Page 29 of A Player’s Prayer (Mills Brothers #3)

“All I’m saying is have a conversation with that man because I know you.

You have my temper.” He raised his brow and smirked, causing me to chuckle.

He was right because there was zero grace when it comes to disrespect.

“Don’t let love pass you by from a misunderstanding.

Enough about that nigga, though. I want you to be careful out here.

I’m not home to protect you like I want to, but I have eyes and ears everywhere.

Don’t worry about Bear and Percy. I will handle them. ”

“But Dad?—”

“Tell me about your birthday plans.” He placed his arm over my shoulder, cutting me off, before kissing my temple. “I want to know all about this hot girl shit you keep talking about.”

For the remainder of the visit, I got caught up on life as much as I could with my father.

I made him promise me to not get in trouble behind Bear and Percy, but he didn’t want to talk about it.

He turned around and tried to get me to reason with him about Adrian, but I didn’t want to hear it.

Once I finally explained to him what I saw, he wanted me to look at it with new eyes, saying it didn’t sound like Adrian was at fault.

He also told me to contact his lawyer about the trust to make sure everything was still intact.

I asked him if he trusted the lawyer not to give information to Percy, and he assured me he was legit.

At the end of the visit, I cried like a baby because he told me he didn’t want me to come back.

He said he didn’t want me back in Florida for a while, either, and to continue to take care of the house from afar.

I was upset with his wishes, but I would respect them as I always did.

With a heavy heart, we said our goodbyes, promising to be in touch soon.

Once in the car, I headed back to the hotel where Amelia was waiting for me.

We decided this morning to at least go eat and shop before leaving Florida, but I was no longer in the mood.

Finding out my friends were secretly plotting against me hurt me more than I wanted to acknowledge.

Knowing they wanted to cause me harm for money wounded my heart.

The friends I would have given my last were never my friends at all.

Just like my mother and grandmother—who Zaria spoke about—they were dead to me too.

My father was here, but no longer did this place feel like home.

It was time to get back to my life in the Grove.

“I swear, I hate niggas,” I grumbled as I bumped into the edge of my nightstand. “When I get my hands on Adrian, I’m going to beat his ass.”

My time in Florida wasn’t the best, so I was more than ready to get back home to Milly Grove.

Imagine my surprise to find my house in a clusterfuck when I got here.

When I stepped into my home in the late hours of the night, I knew immediately it had been disturbed.

It started in my living room. Adrian knows I have a bad case of OCD.

So when I saw the pictures that aligned my living room wall was all slanted, it felt as if I was itching all over.

Not only that, he removed a leg from each of my kitchen chairs.

I couldn’t get my phone from my back pocket fast enough to text his ass.

Adrian Mills was proving to be the most childish and ignorant man I’d ever met in my life.

Me:

Adrian, you are so fuckin’ stupid! Bring me back my damn chair legs!

Ex-Nigga:

You gone take me back?

Me:

No nigga!

Ex-Nigga:

Enjoy your breakfast tomorrow on that hard ass floor then. I love you!

I was frustrated with him but was too tired to deal with his shit.

Stomping up the stairs, I entered my bedroom and was pissed all over again.

My California King bed that I loved so much was stripped of its sheets and pillows.

Leaving the room, I stomped down the hall to my linen closet, only to see that all my extra sheets and pillows were gone.

Me:

Adrian! Where are my fuckin’ pillows and sheets?!

Ex-Nigga:

My trunk. I’m all the warmth and cushion you need. Take me back if you want a good night’s sleep.

Sighing heavily, I shut my eyes and rubbed my temple.

A headache was brewing, and I knew it was going to be bad.

Walking over to my dresser, I removed my glasses to place them in the case.

Since I’m a neat freak, I noticed when the other cases were no longer aligned the way I left them.

Something told me to open them, and when I did, I screamed in frustration.

Blind wanch.

I love you.

Wild+Kodi 4eva.

Wild decided to be a dickhead and scratch words into all of my lenses. He knows I don’t play about my glasses and goes and does something like this. How did I get involved with someone so juvenile?

