Page 160 of The Ninth

I tapped my knuckle against the door softly. A few seconds later, the locked turned followed by it opening. Despite seeing a nigga get killed. Despite feeling sorry for my baby brother. The women that didn’t do shit. The anger thinking about Twist on her body. Seeing Devyn? All I could do was smile.

“I didn’t think you would actually come...” her sweet voice filled the silent hallway.

“I can promise you, I’ma always be a man of my word.”

“Come on.”

She let the door go, leaving me to catch it. My eyes remained on her as my hand shut and locked it. Her body hosted just a sports bra and some boy shorts. The brown and black curls that I loved fell in her face perfectly. Skin the color of coffee with just a little extra creamer. Heart shaped face. Without even trying, her hips knew what to do to take hold of me. I dumbly followed behind her, realizing I would follow this girl off the edge of earth.

This apartment that once was Cassie’s world quickly gained a new meaning for me. K3’s heart was up here in the sky. So was mine.

Chapter 30: A Feeling

Devyn’s POV

My Lexus pulled up to the curb in front of the tattoo shop SLOWLY. I just came from the body shop where I had to cover up some scratches I’ve already put on it. Before that, I went and got my hair done as well as nails. I grabbed Duke’s credit card out of the cup holder, opening the door and hopping out.

I had simple tape-ins that were only as long as my natural hair. The weather has cooled off greatly, and it’s silk press season.

Before walking to the door, I glanced into another shop window. Halter top with the back out, stomach showing, blue jeans and sandals. I still wanted to look the best for Duke, even with him and I being together for a bit now.

I walked past the line of cars and to the door. A small smile formed as I looked at my name on it with everyone else’s.

K3 was the first to look up, but it was only briefly. He looked up in a “who wants to get shot” kind of way. Duke didn’t have to look up, because his brother was there. There were about four of his friends sitting in our waiting area. Duke was pressed against the wall, discussing a tattoo design to some bitch that was all in his face, not even looking down at the iPad. I ignored his friends looking me up and down.

“Can you tattoo my inner thigh?” she asked seductively. K3 screwed his face up but continued to roll his backwood.

“I can!” I interrupted Duke.

He looked up at me, taking in my new appearance. The smile and licking of his lips let me know he liked it.

I slid his card back into my wallet before approaching the both of them, standing in the middle. She was so close to him, our titties were now touching. I pressed my ass into his dick while taking the iPad from him. She looked me up and down like I was crazy.

“You work here?” she rolled her neck.

“Yeah. Is this what you want? When?”

“I’ll come back in two days. I want it on my back.”

“Oh, but I thought your inner thigh? You changed your mind?”

“I’m ready to pay the deposit so I can get the fuck on, G.”

“I’ll help with that,” Duke chuckled.

“Come on, shorty,” K3 said, leaning up from the front desk. He didn’t look at me or her, but I knew he was speaking to me. He doesn’t speak to bitches that are not Cassandra, like...at all. And he’s strict as hell about it.

I gave the iPad back to Duke, glancing up at him annoyed. He shook his head softly, pushing me towards K3. Once I got around the desk, K3 started shoving me towards Duke’s office.

“Oh,” he said, stopping me by my shoulder. “This Duke’s lady, Devyn. She’s my wife’s cousin.”

“Yo!”

“What up.”

“Bet.”

They all responded. I smiled right before K3 started shoving me to the back again. Once I got to Duke’s door, I slapped his hand off my shoulder, turning around and smirking. He instantly looked annoyed.