Red

CHAPTER 21.

"Girl, what's wrong? Why are you limping?"

Yeah big highlight of today's interrogation, apparently everyone noticed I suddenly walk like an eighty-year-old pirate.

Yay.

My inner voice snorted.

"Just a result of her bad sleeping position," Fire said, popping a chocolate chip cookie into his mouth like he was the authority on my life.

Sveva raised a brow at him. "And you know this how?"

He smirked and pointed a finger at me with a wink. "Long story short? I walked in on her drooling on the floor. Full spread-eagle. Snoring. I swear she was fighting demons in her sleep."

I rolled my eyes so hard my contact lens almost shifted.

Sveva laughed then yelped when Fire suddenly grabbed her hand, spun her around, and then yanked me beside her. Before we could blink, he kept us in front of him, then crouched behind us like some Navy SEAL in emotional distress.

"Bruh...what the hell are you doing?" I asked, scanning the slightly packed playground.

Fire tightened his grip behind our backs like we were two human shields he ordered on Amazon. "Shh. Be quiet and act normal."

Sveva cackled. "You're too big to hide behind anyone. Your shoulders have their own country. I swear, not even Angel does shit like this."

I followed Fire's line of sight and almost choked.I spotted an older brown skin busty woman who was crouching to play with a little girl who looked to be four-years old, at the sand box.

I cleared my throat at Sveva who followed where my eyes were pointing and we looked at each other, burst out laughing violently. Tears welled up in our eyes as the chuckles rock our bodies.

"Keep it down, Jesus..." Fire hissed, panicking, but refusing to come out from behind us. But we ignored him as we laughed which then eventually alerted the woman who stared over at us with a set of light green eyes. Her hair was snatched up into a large puff.

She narrowed her eyes as she spotted Fire and much to his surprise she avoided him.

"Oh shit," Sveva whispered. "The silent ignore. You're done for."

From the corner of my eyes I watched him froze. The color drained from his face. For the first time ever, Fire looked... genuinely scared. His whole face shifted. Like he'd been punched in the ribs by memories.

"I'll be back," he muttered, voice low and humorless.

He walked toward her. Sveva and I exchanged a look. Fire took her by the arm and dragged her over to an almond tree which was out of ear-shot. We moved to a better angle on the bench. Not obvious...But absolutely nosy.

Her voice cut through the air first and you could tell how hurt she was. "You can't just show up here, Fire. You said you wouldn't-"

"I didn't know you came to this playground," he murmured.

"You knew. You always know."

"That's not fair." His voice pitch raw. "I only came to here to check on you."

She scoffed, shaky. "You don't get to check on me. Not anymore..."

We watched a minute longer. Her crying into his chest. Fire's hand trembling on her back. And I decided to block them out, it wasnt any of our business any way.

"You didn't answer my question, why were you limping?"

"Is it because you did the nassttaayy?" she asked, forming her hand into a tight fist and shaking it like a poorly calibrated maraca. Then she stood up and did a tiny dance. "Be honest. I see the limp. I know a 'just got fuck' limp when I see one."

I grinned at her, leaning back on the bench. "Yes, ma'am."

She slapped her knee and cackled. "Daaamn! Meanwhile, look at me, dry as fuck. I wish someone would rearrange my spine. I wouldn't even need commitment."

"I'll tell your man you're requesting services," I teased.

She choked on air. "Girl, don't play with me like that. I might die, resurrect, then die again."

We laughed, and I cracked open the water bottle. "How's everything though? Really."

Sveva let out a sigh that was way too old for her twenty-something body. "I've been trying to get Angel into a good school."

She said. "And I'm looking for a second job. Club Sin money is great, but I need stability. I want want to take care of my baby, see to it he gets the finer things there is to life you know."

I studied her carefully, the question that'd been on my mind for weeks resurfacing.

"Sveva..."

She groaned. "Just say it, girl. I can feel it radiating off your forehead."

I kissed my teeth, smiling. "Fine. What about Angel's father?"

Her face softened immediately. She stared over at the playground where Angel was helping Xam climb the slide, both of them screaming.

"Rafael and I..." She paused, searching for words. "We have what you call a very... complex relationship."

"That sounds like you're putting it nicely."

"Oh, absolutely." She didn't even deny it. "Look. He's always there for Angel. Doesn't matter if he's busy, tired, drunk, annoyed, he shows up. Every time. He pays for everything. He gives me money for myself too, but I don't take it. I don't want him thinking he owns me."

"Does he want to?" I asked.

She huffed out a laugh. "Girl... Rafael wants to own everything but he does not have that with me. Nope, not anymore."

I nodded and bumped her shoulder. "You're doing an amazing job though."

She leaned her head on my arm dramatically. "I know. I'm so tired though. My back hurts. My bank account more than hurts. Not to mention my pussy, God, she's hurt because I haven't been getting it."

I snorted at her shameless behavior. "You need therapy."

"Oh absolutely," she said. "But until then, I'll settle for talking whatever shit with you."

I rolled my eyes at this gurl, chuckling.

"Aurora sorry to break it to you but Lorenzo called so I have to leave." Fire came over to us as he scratched behind his neck.

I frowned. "Alright let me just call Xam."

He shook his head no. "It's okay just hang out for the rest of the day, I'll send Cirano to pick you up alright."

I disagreed and began to pack up Xam's bag, I waved Sveva good bye and with a tired Xamuela, I walked towards the car.

Strapped in, I held Xam close as Fire drove off from the playground. We had a light convo until he pulled up to the estate. Pushing the car door open, I lift a sleeping Xam on my side and waved Fire a goodbye as he sped off.

I knew that Lorenzo had something planned tonight but with the burning wound in my thigh still burning like hellfire, I decided to stay the hell out of trouble.

Better to be safe than sorry.