Page 31 of Bricked Up

“So you ain’t put this fuckin’ sexy, short ass dress on and post pics to your IG outside this muthafucka to get my attention?” he asked as he purposely grazed his lips against her cheek.

“No, I didn’t post?—”

As if a lightbulb went off in her head, Zia turned and narrowed her eyes at her sister, who was sitting back, smirking while watching the drama unfold. “Britt?—”

“Yup,” Grinning, Brittany smacked her lips as she downed the last of her sour apple martini and sauntered over toward them.

“I sure the fuck did. This was a fuckin’ setup.

And now that I got both of y’all’s attention, listen the hell up.

I’m sicka this shit here.” She pointed a finger back and forth between Zia and Saadiq.

“Y’all either gon’ be together or you ain’t, but you ain’t gon’ stress me out about it no more.

Saadiq, I posted the pics and tagged my sexy ass sister to get your damn attention.

And I had that fine ass nigga that I’m talking to by the way, come talk to her to wake yo’ ass up.

Although you know what the fuck kinda gold mind you got in my sister, you actin’ like she won’t get snatched up by another nigga, quick.

So quit playin’ wit’ her. Don’t ever ignore my sister for three weeks and think I ain’t gon’ help her ass move the fuck on.

I’on wanna do that because I know how much y’all love each other.

Y’all dumb asses already let one fool break ya up.

Don’t let time damage the rest of your bond.

Zia, you know this ignorant ass man loves you.

Yes, you both should've fought more back in the day to keep what ya’ll built together.

I get both viewpoints from back then and now, but the only thing that’s important is right muthafuckin’ now.

Life is too short for all that other shit.

Y’all got a rare love worth fighting for.

Fix this shit now. ‘Cause I be damned if y’all have my baby make his or her grand entrance into the world in the middle of all this foolish ass chaos.

Good fuckin’ day. Sissy, I love you. Call me later. ”

Zia smiled as her sister parted through the crowd to go find her man before returning her attention to Saadiq. “Guess she told us, huh?”

“Yeah, she did, but she was ‘bout to get you and ole’ boy fucked up. Y’all play too damn much. Come on, you wanna dance, yo’ sexy ass can dance with me.” Saadiq offered as he led her out onto the dance floor.

“No, you play too much. And you were the one who was about to get fucked up because if I didn’t love your ass, I would’ve accepted that nigga’s hand and kept it moving.

Hell, you the one who left me, then got the nerve to come up in this muthafucka actin’ crazy.

” Zia chuckled as Saadiq spun her into his arms and led her in a one-two step.

“Bodies woulda been every fucking where, too. And after, I woulda tossed yo’ ass over my shoulder and took yo’ ass to my crib where you belong.

You damn right I came in here on some ready for war typa shit.

” Saadiq captured her lips in a kiss. “You lucky I ain’t come up in here with my baby in my hand ready to empty my clip in that nigga.

And any other nigga who thought they was ‘bout to slip and slide up in my pussy tonight. That’s my pussy between ya thighs.

I’m the only nigga’s face and dick who gon’ be diving in all that good shit. ”

“Well, if that’s the case, Saadiq, we’re even. No more of you ignoring or not talking to me because you need a minute. I’ve been stressed out unnecessarily because of you. That shit ain’t good for the baby or me.”

“I never left you. I just needed to figure some shit out. You’re right, though.

I shouldn't have never left you hanging like that. The last thing I wanted to do was bring harm of any kind to you or my baby. But Zia, baby, you leaving me, especially when I knew I didn’t deserve it, really fucked me up.

You cut me the fuck out of yo’ life and moved on without even giving me the chance to explain.

I do get why you did it, but the way you left fucked me up mentally and left scars on my soul.

It felt like it took a lifetime to just learn to live with the pain.

So, when you say we’re even, I really hope you mean that shit.

“Cause my life would never be the same, my heart would never beat the same without you and my child.”

“Mine either, I meant it. I’m so sorry I hurt you, Saadiq.” Zia stood up on her tiptoes and pressed a kiss to his lips as a single tear slid down her cheek. “I love you so much, and while I’m nervous as shit about being a mom, I’m over the fucking moon to be having your kid.”

“I love you too, Zia. With every beat of my heart and soul, baby. Let’s go home.”

“Okay, let me go let Britt know we’re about to leave and run to the restroom. Then we can go,” Zia told him as she scanned the room for her sister. “I’ll be right back.” She said as she spotted Britt over by the bar near the restroom.

“A’ight, I’m ‘bout to go make a call right quick and put ya ride up to the back exit. Gimme ya keys.”

Zia fished her keys from her purse and winked as he made her way over to Brittany. But before she could reach her destination, Zia was snatched up by a man in all black and rushed to the back emergency exit that was down the same hall as the restrooms.

Thankfully, Saadiq hadn’t even taken a full step in the opposite direction before Zia’s and Brittany’s screams caught his immediate attention. Pointing, he took off after them, knowing exactly who’d just snatched Zia’s ass up. As soon as Saadiq bent the corner, his heater was in his hand.

“Jabariiiii! Let her the fuck go, nigga. Right, he fuck now! Saadiq yelled as he rushed toward the parking lot. Don’t make me put a fucking bullet in ya head and send ya dead body to auntie, muthafucka!”

“Do it then nigga,” Jabari whipped around and shoved a gun against Zia’s head.

“But I bet you I take ya little bitch right to hell with me. We gon’ be together just like we were supposed to be this whole time.

Before you came in and fucked up what we had going on.

Right, babe?” Jabari asked as he yanked Zia’s head back and roughly kissed her lips.

A crowd had gathered and looked on in horror and disbelief as Jabari held Zia hostage.

“Jabari, please,” Zia cried as she placed her hand over his to try to loosen the tight grip he had on her hair. “Please let me go.” Tears streamed down her face as she prayed that he would just let her go. “I need to use the bathroom, and I don’t feel good.” She admitted as fear shook her soul.

“Tell Saadiq that you wanted me first. Not him, fucking tell him,” Jabari yelled as he jerked her head back and away from him to make her face him. “Tell that bitch ass nigga that?—”

Saadiq put a bullet in Jabari’s head before he could say shit else. And when he let Zia go and she ran for safety, Saadiq put another in his chest and a third in his neck.

When Jabari’s gun fell from his hand onto the ground, Saadiq quickly ran up on him with his own gun still drawn as he kicked it away from him.

Kneeling, Saadiq checked his pulse, and while he wasn't surprised when he found none, it hurt him to his core that he had to kill his cousin. As he stood and walked away from Jabari’s dead body, he said a quick prayer for his soul just as Zia rushed into his arms.

“Saadiq!” Zia screamed and cried so hard as she held onto him for dear life. “He was gonna kill me and the baby.” She sobbed uncontrollably.

“I’m so sorry, baby,” Saadiq rubbed her back soothingly as the police and ambulance pulled into the lot. “I’m so fucking sorry that you had to go through that, Zia.”

“Saadiq,” Zia said once she finally stopped crying.

He glanced lovingly into her eyes. “Yes, baby?”

“Do you still wanna marry me?”

“So fucking bad it hurts, Zia.”

Nodding, she smiled as tears bounced down her cheeks. “Then once all this is over tonight, let’s go get married.”

“You sure, what about the big wedding you’ve always wanted, Zia?”

“Saadiq Henderson, we can have a big reception in a few months. Or next year. The only thing that matters to me right now is being your wife.”

“Say less, baby. I got you.”