Page 34

“It’s too many emotional-ass young niggas trying to make moves. Of course, it’s gon’ be a lot of chaos.” Lo shrugged. “And niggas don’t be about that life like they claim. As soon as they get jammed up, they start singing like a bitch.”

Devyn shook his head. “That reminds me that Douglas thinks he’s slick.”

Lo narrowed his eyes. “What you mean?”

“He jumped ship because he knew the feds were on the way. I don’t know why he think that’s going to stop them from arresting his ass but maybe he will get the chiefs involved. They might have some pull to get him immunity.”

“Yeah, but is he an asset to them?” Lo questioned.

“Right,” Axel added. “What has he added to The Mob that would even grant him protection from the chiefs? You know it’s a give and take organization.”

Smirking, Devyn reclined in his seat. “Yeah, I’m aware. I done gave a lot to this organization, my nigga.”

Lo’s phone rang, urging him to pull it out of his pocket. When he noticed it was Meco, he answered right away.

“What’s up, Meek?”

“Aye, I’m ‘bout to send you my location. Meet me there. It’s an emergency.”

Lo hung up and stood from his seat. Devyn watched him, picking up on the shift of his energy.

“What’s wrong?” Devyn quizzed.

“I don’t know. Meco said it’s an emergency and for me to meet him.”

Suddenly, Devyn stood with Axel following suit. Lo was the first to leave the warehouse as they trailed closely behind him. Just as he got inside the car, Meco sent his location. After a twenty-minute drive, he pulled into a parking lot where Meco stood outside his car.

“What happened?” Lo asked, getting out of his truck.

Meco shook his head as Devyn pulled up with Axel. They too got out and approached where he stood.

“Man, shit is all fucked up. Somebody tried to shoot me at the club.” Meco spit on the ground, then shook his head.

“For what?” Devyn asked, getting heated.

“‘Cause he thought I was this nigga.” He pointed to Lo.

Confused by what Meco said, he asked, “What? Who the fuck was it?”

“I don't know but I made sure that nigga in the fucking dirt. I’m just pissed that this shit happened at my club. Now the law gon’ be up there fucking with me.”

“Did you get rid of the surveillance?” Devyn questioned.

“Nigga, I ain’t no rookie.” Meco smacked his lips. “Of course, I handled that shit before I left.”

Lo shook his head, muddled by what Meco had said. “Wait, hold on. How you know he shot at you because he thought it was me?”

“Because I saw ol’ boy that Bria was with that one night. She ended up pushing the one that was about to shoot me. She’s the reason I ain’t get hit. Oh, and she got hurt, too.”

Lo’s nostrils flared as his rage flickered like a fireplace. “Fuck you mean she got hurt?”

“When I pulled her off the ground, she was holding her wrist. She got in the car with her sister. I don’t know where they went though.”

Lo stalked away, dialing Bria’s number. Nibbling on his bottom lip, he prayed he didn’t have to set the entire city ablaze because he wouldn’t hesitate to on behalf of his wife.

“Hello?”

“Who is this?” he asked, not recognizing the voice.

“It’s Cali. Bria’s sister. I was just gonna call you. She sprained her wrist and we’re at St. Parklynn Memorial.”

“A’ight.”

Lo walked back to where Devyn, Meco, and Axel were.

“I gotta go to the hospital. I’ll hit y’all later.”

“She good?” Meco inquired.

Shaking his head, Lo replied, “She fucked up her wrist.”

“I gotta get back to the club. I’ll holla at y’all later.”

Meco shook hands with them before getting inside his car and pulling off.

“Aye, we’ll trail you to the hospital,” Devyn told him.

Lo nodded and got inside the car. The ride to the hospital took longer than expected due to an accident on the highway. Once he arrived, he approached the front desk but was interrupted by the calling of his name. Turning around, he noticed Cali waving him over.

Devyn and Axel walked in just in time for them to be escorted to the back where Bria was.

When Lo entered the room, he spotted Douglas, Bria’s mother, and her other sister, Enya, seated by her bedside.

Bria laid in the bed with her arm propped up on a pillow.

He scowled a bit when he noticed how swollen the tissue was around her wrist.

“You good?” he asked immediately, looking at her wrist.

When he set his gaze on Bria, she sadly shook her head. “I have so much coming up. I can’t deal with this right now.”

“And you shouldn’t have to.”

Lo turned around at the tone of Douglas’ voice. He didn’t like him talking out of turn when he was conversing with his wife. Bria grabbed his hand to steer his attention away from her father.

“I had to get x-rays done. I really hope it’s not broken.”

“The doctor said it looked like a sprain so let’s hope it’s just that,” Cali attempted to be positive.

“Yeah, it’s just sprained,” Lo assured, hoping that he wasn’t selling her false hope.

