Between the Lines

27

The front door swung open, and her father, Kay, appeared, his eyes immediately widening as he took in the sight of his daughter in Darius's arms. His protective instincts kicked in, and his voice came out rough, angry. "What the fuck happened to my daughter?"

Kimora's body trembled as she clung to Darius, afraid of what was coming next. "Nigga speak? The fuck you do to my daughter?"

She couldn't stop the words that slipped out of her mouth, her voice weak and pleading. "Dad he didn't do anything." She barely managed out.

"Get in the house. What's wrong princess?" Kay spoke out, taking her free hand to get into the house but she pulled back slightly.

"I want him with me," she whispered, her voice cracking as tears continued to fall. She turned to Darius who still had a worried look on his face. "Can you stay with me for a bit please?" She said making him nod yes with quickness.

Kay looked at her, irritated, but as he saw the desperation in her eyes, he softened. He helped Kimora inside and wrapped a blanket around her. Ari and Kairo appeared, concerned and confused, but Darius sat by her, explaining what had happened.

"What happened man?" Kairo asked Darius, just as confused as everyone else.

"I found her outside, having a panic attack," Darius explained, his voice firm but gentle. "She ran into her ex she said. I couldn't leave her alone."

Darius's curiosity grew louder seeing everyone's facial expression change at the mention of her ex.

Kay's expression softened as he processed the situation. He didn't fully trust Darius, but right now, he could see that his daughter needed him, and he didn't question it.

Kimora curled up on the couch, still trembling, her body cold but trying to warm itself under the blanket. She closed her eyes, her head resting against Darius's chest as he sat beside her, offering the only comfort he could. Kay watched the interaction with suspicious, and so did Kairo considering they both knew different sides of Darius and didn't even know it yet.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "Thank you for not leaving me."

Darius held Kimora close, letting her breathing slow against his chest as the weight of the night settled on everyone in the room. The silence was thick, filled with unspoken thoughts and emotions.

Kennedy rushed down the stairs, her hair a mess, eyes wide with concern as soon as she saw Kimora curled up next to Darius. "What the hell happened?" Her voice was sharp, but beneath it was panic. "I missed her call—I didn't even see it until just now."

"She ran into Vincent," Kay said simply, his voice tight. Kennedy's face immediately dropped, her stomach twisting at the mention of him.

Kennedy kneeled in front of Kimora, brushing damp strands of hair away from her sister's face. "Kim, baby, talk to me," she whispered, rubbing her arm gently. But Kimora only stirred slightly, her eyes heavy from exhaustion. She was too drained to relive it all again.

Kennedy swallowed hard, guilt crawling up her throat. She reached for Kimora's hand, squeezing it. "I'm so sorry I didn't answer," she whispered, guilt thick in her voice.

"Where this happened at?" Kairo's voice finally broke through the tension. He had been standing beside his dad with his arms crossed, watching Darius carefully. His face was unreadable, but his eyes were sharp, analyzing everything.

Darius met his gaze. He knew Kairo was skeptical. He didn't blame him. "I was in the area, seen her leaving a cafe."

Kennedy looked up at Darius, really looking at him for the first time. "Thank you for bringing her home," she said softly.

Darius kept rubbing slow circles on Kimora's back, his touch steady as her breathing slowly evened out. The tension in her body melted away, and before long, she was asleep against him. Kennedy watched silently, her usual skepticism softened by the way he handled Kimora with care. Even Kairo, who had been standing with his arms crossed, didn't say anything—though his eyes stayed locked on Darius the entire time.

Kay finally stepped forward, his expression unreadable as he glanced between his daughter and Darius. "I'll take her to bed," he said gruffly. Darius hesitated but eventually shifted, letting Kay scoop Kimora up with ease. She barely stirred, resting against her father's chest as he carried her upstairs.

"It's late...do you want me to bring down some pillows and a blanket?" Ari offered. He assumed that she was Kimora's mom.

Darius shook his head, already pushing himself up from the couch. "Nah, I'm good. I should head out." Truth be told, the last thing he wanted was to be around when Kimora's dad came back downstairs, he had already felt the tension, and he wasn't in the mood for that conversation.

Kennedy frowned. "Darius, it's late. Just stay," she insisted, crossing her arms. Ari, still watching him closely, nodded in agreement. "Yeah, no point in leaving when you're dead tired. Besides, My dad's not gonna throw you out, not tonight, at least."

Darius exhaled, glancing toward the stairs as if debating his options. He wasn't scared of Kimora's father, but he also didn't feel like dealing with whatever lecture would come his way. Still, with both sisters staring him down, he sighed in defeat and sank back onto the couch. "Fine."

Ari gave him a small reassuring smile before heading upstairs. As Ari rummaged through the closet for spare blankets, Kay leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, his face still tight with frustration. "What we gonna do?" he muttered, his voice low but edged with irritation. "This dumb ass white boy bold as fuck, and now Kimora messing with a nigga from the block?"

Ari sighed, shaking out a blanket before turning to face him. "Kay, not right now," she warned, keeping her voice calm. "Kim just had a panic attack. That's the priority."

Kay scoffed, running a hand over his head. "I get that, but I ain't blind. I know Darius. I'm not cool with him coming to my doorstep." His jaw clenched. "He not just a guy to her, they got something going on."

Ari gave him a knowing look. "And that's exactly why you need to chill. The last thing Kimora needs is you pressing her about him when she's already dealing with Vincent showing up again." She shoved the blankets into his chest. "So, for tonight? Just let it be. Now give these to Darius."

Kay exhaled sharply but didn't argue. He just shook his head, muttering under his breath as he took the blankets and walked back downstairs.