16.

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

I woke up slowly, stretching my arms over my head before blinking my eyes open. The first thing I did was glance toward my door, expecting to see a familiar figure posted up outside. But the hallway was empty.

I frowned, sitting up and rubbing the sleep out of my eyes. Ren still wasn't here.

That was... weird. I mean, I knew Daddy said she wasn't gonna be around yesterday, but I thought she'd be back by now.

I sighed, rolling out of bed and padding over to my vanity. My bonnet was barely hanging on, so I yanked it off and fluffed my hair out, my fingers working through my curls while I grabbed my phone.

No texts. Not from her, at least. Wyatt, though? Blowing my phone up like he had nothing else to do.

Wyatt: Morning, beautiful

Wyatt: Sleep good?

Wyatt: You up?

Wyatt: ??

I rolled my eyes and tossed my phone onto the vanity before heading to the bathroom. I turned the shower on, letting the water heat up as I brushed my teeth, staring at myself in the mirror.

Why did it bother me that Ren wasn't here? Like, I was really sitting here pressed because my security guard wasn't at my door first thing in the morning. That was crazy, right?

I spat out my toothpaste, rinsed my mouth, and pulled off my clothes before stepping under the steaming water. The heat felt good against my skin, and I let myself relax, trying to push the irritation out of my system.

Ren had a life outside of me. Maybe she was handling business or spending time with family. Or maybe she just didn't care.

I closed my eyes and let the water run over me for a minute before finally washing up, using my favorite body scrub and making sure I smelled good. Once I was done, I wrapped myself in a fluffy towel and stepped back into my room, grabbing my phone again.

Still nothing from her.

I chewed on my bottom lip, then clicked on my messages with Rina.

Me: She still not here

Rina: oh you sick sick

Me: Shut up

Rina: you miss her

Me: Be so serious rn

I sighed and flopped back onto my bed, still in my towel. Maybe I was tripping. Maybe I just wasn't used to her not being here after having her shadow me for days straight.

But deep down, I knew it was more than that.

I stared at the ceiling for a minute, letting my towel loosen around me as I stayed sprawled out on my bed. My phone buzzed, and I snatched it up quick, thinking—hoping—it was Ren.

Wyatt again.

I groaned, throwing my phone onto the bed like it personally offended me.

I didn't even know why I was acting like this. She was just my security, right? Just the help. And we weren't even friends for real. We just... talked sometimes. Kissed sometimes.

I sat up, adjusting my towel, before grabbing my coconut oil and rubbing it into my skin. I wasn't finna sit here and mope about some girl who clearly didn't care about me like that. I had other options.

I picked up my phone again and clicked on Wyatt's messages.

Me: Morning.

Wyatt: Oh now you wanna talk to me?

Me: Boy please

Wyatt: Come out with me today

Me: Where?

Wyatt: Brunch. Dress cute

I tapped my fingers against my screen before typing back.

Me: Fine.

If Ren wasn't here, I might as well be entertained.

I got up and headed to my closet, flipping through my clothes until I found a cute little sundress, one that hugged my curves just right and made me look soft but expensive. I slid into it, letting the fabric glide against my skin before pairing it with gold accessories.

Once my hair was laid and my lip gloss was poppin', I took a step back to check myself out in the mirror.

Yeah, I ate.

I was finishing up when I heard a knock at my door.

My heart jumped, thinking for a second that maybe—just maybe—it was Ren.

But when I opened it, it was just Daddy's assistant.

"Your father wants to see you in his office before you go anywhere today," she said, her voice clipped and professional.

I sighed, rolling my eyes. Here we go.

"Tell him I'll be down in a minute," I muttered, shutting the door before she could say anything else.

I grabbed my purse, checked my lip gloss one more time, and headed downstairs.

I stepped inside and immediately noticed how tense the energy was. Daddy was sitting behind his desk, looking stoic as ever, and across from him?

Wyatt.

I stopped mid-step, my stomach twisting just a little.

"Come in, Yanna," Daddy said, motioning me forward.

I crossed my arms as I walked in, eyeing Wyatt. "What's going on?"

Wyatt leaned back in his chair, looking too damn comfortable. "Just making sure we're all on the same page."

"Same page about what?"

Daddy sighed, rubbing his temple like he was already over this conversation. "Wyatt mentioned that he's been seeing you more lately," he started, looking at me carefully.

I narrowed my eyes. "Okay? And?"

"And I think that's a good thing," Daddy said smoothly, watching for my reaction. "Wyatt's family is important to my business, and it's in our best interest to keep strong relationships."

