Page 1 of A Toxic Redemption

CHAPTER

ONE

KHALIL “LOON” SIMMONS

November 2022

Pow!

"Oh my gosh!" Mia wailed as she jumped. "Are you fucking crazy? You could've shot me!"

"Back your ass up then." Bino scowled as he kept the gun aimed at the ground. "He told you not to come near him, and your sneaky pussy ass was trying to do it anyway. You better be glad I shot the ground and not those corn husks you call feet."

Unintentionally, I looked down at her feet as I held on to my son. I frowned because in the years we were together, her toes never looked this bad. Baby girl looked as if she's been kicking cinderblocks or some shit.

"Khalil, are you going to let him talk to me like this?" She turned her nose up as she faced me. "I'm the mother of your child and—"

"Bitch you ain't shit to me!" I yelled louder than I should have. KJ was still in my arms and grabbed my neck tighter at my outburst. Being as though I was still clutching my pistol, I handed it to Bino so I wouldn't scare him any more than Ialready have. "I'm sorry, man." I rubbed his back soothingly. "You okay?"

"I'm hungry," he whined and caused us all to chuckle. "Do you have noodles?"

"Noodles?" I drew my head back and smirked as I tussled his curls. "What kind of noodles, man?"

"With cheese, Dada!" he exclaimed as he wiggled out of my arms. "Gotsta have the noodles and cheese."

"Are you talking about macaroni and cheese, baby?" My mother came and squatted beside us. KJ looked at her skeptically as she held out her hand to him. Looking at Mia, who had yet to take her eyes off Bino, my mother reiterated her question. "Is that what he means?"

"Y-yes," she stammered and brought her eyes to mama. "He loves it."

"Well," mama looked back to his curious eyes. "Nana makes the best you've ever had. Come on, sweetie." She held her hand out to him, but KJ was hesitant about taking it. He looked from my mother to me before he wrapped his small hand around hers. "Jake," she glanced at my cousin, "I'm trusting you to not let Khalil do anything crazy." She looked down at Kaine for a moment and shook her head. "Get up and come inside." She looked to the ladies and smiled, "Join me for lunch, girls."

"You stay, Dada?" KJ turned and asked as they walked away. His sad eyes almost broke a nigga down. So badly did I want to tell mama to forget the damn food and scoop him back up in my arms. It's crazy how less than ten minutes ago, I just learned I was a father and now I didn't want him out of my sight.

"I'll be right here, man."

"K!" He gave me a toothy smile before allowing my mother to take him to the food tent. I watched them for a few moments before I gave my attention back to my bitch ass brother and scandalous baby mama.

"I should kill both of you right fuckin' now," I gritted as I stepped closer to Mia. "How in the fuck do you have my whole kid and not let a nigga know? He's almost three fuckin' years old!" I bellowed.

Unable to help myself, I grabbed Mia by the neck and tried to choke the life out of her. She scratched and clawed at my hands as she struggled to breathe. Watching the life leave her eyes caused my dick to swell, and I was pissed when my father came over to interrupt.

"Son, let her go," he pleaded as he tried to pry my hands from her throat. He struggled as he looked to Jake and Bino. "Y'all niggas help me."

"No can do, Unk," Bino whistled as he shook his head. "Personally, I hope the bitch passes out and falls face-first into an ant bed. Send that hoe to hell, cuz."

"Jake," my father begged. "Grab this nigga or something. He's going to kill her."

"Unk, this is one time I agree with Bino." He shook his head as if in disbelief at what he said. "Fuck Mia."

"Khalil," Mia's attempt to free herself was slowing down as my grip got tighter. "Please."

"Fuck you—"

"Hey," I felt a soft voice come from behind me as she placed her hand on my shoulder. "I don't mean to pry but don't do this. Not here, not in front of your son."

Glancing over my shoulder, I laid eyes on Lucky's sympathetic ones. Even in this moment, I couldn't deny how beautiful she was. Losing myself in her stare, the grip I had on Mia's neck loosened and caused her to fall to the ground. She coughed uncontrollably and tried to gather herself as best as she could. She'd better stay down there and kiss Lucky's feet if she knew like me.

"Who the fuck is this?" Mia stood and wheezed as she caught her breath. "Are you fucking her or something?"

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