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“I don’t think you do. You keep saying he loves you like that makes you safe. That doesn’t erase what he did to Nikki or his brother.:

“He won’t hurt me,” I said.

“I hope you're right. Keep your security close. And if anything feels wrong, leave. You don’t owe him a final speech.”

“I need one, though. I need to hear what he has to say.”

“Okay.” he threw his hands up.

“I’m going to Royal Flush first. I need to print everything and make copies.”

“Send copies to me as well.”

“If something happens–”

“Don’t,” Lloyd said, putting his hand up.

“Lloyd.”

“Kyenna, I said don’t. You’re going to come back.”

My day started at Royal Flush. I had only stopped by here because I needed to pick up some paperwork. What was supposed to be only a few minutes turned into two hours of me sorting things out because one of the managers had a family emergency. Then I had to wait for a manager to come in so I could leave. Once I was told everyone was on schedule, I grabbed what I came for and walked out without saying anything to anyone. After months of chasing the truth and having no answers, I had everything I needed.

Me: Meet me at the house at nine. We need to talk

Shameek’s response came instantly.

Meek: I’ve been worried about you

Me: I’m good

After a shower and a shot, I was ready to look him in the face and say what needed to be said. I wasn’t trying to get drunk. Just enough to get the edge of it and steady my nerves. At nine sharp, Shameek was walking up to the door.

“Fuck is wrong wit’ you?” He asked as soon as I opened the door.

I didn’t say anything. I closed the door and walked off.

“A nigga been calling and textin’ you,” he said, following behind me.

Still, I said nothing. Once I made it into the kitchen, I grabbed two glasses and poured us both a shot. Shameek was mad, and I mean rightfully so. He had told the family that he loved me and wanted to be with me. The secret was out, and we no longer had to hide. His parents weren’t fond of it. Jaharee already had an idea that we were fucking around. It was just good to come out and say it.

“Are you goin’ to say somethin’? You got me ‘round this bitch worried ‘bout you.”

“Why did you kill Nikki?” I asked, before taking my shot down.

“What?” He frowned.

He came clean and told me Nikki went into a jealous rage when he tried to break it off with her. I was the type of bitch that wanted to ask again to see if he kept the same lie. It got his brother caught up when he was messing with Raya. I wanted to see if it was a King thing to forget what lie was told.

“I told you what happened.”

I could see the beads of sweat forming on his nose. When he was frustrated, his nose was the first to sweat.

“Why did you kill Nikki?” I asked slowly so he could hear me clearly.

“She went to beatin’ on a nigga ‘cause I chose you over her.”

I poured another shot.