Free Prison Throne by T. Styles Page A

single tear rolled down his cheek. He didn’t care how soft he looked at the moment. He didn’t care what people watching thought of him either. He would not live another day without Snow Bradshaw in his life. “I apologize for hurting your feelings. But I’m begging you not to leave me.” He gripped her hand harder to the point of creating pain. “Please, baby. Please forgive me and give me one more chance. I love you.”
    “I can’t do it,” she shook her head. “It’s too hard.”
    Rasim was horrified upon hearing her response. He hadn’t expected her answer. “One more chance is all I ask. Just one. Isn’t it worth it for the sake of love?”
    Flooded with love, she wrapped her arms around his slender body and squeezed tightly. Her nose rested in the pit of his neck and she inhaled his cologne.
    Yes.
    He was her man.
    He was her Rasim.
    Through no fault of their own, they had successfully gained the audience of the faculty, usher board and congregation.
    But who cared?
    They were in love.
    And they would forever be entwined.
    But a dark cloud was coming to test their love, for which they were not prepared.

CHAPTER 8
    MAY 2014
    WASHINGTON, DC
    PRESENT DAY
     
    Alf Herman sat in the wooden chair in the foyer in awe. The story of how they met was so inspiring that even he got emotional. But still, he couldn’t understand why he was sitting in the middle of the living room watching blood drip from the Officer’s body. He wasn’t moving as much as he had been and Alf was concerned.
                  “Your story is inspiring,” he yelled to be heard beyond the doors. “So I take it that you are Rasim.”
                  Silence.
                  “I am.”
                  “And who is the man on the steps bleeding?”
                  “We haven’t finished telling you the story,” Snow interrupted.
                  “My apologies.” He moved uncomfortably in his seat and observed the police officer again. “It’s just that time is not on our side. A man is dying.”
                  She giggled. “People kill me with that statement.” She paused. “That time is not on our side. Time is a beautiful thing actually. It gives men an opportunity to correct that which is wrong. It offers them a chance to stop hurting those they claim to love. But for me, it did so much more.”
    “What do you mean?” Alf Herman replied.
    “Rasim always wanted to rule but my heart wasn’t a big enough country. He had to have it all. He had to sit on the throne even if it meant wasting his time on places or people unworthy. All while ignoring me in the process.” She paused. “It’s funny though. Because I knew something he didn’t.”
    “And what’s that?”
    “That even the mighty fall.”

 
     
     
     
     
    PART TWO

CHAPTER 9
    SNOW
    FEBRUARY 2001
     
    Snow’s black high-heeled boot pressed against the gas pedal as she zoomed up the highway on the way to Hains Point in Washington, DC. One hand clutched the steering wheel of her red Audi and the other gripped her belly. She was devastated because although he promised not to, Rasim hurt her once again.
    When she received the news that he was seen in Selena’s black Suburban, she was on her way home to prepare Rasim’s dinner. The whistleblower sounded Latina and she was sure it was Selena’s funky ass.
    What was wrong with him? Why was she never enough?
    Although she attended the University of Maryland Dance Academy where she studied dance during the week, while Rasim sold dope on the streets, she made sure his meals were prepared every night. And this was how he elected to repay her? With public humiliation?
    When she assessed herself in the mirror, she couldn’t believe the sight. The mascara from her lashes smeared around her eyes, giving her a panda bear effect. Let’s not even talk about the condition of her light skin. It turned a shade of red not yet created in the