Page 65 of Loyal
It’s quiet again, but this time Viv isn’t there to greet me. It feels weird being in here alone. Like I’m doing something I’m not supposed to.
I don’t even know where Loyal is. I should call him. Tell him I’m here.
Before I can, I hear footsteps. Savage comes around the corner, stopping when he sees me.
“Sami, what a surprise. Are you here to see Loyal?” he asks.
“Yeah. He’s not expecting me though, so maybe I should wait outside and call him.”
He laughs. “Nonsense. He will love the surprise. I believe he is in his room. Down the hall, fifth door on the left.”
When I hesitate, he gives me a soft smile. “You are allowed to be here. You can roam as you want. I think Loyal will enjoy knowing you are making yourself at home.”
“Is that why I’m on the list?” I ask softly.
“You’re his woman. That means you get access if you want it. Now go see your man, but don’t keep him too long. We have a meeting in a couple of hours,” he says before heading through a door and closing it behind him.
Left alone again, I take his advice and start heading down the hall. I’m glad he told me which door because last time I was here, I was inebriated, so I’m not sure I would have been able to find his room.
Once there, I knock on the door. When it opens, my eyes widen.
Standing in front of me with nothing but gray sweats on is Loyal. They are hung low on his hips, showing that “V” that leads down into an area I already know I love.
“Mami,you’re here,” he says, pulling me in for a kiss.
I kiss him back, loving that this is his response.
Notwhat are you doing hereoryou shouldn’t be here.
Justyou’re here. As if he had been waiting on me forever.
When he pulls back, he smiles down at me, making me feel like I’m his entire world.
“I’m so happy you are here. I thought you had errands to run today. I know you don’t get too many days during the week to run them,” he says, showing his concern.
This is why he is different. Why he is the one I want. He genuinely cares about me and what I’m doing.
“I do, but I wanted to talk to you,” I tell him. “About Farrah. Billy dropped her off last night, and I didn’t like how she was. She wasn’t her usual bratty self. She was resigned. Then she said it wasn’t just me making this hard on her, leading me to believe Billy is pressuring her. Now he is taking me back to court, and I don’t know what to do. I don’t want her to keep hurting,” I admit.
He cups my cheek. “Is this why you were upset last night?”
I nod. I had texted him that I was upset, but that we would talk about it today because I was with Farrah. I had convinced her to come watch a movie with me. For the evening, it felt like I had my daughter back. I want to keep that.
“What can I do? Do we need to cool things off a bit? I don’t want to, but if it’s what is best for Farrah, then I will,” he offers.
I shake my head. “I feel like that will only brush the problems under the carpet. Honestly, she hasn’t been as critical of you and me lately. It has me wondering what he is doing to her when they are together. What he is telling her. I know how he was with me. I don’t want him to manipulate her in the same ways.”
“I have a confession to make. Saturday, I was at Tires to Go and ran into Billy. He made all kinds of wild accusations about me. Caused a scene. I was going to tell you, but you were already stressing about seeing him, so I was waiting until we could talk face-to-face.” Loyal winces as if he is worried about what I will say.
“Thank you for telling me. He will likely try to use it against me. I have a meeting with my lawyer at two. I will bring it upthen. He needs to stop. I’m going to need to get a restraining order against him,” I sigh, rubbing my temples.
“Enough about all of this. How about I take you somewhere peaceful. Give you a break,” he offers.
“Savage said you have a meeting,” I remind him.
He laughs. “I do. It’s in a couple of hours, though. I’ll let him know we are going for a short ride. He won’t mind.”
“If you are sure. I don’t want you neglecting your duties for me. I’m told you are a vice president after all,” I tease him, leaning up to kiss him.
