Page 35 of Truth

“Yeah, Beast.”

He opened his arms, and for a split second, I hesitated. Those were the same arms that hugged me as a child, told me I’d forever be safe, and wouldn’t need for shit. Well, he was wrong. Money or not, club or not, it was in that moment I knew I needed my father.

“Hey.” He pulled me in and placed his hand behind my head. He was taller than me, which meant he was easily six foot six. “I really missed you, Junior. So much.”

Only he and my mother called me that. I nodded. I wasn’t strong enough to say it, but I missed the fuck out of my father.

“Let’s have a seat,” he whispered. I took in his orange suit and size fourteen state-issued tennis shoes. He didn’t look a day over forty, even though he was sixty-two. His salt and pepper hair was lightly waved and cut with a fresh tape. He smelled of soap and a splash of cologne.

“Can’t show a motherfucker too much affection.”

He eased down on his chair, eyeing the correctional officer who quickly looked away.

“Scary bitches,” he muttered.

I laughed. He still ran shit I see. It was a prison, but I wasn’t surprised. He had that aura about him.

I took my seat, unsure of what to say or where to start. It had been easily two years. The last time was after Alix graduated from high school. The first person he wanted to show his diploma to was our father. Before the visit was over, he pulled me and asked me the stupidest shit. That’s when I knew Alix saw Beast through a different lens and a lens that could end up getting him killed. He fucked with gaming, but I knew Alix—he wanted to be like Beast. He wanted to be known and praised by the streets and feared. It seemed good until you stood over your mother’s grave at nineteen with a hole in your heart.

“Elias still being hard headed?” he probed, lightening the mood.

“He is, but he’s come a long way. He shows up, puts in work, and handles business. Sometimes, he moves alone and does shit that I want to fuck him up for, but his heart’s in the right place.”

“He’ll follow your lead, Emric. Just gotta speak to that man inside of him. He still finding his way, and when you cut him off, he gets frustrated. It’s in both of you. He just needs time to let that bullshit he falls prey to like pussy not be his outlet. There’s more to pussy than pussy. There is love, too. You both deserve that. Don’t discount it. It makes being out there on the streets a softer landing when you make it home.”

I couldn’t disagree with that since I liked knowing Merci was there, but until I could figure my own shit out, it was pointless to take her down that road. I wasn’t sure she was built for it anyway.

“And Genny? I heard about the explosion.” His jaws tightened as he squeezed his eyes, then opened them. “I call from time to time. I don’t need to ask. I know you’re on it or it’s handled, correct?”

“Hells Devils,” I whispered then looked around.

All occupied ears didn’t mean they weren’t ear hustling. Motherfuckers from all walks of life were in here with family. Some were grimy as fuck. The whispers and their eyes looking our way told me they knew who my father was, and more importantly, they knew me. For all I knew, once I showed up, they probably had plans to set my ass up. I was paranoid as fuck. I could tell Beast noticed it.

“I have a detail on you when you leave… You should know me by now.” He laughed. “As soon as I saw you, the word went out.”

I tucked my lip and nodded, a smile threatening to form. Beast still had it.

“You should know don’t shit move around here without me knowing or authorizing it. This place has a few Saints, son. Well, more than a few. I stay out of your way because I know I fucked it up, but I’m a natural leader.”

“Couldn’t help yourself, huh?”

“Naw.” He pointed to the right of us and tipped his head. “That’s Stoney. See that tattoo on his arm? Saint Rider, son.”

Stoney looked at me, pumped his chest once with his fist, and greeted me.

“What’s up, bro?” I reached over and quickly dapped him up.

“Then by the vending machine with two little girls and the woman?”

I sat up and looked past the woman. He was old as fuck for her to be so young. Beast already knew what I was thinking.

“Aye, that’s Cornbread. He likes them young, but she’s legal.”

My father whistled. It wasn’t loud, but it was loud enough to get his attention. Cornbread lifted his head with dipped brows until he saw me and my father. He smiled and pumped his chest once with his fist. I returned the gesture.

“A few others are in the back, but you’re good. As soon as you are on that road, ain’t no one fucking with you, son. I know it’s been some time, and I understand why you pulled away. You did what was best. When I left, Elias, Genny, and Alix became your responsibility. Myanne had to make me respect it, even though you busted my fucking balls when you cut off my supply.”

“Would you rather it be me in here too?”

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