Page 39 of Tainted

“This isn’t the time or place,” Brandy gritted.

“Maybe another time. I need to get ready for the race.”

“Please do because I will need Nana’s money tonight,” I reminded him.

Jewel’s jaw dropped while Brandy moved from hanging on Otto’s neck to standing before him like the Secret Service.

“You’re doing way too much!” Brandy complained.

“You’re not doing enough! You let that nigga play you, but not me and definitely not Nana.”

“Watch your mouth! You just got here! Brandy has been doing this shit long before you showed up.”

“Oh, this isn’t the first time you’ve tricked up Nana’s money. Please, tell me more,” I demanded, cupping my hand behind my ear.

Brandy stepped up, whispering through tight lips.

“What is wrong with you?”

“Don’t say shit to her, Brandy. If she keeps running off at the mouth, my cousin gon’ see ‘bout her,” Otto threatened.

“Chill out. That’s my fuckin cousin!”

“Send whoever, and after I dog walk her ass, you’ll still be a broke ass nigga!”

“Bitch you don’t know me! I’m not the one to play with,” Otto threatened, rising from the car he was leaning against. Brandy’s hands flew to his chest, trying to push him back.

A deep baritone, “Aye!” blared, and Kenyon emerged wearing hooded brows and irritation until he looked at me.

“Hey, Keyes,” Jewel sang, her pinky nail hanging between her teeth, but he was too busy playing mediator.

“Don’t you have a race to get ready for?”

“I was trying to, but this bitch is running her mouth!”

“Chill, Otto! Stop calling my cousin out of her name!” Brandy defended, but I was already charging toward him.

“Yo’ mama’s a bitch. I guess that’s where you get it from!”

“Bring your little ass over here.” That tattooed hand jerked me into Kenyon’s side before focusing on Otto. “That’s not how you talk to women. Apologize.”

Otto didn’t feel I deserved one, but Kenyon’s authority trumped what Otto thought.

“Sorry.”

“Get ready for the race,” Kenyon snapped his fingers, and when I didn’t move, he grabbed my arm. Everybody was staring at him, guiding me to a black sedan.

Kenyon used the hood as a chair and crossed his arms, staring at me. He watched me like he was waiting for me to calm down.

“Is it some food or something out here?” I asked, turning from side to side, but all I saw were people and cars.

I should’ve stopped and grabbed something, but I was so eager to get answers from Brandy that’s all I could think about until Kenyon’s muscular frame leaned inside the window and grabbed a food bag.

“If you’re nice, I’ll share.”

“I’m not in the mood for games tonight, Kenyon.”

“Guess I’m not sharing,” he shrugged.

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