“I already had to go there last night with Kong, Inari. I really don’t know what y’all want from me.”
The rest of the drive was quiet, but when Inari parked, and Ayla tried to rush out of the car, she stopped her.
“You know I would never judge you for anything, right? You can talk to me about anything.”
“I know,” Ayla whispered, voice suddenly quaking as her chest and lungs tightened. “You just don’t feel the need to share everything, right?”
“What are you talking about?” Inari’s brows cinched together.
“I’m talking about letting me believe all this time that Leron’s blood was on your hands!” Ayla shrieked, which caused Inari to cower.
She’d been waiting for it. The impact hit a lot harder than expected when she caught her baby sister’s lip quivering as her big brown eyes filled with tears.
“How could you not tell me what really happened?”
“How was I supposed to do that, Lala? You didn’t remember. You really wanted to be traumatized by some shit you didn’t even realize happened?” Inari queried.
With misting eyes, she faced her best friend in the entire world. No matter how much older she was than her, Inari always felt that way. Their relationship was special.
“If you want to be mad about that, it’s fine. I’ll eat that. I did what I did to protect you. I’m your big sister, that’s my job. I didn’t want to force you to relive that shit. If you didn’t remember, that would have been fine, too.”
“I killed a man,” she whispered.
“You killed a predator. A monster. A fucking demon, Ayla. Do you hear me? He was a junkie. Don’t you dare sit there and feel bad about that. The world is a better place without him in it,” Inari declared.
Ayla nodded. She was right. Hearing her reasoning, she knew her sister loved her more than anybody in the world. She’d been her keeper since she was born, but especially after their parents died. Without Inari, Ayla wasn’t sure where she’d be. The two could have easily gone into state custody and been separated, but she wouldn’t allow that. Instead, she thugged it out and made a way for them. Ayla knew she could never repay her for that.
“I don’t think things with Kong are ever going to work,” Ayla confessed, needing to vent to someone.
“What are you talking about?”
“He asked me about Mira and my time there. What I did.”
Ayla’s thoughts got the best of her. One spiraling after another as she thought about the look in Kong’s eyes last night. She hadn’t lied. After she gave birth, Mira gave her time to heal, but the whole time, she was only looking out for what she considered another business investment. Ayla was practically fresh meat, new baby and all. Men were willing to pay a high price to lay with her.
“And how did that go?” Inari didn’t want to pry, but she’d also wondered about what her time was like when she was gone.
“Not well.” Ayla tittered. “He’s never going to look at me the same.”
“You don’t know that. You need time?—”
“How much time, Nari?” Ayla blinked back tears. “It’s been months. I’m going through the motions. Trying to pick up where I left off and make a life for myself. But when it gets quiet, or I fall asleep at night, it’s always the same nightmare on repeat. I was taken. My son is gone. And I was forced to have sex with men I knew nothing about. I’ve been tested since I’ve been home, more than once. I’m clean, but do you think that can erase Kong’s thoughts of how many men had their way with me when I wasn’t with him?”
Inari didn’t have an answer. Ayla scoffed, shook her head, and looked down at her hands in her lap.
“Yeah, I don’t know either.” Ayla reached for the door handle and pushed it open.
She planted both feet on the ground and stepped out of the car. A little self-care was needed. She was hoping it would reset her mood. Although she wasn’t up for being in the mix, she’d told Audiemar that she would make an appearance. When she got back, he offered her the room and her position as his chef, but she declined. He wasn’t upset about it. In fact, he was more understanding than anything. She appreciated it. Her world and priorities had shifted significantly, and unfortunately, his house brought back painful memories.
Mozzi carried Iara like a sack of potatoes in his arms, with her facing Moose and Kong when they arrived outside at a patio table. The two sat under an umbrella with two empty chairs. Moose rolled a blunt while Kong sipped a cold brew and scrolled through his phone. The two had changed since they’d done all the heavy lifting Desiree wanted them to do. Mozzi opted for no shirt with his linen shorts, while his brothers both rocked white tank tops and shorts. Rara was wide awake from her nap and ready to turn up. Smoke from the meats grilling filled the yard; real summertime vibes were in effect.
Kool and Smoke were in attendance, working as usual and talking shit with Brim and a few of their other guards. They’d been out smoking meat since early that morning, bringing half of it with them when they came to finish the rest. Kong stroked his beard and skimmed his phone. When he heard laughter, he looked up and caught Coast, Inari, and Ayla sailing outsidetogether. He noticed that Ayla seemed to be in better spirits than this morning as his eyes swept over her figure.
She stopped near Dane and Tiara, who sat poolside with their feet in the water, eating ice cream cones. Moose told him he could invite a few of his homies over, and they asked if they could bring girls, so he told him a maximum of five people, and everybody had to be searched at the door. He fucked with Tiara like a little sister, but Moose didn’t expect him to babysit her all day. He wanted him to have a good time too.
“You told Dane he could invite friends?” Inari sauntered over, hand resting on the strap to her Marc Jacobs bag on her shoulder.
“Yeah. I didn’t want him to be bored.” Moose licked his blunt closed, and Inari set her purse on the table.
