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He nodded again before joining Tae. I watched them pull off, then got into my truck and headed back to Rah.

Dexter had made the mistake of putting his hands on the wrong woman. And I made damn sure it was his last.

***

I went home and showered first. By the time I made it back to Rah’s house, it was late, but I could see the living room light on through the window. I pulled into the driveway, grabbed my things, and let myself inside.

I hadn’t even made it past the foyer when I noticed the alarm wasn’t set.

“Rasheeda!” I called, locking the door behind me.

“What?” she answered from the living room.

“Why the fuck the alarm ain’t on?”

“Because I heard you pull up and turned it off,” she explained as I walked into the living room.

“Rah, you got a damn code for a reason. I’ll turn it off when I come in” I fussed.

“Mase, I knew it was you.”

“That’s not the point, baby” I replied, going back to set it. “Keep that shit on until somebody gets through the door.”

I shook my head and returned to the living room. She was curled up on the couch wearing one of my T-shirts and a pair of shorts. I sat beside her and pulled her close, being careful of her shoulder.

“How you feeling?” I asked, checking the bruises forming on her arms.

“I’m fine. Just a little sore,” she answered.

“I’m taking you to get that shoulder checked tomorrow.”

She started to protest but changed her mind when I looked at her.

“Fine. I’ll go,” she agreed.

I kissed her before settling back against the couch. She rested against me for a few minutes before finally asking the question I knew was coming.

“It’s handled?” she asked.

“Yeah, you ain’t gotta worry about that nigga no more,” I assured her.

“Good,” she replied without hesitation.

I pulled her closer and kissed her forehead. After everything that happened, I was glad to be sitting there with her instead of worrying about whether that nigga would show up again.

“Come on. Let’s go upstairs,” I told her.

She got up, and I carried her to the bedroom where I helped her out that big ass shirt, careful not to hurt her shoulder.

“I love you, Mase,” she murmured.

“Love you too, Rah,” I replied, kissing her.

She settled against me and eventually fell asleep. I stayed awake a little longer, thinking about how close I’d come to pulling up too late.

I wasn’t letting myself dwell on it. Rah was home, AJ was safe, and Dexter was no longer a problem.

That nigga had threatened the peace we were building, and I made damn sure he wouldn’t get another chance. Now I could focus on my future with Rah without that muthafucka standing in the way.