Page 89 of City of Gods

“You aight,” Hakim sniffed, straightening his shoulders.

“Yeah, you know who runs shit in this family,” Maasai scoffed once he’d closed Zee up beautifully. “I’ll see her to recovery and go talk to Eli, Ken, and Mr. Sinclair.”

“I saw the way Kenya was all up under you tonight, too, Sai,” I joked.

“I saw her looking,” he admitted, tugging off his gloves and tossing them. “She ain’t ready.”

“Do yourself a favor and stay the fuck away from them damn Sinclair women,” Hakim laughed. “You see how Sanai got Bakari gone in the head.”

“I’m not even gonna hold y'all, I’m gone over her.” I shrugged. There was no point in denying how I felt about her anymore.

“It’s like that little brother?” Maasai asked, smiling.

“It’s like that. I’m in love.” I couldn’t hold my smile at bay.

“Damn. Not you,” Hakim sighed, shaking his head. “I guess I’m the last real nigga left.”

“Soon as someone beautiful comes along who feeds your greedy ass, you’re done.” Maasai shoved him a little and he glared. “I’m done chasing like you two youngins.” He placed a hand on each of our shoulders while we monitored Zee’s vitals, making sure she was stable. “I’m ready to settle the fuck down.”

“Because you’re old as fuck. What else can you do, Sai?” I quizzed.

“Fuck you. I am older. That’s the goal, but now I want someone I can enjoy my life with. I’m 40. I’m not trying to be out here dating forever.”

“Well, I’m all about my motherfucking money so, unless there’s a woman out there who can switch my way of thinking…I’m in love with my job. The only bitch that deserves all my time.” Hakim had always been about his money, though, and Maasai had always wanted to be a husband to the right woman. He wanted the family life. Me on the other hand? I wanted to play the game.

Then came Sanai.

The moment she popped into my head, she came through on my phone, too. I glanced at Zee’s vitals once more before putting the phone to my ear.

“She’s fine. Surgery is done,” I said. I knew that was what she’d want to hear more than an obligatory greeting.

“Oh, my god. Thank you, baby.” The tears in her voice were evident and I wanted to be there to hug her.

“She’s resting and then she’ll go to recovery where she’ll wake up. How’s our patient doing over there with you?” I asked, heading out of the OR.

“Passed out,” she said.

“I figured as much. I’m on my way.” I ended the call and started toward the OR she was in. When I walked through the doors, Sanai flung herself into my arms. She hugged my neck, burying her face against me.

“Where was she hit?” she asked when she pulled away.

“Her right side. Took a little off her liver but she’ll be okay. She’s going to need time to heal, though.”

“That’s fine as long as she’ll be okay.” She hugged me again and I leaned down to press a kiss to the top of her head. “I love you, Bakari.”

“I know you do. You hear the way I be making you scream my name?” I pulled back, showing her the smirk on my face and she punched me right in the fucking stomach. I would have expected nothing less from Sanai, though.

“Can we wake this bitch up?” she asked after the laughter died down. No matter what happened to disrupt the flow of things, the fact remained…we were going to kill Mrs. Sinclair tonight.

I walked over to the table and checked Takia’s pulse. She was still alive. More than likely, she’d passed out from extreme stress.

I grabbed the smelling salts from the cabinet and woke her up almost instantly. The whining and moaning came next once her pain settled in. “Hey, sleepy head,” I smiled. “You ready to get to work? I’m going to sew you up and we’re going to go on a ride.”

“Please…stop. This is cruel.” Tears leaked from her lower lashes as she pled with me.

“Cruel? Bitch you’re working for a fucking assassin. You wanna play stupid games then you’re going to win these stupid prizes.” Sanai had transformed from the tearful display she’d put on when I walked into the room. Now, she was all business and I liked seeing her in her element.

“I’ll make sure to stitch you up nicely, Takia. You won’t even scar.” I winked at her as I began closing the incision. I’d never had to hear the wailing sounds of someone being in pain while I worked on them but it wasn’t as unnerving as I thought it would be.

---