His Protector

Chapter 9

Karter's world crumbled around him. Every breath felt like a struggle like someone had their hand down his throat squeezing his lungs. It's been 3 days since he last seen his son. He starred down at the C-section scar reminiscing about what he could have been doing right now with his babies. He needed them. They were all he needed but he couldn't be what they need right now.

He called her and texted her so much pleading for her to bring him home to her. That he wouldn't take legal action. That he'll go back to the apartment. That he just wanted his baby back home. He was going to risk his happiness and safeness to get his baby back home. Silence. His whole world was crumbling around him and he wasn't sure what to do.

Karter smoked so much in the past 3 days that he hasn't showered or seen his kids. He didn't want to feel anything but his baby in hands but yet he couldn't have that. He hasn't text anyone back, not even his siblings. He feels as if someone physically ripped his heart out of his body. "Where is he?" He cried looking at his hands as they filled with tears. 

A knock distracted him from getting more into his head.

Charlie walked in the room holding a bag of Wendy's. "Come on mane. Ain't nobody seen you in days," he said picking Karter off the floor. Charlie dragged Kater's sluggish body into the connected bathroom, turning on the shower. Steam enveloped them, and Charlie's eyes never left Karter's. He missed seeing the heterochromatic eyes that were filled with more than they have now.

"Let's getchu cleaned bruh," Charlie said, his smooth deep voice filled with concern for the other. "I can clean you?" Karter nodded not caring what the man seen or what he could possibly do to him.

As the buffer man stripped the darkskin man of his dirty clothes that he's been in since he found out, his eyes lingered on the physic of the man. He found his body enticing but he shook his head ridding the thoughts and focused on helping his friend.

Under the water, Karter's tension eased as Charlie softly washed his upper body. If he was in his sober mind he would be embarrassed that he was letting another man see him this vulnerable but he trusted Charlie. He cleaned lower keeping his eyes on Karter's face to show him at that moment and time he had no ill intentions, ignoring the almost obvious boner.

"Do you trust me to find him? It won't be the legal route your brother in law was going to take but I can find him for you. It's your word big bruh," Charlie said wiping Karter's face ridding his tear stains. Karter nodded holding his head low in the taller man's hands, "Please. Find him. I can't do this anymore."

Charlie kissed the man on his head. Stepping out of both their comfort zones but at this time, comfort is all the latter needs. "Ima bring him home safe. Trust me. Yall family now." He rinsed the grieving boy off and dressing him in some boxers and a beater. "I got you some chicken nuggets and a pineapple mango lemonade from Wendy's."

Karter laid on the bed eating the chicken nuggets starring at pictures of his 3 offspring. "Ima dip. Be safe," Charlie said about to leave to his room. "Can you stay? Just for a little longer I mean. If you can't Ian trippin' bout it," he said looking around the room embarrassed that he admitted to that. Charlie kissed his teeth and scooted closer to the boy in the bed. Karter smiled, his dimples showing.

Not long after, he fell asleep. Charlie kissed his forehead getting up, "Ima bring him home. Ima keep yall safe. I promise." He put on his slides walking to his room and going in his closet grabbing his gun.

"Aye. Let's ride," he said walking in the living room where the rest of the members resided. They all felt bad for the man. They all grown a type of attachment. A love for the man, or sympathy for his situation, but they were all willing and ready to make the man happy again. Everyone put their ski mask on like a beanie and jumped into an all black car.