10-80: Line of Duty Series by Xyla Turner Page B

this Friday after my shift, right?”
    “Yeah, I’m sure Zee will stay with Reggie that night before they meet with you on Saturday morning.”
    “Good and we’ll try again for Saturday?” I asked, trying not to bring up last weekend. “This time, I’ll cook you dinner at my place.”
    “Okay, let me check with the Henrys to see if Zee can stay and I’ll let you know.”
    “Good.” I grabbed her hand as we walked to the door. “Wish I could stay. How are you feeling?”
    “I’m fine, Ryan. Go ahead before you’re late.” She lifted her hand to adjust the radio attached to my shoulder.
    “Soak in Epson salt, so you’re not too sore. Also, there are these exer…” She cut me off and kissed me on the lips.
    “Go.” D’asia said as she reached around me and unlocked the doors. “I’m a big girl.” She reached up and caressed my face with the back of her hand. “I appreciate your concern, but I’ve had sex before.”
    Standing on her toes, she kissed my lips again. “Go.”
    She steadied the table behind the door.
    “Alright, I’ll call you tonight.”
    Peeking my head out the door, I saw the coast was clear. I went down seven flights of stairs, checked-in with another resident who had a burglary a few weeks ago, then I left.
    I was in too deep and I did not care.

D’asia
    T he week went by as fast as a turtle moves across a crowded park. It was still unreal to me that I slept with Ryan McFadden, the white cop that arrested my brother. I knew it wasn’t cool to keep referring to him like that, but that’s what he was and it scared me that he was becoming more than that. I wasn’t ready for all of those emotion, so putting him in the ‘no zone’ or the ‘unlikely’ category helped me to cope. Or at least I thought.
    When Friday finally rolled around, I ensured that Zee was staying for two nights with the Henrys. Mrs. Henry warmly smiled and suggested that I wear the yellow nightie. Mr. Henry gave me a raised eyebrow and said, “Don’t have me going to jail for you.”
    “Never that, Mr. Henry.” I replied with a smile.
    “You know I will though, right.” He peeked over his newspaper.
    “I know.”
    Before I left, I pulled Mrs. Henry to the side.
    “You need pointers on how to flirt?” Was her very first question.
    I gasped, “Oh my God, no.”
    “Oh, okay.” She smiled. “You are sure you have that under control though, right?”
    A chuckle escaped me as I thought about her trying to show me how to flirt. “I’m good.”
    “Okay, honey. What’s up?”
    “So, my friend. He’s a little rough around the edges. Like, he doesn’t ask me. He tells me. Well, sometimes he does, but it’s like he’s already made up his mind. You know what I mean? And, he likes control. Like, he expects me to just obey him.” I fiddled with my sweaty fingers and then continued. “Does this make any sense?”
    She raised an eyebrow at me. “Have you not met Reginald Henry?” She raised her hand in his direction.
    My eyes became wide, then I burst out laughing.
    Oh my gosh. She was right. Mr. Henry was just like that. He told you what it was going to be.
    “Honey, that’s called an alpha man. There is no fine line about abusive and alphas. Abuse is abuse, but an alpha. Well, he wants, demands and gets control, but not by mere voice alone, but because he’s established a relationship with you that you know if you submit, so to speak, you’ll never regret it. You’re safe under his covering. That’s how Reg is to me. It may look weak to some women, but that man makes me feel loved, respected and cherished. If he says get on your knees, I’m getting on my damn knees. He would never degrade me or make me feel worthless. He’s bossy, but I like a man that knows what he wants and takes control.” She leaned to one side and put her hand on her hip. “If that is your man. Oh honey. Does he make you feel safe?”
    A smile was already plastered on my face as she talked about Mr. Henry. Then when