“I don’t want to hurt you, Mo. I’ve never wanted to hurt you, but it seems like that’s the only thing you respond to … pain. It’s like you don’t appreciate any other thing I have to give. You run back to your past because its full of pain, so I keep asking myself if that’s what I have to give you for you to act right,” Bash said, his tone low.

“I don’t love you, Bash.” Morgan was so afraid to say those words, but she was more afraid not to. “If you’re honest with yourself, you can say you already know that, though. You knew when I came to London with you two and a half years ago that love was the furthest thing from my mind.”

“Who said anything about love?” Bash asked. “This is possession. I own you. There was an unspoken agreement. You get the respectability and legitimacy that comes with being a part of my family. I get you.”

“That would have been good enough for me before.”

“Before what?” Bash asked, chuckling.

“Before Ahmeek,” she said. “And before I knew that Messiah was alive. He’s their father, Bash.”

“I’m their father!” Bash debated.

“He knows, Bash!” Morgan shouted. “I told him about the twins.”

“Where are my kids, Mo?” he asked. His tone was intolerant, and he stood.

Morgan took a step back. “I couldn’t keep hiding them, Bash. He’s their father. He has a right to know.”

“Where are my kids?” Bash’s voice boomed off the walls, and he was across the room in seconds. Morgan didn’t have time to run. He gripped her face so tightly Morgan winced.

“They’re not your kids!” she shouted, pushing him off. “You can’t make someone love you! What’s wrong with you?!”

Bash jerked her so hard that Morgan felt dizzy. She grabbed the back of her head and staggered as he released her. He turned, rubbing the nape of his neck and raging as he placed balled fists to the sides of his head before pointing at her.

“What was I supposed to do?” Morgan screamed, hysterical as she threw her hands up. “I can’t keep him from his kids!”

“I can,” Bash said devilishly, maliciously, like he would make it his mission to keep Messiah away.

“What does that mean?” Morgan shouted, eyes flooding with tears. “You can’t do that!”

Bash pulled out his cell phone and pressed one button before placing it to his ear as Morgan watched in horror. She fought him for that phone, but one hand pushed her away. She fought harder. Reaching for it.