Nobody Can Love You Like Them Roughnecks Do 4

by Shvonne Latrice

  Tiana Strauss

  I hadn’t been going many places because, for one, I was depressed as hell over what happened to me, and two, I didn’t want to be seen. I hadn’t even fully processed the death of my husband before someone had the nerve to come in my home and rape me. When it happened, I knew it was Belly; it was the only plausible explanation. The things the man said, it couldn’t be anyone else but him.

  But… when his little whore Blaise rushed me on the street, my mind began to change, and now I was unsure. She’d made some valid points about my accused rapist.

  I did, in fact, offer to sleep with Belly, so it didn’t make too much sense for him to break in my home to rape me. I mean, not unless he was some power-hungry weirdo who only got off by having sex with helpless women. Granted, had he come to me that night and asked to fuck me, I would’ve said no, but he didn’t know that.

  I was attracted to Belly, yes, but that was normal. Only women who didn’t find him attractive were either blind or lesbian. And I’m even sure lesbians could admit the man was handsome. There weren’t too many women who wouldn’t give Belly their panties, so me liking him meant nothing. I couldn’t even say I liked him honestly. He was sexy, and if prompted to on a certain day, yes, I would fuck him.

  Despite what most people thought, I loved Mason more than anything. He was the love of my life, even though when I first met him, I thought he was hideous. He wouldn’t leave me alone though, and eventually, I fell for him. He was faithful to me, in the sense where I never saw what he did. I never had women approaching me, I never found text messages, there were no outside babies, or anything that let me know he was doing dirt.

  The first time anything of that nature happened was when I was informed that he’d sent a gift to Blaise Cansino. And even that didn’t count too much because he only did it to antagonize Belly. That situation was the only reason I even tried to sleep with Belly, because although I knew my husband had a motive behind his actions, I still didn’t like it.

  Blaise was a beautiful girl, and it was no secret that despite her whorish and gold-digging ways, men fawned over her. To know my husband even paid her any mind set me off. But had I known I wouldn’t even have him for a month more, I wouldn’t have been in the club on some get back shit.

  “I’m glad you came to my office instead of me having to come to you, Mrs. Strauss. It is good to get out.” My lawyer, Jorge, looked me over with that same sympathetic look I’d been getting from everyone since Mason passed.

  “I know, but I told you I would get out when I felt ready.” I put my Dior purse into the chair next to me.

  “I understand. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m fine, I guess. I just, I don’t get what I did for all of this to happen to me.” I felt myself about to cry, and I didn’t want to. I missed my husband, and I missed feeling carefree. Just a year ago, I was the wife of a champion boxer, in love, traveling, and shopping at whatever store I wanted to. Now I was a saddened mess. I saw no reason to live really…

  Jorge got up to round his desk and sat next me, rubbing my back gently.

  “Some really horrible things have happened to you, but we are going to get justice, and we are going to get some cash.”

  “Ugh.” I groaned. “I have more money than I need. The last thing on my mind is cash. I just want my life back.”

  Jorge didn’t have anything to say, obviously, because it got pretty quiet. He rose up then went to sit back behind his desk, clasping his hands.

  “Well, we are still working pretty hard—”

  “I think I made a mistake.” I sniffled, taking a few tissues from the box.

  “Mistake how?” Jorge paused.

  “I’m not sure if Belly did this.”

  “Mrs. Strauss.” He chuckled angrily. “You told me you were sure. You said that—”

  “I know what the fuck I said, but I’m not so sure now. He…” I shook my head as more tears fell. “I was traumatized, and I just wanted someone to be reprimanded for what happened to me. It could still be him, Jorge, I’m just saying I am not sure!” I hollered because I didn’t approve of the look he was giving me.

  “Okay, okay. Just calm down.” Jorge exhaled then continued. “Why don’t you do something to relax, huh? Go to a spa, maybe shop, have dinner.”

  I nodded, drying my eyes so I wouldn’t ruin my makeup.