I clenched my jaw. There it was. The same bullshit politics I was sick of hearing.

"So, what?" I scoffed. "You want me to date Wyatt?"

Wyatt smirked like this was funny to him. "Wouldn't be the worst idea," he said, tilting his head.

I gave him a look before turning back to Daddy. "You do know I can see whoever I want, right?"

Daddy exhaled, his face unreadable. "I just want you to be smart about who you keep around you, Yanna."

Yeah. That was aimed at Ren.

I pressed my tongue against my cheek and shook my head. "I'm going to brunch," I muttered, turning on my heel and walking out before either of them could say anything else.

Wyatt was waiting outside for me like he didn't just sit in there and try to sell me off like a business deal.

I slid into the passenger seat of his car, crossing my arms as he pulled off.

"You mad?" he asked after a few minutes of silence.

"Why would I be mad?" I said flatly.

Wyatt chuckled, glancing at me. "I told your dad I liked you. That's a good thing, ain't it?"

I side-eyed him. "You told him you liked me?"

He nodded like this was normal. "He asked about us, so I told him the truth."

I let out a short laugh. "Ain't nothing to tell."

Wyatt's smirk faltered just a little. "You don't think so?"

I turned my head to look out the window, ignoring the way my stomach twisted.

I should've been focused on this date, on the boy sitting next to me who my dad actually approved of.

But my mind?

Still stuck on Ren.

Wyatt pulled up to this high-end brunch spot downtown, valet already waiting to take his car. Typical. He loved showing off that he had money, but that was never what impressed me.

I stepped out of the car, smoothing down my dress while Wyatt came around, placing a hand on my lower back. I let him. Not because I wanted to, but because my daddy already had me feeling like I needed to play along.

We walked inside, and the host greeted us like he already knew Wyatt. Figures. He probably brought a hundred different girls through here.

"This way, Mr. Martin," the host said, leading us to a private booth in the back.

I slid in first, setting my purse beside me, while Wyatt sat across from me, already looking at the menu like he didn't have a care in the world.

"You come here a lot?" I asked, raising a brow.

Wyatt grinned. "Enough for them to know my name."

Of course.

A waiter came over, and Wyatt ordered for us before I could even get a word out.

"Mimosas?" the waiter asked.

Wyatt nodded. "Keep them coming."

I rolled my eyes but didn't argue. If I was gonna sit through this fake-ass date, I might as well be tipsy.

The waiter left, and Wyatt leaned back in his seat, watching me.

"You look good," he said.

I picked up my phone, pretending like I had something to check. "I know."

Wyatt chuckled. "Why you always acting like you don't like me?"

I looked up at him, tilting my head. "Because I don't."

He placed a hand on his chest, mocking offense. "Damn. Just break my heart like that."

I rolled my eyes again, but my phone buzzed before I could respond. I glanced down, seeing Rina's name pop up.

Rina: We going out tonight. Sneak out later.

A small smirk pulled at my lips as I typed back.

Me: Where we going?

Rina: A club. Wear something sexy. We getting you back in the game.

I let out a short laugh, shaking my head.

"You texting another dude?" Wyatt asked, raising a brow.

I locked my phone and set it on the table. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Wyatt licked his lips, leaning forward. "I would, actually."

I just smirked. He didn't need to know that it wasn't a man I was texting.

The food came out not long after, and I started eating while Wyatt kept trying to flirt between bites.

I wasn't giving him much, though.

My mind?

Still on Ren.

Still on the way her accent got thicker when she was focused. The way her muscles flexed when she was moving. The way she barely even looked at me yesterday.

It was pissing me off.

"Why you so quiet?" Wyatt asked.

I shrugged. "Just thinking."

"About me?"

I picked up my mimosa and took a slow sip, ignoring him.

Wyatt smirked like he thought he had me figured out. He didn't.

"Let's go somewhere after this," he said.

I licked some juice off my lips, setting my glass down. "Can't. My dad wants me home today."

Wyatt hummed. "He ain't say you couldn't have company."

I raised a brow. "You trying to come over?"

He grinned. "I'm trying to see you again."

I tilted my head, thinking.

Would Ren be back tonight? Would she be waiting outside my door like usual?

Would she care if I brought Wyatt over?

Probably not.

That thought alone had me irritated.

"I'll let you know," I said, finishing my drink.

Wyatt watched me, his smirk still in place. "I'll be waiting."

•───────•°•❀•°•───────•

I got home, and Ren still wasn't there.

