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“That was before your time, youngin.” He narrows his eyes. “Redd was a problem. Personally and professionally. It was in everybody’s best interest that he go.”

“Even Big Ray?”

Anger creases his face. “Especially Ray.” He’s silent for a moment before he shakes his head. “Mila…” he trails off. “Them Lovelace bitches are treacherous. Ray couldn’t see it. Right in his fucking face, and he couldn’t see it.”

“Uh huh.” I cross my arms in front of me. “Did you do Big Ray? I heard he was gonna take Redd and go independent.”

His whole demeanor changes.

“Fuck you,” he says, his voice breaking. “You not gon’ put that shit on me. That man died in a car accident.” He lets the tears fall this time before angrily swiping them off his cheeks. “That was my brother. Blood or not.”

He swallows hard and looks away. “I would’ve died for that man. Killed for him.” His voice goes hoarse. “I did.”

I study him. I’ve spent my life deciphering lies. I had to for my own survival. I know when a man is lying, and Dime isn’t. Not this time.

I give it a beat, then I raise my pistol.

“King,” AJ says softly behind me.

I squeeze the trigger.

Dime slumps in his chair, eyes wide open, mouth slightly parted like he has more to share. But it’s over.

“Wipe the feeds,” I mumble. “Scrub everything.”

AJ’s men move around the house collecting hard drives. One heads for the security panel. The other handles the house’s cloud connection.

I stare at the man who started all this shit, the domino effect that led to Sable’s pain. The man who raised a little bitch. The man who trained that little bitch to destroy a woman because of his ego.

Oh, well.

I leave the room and head back to the truck.

I walk into the waiting area on the eleventh floor carrying two heavy bags from Soul Kitchen. I have it all—catfish, mac and cheese, collards, yams, cornbread muffins, and peach cobbler for dessert.

Sable’s family sits in a loose circle. I recognize her mom and Ebony, of course, but there are a few other adults there who are new to me. They all look tired and worn out. Hollow, just like I feel.

Ebony notices me first. She gives a weak wave, which Mila notices.

“Who is that?” she asks.

“Him,” Ebony mutters. “The one who—“

“I’m a friend,” I say, cutting her off. “I tried my best to look after Sable. Obviously, I failed.” I set the bags on the table. “I know I’m not welcome here, and that’s fine. I just wanna say I’m sorry for failing to discharge my duty.”

I look each of them in the eye. “I’ll stay out of your way, but I’m here. If you need anything, just say the word.”

I turn and make my way to the waiting room on the other side of the nurse’s station. It’s smaller, and there’s no tv, but it’s all good. I can see the door to Sable’s room. That’s all I care about.

I pop my earbuds in, crank up my music, and pull a bag of chips out of my backpack. I haven’t had an appetite since Sable was taken, but I have to keep my strength up in case she wakes up and needs me.

I close my eyes and say a prayer.

44

Julian

On day three ofmy watch, I wake up with a pinching ache on the side of my neck. It shoots down to my shoulder blade as I try to shift in the stiff hospital chair I’ve claimed as mine.