Page 89 of His to Have
I smirked and stepped a little closer to where she was standing, near the styling chair, her hands resting casually on the backrest.
“Better yet. Do you know who you stole from?” My gaze was intense, and she squirmed clutching her damn phone for dear life.
“Lady, I don’t know you or what you are talking about.” She tried to sound confident, but her voice faltered. Just a tiny bit. The presence of big ass Sham looming over the both of us.
“Don’t make me slap you.” I lifted my hand and leaned in fast. She flinched like I actually hit her. Even though I hadn’t touched her. Yet.
“I think you know exactly who I am.” I giggled at her scary ass, but I didn’t find anything humorous. “You been boosting product that belonged to me. Ayanna Donatelli, formerly Reed. You know what happens when somebody steals from my family?”
She swallowed hard, looking down at the all-white marbled patterned tiled floor. “Look, I didn’t steal it. Okay? And had I known it was from Bash Reed—”
“Me,” I corrected. “You stole from me.”
“Right, from you. A Reed. I would’ve never taken the load.” She continued in a low hiss. “I told that dumb hoe that shit looked too expensive, and it was a bad idea.” That part was whispered more to herself.
“What hoe?” My eyes narrowed in on her.
Her harsh breath escaped her lips as she glanced anxiously around the room. She didn’t want to say, but I guess she knew me asking for a second time wasn’t an option.
“My home girl, Gee. She was fuckin’ on this nigga named Roland. He asked me if I could move the shit, and naturally I could. But I ain’t seen that nigga in a while.” Her lips pursed and nose curled like something smelled. “Fuck! I knew this bullshit was gonna get me caught up.”
There was no need to ask why she hadn’t heard from Roland. He was a loose end Teo tied weeks ago. She would never see him again.
“I hate that you got caught up in something that shouldn’t even concern you, but you stole from the wrong family.”
“I didn’t know—”
I raised a hand, silencing her again.
“And someone has to pay. So, let me explain how this gone go,” I continued. “You’re gonna work this debt off. For me. For my brother. For my husband. Since you like taking shit that ain’t yours, we’re gonna find something for you to sell. Properly.”
Karley stared, confused and scared all at once. “Work? For y’all?”
“Yes girl.” I said with a faux smile. “You will pay back every single cent of what you took, plus interest. Or die trying. And while you’re doing that, if I ever need you? For anything? You WILL come running. You will answer my calls. You will smile when you see me.”
I leaned in so close it was enough for her to smell my perfume. “Because if you don’t? I will personally make sure you never live to see the light of day. That’s the deal.” I leaned back giving her space to breathe.
She blinked fast. Her mouth opened again, but nothing came out.
“So... are we good?” I asked, straightening my posture and brushing invisible lint from the pants I was wearing.
She nodded.
“Alright then. That’s good to hear.” The brightest smile covered my face like we just had a normal-ass conversation.
Now that I had delivered my message, I was ready to leave and continue my day. Just as I turned to walk away, I remembered, “Oh and Karley. I’m the nice one. Please don’t get stupid and make my husband, or brother pay you a visit. They won’t be as friendly as I’ve been. I’ll be in touch.”
I stepped out of the front door easing it shut behind me. Sham was two steps in front of me opening the back to let me in. I sank into the leather, letting the door close. By the time I looked up, both him and Arlo were locked in on the rearview, waiting.
“Back to the original plan,” I said, pulling my phone out of my pocket. “I sent you the address.”
Arlo gave a short nod, adjusted the rearview like he always did, and pulled off. The car eased through the streets, and I leaned back, finally letting my body relax into the leather. I pulled upa text from Constance and was halfway through replying when Arlo slowed at a red light.
Something about the way the car coasted made me look up. Arlo was on edge and so was Sham. But I couldn’t understand why. There was barely anyone on the streets. Maybe it was because we were in a part of town that wasn’t neutral. This wasn’t necessarily anyone’s turf, but it wasn’t my family’s either. It wasn’t a ton of residential homes. Mostly abandoned commercial businesses. A bunch of mom-and-pop stores that closed as soon as the streetlights came on.
We had just cleared a light industrial area. Mostly warehouses and parking lots on either side. A boarded-up tire shop sat on the corner, and the Shell station across from it had one lonely pump in use. The man at it didn’t even glance in our direction. Not even a second passed before a black SUV crept up from behind. Then another slid up on the left side. And another skid from the right, a different SUV stopped right in front of us, blocking us in.
My hand was already reaching for the seatbelt and then the pistol tucked low on my side when I opened my mouth to speak. “Arlo—”
