Page 71 of Body Language
“Yeah,” I managed, keeping my voice steady even though my insides weren’t. “He’s at a tournament. That’s why.”
She nodded, wiping her face, but the words kept spilling.
“My little sister… she saw Hux give me some money yesterday for lunch.”
That made my stomach flip. Yesterday? In Gun Hill? How the hell did Hux even get there and back without me knowing? Mymind started racing, but I bit my tongue. It wasn’t the time for those type of questions.
Zejah’s voice dropped lower. “Then… my mom went in my drawer. She thought it was where I kept my stash.”
I felt my jaw clench.
“She found the ultrasound picture.” Zejah’s face crumbled. “She started cursing me out, calling me stupid. Saying I was just throwing my life away. She knew I was talking to Hux because she came home early one day from the casino and saw him here. She told me… she told me it was fine, as long as I made sure he gave me money so I could get the things I needed.”
That’s when the rage in me snapped. My fists curled so tight my nails dug into my palms.
Zejah’s tears fell harder. “And then she said…” Her lips trembled. “She said I was stupid for getting pregnant by him because my baby would just be a drug addict like its grandmother. Said it wouldn’t be long before Hux was the same way. That he’s just as fucked up as his mom.”
The words sliced me open.
“She said…” Zejah’s voice broke. “She said my baby would be a hoe because that’s what you are, Niv. She said that’s how you got out the hood.”
I swear to God I felt my blood boil.Bitch, you got some nerve…?
Zejah’s shoulders shook as she sobbed. “I snapped, Niv. I cursed her out. I couldn’t take it no more. And then she—” Her voice cracked as she lifted her sleeve to show the bruises blooming on her arms. “She started swinging on me. My mom fought me, knowing I’m pregnant. She said anytime I feel like walking back in her house, I better be ready to fight since I wanna be grown.”
She crumbled then, full-on breaking down in front of me, her words barely a whisper:
“I didn’t have anyone else to call.”
I leaned in, wiped a tear from her cheek with my thumb, and said softly, “It’s okay. I’m gonna handle everything.”
Then I looked up. Kendrix was already watching me, eyes locked on mine like he knew exactly what “handle” meant.
“Baby,” he said carefully, like he was trying to talk me off a ledge. “Let’s talk about this for a minute—”
“No.” I cut him off before he could even finish. My mind was already made up, and nothing in the world could change it. I turned back to Zejah.
“Zejah, you know Kendrix, right?”
She sniffled, nodded. “Yes.”
“Good.” I sat up straighter. “Do you have a few duffle bags or anything in your room?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
I nodded once, decisive. “Okay. Kendrix is gonna go with you in there and pack your things. Only grab what you want, what’s valuable. Don’t try to bring any extra shit. If you need more clothes, I’ll make sure you got that and more.”
Her eyes darted between us, wide, like she wasn’t sure if I was dead serious. I tilted her chin up so she had no choice but to look me in my eyes.
“Zejah,” I said, my voice low and dangerous. “Are you sure you want me to handle this?”
Her lips trembled, but she nodded. “Yes.”
I searched her face for hesitation, for any sign she wasn’t ready. There wasn’t one. Just a girl who’d had enough.
“Good.” I leaned closer. “But I’m warning you. When I go in there, I’m not taking it easy on her. Not after the shit she said. Not after she disrespected my whole family and laid hands on you. Which, in my book, means she put her hands on my family since you’re carrying him or her. That’s blood now. So don’t youdare try to tell me to stop or feel sorry for her. Because I won’t stop. Not until I’m good and ready.”
For a second, I thought she might cry harder. But then a shaky little laugh slipped out instead. She wiped her face, grinning through the tears.
