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“Greg,” I say calmly. I don’t want to startle him, but I need him to move. It’s past time for my turn to be the wall she can’t climb to get to my wife.

The big man sidesteps to let me out. As he moves, I make sure to fill the entrance instead. The older woman who was marching forward walks into me and tries to push past. My hand goes to her bicep as I keep moving, forcing her back.

The people who were trying to enter with her step back in frustration. I see the older man who was in the restaurant a few nights ago. Joseph. His glare should singe me as he backsteps.

“This is him,” he mutters to the blonde kid next to him.

“Him?” Both their eyes narrow on me.

“Let my wife go,” Joseph’s hands fist as his teeth grind.

“No,” I dismiss him and look down at the woman in question.

I would call her beautiful if I didn’t know her from Addie’s stories. Not to mention the texts that are burned into my mind. This woman is toxic. She’s been abusing my wife long before I ever met her. She certainly doesn’t seem to have a problem treating other people the same way.

I can see my siren in the slope of her nose. Her high cheekbones and sharp chin. But her lips are thin, and her eyes are a blue so dark they seem to swallow the light. She has a healthy tan, and her blonde hair is pulled back in a bun so tight that I wouldn’t be surprised if she had a headache.

“This is assault,” she yells at me, her face turning a dull red with anger.

Several people behind me gasp and fall silent.

“Thisis a person escorting an aggressor out to make sure people feel safe inside,” I correct her in a bland tone. “Greg, call security.”

“Alright,” he grinds back with a disgusted look at her.

She yanks her arm out of my loose grip as if she’s fighting for her life. Maybe in her mind, she is.

“Mr. Richards?” A hesitant voice says from behind her.

I glance at the woman briefly, long enough to take in her small form and her rounded belly, before I focus onMaman. I hate that name and the person associated with it.

“I’m so sorry. She followed us. She isn’t supposed to be here. I knew keeping Joseph in the loop was a bad call, but I felt guilty because he’s worried,” the brunette clasps her hands together in a praying position with a cringe. Her shoulders hunch when Maman turns on her with a scowl.

“Back off, Maman,” the blond man next to Joseph steps in front of the pregnant woman smoothly. He’s covered in flower tattoos of various types. I recognize Addie’s work and her brother because of it. The two men behind her are probably the rest of the cake.

I give a resigned sigh when I realize Addie has never told me their names. I’m stuck with Frosting and Sprinkles, and I have no idea which one is which.

Maman regains my attention with her dramatic whining to her son.

“These men are being unreasonable, baby. Why wouldn’t I get to see my daughter? Huh? What right does anyone have to tell me I can’t?” She spins back to me, stepping into my personal space with her fists clenched.

“There are people in that building who don’t do well with drama,” I inform her flatly without backing down an inch. “This is supposed to be a safe place for them to meet. Your aggressive behavior won’t be allowed inside.”

The way she scoffs, as ifI’mthe one acting like a dick, is ridiculous. I give her the look of disgust she deserves in return. I’m more than ready to shoot her ego down without mercy. The question is, what would Addie think?

She didn’t tell me what happened in that room, and I respected her right to process it, though it was a struggle. I wanted to hear that she gave them all black eyes, and we were celebrating by going around town knocking over trash cans. Instead, I got gentle smiles and quiet introspection.

“They’re on their way,” Greg tells me, and resumes his arms-crossed posture.

I nod as Maman glances around me to glare at him.

“Yeah, he looks really torn up at all mydrama,” she sneers.

“Fuck you, lady,” Greg erupts behind me with a surprising speed. I slide into his path to keep him from her, which leaves me with a large man breathing down my neck and jabbing his finger in the air over my shoulder. “You don’t know me for shit. I was beaten within an inch of my life by a woman just like you!Fuckyou!”

“Greg, take a break,” Thomas says calmly.

I feel Greg move away, snapping bitterly as Thomas commiserates with him.