Page 268 of Invisible Bars
I slid my phone back into my pocket, calm as ever.
“Nice doing business with you.”
We turned to leave.
Just as I reached the door, Sasha screamed, “Wait! Y’all just gon’ leave me like this?!”
I didn’t even turn around.
“Only the strong survive,” I said coolly. “Tell Granny I said hey.”
Chi grinned, then tossed Sasha the half-eaten Honey Bun like it was hush money.
“For your troubles,” he said. “Andthe fact you might be sitting here a couple days… maybe longer, depending on your strength and who walks past this place. I’d keep quiet if I was you, though; the raccoons in this part of town got street beef.”
I turned away without another word.
Truth is, I knew Sasha would be fine. We didn’t tie the knotstootight on purpose. Why? Because Iknewshe’d fold on Aaliyah. So there was no sense in leaving her locked down longer than necessary. She’d eventually wriggle loose just like I expected.
A little sweat never killed nobody. But running your mouth to protect someone who wouldn’t do the same? That will get you hurt.
And now, it was time to pay Aaliyah a visit.
“Imanio, w-what are you doing here?” Aaliyah asked nervously upon answering the door.
I stepped inside without permission and without a word. The door clicked shut behind me like a loaded chamber.
“I asked you a question!” she hissed.
I turned slowly.
“And I got one for you.” My tone was quiet, but deadly. “You pregnant by me, huh?”
Aaliyah backed up like I’d pulled a gun.
“It… it wasn’t me! I swear!”
I scoffed, amused at how weak the lie sounded out loud.
“What kind of dumb ass nigga do you take me for? If it wasn’t you, why the hell you hiding out in this dusty ass motel when you got a marble kitchen and a rainfall shower at yo’ crib?”
“I… I just needed some time away,” she stuttered.
“Cut the shit, Aaliyah! Yo’ girl Sasha? Yeah, she folded like a lawn chair… told us everything. You might wanna invest in someloyalfriends—ones who don’t crack under pressure.”
“I didn’t think it would go viral like that!” she finally admitted. “I was just?—”
“Say it,” I pressed.
Aaliyah’s bottom lip quivered as she struggled to gather her thoughts.
“I… I wanted your attention.”
I nodded slowly, my demeanor cold and calculated.
“Congratulations…. you got it,” I replied flatly.
I stepped forward, closing the distance between us.
