She's My Queen

Chapter Five

CARTER

I groaned as I opened my eyes and immediately wishing I didn't. My head pounding and I winced as I tried to sit up.

"Don't do that."

I look forward and saw Tiana walking towards me with a cup in her hand. I looked above her head and noticed the archway she entered. I looked around slowly and noticed I was in the living room. I had a cover over me and bandage over my chest and I was laying on the longest couch.

She stops in front of me and hands me a cup. I slowly take it from her and I sip on the cold water. I could feel her watching me but she said nothing. I drank all the water and she takes the cup from me.

Suddenly, her hand reached out and felt over my head.

"I'm making breakfast and you should take a cold shower. It will help take your fever down." She says, while pulling away. "I also left a new toothbrush, washcloth and bath towel in the bathroom. I washed your shirt and jeans and they are in my room on the bed. The food should be done when you get out." She says and I nod.

She glanced down at my bandage and lifted her eyes to meet mine. That's when I seen it. The pained look in her eyes and she did well to try and hide it. "C-Can I try something? To ease that area. I know you're still in pain."

I nod and she walks out but not before she tells me where the bathroom was. I heard shuffling in the kitchen and I exhaled a long breath.

I fvcked up coming here. I shouldn't be here.

Slowly, I sit up and slip off the couch. I was in nothing but my boxers. I found it amusing that she got me undress and on the couch.

Buts and pieces flooded my brain as I made my way to the bathroom. I shut the door behind me and turned on the shower. On cold like she said to cool me down. I stripped from my boxers and got in. The cool water came down on my body as I forced myself to try to relax. I cleansed with the bar soap that smelled of berries. I took note of my bruised knuckles, washing away old blood. Not much but, it was dry blood.

Images of fighting in that fvcking bar. People loved to test me and I had a lot of shît going on. I got drunk off my ass, something I never do, and I ended up here. I don't know if I drove or walked but I came here. Why?

Because I miss her.

Physically, yes but more mentally. She's my piece of mind and she brings me peace.

There's only so long I can stay away from her. Especially now my father was still out there.

My jaw clenched at the fact. I forced my mind to think of something else. I finished my shower and I felt a bit better. I wrapped the towel around my waist and left out the bathroom in time to see Tiana's back and her carrying a light blue towel bundle in her arms.

I also noticed she was in different clothes. She had on one of her sweaters and black leggings, showing off her perfect bottom.

I exhaled a breath of frustration and walked straight into Tiana's room. I saw my dress shirt and my jeans folded on the bed. My brows creased when I saw she had placed one of my boxers on the bed. How did she get that?

I dressed and rubbed the towel over my damp hair. And placed it back in the bathroom. I grabbed my boxers placed them in a bag that I found under the sink. I walked out, cutting off the light and made my way to the kitchen.

Just as I turned the corner, I heard soft coos and Tiana's voice. I paused at the corner and saw her patting Cariana dry. It was clear she bathed her. The small baby tub was there.

"All dry." Tiana smiled and kissed Cariana on her small head.

I leaned against the wall and stared at her interaction with Cariana. She ran her fingers through Cariana's curls. It was a beautiful sight and I was glad to see Tiana was smiling. The way she looked last time sent something to my heart.

She looked up and her smile turned shy. "You're plate is in the microwave."

I nod and walk to get it. She made pancakes, bacon, and eggs. She left to get Cariana dressed and I ate. It took me no longer than five minutes to eat and I washed the dishes and put them up. 

Then Tiana walked in without Cariana. She stared at me in shock. "I forgot you eat fast."

I smirked and said nothing. Her eyes moved to my covered chest. "I will be back with a hot cloth." She left out and I sat down in one of the stools, and waited for her to come back.

TIANA

I returned back to him with a hot cloth and went to the cabinets in search of a glass bowl. I found one and it was all the way at the top. I sighed and went to get stool but a hard body came in contact with my back and reached above me to get the glass bowl.

