Chapter 8 #4
“This is about to sound fucked up, but don’t. The more you feel about it and the longer he walks this earth, the better chance he gets at succeeding the next time he decides to set you up. You are now aware of who he is and what he’s capable of where you’re concerned.”
Everything she said made sense, so much that all I could do was nod.
“It’s messed up, I know. If you want me to handle that for you, let me know.”
My eyes were on her immediately. “You’d do that for me?”
We locked eyes.
“In a heartbeat.” Her response held no hesitation because she meant what she said and I appreciated the fuck out of her for that.
“Thank you for offering, beautiful. But I gotta handle that on my own.”
She shrugged. “Either way, the offer is there.”
I nodded. “Aight. What do you have planned for the day? You know, besides offering to handle heavy shit for your nigga?”
She grinned. “That’s not too heavy, but I have to actually go to work. Then I’m gonna check on Adela. What about you, sir?”
“Going by the shop, then I need to pick up something from your pops.”
I couldn’t tell which of those things pulled a higher reaction out of her, but both garnered her undivided attention.
“Your veggies, Iso.”
I laughed. “I know. And don’t think I didn’t peep your reaction to me saying I was going by to see your father.”
She shook her head. “I think he knows about us. Well shit, considering what happened yesterday with Sissy’s slow ass, he definitely knows about us.”
“I wasn’t under the impression that we were hiding anything.”
“No, we aren’t. He’s just my dad and you’re my—” she started but I interrupted that.
“Your nigga,” I finished for her.
“My man. And yes, I know that.” She shrugged. “I just really like the space we’re in.”
I nodded at her explanation. “Don’t overthink it, Killa. We good.”
She giggled. “We better be.”
About two hours later, Liora was gone and I was left overthinking, mulling over her words as well as Posydiann’s.
No matter how much I loved Lucky, as far as I knew, he’d fucked up.
From the moment he knew I didn’t die, he knew he had fucked up and that was why he looked more scared than shocked when he saw me in the shop that morning.
I’d picked up on it but talked myself into believing I was overthinking it.
I left the house headed to Lucky’s shop, expecting it to be bussing, which meant I’d sit on it for a few hours until it died down. What I didn’t expect was for the lights to be out, windows closed, and a for sale sign in the door.
For a moment I sat there studying the space, as it was a true indication that everything I learned was true. Last I saw him, he said nothing about selling the shop. It damn sure hadn’t looked like it on the inside, yet now it was seemingly deserted. That didn’t sit well with me.
I sat there for long enough before I went by my mother’s house. Just like I assumed, she was seated on the front porch with the other neighborhood women. Of course my youngin was sitting at the bottom of the wooden patio with another child, rolling that damn green car back and forth.
My heart was outside of my chest watching them exist and be carefree. With me keeping my distance, they were able to be that way. Something about watching them brought me a peace I didn’t experience often.
My son, my mother, and now, Liora. The woman I had no intention of needing until it was too late.
I sat in the car and watched my son and mother for hours before I finally pulled away and went to my next destination. As normal, I parked out back then knocked on the back door.
Lee opened the door quickly and I stepped in, closing the door behind myself.
“What’s up, son? I got the numbers for you.”
I nodded, looking around before my eyes landed on him. This shit with Lucky was too heavy on my mind and working my fucking nerves.
“You heard anything about the barbershop being in trouble or under? I saw a sign in the window a few hours ago.”
Lee looked extremely confused. “The old shop down by Hollis? Lucky’s?”
I nodded.
“A for sale sign?” Lee asked, seated in his office chair, peering into his computer monitor.
“Yeah. It wasn’t up there a few weeks back.”
Lee shook his head. “’Bout a week ago Lucky came through here frazzled, said he was leaving for a little while and needed a new identity. I didn’t think anything of it since I know he’s been hitting those federal loans and scamming. Figured that caught up with him.”
I threw my head back in confusion. That was also new to me. “I thought he still had the bloc—”
“Nah, son. He gave those up right after you died. Did it silently from what I heard. Everything went to the Jordan boys.”
I shook my head. Why the fuck was I surprised? The person I’d come up with was flaw and I seemingly knew nothing about the nigga.
“I have to look through my systems, but I’m sure I can get you the information on who he is and where he went. That is, if you need it, son.”
“Yeah, I’ma need it. And I want the shop.”
“Got you. Give me a couple days. Not as fast as I was a couple days ago. My lil extra help done went back to her life and some, so it’s just me these days.”
I laughed because I knew what he meant when he said “and some”. “I got you.”
“Speaking of and some… Are you that and some?” He peered over his glasses at me seriously.
“I’d like to think I am, sir. But you and I both know your daughter.”
Now it was his turn to laugh. “And I do know my daughter. You are and some. The change I’ve seen in her is unlike any I’ve witnessed before. You mean something to her and I hope she means something to you as well.”
“More than she’ll ever know,” I responded honestly.
“Good, then I don’t have to threaten your big ass over my daughter. I know she takes care of herself and won’t take well to anybody trying to fight her battles or protect her, but please, Iso. Take care of my rockheaded daughter.”
I nodded.