Page 16

During my lunch meeting with the construction crew here in Milly Grove, I texted Denim and told her to be ready by seven tonight. I knew she was still rattled about her fight with Rebecca, so I planned to take her to dinner. I wanted to tell her why she shouldn’t fear consequences, but I enjoyed watching her squirm for the last few days, thinking she was going to jail. It was all an act, though; Denim knew if she went to jail, the bureau would simply handle the charges. Still, her fighting civilians was a no-no; you didn’t have to be police to know that.

When I popped up at her crib that night, I was on some chill shit. I knew I shouldn’t be on that type of time with her, but I couldn’t help the pull. Seeing her fighting Lieutenant Governor Holmes’ wife shocked the fuck out of me, and when I saw Big Bri crying in the corner, I saw red. It took a lot for me to not light that bitch on fire. I wanted to blow up Bryce’s spot but now wasn’t the time. The best thing for me to do was send her on her way with her tail tucked from the ass beating she’d gotten. I spent that night and the next day kicking it with Denim and her daughter, and I admit it was fun and comfortable.

Spending time with them had become the highlight of being in Milly Grove. It gave me a glimpse of what things would be like if I ever became a family man, and I liked it. I never dreamed about having kids, but if I ever did have one, I wanted a daughter just like Big Bri. She was intelligent, sassy, and funny. I was assuming these traits came from Denim because her bitch-ass daddy was far from any of those things. The more I hung out with Briley and Denim, the more I felt sad for my new little homie. She would eventually be an orphan, and I prayed Denim’s parents were as good as she claimed them to be because they were going to be taking in their grandchild and raising her real soon.

Allowing the men to finish enjoying their catered lunch, I stood and exited the conference room. We’d been moving swiftly on finishing the shopping center and were now looking over the layouts for the casino. Uno and his team did a fantastic job, sending realistic drafts of what they envisioned for the casino. I had been grinding out the minor details we needed before the actual building process began. By the time we finished this newest project, I was throwing my name in the hat for the casino to be named after me.

Deciding to shut it down for the day, I grabbed my things and walked to Uno’s office. Hearing some grunting as I stood outside his door to knock, I backed away quickly and reached for my Glock.

“Shit, baby… yes!” I heard a woman moan clear as day.

Laughing out loud, I caught the eyes of a few councilmen, who wore smirks themselves. I was used to Zoo and Jules fucking their wives midday, so hearing Uno, and who I assumed to be Harley, was not abnormal. Deciding to shoot him an email when I got back in the office on Monday, I headed to my car.

Once situated, I propped the phone on the dash and decided to call my favorite girl. It was hard not being able to see my grandparents the way I wanted to, so I had Jules go to their house and set up an iPad so I could video call. It took them a minute to figure out how to do the simplest thing, such as answering an incoming call, but they finally got the hang of it. Now, we’ve talked every day since they left Milly Grove.

“Well hello, my handsome baby. Is that a glow on your face? Hm? Who’s the girl?”

“Sweets, there’s no glow. Just this sun blinding me—got my skin looking all shiny.” Deciding to grab a smoothie since I didn’t eat much with the construction crew, I made a quick U-turn to head toward Smoothie King. I looked at Sweets and teased her. “Here I was thinking you’d be happy to see me, but you just want to harass me instead.”

“It’s my job to be in your business, Andre.” She waved me off as she adjusted her house coat. She was the only woman I knew who still wore hair rollers to bed at night and kept them in during the day unless they were having company. “Are you finally going to tell me about the lady friend you spent the night with when we were visiting? Is she the same one you took to the fancy event you attended?”

“Sweets, who’s been telling my business?” I frowned, causing her to smirk. “I know it was nobody but Jules.”

“It was nothing like that, Andre, so you calm your tail down,” she fussed and pointed into the screen, and I couldn’t help but chuckle. “I wanted to know what’s going on with her because that Sandra girl keeps coming by here showing her tail, and I’m going to end up putting my hands on her.”

