Page 19 of Widow Mayker

“Frustrating?” Her eyebrows lifted defiantly.

Gently pushing the bag into her chest, I replied, “Yeah, frustrating. Imagine fallin’ headfirst for someone who refuses to see when a man is willing to bow at her feet. If only to have a few minutes of her time, so she can get to know him and fall so deep for him that what he does for a livin’ won’t even matter.” I sounded like a sap…but she had to see the potential in us. I wouldn’t dare do this shit if I didn’t see where me and Maja could take this.

“That sounds sweet. Too bad this is reality, and I’d rather not take any chances,” she stated.

“You just gon’ play me like that?” I tried hard not to feel a way about Maja’s attitude. Inwardly, I felt myself about to act a fool in this parking lot.

“Have patience with her, son.” My father’s voice reminded me to chill the fuck out.

“Detective Gunner, please. I stand by what I said. I don’t like cops,” she reiterated, although she finally took the gift bag in her hand.

“I’m not a cop—”

“Titles don’t mean shit. You’re all the same,” she hissed.

“Wow, aight,” I replied, perturbed.

“Now leave me alone. You’re going to get yourself beat up.” She glanced over her shoulder at Stacy, who stood off in the distance keeping a close eye on her.

“Beat up?” I snickered. “It’s gon’ take a few bullets to get me up off you, baby.”

As bothered as she seemed, she wanted to laugh but kept a straight face when she said, “That’s not funny.”

Still, the small feat of seeing her fight a smile did something to my chest.

“No, it isn’t funny. Neither is how I’m comin’ for you. Before you knew my title, you were fuckin’ wit’ me,” I reminded her.

“Well, things changed. If I’m being honest, the sight of you is making me nauseous.” She made a face to capitalize what she felt.

I appreciated her honesty. I really did. There was some deep-rooted hatred for law enforcement embedded in her. Still, I wasn’t about to let that shit deter me. This was my wife. Moving closer to her, I relished the way she didn’t back down. Her spine straightened even more. She held her breath as I stood over her. For a woman so fucking sure of herself, Maja seemed so damn…innocent.

“You can’t stand the sight of me?” My voice dropped an octave as I lifted her chin for her to look me in my eyes and say that stupid shit. Her eyes were filled with so much uncertainty and apprehension. I wanted to reach inside of her and pull every last ounce of doubt out of her.

“Von…”

“Yes, baby,” I replied, gently.

She said nothing but remained looking into my eyes.

“Just give me one weekend to prove you wrong. Fuck them other niggas. What I need is for you to fuck wit’ me. Let me show you why I don’t want you to make a mistake and walk away from the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”

Playfully, she knocked my hand away. “That’s not a threat. What’s to be, will be.”

“And we’re meant to be. So, gon’ head and get back to blushing every time I say something. We leave Friday morning,” I stated.

“Wait—”

“Nope,” I replied as I opened my truck door. “Not giving you another chance to curve me. See you Friday, baby.”

Satisfied that I’d gotten this step completed, I waited until she turned her back, then released the biggest sigh of my life.

MAJA

The deep breath I took watching Von slide up my street wasn’t as fortifying as I needed it to be. First of all, Heir and Mama Maddie were standing by the door like I was some teenager going on her first date. Fumbling with the band of gold bracelets surrounding my left wrist, I recalled the note attached to the gift Von gave me the other day.

This is a make-up gift. We got off on the wrong foot, and I hate that for us. I’m determined to make it better. Let me make it better, Maja. -No One

“Ooohhh,” Heir mumbled. “Big ol’ sexy truck.”