Page 35 of A Player's Prayer
Her not responding prompted me to be quiet. Amelia looked over to me, unsure of why Zaria hadn’t responded to my threats through the car speakers either. After a few seconds, I figured that she didn’t mean to call me. I was about to press the button on the steering wheel to hang up, but Bear’s voice caused my finger to hover.
“I told you that hoe was never your friend to begin with. As soon as we get the money, I’m killing her and that nigga she calls herself fucking. Throwing eggs at a nigga like a bitch-ass kid.”
“Baby, fuck her. I say we kill her whether we get the money or not.” They went silent before kissing noises sounded. “We can leave while Sed is on the road and start over wherever we decide to go. Maybe Percy was wrong about thinking her dad had money stashed. I mean… if he was as big of a dope dealer as y’all say, she wouldn’t have struggled all these years. She would know about the money by now.”
Is Zaria fucking Bear? Does Sed know?I thought to myself.
I swerved slightly at the revelation before pulling over to a nearby gas station. All this time, was she mad at me because she was fucking him now?
“Zaria, you sound stupid as fuck. Move.” It sounded as if he pushed her. “I’m going to get that money with or without your help. That’s the only reason I started fucking with that girl in the first place. I’ve come too far not to get the shit. Look, call her and see if y’all can link later. I’m going to roll by and see ifshe’s still at the house. I’m going to get that money one way or another. Believe that shit.”
Disconnecting the call, my heart thudded in my chest at what I’d heard. This whole time, they’ve been plotting on me, and I didn’t even know. Was I hurt? Yes, because she was supposed to be my best friend. What confused me the most was the money they spoke of.
“Friend, are you okay?” I jumped when Amelia touched my arm. “What are they talking about? What are you going to do?”
“We need to get back to the house and get our stuff.” I put the truck in drive and left the store doing what felt like one hundred. We weren’t too far from my grandmother’s house, so we should beat Bear if he truly was on the way there. “I don’t feel safe staying there after hearing that, and I’m sure you agree. Let’s leave town, now. I’ll finish handling what I needed to do for my grandma’s house through the neighbors, and we’re out of here after I see my dad.”
The phone call was still on my mind as we pulled into the driveway a few minutes later. All these years of being in my life, the people I felt were family were using me to get to money I didn’t even have or know anything about. Would they actually hurt me for it? I didn’t know, and I damn sure wasn’t giving them the chance to or sticking around to find out.
Thankfully, my visit with my dad is tomorrow, so I can get my ass back to Milly Grove. As much as I miss and want to see him, I now need answers about what I’d heard, so skipping the visit was not an option. I pray that what he says doesn’t cost me our relationship. I’ve lost so much over the years, and I’d hate to lose him too.
“Place your belongings in the basket and step through the detector, please.”
Doing as I was told, I stepped through the metal detector and allowed the security officer to search me. I was finally visiting my dad today at the prison, and I was nervous as ever.
“You will have an hour with the inmate,” the armed guard spoke robotically as he handed my keys and identification back to me. “Keep your hands visible at all times. Have a seat at one of the tables, and he will be out shortly.”
Nodding a thank you, I made my way over to the visitation area with my head down. My father was adamant about me dressing simple, so I was in a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. He didn’t even want me to apply makeup or perfume for this visit. As I sat at the empty table, waiting for him to come out from his cell, I could understand why. This was my first time inside a federal prison, and the inmates were looking at me as if I were fresh meat.
“Adrian would have a fit…” I spoke lowly, laughing to myself. “Stupid-ass nigga.”
As I waited for my father to be escorted out, I allowed my mind to be filled with thoughts of Adrian. After Amelia and I left my grandmother’s house yesterday, I had to beg and plead with her not to tell him about the conversation we’d heard between Zaria and Bear. I didn’t want Adrian involved for several reasons. He was no longer my man, and I didn’t want to put him in any unnecessary beef with everything he had going on with his shoes. I felt it was best that I leave well enough alone for the moment and have a conversation with my father to plan my next move.
“Baby girl.” I snapped my head up at the sound of his voice as he approached the table with open arms. We were both smiling and on the verge of tears. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Daddy! We aren’t supposed to touch,” I said nervously as he pulled me from my seat and into his arms. The last thing I wanted was to get us in trouble, and they ended the visit early. “We can’t hug.”
“I can do what the fuck I wanna do.” He frowned down at me, still holding me in his arms. “I haven’t held my baby since she fell off her bike when she was six years old. They better not fuck with me today.”
Grinning, I allowed the tears to flow as I wrapped my arms around my father’s massive form. My father was a giant and reminded me of Ving Rhames, but way more handsome. From his smooth chocolate skin, muscular build, bald head, and smile that matches mine, I tell my dad all the time that he’s a baddie.
“How are you doing, Dad?” He thumbed my tears away as we took a seat. I guess we were just forgetting all of the rules today. “You look well.” I shoulder-bumped him. “You’re going to drive the ladies wild when you get out of here.”
“Shit, I drive them wild now.” We shared a laugh as he popped the collar on his jumpsuit. “Your old man is doing well.” He nodded, pinching my cheek like he did when I was younger. “You’re so pretty… just like your mother was.” His eyes misted as he stared off. “Anyway, how was your drive here. Is everything still good at the house?”
“The house is good, Dad,” I assured him as I squeezed his hands. “I told you I was going to take care of it until you got out. I was thinking maybe we could rent it out until you come home. The extra money would be good, unless you don’t need it, which leads to my next question. Do you have something to tell me, Dad?”
Although my words and tone were firm, his face was neutral. I’ve never had reasons to believe that my father was holding things from me until less than twenty-four hours ago. I watched as he discreetly glanced over his shoulder before giving his attention back to me.
“Though I’ve been anxious to see you, it’s not the only reason I wanted you to come see me today in person.” I remained silent and allowed him to speak. “It’s no secret why I’m here. I was in the streets heavy, baby girl, and ended up getting caught because of how deep I was. Do I regret it? Partly. But only because it took me away from the most important person in my life.” He tapped my chin, causing me to smile softly. “My hustling made me the most money I’ve ever had.” He peered at me intently as his voice dropped. “I made thousands, baby. I know the money doesn’t remedy the time I’ve lost with you, and I pay for that loss every day of my life. But to know that money wasn’t just thrown away makes me feel like it was all somewhat worth it. It’s almost time for me to get out of here, baby, and I need you to do something for me.”
My heart was beating like a drum in my chest as I waited for him to state his demands. “I’m not selling any drugs, Dad. I love you, but I’m not doing that.”
“I wouldn’t dare ask you to do it either!” he all but shouted before getting serious. “I always knew there was a chance that I would end up here one day, but I’d hoped I would leave that life alone before it happened. When you were born, I would give your grandmother money to place into a trust that I’d set up when your mother died. When I was locked up, I had over a million dollars stashed that onlyyour grandmother knew about. Thankfully, she was able to access the cash and place it in the trust as well. With interest over the past twenty years, I know that we will be sitting nicely when I’m out.”
Reeling from his words, I said nothing and let it sink in. Not only was he technically a millionaire, but Zaria and Bear knew it somehow.
“So, it’s true…” I spoke to myself as the tears welled in my eyes. “They are willing to kill me for that money.”
