Page 229 of 4 Corinthians

"She's strong," Krude said, then relaxed into his chair. "I had to make sure you didn't try and fight me."

"I still might," I told him, then turned to Uri. "Do you think it worked?"

"According to Trey, Robert is planning something," he said, nodding. "He called him in. Said something about being in town. From what we could find, he hasn't left his house yet, though."

"And the boys?"

"With Script and his brothers," Psalms answered. "I talked to them before you woke up. They are taking the boys dirt biking."

"Of course they are," I said, then approached Uri. When I was close enough, he pulled me to him and kissed me.

"Damn, I missed you," he said when the kiss was over. "Don’t sleep that long again."

"It's not like I had a choice," I laughed, then kissed him again.

"Y'all really gotta do that right now?" Krude groaned.

I pulled back from our kiss and laughed. "You really are a hater, you know that?" I wrapped my arms around Uri and rested my head on his chest. His heartbeat was steady and strong.

"Never that. I love Black love."

"Anyway, before he starts, you ready?" Psalms asked, and I nodded. "You sure?"

"I'm ready," I told her. And I was. I was ready to get this shit over with, kill Uri's parents, and move on with my life. I'd spent too many years scared of a situation I had no control over.

"Well then let's go. The plane is waiting."

Four

Cori said we needed a plan, and she was right. Trying to go after Robert without one was suicide. I sat in the passenger seat of Unc's car watching Buckee's house. After I killed him, there were two more names left. Mims and Kenbral. Everything in me said my brother wasn't on no fuck shit. That he was there for a reason.

"Unc."

"Yeah?"

"Trusting Kenbral, was that a mistake?" I asked him. There were two people I trusted to always tell me the truth, Unc and Cori. No matter what or how bad it could hurt, they didn't hold back.

Unc rubbed his hand over his mouth, then chuckled. "If you would've asked me that a few years back, I would've said yeah. That your brother and cousin were on some fuck shit, but now?" He shook his head. "Knowing what I know and how Robert really is, the answer is no. I think they did what they did to protect y'all. Nine ain't ever gonna understand because he wasn't raised like y'all. But you three? Y'all got a different bond. Neither Trey nor Eight, would do anything to hurt y'all."

"I don’t think so either," I agreed.

"Why do you ask?"

"I just want to make sure I'm about to make the right decision," I told him. "I want this shit over with, and for it to work, I need him to do one last thing for me. I know what I'm going to ask him ain't fair either. He wants out. To be away from Robert and all his shit. If I ask him to make contact one last time, he's going to put his life in danger." I looked over at him. "His personal life."

"You mean his wife and daughter?" Unc asked, and I nodded. I wasn't surprised that he knew.

"Yeah."

"That's on Trey, but I think he will help. He knows what he has at home and what you are fighting for."

I nodded but didn't say anything else. Instead, I pulled my phone from my pocket and called Cori.

"Hello?" She answered. Her soft voice instantly put a smile on my face.

"You got a second?" I asked her as I continued watching our surroundings. "I want to run something by you."

"Yes."