Chapter 6
“Wait a minute! He had his dick on you?” Renay exclaimed.
I rolled my eyes. She’d come to bring me lunch. Of course, she had questions about my training session. It was very clear that there was some sort of attraction between Devin and me. The list of moments we shared was growing a little too fast for my liking. We couldn’t have anything between us but space.
“It definitely wasn’t a gun,” I said, popping a fry into my mouth.
She smirked. “Was it big?”
I blushed. “Girl.”
Renay’s dramatic ass squealed. “Oooo, bitch!”
“I don’t even think he was fully hard?—”
“Stop! I can’t take it.”
“Would you keep it down? Damn. You act like I said I had sex with the man.”
“You know you want that dick.”
“Number one, I don’t know that man. Number two, I’m pregnant?—”
“So. A bitch can’t get some dick because she’s pregnant? If he doesn’t care, why would you?”
“What would people think, Nay?”
“Girl, fuck people. The dick you take doesn’t make anybody else cum. You don’t owe the world an explanation for who’s in your bed.”
I rolled my eyes. “Anyway! Aside from that incident, the training went well. He said I’m a natural and doesn’t think I’ll need the full training time frame.”
“Well, that’s good. You can pop Patrick’s bitch ass quicker if need be.”
I sighed. “I really don’t want it to come to that, Renay. I’d never forgive myself for taking a life.”
“Yes, you will, because I wouldn’t let you hold on to that guilt. You have every right to defend yourself and your children from a tyrant. The police aren’t doing their job well enough, and if his mama and daddy had done it at all, he wouldn’t be like this. I mean, the nigga’s daddy has been holding that city title for well over fifteen years, so I know he makes good money. Yet his son wants to be a dope boy so bad. Please. He doesn’t even have a street name. Who’s afraid of a nigga named Patrick?”
Renay was so serious about her unseriousness. Sometimes, I wondered if our parents dropped her on her head.
“I mean, Devin’s father and brother are named Stanley,” I pointed out with a snicker.
“They don’t count. His daddy’s reputation precedes him, and everyone knows to call his brother Deuce. I’ve heard stories about that man, and he isn’t to be fucked with. Oooo, sissy, you’re gonna have a black mafia ass nigga.”
I rolled my eyes. “Renay, please.”
“Nope. I’m wishing all that protective, big dick energy on you. The Dillingers are two for six with being locked down. Watch you be number three.”
I didn’t even say anything to that. Once my sister got an idea in her head, she’d convince herself she was right. She called it manifesting. I called it slightly delusional. She meant no harm, though, so I let it go.
We spent another thirty minutes eating and talking before I walked her out back so she could leave. I watched until she pulled out of the parking lot before I turned to go back inside. Immediately, I bumped into a hard body. I looked up into the face of Patrick.
My hands immediately went to my belly. I’d taken off my scrub jacket, and instead of my usual oversized scrub top, I was wearing a plain white tee with my pregnant belly very much on display. He stared down at me, his eyes dropping to my stomach.
“You’re pregnant?”
I didn’t say anything, prompting him to grab me and yank me to him.
“Bitch, I asked you a muthafucking question.”
“Y-yes.”
“This mine?”
I didn’t want to answer. I’d successfully avoided him knowing about my pregnancy for months now. I didn’t want to admit that I was carrying his child, but I also couldn’t pin this baby on another man. That wasn’t in my character.
“Yes.”
An evil smirk spread across his face. “Well, well, well. I guess we have a little incentive now, don’t we?”
He pulled me over to his car and popped the trunk. Inside was what I knew was a duffel bag of drugs he needed stashed.
“Pick it up.”
I shook my head, prompting him to grab the back of my neck. He all but pushed me into the trunk.
“Pick it the fuck up, or I will beat this fucking kid out of you in this parking lot, Romi.”
Tears streamed down my face as I grabbed the duffel bag and pulled it from the trunk. As he closed it, Patrick glared at me.
“I should beat your ass for hiding the fact that we’re having a baby from me, but I’m gonna let you live.” He chuckled. “You’re lucky I had business to attend to; otherwise, I would have been here sooner. I saw that little cop sitting outside your house the past two days. That was real cute. You finally found one to take you seriously, huh?”
“Why won’t you just leave me alone, Patrick? You obviously don’t need me if I haven’t complied all this time. It’s clear you made other willing arrangements?—”
“It doesn’t matter what arrangements I made. I want you to do it, and if I have to ask you again, this baby won’t be the only thing it costs you. You wouldn’t want something to happen to Korri, would you? What about your parents or that loud mouth bitch of a sister? It would be a shame if they had an unfortunate accident because you wouldn’t listen. I’d also hate for the same police you put your trust in to find drugs in your house or your car or your precious beauty bar. It would be hard raising my baby from prison, don’t you think?”
I burst into tears, realizing that I really didn’t have a choice this time. I didn’t know the first thing about cleaning money. I’d seen it in movies and shows, but this was real life where any and everything could go wrong.