Me:

I’m going to kill you! Why would you do that to my glasses?!

Ex-Nigga:

You think I’m gonna have you out here looking for another nigga? Your eyes are for me and me only with your blind ass. Take me back and you can ball out at Visionworks on me. I’ll even let you get Gucci frames.

Blocking his number, I was too angry and too exhausted to fight with him. Although he and I weren’t in a good space, I still wanted to celebrate my birthday at his brother’s club. Going would also give me an opportunity to smack the shit out of him for fucking with me and my house.

Amelia and I weren’t able to shop while we were in Florida, so we decided to make a day of it tomorrow.

I was excited to find something classy yet sexy because all of the running I’d been doing on the trail had my hips, thighs, and ass looking right.

I planned to narrow down what color I was wearing tonight so that I wouldn’t be too indecisive tomorrow.

Deciding to make a sandwich before I got in my sheetless bed, I made my way back downstairs just as my phone began to ring.

“Hello?” I answered skeptically at the unknown number. “Who is this?”

“Silly me, thinking you would have saved my number when I gave it to you.” Dr. Morrison’s deep voice flowed through my receiver. “Did I wake you?”

Glancing over at the clock on the wall, I noticed it was only a little after nine. “Not at all. I was about to fix a bite to eat before bed. Traveling makes me tired.”

Working with Dr. Morrison wasn’t bad, but the man had been very persistent.

He’s always making slight remarks here and there, but it’s never too out of line.

He gave me his number again when I got back from whatever that break was in hopes that I would finally go on a date with him.

The chances are pretty slim to none, regardless of my status with Adrian or any other man.

“Ah, I understand. A woman as beautiful as you doesn’t need much sleep, though.

If it makes you any prettier, we’re in a world of trouble.

” I couldn’t help but giggle at his corniness as I opened my refrigerator.

It was short-lived when I saw there was nothing inside but milk, water, and cheese. “Did I say something wrong?”

“No.” I sighed heavily. “I was about to fix me some food, but there’s nothing here.”

“How about you meet me for a little late-night snack? There’s a pizza spot near the park where we run that’s still open. There’s no pressure—just a small meal amongst friends.”

Leaning against the counter, I nibbled my bottom lip and thought about his offer.

While I didn’t want to be bothered by him, there is no way I was going to be able to sleep comfortably without eating.

Saying, “What the hell?” I grabbed my keys and agreed to meet him there.

Locking up my townhouse, I stepped into the dark of the night and headed to the pizzeria.

It didn’t take me long before I was out of my car and sliding into the booth across from the doctor.

“This dinner is on you, right?” I asked once we got the menus and were settled. The place was pretty dead, so I hoped that meant we would be in and out. “You’re the doctor, so I know you got it.”

“Yeah, I got it. You, too, if you let me.” He pulled his bottom lip between his teeth. “You know, even dressed down, you’re still the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”

Looking down at myself, I was simply dressed in an oversized shirt and biker shorts.

My hair was in its natural state because I wanted to get braids for the party.

His comment about “having me” didn’t go unnoticed.

I just chose not to pay it any mind. I don’t want to cuss this man out before I eat, so I’m going to let it go.

“So, how was your trip home?” he asked as we began to eat. We kept it simple with a pepperoni pizza and two waters. “I know your family was happy to see you. Did your man go with you?”

Eyeing him closely, I covered my mouth as I continued to eat. “It wasn’t that type of trip, so there was no need for my man to go. It was more so… business-related. My friend accompanied me, and we had a decent time. Nothing to brag about.”

His mentioning Adrian made me feel a way.

He and I weren’t together, but I didn’t want to speak about him with another man.

Not only that, but I felt weird about being here with Dr. Morrison.

I felt like I was cheating or something, even though this was very platonic.

No matter how I spun it in my mind as I chewed my greasy pizza, I realized it was time for me to go home and lie down.

