Page 42 of A Player’s Prayer (Mills Brothers #3)

“What the fuck are you talking about?” Sed groaned as he peered up at me. Like his girl and homeboy, he was tied to a chair facing me. His right eye was swollen shut, while his jaw was more crooked than Bobby Brown’s in the 1990s. “Why would you think the baby would be anybody’s but mine?”

“That girl has been fucking your homie like a dog in heat for years.” I pulled her phone from my pocket, showing him the pictures and videos from her phone. “You’ve been tasting that man’s nut the whole time y’all been together.”

Her cries filled the room as sounds of her and Bear grunting like pigs began to play from her iPhone. From the look on his face, he didn’t know they had been messing around. Dragging his eyes toward her, tears leaked from his eyes before he bucked in his seat and tried to get to her.

“I’ma kill you, bitch!” he shouted as he rocked. “I’ve been busting my ass trying to make a life for us, and this is what you do? You’re dead to me!”

“You’ll both be dead soon. Don’t you worry.” I pulled my Glock from my waist and walked towards Bear. “You got any last words, fuck nigga? Your uncle is in hell waiting for you, so you’ll be in good company. Make that shit quick, so I can get back to my wife.”

Before I left the prison, Maine, in so many words, informed me that he’d gotten word to some of his old friends on the outside to handle Percy.

He was angry and pissed that someone he once called a brother would want to bring harm to his daughter, and he wanted him gone immediately.

Within days of speaking to Kodi, Maine put out the hit, and Percy was dead.

“Your wife?” He coughed as he peered up at me as best he could. The day we dragged him from the hotel, I hung him from the ceiling and have been using him like a punching bag ever since. “Y-You married my girl?”

“Your girl?” Zaria screamed from her chair at the end of the row. “After all of this, you still love that bitch?”

Hearing her disrespect my girl for the last time, I walked over to the table and retrieved my favorite carbon steel knife. Placing my Glock in the waistband of my jeans, I walked over to Zaria. Shaking her head profusely, I held her in place as I pried her mouth open and removed her tongue.

“My girl loved you, and all you did was shit on her. And for what? Some money she didn’t have, and a nigga that’s sick about her being another man’s wife?” I pointed to a clearly upset Bear. “You’ll never get the chance to hurt my girl ever again.”

“Mmm! Mmm!” she cried in agony. Stepping back, I smiled as I eyed my handiwork. Sed, crying for his hoe, was pissing me off, so it was time for him to go too.

“No, please!” he yelled. “I didn’t know about money! I?—”

Yanking his head back, I stuffed his girl’s tongue inside his mouth. “Might as well taste your homies’ kids one last time.”

I watched his eyes expand in horror at the muscle being placed in his mouth, but he didn’t have a chance to object before my blade was sliding across his throat.

Blood squirted all over the place as I stepped back and watched him gargle and gasp for air.

It didn’t take long before the life left his eyes.

Pop! Pop!

Sending two to Bear’s face next, there was no need to keep him around any longer.

He can vent to his uncle and homeboy in hell about the woman he lost to a real nigga.

Turning back to Zaria, I sent one to her head, shutting her the fuck up too.

I told Kodi the first day I met this broad that she was a snake.

Her head was officially gone, and she would never get the chance to strike at my baby.

“I feel like a proud father right now.” Skip walked over and patted my back. “My baby brother is a married man and is knocking off everybody in the name of love.”

“Man, watch out.” I chuckled, shaking him off of me. Wiping the blood from my knife onto Zaria’s shirt, I nodded over at Money. “Call the crew to come in and handle this for me. I’m ready to get home to my wife.”

When I made vows to be Kodi’s protector, I meant it in the most literal way. She will never walk around looking over her shoulder, waiting for the enemy to strike. Her man will be right there, eliminating the problem before it ever reaches our doorstep.

A soft life full of love is what she wants; a soft life full of love is what she’ll get.

Looking at my watch, I had about two hours before I had to meet my wife once she was off from work.

Thankfully, she had an early shift, but I knew she wasn’t going to want to be out late.

She hasn’t spoken to her father in almost two weeks, and she’s been in her feelings about it.

If he didn’t call my girl by the end of the week, I was going to hop on a flight to check his ass.

When I said no one would hurt her again, that included him too.

“What’s up, Pop?” I walked into my dad’s mancave. “It’s good to see you’re in here chilling and not somewhere feeling up my mama.”

“Who said I wasn’t just in here doing that before you walked in my house, nigga?” He smirked as I took a seat on the sofa across from him. “I wouldn’t sit there if I were you.”

Hopping up like my ass was on fire, I frowned as I checked the back of my sweats to make sure everything was cool. Deciding to play it safe, I stood in the middle of the space, not touching anything.

“See, this is why I don’t fool with you, old man.

” I mugged him as he continued to laugh.

Walking over toward his bar, I decided to take a shot to ease my racing heart.

“I just came over here to holler at y’all before I go pick up my wife, and you’re playing games.

” I took a swig of his Cognac before placing the bottle back down.

“Let me go find Evie so I can get out of here.”

I give my dad a hard time, but I love the way he loves my mother. Deep down, that’s what motivated me to do right by Kodi. She’s the type of woman that you want to just love on and adore with no limitations.

“Wait a minute, Adrian.” He stopped me before I made it to the door. “I haven’t told you lately, but I’m proud of you, baby boy. From your business to your marriage… You have made me so happy and proud to call you my son.”

“Damn, Pop. So you were just out here denying me before or something?” I crossed my arms and eyed him. “That’s messed up.”

“Son, I was for sure telling people you were adopted and that I didn’t know why you acted the way you did.

” He slapped my shoulder and laughed, causing me to do the same.

