“Nah, spill it, heffa,” Kera demanded.
“Fine.” I turned around in my seat so I could face Mariah. “Riah, you can’t say anything to MiMi.”
“I won’t! I promise.”
I didn’t say anything at first, just started my car and pulled off. Finally, I told Mariah about the drive-by, before talking about the deal that I had made with Mekhi. Mariah’s eyes got big, but Kera nodded her approval.
“I like it. Seth’s been keeping up with me and Aunt Janine for the same reason. I’m glad Mekhi is looking out for you,” she said.
I huffed. “Girl, but if he’s going to act like that?—”
“Let him handle it, Farrah. He knows this situation better than you do. Just listen to him.”
“He’s too damned bossy.”
“He’s a boss nigga. All this time y’all been acting like you don’t like each other?—”
“Idon’tlike him!” I cut Kera off.
“Mm-hmm,” she said.
“He’s fine as hell, Cousin. Let him put more than his eyes on you,” Mariah teased.
I sucked my teeth. “Girl, I would never. That nigga is rude, arrogant, and?—”
“Sexy as fuck,” Kera finished.
I glared at her in the rearview mirror, but I couldn’t deny what she said. Instead, I turned on my radio and drowned them out. Mekhi Venzant might be fine as hell, but I wasn’t interested.
At least… I didn’t think I was.
The worst partof this shit was the waiting, especially when I had to wait in a room in a roach motel. Dark and damp, the room smelled like mildew and unwashed ass. I knew this nigga was on the run, but damn, he couldn’t have rented something better than this? I sat in a chair, facing the door, waiting for him to walk in. I was already pissed the fuck off because it had taken my guys three weeks to find his scared ass. Jobs like this usually took no more than a week. Targets always slipped up. They got desperate and used their credit card or called home or logged into e-mail. Any of that shit would lead us straight to them. He stayed off the grid longer than most.
But it still wasn’t enough.
Finally, I saw the door handle moving. I lay my gun in my lap and waited. He opened the door quickly and the weak light from outside spilled into the room. It was enough for him to see me. He turned around immediately, and I chuckled. This nigga really thought I was going to chase him. I shook my head as I sighed. Deep down, he had to know this was hopeless. He had to know if I was here myself, it was too late. But that didn’t stop his stupid ass from trying to run out the motel room door.He gon’ pay for that, I thought as I settled back into the chair.
He only made it five steps outside the door before Luca’s Incredible Hulk-looking ass stepped into his path. I saw his shoulders slump before he turned around and slowly walked back into the room. Luca followed him and closed the door.
“Kevin,” I said, smirking at him. “I can’t believe you not happy to see me.”
“Y-you just caught me by surprise,” he stuttered.
“Why would you be surprised? You should’ve been expecting me.”
“I don’t usually deal with you?—”
“You don’t usually try to fuck over me, either. Get on the fucking floor, on your knees,” I ordered.
He looked like he didn’t want to do it. Grabbing my gun, I stood up from the chair and began to walk across the filthy carpet toward him. His hands shot up in the air like he was surrendering and he slowly kneeled. I made a slow circle around him, not speaking at first. I knew that would make his weak ass even more anxious.
“Why am I here, Kevin?” I finally asked.
“I don’t?—”
I smashed the butt of my gun against his temple. “Don’t fucking play with me. Why am I here?”
He swallowed hard as he looked up at me. I pulled my gun hand back again.
