Tethered Love

by Kimberly Brown

You realize you know true, unconditional love with your child. That’s one of the few people in the world you give and take a bullet for, no questions asked. It’s the deepest shit you’ll ever feel.”

“I’m his daughter,” Violet said with a smile. “You must be the fiancée?” She held out her hand to Ziva to shake it.

“I don’t like her,” she said boldly. “My mama ain’t gonna like her either.”

“He’s here for safety.” “Whose safety?” “Your fiancée since she wants to talk out the side of her fucking neck to my child. I don’t know who the hell she thinks she is, but I don’t play about that little girl. Bring her ass to the door because that’s the first thing I’m addressing.”

“Make sure you hear this, bitch,” Eliana said. “Adults address adults. You don’t address my child about a muthafucking thing the way you did yesterday. If you have a problem with her, you address me. I answer for her.

I’m telling you right now, should this man turn out to be her father and she’s around, I’m beating your ass on sight every fucking time if you even breathe on her the wrong way.”

“Pray for the best, boo. And don’t commit murder along the way,” Carmen added with a giggle.

You thought his desire would go away after he married you? Pussy is powerful but it isn’t that powerful, sweetheart.”

The tall, dark, and handsome Simeon Cartwright strolled over to the table with his two children, Kyla and SJ, in tow.

“Ninety-nine point nine percent.” Malachi sat quietly, holding the phone. Did he just say that? “Mal, you hear me? That’s your baby girl, man.”

She may have been biased, but she thought her mother was a much better fit for Malachi than Ziva.

You’re the blessing I’ve been waiting for for so long. I need you to know I’ll never put anybody over you. We have a long road ahead of us, but I’ve got you until I’m six feet under, Baby Girl.”

“Your mama is still a baddie, girl. I’d look too.”

“You’d be more than okay if you had a boyfriend,” Violet said, taking her hand. “Preferably the tall, dark, and handsome one down the hall,” she added with a grin.

“Elle…” he whispered, lifting her chin. “Ain’t no liquor in my system or yours right now, woman. If I kiss you, that’s all me.”

Eliana bit her lip as her eyes drifted to his once more. She leaned into him. The first press of his lips on hers sent a chill down her spine. It was the sweetest peck. However, the moment his tongue slipped into her mouth, the kiss became lustful. His arm came around her waist and his hand on the back of her neck. She moaned into his mouth as he sucked on her bottom lip.

“If she ever gives in to her inhibitions, blow that back out.”

Celia shooed her. “The good Lord knows my heart. I haven’t acted up in a long time.”

“What company?” Sime asked. “The paternity results are in. That makes him family. Shit, the way him and Elle been looking at each other all day, he might be closer to family than we think.”