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“About what?” Lo inquired, rubbing his hand down his waves.

“I need a loan, bruh.”

Lo scowled at him. “Another one?”

“Yeah, I got this move I’m trying to make, and I need about ten stacks.”

Lo cackled before his face turned impassive. “Ten Gs? Nigga you must be fucked up in the head to think you can get that outta me.”

“Kylo,” Maddy warned.

“My bad, Auntie, but the answer is hell no.”

Durand raised his arms, sporting an appalled expression. “Come on, Lo. I wouldn’t ask you if I didn’t need it.”

Angling his head, he countered, “Can you walk in Bank of America and ask for ten stacks?”

“No, but—”

“Exactly,” Lo cut him off. “I’ve been throwing you money for years, Durand. You gotta get this one on your own.”

“But I’ve paid you back though,” he argued.

“Yeah, but it wasn’t on time. How many times I’ve had to hear your excuses when it was time to have my bread?”

Maddy sat at the table with her plate in her hand. “Listen, this don't need to blow up into an argument. Durand, you asked for the loan and Lo said no. It’s done.”

Durand sat back in his seat, chewing on his bottom lip. His nostrils flared, informing Lo that he was vexed by his refusal to give him a loan.

“But if Meco asked, you would give it to him though.”

“Nigga, you ain't my mothafuckin’ brother!” Lo shouted, balling up his fists. “The fuck you keep bringing Meco up for? Why he always on your fucking mind? And you wrong, ‘cause my brother knows how to get out here and get his own money. He don't ask niggas for handouts.”

“Lo, calm down,” Maddy advised.

“Nah, I’m not calming shit. You ain't my fucking son.”

Durand leaned back with his lips balled up as if someone had offended him.

Over the years, Lo had looked out for him on several occasions.

He wasn’t a stingy man so when his cousin came to him with a need, Lo made sure to take care of him.

However, after years of being Durand’s go-to guy, Lo got fed up.

He’d hustled his way to the top along with Meco and Devyn.

They didn’t go to other men for their needs.

They got their shit out the mud and handled their business on their own accord.

Durand’s dependency on other people was his downfall.

Aunt Maddy had become an enabler due to him being an only child.

She got him whatever he wanted. Whenever he was in need, she made sure to save him.

Durand didn’t know how to stand on his own and get dirty.

He ran to either Maddy or Lo for his needs.

That was a quality Lo despised and in spite of him feeling a way about his father, he was thankful that Dax had taught him how to hustle.

Dax always stressed that as a man, no one was there to save him.

Lo carried that into adulthood, making it his mantra in life.

Durand, unfortunately, didn’t have a father figure to teach him the fundamentals of manhood.

“It’s crazy how you acting like a nigga is a bum,” Durand ranted. “I just need ten Gs to get this business off the ground. You act like I ain't good for it.”

Lo rubbed the back of his neck, trying his hardest to keep the little bit of patience he had left. Bria had stolen most of it with her resistance and now Durand was taking the rest.

“I ain't got it,” he told him dryly.

Durand huffed, got up from the table, and stormed away. Lo smirked, finding his tantrum to be humorous.

“Lo, why you gotta be so mean to him?” Maddy groaned.

“Auntie, do you hear yourself? That’s a man. He ain't no child and you talking about some being mean to him. Let that nigga stand on his own.”

“I know he’s a man. I just want y’all to be nice to each other. We don't need no more beefs in the family. Me and ya mama got that covered already.”

The mention of Ada prompted Lo to rub his aching eyes. The nightmares came more frequently, which prevented him from getting a good night’s rest.

“I’m tired,” he professed.

“You’ve been working hard?”

“No, just stressed.”

Maddy placed her hand on his shoulder. “What’s going on? You know you can tell me anything.”

Lo’s gaze focused on the table mats while he tried to prepare his words. He had this vulnerable feeling that encompassed him. It felt like he was receiving a hug from someone he hated.

“Ever since I saw Ada and Dax, I’ve been having nightmares…”

That took so much out of Lo to reveal. He was exposed, a feeling that he couldn’t stand. He prided himself on being closed off from everyone, but he couldn’t keep this bottled up. He had to tell someone about his nightmares.

“What kind of nightmares?”

He snorted, rubbing his forehead. “About the past… that’s why I don't like seeing them.

It remind me of everything. Devyn don't get it.

Meco don't get it. They think I’m this evil nigga who wrote off my people, but this is deeper than me not wanting to see them.

This is how I protect myself from my demons… People don't understand that though.”

“I understand,” she said softly. “If there is no one in the world that gets you, it’s me, Lo. You’ve been my baby since you were born. When your mother had you and Meco, I asked her if I can take one of you.” She laughed.

Lo smirked. “I know she cursed you out.”

“She did.” She laughed harder. “She told me I couldn’t have y’all because Dax was too in love with his sons…

” Her words trailed off before an austere expression covered her features.

“I get you. I always have but I think it’s time to deal with your demons, baby.

You have a wife now, and you can’t carry these burdens into your marriage.

It will destroy it before it even starts. ”

Lo’s personal troubles had already forged itself inside his marriage. He couldn’t be who Bria needed him to be. She was increasingly frustrated. He could tell by her long sighs, saddened eyes, and shitty attitude that she was fed up with his closed-off personality.

“Yeah.” He rubbed his hand down his fade. “I know.”

“I have a suggestion and you're going to be shocked by this… I think it may be time to talk to your parents. Too much time has passed, and I believe it’s time to work out your issues with them. I don't fuck with them but you're their son. It’s time for healing.”

Side-eying her, Lo questioned, “Since when do you want me to talk to them? For years, you told me I shouldn’t because of what they did.”

Maddy’s gaze descended toward the table as she rearranged her fork, placing it next to the knife.

“I’m getting older, and I’ve been reflecting on a lot, especially the rift between you and your parents.

I don't want something to happen to them, and you not have the closure you deserve.

I know we all played a part in the situation and things may not even be the same between me and my sister.

However, I want you to heal. I see your demons.

Every time I look in your eyes, I can spot the torment you go through.

I don't want that for you so think about having a conversation with them.”

Hearing this come from Maddy left Lo muddled. For years, she had advocated for him not to speak to Ada and Dax. She thought distance was the best decision. Now, she wanted him to converse with the opps, and he couldn’t understand why.

Maddy touched his hand. “Lo, promise me you’ll think about having a talk with your folks.”

Lo wasn’t ready for that. It required too much of him to even consider it. Still, he didn’t want to disappoint his aunt so he nodded, knowing that what she wanted wouldn’t happen any time soon.