Page 21 of Truth

“He said he was on his way.” I looked at my watch. He was over an hour late since they were told to be here more than an hour ago. “Want me to call him?”

“Naw.” I needed to get back inside to the fiery beauty upstairs who peeked through the window. She quickly closed them andstepped away. Her shadow grew dim, causing me to chuckle. She was pissed Germ was here I’m sure, but like it or not, Germ was family and up next to become a Saint Rider.

“Alright, y’all. Keep your head on the swivel. No moves are made except I call it,” I reminded them, my eyes fastened to Brick’s. That cocky motherfucker smiled. “Breeze, good job, and make sure someone’s on that door at the hospital.”

“Lupe’s up next. Him and Krystian.”

“Alright then.” We dapped each other as the brothers began to depart when Germ approached me. That nigga could handle himself. I’ve watched him put in work. If he was in his feelings about his sister, I was prepared to stand my ground. I knew he could protect her. He didn’t need too though. The way I saw it, she was mine to protect when they came for me with her around. She could’ve been killed and there’d be no stopping me. The streets would have to bleed.

“What’s up, Germ?”

“She’s good?”

He tucked his lips, his chest heaving as he waited for an answer. Before he came over, he told me a little about their upbringing and her desire for him to go off to art school. I understood. Like I wanted better for Alix, she wanted the same for him.

“You know I got her though. She can come home.” Crazy thing was, my shit didn’t feel like home but the sound of it gave me a peace knowing she was inside.

“I can’t allow that. Not right now, but you’re welcome to come through. Holler at her before you leave.”

We slapped hands before he made his way inside. I sat out back and stared at the sunset. The orange and red bands bleeding into the evening sky most people thought was beautiful. Not me though. I hated when it became nighttime. I didn’t sleepwell. Never did after my mother died, and now with Gen being hurt, that shit grew worse.

After I smoked out back and ran every scenario in my head as to who wanted to fuck with us and why, I came up with nothing. For twenty years, shit had been silent. Sure, we had our rumbles over the years about territory or stepping on each other’s toes when it came to how we took care of the brotherhood and families, but we settled our differences for the most part.

I made my way inside, and before I could head to my room to shower up, I couldn’t help but want to see Merci. That kiss, the touch of her delicate fingers gliding down my dick and the way she hopped on that bike had me wanting to be around her. I kind of enjoyed that fucked up banter-like energy. It was also a way to hide how I really felt about her. I didn’t know much but what I knew was that she was loyal, and she rode for hers. That was more than enough in the life we lived. Before I could, Auntie Myanne voice called out to me, snatching me from my thoughts.

“Yeah, Auntie?”

“I asked is there anything you need, Emric?” she whispered. I could see the concern in her eyes, heard it in her voice. “Germaine’s gone. Said he’d hit you up later about this arrangement with his sister.” I nodded. I hoped he wouldn’t, and if he knew what was best for him, he’d stand down and listen to me. The decision was final.

“Naw but thank you.”

“Mhmmmm. Here.”

She handed me a few wipes to clean my hands and mouth. Angry or not, I could tell she was worried more than she cared to share. I expected that since she was the only mother figure we had. No questions asked, she stepped up and moved in to tend to Genny and Alix. Gen was ten and Alix was just a baby. He was the only one that heard stories about our mother. Brick waseighteen, and I was nineteen, young but forced to step it up, and step it up we did. Poor Auntie Myanne was sick of our asses.

“How is she?”

I cleared my throat, cleaning my hands from Breeze’s stupid ass. I’d scraped my damn hand, even forearm when I looked a little closer.

“Physically or mentally?” she whispered, covering my hand with hers.

“Both.”

I could manage the physical. Mental not so much, but I knew. I knew from the first time I laid eyes on her. She couldn’t tear her eyes away from me, even though they were filled with skepticism. Underneath that she wanted to know more. I won’t lie; I did too. The other bitches in there cackled, fighting for me to glance their way or a toss of the head. Not Merci, and that made me want her even more.

“She’ll be fine. I gave her a shot for that shoulder. Saw some inflammation.” She smiled.

“A firefighter. Has to have a lot of heart to do that job. She knew exactly what I was doing and even told me how much to give.” She snickered. “I like her, but…”

She sighed and took a seat next to me.

“Baby, mentally… she’s not good. It took some time to get her to calm down to undress and get in the water to bathe her. Then she fell asleep and woke up in a panic. More has happened to her than what happened today. A woman like that has a lot to unpack… lots of layers. Whoever wants to carry what comes with her has to have patience and huge arms.”

“Tell me about it.”

She playfully popped my arm, and I winced. Her and fucking Breeze.

“Oh, stop it.” She waved me off before I kissed her on the cheek. “Don’t,” she warned me.

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