Page 235 of When a Soul Cries

“They're not expecting us.”

“Nope.” I smiled. “That's the best part.”

Rome shook his head. “We keep it clean. Present what we have and let Hollis decide. No threats. No contacting anybody from back then. And we don't touch Desmond.”

“You really know how to suck the fun out of shit.”

“Khalil.”

“I heard you. Nobody touches Desmond.”

He handed the folder back. “We do it.”

“My way?”

“Don't make me regret it.”

“There my brother go.”

Before he could leave, I leaned back in my seat. “Speaking of women complicating shit... Zari and I been talking.”

Rome stopped.

“Talking how?”

“We went out a few times.”

“How many?”

“Three.”

The look he gave me had me frowning. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“Just don't play with her.”

“Why does everybody assume I'm incapable of liking somebody?”

Rome's face answered for him.

“Man, fuck you.”

He laughed, but the crazy part was, I actually did like Zari. A few messages had turned into phone calls, then dates, and now I was noticing things about her I hadn't expected to care about.

“She got walls,” I admitted.

“Then don't push.”

“I don't.”

“Good.”

That was the thing. I could've called Darius and probably known Zari's entire history by morning.

I didn't want to.

I wanted her to tell me herself.

Rome opened the door. “Eleven-thirty. Don't be late.”