Page 101 of Forced Into Your Arms
“That doesn’t mean I’m scared.”
He nodded once like I’d just proved his point.
“A’ight. I’m teaching you.”
The certainty in his voice made it sound less like a suggestion and more like he’d already made up his mind.
Strangely, I didn’t mind the idea nearly as much as I should’ve. That thought alone was enough to make me steer the conversation somewhere else.
By the time we finished eating, I realized I wasn’t ready for the night to end, and that bothered me.
Vice walked me back to his truck, opening the passenger door and making sure I was in before closing it. The ride back to my apartment was quiet, but it wasn’t uncomfortable or anything like that.
A few minutes later, he pulled into the parking garage and parked beside my SUV.
“I can make it from here.”
“I know.”
I climbed out anyway, waiting to see if he’d actually stay behind. Instead, he shut his door and started walking toward me.
I just shook my head.
The elevator ride was quiet. I could feel the exhaustion from my shift finally catching up with me, and by the time we reached my floor, I was ready to climb straight into bed.
I unlocked my door and stepped inside, with Vice following behind me.
A few boxes still sat near the living room wall, and a lamp I hadn’t figured out where to put rested on the floor beside the couch. The place wasn’t completely finished, but it was mine.
Vice looked around.
“Well? Does it meet your expectation?”
“Still thinking…”
I laughed as I dropped my purse onto the kitchen counter. “You’re ridiculous.”
“You got cameras in here like we talked about?”
“Yup, in my bedroom and right there.” I pointed on the TV stand where I had a camera sitting.
“Okay, that’s what’s up.”
“And believe it or not, I’m actually not mad about putting them up in here. I would’ve never thought I’d need them in my house.”
“Shit, even if that would’ve never happened to you, you still should have them in here. You’ll be amazed of all the sneaky shit mothafuckas be on. Mothafuckas that you never expect. Fuck around and security or maintenance be in yo’ shit and you not even know.”
“Oh lord… that would be crazy.” I paused before asking, “So, you have cameras installed in your house?”
“In every room but the bathroom.” I pressed my lips together and lost the battle of rolling my eyes. “Even though nobody ever come visit me. Mothafuckas don’t even know where I live. Nobody but Mace and my aunt… and of course Sam did.”
There was a moment of silence as our mind drifted to Sam, but I didn’t want them to stay there. So, I cleared my throat and asked, “You want something to drink?”
“Nah. I’m about to go.”
“Oh….” The disappointment slipped out before I could stop it. Vice looked at me like he caught it and I immediately turned toward the kitchen. “I mean, okay.”
“You want me to stay?”
