Page 44 of Labria

The bar in the bedroom had chilled wine and a clean glass waiting for me. I had forgotten about the drink I poured before my shower. It was warm, but I couldn’t let it go to waste. I took a sip.

I wasn’t in the mood for an argument. I would prefer he just walk into the bedroom and ignore me. I sat on the edge of the bed and pulled my MacBook out of the sleeve. I opened the laptop and logged in. I was deep into checking my emails when he waltzed into the bedroom.

I didn’t glance up at him. He was the man that ignored me. Therefore, I was ignoring him back, times two. I could see him out of my peripheral with his hands rested on his waist. I wasn’t going to look up at him and give him the satisfaction.

“How did your visit with your sister go?” His voice startled me, although I obviously knew he was in the room with me.

“It went well. How did your trip to Chicago go?” I asked, not really caring about it at all. I only cared about how I was being treated.

“It went as planned.”

“Really?” I exhaled. “You were gone for five days.”

“Things took a little but longer to sort out. I had to stay longer than I planned.”

Whatever. “How was the weather?”

“Nice, I guess. I wasn’t outdoors much.”

“So, you were indoors?”

“Yeah, I had meetings.”

“With who?” I was curt, but shrugs not hugs.

“People in the organization and some of our allies. I believe you refer to them as criminals.”

I looked up to see the ceases on his forehead. “Did you stay at your place or a hotel?”

“Yes, I stayed at my place, attorney Harris. What’s with the twenty questions? I did all the same things. I met with people. I met the head of the Chicago Triads. Do you know what that is?”

“Yes, I’ve seen movies.” I smarted. Hadn’t every Black person of a certain age seen Aaliyah in the movie Romeo Must Die? And we’ve all seen Rush Hour 2 and 3.

“My place is spotless in Chicago. It’s nice to see the cleaning lady was doing her job. I didn’t think to ask you if you wanted me to bring some of your items back with me on the plane.”

“No, I’m good.”

“You look good.” Compliments at this time?

Man, whatever.I rolled my eyes like I was rolling croissants to place in a pre-heated oven.

Lord removed his Anonimo watch and placed it on the dresser. Seeing the watch reminded me of Nicco. I was sure he’d given it to Lord as a present. The watch seemed like something Lord wouldn’t pick out for himself. It was just like Nicco to gift some Italian watch brand with a name I’ve never heard of. Nicco was always trying to impress people, and I wasn’t impressed.

“You know.” Lord cleared his throat. “I did go see my Gram.”

“You had the time in your busy schedule?” I snarled.

“I made the time… She asked about you. She also mentioned something about a grandchild.”

Why was thiswhigroso focused on planting his melanin deficient seed in me? I knew why. He failed to mention he couldn’t marry me. Those stupid mafia rules prevented the top two guys in the hierarchy from marrying outside the Italian bloodline.

All of it was pure bullshit.

“Tell your Gram, I said hello the next time you talk to her.”

“You know you can call her anytime.” He insisted.

“I don’t think that’s appropriate, since you’re not my husband.” Yeah, I said it.

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