Page 11 of Bodyguard My Heart
“You couldn’t tell your brother because he would have stepped in and took over.”
“Yes, and we couldn’t let him do that. Royale needed to become a doctor. His future was so much greater than being Capo. I did it for him.” I sobbed.
“Samara, this is heavy. Does anybody else know about this?”
“We know.”
My head turned toward the doorway as Aliza, Rebecca, and Contessa rushed into the room. I didn’t know how long they’dbeen standing there or how much they heard, but relief swept over me. I felt free, knowing that I didn’t have to keep this secret.
“Samara is married to Meechie!” Monroe shouted as everyone joined us on the bed. Their arms wrapped around my body, embracing me in a group hug. My body melted into them as I let out a few more tears.
“Was married,” I corrected her again.
“Is married. Divorces aren’t final until you submit the paperwork,” Aliza added.
“How much did you all hear?” I was curious. My secret was finally out.
“Everything, and I can't believe you kept this from me.” Rebecca slapped me on my shoulder. “So the guy you’ve been on and off dating, the one that has been stalking you, that’s Meechie?”
“Um huh.” I nodded. Everyone stared at me dumbfounded with their mouths on the floors.
“How?” Rebecca mumbled.
“I know how to keep a secret.” I took pride in the fact that I had managed to hide things with Demetrius for so long. It was one of the hardest things I’d ever done, yet somehow, I’d done it.
“When did you two fall in love? And why are you getting a divorce?” Monroe’s questions caught me off guard. She was diving right into my business. I hesitated for a moment, trying to find the right words. I’d gone back and forth on my position when it came to loving him. I didn’t know when I had fallen.
“If I’m being honest, I fell for Demetrius early on in our agreement. He is so rugged but sweet. Always cracking a damn joke.” The girls’ head all nodded.
“The second we got married, he took over all my living expenses. After the first time we slept together, I knew I loved him.”
“I know that dick was good!” Aliza shouted, causing me to laugh. “No disrespect, cousin, but Meechie’s big ass gives off the best big dick energy.”
I shook my head at Aliza as Monroe pushed her, warning her to tread lightly. I didn’t mind Aliza’s comment because I knew she didn’t mean any harm by it. Demetrius did give off big dick energy and had since we were teenagers.
“I don’t mean to pry, but if you love him so much, why not explore a real relationship?” Contessa questioned. She was only asking the question everyone probably wanted the answer to.
“I can’t love him, okay? I can’t. He’s everything my father was. This marriage was for Ro, and that’s it.”
Everyone stared at me. They all wanted to say something, but I was glad they’d chosen silence. Admitting my love for Demetrius was hard, and judgment was the last thing I needed. I allowed my tears to coat my cheeks as the reality of everything set in.
“It’s over!” I sobbed. “I can’t believe it’s over. I love him so much.” I broke down. All six years of hidden emotions poured out. Nobody said a word. They just embraced me as I fell apart. My phone rang in the pocket of my nightgown, and I almost broke my neck retrieving the phone. As emotional as I was, I was hoping it was Demetrius. I needed it to be Demetrius. I felt disappointed when I recognized the number of the hospital where I worked part-time on the weekends. They probably wanted me to come in. Swiping the green button, I connected the call just as Monroe’s phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Hello, this is Nurse Practitioner Janson calling from Miami Memorial Hospital. I’m looking for Mrs. Samara Augustine. It’s an urgent matter.”
The blood immediately drained from my face. She’d called me by Demetrius’s last name. My last name wasn’t Augustine. Iknew at that moment something was wrong. My eyes traveled to Monroe. She had moved from the bed to the corner of the room. Her chocolate face had no color, and tears were welling up in her eyes. She knew the horrible news I was destined to receive. I couldn’t stop my hands from shaking as I pressed the phone up against my face.
“This is her,” I said through a shaky voice. Contessa ran to Monroe, who was now crying uncontrollably. Whatever was going on was heavy. I could feel it in my chest.
“This is Samara Augustine,” I repeated. I needed to know what was going on.
“Miss, your husband, Demetrius Augustine, was rushed here with life-threatening injuries from a car accident. He is in the intensive care unit—” The phone fell from my hand before she could finish her sentence. My chest tightened, and I would be on the floor if I wasn’t already sitting. I couldn’t breathe. All the air had been sucked from my body.
“Demetrius!” I screamed, placing my hands over my face.
“What’s going on? What happened?” Aliza called out. Her hand wrapped around my back.