Chapter Four

SHE smelled him the instant before he moved. Her senses were flooded with the scent of Newport and whiskey. Deshawn wasn’t much taller than Jamar, but he had the element of surprise on his side. In an instant he showed Jamar against the wall, the roses he’d brought Adrienne thrown to the floor. She rushed toward him, but was caught by his backhand in a slap. Jamar brought his knee up and kneed Deshawn in the stomach. Deshawn leaned forward in enough time for Jamar to shove his head against the door frame. Doubled over, Deshawn fell to the floor. Jamar kicked him in the head. “You may be my cousin, but don’t think I won’t kill you if you ever touch her again.” Deshawn spit out a tooth. “Get the fuck out of here before I knock out all of your teeth.” Jamar picked him up by the collar and threw him out the door, slamming it behind him. He picked up the roses and shoved them down the garbage disposal.