Page 51 of A Kingpin's Weakness
“Because you’re coming home with me.”
“No,” I said quickly. My voice sounded thin.
“You think RJ can protect you from Ronnie and his crew? Ronnie knows where he lives.”
“And you think you can?”
He didn’t flinch. “Tell him to bring your stuff. Or we leaving without it.”
I texted RJ. Two minutes later, he came out with my bags.
“You didn’t even ask why I needed them,” I said, turning toward RJ.
“He don’t play 21 questions like you,” Seth replied, eyes never leaving his screen.
RJ walked up, handed him the bags. “What’s good, Seth.”
“You don’t know how to call me when there’s a problem?” Seth asked.
“Didn’t know it was this outta control.”
“I’m taking her to my house. Ronnie comes here, it’s gonna be a war because you know how Josh is when it comes to his baby brother.”
“Yeah.” RJ nodded.
“She good with me. I’ll dead this.”
RJ pulled me into a hug, holding a little longer than usual. “Call me when you settle. I love you.”
“Love you too.”
We pulled off in silence. The streetlights blurred past the windows like time was skipping. I couldn’t take it anymore. I had to ask.
“How are we gonna handle this?”
“We not,” Seth said, eyes still on the road.
“What?”
“I got this.”
“But it’s my problem.”
“And now your problems are mine.”
“Why?”
He glanced at me like it was obvious. “That’s what happens when you got a man.”
I froze. “I didn’t know I had a man.”
“The streets don’t either. That’s why these niggas keep coming at you sideways.”
“Oh.”
“Yeah, you out here hiding a nigga and shit.”
I burst out laughing. Loud. Ugly. But it was real. Because after tonight? Laughter was the only thing keeping me from falling apart.
