Page 23 of The Cancer I Chose (BLP Signs of Love #4)

The sun warmed my skin as I burst through the front door, ready for my trip to Bankers Circle.

Upscale Princess dropped a new Rugrats inspired purse collection that I was drooling over.

Yesterday, Marissa and Clyde welcomed their beautiful baby girl, Umi, to the world.

After assisting with another successful birth, I wanted to celebrate myself.

Personally, I felt like you could never go wrong with a bit of retail therapy.

I was in the car and easing down the driveway within minutes. Bones was at the gate when I got there. I rolled down the window and waved.

“Hey, B!”

“Wassup, First Lady. You heading out?”

I nodded. “Yep. Going to do some shopping.” I turned to the passenger seat and lifted the aluminum foil-wrapped plate I’d sat there. I handed it to Bones through the window. “I made some more of those shrimp egg rolls you liked.”

The biggest smile appeared on his face. “Ah, shit, you just made my day.” His hand rubbed big circles on his stomach in anticipation. He paused. “You got that sweet chili sauce in there, too?”

“Of course.” I giggled while easing my foot off the brake. “Enjoy.”

I pulled away from the estate, headed toward my destination.

It was a cloudless and sunny day, so I dropped the top on my car.

The wind whipping past my face felt amazing.

And for a little while, nothing mattered outside of this moment where everything in my life was perfect.

I allowed myself to smile, dance, and enjoy the moment because I understood they could be fleeting.

Since it was only midday, traffic was light.

I made it to the mall in twenty minutes.

After finding a parking spot, I hopped out and waltzed inside.

I didn’t make any pit stops because I was on a mission.

UP bags were known to sell out quickly. If I wanted to snag one, then I didn’t have a minute to spare.

When I walked into Saks, my favorite employee, Tyler, was working today. As soon as she saw me, she rushed over. Before I could even open my mouth, she said, “I figured I might be seeing you, so I put some things to the side that I felt like you would love.”

I wrapped her in a hug. “You always know how to spoil a girl.”

She winked before heading toward the back while I went to take a seat.

I ended up on social media, scrolling aimlessly while I waited.

I paused when I came across a picture of Kai in the studio.

His head was down with headphones on. There was a blunt in one hand and a pen in the other.

All his attention was on that sunset notebook I’d seen at home.

I wished like hell I were in that room to see what he was working on.

The longer I stared at his picture, the tighter my core twisted as I remembered all the things he could do to my body.

Kai took the time to study and watch my reactions to things.

Then, once he figured out what I liked, he didn’t stop until I was shaking.

The orgasmic endings he brought me to were compared to nothing I had experienced in the past. I began to fan myself just sitting there thinking about it.

Tyler returned carrying multiple boxes and bags.

She organized everything before we began going through her picks.

I had to say she always earned her commission with me because when she said she knew what I liked, she was spot on.

By the time we went through it all, I’d decided to purchase everything.

“Well, well, well,” I heard a familiar voice spit. “Long time no see, Nuri. You got married and forgot who your friends are.”

My eyes flicked up and landed on Kaliyah. I hadn’t seen her since the night in the lounge. The same night that she’d told Rylas where I was. I got uneasy as my head looked from side to side.

“Um, hey, Kaliyah. I honestly don’t have much to say to you, especially if you still talk to my brother.”

She laughed. “Of course, I still talk to your brother. He’s my sponsor, and you’re ruining everything.”

I gasped in shock. “So, it was you who drugged me at the club? I told Samara it was you, but she said you would never do me like that.”

Kaliyah folded her arms over her chest with malice curling her top lip. “You know you always thought you were better than everyone with your fancy mansion, car, money, and clothes, but you would be nothing without that leg up from your parents.”

I guess she thought that was supposed to hurt my feelings, but I never thought I was ever better than anyone. I also would never be ashamed that my parents gave me a leg up in life. Wasn’t that what they were supposed to do?

I shook my head and smiled sweetly. “Like I said, we have nothing to talk about anymore. You chose your side, so now you need to stay over there. If there is even anywhere to stay,” I mumbled the last part, knowing Ry had nothing to his name.

She snorted, looking me up and down. I got a bad feeling when she smirked. “Oh, I will. Take care, Nuri.”

Thankfully, she walked away, and I released the lungful of air I was holding hostage. I picked up my glass of champagne and crossed my legs. Tyler returned with the receipt a few minutes later. My eyebrows folded in confusion.

“Um, I didn’t pay yet...”

She smiled brightly and winked. “Well, that’s because it’s already been taken care of.”

“How?”

I barely got to ask my question as the scent of amber filled my nostrils.

I glanced to the right to see Sekai coolly leaning against a pillar, watching me.

My heart fluttered as I took him in. As silent as he was, Kai still knew how to take up space while being invisible.

He smirked when he noticed I was checking him out.

I hopped up from my seat and rushed over to him for a hug. “Baby… what are you doing here? I didn’t need you to pay for my stuff. I had it covered.”

Kai’s hand snaked around my waist, snatching me firmly to his chest. He leaned down and placed the sweetest kiss on my lips.

