Page 13 of A Toxic Redemption

"What are we talking?" I sighed heavily as I eyed my father. "You're like a construction worker or some shit, right? I mean, how can you help me?"

I admit I don't know shit about my father outside of the fact that he was my cousin's uncle and didn't want me as a kid. My mother never talked about him, and I had no idea about what he was into. Even having him here now was frustrating, and so badly did I want to tell this nigga to leave me alone and stay the fuck away from my mama and me. I don't want having thisnigga around bringing her false hope or resurrect feelings she’s suppressed. I don't want him playing on her mental.

"Let me tell you a few things about your old man." He sat back and threw his arm over the back of my sofa. "I used to be into some wild shit back in my day, anything from selling drugs to murder-for-hire. If it made me money, I did it. After the shit went down with your mother and me, I moved away for a few years to get my mind right. I came back to town a few years later and went legit. I've always been good with my hands and building things, so I founded Monarch Project and Development. I began doing contract work from residential properties before transitioning into commercial. I used my talents to bring a lot of housing and revenue to the surrounding cities and was deemed a community project manager. I was already a self-made millionaire before taking the job, but now..." He chuckled and shook his head. "We don't even have to go there. Between the state and private contracts, along with my own business, I'm doing well. With the connections I've made over the years, my reach is longer than you could fathom."

"You think I care about your money, nigga?" I leaned forward from my spot on the couch and placed my elbows on my knees. "Where the fuck was all that money when my mother was struggling to put food on the table? Keeping the lights on or making sure we had a roof over our heads? Do you think I give a fuck about the shit you're bragging about? That doesn't make you a man, nigga." I stood and hovered over him. "That makes you the bitch I portrayed you to be."

We engaged in a stare-off before he stood to his feet. Standing face to face with me, I could tell he wanted nothing more than to knock my head off my shoulders. He could try it, but I would definitely have his ass laid the fuck out in here.

"Listen to me and listen, good, lil' nigga," he gritted through clenched teeth. "I know I dropped the ball on you and yourmother. Trust me, I live with the karma of what I did every fuckin' day. Despite what you think, I loved your lil' ass. You and your fuckin' mama. Istilllove you and your mama. Understand that if you ever disrespect me again, I will beat your ass the way I should have done when you were younger."

"Nigga, what?" I pulled my Glock from the waistband of my sweats. "You threatening me? You and what army?"

"Army?" He chuckled and stepped to the side. I was facing the window that overlooked the city, so I was confused as fuck by the gesture. "Look down."

After doing so, my eyes were wide in shock. Somehow, there was a red beam pointed directly at my chest.

"I got real shooters around me. The army ain't got shit on me. Now sit your ass down and tell me what we're doing."

For a moment, I stood there in shock about what was going on. I continued looking out of the window because how in the fuck did he do that? This nigga may be more beneficial than I thought.

"Nigga, sit your goofy ass down and talk to your daddy."

I turned at the sound of Bino's voice and frowned, seeing he had his legs kicked on my coffee table. Not only that, but his grown ass was eating my boy's fruit snacks.

"My gut is telling me it was Kaine that shot me," I shared as I retook my seat on the sofa. "That's the only nigga I got beef with, apparently."

"What about Troop?" Jake asked. "That nigga has been out of the way since he stole from us, not to mention since you popped his girl."

"You offed a lady?" My father frowned. "Women have always been off limits, son."

"I offed a hoe." I held my finger up and corrected him. "That bitch tried to set me up, not to mention her pussy was trash."I was disgusted thinking about how hollow her pussy was. That shit was deeper than a wishing well. "She deserved to die."

"Son," my fathered exhaled heavily as he pinched the bridge of his nose, "focus. What do you want to do about your brother? He's a problem that needs to be eliminated before he gets out of hand. I know that's your brother, but he's also your biggest threat."

"Fuck them riddles and shit Unk is talking about." Bino stood from the chair, pulling his pants up with him. "You want to kill that nigga or let him kill you? It's you or him." He eyed me intently, and I knew what he was saying without saying it.

Kaine is my big brother. My flesh and blood. Could I really kill him, knowing what it would do to my mother? I don't know, but what I do know is I'm not letting a nigga take me from my son when I just got him in my life. Looking at the three of them, I knew they were waiting for a response.

"I'm going to choose me every time." I nodded before I turned and gave my attention back to my father. "What do you suggest?"

CHAPTER

FOUR

DEVYN

"Dee, what's up, girl?"Bino greeted me when I stepped inside Kira's house. I swear this nigga thought he was a resident. "What are you doing here?"

"No, B, what areyoudoing here?" I chuckled and turned to him as he closed the door. "Do you not have your own home? Every time I come here, you're over here, opening doors like you pay bills."

"Girl, this is my brother's shit." He pushed me slightly as we headed to the living room. Once inside, I couldn't help but smirk as I watched Khalil engage in a conversation with his son.

KJ is the sweetest and most handsome little boy I've ever met. The day I met him, all he wanted to do was talk about his cheesy noodles andPaw Patrol. When Ms. Khalise found out I owned a bakery, she brought him by, and we've been thick as thieves since.

"Hey, Debin!" His father snapped his head in my direction as KJ jumped from his spot and came running over toward me. "You bring cupcakes?"

"Hey, Bubba." I picked him up and kissed his cheek. "I didn't know you would be here today, or else I would have." I couldn'thelp but smile at his cute little self pouting. "How about you tell daddy to bring you buy one day this week and get you some?"

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