  I left Jorge’s office and called up my only friend, Laze. We met in first grade and had been friends since, even going to the same college. She’d been the only friend in my life who hadn’t done anything shady to me.

  I tried being cool with some of the other women in the entertainment industry, but I always found out they’d either talked shit behind my back, or were planning to sleep with Mason on the low. After a while, I gave up, only fucking with Laze.

  She agreed to meet me at the Peninsula Hotel, but since it would take her about twenty minutes and me way less than that, I stopped by my home to change clothes.

  Putting on a dress, I slipped my feet into my Balmain boots, and then did my makeup. I hadn’t worn makeup in a while, so I’d forgotten how good it made me feel even on my worst days.

  I put on the watch and bracelet Mason bought me the night before his fight, some earrings, and then I changed my purse to match my outfit before leaving.

  “Wow! I haven’t seen you look like this in a while. I missed the old Tiana.” Laze greeted me in the lobby of the hotel.

  “Yeah, hopefully she will come back soon. I just wanted to be pretty this one day. Can’t make any promises for tomorrow.” I half smiled, and she did the same before hugging me tightly.

  We went to the spa area to check in for our appointment Laze had scheduled after our call earlier, and the employee let us know we could have a seat. After a couple minutes, she led us to the room where we would be getting our hands and feet done, and I spotted a very familiar face, grinning like life was great.

  As Laze assisted me in removing my boots, I couldn’t help but stare at Blaise and her friend that I’d seen her with on Instagram a few times. She was a pretty light-skinned girl who was a deejay I believe. They both looked nice, and I just began to burn up with envy. I felt like Blaise had stolen the life I once had.

  “Excuse me, I have to use the restroom,” I told the young woman who was about to work on my feet when I saw Blaise get up. She saw me but ignored me as she left the area.

  Coming up behind her, I tapped her shoulder, prompting her to spin around.

  “Can I help you?” Blaise raised her perfect brow.

  Her perfume was soft, sweet, and in the air. Her hair was so full and long as it draped over one side of her face like Aaliyah. She was in a burgundy dress that hugged her shapely frame, which seemed to be snapping back fairly quickly.

  “I just want you to know that just because life is good for you right now, doesn’t mean it won’t be snatched from you.”

  “Girl, please. I already told you my man didn’t rape you, and you need to find the real culprit. If I didn’t have a case right now, I would hit you.”

  I glanced over at her friend who was on the phone in the distance.

  “I’m not talking about a rape. Same way my husband perished, yours can too. A year ago, I was married to the greatest boxer, happy as a little lamb, just like you. But now look at me. My man is dead, I’ve been assaulted, and I barely get out of bed in the mornings.” I stared deeply into her eyes, overjoyed at the sight of her frown fading into worry. There was nothing she could say, because she knew everything I’d listed could possibly happen to her. “Have a good day, Blaise.” I turned to go back into the salon, feeling better about myself.

  The next morning…

  I was at the doctor’s office because I hadn’t been feeling well for a little while now. I’d been unusually tired, and it started about two weeks before Mason died. I’d also been puking around that time too.

  I assumed it was because of all the stress, but it hadn’t let up once, so I was confused. I knew i
t was probably just my depression, but I wanted to be sure. Plus, now I was having some pains in my abdomen. After googling it a few times, cancer hadn’t left my mind.

  “Okay, Mrs. Strauss, would you just mind peeing in a cup for me?” my doctor inquired.

  “For what?”

  “We want to rule out everything and make sure you’re not pregnant.”

  “No, I am not pregnant. I can’t get pregnant.” I shook my head. The doctors who checked me out after being raped tried to give me one, but I refused.

  “Why do you say you can’t get pregnant?”

  “Because I’ve been married for three years, having unprotected sex, and no babies have been made.”

  “I see. Mrs. Strauss, can you please just take one, honey? I need to rule out everything; it’s a part of my job.”

  “Fine.” I took the cup she had in her hand and then went into the side bathroom to pee. I returned a few moments later after washing my hands, and then she took my blood pressure, along with my weight and temperature.

