Page 191 of The Ninth

“Duke, I am the Chicago demon they be rapping about.”

I cackled, “You done called me so many D words, we done ended up at Duke!”

“I hate bitches that ain’t my wife, Devyn. On granny. I don’t talk to or pay them attention. The only woman I know how to be emotionally vulnerable for and intimate with is Cassandra. My woman. Any other women, like family or friends including Tati and Kenzie, I be fucking with them. But me fucking with y’all, joking, calling y’all this and that is just my way of showing you’re family to me. It’s all love and I, Cassie, nor Duke want you to think I’m being a dickhead to you. I love you, fuck nigga. I gotchu through anything.”

“I love you too,” I laughed.

He roughly rubbed the top of my head like I was a fucking Doodle and walked away, leaving me in the middle of the set up. I chuckled, getting out of the way and even offering my thoughts to the workers.

It was wonderful seeing what a man and love would do.

Chapter 37: Dinner & Tests

Cassie’s POV

“Papa...” I smiled as I descended the stairs of our home.

He was leaning against the rail, waiting for me to come down. I smirked at how good he looked. Messy bun, polo and slacks plus dress shoes. The cream color of his polo matched my dress. The dress was a baby doll style, held up by one string wrapping around my neck while the rest flowed loosely around my upper thighs. My tape-ins were pulled into a bun on the top of my head, styled perfectly. The smile on his face as he looked up at me let me know he loved it.

“This shit just ain’t fair,” he chuckled, taking my hand and helping me down the last of the way.

In my cream Gucci sandal heels, I still had to lean up a bit to get my arms around his neck. I was anxious, running late and rushing to get upstairs to dinner. Now I just felt calm and steady in his arms. There’s nothing I can’t get through. Not while I have Kenzo.

“You need to eat something, Crybaby. You just been stressing all day.”

“Ugh. Nothing sounds good. I have no appetite. Plus, I wanted to make sure it was perfect.”

“Of course it will be.”

He wrapped his arm around my waist, guiding me to the steps. In the dimly lit stairway to the roof, we caught Devyn and Duke, halfway up. He had my girl pressed against the wall, kissing on her neck while his hands ran up and down her sides. Her face wore a smile I’ve never seen before.

Kenzo scoffed, “UH, EXCUSE ME?! Y’ALL ASS BOGUS AS HELL. MY BABY JUST GOT IN THIS MOTHAFUCKA. THE ONLY PEOPLE GETTING FREAKY IN THIS BITCH IS HER AND ME.”

Devyn pulled away, embarrassed, as both Duke and I cracked up laughing. Duke walked to me, taking me into his arms and hugging me tightly. When Kenzo was away, this was the closest to his comfort I could get. I’ll always be grateful for him.

“I’m happy to see you alive and in one piece. He had you chained in here for days.”

Kenzo smiled, “Speaking of cha—”

“KENZO!” I cut him off. “Yes, I’m alive and well. He fed me and gave me water.”

“I can’t wait until you’re a Maddox, officially. You’re glowing...” Duke smiled softly as his eyes glossed.

“Wait, I didn’t realize K3 was a Maddox too. I just assumed....” Devyn stepped forward, confused.

K3 shook his head, “Our father adopted Duke and Tevin when they were still pissing in the bed. We all have the same last names, and we do not claim being half-brothers. Only full.”

“Yeah and Mama J didn’t give these niggas middle names like they Gwen Stefani or some shit,” I snickered.

Both of them kissed their teeth, putting me in a joint headlock. I cackled, beating they big asses off of me as Devyn just watched. She smiled softly, adjusting her dress.

“So that means...you and I could have the same last name one day, Cassie!”

“Like sisters...” I smiled while rubbing her arm as K3 and I walked up the steps.

“I can’t wait to turn you from Devyn Caroline Owens into Devyn Caroline Maddox...” Duke whispered quietly behind us.

Once we got to the top, the few people we did invite immediately surrounded us, taking us in.