He made it sound like she was a porcelain doll that would break if handled too much. She wasn’t looking for a fight, however, so she simply nodded. I’m lucky he didn’t take my car, she thought. Oh shit, my car, she remembered, realizing she had left it in the parking lot of the club. She didn’t want to bring it up. She didn’t need to give Ethic any more incentive to reprimand her.

“Your birthday’s coming up,” Ethic said.

“You’re not canceling my party?” Morgan signed.

“Of course not,” Ethic replied. “Your father threw you a party every year. I still remember when I met you and Raven at your sixth birthday celebration. You were the prettiest girl in the room. Benjamin was proud of you. He was proud of Raven. He introduced the two of you, as if he had his own, personal angels. I wouldn’t break that tradition. I know what it means to you and what it meant to him.”

Morgan nodded and blinked away tears, as she noticed the lights flicker in the house. Every inch of Ethic’s home had been tailored to fit Morgan’s handicap, including the doorbell. A twinge of guilt rushed over her, as she realized how much Ethic truly had done for her over the years. He may not have been her father, but he was the closest thing she had to one. His love for her was forgiving, just like her father’s had been for her sister, Raven. “Thank you,” she signed. “I’ll get the door.”

She pulled open the door in haste and was shocked when Messiah stood in front of her. His dreads were pulled half up off his face and the back hung shoulder length.

Was that a smile? She thought, as she noticed a change in his disposition. It was so slight that she questioned if she had imagined it. His style was always so effortless. Morgan hated the guys from around the way who flaunted everything they had all at once. There was nothing gaudy about Messiah. His effortless cool drew her in. He knew he was paid. He didn’t have to prove it, so he kept his style simple, with jeans, a V-neck and a leather vest. The Rolex on his wrist was all the accessory he needed; no chains, no earrings, just Messiah and the condescending smirk that he seemed to reserve for her. She didn’t know if he found her amusing or if he found her intriguing.

He held up the key to her car.

“Ethic here?” he asked.