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“I got caught up.”

“You straight?”

“I’m fine.”

“You sure? You sound funny.”

“I said I’m fine, Meek. I just have a lot going on.”

“Aight. I wasn’t tryin’ to bother you. I was gonna see if you wanted lunch.”

I closed my eyes and let the tears fall again.

“No. I probably won’t leave the office today.”

“Everything good there? Do I need to come by?”

“Yes, everything is fine,” I lied.

Everything at Royal Flush was fine. It was my damn life that was falling apart.

“You sure you don’t need me?”

“No.” I wiped the tears from my eyes.

“Aight. Call me when you get free.”

“I will.”

“I love you,” he said.

There was no way I could say that shit back.

“Ky?”

“I got to go, Meek.” I hung up.

I spent the rest of my day going through every file. My phone was turned completely off. Before I looked that man in his face again, I needed to decide which Kyenna was going to show up. The woman he loved, or the widow of the man he murdered.

CHAPTER 41

KYENNA

Ididn’t go home after leaving Royal Flush. Not after sitting in my office for hours staring at proof that Shameek helped plan my husband’s murder and then finished the job himself. The thought of pulling through that gate and seeing his house sitting across the compound made my stomach turn. I also knew if I went home, he would eventually show up. Shameek didn’t understand distance unless it was forced, and right now, I wasn’t ready to look that man in his face without knowing exactly what I planned to do. So, I called the one person I knew wouldn’t ask ten questions before letting me through the door.

I didn’t tell him everything over the phone. I only told him I needed somewhere to stay for the night and I didn’t want anybody knowing where I was. Lloyd didn’t hesitate. The sun was setting when I pulled into his driveway. I sat in the car for a few minutes before getting out because my body felt heavy. Lloyd opened the door before I knocked. He looked at me, then took the overnight bag I went and bought from the store, with a few things out of my hand.

“I’m not going to ask you anything tonight unless you want to talk. The guest room is ready, and I ordered food because I figured you probably haven’t eaten.”

“Thank you. I really needed that.”

“I figured.”

He stepped aside and let me in. I had been to Lloyd’s house before, but never like this. Never with an overnight bag and my whole life feeling like it had been split open. He pointed towards the hallway.

“Guest room is the second door on the left. The bathroom is inside as well. I put towels out for you. The food should be here in about twenty minutes. If you want to sit with me, cool. If you want to close the door and pretend I don’t exist, that works too.”

“Thank you for accommodating me.”