Page 5 of Deuce

Pops stood to greet her with a kiss and a slap to the ass.

“Damn,” Kerrion mumbled. Pops threw him a dirty look. “My bad.”

Ms. Maddie shook her head as she picked up the box on the table next to my father.

“Come here, baby,” she said to Mia.

Mia stood and took a stance in front of them. She was about to be presented with three gifts, just as the rest of us had. I chomped on my burger as Ms. Maddie lifted the platinum chain with the family crest emblem from the jewelry box and placed it on Mia’s neck. Next, Pops presented her with another box. She lifted the top, exposing the solid gold beretta that was engraved with her initials.

Mia grinned. “Finally!”

“You be careful with that,” Pops warned. “You shoot when necessary.”

She admired the gun. “I hear you, Daddy.”

“Good. Now, as you know, this is the family compound. This is where we are the safest and you are no exception to that.” Hepulled out a set of keys and handed them to her. “This surprise was intentionally kept from you until it was completed. Find the lot number and you’ll find your house, completed and ready for you to decorate as you wish.”

Mia’s lip trembled. “A house?”

“All yours.”

Mia threw her arms around his neck, hugging him tightly.

“Thank you, Daddy!”

“You’re welcome, princess.” He called his hands together. “Now! It’s time to celebrate. Everybody out back. Deuce, I need to speak with you.”

I groaned internally as everybody left the space. When we were finally alone, Pops occupied the space where Mia had been sitting.

“I have a job for you.”

“What is it?”

“The details are in a file on your desk.”

“You just be going in my house, Pops?”

“Nigga, I built and paid for that house. If I wanna set up camp in that muthafucka, I will.”

I grinned. “I’m just fucking with you, man. You’re always welcomed.”

“I know. But look, this is a delicate job. No casualties outside of your targets, if you can help it.”

I kissed my teeth. “You know how I am when guns get to blazing, Pops.”

“Trigger happy ass nigga. For real, Deuce. This is an underground pedophile ring operating out of a very popular club. You and Mace are tasked with taking out the owner and any participants you find. There may be children there, and I need them unharmed. Take care of your targets. Once you tell me it’s done, I’ll alert the local authorities. In and out.”

“Pops, how the fuck am I supposed to gain access to something like that?”

“Again, it’s all in the file. Read over it tonight?—”

“I have plans tonight.”

He shook his head. “I’m sure you can put off getting your dick sucked.”

“It’s been a long day, Pop. I need more than getting my dick sucked.”

“Just read the damn file. Bring your ass on out here and speak to the family before you leave.”