I don't know why I even expected her to be. She said she had business to handle, waiting on my daddy to approve her time off so she could go back home for a bit. I had all day to sit with the fact that she was leaving soon, and I still wasn't feeling it.

I kicked off my heels the second I got inside, dropping my purse on my vanity before heading straight to my closet.

Rina said to wear something sexy.

I smirked to myself, pulling out a dress that was barely even a dress. It was black, skin-tight, with thin straps that barely held it together. The neckline was low enough to make anyone look twice, and the hem? Short enough to be illegal.

I slipped into it, letting the fabric hug my body, before stepping into my tallest heels. A gold anklet wrapped around my ankle, glinting under the light as I turned to check myself out in the mirror.

Yeah. I ate.

I did my makeup quick—glossy lips, long lashes, a subtle beat. Then, I let my hair fall in loose curls down my back, giving myself a final once-over.

She would've looked.

Ren.

I thought about her staring me down in Mally's room, her face unreadable, her accent thick as hell when she spoke to him. She barely even acknowledged me, like I was irrelevant. Like she wasn't in my house, walking around all fine and acting like she didn't even notice I was there.

If she was home right now, would she look at me?

Would she care that I was sneaking out?

I shook the thought off, grabbing my clutch and heading to the window. Rina had already sent the pull up text, and I wasn't about to keep her waiting.

I climbed out easily, my heels dangling from my fingers as I landed softly in the grass. The black Range was already waiting at the curb, the bass thumping lightly through the doors.

I strutted over, yanking the passenger door open and sliding in.

Rina whistled. "Oh, you tryna make bitches mad tonight."

I smirked, throwing my heels on before grabbing the bottle of liquor from the cup holder. "You said sexy."

Rina's eyes dragged down my body before she smirked back. "I did. And you understood the assignment."

I took a quick swig from the bottle, feeling the burn travel down my throat before passing it back.

"Where we going?" I asked, leaning back in my seat.

"Club downtown," Rina said, pulling off. "VIP section. Bottles. You know how we do."

I nodded, watching the city lights blur past as we hit the main streets.

Tonight, I was turning my brain off.

No thinking about my daddy and his rules.

No thinking about Wyatt and his desperate ass.

And most of all...

No thinking about Ren.

We pulled up to the club, bass thumping so hard I could feel it in my chest before we even stepped out the car.

Rina swung into a VIP parking spot, throwing the car into park before turning to me with a smirk. She was already lit, eyes slightly low, lip gloss shining under the neon lights from the club entrance.

"You ready?" she asked, reaching for the bottle again.

I smirked back. "Been ready."

She handed me the bottle, and I took another long pull, letting the warmth settle in my chest before wiping the gloss off my lips with the back of my hand. Rina did the same, tossing the bottle to the backseat before grabbing her bag.

"Let's go, bitch," she laughed, pushing her door open.

I stepped out, straightening my dress while the cool night air hit my skin. The parking lot was already packed, cars lined up with niggas standing outside, flexing, smoking, trying to be seen. A few eyes flickered to me and Rina as we walked up, but I didn't give them too much.

Tonight was about me.

Not about Wyatt. Not about Ren. Me.

The bouncer outside the velvet ropes took one look at us before nodding, unclipping the line and letting us pass without a word. VIP treatment, per usual.

The second we stepped inside, the music swallowed me whole.

The DJ was spinning straight heat, the dance floor already packed with people moving in sync, the lights flashing overhead like something out of a movie. The air was thick with liquor, perfume, and smoke, the kind of mix that screamed dangerous fun.

Rina grabbed my hand, pulling me through the crowd towards the VIP section where a few of our people were already set up.

"Bitches late as hell," one of the girls—Mariah—called out, already holding a bottle of D'USSÉ in one hand and a hookah hose in the other.

"Blame her," Rina pointed at me. "She had to make sure she looked too good for niggas to handle."

Mariah's eyes dragged down my body before she grinned. "And it was worth it."

I laughed, sliding into the booth as someone passed me a glass. I took it without question, tossing back a sip before leaning into the plush leather seat.

Rina nudged me, smirking. "Who you tryna make mad tonight?"

I smirked back. "Who said I was tryna make anybody mad?"

Rina gave me a look, but I ignored her, glancing at the dance floor where bodies were pressed together, moving to the beat like they had nothing else in the world to worry about.

That's what I needed.

I needed to feel something else.

"Let's dance," I said, setting my glass down.

Rina's smirk widened. "Now you talking my language."

