Read Online Caught Up (Indigo Vibe) by Deatri King-Bey - Free Book Online

brow. “Pout all you want. I’m doing this for your own good.”
    Hand-in-hand, she did her best Frankenstein walk as he dragged her to the limo. She hadn’t been ordered to her room in years, and this was worse. He’d actually ordered her out of the country. His protectiveness had gone too far this time. Full-grown and with a multi-million dollar business to run, she had no intentions of leaving.
    She plopped onto the back seat and watched him through the window as he spoke to the driver.
    He opened the back door and knelt, using the seat to steady himself. The harsh lines of his face had softened. He reached out, gently pinching her chin. “I love you.”
    “Then don’t make me leave.”
    “I don’t have a choice.” He kissed her cheek. “I’ll call you tonight.” He stepped fully onto the curb and closed the door.
    She watched him out of the tiny back window as the stretch limo drove away. He didn’t move until the limo rounded the corner. She turned in her seat and closed her eyes. The soft sounds of Anita Baker’s soulful voice filled the car, calming her. She respected Ernesto’s authority and knew he wanted what was best for her, but he’d crossed the line this time.
    She pressed the button for the intercom. “Marcus, I’m not going to the airport. Drop me at my hotel.”
    “Your father gave me specific orders.”
    “If you drop me at the airport, I’ll just take a taxi to the hotel. Why not skip a step? I’ll take full responsibility.”
    Thoughts of her pouting tickled her. She hated how she’d regressed, but it had to be a funny sight. Only Ernesto had this power over her. She shook her head.
    No more pouting.
    It was way past time to be an adult in more than the business world.
    * * *
    Ernesto stood at his office window and watched over the city. Rosa was becoming feistier with him every day, but he could still control her. Six years ago when she went against his wishes and opened her own company in Chicago, he knew the next few years would be rough. If he could maintain control until after David’s execution, she’d never find out the whole truth.
    He assured himself that he would recover from this small setback. By giving her a piece of the truth, he’d shown her that he was human. All humans make mistakes. All the years he had invested into Rosa’s emotional well-being would pay off. He tapped his knuckle on the window. There had to be a way to stall Rosa until he had time to cover his tracks. Fear. He sighed as he leaned his head against the window. Fear for my life? No, her life.
    * * *
    “You know I wouldn’t call if it weren’t important. Please, Angela,” Harriet begged. “Please call me! Rosa found out Ernesto isn’t her father. I need your help.”
    “ To delete this message, please press seven— ”
    Angela pressed seven, then wiped the tears from her eyes. She loved her sister, but refused to get caught up in Harriet’s games. Memories of the last time she was pulled into one of Harriet’s messes still haunted her…
    Chicago, thirty-one years ago
    “You can’t stay in this hotel forever.” Angela rolled the armchair from the small table to the bed, then sat knee to knee with her sister. “Humble yourself. Beg George for his forgiveness. Do whatever you need to save your marriage and give this child a father.”
    “She’s got a father—David.”
    “First off, he’s a no good drug dealer. Secondly, it could be George’s.”
    Harriet tsked her teeth. “George and I haven’t had sex in at least six months.”
    “What?” Angela gasped, and her eyes flew wide open.
    Harriet continued, “I’m not sure what I want anymore. How could he kick a pregnant woman out on the street in the middle of the night, knowing I had nowhere to go and no money?”
    “Get real! Not only did he find out you were cheating on him and got pregnant by the guy, but David kicked his tail.”
    Fanning herself, Angela drew in several calming breaths that in no way soothed her.