Page 89 of Widow Mayker

“I’m good, and so is she.”

Kim grinned. “I won’t lie. I was completely against you being with Heir. Thankfully, you didn’t give a damn about what I had to say.”

We both chuckled.

“She looks good on you, bro. Very good. What’s even better is that she’s good for you. Although I’m not looking for it, the two of you give me hope that love may find me one day.”

Surprised, I asked, “Even after what we found out about Pops and Katrice?” If I wasn’t already in love with Heir, the revelations about my Pops would’ve surely had me worse off than I was before I met Heir.

She nodded. “You taught me something.”

“What’s that?”

“That for the right woman, any man is capable of changing and loving.”

“Would this nigga you happen to not be lookin’ for, happen to be Alli?”

Her eyes stretched quizzically. “No… Why?”

“Just a brief observation.”

“Oh.” A few seconds clicked by before she stuck her hand out for our handshake. “I love you, bro.”

We locked fingers, and I prayed a nigga never hurt my fucking sister. “I love you, too, baby.”

Kim left Heir’s room, and I was back to concentrating on my baby. Heir was going to have the best life with me and nothing less.

HEIR

Two days later…

“I’m right here, baby.”

“Shh… Rest, love.”

“You okay. I’m right here. I got you.”

Kody’s deep voice lulled me into a deep sleep that catapulted me back to the moments after I was taken. I was taken to a house, one that I couldn’t recall, and forced into a room that had boards on all the windows. The floor was dirty, the mattress sitting on the floor was dirty, and the room smelled like rotting flesh.

Queasiness took over, causing me to vomit most of the time I was inside that shit hole. It was dark, quiet, and I didn’t eat a damn thing Kody’s look alike tried to offer me. Then, there was sunlight, and I was being dragged onto a plane. I thought my heart would give out from sheer terror. As that plane took off from the landing strip, all I could think about was my mother and how devastated she would be. I thought about Poppa and Adir not being able to find me. Also, I thought about Kody never knowing that I was pregnant with his child, his heir.

A tear slipped out, awakening me, reminding me that I was still alive and safe in the arms of the man I loved.

The fear of falling stayed with me too long. The fear of losing Kody would stay with me forever. I clung to him, afraid that if I closed my eyes this would all be a dream, and I’d wake up back on that plane. Feeling like I would never see my family or Kody again was a fear I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy. I’d been in the clutches of the devil and was rescued by the men who swore to always protect me. They came for me, fought for me, and killed for me. The trauma I experienced in Adir’s dungeon was nothing compared to the trauma of what I witnessed thousands of miles above the ground. I witnessed a goon meeting a few six-foot-five goblins. I witnessed a goon fear for his life. More importantly, I witnessed the lengths my goblins were willing to go to protect me.

“Our baby’s heartbeat sounds strong as hell,” Kody stated.

Giggling, I snuggled deeper into his embrace and listened to his heartbeat.

“I’m rockin’ you like a baby, but ya mind is so unsettled, baby. You must want me to cut up.”

I buried my face in his chest to stifle a laugh, then opened my eyes to meet his eyes. “My mind is here, baby. I was just thinking about how grateful I am for this moment,” I explained. “Have you checked on Charnice?” He hadn’t budged from my side, but I knew Charnice was torn up about everything that went down. To have her best friend and husband stab her in the back was too much for any woman to handle.

“She and Kim came by while you were sleeping. Mama screamed so loud when she looked at that damn board.” Kody motioned the board on the wall which revealed that I was pregnant. Trust me, my mama is gon’ be just fine, and Kim was already thinking of shit to buy the baby.

We both chuckled.

“This wasn’t the way I wanted to tell you. I had gifts waiting for you. One for the baby reveal, and the other because I had to beat Tina’s ass.”