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“I did, too.”

My truck pulled around first. Before I could step towards it, Lloyd spoke again.

“Kyenna, I meant what I said. I just wanted to spend time with you. There’s no expectation attached to tonight.”

“I appreciate that.”

“Good night.”

“Good night, Lloyd.”

As I drove home, I couldn’t believe I enjoyed another man’s company without disrespecting the man I had married. That was enough for me to ponder on for the rest of the night.

CHAPTER 14

SHAMEEK

This was the fourth time Nikki had called me. I see she got the picture that I wasn’t about to chase her ass. All the back and forth was not what I wanted with her. I loved her, and I didn’t understand why she could not understand what I did for a living and how sometimes I had to move with the money.

Nikki: Shameek can you answer the phone.

Nikki: I’m sorry.

Nikki: I overreacted

She called again, and this time I answered.

“Nikki, let me say this before you start. I don’t need any added stress right now. It’s major shit goin’ on, and if that’s what you’re ‘bout to do, then hang the fuck up, please.”

“I’m not calling to cause any drama. I wanted to let you know I was wrong, and yes, I did know what I was getting myself into when we started messing around. I just thought by now you would’ve outgrown it.”

“It’s not something that just goes away, Nikki. This operation has funded our family for generations.”

“I get it.”

“Do you?”

“I do, and I’m sorry.”

“Aight, I gotta go. We can talk later.”

“Okay. I love you.”

“I love you, too,” I told her before hanging up.

I hung the phone up and walked back into the warehouse where I had a nigga tied up. While everyone thought I wasn’t doing anything about Rah’s murder, I was. The shit wasn’t an easy task because no one was talking, but when even the slightest whisper happened, I was on their ass. He had just woke up from me knocking him unconscious with my gun.

“Glad to see you can join me.”

“Shameek, man, what the fuck you got going on?” He moved around in the metal chair.

I had his ass tied all the way around, so if he got up, he was going to hit the concrete floor still in the chair.

“I got word that you’ve been runnin’ yo’ mouth ‘bout my brother,” I said as I poured lighter fluid on his legs.

“Shameek!”

“Huh?” I said as I lit my blunt and threw the lighter on him.