I turned to look at him and he stared down at me with those intense eyes. I cleared my throat and take the bowl away from him, ducking under his arms and place it on the counter before placing the warm cloth in the bowl.

I look back at Carter and he took his same spot. "Can you take off your shirt?"

He nods and unbuttons each one going down the line. I kept myself under control as I watched him slowly peel the dress shirt back. He winced a bit and I walked over to him and pulled away the shirt completely and placed it on the counter. My fingers were hesitant but I slowly took off the bandage and he hissed, grabbing my wrist. I paused and looked up at him.

His entire face was in pain.

"Carter?" He hummed in response, opening his eyes this time. "What have you been doing?"

He sighed. "Nothing. It doesn't hurt that bad. Pain killers help."

I frown and take off the bandage completely. "You haven't been taking care of it."

He was quiet.

"Why?" I placed the bandage on the counter. He kept silent and I grabbed the bowl with the cloth and place it in the microwave for a good moment.

I looked back Carter and saw he was looking down at the floor in silence. I sighed and looked over his back to see any bruising once more and there wasn't. The microwave beep and I take out the bowl and made my way back to him.

I place the bowl aside and stare at his purplish bruising. "You were drunk yesterday. Do you remember anything?"

He nods stiffly. I grabbed his hands and looked at his knuckles. I noticed they were also bruised from yesterday with dry blood and my assumptions were hitting something or someone.

"Is it because of me?"

He looked up at me and I saw that I was a reason. I sighed and let go of his hand. I reached over for the warmer cloth and place it gently over his gunshot wound. He hissed a bit and he had a bit of swelling but it should go down.

"Hold it there for a moment." I say.

His hand replaces mine and I open the fridge to refill his glass with water. I place it on the counter and he takes it and drinks it all.

"Cartron is alive." I say, breaking the tense silence.

"I know." He murmurs.

"Are you sure you want to kill him?"

He looks at me with an annoyed look and I sighed. "He won't stop. I have no choice but to kill him." Carter's tone filled with much anger.

I sighed. "I know Carter but he is your—"

"Sperm donor."

"You're hurt, Carter. Your own father tried to kill you and was close to succeeding but you have to be the bigger person. There are other ways to bring him down. Trust me." I tried.

He scoffs, shaking his head. "You don't understand, Tiana. You and I grew up differently which is why you always think there's a better option. Killing him is the better option. He wants our daughter or did you forget."

I frown. "Of course not and he won't touch her." I say before continuing. "I don't want you to regret—"

"I will not. My lifestyles is life or death. You knew this from the beginning."

I inhaled sharply. "Yes, I did. I am still down for the ride."

Carter glared at me. "Are you? It's hard to tell, baby."

I crossed my arms. "I've been through a lot and so have you. I just had a baby and I am going through a lot of hormonal changes. So forgive me if I am emotional at wrong times. I'm trying to keep myself together. Trying to do better and you might have not like that I wanted my father a live but I don't care. Cartron will be looking for him and possibly get rid of his slackers. My father is next on his list no doubt."

In the next blink, he was out the stool, cloth in bowl and was in front of me. "How do you know that? Matter a fact, how did you know Cartron is alive?"

Damn my big mouth. I swallowed and took a step back and my back met with the cold front of the refrigerator. Swiftly, he trapped me, placing his hands on either side of my head.

"I-I hear stuff." I tried and his glare on me darken.

I sighed and looked down at his bare chest. "I may have lied and went to see him."

I growl like sound came from him and I looked up at him, trying my best to keep still. "And you tried to guilt trip me."

I guess I did but he wouldn't have let me see him otherwise. So, yes, I did what I had to and I'm glad I did. I was informed on information that Carter has yet to tell me.

"Yes, I did and I'm sorry for that but I had to see him for myself. Glad I did so too. It seems he gave me a few details that I needed to know for example, your father is alive and escaped. My father was in a coma which makes no sense to how fast he woke up. Also, I learned my father has a life contract to your father. My father is good as dead soon and you'll finally get your wish when that happens." I say.

