Chapter 18 Bentley
BENTLEY
There were a few things I ain’t let slide and when my parents were mentioned…
Enzo might’ve shared partial DNA with a nigga, but he wasn’t worthy to carry my daddy’s name or blood.
He was a wimp, a bum, and anything else you could think of.
The nigga was less than a man, and I wanted him the fuck from ‘round me.
“Damn. I thought I was a ruthless ass nigga, but you got me beat cuzzo. Genesis, you aight? He almost put you on yo’ ass bruh,” Royce said laughing hard as hell.
“Fuck you, Royce. Twenty-One would’ve buried that nigga before he could swing back,” he spat.
“Nigga, you a grown ass man. I don’t understand why you let him hit you that damn hard. I mean, you was rockin’ but he was rollin’ too,” Royce taunted.
“Okay, you two. Yonnis, Royce, I want this cleaned up today. We have a business to run, and staff will be here first thing in the morning. Bentley Atkins, if I don’t see you again, it was nice meeting you.
Your family is a bit much, but I think you’ll fit right in.
Sorry for your loss behind your parents and grandmother.
I wish you nothing but the best,” Yolani voiced.
She approached me with open arms, and I bent down to give her a hug.
She was a cool ass chick. I truly applauded her for sticking around and not freaking the fuck out ‘bout the shit that just went down. She ain’t flinch, scream, or leave in shock.
Royce and them must’ve did this kind of shit on the regular.
“’Preciate it, love. Thank you for being here,” I spoke gently. I had the utmost respect for women, especially the ones that knew how to carry themselves as a lady.
She offered me a light nod and was out the door.
I took a seat at the table and waited for these fools to get they shit together.
Yolani said it right; they were a bit much.
However, it wasn’t shit I wasn’t used to.
I actually welcomed the organized chaos.
I like their vibes now that I was out and could experience their bonds without restriction.
Genesis came up to me and extended his hand in my direction to be dapped up. I honored his request before leaning back in my seat. Royce walked over to Enzo and looked down at his lifeless body. Out of nowhere, he released a hearty laugh.
“This nigga here,” Yonnis commented.
“The whole clip is crazy. That’s yo’ brother and you just put him down like he wasn’t shit to you. You one cold individual,” Royce stated.
“I don’t play games with nobody. Blood or not, crossing me gon’ put you there. How much to clean this shit up Yonnis?” I questioned.
He shook his head and said, “Don’t even sweat it. I got the cleaners outside waiting to get paid. Go ‘head and see ‘bout the rest of the fam while I handle this,” he instructed.
Nodding, I stood and looked to Royce. “Aye, where yo’ Pops? I got some shit I need him to clear up for me.”
“He should be at the crib. Follow Genesis back to the compound,” he ordered.
“Nah, y’all go ‘head and handle business. I got this,” Yonnis claimed.
We agreed in unison leaving Yonnis with the aftermath.
We each parted ways hopping in our individual rides.
I had to let it be known how corny this shit was.
Each of us driving a car we were named after was all of lame.
If I would’ve known this was how these niggas operated as well, I would’ve pulled out a different bitch from the garage to travel with.
The ride from the law firm to the compound was smooth.
The traffic was light, and the breeze felt damned good.
Their music taste wasn’t quite what I was used to, but it was straight for what it was.
I noticed quickly that the folk in this slow ass city didn’t know how to drive.
It was like they were waiting for directions and wasn’t trying to move without them. The shit was working my nerves.
We rolled up to this big ass gate that looked as if it surrounded acres of land.
I smirked knowing the land I had back in Florida was twice as big.
It was good knowing they spared no expense though.
Niggas with money did what niggas did and that was the most. A full smile graced my lips seeing they took advantage of every dollar that touched their accounts.
Access was granted within seconds. I followed behind my cousins down a long private road. What I could say was they had houses built all down this muthafucka. It seemed like they had the entire family in one place and that was dope as hell.
The drive continued for ‘bout five minutes before I was greeted to an oversized cul de sac that had a total of five houses filling it. It was cute seeing they stuck together. Family must’ve meant a lot to them.
