AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“One more question. Where were you when Roulette Phillips was killed?”
“In the fucking penal system on some trumped up charges. I sued y’all asses and won. That was a cool million dollars… another reason I don’t have to work a traditional job. Anything else?”
“Mr. Patterson, are you in a hurry to go somewhere?”
“Detective, are you skirting around issues of misconduct? I don’t have a problem filing a complaint. I’m not intimidated by y’all asses. I pay my fucking taxes, and I paid my fucking dues to live the life I live. If you wanna keep wasting my time, I’m gon’ start charging by the hour.”
“You’re free to go, Mr. Patterson.”
“Ibeenfree to go,” I said as I stood and exited the room.
When I got up front, Chelsea stood from her seat. “Everything okay?”
“Yep. Let’s go home.”
I kissed her lips, and we headed out of the station. Ali was sitting in his car next to where Chelsea had parked. I gave him a head nod, then got in the car with my baby and headed home. The police had nothing. If they had evidence of anything, I would have been under arrest. There was nothing they could do about Van’s allegations but get on my damn nerves. They could watch my comings and goings, but they wouldn’t learn anything from that. The old Jungle was long gone. Only one part of the old Jungle remained. That was the part of me that Van had all the way fucked up.
CHAPTER20
CHELSEA
Iwas pacing back and forth. I was way too nervous. The attorney had called and said Kaysyn was on her way and should be here in thirty minutes. My nerves were because I didn’t know how Jericka would respond to me or if Kaysyn would have anything to say about what happened in the courtroom. As I paced, Jungle watched me quietly. His eyes followed me back and forth.
It had been great being here with him. I was completely moved in and not one single doubt about my decision had come to mind. Jericho and Whitney had arrived a few minutes ago and were in the kitchen with Manman. I thought I would feel petty and angry in this moment like I felt in the courtroom, but I was feeling the opposite… sensitive and vulnerable.
“Baby, come ’ere.”
I gave him a tight smile as I made my way to him. He pulled me to his lap and kissed my head, shifting me to cradle me like a baby. “I know this moment is exciting, overwhelming, and nerve racking. But I have a feeling that this is going to go better than you think. I feel like all this was a misunderstanding orchestrated by Seneca. He lied on you, but because I know him, I know this was all done in fear. He felt threatened. He loves that little girl with all his heart. If he and Kaysyn stay together after this, he’ll never have kids of his own.”
I looked away from him, because I had nothing but animosity toward Seneca right now. Jungle turned my face to him and continued. “I’m not making excuses for him. He was wrong as fuck for what he did. Had it been anyone else, they would have gotten fucked up as soon as we left that courtroom. I truly believe that was the only thing that kept Jericho off his ass. We’re brothers and family fuck up. Seneca felt like his back was against the wall. I’m not saying he gets a pass, but he gets to live.”
I nodded. He knew Seneca better than I did. He’d been knowing him for almost twenty years since Seneca used to run drugs for them. I slid my arms around him and kissed his cheek. I rested my forehead against his shoulder. “I understand. I wonder what will happen with him and Kaysyn.”
“Nowthat,I can’t say. Kaysyn ain’t really about the foolery. She didn’t give that nigga a chance at her heart until he proved he could be the man she needed. She wasn’t feeling his bullshit at all… not as far as a relationship went and being around her kids.”
I opened my mouth to respond but the doorbell rang. Hopping up from Jungle’s lap, I ran to the door. I turned to look behind me and saw my support system… the people that had my back no matter the cost and smiled at them. When I opened the door, Kaysyn and Jericka stood there. “Hi. Come in,” I said as Jericka stared up at me.
I could see the sadness in her eyes and that hurt my soul. I stooped to her level and said, “Hi, Jericka.”
She looked up at Kaysyn, and she nodded at her. “Hi, Mom.”
The tears filled my eyes, and I threw my arms around her as she hugged me back.My God.All my issues with Kaysyn went right out of the window at that moment. I glanced up at her as I held Jericka in my arms to see the tears falling down her cheeks. When Jericka released me, she smiled at Jungle. “I know you.”
“Yeah, you do. What’s up, lil mama?”
“Do you live here too?”
“Mm hmm.”
She looked past Jungle and said, “Uncle Jericho!”
She ran to him and hugged him. Jericho picked her up and closed his eyes. I turned back to Kaysyn and pulled her in my arms. We both cried together. When I released her, I grabbed her hand. “You wanna talk?”
She nodded. “Please. There are some things I need to say.”
I nodded as well and led her to a lounging room that Jungle had near the staircase. She sat as I closed the door. Jungle winked at me as Kaysyn said, “Oh! Here are my keys if Jungle and Jericho want to get her things from the car.”
I grabbed them from her and handed them to Jericho. We’d spent hours getting her room together. It was decorated in pinks and purples and had pictures of black girls with natural hair hanging on the walls. It was perfect for a melanated princess. Going back to the room, I closed the door then sat next to Kaysyn.