He says nothing and processes what I said. It doesn't take long either. He was still glaring down at me. "The main thing is, you lied."

"Okay and I apologized for it. But you knew your father was alive and didn't say a word. It was clear he left a few days after you were released from the hospital. And why didn't you stay in there as ordered?"

His glare softened a bit and he raised a brow. "How do you know that?"

"You're not the only one who can keep tabs. I might have left that ring and saw you once when you were unconscious but I knew you was alright and I was told that you were suppose to stay a few more days after you awake. But you didn't. Come to find out, you're not taking care of your wound properly."

"Why did you really leave me?" He said after a while.

I leaned back against the refrigerator and exhaled a long frustrating breath through my nose. I stared at him straight in the eye as I played with the promise ring. "I didn't leave you, Carter."

"The ring you left proved otherwise." He says before I could say another word.

A wave of sadness filled me. "I didn't mean to give you the wrong signal. We're not ready for marriage."

He said nothing for a moment. "I know." He murmurs

I don't know what came over me but I cupped his face with my hands. I love this man with everything within me.

"You've killed a lot of people but it's different this time, whether you agree with me or not. It's not based upon what you only feel, Carter, but Camille and even your mother's feelings."

There I caught him. I'm not telling him to not kill his father and show mercy but I am letting him know that this can possibly change him. Yeah, his father put him through enough but I know deep down, Carter feels a certain way of coming to crossroads with Cartron.

He was hesitant of killing Cartron. How? Because Carter would have never, ever hesitated to go for the kill.

He could have shot Cartron as soon as he saw him. But it didn't happen. I also know what Cartron did is affecting Carter a bit.

He sighed, closing his eyes and pulled away from my hands causing them to fall to my side. He turned back to the table and grabbed his shirt. A phone went off and it was his.

He looked back at me and I motion to the living we're I placed his phone on the coffee table before placing on the couch last night. He walks into the living room and answers his call.

"What is it?" I heard him speak on the other line.

I grabbed the bowl and went to wet it again when I heard him quickly ending his call.

"Alright. Thank you, Mina."

Mina? Who in the hell was Mina?

He came back in the kitchen with his dress shirt on but unbuttoned with his shoes on. I placed everything in the sink and I turned to face him.

"I have to go." He says lowly.

I nod and smile. "Alright." I replied simply and mentally smacked myself.

"I'm going to see Cari."

"Okay." And he walked back to the room.

I inhaled and grabbed his glass of water and took a few gulps.

Mina.

Mina.

Mina.

Oh, stop Tiana. Don't jump to any conclusions.

A moment later, Carter came back. "I'm sorry you had to deal with me like that. It won't happen again."

I gave him a positive smile and waved him off while walking with him to the door. "It's alright. Just please don't do it again. You had me worried and I never seen you like that."

He nods silently. "I'll call you." He opens the door, walking out after I told him okay.

I closed the door and locked it. I rested my head on the door as my thoughts continued to build in my mind. Then suddenly, a knock was heard. I looked in the peephole and I saw Carter.

I opened the door and the next thing I knew, I was in his arms and his lips met mine.

I couldn't hold back the surprise sound that slipped from my lips. He was kissing me, desperately. I didn't push him away either. Instead, I grabbed at his clothing, fisting them in my hands and kissed him back. Our kiss didn't have tongue but it had a lot of meaning. It was full of passion and it was desperate on both parts. With a final peck, he pulled away and sighed.

I opened my eyes and my heart skipped a beat when mine found his. It felt like he was staring into my soul.

"I missed your lips."

I couldn't help the chuckle that left me but I it faded softly. I sighed. "I missed yours too."

"I know that changes nothing but I just..." his voice trailed off.

"I know." I understand.

He nods. "I call you later." He plants a kiss on the top of my head and turns away, walking off.

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Any thoughts?

I also want to say that everything that happens in this story happens for a reason. The readers that was with this power couple from the start understands and they know things will work out.