Conflicted Heart (Completed)

Eleven

Zane


Two Months and Six Days Later

It's been just a little over two months since Halloween and Nia and I are doing great. We spent our holidays with my mom and we had a great time. It was so nice to just relax with my family. I definitely spoiled my mom and my baby girl for Christmas. Anything they wanted, I got it or them. Another note, Yani and I.....we're cool. She sees Nia and me at least four times a week. We really go have a lot in common. It's just hard for me to adjust to her being around since I'm not used to having anyone around other than my family. I just find it so hard to become close to anyone. It's something I haven't done in so long. Nia loves her some Yani though. I mean she adores Yani. Nia deserves and needs a strong woman presence in her life. So yes I am getting to know Yani for Nia's sake, but I would be lying if I said it wasn't for my sake too. Yani is a very sweet and stunning woman. She has such a great work ethic that I respect too. She definitely goes after whatever it is she wants without any fear. I admire that. We also have a lot in common. We were both raised by single mothers, are an only child, and love tattoos. I definitely like talking to her. She is a great listener and she isn't quick to judge. I just don't know how things between us will progress. Do I like her? Yes, but I don't know what to do about that. I can't date her because there is so much she doesn't know about me. I can't just out and tell her that I get paid to hurt people that harm other people. I have it in my mind that as soon as I tell her that, she won't want anything to do with me. It would especially hurt Nia if Yani just wasn't in our life anymore, so I am kind of in a dilemma. Right now though, we're just friends and I am fine with that. I won't rush anything else at this point. Anyway, it's Monday and I am getting a new assignment today. I took the holidays off so it's been a while since I have had any targets and I am very excited to find out who my next target will be. So after I dropped Nia off at school, I went back to the apartment to do a few chores that needed to be done. Once I eat a quick lunch, I head out to see Mr. J. I park in the parking lot of the secluded warehouse and then I go inside. I go to Mr. J's office and I see him sitting at his desk. He looks up and smiles a bit.

"Hey Zane," Mr. J said.

"Hey Mr. J. What you got for me today?," I asked.

"Something a little different. You know it's rare we have woman targets, but you also know there are some ruthless bitches out there. So this one likes to beat on her men, leave them and take all of their money, credit cards included," Mr. J said. Yeah there are some ruthless bitches out there. Mr. J goes into his file cabinet and pulls out a file and hands it out to me. I open it and my heart stopped in my chest when I saw the picture. It's.....it's Yani. No. This can't be right. This can't be right!

"Everything alright?," Mr. J asked. I finally take a breath as I look up at Mr. J.

"Huh?," I asked.

"You alright....you don't know her do you?," Mr. J said while raising his left eyebrow.

"No....I don't. I'll take care of this no problem," I said. Mr. J nods his head and hands me an envelope of cash and I leave in a hurry. I cannot believe this. The first woman I get close to in years and this shit happens?? This is exactly why I don't get close to anyone! Fuck! What the hell am I supposed to do?? I at least have to investigate. If I don't see reason to harm Yani, then I won't. I can't harm her anyway. This is some bullshit. I get in my car and I throw the folder and money in the passenger seat and I hit the steering wheel in anger. I take a deep breath and I feel my phone vibrate in my pocket. I take it out of my pocket and I see a text message from Yani. It reads: Hey Zane. Can I see you and Nia tonight? I can bring dinner. I purse my lips closed to hide my smile. I sigh heavily. This really complicates things. I respond with: Sure 5 will be good. I slide my phone back in my pocket and then I start up my car. I head to the bank to drop off the money. I can't get this shit out of my mind. I just got paid to bring harm to Yani. I don't think that's something I could do. I just can't believe that Yani would beat on her boyfriend or steal money for them. She does well for herself with her tattoo shop. This has to be a mistake. I then remember that nigga that was at the bar that night, I believe it was Yani's ex. Maybe he is doing this shit out of spite. Damn this could real ugly real fast. I will do all my research that is necessary to make sure that I get Yani out of this though. Sometimes if one worker isn't willing to do the hit, then it's given to another worker but I can't let that happen. Once I leave the bank I drive past Yani's tattoo shop. I see she has quite a few clients in her shop. I shake my head as I drive back to my apartment. As soon as I step inside my apartment, I sit down at the nearest chair and I read Yani's file. I just don't believe that she would beat on anyone. She's too sweet and too little for that. And stealing money? I don't believe that either. However this so called evidence was made, it was made to look really authentic. I close the folder and I put it in a nearby drawer. I run my hands over my head as I go into the living room and I turn on the television in an attempt to take my mind off of everything. I try to relax until I go to pick up my princess at 3 p.m. I park right in front of the school and I get out and I wait against my car. At 3:15 p.m. I see Nia walk out with a group of other girls. When she sees me her eyes light up just how mine do every time I see her. She waves and I wave back while smiling. She hugs her friends and runs to me. I pick her up and I kiss her all over her face.

"Hi princess," I said happily.

"Hi daddy!," Nia said. She kisses my cheek and then pecks my lips.

"How was your day?," I asked while wrapping my arms around her.

"It was really good! I got a perfect score on my spelling test!," Nia exclaimed.

"Oh congratulations baby girl! You're so smart and I'm so proud of you. Let's hang it on the fridge when we get home ok?"

"Ok great!"

"Hey so I have a surprise for you."

"Really? What is it?"

"Yani is going to come over at 5 and she is doing to bring us dinner. How does that sound?"

"Oh yay I can't wait!!! Daddy I really like Yani."

