“What about Justin?” Inari posed.
“That’s already handled,” Kong assured her. “Watch the news. Seems Justin was involved in a home invasion. He didn’t make it.”
“So, I’m the only muhfucka hungry around this bitch?” Moose jumped up, and Inari scowled while shaking her head.
“Better take your ass to the Shack or something.”
“So, I can’t find something to eat in your fridge?”
“Moose, I’m not in the fucking mood. And how you been keeping in touch with my son, trying to keep tabs on me?” she quipped, neck rolling with attitude as Dane came back with all the items she had requested.
“Oh, so y’all healing, now the nigga can’t hold water.” Moose scoffed.
“I was trying to be honest,” Dane voiced.
“Yeah, aight. You got it.” Moose flicked the tip of his nose. “I made mistakes, Nari, several. None of that stopped me from giving a fuck, though. You take that shit how you want it. I just went and laid a bunch of niggas down to help bring your sister back to you. Fuck what I say, watch how I move. I’ll give you your little space, though. Let’s go.” He glanced over his shoulder at Mozzi, bringing himself to his feet.
Speechless, Inari let him brush past her, his words sinking in with every step he took to the door. More than anything she hated that his ass was right. She rolled her eyes right before he and Mozzi stepped outside, and Moose closed the door behind them.
“He’s going to drive me crazy.”
Kong chuckled.
“You must be special. I ain’t never seen that nigga be so relentless.”
“Well, he needs to stop.”
“What’s wrong with Moose, Ma?” Dane chimed in.
“Dane, take your auntie her things, please. I’m not about to discuss this with you.”
“I’m just saying.” Dane shrugged. “I know at first I was on the fence, especially after Danilo came back around. But Moose really cares about you and me. No faking. He ain’t perfect. If you can forgive me, or at least attempt to, shouldn’t he get a second chance?”
Dane didn’t give her time to answer. Instead, he started up the staircase. Kong tipped his head, brows lifting in agreement with the kid.
“Jane used to say that Moose was the only one of us who was emotionally aware.” Kong took a few steps toward the couch and sat down.
“He’s frustrating as hell is what he is,” Inari rebutted. “How am I supposed to get over him if he keeps coming around?”
“You sure that’s what you want?” Kong teased, leaning back on the couch.
“Do you know what he did? At the Vault?” Inari picked up her glass of tequila off the table and brought it to her lips.
“I know that Moose likes adventure, and it’s hard for him to turn down anything surrounding a big payday. He got word on that job literally right before it happened, so he didn’t have a lotof intel, and he only cared about the payout. When he realized what was happening, it was already too late. If he went against it, that would have created even more problems. In no way did he do what he did to intentionally hurt you. I think his actions afterward prove that.”
Kong watched her wrestle with the facts as she grabbed the bottle of tequila and refilled her glass.
“Thank you for bringing my sister home. I’m going to go check on her.” With her glass in one hand, and the bottle of tequila in the other, she stomped toward the foyer.
Kong stared after her, shaking his head before going into his pocket for his cell to call Bee. He told her he would update her when he had information, and he wanted to make sure the kids were good. She said the kids were sleeping, so Kong dragged himself upstairs to check on Ayla. By the time he reached her bedroom door, he found Inari standing there, arms crossed, looking into the room. Ayla had showered and changed into sweats and an old t-shirt. Her hair was still in wet curls from washing it in the shower, and she was out cold.
“Are the kids okay?” Inari asked without turning around.
“They are.” Kong bobbed his head.
“You have guards who can stay here for the night, Kong.” She half turned, peeping him over her shoulder.
“I’m not going anywhere,” he declared.
