She was started to walk backward, and I let her. I wanted her out of my space.
“Just remember what I said, he’s mine.” She said as she backed into the door and opened it up.
“Remember what I said.” I watched as she turned and ran to her car.
This was what I allowed to come back into my life.
I put the gun back where I kept it and went back to trying to paint. The anger was still there. I screamed again and just let the tears fall down my face.
Chapter 21 - Ink POV
Ink POV
I rode around for what felt like hours. I went down to the pier, a face mask and helmet covering my face, and when I looked over to the art shop and felt instantly at ease.
There was something about Jazmine; something Vida couldn’t give me. My temper eased, and I tried just to be happy I was home. I would have to put Vida in her place about that ol’ lady shit. When I was ready to give that title out, I would do it on my own and not because someone forced me.
I should have known the night wouldn’t end well. I should have fucking known.
Returning to the clubhouse, I pushed open the doors and walked in. The party was still going, but it was only the hardcore party goers left. Clean ran over to me as soon as he saw me come in.
“Ink, you need a fucking jack.” He wasn’t drunk anymore, he looked worried.
“What the hell do I need one of those for. You need love advice or something.” I laughed and walked past him.
“Uh, well, if you had a phone, I could have called to tell you, your first chick went over to your second chick's house, and I am pretty sure they are doing what chicks do when they find out they banging the same man. You know, chick shit.”
I froze in my tracks. I turned slowly to look at him to see if he was playing. He wasn’t. “What the fuck? Speak English, what’s happening?”
“Vida went over to that woman Jazmine’s house to look for you. She was pissed too.”
Oh shit! Oh, fucking shit! “Why didn’t anyone stop her? Why would you let her go?” I put my hand on my head.
“Bro, that woman isn’t patched in. Hell, you haven’t even said she was your woman. Vida, on the other hand, has been family for years. We couldn’t step in.”
“Fuck!” I roared and went back toward the door. I had to get to Jazmine’s house before Vida did something stupid. That woman was batshit crazy.
“You need backup?”
“No! If Vida gets back here before I do, keep her the fuck here!” I ordered.
I jumped on my bike and sped as fast as I could to Jazmine’s house.
***
I didn’t see Vida or the car when I got there. Maybe she never came. Maybe she didn’t remember where Jazmine lived. I prayed Vida didn’t come over here and hurt her.
I walked up the steps and knocked on the door. After a few seconds, when I heard nothing at the door, I knocked again.
The door opened slowly, “What are you doing here, Ink?” Jazmine asked through a crack in the door.
“Can I come in? Please?” I asked, now almost desperate to see her face. Was she okay? Did they fight?
“For what?” She asked, still through the crack in the door.
“Jesus Christ, for fuck's sake, curse me out, give me the cold shoulder, tell me I ain't shit, smack the hell out of me, do what you have to do, just do it to me in there.” I shifted from foot to foot, ready to push the door in if she insisted on not letting me in. I had to make sure she was okay.
She moved back, letting the door swing open before she turned to walk away.
“Your woman was here.” Hatred rolled off her body as she spoke.
“Fuck. Jazmine, I’m sorry. I didn’t know she was going to do that. I wouldn’t have let her.” I turned her to me. She snatched her arm from me.
“What did you think would happen? She was just going to sit back and let you bounce from woman to woman?”
“What? No. That isn’t what I want. I don’t want that.”
“She threatened to stab me.” Jazmine’s voice was like ice.
“Fuck. Really?”
She motioned with her head, and I turned to see a long knife lying on the floor. “Jazmine. This is so fucked up. I’ll handle her. I’ll handle it.”
“I already handled it, Ink. I put my gun to her head and told her I would pull the trigger if she ever came back here and threatened me again. I will Ink. I’m back here again. Are you happy?” Her voice cracked as she turned and tried to walk away from me.
I grabbed her this time, not letting her pull away from me. “You’re where? Where are you?”
“In the middle of a fucking war, with people pulling weapons on me. All alone but too far in to get out,” she mumbled, “just like with my father and brother.”
“No, you’re not. This is different. You are not alone. I’m with you.” I pulled her closer to me. “I know it feels like shit is bad right now, and fuck if I don’t feel like shit for causing it, but no matter how far you fall, I’m always going to be right here to help you up.”
She melted into me, the wall she’d been putting up slowly crumbling down. “Oh, Ink.” She raised up and lightly pressed her lips against mine. That spark, the one I barely felt with Vida, exploded in my body. I grabbed her and pressed my lips harder into her. I groaned and squeezed her hips, pulling her as close as I could get her.
