, and I got my kids.”

Wonder’s brows furrowed. “Did something happen?”