Page 160 of 4 Corinthians

“Because the names…they are connected.”

“Has that ever stopped me before?” I asked him.

“Nah.”

“Exactly, this shit is personal. I don’t ask for shit, except to be left alone. Since I was a fucking kid, I was told I would be a monster and that my CIPA made me different because I couldn’t feel the shit that Robert had done to me. I was molded into something that I didn’t even recognize in the mirror. Then I met her, and she looked at me. Nigga that’s all she did was look at me, and I knew. Whatever she needed, wanted, it didn’t matter; I would make it happen. I was a fucking kid making declarations of love and didn’t even realize it.” I dropped the folder on the ground in front of me, then wiped my hands over my face. “Cori was the only person that didn’t ask me for shit. Even now, she doesn’t ask me for anything, and I willingly give her my all. So, going after these niggas.” I pointed to the folder. “For her? Yeah, it ain’t no questions asked about it. Robert wanted a fucking monster, then he’s going to get it.”

“You’re wrong, Four,” he chuckled, then stood. “Corinthians wasn’t the only person who didn’t want shit from you. I've been looking out for you since you were born. I was going through the shit before mama pushed you out.”

“Trey…”

“It’s cool,” he said, shaking his head. “I get it. It took me a while, but I legit get it because I’m the same way.” He nodded at the folder. “Let me know if you need any more help.”

Trey put his hand out, and I stood. We hugged then he left. I waited until his car pulled off before I bent down and picked up the folder. I opened it, and the first name that I saw was Tyrell Cartell. I flipped the page and couldn’t believe my eyes. I’d seen this nigga before in Cori’s shop. I took my phone from my pocket, swiped it, and called Nine.

“Yeah?”

“I need my location scrambled,” I told him as I walked to my car. “Put me in Vegas.”

“Shooting dice or playing cards?” he replied.

I got into my car, started it, and waited for the phone to connect to Bluetooth. Once it had, I put the car in drive and pulled out of my parking spot. “Celebrating,” I replied. “Make sure it’s a family affair.”

“And where will you be for real?”

“Killing Tyrell Cartell.”

***

I didn’t believe in grand gestures when it came to killing. Typically, I wasn’t over the top or dramatic with the way I killed people. I was straight to the point, bullet between the eyes or right in the heart. But it was something different about killing Tyrell. I wanted him to know I was coming; to know the reason I was killing him and then see the fear in his eyes right before I ended his life.

Which is why I was walking through his house now. He was at work, more than likely; hell, I didn’t know, nor did I care. I went to his kitchen, opened the fridge, and looked around. He had a few things in there to eat, but nothing was calling my name.

“Your grocery shopping?” Nine asked. I lifted my head to see him walking into the kitchen. I knew calling him for a location switch would get him to ask questions, but not him tagging along.

“Nah,” I answered him and went back to looking in the fridge. I grabbed two bottles of water, then closed the door. “Just looking for supplies.”

“For?” His brow went up, and I smirked. “Man, what do you have planned?”

“I’m still working it out in my head,” I told him, then leaned against the fridge. “You got a problem with anything I planned to do?”

“I don’t have a problem with shit, especially since I don’t know what the fuck you are planning,” he chuckled and shook his head. He sat at the dining room table. “This shit is your show.”

“Why are you here then?”

“Because I have questions,” he answered. He sat back, crossed his arms, and smirked. “I want to see how much you’re going to lie to me.”

“I ain’t ever lied before,” I replied. “About shit.”

“True,” he nodded in agreement. “So, answer this for me.”

“Alright.”

“When I asked you to move here when I came for Cross, why didn’t you?”

“Because I knew I wouldn’t be able to stay away from Cori,” I replied. “You saw us together.”

Nine sat forward, resting his elbows on the table and nodded. “I have, which confuses the fuck out of me. You love her, like straight from the heart, no questions asked love. How did you manage not to see her all these years? You have the money and the resources to move how you want.”