Between the lines of love

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Isabelle was back in Brazil, serving a harsh sentence. The courts had handed down 65 years, a stark reminder of what happens when you fuck with me. Behind bars, her world had contracted to the grim confines of a prison cell, far from the vibrant life she once knew.

Meanwhile, Monique and Penda were slowly reclaiming their lives. Finally getting back to them.

Penda

"Are you hungry, baby?" I asked, hearing my wife's stomach growl.

"Yes, but I want to wait till we get to Danielle's. I love her cooking."

"Oh, she's not cooking tonight, princess. We're going over there for a meeting."

"A meeting?" she asked, a bit confused.

"Yes, mama, but I'm sure she'll cook if you want. I'll text her. We're going to stop and grab some wine and a charcuterie board to take there too, so I'll get you a small fruit bowl to hold you over. Is that okay?" I asked while texting Danielle to make sure she cooks for my baby.

"Yes, that's fine, baby," Mo said.

"Okay, cool. Let me grab your shoes so I can put them on for you, and we can head out."

"Okay, daddy."

Penda

We stopped by Kroger to pick up the essentials for the night. I instructed my baby to grab whatever she wanted, making sure she was comfortable being away from me in the store. She assured me she was fine and went off to get some items. I headed to the wine aisle, eyeing the endless choices. I selected two of my baby's favorite bottles and continued scanning the display.

As I browsed, a petite woman with perfect curves walked right in front of me. "Excuse me," she said, almost knocking the wine out of my hand. I backed up and looked at her. "You're fine," I said, turning back to the shelves.

"You're fine too," she said seductively, grabbing my free hand and kissing it. "My name is Desire. What's yours?"

"MARRIED," I spat, holding up my hand with a huge diamond on it.

"I only asked your name, sweet thing," she replied.

Before I could say anything, I felt a chill run down my spine—a familiar and unmistakable presence. My heart skipped a beat. My wife's scent locked into my nose, I could feel a storm brewing in their depths. Oh hell, I thought.

"She told you she's married," my wife said, her voice cold and menacing. "If you don't take your dirty ass fingers off my wife, there's gonna be a cleanup on aisle 2."

Desire looked at her and laughed. "So this is her? I figured you as someone with higher standards."

Before I could curse her out, I heard the sickening thud of her hitting the floor. "Shit, baby, wait!" I yelled, trying to compose my baby.

It seemed like her hits were endless, each one connecting with precision. Desire didn't stand a chance. "Baby, that's enough, it's okay," I said, grabbing her and lifting her over my shoulder.

I looked at the now black and blue Desire and laughed. "I've got a winner, honey, and nobody compares."

Carrying my baby out over my shoulder while she kicked and screamed, trying to get back to handle Desire, was so funny I forgot all about the stuff we were supposed to buy.

I gently placed her in the passenger seat, her beautiful leg trembling with anger in the short, lacy black dress. I rubbed her shoulder. "Do you need a minute, baby?" I asked softly.

"Yes," she replied, her shaking intensifying.

I carefully moved her to the back seat, adjusting the seats so she could lie down and meditate to calm herself. I got into the driver's seat and headed to the beach. We still had about 45 minutes before meeting Danielle.