Page 14 of Invisible Bars

“Nah, I’m just saying, I respect his work. I ain’t trying to be on no disrespectful shit.”

“That’s the problem.” Chi’s grin grew wider, still lounging like nothing was serious. “You came over herethinkingthis was casual… like this nigga take walk-ins.”

I didn’t say a word; I just stared at him, unblinking.

He finally turned back to me.

“Look, man, I got a lil’ situation I need help with. All I’m asking for is a tiny favor.”

I took one slow sip of my liquor, then set the glass down gently.

“Your first mistake,” I finally spoke quietly, “was approaching me like you earned the right to.”

I locked eyes with him, confronting the quiet, coiled darkness that most people only whispered about but never dared to confront. My expression was blank—devoid of mercy or warning. It was a silent promise:keep playing, and you’ll discover exactly what I’m capable of.

“Second… you said a name I don’t recognize. Gatez?” I leaned back, tugging at my beard, then glanced over at Chi. “You ever heard of a nigga named Gatez?”

“Nah.” Chi shook his head, wearing the most serious expression. “Never heard that name round here before. But he sound like the type of nigga I wouldn’t wanna cross paths with. Probably the kind that’ll charge you interest just for breathing near him… and send a receipt after. Shid, you look at him wrong, next thing you know yo’ light billtripled.”

Me and Chi laughed that shit off to throw ol’ boy off, leaving him more confused than he already was.

“Definitely,” I said, the sound dying quick in my throat as I cut my eyes back on him, letting him know playtime was over.

“Look, I hate to be the one to disappoint you, but that Gatez nigga ain’t me, homie. We all got a twin out here somewhere—mine must be the one people whisper about when the lights go out.”

I let that lie float in the air while watching him fold under the weight of it.

“But… if I was this Gatez nigga—just speaking hypothetically—I wouldn’t entertain small talk ortinyfavors; I’d handleendingsand would probably charge more than most people’s lives are worth. And from the looks of it, you wouldn’t be able to scrape together the kind of money it’d take to make me move. So I don’t know who the fuck boosted yo’ head up to come over here to talk to me, but whoever it was, they should’ve also told you to keep yo’distance.”

Chi stood, towering over the nigga just enough to apply pressure.

“Nigga, you out here calling ghosts like you ready to join ‘em. I don’t know what youthoughtyou was gon’ get from this conversation, but it’s obvious you came over here to make a deal. Instead, you might be leaving with a message.”

“Wh-what message?” he stammered.

Chi leaned in real close. “The kind of message they don’t deliver in envelopes; you gon’ carry it on your body in bruises,in silence, maybe in a casket if you push it. Next time, don’t approach the executioner like he's a customer service rep. Now, you got ten seconds to get the fuck from over here before one of us turn yo’ lil’ ‘situation’ into your eulogy.”

Ol’ boy backed up quick, nodding like his neck was on a swivel.

“Aight. Aight. Respect. My bad for the misunderstanding. Y’all enjoy the rest of y’all night.”

He dipped so fast he nearly collided with a waiter.

Chi slid back into his seat with a head shake. “Misunderstanding my ass! That nigga was bold as fuck for approaching you; I’ll give ‘em that. Common sense? Not so much.”

“None,” I muttered. “And who the hell is Dre anyway?”

Chi shrugged. “Hell if I know… sounds like a snitch alias to me. You want me to run a check?”

I gave a quick nod. “Definitely.”

Chi checked his phone, then squinted at the screen, holding it away like it had spit in his hand. A second later, he grinned, but it came with a side ofstress.

“Speaking of girlfriends, nigga, one of yours just texted me.”

I frowned. “Nigga, I ain’t got no damn girlfriend.”

“I was being sarcastic, muthafucka.”