They went to the basement door and pulled it open only to be backed out by bullets flying their way. The basement was soundproof but the muffled sounds of gunshots had been heard and Eduardo already knew who was coming for him.
He had his own assault weapon and was spraying recklessly in their direction. Neither Indie or Ethic nor Chase could get through the door without getting chopped down.
“Yeah, motherfuckas! Fuck you, putas!” Eduardo screamed like a madman as he continued to shoot. He stood directly in front of YaYa, his back facing her as his focus was on the basement steps.
She knew that this was her only chance. If she didn’t do something, Eduardo just might turn around and put a bullet in her head. He was feeling cornered and the slow torture he had planned was out the window. She still couldn’t see him, letting her leave with her life. His thirst for revenge was too great. She contorted her body until she was used the gravity’s momentum to swing herself back and forth. Her body went back and then as she pushed forward she kicked Eduardo with all her might. The force of her kick sent him flying forward, causing the old man to lose his balance as he went crashing to the floor. On cue, Ethic rounded the corner and put one bullet in Eduardo’s head as he rushed past him, eyes focused only on YaYa. She finally cried when she saw his face and when he unhooked her, her naked body fell into his arms, helplessly.
The way she clung to him broke Indie’s heart as he stood back watching in agony. It was clear. Ethic loved his woman and his woman loved Ethic in return. Indie’s stupidity had caused him to lose the love of his life.
Chase stood back, flabbergasted as he looked back and forth between Ethic and Indie.
He thought that Indie would chop down Ethic where he stood, but instead he stepped aside and allowed Ethic to pass as he carried YaYa up the stairs.
“Yo, my man,” Indie said.
Ethic looked back. “Take care of her,” Indie finished.
Ethic nodded and then disappeared out of the bar. Indie had to reach out to grab hold of one of the chairs to stop himself from falling to his knees. It felt as if he had been sucker-punched in the gut. Sirens rang out in the distance.
“Let’s go, big homie, it’s over,” Chase said. “I’m sorry.”
“Me too,” was Indie’s only response.
Chapter 23
One Year Later
“I, Disaya Morgan, take this man to be my husband. To love and to cherish him. To find strength in his weakness, and to be the healing to his pain for the rest of the days of our lives,” she said. This was the day she had dreamed of her entire life and as she stared at her husband, her soul mate, her other half, she realized that everything that she had been through had brought her to this moment. Through him, she was made whole again. After having her heart torn from her chest by betrayal, he had redeemed her. How amazing love was. She watched as her groom took the ring from his best man and placed it on her finger. It was his turn to recite his vows.
“I, Indie Perkins, take this magnificent woman as my wife. To love and protect. To provide for and to appreciate all the days of our lives. I will never forsake you for any other. No smile is as bright as the one that lights my life. You are my everything and I will be the man that you want me to be. I will be the husband you deserve and I will never love another the way that I love you. Thank you for this day, ma.”
No others stood around them as they recited their vows. It was no big fanfare, the hood wasn’t invited, no family, no friends, no children . . . just them, the pastor, and their love.
“With all the power vested in me, I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss your bride.”
Indie poured his love into her as they kissed passionately. Tears ran down his face and he did nothing to wipe them away. He was so grateful for her love, for this second chance to love her right and he made a mental promise to himself to never get it wrong again.
As they walked out of the church hand in hand, nothing had ever felt so right. “I’m going to go to the ladies’ room. I’ll meet you at the car okay?”
He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and replied, “Hurry, ma. I don’t want to be away from my wife for too long.” He gave her a wink and she could see the pride in his eyes. He headed out of the church as she retreated inside the bathroom.
She went into one of the stalls and sighed in relief as her own tears formed in her eyes. Her entire life had been such a journey. She couldn’t believe that she had even survived it all. Not Leah, not foster care, not the game, or the random men, or the fire, none of it had stopped her from attaining true happiness. Today, she was finally free of all pain. Her Prada Plan had finally come to fruition. She composed herself and then exited the stall only to halt in her step.
“You’re beautiful,” Ethic whispered.
She was speechless. She hadn’t seen him since he had rescued her out of Eduardo’s torture chamber yet here he was, as handsome as ever.
“You almost make me regret giving you to another man,” Ethic said.
She wanted to fight the urge to touch him, but she couldn’t; she rushed into his arms and he held her so tightly. She could tell that he missed her.
“I came to say good-bye, YaYa, and to take one last look at what I gave up,” Ethic said.
“Why did you?” she asked, choking up. “Why did you send me back home to Indie? You made it seem like you and I had no future, but here you are. You love me. I can see it all over you. You wear your emotions like a coat, hanging from your shoulders. Why did you push me back into his arms?” she asked. “This could have been me and you.”
Ethic caressed her chin and admired her beautiful face as he replied. “I love you, YaYa. More than I’ve ever loved anyone in a very long time, but you are his Raven. He feels for you the way I felt for her. I haven’t fully healed from her death yet. I sent you home because it would have been selfish for me to make you stay but make no mistake about it, YaYa. I am in love with you.”
He kissed her lips softly and as he pulled back he wiped away her tears. “Congratulations, baby girl, and good-bye.”
She held on to his hand until space forced her to let go. Her heart ached with every step he took. He gave her that feeling and she wished that they had met before so that she would have had a chance to explore them, before he had met Raven or before she had met Indie, but the truth was, they both belonged to other people. “Next lifetime,” she whispered.
He stopped walking and turned to her. He tossed her a black velvet box and she caught it out of midair. She opened it to find a brilliant diamond broach inside. She put her hand to her mouth. It was stunning. “Next lifetime,” he replied. “My number will never change. If you ever need me, call.”
He walked out and she let him. She pinned the broach to the bodice of her dress and then regained her composure before walking out of the bathroom. She found Indie, waiting near the car for his bride.
“You ready, Mrs. Perkins?” he asked.
“I’m ready, Mr. Perkins,” she replied.
She dipped her head low and got into the car. As they pulled away from the church she fingered the broach with one hand while holding Indie’s with the other. She loved Indie dearly. They had been through so much together and had beaten so many odds just to make it to this day. Still, despite all of this she pictured Ethic in her mind. Guilt filled her as she held onto Indie’s hand. She was his new bride, his wife, and he was her everything, but the heart’s wants were hard to ignore, and as Ethic’s face clouded her mind, she couldn’t help but wonder, What if?
“In the end life is not life without love from you.”
—Ashley Antoinette
Ashley Antoinette Novels
The Prada Plan
The Prada Plan 2
The Prada Plan 3
Moth to a Flame
Guilty Gucci
Urban Books, LLC
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The Prada Plan 4: Love & War Copyright © 2014
Ashley Ant
oinette
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ISBN: 978-1-6016-2580-9
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Love & War Page 20