Page 112 of Surrogate For My Best Friend’s Man 2

“Since we talking about how shit works, tell your people to stay the fuck away from my wife.”

Scambino leaned back. “What?”

“You heard me.” I moved closer to the glass.“Some nigga approached Alisha outside my house and then went to her shop.” Scambino said nothing so I continued. “He's talking about shit belonging to people and telling her I’m running out of time.”

Still no answer, that pissed me off. “That came from you right?”

“I didn’t tell anyone to touch your wife.”

“I ain’t asking if you told them to touch her.” His eyes narrowed slightly. “I asked if you sent them.”

A few seconds passed. “Messages needed to be delivered.”

“Deliver them to Rell.” I spat.

“Rell isn’t the one sitting in here.”

“Then bring them to me obviously you can sit your ass right there.”

His jaw shifted but I didn’t give a fuck. There were a lot of things I would take responsibility for. I put myself in this position and I brought street shit too close to home. I had Alisha dealing with enough bullshit because of me already, but nobody was using her or Brittany to get my attention. “Don’t send nobody else near my wife.”

Scambino studied me. “I’m gonna say this once. Alisha don’t know shit about what we do. She don’t move nothing or she don’t hold nothing. She ain’t part of nothing.”

“I know who your wife is.”

“Then act like it.”

His expression went cold. “Be careful, Deuce.”

“I’m being real clear.”

I lowered my voice. “And my daughter better never hear, see, or feel none of this shit.” Brittany didn’t know what the fuck her daddy had been doing. She didn’t know why I wasn’t home. She shouldn’t have to look over her shoulder because grown men had money tied up in shit I was responsible for. “Whatever problem you have with me, keep it with me.”

“Your daughter was never involved.”

“Keep it that way.”

He didn’t answer as fast.

“Scambino.” I said.

“I heard you.”

“Nah I need you to understand me.”

His face hardened. “You’re in no position to make demands.”

“About them two, I am.”

Finally, he nodded once. “No one will approach your wife again.”

“Good.”

“But understand something I didn’t come here because we’re friends.”

“Never thought we were.”

“I came because I have an investment sitting in county jail.” At least he wasn’t being fake. “And investments either make money or become losses.”