Page 16 of A Kingpin's Weakness
“No, thank you. And aren’t you with Jo?”
I asked because there was no way in hell he got I mess with both mother and daughter vibes from me.
“Jo and I are just friends,” he said with a shrug.
“Oh. Okay. Well my Uber’s here.”
I practically ran out the damn house, because both of them had me messed up.
Jo really sat there and gave that man theimpressionI’d be interested in him?
He was damn near twice my age. And one of the reasons my brother was laid up in a hospital bed. Besides, Noah being hardheaded as hell, Ronnie played a part in all this. And now he wanted to get to know me? Yeah. Absolutely not.
It took the Uber 45 minutes to get to Ms. Serena’s place. She was clearly doing well for herself, the estate we pulled up to wassomething out of a movie. Long driveway, trimmed hedges, even a fountain. Nothing like the houses back in the hood. This was a whole different world.
I gave her a call when we reached the gate, and she opened it without hesitation. I stepped out and made my way up the driveway, the late afternoon sun casting long shadows ahead of me. Serena stood at the door, arms open, smile warm like she'd been waiting just for me. This is what coming home was supposed to feel like. This was the welcome I should’ve gotten from Jo. But instead, we argued. That’s all we ever did.
“Hi, Stormi! Hope you brought your appetite with you,” Serena said as she wrapped me in a hug.
“I think I did,” I said, laughing as my stomach growled at the smell of her cooking lingering on her clothes.
“Well, I cooked fried pork chops, cabbage, peas and rice, mac and cheese, cornbread, and some pound cake for dessert.”
We stepped inside, and she shut the door behind us. The house was beautiful; high ceilings, tall windows, chandeliers hanging low like they were showing off. Modern furniture and bold Black art filled every room.
We made our way into the kitchen, and therehewas again.
Just like the day at the hospital, his outfit of choice was all black. That fitted t-shirt clung to his chest like it was stitched onto him; every muscle and tattoo on his arms were on full display. He went casual with the black joggers, but honestly? They might as well have been gray sweatpants, because his print was out there like it had something to say.
My eyes met his, and I gave the only smile I could muster; small, polite, but my mind was already running.
Was this a setup? Was he trying to trap me here just to collect some money or some revenge I didn’t see coming? I really needed to stop watching all those crime documentaries.But seriously, how was it a coincidence that he was here at Ms. Serena’s house?
I’d met her when I was young. She used to work at the daycare Noah went to. She let me drop him off early before school and pick him up after. Always looked out for me, no judgment, no questions.
So now I’m standing in her home, staring at him, the man who had me all twisted up in my head at the hospital and now again, in her damn kitchen. Yeah. Something wasn’t adding up.
“Stormi.”
His voice pulled my attention back to him.
“Seth.”
I echoed his name, matching his tone, just like he’d said mine moments before.
“Nice seeing you again,” he said, eyes dragging over me like he was taking in every detail.
“You two know each other?” Ms. Serena looked between us, eyebrows lifted just slightly.
“Met Stormi at the hospital the other night,” Seth said, licking his lips before giving me one last glance then finally turning back to Ms. Serena..
“Oh! And this is S3, my grandson,” she said, just as a blur of energy ran into the kitchen holding an Incredible Hulk toy.
The little boy beamed at me, holding out his hand for a shake. His smile? All Seth. The resemblance was uncanny; same eyes, same presence, just a smaller version.
“Let me wash up first. I’ll join y’all in a bit,” Seth said, his voice low and easy as he left the kitchen.
I didn’t say anything back. Just watched him walk away. And I’d be lying if I said I didn’t look.