We slid out the booth, making our way onto the floor. The second my heels hit the wood, I let the music take over, my hips rolling to the beat, my body moving like it was made for this.

I felt a firm chest against my shoulder, the heat of his body brushing up against mine as I stumbled slightly. I barely had time to react before the dude quickly turned to me.

"My bad," he said, flashing an apologetic grin before turning his attention elsewhere.

"Serenity! I got the shots!" he called out, holding up a tray of little glasses filled with something clear. Probably tequila.

I barely even registered what he said at first, too focused on the name.

Serenity?

That sound like the name of a fine-ass girl.

One of those bad ones with a tiny waist and a fat ass, the kind of girl I could grab onto and lose myself in.

Curiosity got the best of me, and before I even realized it, I was following his path, weaving through the dance floor, my heels clicking against the wood.

My eyes scanned the section he was headed toward, expecting to see some bombshell chick with a tight dress and killer heels, but instead—

I saw her.

Ren.

She was kicked back in a VIP section, one arm stretched across the back of the seat, the other resting on her thigh. Her hair was still pulled up into that high ponytail, but a few curls had fallen loose, framing her face. Her sleeve was on full display, the detailed ink winding down her toned arm, catching the flashing club lights.

And that white tee?

She looked so out of place, yet so damn good.

My breath caught for a second, my stomach twisting in a way that irritated me.

Why the hell was she here?

With who?

The dude from earlier sat next to her, setting the shots down on the table while he laughed at something. A couple of other people were around too—some girls, some guys—but my focus was locked on her.

Ren wasn't even drinking. She had a water bottle in her hand, unscrewing the cap and taking a sip like she wasn't in the middle of one of the hottest clubs downtown.

She still hadn't noticed me.

Or maybe she did, and she was just ignoring me.

My irritation spiked.

I turned back to Rina, grabbing her arm.

"Who Ren here with?" I asked, keeping my voice low.

Rina followed my gaze, her brows raising slightly when she saw Ren in the section.

"Damn, she really popped out," she muttered, then shrugged. "Probably her little army friends. She don't go out with nobody else."

Army friends.

That made sense.

She always carried herself like she was used to control, like she was used to leading and making decisions. Even now, she looked like the one in charge of that whole section, even though she was barely speaking.

My fingers twitched.

If she could come out and have fun, so could I.

I turned back to the dance floor, locking eyes with some tall dude eyeing me from a few feet away. He was cute—not my type, but cute.

He smirked, stepping closer. "You tryna dance?"

I didn't answer. I just turned around, pressing my back against him, and started moving.

If Ren could enjoy her night, I could too.

The moment our eyes met, everything else faded.

The bass thumping through the club, the hands on my waist, the heat of bodies pressing close—it all disappeared.

Because Ren was looking at me.

And she did not look happy.

Before I could react, she was already moving, pushing through the crowd with that same quiet, commanding presence she always had. People stepped aside for her without her even having to ask.

She reached me in seconds, and I barely had time to catch my breath before she grabbed my wrist, her grip firm but not rough.

"Get up."

I blinked. "Huh?"

Her grip tightened, just a little. "Get up, Yanna."

She wasn't playing.

I sighed dramatically, rolling my eyes, but I still pulled myself up from where I had been bent over, dancing on that random dude. Ren didn't give me time to say anything else—before I knew it, she was leading me through the club, her fingers wrapped around my wrist like she was escorting me out of a crime scene.

People stared.

Rina was watching with wide eyes, half-amused, half-shocked. The dude I had been dancing on was looking confused as hell, and the people in Ren's section were just smirking, like they expected this.

Like they knew she'd come get me.

Ren didn't say a word as she led me outside, into the cooler night air. The valet barely even had time to register what was happening before she was opening the door to her car and pushing me inside.

I flopped into the seat with a small scowl. "You real bossy, you know that?"

Ren ignored me. She shut the door, walked around, and got in the driver's seat, her expression still unreadable.

She pulled out her phone, her deep, thick accent cutting through the silence when she spoke.

"Mally. I'm droppin' your sister off. Come outside."

She didn't wait for a response. She just hung up and tossed her phone onto the console, gripping the wheel with both hands.

I pouted.

Crossing my arms, I slumped into the seat, staring out the window like a kid who just got scolded. She really came and snatched me up like I was a damn child.

I side-eyed her.

Her jaw was clenched tight, her hands gripping the wheel just a little harder than necessary.

She was pissed.

And for some reason...that made me smirk.