“What do you mean?” I furrowed my brows as I turned into a pack drive-thru. It was my first time hearing this, and I didn’t like it. “I didn’t know she was still coming by. I told her that nothing would become of us, and she needed to accept it. It’s cool, though. I’m going to holler at her when I get back in town.”

This is the main reason I didn’t want a serious relationship with anyone. When the relationship has run its course, I don’t have time for the extra shit. I will blow a muhfuckas brains out with no remorse. I gave her the benefit of the doubt because we’ve been dealing with each other for years. However, she’d crossed the line by harassing Sweets.

“Just talk to her, baby.” Sweets sighed and shook her head. “She’s pregnant, and?—”

“That doesn’t have anything to do with me!” I snapped unintentionally, causing her eyes to widen in shock. “I’m sorry, Sweets. That’s my bad.” I palmed my chest. “I wouldn’t dare disrespect you by raising my voice. That girl is getting under my skin with her lying and games. You forgive me? I’m your favorite grandson, after all.”

Giving her my best puppy-dog look, I poked out my bottom lip, and she exploded in laughter. I didn’t want her to think too much about Sandra because I sure as hell wasn’t. I was going to nip that “popping up” shit in the bud, though.

“I forgive you, but I don’t know about favorite…” The grin on my face fell at her words. “There’s Rosier and Jules. They call me every single day, along with those Mills boys. They’re coming to see me soon?—”

“Man, you’re my granny!” I fussed and pouted like a child. “You don’t even know those new niggas. If it wasn’t for Jules out here acting like the boogeyman and scaring people?—”

She fell into a fit of laughter at my frustration, and I couldn’t help but do the same. I may have talked shit, but I loved how my boys showed love to Sweets. She was so motherly, and you couldn’t help but gravitate to her. She had a big heart and a loving spirit, so it was only natural for her to attract all our crazy selves.

“Oh my goodness! I needed that laugh.” She caught her breath and wiped her eyes. “I know you two aren’t in a good space, but I wanted you to know I spoke with your mother a few days ago. She told me she was going to take a self-healing trip to Kenya. As much as I am against it… I understand why she needs to go. I pray that when she returns, you both can sit and talk. She didn’t say how long she would be gone, but she told me she would write often.”

I didn’t reply because I didn’t want to burst her bubble. Little did Sweets know, she would never see her daughter again. I knew better than to believe my mother had gone anywhere other than wherever Rosier sent her. I didn’t know if my mother was dead or alive at this point, but maybe, one day, I’d ask.

After making sure there wasn’t anything that she or Pop needed, I ended the call by promising to come home soon. I checked the time on my phone and saw Skip had hit me up, saying he and Wild were at the mall if I wanted to slide through. Deciding to take him up on his offer, I headed that way, smiling at my conversation with Sweets and about seeing Denim and Briley in a couple of hours.

* * *

I questioned my motives the whole ride to Denim’s house. I knew I was going to have to kill this girl, so I didn’t understand why I was continuing to spend so much time with her and her daughter. I’d never brought flowers for anyone other than Sweets but passing the elaborate setup at a kiosk in the mall had me stopping and buying three dozen roses. Stepping to her door, it swung open before I could even knock.

“Roses, huh, Mr. Sexy Man?” Rome asked in a sultry voice that made me feel gay as fuck.

“Man, back up, Rome! I done told your ass about that gay shit. I like pu?—“

“Dre!” Little Briley came running into the living room. “Oooh. Those are so pretty. Mommy gonna love them. Anything for me?” she asked with the biggest, prettiest smile.

Every interaction with Briley had me wanting to pull up and murk her daddy wherever he stood. How could any man be willing to sell their child's innocence?

“But, of course…” Reaching into my pocket, I produced a small box I brought from the mall with Wild and Skip. When I saw the heart-studded diamonds, I had to get them. They screamed bougie baby, and that’s exactly what Briley was.

“Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness! Look, Unctie Jerome! I got sparkly heart earrings.”

“Sparkly? Nah, Briley Boo—them is diamonds! Unctie gonna have to teach you the difference. Come on! Let’s go in the back and try them on.” I watched as they walked toward the hall just as Denim entered the living room. Lil' Mama was stacked. We hadn’t fucked since the first time, and I was intentionally trying to keep it that way but seeing her in this mid-thigh length blush-colored dress with the ribbing showing off her curvaceous body had my dick on brick. Denim was gorgeous in the face, so the body was an addition. Outside of her being a federal agent, she was cool as fuck too.

Meeting her eyes after scanning her from head to toe, I was ready to forego my original plan to not dive back into her superb pussy. “Andre?” I heard her call my name. “I’ll take the flowers so we can go…”

“Damn, my bad, Lil' Mama. You had a nigga stuck for a moment. You look beyond good tonight. I want to say fuck these reservations.”

Chuckling, she rounded the corner from putting the flowers in a vase and grabbed her phone and clutch. “Well, if you’re going to do that, let me know now so I can throw on my Birkenstocks and take off these So Kates.”

Pulling her into me, I leaned in and nibbled on her bottom lip. I’d kissed her a few times now, and the shit didn’t help my predicament because her lips were just as soft as her ass and just as sweet as her pussy. I was still stuck between the battle of my heart and mind, and kissing Denim on the lips was a sign that my heart was winning. “Nah, I’m going take your fine ass to dinner, and then I’m gone fuck the shit out of you once you’re done eating. Rome staying, I hope, because you might not make it back tonight.” Feeling her shudder in my arms, I smirked at how turned on she easily became. “Let’s go, Dee before you make me help you bust one before dinner.”

We left without saying goodbye because we both knew Briley would’ve begged to go with us. Letting the mix of desire and comfortability carry the silence, we arrived at the restaurant Wild had recommended. I was shocked Milly Grove wasn’t riddled with traffic this Friday night because the roads were usually a mess.

Opening the passenger door of the Bentley, I grabbed Denim’s hand as she stepped out. “Dre, I am so hungry, I could eat a cow.”

“I’m hungry for something else, but this steak will do.”

Blushing, she tapped my chest playfully, and I chuckled. In the last two months since I’ve been in Milly Grove, Denim and I had never been flirty. Sexual—absolutely, but kiddish banter never occurred. I was enjoying her company more than I should’ve, and I knew right then I was fucking up.

Once we were seated, I realized Wild’s suggestion might not have been the best one. There was hardly anyone in the restaurant, and the menu wasn't diverse. The wait staff looked presentable and the place looked clean, but something about a fine dining restaurant not being booked on a Friday night didn’t sit right with me.

“Well, I guess I’ll get the lamb,” Denim said, setting the menu on the table.

“Shit, I was thinking the same, but the porterhouse sounds just as good.”

“You get the steak, and I’ll let you have some of my lamb if you share some bites of your steak.”

Using only my eyes to look at Denim, I couldn’t help but smile because she was cheesing. “Bet. What you drinking? And no, you ain’t drinking that cheap shit we had at the auction.”

Denim cracked and covered her mouth to stop the loud cackle threatening to escape. “Dre! The wine wasn’t cheap… I’m just a lightweight.”

“Nah. Gabby said it tasted cheap, and she would know… buying them thousand-dollar bottles for the compound.”

“Thousand dollar bottles of wine? Oh, y’all rich, for real.” We both laughed, and I felt myself no longer worrying about the fact that I was going to have to kill her.

Deciding to force myself to enjoy Denim without worrying about the real shit lingering between us, I reached across the table and grabbed her hand. Rubbing her knuckles with my thumb, I grinned, and her face turned red.

