Page 75 of Heart of a Savage
“It’s just that simple. What do you think is going to happen once she finds out that you had a hand in murdering her family? You think she’s going to suggest that you all get married the next day? Think about this, son.”
“I have thought about it. If she happens to be upset about it, then I can do nothing but accept whatever comes after that. Andsince we’re on the subject of murder… Mo and Mike want out of the street business. As their father, I believe you should accept their request and put someone else in their place.”
He laughed. “So, they send you in their place to speak for them?”
“They did, and that’s only because you don’t respect them as men—leaders. You have never allowed them to make their own decisions when it comes to both our legal business and street business. You chose their positions for them and expect them to always rise to the occasion. They have done that, and they are tired now.”
“Lies. They have always had a say in what they wanted to do?—”
“Not true, Papi. They only listened and did what had to be done becauseyou’retheir father. Same with me. I always had to do the most. ‘Look out for your brothers, take care of your sisters, don’t let your brothers or sisters do this or that.’ It’s why they are all comfortable with coming tomeabout everything.”
“Wow… That really sounds fucked up when you put it that way, but your mother and I have never forced the responsibility of taking care of them on you. It’s natural for the oldest to take on more responsibility than the others. I’m not saying that it’s right, but it’s how life is sometimes.
“If they don’t want to be in the street business anymore, I’m fine with that. They can go. Just let them know that they need to choose someone to stand in their place.”
“I mean this with all due respect, Papi.Let the streets go. You’ve been at this thing since GrandPapi handed you and Uncle Raylon the business. You have more money than you know what to do with, so please… tell me why you want to continue risking your life and freedom for a quick dollar?”
“He’s right, Papi.” I turned my head to see Madisyn walking into his office. “I can’t say if it’s true or not, but lately… I’ve been feeling as if someone’s been watching me.”
“It’s the security detail I have on you. All of the women in my life have daily surveillance.”
Madisyn sighed. “Papi, why would you do that without letting me know? You could have gotten those people killed.”
“Maddie, you’ve had a security detail since you were in pull-ups. I didn’t let you all know because I wanted you all to move freely—comfortably.”
“Not knowing makes it uncomfortable, Papi. It’s dangerous,” my sister responded to our dad before turning to me. “Hey, Si.”
“’Sup, Mad Dog.”
“Trying to understand your crazy father.” She shook her head, walked over to my father, and took his drink out of his hand, swallowing the rest. “Mommy has told you a million times how uncomfortable she is about you trying to be Gotti still. Let those other criminals take over the streets. You have a whole Fortune 500 company, and you’re getting old. Leave it alone, Papi.” She kissed his cheek, walked over to me, kissed my cheek, and then left the room.
Rarely did my sister talk. Being the fourth oldest, she often stayed to herself or hung out with Piper and our mother, mostly. For her to speak on this situation meant everyone was at their breaking point with the illegitimate side of our operations.
“Well… I guess I didn’t realize how tired you all are of the extra expectations I’ve placed on you all. I’ll leave it alone completely. I’ll hold a meeting with the crew and choose someone myself.”
I nodded. “It’s for the best.”
“Yeah… As for you and this girl…”
“I’m not leaving her alone, Papi. I’ll take whatever comes my way, but I care about her too much to leave her alone. I’m sure she’ll never know who it will be, anyway.”
“You better hope not.”
My phone vibrated with an incoming text from Arieana. I opened my messages app to a photo of a neatly shaved pussy with a text that read:We miss you.
I smiled and texted back.
Me:
On my way.
“A’ight, Papi. I love you. I’ll talk to you later.” I stood and quickly left the room.
I pulledinto the wraparound driveway up to Messiah’s door. The house was big and was three stories high. My house was big, but for the life of me, I couldn’t understand how one person could live in such a huge place.
Maybe because he has a son, and his son’s mother is living here with him.
I just knew homegirl better be cool. I’d hate to embarrass us all in front of his child.
