Page 76 of Maceo

“I guess I’m chopped liver,” Auntie Karen mumbled.

I giggled. “You know you’re my boo, too, Auntie.” I kissed her cheek. “I’m just grouchy because it was a long night. I’m getting old, man.”

“Baby, you’re only twenty-six,” my mom said.

“Twenty-six, going on twenty-seven, which means I’m almost thirty.”

She rolled her eyes. “You’re so dramatic.”

“I wonder where I get that from.”

She gave me a strong side-eye, then smirked. “Whatever. Let’s just finish shoe shopping, and we can go get something to eat. I saw a pair up front that would be perfect for you. I’m gonna go grab them.”

She walked off, and Auntie Karen followed her. I turned to Salima and crossed my arms.

“All right, spill it.”

“Huh? Spill what?”

“Y’all are up to something. I can feel it in my spirit.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about. My mama wanted to go shopping, and you know Stanley loves me spending his money.”

“Mm-hmm. I’m not stupid, you know.”

“Of course you aren’t. You may be a little paranoid, though. Maybe it’s all that sneaking around you and Maceo were doing. You know Deuce clued me in on everything that’s come up lately.”

I sighed. “Of course he did.”

“This is scary, Sharina. It’s taking me right back to that warehouse.”

Now I felt bad. I knew her getting kidnapped was a traumatic thing. She hadn’t just been taken… She’d also taken a life. That changed a part of her forever. I hadn’t gone that far. Had I pulled my gun out on someone before? Yes. Had I actually shot at someone? Again, yes. But to pull a trigger with the intent to kill?

Nah, I hadn’t been down that road.

I mean, if I had to do it, I would. I wasn’t a scary bitch. While I knew I couldn’t beat everybody and some even had the power and means to end my very existence, I’d never go down without a fight.

“I’m trying to be as safe as possible right now, Salima,” I assured her. I motioned to our security for the day. “Hence the reason Frick and Frack are here. And Smoke is following us, even though he thinks we don’t see his big ass.”

I’d peeped his old-school car lingering around every location we’d been to today. I didn’t bring attention to him, just allowed him to stay “incognegro.”

“You have to tell Aunt Cicely and Uncle Paul what’s going on.”

I shook my head. “I can’t. If I tell them, my daddy is gonna come snatch me up and beat Maceo’s ass. I can’t let him wear all the blame for this, Salima. I knew what I was getting into when I decided to be a ride or die for that man. You know me. If he’d kept this shit a secret any longer, I was gonna follow his ass until I knew what he was up to.”

She chuckled. “I know, with your nosy ass.”

“This will all be over soon, and we can get back to the important things, like planning my wedding.”

“I still can’t believe Maceo proposed without a damn ring.”

I rolled my eyes. “It was an emotional moment, girl. I could have said no, but I didn’t. I’m not sweating it, so y’all shouldn’t either. A ring is coming, and it will be sitting pretty on my little finger.”

“Can I ask you something?”

“Go on.”

“Do you think he would have asked if all this hadn’t been going on?”

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