Winter Toes III: Defending the Heart

WT3| "Weak Threats"

c h a p t e r  s i x
-
til death does
us part

      Taylor walked to the front door with Torei, China, Chase, and Reiya in tow as everyone said their goodbyes. Taylor gave everyone hugs and kisses but promising each niece that they could come over whenever they needed to, exchanging numbers. Taylor knew she wasn't just going to swoop in and take Reiya away, she didn't have that power. Besides, Reiya was still a little emotional about all the information on her so-called mom and all. Taylor hugged Reiya the longest.

"I love you, Rei. Really, call me if you need anything." Taylor told her before letting her go and heading out, walking off to her car.

Once she was inside she pulled her phone out and dialed Wyn's number. No answer. Taylor rolled her eyes before calling Kayo next.

"Yo?" He answered. Taylor smacked her lips.

"Kay, why is Wyn's phone going straight to voicemail? And don't play with me." She threatened. Kayo always had an issue with lying to her because he knew what she'd do.

Kayo was quiet for a while before sighing. "He's on his way to the hospital with Mase and Daye."

Taylor rolled her eyes. "What did they get into now?" Taylor asked, tilting her head back.

"I don't know. Most likely got into some shit." Kayo let out a huff.

"What hospital?"

Roman sat in the hospital waiting room, chewing the gum he had saved. He tapped his foot as he sat besides one of the boys. Apparently the boy he hit was named Mase, when he saw his face he was the same boy that was messing with Rei. He would've left him but his mother was in his heart saying, "You better help that boy" so he did.

He sighed, looking down at his phone to check the time.

"You don't gotta stay, man." Daye said. "Especially when Wyn–"

Roman cut him a look before cutting him off. "Who?" He asked again to make sure he heard the name correctly.

"It's our boss. Look, I'm just saying you might wanna get outta here. I really appreciate you helping out but–"

"Nah." Roman cut him off again, shaking his head. "I wanna see this nigga."

Roman clenched his jaw. It had been the first time in years that he felt uptight and ready to hurt somebody. Roman took a deep breath before calming down, shaking his leg to appear cool and collected.

"You good–"

A man coming in full force as if he was in a rush to get to the receptionist desk. Roman stared him down, his mouth breaking into a smile when he noticed who he was. Wyn moved in slow motion as he talked to the receptionist. When the lady at the desk pointed to where Roman and Daye were sitting. When their eyes connected...

It was hell.

Wyn grimaced but Roman was smiling a devilish look. His hands were clasped together and he thought about making the first move.

But then, the doors opened again and as if in a storm a chocolate toned girl with long, liquid-like hair hurried in. When Roman's eyes fell on her, his guard fell all the way down.

"Taylor?" He couldn't help but let the words slip from his lips but her look when she looked at him said volumes.

Her eyes were wide and she looked like she was in mid sentence, frozen, shocked, and an emotion he couldn't really read but it looked a lot like confusion.

Reiya smiled down at her phone as she watched a video on Instagram, which was basically her life. China was an Instagram model and Chase was the opposite by staying as far away from all social media, then there was Reiya only using it for entertainment.

A quick knock hit against Reiya's door. Her eyes darted towards it just as it was being opened. China came in with tears in her eyes and one hand behind her back. Rei got up, looking seriously.

"What's wrong?" She asked as China started walking towards the bed, closing the door behind her.

China brought her hand from behind her back and held up the skinny stick for Rei to see. Reiya looked at it before really grasping what it was. Reiya covered her face.

"Micheal?" She asked from between her fingers.

China broke out into a silent sob as she nodding, collapsing onto the bed. "Mama gonna beat my ass." She said between sobs.

Reiya sighed as she rubbed her back, trying to think of a plan. "We'll figure this out."

Taylor felt out of breath and out of her own body. Her eyes were locked on her worse nightmare and Wyn was there to witness it. A sudden force of air on her face caught her attention as she looked in the direction, right into Wyn's mouth and suddenly she could hear.

"Taylor!" He was saying. Taylor swept her hand across his face.

"Don't fucking yell at me, Wyn." She yelled back, looking at him like he was crazy.

He laughed, glaring her in her eyes. "You like what you see?" He asked her. Taylor lifted one brow.

"Would you like if I did?" She responded, smartly. She could tell he was biting her tongue so she walked away before he said something that would get him smacked again. Taylor never liked scenes.

She walked directly over to Daye and kneeled in front of him. "Hey." He said to her.

She put her hands over his, which showed the true skin contrast. "What's going on? Are you okay?" She asked, completely ignoring the hard stare Roman was giving her.

She couldn't ignore him and all his beauty. He looked so damn good. However she had to put on a front for Wyn or it would just be a loud mess.

"Yeah, he... he brought us and offered to pay." He told her. Taylor nodded, looking over to Roman.

That's different. Taylor thought to herself. "What did y'all do?" She asked. Daye shot a look to Wyn who was avoiding eye contact. Taylor forced his face back to her. "Don't look at him. You saw him get slapped right?"

Daye respected Taylor, a lot of the men around did and that forced whatever female came around to respect her too. Even Mase's smart mouthed ass was afraid of her. She was like that fine ass mom that nobody fucked with or cussed around.

"Yes ma'am." Daye said with a nod before looking down at their hands. "We were..."

"Trying to get revenge." Roman spoke up with a laugh he had been holding for a while. Daye cut his eyes on him and Taylor tried hard not to make eye contact with him because she knew she would just stare at him.

Daye opened his mouth to speak but he closed it before nodding. Taylor turned back to look at Wyn but he was gone.