Page 104 of A Naked Beauty

“That means your problems are my problems.”

“I get it.”

“Including Malcolm,” she says resolutely.

“Everything. I’m through with letting him call the shots. He’s not getting another cent from me.”

“Wow!” She shakes her head. “Give me a minute to process this.”

“I’ll make it quicker by getting to the bottomline. I’m going to meet with Malcolm and tell him I’m done with his blackmail. It’s over.”

Relief and panic wash over her face in equal measure. “I want that for you, Mick. But meeting with him, no. Please don’t do that. It got physical last time. It could get worse.”

“It won’t,” I say to calm her fears. “Last time he caught me off guard. I wasn’t prepared. I let him get to me. This time I’ll be in control. I’ll be laying out the conditions.”

“What conditions?”

“I’ll explain the details later. But Malcolm isn’t going to be able to use you or my family as ammunition. Not now or ever again.”

“You really have had a revelation today.”

“My head’s hard, but you kicked it pretty good.”

“I did it with love.” She kisses my temple. “So, does this mean you’re going to tell Mama T and Victor?”

I swallow hard. “Yes. And Dwayde. The whole family.”

“That’s good, Mick.” Tears well in her eyes. “I’m so proud of you.”

I lean into Dee. Though there’s a sense of trepidation about revealing my secrets, there’s also a deep sense of relief. It’s the feeling that after all this time I’m finally getting it right.

Dee

Our family is all here. They came, no questions asked. They simply responded to Mick’s call and made the necessary arrangements to gather at Maria’s after dinner.

The kids have been put to bed. Mama T brought a bag to stay over rather than drive the hour back home later tonight. Victor brought Gabi and Dwayde at Mick’s request.

I imagine there had been much speculation circulating before we arrived. Victor and Isabelle would likely assume it had something to do with the secret Mick’s been harboring. But this was going to be a shock to everyone.

Once water, pop, and coffee are served, we assemble around the large rustic dining table. Mama T and I sit on either side of Mick. I can feel the nerves bouncing off him. I put a hand on his leg in support.

“Thank you all for being here,” he begins. “I apologize for the urgency and being so cryptic.”

“Spit it out,” Victor says from across the table. “If we gotta dispose of a body before the sun comes up, we need to get started.”

Mick gives a short laugh. Victor’s attempt at humor temporarily lightens the mood, but even more than that, his message conveys the sentiment that he would do anything for his brother.

“Go ahead,mi’jo.” Mama T pats his hand. “You wanted us here. Must be for a good reason.”

He takes a breath and lets it out. “Malcolm’s been blackmailing me.”

The room goes shocked silent. For a moment, the ticking of the wall clock is the only sound. But the tension is loud. Mick looks over at Victor as if predicting he’d take it the hardest.

“I’ve been dealing with it on my own but that’s not really working anymore.”

“How long?” Victor snaps out, his voice matching the fury in his eyes.

“Since college.”

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