“It’s the way of things. Been going on since we brought those spooks over from Africa. You keep that shit as an extracurricular activity and stay pure at home,” Mouth states.
“Pure? What does that even mean? You know how many different things we have swimming in our veins. By now, most people are a petri dish,” I say.
“Not us,” Mouth retorts.
“You willing to do a DNA swab to back that backward ass thinking up?” I challenge.
“Don’t need a stick and a piece of paper to tell me what I already know,” Mouth drawls.
“You still giving Dad shit?” Charm asks coming up beside me.
“What I want to know is why you’re just rolling over and siding with him.”
“’Cause he’s looking out for us, the same as he always does,” Charm replies.
The duh expression makes me want to deck him. I spent my entire life looking out for my brother, and helping to steer him right. Seeing him so unaware has me questioning myself. Did I let this happen on my watch? “No he’s not, he’s spreading his sickness, and you’re too blind to see it,” I say.
“Damn, that brown bitch has really got you by the balls, huh?” he asks.
I step forward. Our chests bump. “You want to say that again?”
“That nigger—”
The world blurs. My hand explodes in pain and he hits the floor, out cold. Hands hold me back. I cease struggling as I realize what I’ve done. The sight of Charm’s limp body sends me into a slow panic.
“Turned you against your own kin! That fucking she-devil,” Mouth howls.
His voice is static in my head. My brain is too full. I shrug off the brothers holding me and scream. Spearing my fingers through my hair, I storm from the building. Shit is hitting the fan so fast, I feel like I’m stuck in a monkey exhibit. I never meant for this to break my family. I didn’t realize my father had his hooks so deep into Charm. And my dumb ass just gave him a reason to cling to him further. I never intended this; to alienate my brother, and cause so much drama. If I start fucking with the mojo at the club, Stone will step in. I need to reconcile this before that happens. But how can I without insulting D’Rose? I pace the length of the clubhouse and back. When did love became something you had to fight a war about?
“What the hell was that, brother?” Butch asks. The President of the Nevada chapter is solid, greying, and stern. His square jaw is tense and his grey eyes are narrowed.
“Family problems.”
“You sure about that? We don’t need any fuck ups on this run,” Butch says.
“Yeah, I’m positive, it won’t spill over.”
“Better clear that with your old man and brother. I get we have to clear the air sometime an
d that involves fists and blood, but this shit runs deeper. Ain’t no mystery what your old man thinks or who you’re dating, news spreads fast.”
“Yeah, I know,” I say sighing.
“Go squash it, Echo. Never had a problem with you, man. I don’t want to start now.”
I nod. “I’m on it, P, just give it a minute to cool down, yeah?”
“Long as it’s done before you ride out tomorrow,” he says.
“It will be.”
He pats my shoulder. “Good man.”
Pulling out my phone I walk to the opposite side of the parking lot. I hit speed dial and wait.
“Hey, babe, how’s the run?” D’Rose asks.
Her voice is a siren’s song making me forget the mess waiting for me. I close my eyes and imagine her face. “Better now.”