Page 85 of 10,000 Hours With A Rich Menace

“Both of you need to grow up.” Kora laughed.

I showed them my studio. Me and Kora were hung up on talking about different artists and our favorite pieces, while Landon had grabbed a paint brush and started to paint on a blank canvas. Zoya was on her phone and very uninterested in what we were doing.

“Would you date a man that’s in prison, Stevie?” she asked, as she took a seat on the stool, and watched me.

“I’m about to marry a man that wanted to kill me, so I’m not the best person to give this kind of advice.”

“Very true,” she giggled.

Kora leaned on the counter. “Is this about Gerald? Why don’t you just go and see him… you know that you want to.”

“It’s not as easy though. If Sigel finds out, then that’s issues that I don’t want to have.” She groaned. “Is it so wrong to know how he’s doing… I do have that ticket he never paid.”

“His days are numbered anyway,” Landon tossed over his shoulder.

“Are they?” I asked.

“Who knows when it comes to Menace… I know one thing; I can’t be with him for the long haul. How can I be with someone I can’t even bring around my family?”

“And he has a lot of children, too,” Kora reminded her.

“I don’t even deal with the kids.”

Kora sighed. “Doesn’t matter. You need to stop trying to piss Maverick off. We both know the only reason you choose these guys is because you know it pisses him off that he can’t control you.”

“Helps me sleep at night.” She smirked.

“Dinner should be ready… I’m starving,” I switched the subject as we headed back into the house to eat.

Menace

Highlightof my day was walking in the backyard and seeing Wonder sitting there. When she turned to look at me, there was excitement. Nobody ever got excited to see me, so it was different seeing and feeling someone actually radiate happiness when they saw you.

Lupita cooked a full spread, then made my food to the side. These niggas was eating all kinds of mixed shit. It was hard to even finish my food with the way that Landon was mixing his mash potatoes and green beans together.

I was quiet for most of dinner because my mind was on that nigga Raye. There was nothing I wanted more than that nigga handed to me on a silver platter. Where the fuck would an old roach and his hoe hide?

While I had everybody flipping over every rock, I still had to handle business. Being away from Wonder for two days had my ass tripping out. I never liked staying away from home, but I really didn’t like being away knowing she was here.

We were all in the living room trying to digest the feast that Lupita had prepared. “My mom used to do this when I was younger. Say something nice about someone… let’s all say something nice about Maverick.”

“I love how organized and structured you are,” Wonder started first, and I kissed her on the cheek while she looked at everyone else.

“One of the realest niggas I’ve met… always down for some shit,” Corleon added, and I smirked and nodded my head.

“Loyal. The most loyal person I know and committed. Living the way you do is a damn commitment,” Jeffie laughed.

Wonder looked over at Zoya. “Zoya, say something nice about your brother.”

She looked at Wonder. “Are you going to make us become a family that shares feelings and hugs?”

Wonder giggled. “Hugs are the best… come on, Zoya. You surely have something to say nice about your brother.”

“He’s not rubbing his hands like Birdman.”

“Um, okay, that seems nice.”

“Wonder, where the fuck was that nice?” I pulled her onto my lap, and she laughed while looking over at Zoya.

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