“No, but to witness your growth firsthand has been a blessing. We love Dakota so much. I have no qualms about the type of husband you’re going to be.

I expect the best from both of you. I love you, son. ”

Instead of replying with my words, I pulled him into my chest, patting his back as he did the same to me.

While I wasn’t yearning for my pops’ validation, it was nice to hear—nice to have.

Telling Pops that I’d check in later this week, I made my way upstairs to find my mother so I wouldn’t be late getting Kodi.

The smell of fried salmon led me right to the kitchen, where she was.

Swaying to the sounds of Anita Baker, I crept up behind her, spun her around, and decided to dance with her.

“Adrian, one of these days I’m going to shoot you for creeping up on me!” she fussed, placing her hands in mine. “You’re in a good mood today.”

“I feel good, Mama.” I smiled, kissing her forehead. “I feel like your baby boy is finally happy and at peace.”

Twirling her around, my mind went to my wife.

From the day she and I exchanged vows, I’ve been telling everyone who could hear about Kodi.

I’d expressed how much I loved my wife, told strangers that my wife was a nurse, and blew up the group chat with my brothers about how my wife was the most beautiful woman I’d ever met.

Dakota made me feel as if I could breathe, and that’s why I spent every breath talking about her fine ass.

“Love looks so good on you, baby,” my mother beamed at me with tears in her eyes. “You’re going to be an amazing husband and even better father.”

“You think so?” I asked worriedly. It’s been on my mind more times than not what type of father I would be. “How do you know?”

“Your wife won’t have it any other way.” She giggled as she traced the scar above my eye.

“Son, you’ve always had so much love to give.

It just took the right woman to bring it out of you.

You’re a provider and protector in the highest form.

You were destined for the life that’s been placed before you.

I do not doubt in my mind that you will be great. ”

Smiling, I held her tightly and continued to sway us. After two songs, my dad came and pried us apart, letting me know I needed to go find my own wife and leave his alone. Embracing them both, I went to do just that.

I love you more every day

You show me love in every way

There’s nothing left for me to say

But I love you

As I sang along with Ginuwine, I couldn’t help but chuckle at what my life had become.

The only time I used to listen to slow jams was on Saturday mornings when my mama used to make us clean up.

Now here I am, pulling up at my next spot, singing at the top of my lungs about the love of my life.

I’ve been out here simping in the worst way since Kodi's good-pussy-having ass came into my life.

“Kodi got me out here tender as fuck.” I chuckled as I exited my truck. “I’m talking about falling off the bone, nigga.”

Walking into the mansion, I cleared my mind and focused on the woman walking toward me.

“Hey, Adrian! I just finished setting up, so you’re right on time.” Blossom walked over and hugged me as soon as I walked through the foyer. “It’s good to see you.”

“What’s up, B.” I gave her a church hug quickly. “Give me some space, baby girl. My wife is crazy, and that muthafucka don’t play about me.”

“I’m glad you know…” I damn near jumped out of my body at the sound of her sultry voice coming through the empty room. “The old me would have spazzed out and shot this nice house up.” She giggled as she walked over and kissed me. “Hey, husband.”

“Hey, mama.” I bent over and kissed her. “How are you feeling?”

“Tired.” She sighed, wrapping her arms around me.

“The hospital has been a clusterfuck since they fired Dr. Morrison. I would say I can’t believe so many girls went to the office on him for sexual harassment, but I would be lying.

” She shook her head before her eyes went wide.

Turning toward a smiling Blossom, she palmed her forehead. “I’m so rude, I’m sorry. I’m Dakota.”

“I know, love. If not the billboard downtown, it’s this man singing your praises everywhere he goes.” She smiled, shaking my wife’s hand. “I’m Blossom Reid of Grove’s Luxury Realty. Welcome to your new home.”

Covering her mouth, she gasped in shock as Blossom gave her a tour of the enormous space I purchased for us in Mills Manor.

Sitting on six acres was this massive two-story English manor-style home.

With marbled floors, the latest appliances, a theater, a basketball court, and both indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a pool house, I knew this would be the perfect forever home for us.

With nine rooms and eight and a half baths, we had more than enough room for starting a family of our own, while including the family we already had.

My only hope is that she loves the house as much as I do because I’d already paid for the spot.

If she wasn’t in love with it, she was going to have to let it grow on her.

Between her ring and the house, I’d easily blown close to six million dollars in the last two months.

“Baby, are you serious?” She sniffled once the tour was over. Blossom had walked outside and left us alone to discuss. “When did you have time to do this? How much is it? You don’t think it’s too much?”

“It’s not enough if you ask me…” I smirked, pulling her into my arms. “We’re in this for life, Kodi. This is what you deserve.” I gestured around the house. “It’s time my most precious possession lives in luxury like she was meant to be.”

“I don’t need this, baby.” She smiled through her tears. “I’d be happy living out of my car as long as it meant I’d be spending forever with you.”

This is why I love this girl the way I do. It’s never been about the things I can give or do for her. It’s always been about my heart and little does she know, she’s had that shit from day one.

“So, what is it, guys?” Blossom came back in holding up a bottle of Ace and three wine glasses. “Are we celebrating?”

“Oh, we’re celebrating!” Kodi smirked over her shoulder. “The only thing that’s getting swallowed in here right now is my man, Ms. Blossom. Leave the bottle, babes. Chao!”

Before she could finish saying her signature goodbye to Blossom, I had damn near broken my ankles grabbing B’s shit and pushing her toward the door.

Bent over in laughter, she yelled out that she would call me later to finish the minor details.

Once I threw her out and had the doors locked, I turned to face my wife.

My mouth watered at how she’d already come out of her ruby red scrubs.

“Get naked, husband. Your wife wants to show you some appreciation.”