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“My father’s debt has officially been paid. I’ve done all that is required of me. I gave Sonny three children and raised them all. That’s it.”
While his fingers flexed, the rest of his body was stiff. An empty feeling filled the pit of his stomach before it churned and he grew nauseous.
“Nah. So okay. You can just divorce him. That doesn’t mean he has to kill you.”
Heather gripped his cheeks. “Don’t be naïve, Choyce. I know too much. You think they’re going to let me just leave? Their family secrets are about to die with me. That’s why I’m telling you this now. I want you to be prepared, and I want you to get the hell away from this family.” Choyce’s head shook as he removed her hands from his cheeks. “Mercy is too far gone. He thinks your father is a fucking king, but you know better, Choyce. You will be able to see him for the bully that he really is. Promise me that you won’t accept the place they offer you in the association tonight.”
“You’re drunk,” Choyce decided, refusing to believe any of what his mother was saying. “This can’t possibly be true.”
“Choyce…”
“You can’t expect me to believe my father basically allowed you to be taken and bought just to bear his children before he killed you. Nah. That has to be your imagination and the liquor talking.”
Avoiding his eyes, Heather’s chin trembled.
Her voice cracked as she said, “I figured you wouldn’t believe me, but I had to try.” Sniffling, Heather wiped her face. “My sister’s information is on the letter. After I’m killed, go to her. Sonny doesn’t know I’ve been in contact with her, so you will be safe there.”
“Ma, give it u—”
“I love you so much, baby.” Closing the space between them, Heather pulled him into her arms and held him tightly. “Remember, you will always have a choice.” After placing a kiss on his cheek, she briskly left his room.
“Ma,” he called, heart dropping when she ignored him. “Ma!”
Stepping out into the hallway, Choyce was halted at the sight of his father.
“You’re late.”
“I was talking to Ma. I think she’s having a bad night. Can we do this party another time?”
“No. Go downstairs and let your grandfather welcome you in. I will see to your mother.”
Used to his father’s calm tone and steeled expression, Choyce thought this moment was the same as any other.
“You’re not going to be there with me?”
“I’ll be down as soon as I can.”
Choyce nodded, but there was a small voice telling him right now wasn’t the best time for his parents to be in the same room. Though he was having difficulty believing his mother, if she was telling the truth, he wanted to make sure she was okay.
“Come with me now,” Choyce demanded, surprising the hell out of himself.
Under different circumstances, he would have accepted whatever his father said. But right now, Choyce was running this shit. With a quiet chuckle, Sonny followed behind his son. They went downstairs to the cream and burgundy decorated living room that was filled with Choyce’s brother, grandfather, and three uncles. They were all wearing black… just like him.
Standing in the center of the room were two women—one who was dressed beautifully in a silk black gown, and the other whose thin clothing was dirty and torn. For some reason, Choyce felt drawn to the woman shivering and avoiding their eyes. Though there were no physical marks on her face or body that he could see, Choyce already knew what was up.
“The hell is this?” Choyce asked, ignoring the slip of his tongue. He’d never cursed in front of his elders before and hadn’t planned on that changing just because he was finally eighteen.
“Watch your mouth,” Sonny ordered, gripping the back of his neck and leading him over to his grandfather.
Though he was retired from the association, Armani always showed up for birthday parties, whether they were rites of passage ceremonies or not.
Choyce’s eyes landed on his brother and Mercy mouthed, “Keep cool.”
Sucking his teeth, Choyce wiggled out of his father’s grip. “What is going on?”
“You are officially a man,” his grandfather spoke. “Now, you must accept your role in the family. You must promise to give life and continue the Jerome bloodline by taking a wife and having at least three children. You must prove your loyalty by taking a life and killing one of our enemies.”
Armani handed him a long slide Glock. “This is Ava.” He motioned toward the beautiful, light-skinned woman smiling widely at him. “She will be your wife.” Armani’s hand shifted in the other woman’s direction, who was still avoiding all their eyes. “Kill that one. Her father has a debt that he’s refused to pay.”
Her head popped up, eyes wide. “N-no, please.”
“I’m not killing her,” Choyce rejected, trying to hand the gun back to his grandfather. “And I’m not marrying a complete stranger.”
“You don’t have a choice,” Sonny replied, stepping next to him. “I’ve told you countless times what tonight meant. It’s not just the night you become a man. It’s the night you earn your place in this family. I’m not sure what made you think your grandfather was giving you a choice, but you’re going to do exactly what the fuck he said.”
Choyce’s breath came out hard. With his head hung, he replayed the conversation he had with his mother. He chuckled softly, hating he ever doubted her. While it may have been easier to believe she was lying, the truth was now staring him right in his eyes. There was no telling where Ava had come from, but he for damn sure wasn’t going to marry her and give her the same fate as his mother.
His mother.
“Are you going to kill my mother?”
Sonny’s eyes widened as he released a short laugh. He looked around the room, surprised by his son’s question.
“You’ve been eighteen for all of five minutes and you think that gives you the right to question me?”
Top lip curling, Choyce’s head shook as he eyed his father. “You bring any more harm to my mother than you already have, and I will fucking kill you.”
“Woah.” Mercy quickly stepped between them, holding Choyce close to his back while their uncles drew their guns.
“Did you just threaten me, young nigga? I’ll kill you with my bare hands and make your mama watch!”
“End this,” Armani commanded. “Now.”
“Wait,” Mercy almost yelled. “I’ll kill her.”
“No!” she yelled, turning to run, but one of Choyce’s uncles grabbed her. No matter how she struggled, she couldn’t break free.