  She left the room for about fifteen minutes, and I got on my phone to pass the time. I didn’t want to go on Instagram because it seemed like my explore page was filled with pictures of Mason from all his fan pages. It did nothing but made me sadder than I already was.

  “Okay, Mrs. Strauss.” My doctor returned, closing the door behind herself. She started toward me, opening a beige folder. “You are definitely pregnant.”

  “Pregnant with what?”

  “A baby. I want to do an ultrasound right now, because your hCG levels are pretty high.”

  “No, no, I can’t be pregnant.” I shook my head, feeling scared. “No, I have to get an abortion.”

  “Now, wait—”

  “No, you know what happened to me. Everyone does, and I cannot have a baby by a monster. I won’t.”

  “Honey, just let me do an ultrasound, okay? Your levels are high, so you may have been pregnant before being raped.”

  I paused to look into her eyes to see if she was being honest. There was no trace of a smile on her face, so I nodded to agree.

  “Okay.”

  She had me change into a gown, and then I laid back on the examination table while she prepared her monitor. After washing her hands and putting on gloves, she took a seat on her stool, scooting closer to me.

  Feeling the rod penetrate me was extremely uncomfortable, especially after experiencing something as traumatizing as rape. I stared up at the ceiling, allowing the light to damn near blind me as I held my breath. This was wrong, so wrong. I’d never done anything to anyone, yet it seemed like God was punishing me in any way He possibly could.

  “Okay, Mrs. Strauss. When were you assaulted?”

  “A little over two months ago.”

  “You’re sixteen and a half weeks pregnant.” She immediately looked to me smiling.

  “What does that mean?”

  “Means you’re having a baby with your husband.” She beamed. “You’ve been pregnant for a while now, so we definitely need to get you started on taking better care of yourself. Everything looks fine here, but we want to make sure it stays that way. We have to start you on some prenatal vitamins.” She removed the rod, wiping it off.

  “Oh-okay.”

  The feeling was bittersweet. I was happy to be having a baby by Mason because it left a little piece of him on this earth. But the thought of raising a child without him was devastating. We’d just come to terms with the fact that I couldn’t conceive, and were going to adopt, but now things had changed. Who knew a quickie in his hospital room would result in this.

  “Would you like an ultrasound picture?”

  “Sure.”

  While I got dressed in the bathroom, my doctor prepared the printout, so by the time I was finished, she had it ready.

  Leaving the doctor, I felt a little bit better than I had been, but I was still uneasy.

  When I got to my car, an idea crossed my mind. Taking a picture of the ultrasound, I was sure to crop out some of the information on it, and then I went to Blaise’s social media page to send her a message.

  Me: You better hope he didn’t do it, because if he did, he’s got a baby on the way.

  Chuckling, I threw my phone into the passenger seat and drove home.

  I was supposed to go out with Laze tonight at her request, and initially planned to cancel, but I kind of wanted to celebrate my pregnancy. I couldn’t believe I was four months already.

  I took a nap for a couple hours then woke up to eat before showering and brushing my teeth. By the time I was ready to go, Laze was calling for me to buzz her through the gate. I did so and then stepped outside to meet her at the car.

  “Bitch, we need to be riding in one of these expensive ass whips you got here!” Laze shouted out the window of her Mercedes.

  “I haven’t driven my husband’s cars since he passed. We can take the Bentley he got me.” I nodded for her to get out of her car.

  “See, that’s what the fuck I’m talking about!”

  I went back inside to grab the keys before putting the alarm on, and then we dipped out in my Bentley.

  “Hey, before we go inside, I want you to know I won’t be drinking.”

  “You barely drink anyways, but just do so tonight, please!” Laze begged me.

  “No, I’m pregnant.” I pulled up to where valet was for the club, and I noticed the sad look on her face. “It’s Mason’s.”

  “Oh shit.” She put her hand over her chest, exhaling out of relief. “I’m so happy for you.”

