CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

KEITH's POV

The room was pitch black, the dirt on the walls looked like they had become a part of the room's aesthetic. The light bulb was too bright. I had complained the first day I arrived but no one had given it any heed.

The dark room had become my solace in the past week. I had barely gone out of the room after the incident with Craig. I had demons to fight already and this room added to the number they showed up in. If I had a choice I would leave but I was stuck there until I figured out a way to get out of the mess I was in.

The caller ID light on my phone came up again. It was the boss.

"Hello, sir," I said in the toughest voice I could muster.

"What's taking so long Keith? You promised you'd have it by the end of the month," he breathed angrily into the phone.

If he had been anywhere close I would probably be shaking in my boots but at least he didn't know where I was .... For now.

I had promised him a large part of the money I owed him before the month ran out by now. Craig had gone and butt his stupid ass in my business. I just needed to get Kim to a buyer that promised me a huge sum. He had agreed to way more than Craig had paid. I knew it was because Kim was popular now so prices were better.

I had everything sorted out, all I needed was my sister and I would get all the money I needed.

"I'm sorry captain. I just had a couple of minor setbacks is all, but I have it under control. Just give me some more time please."

"This is your last chance in hell. If you let me remind you again, best believe I will be sending you to hell myself."

The call clicked, signaling that he already ended the conversation. My best chances were to go to the hospital and get myself checked because my blood pressure was definitely rising.

I needed to act and I needed to act very fast. Craig already shot down my initial plan and I needed a new one. Plan B just had to be effective. My life was literally hanging onto it.

My girl was rarely speaking to me these days. Whenever I called her, she was either not by the phone or she had only one-word replies for everything.

I knew that I was going to lose her if I didn't achieve my goals in Paris and get back to her with all the money I promised her.

Bitches these days weren't loyal. They were only loyal to the money, just like my sister. I'm sure that Kim fancied herself in love with Craig, but if he wasn't as rich as he was, she probably would be championing my cause to sell her off to a richer buyer.

Women deserved nothing, all of them, all of them deserved nothing. They were worse than dogs, going with the highest bidder and totally forgetting all these promises they made you when you were the godhead bidder.

Thinking about my girl made me bitter, but it also made me crave her. I really wanted her so bad and I fancied myself in love with her. I needed a new plan, one that would actually work this time but first, I needed to eat something. I was hungry enough to eat a whole house but I needed money like crazy. I was almost out of cash.

I needed to call her to beg for some money. I was hoping she was going to be in the mood to actually speak to me today. The last time I called, she had some business to attend to and had to go after about three minutes.

Her phone was ringing but she wasn't picking for tired first two rings but she eventually picked on the third ring. I felt my mouth go dry. I hadn't considered what I was going to say to her when she finally picked.

"My precious bunny." When in doubt, the best thing was to simply call sweet names. It worked a lord of the times if not all. "How are you feeling today? Did you go to work?"

She didn't respond. I had the feeling that she knew I wanted to beg her for some money.

"Yeah, Keith, what do you want?"

What did I want? This was the same girl who used to call me 'big chief' when I used to give her a lot of money. The way I had been demoted from Big Dawg was crazy but a beggar really had no option so here went nothing.

"I was wondering if you could loan me some cash. I'm really close to achieving my plans for Paris. I just really need some cash to wrap it up and come back to you, my queen." I was fervently praying that she fell for that shit.

"How much do you need?"

I balked up my first, threw it in the air, and did a little victory dance. I wasn't going to starve after all.

"Send what you can. I don't want to feel burdened." I threw that in for good measure. I didn't want her to feel like I was instructing her on how to spend her own money.

"I also need you to know that this is the last time I'm going to give any money. I need you to stop being a bum and make some effort for yourself." Her tone had an edge to it that made me want to punch her so badly. She dared to call me a bum.

I managed to keep my anger in check till the end of that conversation. I needed that money and I wasn't going to ruin my chances of getting it because I had to validate my pride.

I didn't have time or grace. I am both in short supply.

KIM'S POV

Breakfast in bed was crazy if I was being honest. I knew I was craving my husband and all he was back but he literally exceeded my darn expectations. I was praying at one part of my brain that he was going to up and change his mind about things.

Also, I wanted to have a conversation about what exactly happened, why it traumatized him the way it did, and how he managed it eventually. I wanted all of that but for now, I chose to be water, flow in any direction he wanted me to flow.

He was fast asleep and I couldn't help taking in every bit of his Greek god features. The way his nose was perfectly sculpted made me want to kiss his nose at every chance I got. His eyebrows were magnificent, they looked like winged angels guarding his eyes, his mouth, no his mouth! It felt like God took his time sculpting those lips so I would crave to kiss them every time.

I was so in love with him, that I didn't want him finding out to what extent. The dynamics of yesterday were not only funny but also typical of the male species. He wanted me all night. I saw it in his eyes but he refused to act in his desires until I made him jealous. I had set out to just use the restroom but that lovely gentleman appeared out of nowhere and I immediately got ideas.

I wasn't sure about the percentage of my success rate but I had to try. I was actually taken aback when he said 'I'd like to have my wife back', I screamed mentally. I was mad at him but that was so hot. I had almost forgotten why in the world I was even angry at all.

I was so lost in my thoughts that I didn't know when he woke up. I felt his hand on my hair and then his piercing green eyes as though he was searching my soul.

"Hey, you're ....up?" I stuttered, feeling slightly uncomfortable that he caught me staring.

Then he smiled, wide, hard as if he could read my thoughts. Before I could figure out what he was doing, he tugged me down on his body and proceeded to place kisses all over my face. I was blushing so hard.

"You wanna shower let's go chill with Jason?" He asked.

I nodded so fast. Soon we were splashing water at each other and taking turns to scrub each other down in the shower.

Eventually, we got to Jason's room.

"Camillaaaaa, mom, daddyyyy, everyone is hereeee." Jason was the happiest child I had ever seen. He was so crazy excited to see both of his parents finally together. He must have felt the tension.

We were alright now, but even as I thought that my heart kicked into overdrive. For how long?