Page 67 of A Capo’s Love: Featuring A Don’s Love

“I didn’t need no man or woman on earth to reveal that we were blood because I’ve always felt that shit,” he continued.

“You getting sentimental,” I rasped, before I detected my own emotions in my tone of voice.

“Hell yeah, I am… I just be really sitting back seeing the bigger picture, man. We had to take people out, shed tears… feel pain… just to get to this moment right here.”

I looked away briefly toward Novae again, then I looked back at Roy. I let myself fully receive what he was saying to me instead of rejecting it.

“You a real man too, Royal,” I croaked out, feeling my chest tighten.

His smirk faded followed by him dropping his head.

“You loyal without needing the recognition for it. You been carrying pain quietly without mentioning it at all. I trust you with everything, including my well-being and my kids… the same kids that adore you. I don’t know how I’d be able to even manage without you,” I confessed.

“Okay.” Roy threw his hands up dramatically.

“This brotherhood shit getting a little too emotional for me.” He quickly wiped away a fallen tear.

“Want a hug?” I rasped out half-jokingly.

If Roy needed a hug, I’d give him one with no hesitation.

“Nah, save that hug for a later date… Never know when one of us might need it the most. Right now, a nigga need a blunt along with a hefty rack to lay my head on… I gotta drive all the way to Spike’s bar to get my Breasturant.” he complained.

“Accept my words, Roy…” I pressed because I knew he was putting up a wall, finding it hard to accept and hear good things about himself.

“I accepted yours and believe them… accept what I said and believe it. I love you, my true and thoroughbred brother,” I said heavily, meaning every word.

He nodded his head, sniffled back the rest of his emotions and locked eyes with me. I saw the battle in his eyes until they softened, and only then could I see him accepting everything that I said to him.

“I accept… I love you too.”

CHAPTER 17

Royal

RELIEF.

Something felt wrong soon as I pulled up to my parent’s house. It sat tucked high in the hills away from the city close to the Bonetti estate. I sat in the car smoking a blunt, trying to shake the feeling but couldn’t. The cherry burned bright orange every time I inhaled. Smoke filled my lungs while uneasiness crawled heavier beneath my skin with every second.

Brutal finally walked back around the side of the property, adjusting the black hoodie stretched across his chest while Tabari walked out on the other side. Like Brutal, Tabari’s eyes scanned everything automatically. From the look on both of their faces, I decided that some shit wasn’t right.

My stomach tightened then dropped, suddenly making me feel like I had to take an immediate dump. Brutal opened the passenger door halfway and leaned down until he was eye level.

“Shoot,” I urged him.

“We checked the perimeter.” His jaw flexed. “The place reeks of death.” Sorrow masked with alertness was evident in his tone.

Abdominal pain struck me as my body stiffened against my leather seats. The sick, heavy feeling people got before bad news fully arrived hit me. I flicked the blunt out the window then climbed out the car fast, slamming the door harder than intended.

Cold air zapped by my face while I moved quickly toward the front steps, keys already out and ready to use.

“Roy,” Brutal called after me cautiously.

I ignored him because my heart sounded too loud in my own ears. Every step toward the house felt like it would be the last steps of sanity that I’d ever take. I loved my mother with everything in me. I held no resentment to who she chose to remain married to even though he caused us both physical and mental abuse.

Please let it be this weird ass nigga Ronald… don’t let it be Momma, I said to myself.

I shoved my key into the lock with trembling fingers and pushed the front door open. The smell hit me so hard it almost folded me in half. It smelled like raw rotting flesh. It was heavy enough to taste, slamming straight into my chest and throat instantly.