Page 9 of Hood Legacy

“Just August, Lulu, and some of the other kids.”

“That’s not a date,” I kissed my teeth.

“We know that, but Deuce is going to see August and be ready to cause hell,” she whispered. “I’m going to need help.”

“Call one of your cousins.”

“Like who?” she replied with a laugh. “Every single one of them will egg Deuce on, and you know it.”

I bit my bottom lip as I thought about what she said, knowing she was right. Not one of the DeCortes was going to be on Faylin’s side. The men would be ready to go to war over her going out, and the women would laugh at everything. Did we see the hypocrisy of this six-year-old declaring that Faylin was his future wife because if Deuce were a girl and Faylin a boy, we’d be going off? Absolutely, but we also knew that we didn’t acknowledge that Deuce would become more possessive, and no one wanted that.

“Shit, you’re right,” I said with a laugh. I turned onto her block and sighed. “Open the door, I’m pulling up.”

We hung up as I pulled into the driveway and shut off the car. Mercy opened the door, and I shut off my car and got out.

“You know you don’t need that gun, right?” I laughed as I pointed to the gun in her hand.

“Gated community or not, I’m not playing about my safety or yours,” she said with a shrug. “Now, get your ass in here so I have backup against Deuce.”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I’m just here to be fed and entertained,” I said as I passed her. Mercy looked down at me and shook her head.

“I’m going to get a new best friend one day,” she mumbled, and I playfully rolled my eyes.

“One of Xoey’s personalities is probably free,” I laughed as I took off my slides and put them by the door.

“Hard pass.” She closed the door and tucked her gun into the back of her sweats. “You hungry for real?”

“What did you cook?” I asked as we made our way into the open living room. Deuce and Judah were sitting on the couch, playing on their Switches. They looked up at me, set them down, and then came over to hug me before returning to their games.

“Smothered chicken, wild rice, roasted green beans, and a small salad,” Mercy answered as she made her way to the kitchen.

“Make that plate.” I pointed to her, and she nodded and did what I asked. I took a seat on the island and watched as she worked. In college, we spent our free time either on the court or like this, with her cooking and me eating. “Have you seen Hood lately?”

“No, why?” she answered with a shake of her head as she made my plate.

“He looked like something was bothering him when I saw him earlier,” I answered, and Mercy nodded. “He was kind of withdrawn, which isn’t like him.”

“I’ll ask Givens about it tonight.” Mercy put my plate down in front of me, and instantly, my mouth watered. I said a quick prayer and then started to eat. Faylin came downstairs and came directly over to me. She threw her arm over my shoulder and leaned her head against mine. “Hi, niece.” When she batted her naturally long lashes at me, I knew she was going to ask me to do something. “What is it?”

“Distract Deuce?” she whispered, and I immediately shook my head. “Please? I don’t want him to get mad when he sees August.”

“That man is not about to have his parents freezing my accounts if I help you,” I whispered back and tried not to laugh. Cross and Nine Strong would do whatever for their son, and even though it sounded childish, I knew that to prove a point, they would help him make everyone’s life a living hell.

“I just need–” the doorbell rang, and we all turned to look at the front door. Faylin sighed, then turned to Deuce, still playing his game. “Deuce?”

“Yes?” he answered without taking his eyes off his game.

“I’m going out with some friends,” she said, and Mercy and I tried our hardest not to laugh. She didn’t sound annoyed or afraid, more so apprehensive of hurting Deuce’s feelings.

“You need some money?” Deuce stood and dug into his pocket to pull out his wallet. “Take the blue dino card; it has the money I won from playing Krude.”

“I don’t need money, Deuce,” Faylin denied, shaking her head.

Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Mercy make her way to the front door.

Deuce looked up at Faylin with confusion etched into his features. His eyes went from Faylin to the group walking into the house. When his eyes landed on August, he ran his tongue over his teeth.

“Deuce,” Mercy said his name in a warning tone, and he simply nodded his head and retook his seat. I was a little surprised that he gave in so quickly. If I knew him like I thought I did, he’d be showing out sooner or later.

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