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Chapter Ten

Shayna

I didn’t even make it all the way inside before my brother started in.

“Well?” he said from the couch, legs spread like he owned the damn place. Remote in one hand, a half-smoked blunt in the other. “You talk to him?”

I dropped my purse on the counter and leaned against it, arms folded. “Yeah, I talked to him.”

“And?”

“He wants a DNA test.”

He laughed. “Of course he does. Like you’d lie about some shit like that.”

I looked at him sideways. “I mean… can you blame him? I kept her from him for nine years.”

“Ma and Pops had you scared as hell.”

“I still made the choice.”

“Under pressure,” he said, standing up now. “You were seventeen, pregnant, scared, and in love with a nigga they hated. They did everything they could to erase him.”

I stared at him. “You think that makes this better?”

“No,” he shrugged. “But it makes it what it is. And now? He knows. So where’s the help? Where’s the money?”

I blinked. “This not about the money.”

“Yes, the fuck it is,” he snapped. “It’s always been about the money. That man’s sitting on millions, and Liberty deserves a piece of that.”

I slammed my hand on the counter. “And that’s my fault! I made those decisions. I should’ve told him.”

He walked around the island and got in my face. “But you didn’t. And now it’s time for that nigga to pay up. He owes her…. he owes me.”

My stomach twisted. “He doesn’t owe you shit.”

He laughed again, shaking his head. “You so damn na?ve.”

“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”

“It means I’m tired of waiting. You went to him. You gave him the truth. You gave him a chance to do the right thing. Now we gone make him do it.”

My voice dropped. “What are you talking about?”

He stared at me dead in the face. “I’m talking ’bout hitting one of his dispensaries. Letting him know he ain’t untouchable.”

I froze. “You must be out your fuckin’ mind.”

“Nah, I’m not. He wanna drag his feet? He wanna take his sweet-ass time acting like he gotta verify shit? Cool. Let’s shake the tree. Let’s see how much he care once his shit gets touched.”

“You’re gone get killed,” I snapped. “You touch anything of his, they’ll bury you alive.”

He smirked. “Not if I move smart. Ain’t gotta be loud. Just enough to shake some shit up.”

“You really think that’s gone make him help me? Help Liberty?”

“I don’t give a fuck if he helps you at this point. I’m looking out for me . I got plans. Real ones. But I need that DeLuca plug. You know how many doors that name opens?”

I shoved him back. “You’re disgusting.”

“And you’re weak,” he spat. “Still stuck on some high school heartbreak like that man ain’t throw you away.”

“He didn’t throw me away—”

“He left you, Shayna! Broke up with you before he got locked up. Ain’t looked for you, ain’t wrote, ain’t shit. And now you back. Tryna give him your heart again, like you forgot how that shit felt the first time.”

My eyes burned. “Get the fuck outta my face, Sean.”

He stepped back, but he wasn’t done. “You better figure it out. ’Cause if he don’t come correct, I will. And you can either be part of it, or collateral.”

I didn’t say shit. Couldn’t. I walked out the room, slammed the door, and pressed my back against it, chest heaving.

I was shaking. Not from fear—but rage. From guilt. From the weight of everything crashing down at once. I walked over to my bed and dropped my head into my hands to try to get my emotions in check.

“Mommy?”

I turned my head.

Liberty was standing in the doorway with a concerned look on her face.

My voice softened. “Hey, baby. You okay?”

She nodded. “You were yelling.”

I motioned her to come to me with opened arms. She came to me without hesitation, pressing her face to my shoulder. I held her tight, rubbing her back.

“I’m sorry you heard that,” I whispered.

“Was he mad at you?”

I nodded. “Yeah, but not because of you, baby.”

“Are we still going to see him again?”

My throat felt tight. “Maybe. One day.”

***

I wasn’t even supposed to be out that long. Just a quick mall run before I picked up Liberty. But fate had other plans.

I spotted her near the second floor escalator, checking out baby clothes in some boutique window.

She looked good. Real good. Pregnant, belly round, hair thick, curls bouncing as she turned.

Comfortable. Confident. She had the kind of glow I used to fake when I was pregnant with Liberty just so people wouldn’t ask questions.

I almost walked the other way. But something made me stop.

I took a breath and walked up slow. “Mel?” She turned around, and her eyes cut into me instantly. “I just wanted to say… congratulations. You look beautiful. Pregnancy really suits you.”

Her face didn’t move. “Do I know you?”

“You might not remember me. Shayna. We used to see each other around when we were younger. I was Franklin’s girlfriend.”

Silence.

I cleared my throat. “I didn’t mean to bother you. I just wanted to speak. And say congratulations.”

She crossed her arms. “So you just happened to run into me, huh?”

“Yeah,” I drawled. “I wouldn’t… I didn’t plan it or anything.”

Another beat of silence. Her eyes scanned me like she was trying to figure out what the hell I really wanted.

She let out a dry laugh and took a step closer. “You know what’s funny? You popping up outta nowhere, and now I’m supposed to believe this was all just a coincidence?”

“I’m not trying to cause problems.”

“Too late for that,” she snapped. “So let me guess, you want to pick up where you left off?”

I didn’t respond.

“That’s what I thought,” she said, eyes narrowing. “Look, I don’t care who you used to be to him. Past tense. But don’t get shit confused.”

“I’m not confused.”

“Then let’s keep it that way.”

“He seems happy,” I mumbled.

Her eyes blazed. “You don’t get to speak on his happiness. I got that under control.”

I nodded. “You’re right.”

“I know I’m right,” she said, turning. “Have a good life, Shayna.”

But before she walked off, I said the words that would crumble her perfect lil’ life.

“I just thought maybe… one day our kids could meet. They’re siblings, after all.”

Mel stopped. Slowly, she turned back to me, face contorted..

“The fuck you just say?”

I swallowed. “I—”

“You said sibling like you know something I don’t.”

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.

She stepped forward, voice low. “You got about five seconds to explain before I make a scene in this bitch.”

“I just meant… my daughter and your baby… they’re connected.”

“Connected how?” she barked. “You better come out and say it.”

I looked her in the eye. “My daughter, Liberty… is Franklin’s.”

Her face didn’t move. Her body didn’t flinch. But her silence was deadly.

“You got some fuckin’ nerve,” she said finally. “Walking up to me like that. Acting polite. Complimenting me. Then dropping that shit like it’s a muthafuckin’ gender reveal.”

“I didn’t mean it like that—”

“—You don’t mean shit,” she snapped. “You been hiding? Keep hiding.”

I was about to say something else, but a girl that favored her just a tad lighter approached us. I knew then it was about to be some shit.