It only made me wonder why the hell it took them thirty-two years to want a relationship with me.
I pulled up behind Genesis’s whip and admired the mansion.
I guess it wasn’t nothing new under the sun.
The only difference between theirs and mine, was mine was a glass house that displayed more architect design.
This looked like something out of the Fresh Prince.
If it worked for them though, who was I to say shit.
Stepping out my ride, I shut the door and followed behind the chaotic brotha’s.
Royce didn’t knock at all before entering so I assumed this was his shit.
The inside was like I expected it to be.
Spacious as hell with art that looked expensive as hell.
I also had to address the fact that it smelled damned good in this muthafucka.
Somebody was in the kitchen throwing down.
Before I could question anything, a woman peeked her head from the kitchen wearing a big smile on her face. I’d heard ‘bout the family through Heidi. However, I didn’t have a face for their names. My curiosity was spiked.
“Baby boy, I was just about to call you. I just fried up some flounder, made homemade coleslaw, and hushpuppies. You’re just in time,” she spoke excitingly.
“Cool. Aye, look who I got with me,” Royce said pointing behind him.
She stepped out the kitchen and into the hall completely. She walked in our direction and quickly threw her hands over her mouth while her eyes damn near fell out the sockets. Apparently, she knew who I was, but I had no idea as to who she was.
“Senior!” she shouted. I knew him as my uncle, so I assumed she was his wife, Iris… which made her Royce’s mama. I was putting the pieces together.
“Yeah baby? Why you doing all that hootin’ fa?” he questioned coming around the corner a few doors down. “What is it no…” His words faded as he locked eyes with mine.
“Pick yo’ mouths up off the floor. Y’all wanted to meet the nigga so bad, say hey or something,” Royce voiced.
Iris slowly closed the gap between us with tears in her eyes. There was no doubt in my mind that she saw my mother in me. Where there were some that said I took Bentayga’s face, there were also those that saw Rhema in me. I must’ve brought back memories for her.
“Senior, he looks just like Rhema,” she sobbed throwing her arms around me. I engaged in the hug to coddle her emotions.
Uncle Royce finally stepped up and gave me an assessment from top to bottom.
It was like he was trying to find a flaw that stated I wasn’t his kin.
I understood him though. After dealing with Enzo, I would’ve been suspicious of every muthafucka that stepped through my door.
I guess he approved because I was being pulled into him next.
He hugged me tightly as if he held some kind of remorse for me.
Pushing him off me with the utmost respect, I took a few steps back. I ain’t know them but one thing I couldn’t shake was Daisy classifying him as the devil. He wouldn’t get that trust from me anytime soon.
“I get it. You see my mama and you miss her. However, I need you to answer something for me,” I said pointing to Senior. “A while back at that shit show dinner y’all hosted, I overheard some things while I was on the phone with Heidi. You said you was protecting my mother. Explain that to me.”
Senior cleared his throat as his gaze hit the floor.
Enzo let some shit fly out his mouth before I took his last breath.
I needed this shit to be on the table and the truth to follow it.
My parents were my everything. I wasn’t ‘bout to let a soul change that either. I grew up believing I was made out of love and that part was gon’ forever be solid with me.
“How ‘bout we talk over lunch? Bentley would you like some fish?” Iris inquired.
“Yeah, I could take a piece. Thank you,” I answered, offering her a small and brief smile.
She grabbed my arm and ushered me into the kitchen. The menu she mentioned in the foyer was spread across the island. It damned sure looked good as hell. A nigga mouth was lowkey watering.
“Have a seat and I’ll fix you something,” she said letting me go.
I took a seat at the table in the corner with the rest of them niggas following suit.
Genesis was starting to bruise up on his left side.
Enzo put a hurting on him. I applauded him for standing his ground and throwing them hoes.
Enzo wasn’t nothing slight. We shared the same build with him having a wider shoulder span. Genesis lucked up.
Senior sat directly across from me extending the bottle of Louie XIII in my direction.
I picked it up, flipped over the glass in front of me, and poured me up something slight.
I passed it back, and he sent it Royce’s way with him pouring up as well.
Once everybody glass was full, the conversation started.