Page 136 of Deuce

“Open it,” she said firmly.

“What the hell is this?”

“Open the fucking box, Stanley!”

I frowned as I lifted the lid. Inside was a gold Cuban link chain resting on top of a black note with gold letters. It read:

Dear Daddy,

I may just be a bump, but I love you more than you’ll ever know. Keep this close to your heart until I can meet you and rest in your arms.

Love, Kisses, and Kicks from Mommy’s Tummy

Ilooked up to find Salima glaring at me.

“That fact that you think I would ever hide or abort your child is like a slap in the fucking face.” She shoved me hard. “I wanted to surprise you, asshole!”

“I’m sorry?—”

“You should be fucking sorry, Deuce! You know me better than that! Why would I do some bird shit like that! I love you!”

I sat on the bed and beckoned her to me. She refused, standing firm when she stood.

“Come here, Salima.”

When she wouldn’t move on her own, I reached out and gently pulled her between my legs.

“I’m sorry, mama. The thought of that fucked me up for a minute.”

“I would never do that to you, Deuce. I would give anything to have my father back. There’s no way I could ever keep my child from theirs. How could you even think that little of me?”

“I apologize. You’ve been having these symptoms and refusing to go to the doctors. I sat in my head about that shit, and it got the best of me, baby. I was fucked up for coming at you like that. It won’t happen again.”

She looked at me for a moment before straddling my lap and wrapping her arms around my neck, hugging me tightly. When she pulled back, she kissed me softly.

“You really having my baby?” I asked, gripping her ass.

She giggled. “Yes, I’m having your baby and I’m beating ass if they act anything like you.”

“Bullshit. My lil’ nigga is gon’ be a G and my baby girl is gonna be a no limit soldier.”

“No, the fuck they aren’t. They will be respectable?—”

“Until they are disrespected. I’m not raising no soft ass kids. They will be Dillingers. Their last name will always have a muthafucka thinking they can try them. They don’t have to start shit, but they damn sure better finish it.”

“Oh, they are gonna love you at parent-teacher conferences,” he said sarcastically.

“As long as nobody is trying my kid, I’ll be cool. I can do school activities, field trips, and all that shit.”

“You are gonna scare those kids.”

“I bet those lil’ bastards won’t act up.”

“Oh, my God.” She shook her head. “I guess I’ll be apologizing on your behalf.”

“No, you won’t and if I catch you doing that shit, it’s gonna be me and you.”

Her hand clasped around my throat, and she looked down at me with a smirk.

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