Page 85 of 4 Corinthians

“Where Psalms go now?” Nine smirked. “And who she drag with her, Wryanne?”

“Nah, this was Corinthians' idea,” he laughed. “They went to see Mercy and Legacy for the weekend.”

Nine stopped working on the watch and looked at the phone. “All your girl cousins went?” he asked. I could see the hope in his eyes at the thought of Cross being there.

“Nah, Cross had to work,” Exodus replied. “It’s the sisters, Wryanne, Mercy, and Legacy.”

“Okay,” Nine said, nodding. “I will lock their location when I finish working on Four’s bracelet. Shit is fucking up, and I can’t have that.”

“He here?”

“Yeah,” Nine answered. “I have you on speakerphone.”

“Ay, man, how you doing?”

“Fine,” I answered.

“I don’t want to hold y’all up, but I told Nine that I have a few business plans I need you to look at,” Exodus said. “I know your fees; shit will be in your mailbox within the week if that’s cool.”

“Okay.”

“Bet,” Exodus laughed. “I’ll talk to y’all later then.”

“Alright,” Nine said. “I’m going to call Citrine and tell him to upgrade the girls' rooms. Give them the whole floor.”

“I didn’t call to have you do all that,” Exodus replied.

“I know, which is why I’m doing it,” Nine replied. “I’ll let you know when their location is locked too.”

“Bet,” Exodus said. “I gotta go, Madea calling me. More than likely, Krude is getting on her nerves again.”

“Bet,” Nine said, then hung up. He called Citrine, had the girl’s rooms upgraded as he'd told Exodus he would, and then set my bracelet in front of me. “I think I need to make you another one. This one says it’s good, but I don’t think it is.”

“It’s fine,” I said, taking my bracelet back and putting it on again.

Nine looked at the watch, then at me as he sat back in his seat. He smirked, then picked up his phone and typed something into it. “What were you and Corinthians talking about in the hallway earlier?” he asked.

My bracelet started to beep. Nine looked at it, then up at me.

“Nothing,” I answered.

Nine nodded. “Alright.”

Our food came, and we ate in silence. When we were done, I told Nine I was heading back to my hotel. I was in a waiting game now; Robert would make a move soon. I got into my car, started it, and pulled out of the parking lot. My phone buzzed when I got to the stoplight, and I picked it up to see a text from Nine.

Nine: I’m not asking questions, but I notice shit. This is her location. The plane is waiting.

I debated what to do with this information, then I remembered the look of fear in her eyes. I couldn’t have that. She had to know I would never hurt her. I turned and headed to the airport.

Present…

We were at a stalemate; we both knew it, yet neither of us wanted to back down. I leaned against the wall and crossed my arms. Corinthians paced in front of Judah’s Pack ‘N Play. I wasn’t lying when I said he looked like her. He was a replica of her in every way. Whoever his father was, had nothing to brag about.

“Why are you here?” she asked for what felt like the millionth time. Her voice was low and calm, but her eyes were wild and unsettling. I knew this look; I had seen it more times than I wanted to admit. She had it every time she went into the ring. She was going to try and fight me. But I didn’t blame her. I was a reminder of her past; of something she didn’t want to remember.

She moved Judah’s Pack ‘N Play towards the door.

“Don’t do that,” I said, shaking my head. “Don’t move him.” Corinthians stopped walking and looked over her shoulder at me. “Don’t do that either.”