Chapter 7

Rene’s POV

I sat back in the chair. “Nathan...he can’t...I mean... He shouldn’t have done that. I am not his property to will to the next man. This isn’t ancient times. ”

“I know,” Remy said. “And I agree. You can do whatever you want. But Rene, Coverts? I know you were honoring Nathan’s wishes, but baby girl, you don’t need that place.”

“Why? Because I have you all?”

“Yes,” Remy said.

“And you were there the whole time?” I directed her question at Kai, whose face turned redder by the second. His full beard couldn’t hide it.

“I was. I saw you and Lisa come in, and I just watched you. And when that guy, that toddler who’d been eyeing you the minute you walked in, approached you, I knew I had to step in.”

“You didn’t have to yank me into a dark-ass room and threaten me! You scared the shit out of me, Kai! I thought someone was trying to assault me. God!”

“Good lord,” Remy mumbled .

“You threatened her?” He asked. “Damn, Kai, you need to get a hold of your anger issues.”

“It wasn’t a threat, Remy. I was just trying to look out for her.”

Kai turned his attention toward me. “I just wanted to get you out of there. Get you to go home. I am so sorry if you felt that way. I never meant to scare you. I’d seen that young cat fuck a few chicks before you, and that youngster wouldn’t be satisfied until he had you. I was just trying to look out for you. That’s all.”

So, explain the boner, I thought. But I didn’t want, or need, to bring that up. “So, what now? What are you asking me to do? To choose between the two of you? Who gets to fuck Nathan’s widow next? He isn’t even cold on the ground yet!”

I instantly regretted sounding so harsh, but I was angry and confused. What the fuck was going on? Why had Nathan asked his best friends to do this? Never once had he treated me like a piece of ass to be pawned off to any man. Clearly, the illness had inhibited his ability to make sane decisions

. “Listen, y’all. Franklin is gone. You don’t have to go through with this ridiculous plan to take care of me.” I did air quotes around take care of. “I have other shit to focus on.

“but...you have needs too.” Kai said

I folded my arms. “What do you know about my needs?”

“I saw the look in your eyes that night, Remy. When that boy touched you, your body reacted. You have needs, Mama,” he continued.

I swallowed, and instinctively squeezed my thighs together at the way Kai said “mama.” It damn sure wasn’t the way babies said it. The men’s eyes followed my every movement. Dear God. It felt like I was under some sexual inquisition with Remy and Kai as my judges, jury, and executioners, trying to decide which one of them was going to put her out of her misery first.

“Remy, you just got divorced!”

He rolled his eyes. “It’s been three years, Rene. And there’s been no one serious since Paula. I don’t get around like that.”

. “No…You’ll fuck anything in sight!” I pointed

He let out a low chuckle. “That’s true. I do have hoes, but I’ve always been safe. If you need an STI panel, I got you. But right now, my focus is on you, Rene. Taking care of you means with or with nothing sexual.” His eyes flew to Kai, who simply smirked.

I turned my attention toward Kai, who seemed to brace himself for whatever i had to say to him. “And Kai... I... I just don’t know you well enough to consent to anything,” was all that I could come up with.

Kai smirked, “I think you know me, Rene. I think you know me well enough.”

At that moment, I knew he knew that i had seen that massive dick poking behind that towel at Coverts. I cleared my throat. “If you say so.” They both looked at each other before Remy spoke.

“Listen, we aren’t asking you to make a choice right now. Or even to choose. I know the whole scenario is wild as hell. But just know we’re here for you. Okay?

This isn’t just about sex, It’s about whatever you need Whatever,” he repeated.

I scoffed. “How do I know that? For all I know, you all could be making this whole thing up.”

Remy nodded. “He thought you’d say that.” With that, he pulled out his phone and pulled up a voice note. “Play it.”

I reached for the phone and pressed play. At first, I heard the familiar sound of whirring and beeps of Nathan’s machines, and then his voice.

“Hey, beautiful. If you’re listening to this, then I’m gone and Remy is playing this message for you. I know, it's a little strange to hear my voice after I’m gone. It’s going to be really hard without me. But Remy and Kai are there for you. Lean on them when you get sad, lonely, want to cry, or, hell, want to laugh.

Want a date to dinner? Call them. When you need to feel muscular arms around you or something more, call on them. People are going to pressure you to get back out there, but I know you. You don’t need strangers, you need the familiar. With that, I give you permission to be happy. I believe one of these two jokers is the right man for the job. I trust them. They promised me they would do right by you. To fulfill your every need and fantasy for you. On my behalf. Bye, Rene. I love you. Forever and always.”

Tears rolled down my face as I handed Remy back his phone.

“Just think about it. In whatever capacity you choose, we are going to honor Nathan’s wishes.” Remy motioned Kai to get up and leave. He rose and headed for the door. I remained seated as he placed a gentle hand on my shoulder and squeezed. He then kissed me gently on the cheek. But Kai lingered behind.

“I’m sorry I scared you,” he repeated.

“It’s fine.”

He crouched down at my side. “It’s not fine, Rene. I have a temper sometimes. They are right. I have to handle that shit.”

I watched as his eyes followed the curve of my legs, my wrap dress showing a little more thigh than I wanted to. Lisa was right. Nathan’s friends were fine. But Kai was mysterious and brooding. Even his name was sexy. That combination made him especially dangerous.

I shook my head. Nope. I shouldn’t be thinking about that at a time like this. “I accept your apology. Now, can you go?”

He rose from his knee. He got to the door and turned to me. “Think about it, Rene.” And with that, he left.

I sat paralyzed in my study, my body unable to rise from its seat until I heard the front door close. They must be crazy to think that I’d consider something like sleeping with one of them. Or asking any of them for anything. Nathan clearly should have talked to me about this.i knew that if he did, i would have talked him out of this wild plan and probably talked to the doctor about such a delusion.

I walked back into the kitchen to find Lisa wrapping up a plate of eggs while munching on one. I said nothing and sat at the breakfast table, staring out the window behind her.

“Are you alright? What was this meeting of the two amigos about?”

I turned her head, slowly. “It was...something to do with Nathan’s will.” I lied. There was absolutely no way I could tell her that Nathan’s two best friends had taken an oath to take care of her, which included fucking me out of my misery.

“I know these dudes aren’t talking to you about money or things! Nathan isnt even cold!”

“I can’t talk about it right now. Today has been a lot.” Lisa backed away. “Um, okay. Are you sure you’re okay?” “I’m good.”

“Want me to make you some coffee?”

I shook my head. “No. I’m fine.