“Denim… I like you. I know I told Bri you were my girlfriend, and while I can’t give you that… I can at least admit that I’m fucking with you. All I ask… is that you… don’t stop wearing dresses that show me how fat that ass is.”

Breaking the serious look on my face, Denim pulled her hand from mine and tossed her napkin at me. We laughed and kept the conversation light, with Briley, Jerome, and Sweets being the highlights. By the time we’d finished eating and got back to her place, she was good and tipsy, so I walked her in, helped her disrobe, and left out of her room. I could’ve gotten her consent to fuck, but the night went too good, and I had taken a break from the mission long enough. Passing Briley’s room, I checked in to ensure she was good. Seeing her asleep with her pink princess gown and the earrings I’d gifted her had my heart winning again. I had to figure out how to execute the original plan without creating too much damage.

I’d never had to think this hard about killing someone. I couldn’t help but wonder if I was struggling because I didn’t want to kill Denim anymore. Did I like her too much now, or was my hesitation for Briley to continue having a mother? Or was I struggling because I knew Denim might be the one I was supposed to settle down with like everybody wanted?

Grunting at the possibility, I left the house and got in my car. I was a killer, and this shit didn’t happen to killers.

Fuck.

* * *

Part of me wanted to pull up on Denim and Briley, but I didn’t want to overstep. I hadn’t seen them the entire weekend, wanting to give them time to do what girls did but also taking the time to get my shit together. I was already doing shit out of the norm with her, and I didn’t want to further complicate things.

Once showered and dressed, I left the penthouse and headed to my office with Denim still heavily on my mind. Against my better judgment, I said fuck it and decided to call her instead.

“I was just thinking about your fine tail. Are you coming to see me today?”

“Jerome, get your muthafuckin’ ass off my line.” I frowned and chuckled. “Where the fuck is my girl?”

Shit. Did I just call her my girl?

“You’re girl, huh?” he asked in an amused tone. “You know… you two need to bite the bullet and stop playing with each other. It’s clear as day that y’all are in stron g like. So, what's the problem?”

The problem is Denim and I can never be anything more than what we are. My life is one I don’t plan on changing or slowing down any time soon. Denim’s life is filled with catching niggas going illegal shit because she’s a federal agent, and she’s been lying to me for months about it, so I can’t trust her. I wanted to say all of that so badly, but instead, I sighed deeply into the phone, hoping to annoy Jerome.

“Rome, why do you have my phone?” I heard Denim say in the background. “Who is that?” I could hear rustling and murmurs in the background before it got quiet. “Hello…?”

“What’s up, Lil’ Mama?” I chuckled at her trying to act all timid. “How are you doing today? Why haven’t I heard from you this weekend? How’s my little homie, Big Bri?”

“I’ve been giving you space, Andre. I know how you feel about women being clingy, and I don’t want Bri getting on your nerves.” She sighed heavily. “My daughter is fond of you, and?—”

“From what Jerome says… her mother is too.” I smirked as I continued to whip through town. Traffic was light, and thoughts of shooting to her side of town and just working from there came to mind.

“Yes, I like you, but I like you more than I should, Dre.” The nervousness in her tone couldn’t be missed, but I waited to see what else she would say. “I need to tell you something important. I know it’s early, but can you come over?”

As I approached the traffic light, I started to respond when something caught my eye. Glancing over to Skip’s club, I could see a blacked-out Honda creeping up on the side of the building. I slowly made a right as I watched three masked men canvas the area.

“What is it you wanna talk about, Denim?” I asked in a detached manner as I whipped into the lot on the opposite side. Letting my window down slightly, I aimed my pistol out of my passenger window. Before the last assailant could enter the building, he was dropped with a bullet to his temple.

“What was that?” she asked, ignoring my question. “It sounded like?—”

“Let me call you back.” I disconnected the call as I cut the ignition.

