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Liam picked up my hand and kissed the back of it before pressing it against his cheek.

“We’re going to get through this, right?”

“I promise.”

“How do you think Syre will feel if I ask him to make you my sole night detail? I only feel safe with you here. I only want you around.”

“I don’t want you raising any red flags until it’s necessary, but I’ll come around as much as possible, and you can come to me.”

“I don’t want you to leave at all, but I know that’s being selfish.” I shook my head.

“How do you think I feel about you? That’s why I’m having such a hard time wrapping my mind around you entertaining another nigga. I don’t care if itisfor play-play.”

That made me laugh.

“I wish I knew how to fix this.” I sighed.

“Everything I’m considering ends in bloodshed. I can’t purposely put you in danger.”

“Just stay with me. I don’t like him, Liam. I need you around when I’m around him,” I said, deciding not to go into detail.

I didn’t need Liam flying off the handle and killing Zane. War would be inevitable if he had to resort to murder. That’s what had gotten us into this predicament in the first place.

“How long before you think someone notices that I barely let you out of my sight?”

“When did you ever?” I quizzed.

“I mean, I’m two hours early for my shift today. I know you don’t have a lot of traffic out here, but I also know the guys keep a close eye on you. If I’m there every time you interact with him, someone is bound to notice.”

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s a big change. When my mom died, you hardly ever left me alone. I don’t think it would be a big stretch.”

“I’m with it. I just think we have to be strategic. If it were up to me, I would never leave your side.”

“I never want you to.” I smiled.

“You’re bullshitting, but I’m dead serious.”

“So am I, Lee Lee. Even before I realized that I was in love with you, I was so attached that I never wanted you to leave. I’ve known Candice and Tremaine for years, but you quickly became my best friend. I would get so excited when I knew you were coming in. That’s why I would cook and all that shit. I was like, my bestie is coming! I have to prepare.”

“Fuck all that friend shit. I want to be your husband, Divine.”

“Liam, stop playing.” I giggled, swatting his arm playfully.

“Who’s playing? Sooner or later, you’re going to learn that I don’t play.”

“Why do I believe you right now?”

“You should. For a while, I was giving you time to get all that dating other niggas shit out of your system because I knew when I turned it on, I wasn’t going to know how to turn it off. I knew I was going to want to go all in and ask Bishop or Maven or whoever for your hand. Then you started throwing up barriers and roadblocks and telling me to keep our thing low-key. I had to honor your wishes.”

My eyes shot to my bowl.

“Damn,” I muttered.

I knew Liam loved me, but hearing that he wanted to marry me threw me off. His words felt like a dream come true. Our circumstances had turned them into a nightmare.

“I’m going to figure something out if I have to kill Whitmore and everybody who works for him.”

“You won’t, Liam.”