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Now I felt ready to talk to Pierre, we needed closure so I could give Zeus all of me.

I stood in the Zoo along with my niggas. It was time and Chevy was ready to put these niggas on. I glanced over at Chevy as he gave me the head nod. Diamond smiled. I knew the nigga was about to sing. He’d always found ways to find humor in intense moments. “This is Zoo side-ah-ii-ah iidee.”

Foe sucked his teeth. “Nigga it’s fair eastside high.”

Diamond shrugged. “Same shit.”

Preach circled them, shouting, “Heavenly Father!” until he came back around to us.

We stood there watching them all hang Peanut, Mali, Streets, Monfua, Beans, and my baby, Freckles. All of them were scared, except Beans that nigga had heart. I approached Freckles, allowing my hand to run up her thigh.

“Zeus what is this shit? You got me up here like I didn’t just fuck yo brains out.”

“I know baby you did, and a nigga wants more, but this is a part of the game.”

“Sss-Sa-Sasha, wha-what- is-is-is—”

Diamond turned to all of us. “Hold the fuck on. My nigga you stuttering?Nigga!” he said as he threw his hand up. “Don’t say shit if it’s going to take you a week to say it.”

“Fuck you, Diamond. Leave him alone.”

Foe looked at Diamond, “She gone beat yo ass better ease up.” He cackled.

“Cut the bullshit!” Chevy snapped. “Peanut, hold on to the talking for now. We don’t have all night. Y’all niggas wanted to be put on so here we are. Normally, when you’re hanging likethis, I would just put bullets in you and call it a night. However, this was the only way to get you all here.”

“What about Soho?” Monfua asked.

“Fuck him!If you want to chase after beaver mouth, I will cut you down right now and you can skedaddle your ass right out of here!” Chevy barked. “I don’t fuck with scheming ass niggas!” he looked at Freckles.

Her eyes crept my way.Zeus.She mouthed.

When she glared at me like this, it made me soft for her. It made me want to tell Chevy to chill, but deep down my nigga was right. It was even something about her story and that nigga Sono being a hero that didn’t sit right with me. I had to take my eyes off her as my body leaned back, and I began to howl.

Clap! Clap! Clap!

Chevy began circling them. “The Zoo is fucking family!”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

“The Zoo rides every muhfuckin time together!”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

“The Zoo comes for blood.”

Clap! Clap! Clap!

“The muhfuckin Zoo is all we got!”

He stopped right in front of them. “You want to be on the team? I’ve got you. I’ve studied each of you niggas,” he paused. “And you as well, Freckles. I’ve worked too hard and almost died protecting the Zoo. If I find out you scheming on the team, you a snitching ass muhfucka, you out here moving reckless I will kill you. I will not think twice. I will slit your fucking throat then toss your trash ass out back. I’m the nigga you need to be scared of. I’m the nigga that everything I say I can back that shit up. I’m the muhfuckin Devil, yo Daddy, yo momma and the fucking king!” he roared.

I watched as Chevy talked. That surgery changed him. I don’t know if it was for the good or the bad, but that nigga was out ofhis mind. None of the new people said a word as they focused on Chevy. Preach stepped forward, “Y’all niggas need to pray. Pray that every move you make from here on out is a smart one. I don’t have time to try to save yo asses. Be clear, I’m holy but I’m still hood.”

Diamond stepped to the side of Preach. “You damn right a holy hood nigga. Me, I play all day but the moment you step incorrect I’m gone drop yo ass!” he gritted with his fist in the air.

Foe glanced around. “Oh, we’re giving speeches. Shit, I thought Martin Luther Chevy had it.Goddamn!I’m not doing no talking I’m going to light yo ass up,” he grumbled.

I glanced at them all, then focused my attention solely on Freckles. I needed her to hear me out. “You have one time to deceive me. One time to show me who you really are. One time to prove that everything I’ve done was a waste of time, and I will cut you off and allow my niggas to handle you how they want to. It doesn’t matter how much love I have for you. Me, Zeus cannot handle another heartbreak.”