Page 69 of Love me Like XO

“You hear that, Detective? She sounds like she may wanna press charges,” the female spoke toward the door to a man I didn’t even know was there. He’d been hiding in the shadows.

He chuckled. “Good.” Then he stepped forward and I remembered his face. I didn’t know where I knew his face from, but he looked familiar.

He must have known what I was thinking because a smile crossed his face. “Givens. From that little mishap you had a few months ago at the club.”

It was then that I remembered. When he recognized my last name and asked me about my connection to Aimes he gave me his card, reminding me numerous times before I left the precinct that of I needed anything I could call him.

“Detective Givens… Why are you here?”

“Because you’re going to help us get rid of Zero and Malik for good.”

Chapter 13

End of Time

ZERO

Idon’t know why I allowed Asha and Empress to talk me into coming to see Amia. Blood or not, she chose a side that wasn’t mine. She chose a nigga over me and that type of shit would never be forgiven nor forgotten.

“I’m not asking you to forgive her, or even speak to her after this. Just listen to what she has to say.” Asha looked at me sympathetically as we stood outside of our sister's hospital room.

I shook my head because this was the shit I didn't like. Amia didn't shoot Asha. She shot me. So I’m supposed to look over that? "For what she did, most motherfuckers would be dead by now. She's lucky Malik shot her and not me. I would have aimed for the space between her eyes,” I said that last part low enough for only my sister to hear in the crowded hallway.

“I know, Zero, and you have every right to feel how you feel. She shot you.” Asha looked like she was being pulled in two different directions. She didn't have to be, though. She just needed to stop trying to save Amia. Shorty was fucked up andthere was nothing we could do about it. She was her mother's daughter.

“Not to mention she took part in what happened to Empress. I could have lost everything that day.”

“I hear you. I swear I do. Can we just get this over with? And then we can go.” She was pleading with me because I stopped right before we walked into the room, questioning why I was even fucking here. Why I had allowed her and Empress to talk me into coming up here. Especially because I had more important things to be thinking about.

Without another word, Asha opened the door to the hospital room. There pitifully Amia lay in the bed, staring at the TV. Immediately when we entered, her eyes left the TV and they landed on Asha, then me. When our eyes locked, she quickly looked away. It was like I didn't even know who was laying in that hospital bed. The being in the bed was no longer my little sister. It was just a reminder of the day I almost lost everything, which sent a pain through my body that lingered in the spot she shot me on my side.

“You not talking to me, Ro?” Amia asked in a babylike tone. It was obvious she didn’t know the severity of the situation, so this childlike attitude was her way of testing my temperature. This was that manipulative shit she always pulled.

“Asha get this shit over with so I can go home.” I looked dead at my sister.

“So, that’s just it? You’re done with me over somebody who ain’t our blood. Shouldn’t I be mad? Malik shot me.” She pointed to her chest where I felt the bullet should’ve been a little further over.

I chuckled. “And there you go. You ain’t the victim, Amia. You fucked up, and instead of admitting that shit, you’d rather lay up here and play like you’ve been wronged. Damn shooting me, what the fuck has Empress ever done to you?”

“You think that bitch is so perfect. That’s what she did to me. You look at her like she’s the fucking light of your life and you put her on a fucking pedestal. Both of y’all did. Benson was all over the fucking place trying to get this bitch to pay him some fucking attention. She ain?—”

“So, you’re jealous of a female who doesn’t even payyouany attention.”

“I didn’t do anything to her. Did I enjoy the show? Yeah. Shit it was funny watching that car flip.” Amia laughed like a crazy person. “Did she make it?”

I was about to speak, but Asha beat me to it.

“What the fuck, Amia? Is this really who you are?”

I shook my head because I was over this bullshit. “Yep, it’s who she is. It’s also who she’s gonna be. Shorty don’t want nobody happy if it ain’t her, and I see that. You used to tell me the lil’ shit she used to do with yo’ husband and I swear I didn’t see it. Now I do. I’m through with it and I told you before I’m washing my hands wit?—”

“It’s just that easy to turn your back on me. I’m your own blood.” Amia was now back in character.

“You shot yo’ blood, too, Amia. Or did you forget about that part?” Then I looked over at Asha, before I spoke. “Don’t call me ‘bout her no more. I’m through.” I was out of the door in seconds.

When I reached my car, my first call was to Empress to check on her and my kids. She wasn’t the type to tell me she was in pain so I had to ask her and nearly badger her to see what or how she was feeling. Her answer would determine whether I was heading to the bar or not. I had some shit I knew needed to be handled. I could put it off, but with the legitimacy of the bar I liked to keep all of that squared away. I didn’t like things unhandled.

“Yes, baby daddy,” she answered. She knew I hated that shit, so that’s why she did it.

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