Page 182 of The Ninth

“Rawwww!” she yelled.

“You pick your tats so beautifully. You look great, my girl!”

We talked about her aftercare as I wiped the tat down and took pictures. She went on and on about the next one she wanted me to do as I covered it. It always warmed my heart hearing them say they’re coming back. That’s how I know they truly loved it.

She got dressed right before I walked her to the front. After she paid, she went ahead and got on my books for three months from now.

As soon as the door closed behind her, I flew back to Duke’s office. His door was slightly ajar, so I slid inside the crack and shut it behind me. He had on his sexy ass glasses while reading some papers. He looked up at me and sat them to the side.

“Come here, Devyn.”

I walked to him, bending down and pressing my lips into his. The kiss was soft and buttery, everything I needed after not seeing him for a few hours. We hugged each other tightly before I stood behind him. My hands tried their best to rub and massage his massive shoulders as he picked the papers back up.

“You look good in here. Good and high, but good nonetheless.”

I laughed, “I’m sorrrrry. We got a lil carried away.”

“You can do whatever you want. It’s going to be hard seeing you go if you do.”

“It would be hard to leave. How are you? Are you okay?”

“I’m amazing, baby. I just miss you. You coming home tonight or going to Cassie’s?”

“Duke, that is your home. You became a business and homeowner before thirty. Not me.”

“I did all that in preparation of my future wife and family. It was always yours too.”

My heart swelled as he casually sorted the documents. Duke had a way of saying the most deep and thoughtful things casually as if they meant nothing. Maybe I’m soft. Or just maybe this man has deep feelings for me and every time he reveals their depth, it shocks me.

BOOM!

Duke’s office door flew open, causing us both to jump. Well, I jumped. He very briefly reached for his already half opened drawer but stopped mid motion. I realized he stopped because it was Cassandra who came in.

I sucked in my breath quickly looking at the state she was in. Her clothes and hair were gorgeous, but her chest and stomach caved in repeatedly. Strands of blond stuck to her cheeks due to the tears. Somethings wrong.

She took off running towards us. Duke stood, preparing to catch her. Instead? She ran into my chest, slamming into me. Duke stuck his hand out, catching me before I could fall backwards. Both of us were shocked that she was so upset. But I was shocked that in this moment, she sought comfort from me.

Duke has told me how hard it was for her when K3 got locked up. He constantly took care of Cassandra. I knew their relationship was deep and that they were close. But somehow with time, I turned into Cassie’s person. Her wet face was pressed into my neck. Her hands gripped my body desperately. In that moment I felt loved, panicked, and protective. I don’t know who did what to her, but I won’t let it happen again.

Duke looked slightly panicked as well. I considered something happened to K3. I patted her back, softly rubbing her arms.

“Cassie, you have to tell us what’s wrong. Is it K3?”

“YES!” she cried. “Juan popped up out of nowhere! He found me outside of the hair shop and opened my cahh door while K3 was inside. K3 choked that man out, beat his face in, and then made me leave to come to Duke. At the light, I heard the gun going off. The police were already close by but K3 still chased Juan out! This is all my fucking fault! He’s going to go back because of me!”

Duke shook his head, “Nah, Cassie. Sit down.”

We all shifted, making room for her to sit. He jogged to his couch and grabbed tissues from the side table. After coming and handing the box to Cassie, he sat on the desk.

“I know my brother. He may make some crazy choices, but they’re never in the heat of the moment. If he chose to do that nigga in and walk him down broad day, that was his choice as a man. He thought about it and still chose to go that route. He knows that and he’s okay with that. This isn’t on you and he nor me would ever think so. I’m positive my brother will make it back but if he doesn’t, we’re gonna be okay. We was okay last time and we will be okay this time. Right, Big Head?”

Cassie laughed, dabbing her face and nodding her head, “Right.”

“This been in the making for him for a while. Don’t beat yourself down. You look too pretty. I love you.”

“I love you too, Man-Man.”

Duke hugged her as I pulled the hair from her shoulders. Briefly, it felt like were caring for a daughter we shared. I didn’t hate the idea.