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A long, thick silence follows

They all look lost in thought After a moment Max asks quietly, "How does she do it?"

I turn to ht back memories of Ceecee’s accident I ask just as quietly, "Do what, bro?"

He turns his sad eyes to

I don’t know

Chapter Twenty-Five

For the greater good

The first thing I wake to thisI can’t believe my eyes when I find a text ontouys have been talking about Omarr and the Sixes a lot lately whicha lot lately

I know Uncle Jerue, whatever that means, and that Nik is worried about me because Omarr is a psychopath I found out Nik has spent over ten thousand dollars on Safira’s security alone I don’t even want to kno much he spent on the security at the apartht that Uncle Jer behind his back before he can punish him

I think I can help with that But I need an extra pair of hands

I call for Nat When she appears at the doorway, I sit cross legged in the center of my bed and use my best professional voice "Take a seat, Miss Kovac"

Her eyes narrow but I know Nat, she’s intrigued She sits on the edge of my bed and nods her head for me to continue

I hand her my phone As she reads the text I explain, "So, Nik and Uncle Jer problem in Omarr What can we do to help, you ask? Well, I have a plan But I can only do this if you’re in, too I can’t do it alone, babe"

She nods and asks, "What’s the plan?"

I cringe and explain it to her With wide eyes she says, "You’re crazy But I love it I’hs and hands ht at my apartment

God, I hope this works

Nik and Iwas up

I was a little too skittish and anxious and no id as a broo back to Safira Nik asked, "Everything okay, babe?"

I didn’t trust myself to answer hi will be okay, Nik

Mark my words

Nat and I have just walked through the door Its six o’clock and I have half an hour to get ready for’Working 9 to 5’ today That’s ; today ame Once out of the shower I find clothes that Nat has laid out on my bed

Oh, God Yuk!

They’re the skih hts underneath and a pair of white pumps Nat storms into my room with handfuls of makeup and hair products She teases and primps my hair then applies a lot more makeup that I ever would

She sprays s

She holds my shoulders steady and says, "Relax I’one over this a hundred ti idea!

WHAT THE HECK WAS I THINKING?!

It’s too late now, answer the damn door

I close my eyes and breathe deep I count One--two--three--four and open the door

Oeous

Too bad he’s bat-shit crazy

I put on my best sultry sood enough to eat, handsohtly

Oh, yeah I got you Hook, line and sinker

He clears his throat and asks, "Can I co, I step aside but not a lot, as he walks in ainst him

I put a hand on his chest and lean close to his ear, my lips rest on his earlobe and I whisper, "We need to talk In private"

He looks stunned but nod slowly as if he’s in a trance I wink and nod my head toward the hall As we reach my room I yell out, "Nat, I’m in my room with company" A few seconds pass and Nat responds a et ya"

Perfect Nat is good at this

We enter my room and I motion hihten draht back"

I run back to the kitchen, grab my phone and dial Nat’s nuet him, baby"

I head back to my room with two beers and my phone As soon as I enter I look down at my phone, roll my eyes and mutter, "Sorry I have to keep it near me in case Nik calls I’ve put too much effort into that man to lose him now" I place my phone on my bed side cabinet, screen side down and sit close to Omarr on my bed

Omarr’s brows are furrowed and he asks, "What do you mean you put too much effort into him to lose him?"

I respond as seriously as I can put on, "Well, Nik has ht now and I need cash Like, pronto" I shrug and rolland everything I want I just have to hook him a little more"

Omarr eyes widen and he repeats, "Nik has h I’ it

Omarr smiles and takes a beer fro bitches!"

Oh e to throw up and state ,"You’re fucking things up for oing to have to wait your turn You get me?"

Omarr nods solemnly and utters, "That sucks I’s to you but I do want you Not just because of Nik I just want you" He turns to look into my face and says, "I don’t know if I can wait for you, oing to try to kiss me At the very last second, I turn my head and he kisses my cheek