Page 34 of Bodyguard My Heart
“I told you I was a boss, baby.” He kissed me on the forehead, and my body melted.
“Y’all motherfuckers gon’ wait another six years to tell me where the fuck y’all relationship stand. Y’all together or not?” Royale said into the phone as my eyes traveled to Demetrius. The tone in Royale’s voice said he was still in his feelings about our marriage. I was sure had we not been caught in this predicament, he probably wouldn’t even be talking to us.
“Gone get it out, bro. You’re entitled to it.” Demetrius spoke up. Him and Royale had been friends for so long, I hoped that this wouldn’t tarnish that.
“I’m good. Y’all fucked up bullshit not that important right now,” Royale replied.
“It is though. Let’s air this shit out like men. Like best friends. I went behind yo’ back and married Mara so I could take over the cartel for you. We saw it best not to tell you. That’s it, that’s my truth.”
“I asked him to do it!” I rushed to add. “I just wanted you to live out yo’ dreams.”
The phone was silent for a minute. My nerves were bad as I waited for my brother to respond. Demetrius and I were finallygoing to happen, and it would mean so much to me if we had his support.
“Y’all fucking around on the low is one thing but getting married behind my back is another thing. Y’all sat in my motherfucking face and lied. Y’all lied for six fucking years! That’s some unloyal ass shit coming from two people I would give my life for.”
I could feel Demetrius’s body stiffen as Royale went in on both of us. He had the same look on his face he’d had the day I presented him with the arranged marriage. We both sat there, allowing Royale to vent. He deserved to have some time to process what he was feeling.
“Meechie, that’s my little sister! You, of all people, knew damn well she was off-limits. You knew damn well I ain’t want her involved in this cartel shit.”
“It was never supposed to be anything other than on paper. I ain’t about to apologize for falling in love with Mara, bro. I can’t. I love the fuck out of her, and we gon’ be together.” He wrapped his hand in mine before continuing. “I ain’t about to apologize for doing what I thought was best for all us at the time. What I will apologize for is keeping the shit from you for so long. That was some bitch shit, and I can’t do anything but own up to it.”
Another round of silence fell over the phone. I didn’t know what Royale was going to say. I didn’t even know if I could live with knowing I’d broken up their friendship.
“I’m just pissed I ain’t get to be a flower boy in my only brother’s wedding.” Polo broke the awkward silence. “I was gon’ let that shit rain!” he joked. His ass could never be serious, but he was the humor we needed at the moment.
“I’m saying. I was gon’ be fly as fuck in a tux.” The tone in Royale’s voice had me exhaling the breath I’d been holding.
“Y’all niggas might still got y’all chance,” Demetrius countered.
“On some real shit, though, just treat my sister right, Meechie. You know what she deserves. You know what she needs.”
“I know, man. Trust me, I got her,” Demetrius assured Royale.
“And, Samara, stop playing those silly ass games. Meechie not Pops. Write those issues down in a diary and heal before you miss out on a good man.”
My eyes grew big, and I threw my hand to my chest.
“I feel targeted!” I shouted.
“Good, you should,” Royale replied. Demetrius laughed as he pulled me close to him.
“Not too much on my wife, boy.” He kissed my cheek. I couldn’t believe we were finally free of the secret that had controlled our lives for so long. It felt good. I only hoped that Demetrius wouldn’t let me down. The conversation switched gears to Fabian’s funeral arrangements, and I could feel Demetrius’s emotions with every detail. His guilt was radiating off his skin.
“I’ll go by Grandma’s and get shit set up on this end,” Demetrius offered. “Can y’all handle getting his body shipped as discreetly as possible?”
“I’m on it. I know exactly who to go to,” Polo stated.
“Hopefully, we can get this shit figured out by the funeral so Fabian can rest in peace.”
“Agreed.” We all replied at the same time.
“Fabian deserved that much,” I whispered.
“Yeah, he do,” Demetrius replied. His voice was just above a whisper.
“Fabian’s death is hard on all of us. We gon’ get them motherfuckers, though,” Polo said.
“Oh, I know. Ain’t no other way. Y’all keep me posted on anything y’all hear,” Demetrius ordered.