“Dakota, can I ask you something?” I nodded for him to go ahead. “What do you see in that hooligan of a man? A woman like you deserves someone who worships you. Not someone that disrespects you by fucking you in an employee parking lot.” My eyes went wide in shock.

How does he know that? Was this conceited-ass nigga stalking me?

“I know who he and his family are, and the money can’t be worth your self-respect. If I were your man?—”

“You’re not, and you never will be.” I stopped him before he got too comfortable with his words.

I knew I should have stayed my ass at home.

It was time to go for real now. “No matter the type of time I’m on with Adrian, I won’t let you disrespect him.

Please don’t speak on matters that concern me or Adrian, whether those matters happen at the hospital or not.

” I gathered my things and stood from the booth.

“I love Adrian for who he is and not for what he has. If you speak on him again, I will have him knocking at your front door. Have a good evening and never hit my line again if it’s not work-related. ”

Storming out of the pizzeria, I stepped into the night air fuming.

How dare he insinuate I’m only with Adrian for his money?

How dare he call Adrian out of his name?

He wasn’t my man, but I wasn’t going to let anyone play on his name.

Nearing the curb where my car was parked, I felt Dr. Morrison call my name once more before I was pulled by my wrist.

“Look, Dakota?—”

“Get your hands off her and put your hands up, nigga!” Snapping my eyes behind Dr. Morrison, I froze before lifting my hands at the sight of a masked gunman.

Dressed in an all-black Nike Tech sweatsuit and shiesty mask, he pointed his Glock at us both as his eyes pierced Dr. Morrison.

“Make a move so I can shoot you, muthafucka.”

“Is it money you want?” Dr. Morrison asked shakily as he held the box of leftover pizza. “I have a little cash in my wallet. She may have some too. Dakota, give him your purse.”

“What?” I hissed incredulously. “You give him your money!”

“Please.” Dr. Morrison fell to his knees and began to cry. “I have a wife and kids. I just wanted a little something on the side. Please don’t kill me.”

Frowning, I kept my hands raised as I lifted my foot and kicked Dr. Morrison in the back of the neck as hard as I could. How dare he try and date me while he had a family? Never mind us being held at gunpoint. If the gunman didn’t shoot his ass, I will.

“Take out your phone and call your wife, nigga!” the gunman barked out an order in a muffled tone, causing us both to jump. His voice was rough, but I couldn’t describe it due to his mouth being restricted by something. “Do it before I change my mind and shoot you.”

Placing the pizza box on the ground, he pulled his phone from his pocket and did as he was told.

Looking around, the street was empty without a soul in sight.

Here I was, held at gunpoint under a single streetlight, wishing I were with Adrian.

He would have beaten this man’s ass by now.

As I listened to Dr. Morrison cry and confess his adultery with various women, I brought my eyes back to the gunman.

Looking into his eyes, there was something about them.

I couldn’t put my finger on it, but they were familiar. It was almost as if…

“I did what you asked!” Dr. Morrison bawled, gun still aimed at his head. “Please let me go.”

“Give me your keys.” He held his hand out. Shakily, Dr. Morrison placed them in his hand. “Give me your money and phone too.”

Doing as he was told, I watched as Dr. Morrison handed over everything. Placing the cash in his pocket, the gunman drew back and hurled the phone and keys into the small river that was located behind us. Stepping forward, he grabbed the pizza box before giving his attention to us both.

“Now, I hope you both learned a lesson here tonight. Take your ass home to your fluffy-ass wife and hope she still wants your trifling ass.” Dragging his eyes to me, he stared for a moment before adding, “Go home. Get you a nigga that thinks you’re worth more than a twenty-dollar pizza and a quick fuck. ”

His words hurt, but I wasn’t going to push my luck. Unlocking my door, I was about to slide inside my car, but his words stopped me. “Your ass looking good in those tights, baby. Keep it tight for daddy.”

Glancing over my shoulder, I locked eyes with the gunman before he lifted the bottom of his mask, eating the pizza he took from Dr. Morrison. As I watched him disappear down the dark street, I couldn’t help but wonder…

Did Adrian just rob us?