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“Marcus has my child, and he’s not answering the phone. I don’t know where she is and if she’s okay. You’re not a parent, so I don’t expect you to understand! Don’t tell me to calm down!” I yelled on the verge of tears, jousting my finger.
I expected him to lash out back because that’s what I was used to, but he didn’t. Mack remained calm and patient. Everything Marcus wasn’t as he took me in his arms.
“I get it. This is on me so let me fix it, Skylar.”
“It’s not your problem to fix, but I appreciate it. I need to get my car.”
“You would’ve been home last night if it wasn’t for me. It is my problem to fix. Get dressed so we can find Cam.”
I didn’t know how Mack planned to do that, but he spoke with so much confidence that I believed he would. Or maybe I needed to believe it to keep from losing my shit.
Mack maneuvered around his bedroom, getting dressed, with his phone glued to his shoulder, making various calls while I did the same. He peeked his head out of the closet long enough to ask me to send him Cam’s email to her tablet. When he came out and brushed his teeth, he had an address.
Mack and I climbed in his car, but I didn’t want to put him in the middle of my baby daddy drama. In true Meraux form, my problem was his problem, but I tried to discourage him anyway.
“I can go get Cam. Just give me the address.”
“By yourself? That’s not happening.”
“We need to get her car seat. I don’t let her ride without it.”
Mack nodded, which only made me think about how Marcus transported our four-year-old without a car seat because I knew damn well he didn’t have one of his own. We drove to the club and picked up Cam’s car seat before arriving at an apartment complex I’d never seen.
Mack parked and went to get out when I grabbed his arm. “I appreciate you for coming with me but let me handle Marcus.” Again he nodded and climbed out of the car.
We walked to the second floor, and Mack knocked on the door with so much force that it startled me. Marcus yanked it open, wearing a sarcastic smile that made me want to smack it off his face.
“You’re done laying up with a nigga and ready to be a mother again?”
“Where is Camdyn?” I asked, ignoring his attempt to bait me into an argument.
“Keep this shit up, and Cam will be with me full-time.”
“Are you fuckin’ kidding me? You don’t even know what size she wears, and you’re talking about my parenting! Fuck you!” I yelled, pointing my finger in his face like I’d done Mack earlier.
“Like I said. Keep leaving my daughter to lay up, and I’ll take her.”
“I’d love to see you fuckin’ try!”
Mack grabbed me back and spoke up despite agreeing to let me handle Marcus, “We ain’t here to do all that. Where is Cam so we can go?”
“This nigga might run the city, but he doesn’t run shit where my daughter is concerned.”
“Nigga don’t address her when I’m talking to you.” Mack’s voice held more bass than I’d ever heard before. He was usually quiet and laid back, but this was a different side of him. “Matter of fact, go get Cam and take her to the car.”
I didn’t know what he meant by ‘get Cam.’ I was confused until he pulled his gun out. Mack didn’t do anything with it or flex it. He just held it in his hand, forcing Marcus to make a tough decision.
I wanted to refuse. I was afraid to leave Marcus alone with Mack even though he deserved whatever he got. Walking inside, I quickly collected Camdyn and her things. Scooping her into my arms, I started for the door. Thankfully, Mack had put his gun away.
“Let me say bye to my daughter,” Marcus insisted. I hated the possessiveness he used when it was convenient for him.
“Bye, Squirt. I love you. No matter what anybody says. I love you,” Marcus said, clenching her body against his.
“I love you too, daddy.” Taking Camdyn from him, she finally noticed Mack standing there. Mack held his hand up, and Cam slapped him five giggling at her nickname. Marcus could barely keep his top lip in check, watching their interaction.
“Let’s go,” I insisted, urging Mack to leave with us, but he declined, kissing me on my forehead instead.
Walking down the stairs, I buckled Camdyn into her car seat and climbed into the car. It felt like ages when Mack finally appeared, jogging down the stairs and making his way to the car.