“You know, I regret the day I gave you my daughter,” Douglas ranted, pointing a stern finger toward Lo. “She has lived a pretty safe life and as soon as I give her to you, she’s involved in a shootout.”

“Dad please, don't provoke the situation,” Bria pleaded.

“No, let that man get this off his chest.” Devyn snorted, shooting daggers at Douglas.

“I knew you would be trouble, Lo. You were never fit to be my daughter’s husband. That’s why I asked if there was someone else available because I figured you would taint her.”

Lo swiftly snatched away from Bria. His eyes were opaque with fury as they bore into Douglas.

“Taint her? Mothafucka, do you even know your fucking daughter? Don’t act like you ain't had her help clean up your shit before.”

“Hey, guys let’s not uh, d-do this here,” Cecilia stammered.

Enya stood. “Yeah, this is not the time for that, especially now.”

Lo flicked his nose with his thumb. “Nah, this nigga talking like Bria is an angel or something.”

“Lo, stop!” Bria raised her voice.

Douglas’ glowered at him. “I know you're not good enough for her.

She don't live like those ghetto-ass girls you're probably used to dealing with.

My daughter is better than all this shit.

Whoever the shooter was aimed for your twin brother.

Bria said they thought it was you. You don't find that shit ridiculous that people are trying to kill you?”

“Aye, Douglas, I think you better watch your fucking mouth,” Devyn inserted.

“Nigga, you're in our family now, and I demand you show my brother some respect.

Who the fuck are you to ever come at him as if you don't know what you're a part of.

Nigga, this ain't no fucking fraternity. This The Mob and shit happens.”

“Yeah, shit like putting your ass in the dirt if you ever come at me like that again. I done told your bean head ass to stay out of my fucking business when it comes to my wife. Now if you do that shit again, I’ll make sure you never see her.” Lo smirked.

“Over my dead body!” Douglas declared.

Lo narrowed his eyes. “You sure about that, my nigga?”

“Kylo! Stop!”

He turned his head sharply at her. “The fuck you mean stop? You don't hear this man coming at me as if I knew you were about to be in a shootout? As a matter of fact.” He turned to Douglas. “Ask your lil’ angel why that man tried to shoot me.”

Bria side eyed him. “Don't do that.”

“Do what? Show your pops what kinda time you be on. See, you got your people thinking you this innocent-ass virgin Mary when me and you both know how you give it up.”

Bria’s emotions pooled inside her eyes, making Lo feel a twinge of guilt.

He had all intentions of coming there to support her and make sure her injuries weren’t life threatening.

He never foreshadowed Douglas placing the blame on his shoulders.

He didn’t like his back being pinned against the wall.

Lo was a fighter before he was a lover. Most of his life, he had to battle, and he had no way of simmering the fury that dwelled inside him when provoked.

“Lo, relax, nigga,” Devyn warned.

He quickly snapped out of his rage induced rant and inhaled a deep breath.

“You can go,” Bria said softly. “I don't want you here.”

Lo possessed enough self-awareness to know he had gone too far.

He should’ve left his fight with Douglas and not dragged Bria into it.

She was already suffering enough and didn’t need Lo turning against her.

Yet, he still had that pride that would always override whatever emotions plagued him.

It was his downfall. The reason for all the dismantled relationships in his life.

Lo honestly didn’t know how to part ways with his pride.

It was so engrained into his being that he didn’t foresee a separation.

“Fuck it,” he spat, knowing he was out of order. “Let’s go.”

Lo stormed out the room with Devyn and Axel behind him. With each step in his Prada sneakers, his conscience nagged him like a fly, urging him to turn around and see about Bria. However, his best friend named pride encouraged him to keep going.

“Aye, Lo, don't leave her like that,” Axel warned when they reached the parking lot.

Lo spun around. “Fuck her. If she don't want me here, then I ain't staying. She got her bitch-ass daddy to be there for her.”

“Listen, I know you're heated but you need to be there for your wife,” Devyn told him.

Wearing pinched brows, Lo cocked his head. “Did you not hear her say she wanted me to leave? What the fuck I look like sticking around for?”

“I heard what she said but sometimes, you gotta go against what women say. Nine times out of ten, they don't mean what they say. She’s physically hurt and in her feelings. All she wanted was your support.”

Lo motioned his hand dismissively. “I ain't trying to hear that shit. I’m not staying nowhere when she don't want me there. Fuck her!”

Devyn sighed, shaking his head. “You're so fucking stubborn but whatever. If you want to push your wife away, then cool.”

“Yeah, cool.” Lo spat, walking to his truck.

He didn’t care what Devyn or Axel said. Bria wanted him gone so he would grant her wish and stay the fuck away.