Hurriedly, I made my way to the side door they’d entered as quietly as I could. I silently crept through the dark hallway, hoping that I’d made it in time. Skip should’ve been the only one here at this time, so that alone told me this was a robbery. As I got closer to his office, I could hear the voice of an unknown man making demands.

“Empty the fuckin’ safe, and we might let you live to see tomorrow, nigga!” I stayed close to the wall as I leaned forward to see if he was okay. Sitting at his desk with an annoyed look on his face, I had to stop myself from chuckling at this nonchalant-ass nigga. “If I tell you again, I’m gonna kill you, nigga.”

“You might as well do it because I ain’t giving you shit.” He eyed the one holding the gun on him as he leaned back in his seat. “If you knew like I did, you’d get the fuck out of here while you can.” He slowly dragged his eyes to the second man near the door. He’d yet to say anything. “You all right back there, lil’ nigga. You’re shaking in your fuckin’ boots.”

Once the guy holding the gun on Skip turned to face his friend, he spotted me. His eyes widened in fear as he aimed his handgun at me. He was too slow, and I’d sent one to his stomach before he knew what was happening.

“Oh shit!” the second guy screamed as he turned to me and tried to run. One bullet to his kneecap stopped him dead in his tracks. “Please don’t kill me!”

“What the fuck are you doing here, nigga?” Skip asked me as he stood from his seat and stepped over both niggas without a care. “The kitchen ain’t open yet.”

I chuckled as I dapped him up. “Nigga, it’s almost ten o’clock. Ain’t nobody eating chicken wings this early. I was riding by and saw you might need a little help. You know these niggas?”

Walking over, he bent down and removed their masks. I shook my head at the fact that these kids didn’t look a day over twenty. Too bad they’ve ended their lives before they could begin by fucking with the wrong niggas.

“Who the fuck are y’all?” Skip stood over the one in charge and crossed his arms. “Who the fuck thought it would be a good idea to send you on this dummy mission?”

“Nigga, fuck?—”

Pew!

I sent one to the head of the guy I’d shot in the stomach. Skip arched his brow at me, and I just shrugged. That nigga wanted to be tough, and I’ve dealt with enough niggas to know he wasn’t going to tell him what he wanted to know.

“Please don’t kill me!” The scaredy cat cradled his knee as he cried in pain. “This is the first time I’ve ever done something like this. Me and my cousin were just trying to make some money.”

“That’s your cousin that I dropped at the door?” I asked as I propped up against the wall. “If so, you’re the last man standing, my boy.” Nodding toward Skip, I continued, “Tell that man who sent y’all to crash out, and I’ll make sure you make it out of here.”

We watched as he balled up and cried like a bitch. I don’t understand why these guys always claim to be tough but want to cry out and plead the blood of Jesus when they meet the Reaper. Growing annoyed, I pushed off the wall and walked over to him. Leaning down, I lifted him by the collar of his shirt and tapped his nose with my gun.

“Shut the fuck up with all that crying, nigga. I’m gonna fuck around and give you something to cry about.”

“You shot the nigga’s kneecap off, Dre.” Skip chuckled as he pulled out a snicker. “The shit probably hurt.”

“Not as much as it’s gone hurt your pockets when you the invoice for my services populate in your email.” I smirked as his smile dropped. Frowning, he walked over and pushed me out of the way, causing the nigga to fall back to the floor.

“Who the fuck sent you, and why?” His teeth were clenched as he hovered over him. “I’m not going to ask again, nigga!”

“It was B-Big Lew. He said he’s coming for you and for us to send the message. He said?—”

Pop!

Before he could even finish, Skip popped him. Aggravated, he pulled out his phone to call his brother and their clean-up crew. We sat there in silence, but it didn’t take Uno any time to arrive.

“Say, Skip, why is there a dead nigga at the side door?” he called out from the hallway. “What the fuck?”

Walking into the room, he scanned the two dead bodies before his eyes went from his brother to me. Giving him a finger wave and a smile, I watched his frown deepen.

