Page 21 of Saint

I’m fine, y’all.

Within minutes, my phone vibrated with a response.

Good, because I was about

to send officers to Indonesia to do

a wellness check.

Dream

That Javi dick must be slangin’

Robyn

Idgaf how good it is, answer when

I call, heaux!

Luna

I laughed at Luna’s text. I wanted to tell my friends everything –save for Javier’s diminished existence and my elopement– but I was far too exhausted to get into it. It didn’t help that the bed underneath me felt like a pillow manufactured in heaven. The last time I’d slept was on the plane back to Paramour, and exhaustion was thick as it attempted to obtain control of my body. I typed out a text that I thought would satisfy the three of my friends, and then I placed my phone on the charger and drifted off to sleep.

The call of seagulls competing with the caress of waves stroking the shore woke me. Affixed to the bed, I refused to remove myself from its comfort. My bladder revealed my laziness, prompting the ache rising in my lower belly. Reluctantly, I rose and emptied the disgruntled organ.

After taking care of my morning rituals, I headed downstairs to find the house empty. Saint’s absence was unanticipated. There were eggs on the side of the stove in a container. Assuming they were left behind for me, I loaded them onto a plate and found a loaf of bread and a toaster stowed away in a cabinet. Once my breakfast was set up, I ate in silence, save for those petulant seagulls.

After minutes of fighting with the phone to restore the previous settings, I set it aside and glanced at the space that surrounded me. Though barren, a little TLC could assist me in getting used to it all. It was then that I noticed the door to the back patio open. Rising from where I was seated, I headed to the back door and peered out at the morning’s view.

My eyes blossomed, my lips parted, and I nearly lost my breath in the process. The view was absolutely stunning. Palm trees adorned a hot tub enclosed with a pool, but the amenities weren’t the vision that deprived me of my breath. It was the Nubian pharaoh plunging from the confines of said pool. Toned biceps –one with a tattoo– combed the length of his head as he tried to swipe away the wetness dripping from his frame.

My God. I see what you’ve done for me.

He sprang from the water, planting his hand on either side of the floor as he lifted himself. A trail of water rushed from his beard, trickling to toned abs and then further to his soaking swim trunks outlining the full, thick, juicy length of…

“Good morning, sleeping beauty.”

It was only when he spoke that I realized my top teeth were digging into my bottom lip and likely looking absolutely pitiful. Saint, ignoring my lack of response, padded to one of the loungers outside. He grabbed a towel lying across the chair and proceeded to dry his face while I stole glances at the glorious third leg he housed.

“You wanted to know about Javier.”

I tore my gaze away from his groin, embarrassed that he’d caught me hawking at him like a piece of meat. Albeit, glorious meat. I mean, I was his wife. Technically, I had every right to enjoy the view, but he’d already clarified that we weren’t married in that way.

I did want to know about Javier.

He dried his legs, between his legs, his back… Oh God, I wished to be that towel. Then, he finally sat and I followed across from him.

“My family once controlled all the drugs that entered Paramour over the last ten years. Javier was being Godfathered in as the new distributor to take over the entire operation. My people wanted out, so they handed the reins over to him for a fee.”

Javier… selling drugs?

“No.” Rejecting his explanation, I shook my head. It seemed far too much of a stretch to be true. I’d been having far too much fun and ignoring everything I should have been paying attention to. The trafficking, yeah, there were signs, but selling and distributing drugs? I didn’t have the slightest clue about that type of carrying on.

“Javier told me he was in stocks,” I explained, earning me a thunderous chuckle.

“Stocks? Beauty, Javier dealt in the sale of women, young girls, and drugs,” Saint refuted me, drying his ears.

Drugs.