“She did. However, I need to come to an agreement with you. Right now, I’m nobody to anybody. I’m not even considered a man, but that’s going to change. When I’m done, my name will be the only name that matters.
“I’ll get you that name you want. In return, I need your help. I want everyone connected to your brother’s death, my mother’s attack, and the motherfucker trying to take all I love, gone. I was told what you do, that will come in handy at the right time.
“In the end, I’ll have more to give you and your family than my mother offered.”
He gives a full belly laugh. “Yuh Ava’s boy aight. Talk big talk like she. Wuh can yuh do for muh? Eh?”
I nod to Jace. You see, I did my research. Kington has a daughter here in the States. The real reason he came over so fast. He had business to handle.
His daughter’s boyfriend tried to use her as a drug mule. She got caught and hasn’t said a word, but the boyfriend has been singing like a canary, blaming it all on her. She’s about to go up for the charges and Kington’s brothers can’t get involved.
“No songbird, no song to sing,” I say as Jace returns with the boyfriend in a gilded box. I open the lid.
“Ohh Rasshole,” one of the other guys says as the contents of the box come into view.
“My offering so you understand who I am. A friend of mine is down at bookings making sure your daughter is released.”
Kington moves closer until we’re nose to nose. “Respect,” he says as he glares into my eyes. “Yer muddah made muh a promise. Yuh make gud on it, we gud.”
He lifts a hand and signals for one of his men to come for the box. Then he pats my cheek and smiles.
“I like yuh. Ava should be proud.”
My phone rings in my pocket. I pull it out and look down at it. It’s Ny again. I ignore the way my heart aches and send the call to voice mail. I don’t want her hurt anymore.
This is no longer her world. In a few months, my mother will send for me and Jace. Ny can live her life as a normal girl. I’ll get her the kill she asked for, but that’s not going to be anytime soon.
Nyla
Sitting in the center of my bed, I hold my phone to my ear, not realizing I’m holding my breath as well. I blink back my tears and wipe under my nose as my call goes to voice mail again. Gio won’t answer my calls and I’m not supposed to go to the house. I pout and toss more things into the box I’m packing.
We’re moving. Elijah has purchased a new house for us. He’s been trying his best. Lizzy whines for Mom and Dad a lot and all I do is mope around.
In my head, I keep playing all the things I could and should have done differently. I had the shot four seconds before I took it. Four seconds made the difference in me being motherless.
“Ny,” Lizzy calls as she stands in my doorway with a teddy bear clutched in her arms.
“Hey,” I reply and force a smile. “You want me to brush your hair?”
She gives me a sad smile and nods her head. I push the box to the floor and wave her over. She comes to the edge of the bed and places her bear down before she grabs the bedspread and pulls herself up onto the bed. I lean to reach for the grease and brush.
I should probably place her hair in box braids. I don’t know when Ava will send for me, and Elijah doesn’t have a clue what to do with our hair.
“I miss Mommy,” Lizzy whispers as she places her head on my thigh. I start to brush and grease the first section of her hair, tears welling up.
She doesn’t remember what happened that day the way it happened. I’ve asked. She remembers seeing Mom and Dad fall and then her memory jumps to Elijah and Gwen arriving. I’m not sure what that means or how I feel about it. She’s so young.
At least we’re getting her to eat more than ice cream these days. It took a month, but she eats Elijah’s cooking now. He’s actually not a bad cook.
“I do too. We’re going to get through this. I need you to be a big girl for me. Be strong. Elijah is here to help. Okay?”
“Okay.”
I talk to my little sister until I’ve greased and brushed all her hair. She falls asleep in my lap by the time I get to the other side. When finished, I place her on my pillow and climb off the bed.
Moving to the window seat, I try calling Gio again. Again, my call goes to voice mail. I don’t hang up this time.