“You two niggas.” He shook his head before he took a seat on the couch tucked in the corner of the room. “What the fuck happened?”

We both gave him a rundown of the quick events and what the little niggas said. He was even more pissed by the time we were done because it was nothing to go on.

“Who the fuck is Big Lew?” He scratched his head as he asked aloud. “I don’t know anyone with that name.”

“It’s probably a nigga that wants to make a name for himself for taking out a Mills.” Skip shrugged as his clean-up crew came into the room. His brother and I made our way up the hall to the empty section. By the time the guys finished doing their thing in the office and hallway, the girls would be making their way in for the night shift. I was taking a moment to decompress after killing two niggas, so I was hoping to make it out of here before they arrived.

Skip jogged up the section steps, dusting his hands off. “Say, Dre… I appreciate you, man. I’ll never put shit past a scared man. Things could have ended for me a little differently today.”

“Ain’t nothing.” We slapped hands before Uno offered me his as well. “I’m glad everything is everything.” Sliding to the edge of the couch, I cleared my throat and looked toward Uno. “Since I have y’all here, I want to run something past y’all.”

While Skip’s office was being cleaned, I told them the real reason for the lieutenant governor’s auction. Skip was pissed he attended something so vile, but he offered to help me with whatever I needed. I told them I had it covered, but I wanted Uno to be aware of the commotion I might make in the city. After knowing his uncle had a hand in the trafficking as well, he was more than willing to help.

For the next two hours, I went over some of the plans I had for the men involved, as well as some possible assistance I may need from them. Once we were done, I emailed Skip an invoice for three million dollars for the bodies I dropped, and he started fussing. Uno and I sat back, clowning his ass because it seemed money was the only thing to knock him off his horse. I told him what happened was on the house this time and to hit me up later with a wing plate to call it even.

Since my plans for the day were altered, I figured I’d just go back home, check in with the crews at the shopping center and the casino, and chill for the day. What was to come was now weighing heavily on me, and I was ready to get it over with so I could take my ass back home. Between Denim, the sex trafficking ring operators, and the people I’ve already had to kill, I had overstayed my welcome. I was positive the longer I stayed here, the more bodies Uno would have to discard. He’d just gotten his city back on track to being the peaceful town it’s known for. The last thing he needs is for its citizens to wonder why the population is decreasing.

* * *

Standing a few yards away from Denim, I held my phone to my ear and watched as she silenced my call for the third time today. For the past two days, I’ve been feeling like a hoe for blowing up her phone just to be ignored. I wanted to cause a scene at this park and show her who Andre Boudreaux really is, but the last thing I wanted to do was scare these little-ass kids.

“Mommy, your phone has been ringing all day…” Briley looked up at her innocently as Denim bent over to tie her shoe. The way her ass was sitting up in the jeans she was wearing had me looking around before I adjusted my dick in my sweats.

“Today is all about us, baby girl.” Denim beamed up at her as she adjusted her little necklace before straightening her jacket. “Plus, Mommy doesn’t want to talk to the person that keeps calling. They’ll get the message soon enough.”

“Damn… I thought we were better than that.” I scared the girls as I approached them. “Let me find out y’all don’t like me no more.”

“Dreee!” Bri screeched as she jumped into my arms. “Oh my gosh! I asked about you. You told me you were going to have a tea party with me, and you didn’t come back to the house.”

“I never make promises I don’t intend to keep, Big Bri.” I pinched her cheek and was rewarded with a damn near toothless smile. “Go have some fun, and maybe if Mommy is nice to me, I can take my girls for some ice cream later.”

Squeezing my neck, I placed her on her feet before she hugged her mother’s legs and ran to the sandbox. I watched her for a few minutes before I turned my eyes to Denim. She looked good as hell in her oversized sweatshirt, with her hair pulled up in a messy bun and a fresh face. Denim made me feel things, and I didn’t like that. At the same time, I couldn’t stay away from her, no matter how hard I tried.

