Page 64 of Butterfly 6, Phase 1

“I heard Henny’s in some trouble, and I want to go see him,” Bella admitted.

Morgan sighed. “Bella, did you ask Ethic?”

“You know what he’s going to say, Mo. I just need a ride up there. I just need to see him. He’s doing stupid shit, adding time to his sentence. I need him to not give up. I have a plan for us. I just need to see him,” Bella reasoned.

Morgan and Aria looked at Bella with so much empathy. They understood the ways her young heart worked. They had been there; hell, they were still there. Trapped between what they knew they were too good for and what their hearts craved regardless.

“Bella, Henny’s four hours away. I can’t make that drive. I need to get back to Yolly,” Morgan whispered. “And even if I could, I wouldn’t, B. Ethic would never allow you to be running back and forth to that prison. You’re better than that.”

“Please don’t lecture me, Mo. You’re the last person who can lead by example,” Bella sniped.

“Oop,” Aria gasped. “Way too hot, Bella girl. Dial it back.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?” Morgan asked.

Ethic stepped out onto the doorstep. “Y’all good out here?”

“Yeah, Daddy, we’re good. I didn’t want to bother you. I forgot I signed up for a campus tour with student council. With everything that’s going on, it slipped my mind. I want to go, but I know I’m needed here,” Bella said.

Morgan looked at Bella in shock. The lie had rolled off her tongue effortlessly.

“I don’t recall you mentioning this,” Ethic said.

Bella pulled out her phone and went to the student council’s social media page. She held up the screen for her father to see. “See, they just got there. One of my friends texted me, saying I’m missing out. I told you about this a while ago, but it was when Ma wasn’t awake. It wasn’t really a priority then.”

“I’m sorry, baby girl. I know it’s been hectic around here. I haven’t been on my A-game with you,” Ethic said.

“You’ve been the best, Daddy,” Bella said sincerely. It was the one truth she had told in this entire exchange. “I know everybody has something going on, but would you mind if I went? Aria said she’ll take me,” Bella said eagerly.

Ethic’s eyes landed on Aria, and she smiled while thinking, What the fuck? Aria was ride or die, though. She wasn’t going to leave Bella out on a limb.

“Unless you need me to watch over True,” Bella said.

Ethic shook his head. “No, baby girl. She’s not your responsibility. You can go. Keep your locations on. Will you need a ride back?”

“No, I can bring her back. It’s no problem,” Aria volunteered.

“Make sure your locations stay on,” Ethic said.

“I will, Daddy! Love you,” Bella beamed.

“I love you,” Ethic returned. He deadpanned at Aria. “Keep an eye on her, please.”

She froze. The way she had a whole crush on this grown-ass nigga. Oh my fucking god, the ways I would fuck the shit out of Mo’s daddy, Aria thought. I’m in love with himmmm.

Aria felt like a fangirl as she fawned over him in her mind. He was everything. I would be the best sugar baby on the planet for this nigga.

If it weren’t for her kind of liking his wife, Aria would have just had to fight Morgan about her daddy, because she would have thrown it at Ethic.

She was crushing hard as she replied, “She’s in safe hands. I promise.” Aria may as well have had hearts floating around her head she was cheesing so hard.

Ethic nodded. “You have your credit card?” he grilled.

“Yes, Daddy,” Bella said.

“You got your pepper spray?” he asked.

“I do; it’s in my purse.” Bella unzipped it and showed him.