"I know you do baby girl. I know you do."

"Can't you two like be together so I can see her all the time?"

"....You would want that?"

"Yes daddy. I really like Yani. Actually I love her." Oh great. Fuckin' great. My daughter loves Yani and Yani is my next target. Could this get any worse?


"You do Nia?," I asked in a bit of shock.

"Yes she's great daddy. She would make a good mommy," Nia said. I sigh and I rest Nia's head against my shoulder and I kiss her forehead. I open the door to the back seat and I put Nia in the car. She gets strapped in and then I close the door. I get in the driver seat and I get strapped in and I pull off. Once we get home, I sit down with Nia at the table as she does her homework. Right at 5 p.m. we hear a knock on the apartment door. Nia jumps out of her seat instantly and runs to the door. I walk to the door and I look through the peephole and I see Yani with a few bags in her hands. I open the door and Yani smiles when she sees Nia and me.

"Hi Yani!," Nia said.

"Hi pretty girl," Yani said. Nia and Yani share an embrace and then Yani looks at me.

"Hey Zane," Yani said.

"Hey Yani," I said. She smiles a bit and she leans in and kisses my cheek and then we share a short embrace.

"I brought Italian I hope that's ok," Yani said.

"It's great," I said. Nia grabs Yani's left hand and walks her into the apartment. I close and I lock the door once Yani is inside the apartment. I turn around and I watch Yani set the food in the counter. She knows where the plates and utensils are so she takes out three plates and starts to make plates for all of us. She's definitely comfortable in my apartment and I don't think I mind that. I look her outfit up and down, which consists of camp pants, a grey sweatshirt, and grey shoes to match. Her style is do damn dope and she looks good in anything she wears. Once the plates are made, Yani and Nia set the table and then I get drinks for everyone. We all sit down and we hold hands as I say a quick prayer over the food. We then all start to eat.

"I saw you got a 100 on your spelling test Nia I'm so proud of you," Yani said sweetly.

"Thank you Yani! Thank you for helping me study it really helped," Nia said sweetly.

"No problem you're really smart so I didn't have to help you too much," Yani said while winking. Nia giggles and I smile a bit. Nia and Yani definitely have a good relationship and we haven't even known Yani for that long. I just know that the closer we both get to Yani, the harder things are going to become. I just have a bad feeling of how this shit is going to play out. I almost feel like I should end it before we all get hurt. If I do that though, I know Nia and Yani will be hurt so it seems like I can't win. I look down at my food and I just pick at it, but barely eat it.

"You don't like it?," Yani asked.

"Huh?," I asked while looking up at Yani.

"The food....you don't like it? You've barely touched it," Yani noticed.

"No it's great.....thanks for bringing Nia and I dinner. We appreciate it," I said.

"Yes thank you Yani!," Nia said.

"You're both very welcome," Yani said. Yani and Nia talked the whole time we are eating. Once we are done eating, Yani and I clear the table.

"Baby girl I want you to take your bath and brush your teeth please ok?," I said.

"Ok daddy. Yani are you going to stay for a bit?," Nia asked.

"Is it ok Zane?," Yani asked.

"Yeah it's fine," I said.

"Yay!!," Nia said. She hugs Yani's waist and then mine and then she runs off.

"Zane you have the cutest, smartest, most precious little girl I swear," Yani complimented.

"Thanks. That's my princess," I said.

"You have done an amazing job raising her."

"Thank you."

"....Is everything alright?"

"Yeah why do you ask?"

"Just seems like something is on your mind," Yani said while shrugging her shoulders.

"Oh....it's nothing."

"Work maybe?"

"....Yeah just a little stressful today," I half-lied.

"Oh I can understand that....anything you want to talk about?"

"No I'll be fine." Yani nods her head and puts the leftovers in containers as I put the dishes in the dishwasher. After that we both go into the living room and sit on the couch. Yani scoots closer to me and I tense up. Yani looks at me strangely and turns to face me.

"Did I do something wrong Zane? You're acting different," Yani said. Damn she is very observant.

"No. Sorry just a lot on my mind," I said.

"Well what's going on? You can talk to me," Yani said.

"It's really nothing." Yani studies me for a bit before nodding her head. She turns to face the television and she turns it on.

"Why are you so apprehensive with me Zane?," Yani asked.

"I just......I'm not the type that gets close to people," I confessed.

"Why not?"

"...A lot of reasons." Yani turns her head to look at me and I look at her. She scoots closer to me again and studies my face again. Her eyes travel down my face and land on my lips.

"....Don't be scared of me," Yani whispered. My lips part as I watch Yani because I am not sure what she is about to do. She leans forward and rests her left hand on my right hand. I back away slightly and Yani looks in my eyes.

"Don't be scared of me," Yani repeated. I watch her bite her bottom lip and I swallow hard. She makes me so damn nervous and for what?! I just don't understand. Yani looks back at my lips and I just close my eyes. Within a few seconds, I feel Yani's perfect lips press against mine. Damn. She pecks my lips a few times ever so gently before licking my bottom lip slowly. I open my mouth and she does the same as we deepen our kiss. Without even thinking, I grab her waist and she rests her hands on my shoulders. She slides her tongue inside my mouth and I feel that damn tongue ring. Damn. Her tongue explores the inside of my mouth as my tongue explores the inside of her mouth. I hear a soft moan escape her lips and that made my dick jump. Shit. Yani swipes her tongue one last time before sucking on my bottom lip as she pulls away from the kiss. I just stare at her afterwards as she stares at me. Well, things just got even more complicated.