When he drew away, he asked me a question. “Is it a crime to spoil my wife?”

I shook my head slowly, still in a daze from his lips on mine.

“I didn’t think so. Plus, I missed you so much.” He kissed me again like he was desperate to feel his lips against mine.

I giggled. “You just saw me at home, hubby.”

He shrugged. “I don’t give a fuck. I still missed you. Come on. I want to take you to lunch.”

How could I turn him away? Why would I even want to?

Kai was everything I never knew I was searching for.

Now that there was a mutual understanding between us about how we felt, there was nowhere to run or hide.

Who even wanted to? I was happy to allow that tether between us to tighten every time we were together until it was stronger than diamonds.

He turned to someone I couldn’t see and began doing sign language. When he turned back to me, he hooked his arm for me to take.

I paused. “Wait. What about my bags?”

Kai smiled before stealing a quick peck. “They’ll be at home when you get there.”

I couldn’t argue with that, so I allowed him to lead me away. As we made our way outside, he questioned me about what I wanted to eat.

“I wish I could have a Cuban sandwich right about now. A real one like they have in Little Havana.” I could practically taste the buttery, toasted bread that was crunchy when you bit into it, but soft on the inside.

“You want to go get one?”

I giggled, figuring that he was just joking around. “Huh? You know that’s in Miami, right? We don’t have any Cuban food here.”

Kai chuckled. “I’m aware of where Little Havana is, Nuri Symone. Answer my question. Do you want to go?”

“When?”

“Now. We can be wheels up within the hour if that’s what you truly want.”

We’d made it to my car, so Kai leaned up against it before pulling me into him. I smiled as I landed on his soft lips. We stood there kissing like horny teenagers until I remembered his offer. I really wanted that Cuban sandwich.

My arms snaked around his neck as I looked up into his perfectly handsome face. “So, you would charter a private jet just to take me to Little Havana for a Cuban sandwich?”

Kai stroked a finger down the side of my face.

There was no denying the look in his eyes.

His next words confirmed what I was seeing.

“Nuri Symone, I would tow the moon to your front step if that’s what you wanted.

There’s nothing I’m not willing to do for you, especially if it’ll reward me with that beautiful smile of yours. ”

I opened my mouth to respond but was silenced by someone calling my name. “Oh, Nurrrrrrrrriiiiiiii!”

I turned around as Kai popped up straight as a board. My stomach hardened when I saw my brother hanging out of a beat-up Nissan. He had a devilish grin on his face and that look in his eyes that told me he was spaced out. My heart nearly stopped when he lifted his arms to reveal a big gun.

Everything happened so fast that we had no time to prepare for when he pulled the trigger.

Rat! Tat! Tat!

Kai’s weight suffocated me as he pushed me to the ground, then used his body to shield me from the spray of bullets. Eventually, Ry stopped shooting, and we could hear him laughing.

“I’m going to kill you, Kai, then I’m going to marry your precious little wife off to the highest bidder.

I hope they give her hell, too, pussy!” Before the sound of screeching tires came, he yelled out a demand.

“Sign the annulment papers, Nuri. Ask your husband about ‘em. That’s the only thing that’s going to save you. ”

I began to hyperventilate from the shock of what had just happened. Kai sat me up then palmed my face. I broke into hysterical tears.

“We have to do whatever they want, Sekai. He’s going to kill you.”

A crazed look came to life in his eyes. “He can try.”

I shook my head, unable to accept his words right now.

The fear was too fresh as I could still hear the shots echoing through my mind.

“No, no. I’m never going to be safe or happy.

Why won’t he leave me alone, Sekai? He’s going to ruin my life and take away the best thing that has ever happened to me in the process.

We have to sign the papers, Sekai. I can’t live without you. ”

He pressed his forehead to mine, trying his best to calm me down.

“Shh... shh... Don’t worry about any of that shit because I’m not letting you go, Nuri.

I promise I will handle this situation so you can have peace of mind.

I promise, baby girl, I’m going to take care of it.

I know this marriage started as a convenience, but ain’t shit convenient about my union to you no more, Nuri Symone.

This shit isn’t convenient. It’s a necessity.

I can’t live without you either.” He kissed my forehead, and then my river of tears. “Stop crying, baby.”

He seemed so sure of everything he’d said, so how could I question him? I was about to respond when I felt a sharp pain in my side, then it was like I couldn’t breathe, no matter how hard I tried to gather my breath.

“Kai...” I struggled even to say his name. “I can’t breathe.”

His eyes widened before he began to look me over. Darkness began clawing at my consciousness despite my trying desperately to keep my eyes open.

“Shit! You got hit, baby.”

I knew what he’d said, but I was not sure it fully registered because of the pain I was in. My stomach felt like it was on fire.

“No, no. Don’t close your eyes. Stay with me, Legacy.”

I tried to reply, but I was sure it came out as gibberish because the last thing I remember hearing was Kai screaming my name and for me to stay with him.

“Please don’t do this to me, Nuri! I need you!”

I need you too... I wanted to tell him, but there was nothing I could do but submit to the darkness.