I turned toward the door before the blade touched her face. I heard the first sound rip out of her. Then another. Then I heard Mara’s calm voice telling her to breathe unless she wanted the damage worse.
I didn’t look back.
One of my men opened the front door. Warm air moved over my face. I stepped outside as Ekaterina’s screams followed me down the steps.
Juvie stood by the rear door of the car. He didn’t ask anything.
The kid was smart, too.
The ride back was quiet. I watched the city slide by the window and felt nothing about what had just happened. Ekaterina would live. She would still be rich, still be protected by whatever name her family had left. But when she looked in a mirror, as she used to love to do, she’d remember my wife every day.
The vibration of my phone surprised me. I thought Theory must’ve woken up and wanted me, but it was Real. I answered.
“Fuck you want?”
“Tryna see how married life treating you, but you up and grouchy. That says a lot,” he teased.
I snorted. “Whatever, nigga. You up, too.”
“You forget I got a lil one?”
“Nah, yo’ ass must be scared about them impending nuptials.”
“Never. Hard as I chased this girl? I been tryna get her to sneak to the Justice of the Peace,” he joked… I guess.
“What’s up?”
“It’s about work.”
I was instantly more alert. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah. But I can’t tell you in a car. I’ll explain when you get still.”
“You got that.”
“A’ight. Y’all still coming a couple days before? We gon’ need a smoke break or something before this production.”
“I’m one of the Best Men. I’ll be there with bells on.”
“Bring ya ass. Leave the bells.”
He hung up, and I laughed.
By the time we reached the house, the sky was still dark, but not as deep dark as before. Morning was coming. I went in through the side entrance, showered in the guest bath, then dressed in clean sleep pants.
When I eased back into our bedroom, Theory was exactly where I’d left her, knocked out, curled up in my shirt. Looking at her, I felt myself relax. I climbed into bed carefully, but she stirred anyway.
“You back?” she mumbled.
I slid behind her and pulled her into my arms.
“I promised, didn’t I?”
“Mm-hmm.” She settled against me, already falling back asleep. “You cold. I told you turn that thing up.”
“I’ll warm up.”
She caught my hand and dragged it over her stomach and held it there. I closed my eyes and pressed my mouth to the back of her neck. My wife slept like she knew I would keep watch.