“Why have you been ignoring my calls, Dee?” I mugged her as she tried her best to keep her eyes off me. “What the fuck did I do to you?”

Pouting like a child, I waited for her to answer me. I’ve never been one to give a damn about women ghosting me because I usually ghosted them first. I’ve dealt with many, but it was different with Denim—I cared even though I shouldn’t. I enjoyed all of the time we’ve spent together, even when sex wasn’t involved. Our time together would be coming to an end soon, but it didn’t stop the brewing feelings within me.

“I don’t have anything to say to you. The time for talking was days ago when you hung up in my face.”

Frowning in confusion, I watched as she rolled her eyes and strutted to a nearby bench. I didn’t have the slightest clue what she was talking about. Suddenly, it hit me, and what confused me even more was that I felt bad about it.

“Damn, my bad, Denim. I got caught up with some shit with Skip, and—that’s my fault.” I took a seat beside her on the bench, but she remained focused on Briley, saying nothing. “Dead ass, Lil’ Mama. I’m sorry. You gotta accept my apology, though, because I ain’t never said that to a woman in my life.”

Still not trying to hear what I had to say, I grew irritated when she sat unmoved. I could have very well left well enough alone, but I really was sorry for snubbing her. Just as I was about to hem her ass up and make her talk to me, I noticed Briley appeared to be in distress. She was surrounded by a couple of kids as one pointed at her, making a mean face. Before Denim could walk over and assess the situation, I was already on it.

“Aye!” I barked out when I noticed one of the little boys push her. “Keep your hands to yourself, lil’ nigga.” I’ve never been in a situation that involved a bunch of kids, and I’m sure my approach could have been better, but seeing Briley with tears in her eyes did something to me, and I wasn’t going for it.

“We had a bet! If she doesn’t go down the big slide, she had to eat a mud pie! It’s time for her to pay up!”

Picking up Bri, she wrapped her arms around my neck and sobbed quietly into my neck. Her little body was shaking, and that pissed me off even more. Kids will be kids, but her reaction raised a couple of antennas. With her mother and me being close by, there’s no reason she should have been this scared.

“Come on, Briley. Let’s go, baby.” Denim walked over and tried to pry her from my arms, which made Bri hold on tighter. “Sweetie, it’s okay…”

“I want to stay with Dre, Mommy.” She sniffled and eyed me. “They said a lot of mean things to me, just like my brothers. They were going to hurt me.”

Dragging my eyes to Denim, they turned into slits as she pulled her phone from her back pocket. I’m not sure who she was calling, but that wasn’t my concern. By now, several children and a few parents surrounded us, wanting to know the issue.

“What’s going on here?” some Vin Diesel-looking motherfucker stomped over and asked. “Why are you in my son’s face?”

“Ask your son what he did to my kid to make her cry?” I mugged him with the same energy he was giving me. “I want to know exactly what he said to her.”

“Are you serious?” He chuckled as he looked back and forth between me and his son. “They’re playing and…” The look on my face told him I was deadass serious, which caused him to change his tune. “Fine. Ricky Jr., what did you say to this—” He peered over his shoulder and eyed me and Bri. “Girl to make her cry?”

“She didn’t want to do like I said, so I told her to shut up and do as I say before I give her something to cry about.” He smirked as if he’d done the right thing. “I was going to make her pay for not doing what I told her.”

A few of the parents frowned in disappointment as they listened to the boy speak. He didn’t look to be any older than ten years old and already had the wrong idea about life and how things worked in the real world.

“Here’s what you’re going to do…” I shifted Briley in my arms as a heated Denim rejoined us. “Both of you are going to apologize to Briley.” I looked from the father to the son. “You’re a child, but the things you’re being taught will have you in for a rude awakening in the real world. You can’t go around threatening girls—hell, anybody—to do something they don’t want to do. If you were a little bit older, I would show you what it felt like to be picked on.”

