Page 23 of A Million Boss Kisses

“The divorce isn’t going to happen,” I clarified. “My marital issues aren’t up for discussion, but know that we are going to get shit back on track. We just hit a hiccup.”

“A bullet to the shoulder is a hiccup? Do you hear your fucking self?” Uncle Montell roared.

“Ion think Aunt Marissa coming back,” Karmello cut in, gently rubbing his hands over his waves.

“And why the fuck y’all brought his young ass to this conversation?” I groaned as Esmerelda wrapped gauze around my shoulder.

“Technically, Karmello is next up!” Jerrod argued.

“Alright gentleman, I’m going to wash my hands and give you some privacy,” she chimed in, quickly stripping off her gloves, her eyes darting between all of us arguing over her head.

“You think we are about to hand control over to y’all? You out your fucking minds,” my dad grumbled, voice clearer than it had been in days.

I pulled my phone out of my pocket with my free hand and sent her payment while the argument continued. The shit they were discussing wasn’t of concern to me. Once I slid my phone back into my pocket, I zoned in on Karmello.

“What?” He shrugged, noticing my stare.

“Why you don’t think she coming back? What you know about that nigga she dealing with?”

“Ion know shit about that, but I still talk to Lil Q and Quincy regularly. That shit boils my blood just to sit here and see you move like they don’t matter.

We made our way to three of his games last season.

He says you ain’t made it to none and you don’t reach out.

Aunty Marissa love them boys more than anything.

You seriously think she’s going to forgive you for that? ” Karmello mugged.

Although Karmello was only twenty-three, he was never one to bite his tongue.

He was extremely smart, more level-headed than I was at his age, and the loyalty he had to my boys was some shit I could only dream of.

There was always so much disdain between my dad and uncle that I was taught to always have my guard up when it came to my cousins.

I couldn’t even be mad at Karmello’s honesty, no matter how brutal it was.

I admired it. His glare never left mine.

“I know I wouldn’t. I even told them if I was them, it’d probably be fuck you forever.”

My energy shifted once those words left his lips.

All of that admiration went out the window, and I hopped up from my stool reaching across the kitchen island.

Jerrod shoved me back, his hand pressing into my injured shoulder.

Pain shot through me like lightning, and I doubled over, gasping for air.

“I’ll shoot you in yo fuckin’ face about my jit,” Jamell snapped, aiming his gun at my head.

“Alright! Montell, get your boys and get the fuck out!” My dad coughed out.

Karmello pushed his dad’s arm down and pulled him towards the door.

“This shit ain’t over!” Uncle Montell growled, turning to exit the house.

Keith followed behind them, and I was right on their heels to slam and lock the door behind them.

“Do you know why there has always been so much animosity between me and your uncle?”

“I ain’t in the mood for a history lesson. Roll yo ass out of here behind them.” I roared, opening the door.

“You need to get out of your fucking feelings and get your house in order quick. Your uncle and cousins aren’t wrong. You’re tarnishing the Bentley name! Making the shit sound weak and our past is too checkered for that.” He badgered on his way out of the door before a fit of coughs took over.

“Maybe it is better that Karmello takes over. I can ease him into the role just like I planned to do with Tech.”

Lil Q taking over wasn’t on my agenda for a multitude of reasons.

Mainly, I didn’t want to subject him to the same bullshit my father did to me.

He would easily be corrupted, and I couldn’t stomach that shit.

Lil Q was able to attend school all last year without being kicked out.

That was a massive step up for him, and I could see a brighter future for him, even if he couldn’t see it for himself.

“No! This shit goes to Lil Q!” He huffed, pointing both of his index fingers towards the ground. “You know how I know they will starve us?”

“How?” I rebutted just to entertain his ass.

“I did it to Montell,” he shrugged. “He tried to challenge my authority after our father died and I was in charge, so I cut him out of everything for a few years. I only let him come back because I had gotten into some shit, and we needed the muscle. Handing this over to Karmello will be the end of us in this business. He would love nothing more than to give me a taste of my own medicine. As I previously asked, do you really think Marissa is going to want you if you can’t afford the type of lifestyle she was born into?

” His brows narrowed as he waited for my answer.

“If I wouldn’t have fucked up so bad. I know she would have. Unfortunately, we are not living in that reality,” I replied, pulling my door open. “Rob, he’s ready!” I called out to his driver.

“I’m going to figure this shit out,” he breathed.

“Alright man.”

I stood there watching Rob help him into the truck, thinking of how I could fix this shit because I’d had enough of waiting around for my father to give me direction. His direction was the sole reason my life was in shambles.