The low rumble in his chest had him ready to punch or shoot something.
“I didn’t know,” Audiemar responded.
“You knew,” Moose accused. “You know every fucking thing!” He pushed past Inari and got in his father’s face.
“Moose—” Kong reached for his shoulders, trying to bring him back before he did something he regretted.
His brother calmly brushed him off. He wasn’t hopped up on coke and liquor like normal. He’d been drinking water and smoking weed all day, nothing more. Although the current turn of events had him wishing he had a pack to carry him away, seeing Inari ready to break at his side was enough to keep him sober. She and Tiara were his top priorities at the end of the day.
“I’m good.” He popped his neck a few times, locs swinging over his shoulders while staring his father down.
“I didn’t know. Not until Phoebe brought it up recently. She knew. She’s been riding the fence with Riddle for a long time.”
“So, why the fuck is that bitch still breathing?” Moose demanded.
“Because I’ve been dealing with her for years. What am I supposed to do, Morgan? If something happens to her, who’s the first person they’re coming to talk to?”
“I don’t give a fuck! We can make that bitch disappear! And what about this nigga Riddle? The fuck we gon’ do with him now?”
“I’m handling that,” Kong assured him.
“Handling it like this muhfucka?” Moose looked Audiemar up and down with contempt.
“Handling it sober, with both eyes wide the fuck open. Unlike some people.” Audiemar stepped up, his seniority showing as Moose’s shoulders slumped.
He was more hurt and disappointed than anything. It only came across as anger in the moment. His fists were still balled as he banged them together.
“How you ain’t say nothing? That’s our mama.” His voice cracked.
“That’s exactly why I didn’t say anything, Moose. To any of you. When I realized who Inari and Ayla were, and I saw what they meant to the both of you… how the fuck was I supposed to come in and blow that shit up?”
Inari sniffled, managing to take a breath and see through Audiemar’s eyes. Even if it was brief. He wasn’t responsible for her parents’ death, so her only grief came from him hiding the truth when he found out.
“I need some air.” She rushed past Audiemar, through the living room, and out the front door.
Ayla turned to Kong. The two of them had just worked through some shit. She didn’t want to be at odds with him. Not over this. He didn’t keep anything from her out of malice.
“I’ll check on her,” she said quietly.
“Aye, I’m right here,” Kong insisted.
“I know. Just… can you do me a favor?” she asked. “Don’t ever keep anything from me again. Even if it’s small or it’s something like this that you think might hurt me. I deserve the right to know and decide for myself.”
“You got my word,” he vowed. “Go check on your sister.”
“What’s going on?” Mozzi sailed inside, bouncing Iara at his side with Tiara biting into a hot dog as she came up behind him.
In yellow flip flops with a towel around her waist over her swimsuit, she had no worries. Lowering his head, Moosebrushed past his father and brothers to retreat to his childhood bedroom.
“What’s wrong with Moose?” Tiara chewed with a frown.
“He just needs a minute,” Kong told her.
“Me too. Swimming takes a lot of energy. I want another hot dog!” she added with her mouth full.
“You gotta finish the one you eating first.” Kong led her away, so he could check on his own kids.
Mozzi was sure he’d walked in on something, but nobody was saying much. He shoved Rara into Audiemar’s arms since he looked like he needed something to make him feel better.