Ren barely even talked to me these past couple of days, barely looked at me. But now? Now she was heated enough to snatch me up and take me home like she owned me.

Interesting.

I dragged my nails lightly against my thigh, watching her out the corner of my eye.

"You not gon' lecture me?" I asked after a few beats of silence.

Ren didn't answer.

Didn't even glance at me.

I scoffed, shaking my head. "Silent treatment now? That's crazy."

Still nothing.

She pulled up to the Hill estate, and before I could even reach for the handle, the door swung open, and Mally was standing there, looking half-annoyed, half-amused.

"Damn," he muttered, shaking his head as he reached for my arm. "What you do now?"

I huffed as he pulled me out the car, but I didn't fight him. I was too irritated to argue.

Ren still hadn't said a word.

I glanced over my shoulder at her, hoping—**expecting—**to see her looking at me. But she wasn't.

She was looking straight ahead, her jaw tight, her hands still gripping the wheel like she was fighting to keep herself in place.

Like she was fighting something bigger.

That annoyed me even more.

Mally led me inside, and I stormed straight up to my room, slamming the door behind me.

I flopped onto my bed, my mind racing.

Why the hell did she care so much if she was just gon' act like I didn't exist the rest of the time?

The second our eyes locked, everything else blurred.

The club lights, the music, the heat from bodies moving together—it all disappeared.

Because Ren was looking at me.

And she did not look happy.

I barely had a second to react before she was moving.

She stood up from the VIP section like she was on a damn mission, cutting through the crowd with that slow, controlled stride. People moved out of her way without her even asking. Like they could feel the energy rolling off her.

My heart sped up. Not out of fear—I wasn't scared of Ren. But something about the way she looked at me—**like she had already made up her mind, like I was already caught—**sent a rush through my body.

She reached me, grabbed my wrist, and yanked me up.

"Get up," she said, voice low, thick with that Louisiana drawl that always made my stomach flip.

I blinked. "Ren, what the fu—"

She didn't let me finish.

She turned, still gripping my wrist, and started walking. Dragging me with her.

I stumbled at first, nearly tripping over my own feet because what the hell? I caught a glimpse of Rina's face—her mouth open, eyes wide, clearly shocked and entertained.

"Wait, Ren—"

"Shut up," she muttered, pulling me through the club.

People were staring. Watching us. Some laughing, some whispering, some just shaking their heads like they expected this.

Like they knew she'd come get me.

She led me outside, the cooler night air hitting my skin, sobering me up slightly. I tugged at her grip, half-annoyed, half-curious.

"Where are we going?" I asked, rolling my eyes.

Ren still didn't answer.

She led me straight to her car, opening the door and pushing me inside.

I scoffed, pouting as I sat back in the seat. "You real bossy, you know that?"

She ignored me, walking around to the driver's side and sliding in without a word.

She grabbed her phone, pressed it to her ear, and the second the call connected, her voice came out low, deep, and thick as ever.

"Mally. I'm droppin' your sister off. Come outside."

She didn't wait for a response.

She just hung up.

Tossed her phone onto the console.

Gripped the wheel like she was keeping herself in check.

I folded my arms and pouted harder. "You know I was having fun, right?"

Still nothing.

Ren's jaw clenched.

Her hands flexed against the steering wheel, like she was forcing herself to stay quiet.

I side-eyed her, tapping my nails against my thigh. She looked mad.

No, she was mad.

And something about that made me want to push her more.

I sighed dramatically, shifting in my seat. "You gon' tell me why you just snatched me up like that, or...?"

Silence.

I licked my lips, tilting my head. "You jealous or something?"

Her grip on the wheel tightened.

I smirked.

Interesting.

She pulled up to the Hill estate, and before I could even reach for the handle, the door swung open.

Mally stood there, arms crossed, looking half-annoyed, half-amused.

"Damn," he muttered, shaking his head. "What you do now?"

I huffed, stepping out, rolling my eyes. "Nothing!"

Mally scoffed, putting a hand on my shoulder, steering me inside. "Yeah, okay."

I glanced over my shoulder, expecting—**hoping—**Ren would be looking at me.

But she wasn't.

She was staring straight ahead, jaw still tight, hands still gripping the wheel like she was holding something in.

Like she was fighting something.

That pissed me off.

She just dragged me out the club like she had some kind of claim on me, but now she was just going mute?

I stomped up to my room, slamming the door behind me.

Flopped onto my bed.

Fumed.

Because if Ren didn't care, then what the hell was all that?