I was in traffic at a stoplight when a big ass truck hit their bright lights behind me. Squinting in the rearview mirror, damn near blinded, I tried to make out any movement. I didn’t hesitate to go for my gun, just in case this was an ambush. I saw a dark figure leap from the driver’s seat and remain parked behind me at the red light. He was tall, with muscles underneath the all black ensemble. He took slow strides toward my door, and I made sure to keep an eye on his hands and everything going on behind me and to my right. He paused right at my window. When I rolled my window down, I already had my pistol aimed at his chest.
“The fuck you want?” I demanded, brows scrunching down in a frown.
My finger was already on the trigger, waiting on him to try me.
“I heard you were trying to get a message to someone.” He implied, hands resting in his pockets. My cold stare pierced him. “Tell me what you need and I will let him know.”
“That’s not how this works.” I countered, eyes roaming his large frame.
“Actually, it is. He sets the rules.” The henchmen declared.
“Oh yeah? Bet.” A wicked smile spread across my face and I squeezed off twice into his chest.
I watched his body blow back before he hit the street. The light turned green and I pulled off through traffic like nothing had happened. If this was the kind of game he wanted to play, then it was go from here. My phone rang and it was Knowledge.
“You got anything?” He didn’t even greet me.
I knew he was anxious and probably sitting somewhere ready to pop off. The nigga was never good with sitting around waiting for anything to happen.
“Nah, but I’m sure I will. Stay off the radar for now. I just sent a message.”
“What kind of message?” Knowledge queried.
“The kind that you ain’t got a choice but to respond to. I’m done fucking around. You with me on this, or you want to sit back and keep letting this sadistic mothafucka run this shit?”
Knowledge didn’t respond right away. “I’m with you, bro.” He agreed.
“This is going to turn into war. I’m sending a few of our crew over to keep an eye on Chevy and the kids.”
“Thanks, Free.” The line hung up and I focused on the road home.
I had shit to live for and a new outlook on life. I didn’t want anything looming over what I was building for myself. Looking over my shoulder wasn’t ideal. I knew it was always going to bethat way, but I would be able to relax a little easier knowing that a mothafucka like Arrow wasn’t coming back.
Harbor
After viewing the home in its entirety, I guided the couple onto the back terrace overlooking the back yard. It was big, with enough room for whatever their kid could ask for. Lock was tense and quiet most of the tour, but Alba couldn’t stop running her mouth. Lethargic, I crossed my arms and raised my head to the sky as a breeze blew by. Lock seemed like he had something on his mind the entire time. I thought Alba probably picked up on it too and that was why she was trying so hard to lighten the air between us.
“So, what do you think?” I asked, facing her.
“I think this is perfect, just like he said. I hate it when he’s right.” Alba responded comically while taking in her baby’s father.
“Well, as soon as the check clears it is all yours.” I chimed in.
“I guess we will take it then.” She shrugged and inched closer to Lock. “Kind of crazy how this is coming together. I didn’t think we would ever see you again.” Alba implied, and I blankly stared back at her.
“Clearly.” I muttered, taking her by surprise.
Lock studied me. Alba intervened, hands on her expanding hips when she soaked me in from head to toe.
“Okay, so… I guess we should all just clear the air now.” She spoke up.
“Alba—” Lock piped up.
“No, Lock. This is between us. We never did get to finish that conversation we had last year.” Alba said, shushing him with one hand up. “Before you just disappeared. You got a lot of nerve, Harbor. How is it that you can take off without a word to anyone,leave everyone in your life thinking that the worst had happened to you, and then just pop out living your best fucking life? Please, explain.”
“You wouldn’t understand any of it if I told you.” I mumbled.
“I think it’s all bullshit, I won’t lie. Lock here thinks there is more to the story. For some reason he still thinks that he knows you better than anyone.”