“I beg your pardon!” The father turned red in the face. “How dare you speak to my son that way. Do you know who I am?”

“The question is, do you know who I am? If you did, I promise you, you’d be thankful that I’m considering letting you walk away on your own accord for the disrespect you’ve not only shown to my baby girl but to me as well.” Stepping to him, I added, “I’m the real, big bad wolf in this situation. Don’t make me come blow your house down with you inside. If I have to make a house call, I won’t be so nice about it.”

Scared out of his mind, he apologized for his son’s actions and encouraged him to do the same. Seeing his father scared made the little bitch-ass kid shiver in fear of what would happen if I went through with my warning.

“What do you say, Big Bri?” I tapped her chin and was given a small smile. “Do you forgive them?”

Tapping her nose to think, I saw the moment her eyes lit up in amusement.

“I will… if Ricky eats a mud pie!” She covered her mouth and giggled. “I think that’s only fair.”

“Briley!” Denim gasped from the side of us. “Are you serious?”

“She is.” I eyed the little boy. “You hurt her feelings trying to be a bully, so it’s only fair you experience first-hand what it’s like to have someone pick on you.”

“Sir, I don’t think that’s necessary.” He grabbed ahold of his son’s shoulders as people around us began to murmur in anticipation of what was going to happen next. “How about we put this all behind us and go on with our day?”

Nodding, I kissed Bri on her temple and handed her to her mother. I took one step toward the father and son duo until I was hovering over them both. Peering down at him through hooded eyes, I grinned as I crossed my arms.

“I got fifteen reasons under this hoodie that will rock your world and ruin your day.” His eyes bulged as tears ran down his son’s face. “You got two options here: eat the mud or get buried underneath it. Either way, you’re eating that muthafuckin’ dirt. Hurry up and make your choice; my girls want ice cream.”

Dropping to his knees and taking his son with him, I watched as the father scooped up a handful of mud and made his son do the same. People gasped in shock before going into a fit of laughter at the scene before them. Glancing over my shoulder, Briley happily clapped as her mother’s mouth was on the ground.

“Next time… think about that before you decide to bully somebody’s kid. The next man might not be as nice as me. Help your punk-ass daddy up, and y’all get out of here before I change my mind.”

Jumping to their feet, people cheered as the two took off running to the other side of the park and jumped in their station wagon. I turned to face my girls, and I couldn’t help but hug them both.

“You’re insane.” Denim giggled as I locked my hand in hers and carried Bri. “I can’t believe you did that.”

“Believe it.” I chuckled as people damn near broke their necks, getting out of my way. “I’m not letting anybody mess with my girl.”

“I like you, Dre!” Bri giggled as she threw her arms around my neck. “Can you come over and watch movies tonight? Mama is making spaghetti.”

Approaching the ice cream truck, I couldn’t help but wonder what I was doing with these girls. Here I am, holding hands in a park and threatening to kill kids and their fathers for making her daughter cry. I know this shit is going to end badly, and although I knew how to clean up my messes, this was an unfamiliar mess that was growing by the day.

“Yeah, I’ll be there.” I placed her on the ground and watched as she cheered before running over to the truck. Pulling her mother toward me, I lifted her chin and kissed her lips. “I’m sorry for hanging up on you and not calling back. That was fucked up. I don’t know what this is with us, but I like you. Let’s just kick it and go from there, and to show you I’m serious, I’ll come over tonight and eat your red sauce.”

Grinning from ear to ear, I laughed as Denim threw her arms around my neck and kissed me. Her lips felt like pillows, and I found myself sinking into them. Breaking away, she wiped her gloss from my lips before walking over to Bri. As I kept an eye on them, I pulled my phone from my pocket and shot a quick text.

Me:

Say Jules, tell me what to look for when I’m eating red sauce a girl done made.