Page 209 of The Wright Man

I brought the last box in, shut the front door behind me, and finally looked at her.

She was still standing there, arms wrapped around herself like she was trying to keep from falling apart again. Her eyes were rimmed in red, her curls a mess, her nose pink from crying. Still the most beautiful thing I'd ever seen.

She opened her mouth. "Maleek... thank you—"

"No."

She blinked.

I shook my head slowly and stepped close, lowering my voice, letting the weight of it settle in the air between us.

"You don't thank me for protecting you." My tone came out deeper than I meant, chest-low and unflinching. "That's what love does."

She exhaled like I'd hit her in the chest. And maybe I had.

I stepped away before I did something reckless and went into the kitchen. Got her a mug of hot water from the machine, grabbed the herbal tea she kept in my pantry—caffeine-free, peppermint, to calm her nerves. Set it on the counter. Added honey, a splash of oat milk, stirred it twice, and brought it over to her.

"Drink this," I said. "Sit down."

She obeyed without argument. Just curled into my couch and took slow sips, like the warmth was reviving her from the inside out.

I checked my phone.

Two missed texts. One from my lawyer asking for an update after I ghosted him this weekend. The other from Riq—probably wondering where the hell I was for his pitch.

I texted my lawyer back: Later.

He was gonna chew me out for that. I didn't give a fuck.

Riq could wait. He'd understand. Especially after I told him what happened. But for now, I dialed Sticks.

He picked up on the second ring.

"Yo."

"I need you and the trailer."

"Where?"

"My place."

"Bet. You good?"

A long pause.

"It's Angelica," I said quietly. "Her ex did some foul shit. I'll explain later."

He didn't ask for more.

"Say less. I'm on the way. Be there in twenty."

I hung up and glanced at Angel again. She was calmer now. Her shoulders had dropped, her fingers less twitchy. I leaned forward towards her, elbows on my knees.

"Me and the guys are gonna go get the rest of your stuff."

Her brow furrowed. "Maleek—"

"I don't want you alone right now," I said, firm. "Get cleaned up, change into something comfortable, and go see your dad. Just for a little bit."