Smooth Play (Brooklyn Monarchs 2)

Wade slammed his hand against the door. Andrea felt the impact shoot from her palm all the way to her elbow. It reverberated in her shoulder. She held on despite the pain.

“Get your things. Now.” Wade’s tone was just short of a roar.

Several of the surrounding apartment doors opened in response to the noise. Andrea’s cheeks heated with embarrassment, but the additional witnesses increased their protection.

In her peripheral vision, Andrea saw Faith step forward. “Faith, take Tiff to her room.”

Faith hesitated. “But—”

“Please.” Andrea kept her attention on

Wade. He pushed against the door, trying to force his way in without her neighbors noticing.

The elderly lady across the hall called out to them. “Is everything all right, Andrea?”

Andrea locked eyes with Wade. “We have the situation under control, Mrs. Garrard. He’s not coming in.”

Faith scooped the little girl into her arms. “Come on, baby.”

Tiffany reached for her mother, wiggling in Faith’s arms. “I want to stay with my mommy.”

Faith sighed as she carried Tiffany to her room. “So do I, baby. So do I.”

Constance stepped forward. She grabbed the doorknob from Andrea’s hold and confronted her bully. She pitched her voice so the neighbors could hear her. “We don’t want any part of you. Sign the divorce papers and get out of our lives.”

Andrea blinked. Now that her cub was out of harm’s way, the tigress had unsheathed her claws. Andrea stood beside Constance, preparing herself for Wade’s response. She could only hope it wouldn’t be a physical one.

“Young man.” Mrs. Garrard’s voice carried from across the hall again. “I’ve called the police. Get away from that door.”

Andrea clenched her fists. The situation was spinning out of control. When she didn’t think it could get any worse, two tall, broad shadows settled in front of her door. Troy and Serge stood in the hallway outside of her apartment. They were burdened with paper grocery bags.

Serge looked from Wade to Constance. “What’s going on?”

Wade glanced over his shoulder, raising his chin to meet Serge’s eyes. “Who are you?” His tone wasn’t quite as belligerent now.

Serge arched his brow. “Serge Gateau. Who are you?”

“Wade Street. Connie is my wife.”

Andrea watched the ice collect in Serge’s gaze. His arms flexed around the grocery bags. Constance must have spoken to Serge about the circumstances of her failed marriage.

“I’ve filed for divorce.” Constance’s tone was firm. “Wade’s leaving. Now.”

Troy stepped closer. “You heard the lady. Don’t let us keep you.”

Wade’s gaze traveled from Troy to Serge. He wouldn’t be able to bully them. He looked at Mrs. Garrard and the other neighbors watching from their doorway.

He returned his attention to Constance and Andrea. “This isn’t over.”

Serge moved closer to Wade. “Make no mistake. This is indeed over.” His voice was low, but the threat was clear.

Wade glared a moment longer at Serge. There was uncertainty in his blue eyes. He was a big man, but the NBA player had almost a foot on him and was in much better shape. Perhaps that’s what convinced the bully to turn and stomp away.

Constance pulled the door wider. Troy and Serge crossed into the apartment as doors shut up and down the hall.

Troy’s gaze touched both women with concern. “Are you all right?”

Constance gave him a shaky smile. “Yes, thank you.”