  We hugged once I put the car in park and then hopped out so valet could take the wheel. As we approached the entrance, people were calling my name and shouting out questions. I ignored them as the bouncer allowed me in with no issue. He called to have someone come escort me to a table, and by the time we got up, I had to go pee.

  “Pure Water” by DJ Mustard blasted loudly in the club, so I danced a little bit on the way to the bathroom.

  I quickly relieved myself then washed my hands. Before leaving, I checked my iPhone to see if Blaise had replied to or seen my message, but the answer was no to both. Shoving the phone back into my Chanel clutch, I rushed out, but someone grabbed me.

  “Excuse me!” I frowned as the man pulled me into his body, holding my waist.

  “You are so fucking beautiful.” He bit down deeply into his thick bottom lip.

  “Let me go. Do you know who you’re touching on?” I pushed at him, but he was too strong.

  “The one and only sexy ass Tiana Strauss of course.” An eerie smile spread across his face as he leaned into me some more, licking his lips.

  “Let me go!” I screeched, hitting him hard as hell with my bag until he released me, staring me down like I was psycho.

  Switching off, I shook my head, disgusted by his behavior and that strong ass cologne. The thought of his scent stopped me dead in my tracks, sending a surge of fear throughout my whole body.

  That was him.

  Alivia

  Almost two weeks later… Wednesday…

  “You feeling aight? You sure you can go?” Yono peeked into the bathroom as I hurled into the toilet.

  “Yes.” I wiped my mouth with the paper towel he’d handed me. “I’m fine. I promise.” I rose up and went straight to the sink in order to brush my teeth.

  Yono stayed until I was swishing around Listerine then helped me out of the bathroom so I could put on my dress.

  Tonight was the album release party for one of his singer friends, Taj. I wasn’t in the mood to go anywhere, but Yono wanted to, and the thought of women having him alone in a club somewhere didn’t sit well with me. I wasn’t the jealous type, but I cared.

  I applied some light makeup, and then once my jewelry and shoes were on, Yono and I left in his car.

  “Why you so quiet?” he inquired once we got onto the freeway.

  “No reason. I’m just enjoying the ride.” I looked his way, smiling softly.

  Really, I hadn’t stoppe
d thinking about Manny since he came over to see me and apologize. I thought I was over him, but Blaise was right; I loved him.

  However, hearing he didn’t want another child confirmed for me that I was doing the right thing. And knowing his ass, he was probably back to neglecting Jasiel since I was out of the picture. Yeah, raising my baby by myself or with Yono was a much better decision. Time healed all wounds, and soon enough, I wouldn’t even remember Manny.

  We arrived at the venue that the album release party was being held at, so once Yono parked, he helped me out of his Maserati. Kissing me gently as paparazzi went crazy, he closed the door then led me to the front by hand. He and the security greeted one another, before he put wristbands on us and allowed us to come in.

  They said I'd never be nothin', they said I'd never be rich… They said I'd never be anything, I told 'em, "Get off my dick”…

  “I Love” by Joyner Lucas was currently playing, and the lights were dimmed to a purple color. There were a lot of people here dancing, relaxing, drinking, and some smoking. The clouds were so thick that I began coughing, prompting Yono to turn and look at me.

  “You good?” he quizzed, and I nodded, simpering. He was so sweet, always making sure I was feeling okay. It was crazy to me how different men were for the women they cared about, because Yono wasn’t half this nice the first time I was with him.

  “Glad y’all came. Thank you!” Taj slapped hands with Yono and then hugged me.

  “No problem.” I nodded as Yono and I both sat down.

  He kissed the back of my hand as we swayed to the music, singing along to the hook of the song.

  “You look so damn good tonight.” Yono bit his lip.

  “Thanks, babe.” I giggled. “When you left me at that restaurant, did you ever think we’d end up here?”

  Together, we cracked up.

  “Nah, I didn’t. Again, I’m sorry for that.”

  “I’ve forgiven you as I’m sure you can tell.” I pecked him then wiped the little bit of lipstick from his mouth. “I’m going to go order some food; did you want anything?”