Page 14 of Deuce

“I didn’t invite you over, so you don’t have to stand anywhere. This is private property.”

“Do I really look like I’m trying to hear that?”

“Do you know what kind of night I’ve had? I was held at gunpoint not even halfway through my first shift. I had to listen to a room full of people lose their lives. Albeit they deserved it, but a life is a life. I was arrested and questioned for hours. I’m literally just getting home. I’m hungry, I’m tired, and once again I’m jobless. And now… after all that, I have to deal with you.”

I stared at her for a moment. Gone was the fear from last night. That attitude… I kinda liked that shit. Maybe she wasn’t the weakling I thought she was.

“Do you know who I am?” I asked.

“Wow. That’s pretty arrogant. No, I don’t know who you are and I don’t care. You’re on my property now, so if I shoot your black ass, I’d be justified.”

“First off, you’d never get the drop on me like that. Second. Pipe down, baby. That fuckin’ vein in your forehead is gon’ pop out.” I took a seat on the couch. “Come sit down and let me rap to you right quick.”

“Did he just make himself comfortable on my couch? Am I tripping?”

I chuckled. “You always talk to yourself?”

She frowned. “Muthafu?—”

“Salima… sit down.”

She crossed her arms. “Whatever you have to say to me, you can say it while I’m standing.”

I shook my head. “Fine. Look, I’m sorry you lost your job. I know shit’s gotta be tough around here with your moms being out of work.”

“How did… who told you that?”

“Don’t worry about that.”

“Don’t worry about it? You showed up at my house unannounced and uninvited and I’m not even sure how you got my address. And now you’re telling me personal informationabout my mother. What the fuck do you mean don’t worry about it? Who the hell is feeding you information on me?”

“Oh, baby, nobody has to feed me anything. I can have access to any part of your life in a matter of minutes.”

“I think it’s time for you to go. I don’t feel safe with you here.”

I chuckled as I stood. “Baby, the safest place inyourworld is with me.”

I walk toward the door and reached into my back pocket. This damn girl took cover behind the couch.

“Please don’t shoot!”

“Woman, nobody’s gonna shoot you. Get your ass up off the floor.”

She peeked over the couch. “What are you reaching for?”

I shook my head as I pulled her phone and the band of hundred dollar bills from my pocket and placed them on the table beside the door.

“Something to keep you afloat until you find a job. Have a good day, Miss Navarro.”

I opened the door and went to walk out, but she stopped me.

“Wait!”

I turned back to see her easing from behind the couch. Slowly, she walked over to me and picked up the money.

“What’s the catch?”

“The catch?”

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