Page 51 of Search My Soul (Taylor Family Saga #3)

“I-I umm. Peaches took my phone and put it in her purse.” His head nodded, but he still wouldn’t look at me.

“When I talked to you yesterday, didn’t I tell you to keep your phone on at all times?” I was too drunk to recall the exact verbiage that was used, but I remember him mentioning something about my phone.

“She took it because we were supposed to be enjoying her party. I figured you were gonna be busy like you have been for most of the week so I?—”

“So, you thought it was appropriate to turn your phone off and then shake your ass on another nigga? Damn, I leave for a week, and you must have forgotten who the fuck I am.” This time, his eyes zeroed in on me, and I realized I had fucked up big time.

“No. Baby, I promise it wasn’t like that. I was drinking and having a good time. We were dancing and I didn’t think it would be a big deal because it was one song. I wasn’t trying to disrespect you or our relationship. I swear.” The words rushed out of me so fast, I prayed they made sense.

“Yeah, I agree with one thing you said. You weren’t thinking.

Let me explain something to you, Juicy. You are my woman, and even when you don’t think people are watching, they are.

Whether it’s people on my team, bitches who want your spot, or niggas who want to get under my skin.

I have received thirty pictures and videos of you before I could get off the plane this evening.

I have photos of you at the hair salon, the nail shop, and your cousin’s dinner party.

“You aren’t very aware of your surroundings, but we’ll discuss that at a later time.

As I was saying, you are the woman of a very important man in this city.

I have my hands in everything from the police department down to the local corner stores.

Everyone knows who I am and who I’m with.

I’m not saying you can’t have fun, but the shit you pulled tonight can’t happen again. ”

Soul’s tone never rose, but I stood there in tears like a heartbroken child. The disappointment in his eyes crushed me because it was unfamiliar to me.

“Soul, I—” I stepped closer, but he held his hand out to stop me.

That gesture alone made me want to crawl under a rock.

It was an error in judgment on my part, and now I was paying for it.

I watched as he stepped away from the trunk with a sinister smirk on his face.

Huncho stepped closer and held out a remote.

There was a beeping sound before the trunk began to open.

Soul put out his blunt, then removed his gun from his waist. My eyes widened in shock and fear because I had no idea what was going on.

Huncho and the other man walked over to the trunk, and that was when all of my questions were answered.

They set Kasir’s body upright. He was still alive, but his eyes held nothing but fear in them.

My eyes shot over to Soul, who calmly stood there with his gun at his side.

“Now, I’m gonna ask you this one time, and I need you to be honest with me, little baby. You understand?” My head nodded rapidly, but I could barely form the right words. “Naw, I need you to speak.”

“Y-Yes, I understand.”

“Good girl,” Soul praised. “Have you ever fucked this man?”

“No, never. We went to school together, but I swear we haven’t seen each other since then.” I needed to make it abundantly clear that we had no dealings with one another.

“Did you tell him you had a man when he approached you?”

“Yes. He asked and I told him I had a man.” Another nod.

“So, if you made it clear to him that you were in a relationship, why did he text his homeboys and tell them that he was gonna take my bitch from me?” This time, I glanced over at Kasir, and he dropped his head in shame. “Can he take my bitch from me, Juicy?”

“No, baby. Nobody could ever take me away from you. I never gave him that impression. We never exchanged numbers or anything like that. It was one dance, which I shouldn’t have agreed to, but it was nothing more than that.”

“I thought so, but now we’ve got ourselves a problem. You see, when I feel disrespected, I usually eliminate the problem. What do you think I should do here?” Kasir squealed, but the tape over his mouth prevented him from speaking.

“Soul, please. I fucked up, and if you want to take it out on me, then we can deal with it at home. However, I won’t be able to live with myself if you hurt him because of me. He never had a shot with me, so there’s no reason to take this any further. Let him go,” I pleaded.

“You care about him? Is that why you don’t want me to kill him?” Soul’s brows bunched as he gazed at me. I stepped closer to him, placing my hand on the gun.

“No, I don’t. I only care about you. I love you and I don’t want anything to take you away from me.

” He wore a pensive expression on his face, but it gradually softened.

His hand wrapped around my waist, and I instantly felt relaxed in his arms. It would probably sound crazy if I was to explain it to anyone, but his spirit calmed me.

“Tighten up, Juicy. You have more power over me than you realize, but my demons ain’t never too far away.” Soul stepped closer and kissed my forehead, then signaled for them to take him out of the trunk and untie him.

“I’ve never spared a mothafucka in my life, and I have no intentions of doing it again.

Stay the fuck away from my woman and thank whoever you pray to for a second chance at life.

Your mother is a pillar in this community, but I’ll slit her throat in front of you before I blow your brains out.

That one is off limits. I would suggest you put the word out.

Now get the fuck out of here.” Soul walked back toward me, but then he turned back around and punched Kasir right in the mouth.

“Pussy.” Soul spat on the ground next to him then made his way over to me. My hands reached up to stroke his goatee like I did when I was sleepy. He chuckled as he shook his head.

“I don’t pull my gun out unless I’m gonna use it, so I hope you know you’ve gotta pay for this shit.

Since I couldn’t take my frustrations out with my bullets, I’mma take it out on that pussy.

Get your pretty ass in the car.” His threat caused my middle to throb with an ache only he could fix.

I hurriedly hightailed myself to the car, then sent a text to both of my group chats to let them know I would be unavailable for the next few days.