Free Black: Part 4 (Black Series) by Kelly Harper

Chapter 1

    Calvin

    A long moment passes before I come to my senses.
    He stayed at her place the other night?
    Is Wade really telling me what I think he’s telling me? Is he really saying that he slept with Sofie a week ago? Is it really possible that Sofie’s been getting some side action of her own, even while she’s been working so hard to torment me? Is that how she’s been able to tease me endlessly while not giving in to her own temptations?
    No. It’s not possible.
    The Sofie Bennett I know and love would never do something like that. Not to me or anyone else. She’s too innocent and caring for something like that.
    Besides, I know I’m the only one for her. I can see it in the way she looks at me. I can feel it in the way she touches me. There’s no doubt in my mind that Wade is just trying to get a rise out of me.
    Why?
    I have no idea. But he’s picked the wrong man to fuck with, this time. He might be able to fuck around with another man’s girl—or even another man’s wife —but not mine.
    Wade still has that shit-eating grin on his face as he leans against the bar. As if he doesn’t have a single care in the world. Well, I’m about to give him something to care about. We’ll see how much of a smile he can manage, then.
    A tiny smile tugs at the corner of my lips.
    “You expect me to believe this bullshit?” I say. “Sofie would never let you get your pathetic excuse for a dick anywhere near her.” I look him up and down. “The only reason she even knows who you are is because she works for you… And that’s not going to last much longer.”
    His face darkens and he straightens himself.
    “Are you threatening me, Calvin?”
    His attempts at sounding tough fall so short that I have to hold back a laugh.
    “No, Wade, I’m not. You see… I don’t make threats. I just do what needs to be done.”
    He studies me for a moment, as though he’s not sure what to make of me. The panicked look in his eye is more satisfying than I’d expected.
    “You’re the one, aren’t you?” he says. His eyes come into focus as he starts bobbing his head. “Yeah, you must be…”
    I’m the one?
    “What are you talking about?”
    He bobs his head even faster.
    “You’re that piece of shit Sofie is always talking about… The guy who treated her like shit and then mysteriously popped back into her life.”
    Keeping the surprise and confusion out of my face is a struggle.
    How the fuck does he know about that? How the fuck does he know about what went on between Sofie and I?
    A weight settles itself on my shoulders and my mood darkens, once again.
    There’s only one way he could possibly know. Sofie must have told him. They must be closer than I’d expected.
    “Don’t start thinking you know a damned thing about me.” This time I don’t bother disguising the threatening tone in my voice. “You should be very careful about whatever comes out of your mouth next.”
    He lets out a sneer.
    “I was right… And that means Sofie is just another one of your conquests. And here I was starting to think she was different, but I guess she’s just like all the rest of them. Just another slut…”
    It looks like Wade is about to say something else, but I don’t give him the chance.  
    Without even thinking about it, my hand curls into a tight fist and I level it straight into his shit-eating face. He isn’t expecting the blow, and he reels backward into a row of bar stools. They crash to the ground as Wade trips and flails for balance.
    The loud outburst causes everyone standing near the bar to jump in surprise, but I don’t stick around long enough to see what happens next. I need to talk to Sofie. I need to find out exactly what the fuck is going on.

Chapter 2

    Sofie

    Rebecca’s eyes are fierce and intense as she stares me down.  
    “Well? Are you going to answer me?” she says, harshly.
    I shake myself, trying to come to my senses.
    “Your fiancé?” I repeat, dumbly.
    The words don’t