“Good, now make today better by giving me a HooYah on treatment.”
There was a pause that came with a few more sniffles.
“HooYah!” It was right on time as Naja came poking her head into the doorway.
“Tunk, they said as soon as he can get there, they have a spot for him. I even got the full estimate for cost and looked up flights out. Short notice, they will be pricey, but I can get you guys out tomorrow night.”
I put my eyes around the room to check if we were all on board and to see who all was going with us.
Tino spoke up first. “Summer and I are headed back tonight; make sure you get me a seat.”
“I can catch a flight,” Art said.
“Yeah, me too. Well, I have to make sure Mickey will be cool by herself. I’ve never left her and the baby alone overnight before.” I smiled at that.
“And of course I’m in. I’ll move some guys around to cover the shifts I was covering. Naja, just make sure our return flight is early the next day. And get those drafts for the temporary contract printed so we can take care of that too.” She nodded then bowed out.
“One last mission,” Boss said.
“HooYah, muthafucka!”
“I would salute you, Chief, but I’m still strapped.” We all laughed, but no one moved to untie him.
“You need to sober up a little bit more for that shit, fool. We ain’t new to this, nigga,” Art said, which had BK throwing a pen at him this time.
“Nigga, you got one more time to throw something at me before I call Mama. And again, I’m only saying the obvious thing here.” I laughed at these fools getting ready to argue down while I looked at Boss who put on his war face. That let me know he was going to be okay. I did the salute for him, letting him know he wasn’t alone in this.
SEVEN
Johnni
“Fuck.” I cursed lowly as I dropped my keys, trying to balance my cup of lavender lemon tea that I just brought to mix with my tincture and settle my nerves. I was so stressed. Quincey’s campaign was underway and between his home office and his main one in city hall, he had taken over with yard signs, posters, and merchandise.
My phone rang and I knew it was Mama Steph because I was running late on meeting her at the house for practice. Just as I got my keys, I opened the door, choosing to ignore my phone until I could get settled in my car so it would at least sound like I was on the road.
As soon as I opened the door, I was met by a single picture of Quincey and what appeared to be a woman laid up in a bed with no clothes on. As pissed off as I was, I was just as terrified.
Someone had gotten into my car without me knowing.
I looked around as I set my tea down, now digging for my phone to call him.
Of course, he answered on the first ring.
“Hey Josie, Mama just called me looking for you. Are you good?”
“No, Q, someone was in my car and they left a picture of you,” I said with a shaky voice that now matched my hands. I was barely able to hold the phone as I began to look around, checking my surroundings to see if anything looked off or felt weird beyond the mysterious picture now in my hand. I turned it over to see a message addressed to me in cut out letters.
Tell our man I’m on my way.
-signed his weekend lover.
“Josie! Can you hear me?”
I didn’t.
I shook my head.
All the fear I had instantly disappeared once I realized what this was. Quincey had a side bitch who was coming at me as a woman.
