Page 184 of The Ninth

“It is hard just stepping away from all you know to be true,” Cassie nodded. “You deal with a man for so long and put up with so much in the relationship. It’s easy to think you’re stronger because of what you all are making it through. In reality? You’re both just breaking the other person down to nothing. The true question becomes if you both will finally make it out of that cycle before nothings left.”

We sat silently for a moment. Both Tatianna and Kenzie gripped their glasses tighter. Kenzie and her YN cannot leave each other alone, but it hasn’t gotten to a deep, destructive level. Tatianna and Poncho, however, is as toxic as it comes. Being that Tatianna is like a sister to me too, I spoke up.

“Tatianna, it would be so different if it was tit for tat. If you hurt Poncho and then he hurt you. Maybe it wouldn’t be so painful to watch then. But the fact that you’re nothing but patient, forgiving, and loving to him while he constantly disrespects you is crazy. You deserve so much more than that. Doodaman deserves more. And what’s crazy? You already have a new man waiting there. He’s talked about becoming boyfriend and girlfriend. Talked about meeting Doodas. You can see a better life but choose to stay in this cycle.”

Tears started flowing down her cheeks, “He has a tight hold on me. It feels like if I don’t have Poncho, I have nothing.”

“That’s not true!” Kenzie yelled.

“You have a beautiful son. A mother. Sisters. We’re always going to be there for each other. That will never change. None of us should feel like a man is our entire lives. Not when we have each other to fall back on.”

“Never settle!” Cassie urged Tatianna. “Not with the unconditional love sitting in this room. Men will never get it. We’re women. We’re sisters. Only we know how to truly pick each other up. Tatianna, there’s going to be a day where there’s no more Poncho. I need you to mentally prepare for that.”

Tati sighed, “I don’t know if I’m going to be the one to walk away. I have to stop fucking him.”

“You do!” Cassie smacked her foot.

“Oh bitch, please hoe! You the same bitch that was sneaking and fucking K3 when y’all was supposed to be broken up.”

“And that nigga had my toes touching my back, what up?!”

We all laughed as Doodas slowly walked out of my room. He walked straight to his mother, climbing onto her lap and burying his face into her chest. Doodaman was a very beautiful boy. Dark skin like his mother and Godmother. Curly hair. Dimples. Gorgeous.

Just as Kenzie started telling a story, there were knocks on the door. Cassie stood immediately, sitting down her wine glass and speeding across the apartment. Her blonde hair dusted the bottom of her back as she almost floated. There was no pause or deep breath before she unlocked the door, snatching it open.

I stood to my feet as she stepped back to let Duke in. My heart dropped to my stomach watching the door begin to shut behind him. Cassandra’s hand flew to her stomach, gripping it tightly as her breathing picked up. There’s no way.

Chapter 35: Kenzo

Cassie’s POV

No....

I started stepping or stumbling back towards the wall. Like G, there’s no way my man is gone again. I felt lightheaded and dizzy. My body instantly started overheating. I cried enough today. Now? I’m just in shock.

Before the door could latch, Duke reached back and grabbed the handle. I stared down at the floor with my hands on my knees as the door opened back up. Even seeing the second pair of shoes walk in, feet I could pick out of a line up, I still didn’t stand straight. I instantly just started thanking God.

“Take these...” Kenzo said to Duke.

A second later, his hands were gripping my waist, pulling me towards him. My body laid limp against his as he desperately clung onto me. Slowly running my hands up his chest, I wrapped my arms around his neck tightly. The smell of him gave me a second hug. The feeling of his muscles pressing into my body. To think I could’ve lost this again.

“Give me a kiss, Crybaby.”

My head fell backwards, allowing his lips to press into mine. My hands flew into his locs that were hanging down his shoulders. At the same time, we both let out an mmmm. A single tear fell down my cheek as our lips danced together. His fingertips trailed up and down the crease of my back. Mine gripped his hair softly. Fuck.

He pulled back and placed his forehead on mine, “I’m sorry, Cassandra. You didn’t deserve to have any of that done in front of you. Never should I have put you in the position to witness me trying to murder another man. It was wrong.”

“None of that matters to me. As long as you’re still out here with me,” I breathed against his lips.

“No. It does matter. I let that shit take me away from you before. I saw how bad it hurt you. I’m not doing it again. Any business I handle will be carefully and without you going forward. Flashing out in public isn’t the type of man your father wanted for you.”

We stood there, staring into each other’s eyes.

Somethings....different about him. The way he’s looking at me. How softly his thumb is brushing my arm. This isn’t the same man that sat in my car with me. In this moment, he wasn’t King of the City. Just my boyfriend who was smitten.

I knew better than to ask about what happened, so I let it be.

“What you doing right now? I wanna spend time with you...” he said quietly.