“Okay,” I whispered.
“I can’t hear you.”
“I said okay. I’ll do it.”
He chuckled. “I thought you would see it my way. You know what? I think you owe me an apology for taking so long to get on board.” He cupped a hand around his ear. “I’m waiting.”
I sniffled and sighed heavily. “I’m sorry.”
“Good girl.” He pointed at the bag. “That’s how you’re gonna make this up to me. I’ll be back. I assume we aren’t gonna have a problem, are we?”
“No.”
“Good. Take your ass back inside and get to work.”
He turned me toward the door and gave me a push. With my head hung, I slowly walked back into the building, down the hall, and to my office. I tossed the bag on the couch and took a seat behind my desk. For the longest time, I just sat there, staring at nothing. I didn’t realize I was still in tears until I felt the wetness on my face.
I wanted to scream.
I wanted to break something… hit something.
Why hadn’t I had my gun? Why hadn’t I checked the cameras before going outside? Why was I so fucking stupid! Now I was stuck doing exactly what I’d been avoiding. I needed a way out of this shit, but how?
A few days later…
“Watch me, Mommy!” Korri yelled.
We were currently at the park along with my father. My baby wanted to come play, and I agreed because she didn’t deserve to be cooped up in the house. Currently, she was on the jungle gym, attempting to go across the monkey bars without losing her grip. She’d been at it for about twenty minutes now, and she’d finally gotten it.
“Good job, baby!”
She grinned and ran back to try again. I felt eyes watching me and turned to see my father looking at me curiously.
“What, Daddy?”
“Something is off with you, Romi. I know you.”
“I’m okay.”
“No, you aren’t. You’re my child. I know you better than you know yourself, and I know when something is wrong.”
I sighed. “I’m tired, Daddy. I just wanna disappear for a little while, but I can’t. I have Korri and this baby to think about. I have my business to run.”
“Did something else happen?”
“Patrick pulled up on me about a week ago. He knows about the baby, and he’s made some threats that I don’t want to test the waters with. I’m stuck, Daddy. I’m stuck, and I don’t know what to do.”
I fought back the tears as he wrapped his arms around me. I’d been crying and covering my tears with a brave face for days now. There seemed to be nothing I could do to avoid what was being demanded of me. The duffel bag of money had been sitting under my desk all week long. I couldn’t bring myself to touch it just yet. I’d been praying that something would happen to Patrick, and he would just disappear for good. That was a horrible thing to pray for, and I was sure God wasn’t pleased with it, but that was my truth.
“We’re gonna figure this out,” my father said.
I really didn’t want him getting involved. My father wasn’t a violent man by nature, but he’d protect his family. Even with that being said, he couldn’t take Patrick on by himself. There were other people working with and for him, and the last thing I wanted was my father rolling up on him to defend my honor. Anything could happen.
Just as I was about to say something, I caught sight of a familiar face. Devin was walking across the park with a small group of people. He didn’t look thrilled to be here as he looked around the semi-crowded area. When his eyes landed on me, he stopped and waved. I waved back, prompting him to separate from his people and make his way in my direction.
I had to gather myself because I didn’t want him to see me crying again. When he reached me, he extended his hand.
“Hey, Romi,” he said.
I slipped my palm into his. “Hey, Devin. This is my father, Carlton Mitchell. Daddy, this is Devin Dillinger. He teaches the gun safety class I’m taking.”
My father extended his hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Dillinger.”
“Likewise.”
“You didn’t tell me you were getting a gun, Romi,” my father said.
“I didn’t want you guys to talk me out of it, Daddy. Please don’t tell Mama. I don’t want her to worry.”
My father waved me off. “Baby girl, you may not know this, but your mama and I have quite the stash of firearms around the house. Anybody that comes in there uninvited or starting some shit can get one of those bullets.”
Devin chuckled. “I know that’s right. Protect your peace. My grams says if you can’t have peace anywhere else, you better have it at home.”
“Your grams is right.”
“Did your daughter tell you she’s a natural shot,” Devin bragged. “She was a little nervous at first, but she surprised us both.”
“Oh, stop,” I said, waving him off.
“I give credit where credit is due.”
“Mommy!” Korri yelled, running over to me. She slid next to me on the bench. “I want some ice cream.”
“Baby, we have to eat lunch first. Say hi to my friend. This is Mr. Dillinger.”
She looked up at Devin, and her eyes widened. “Hi,” she said shyly.
“Hey, lil’ bit. What’s your name?”
“Korri.”
“It’s very nice to meet you, Korri.” He extended his hand to her. “You can call me Devin.”
“Okay, Mr. Devin. How do you know my mommy?”
“She’s taking a class I teach.”
“You’re a teacher?”
“Kind of.”
She looked over at me. “He’s so tall, Mommy.” She tried to flex a muscle. “And big.”
“Korri!” I scolded. “That’s not nice.”
“But his muscles are big, Mommy. He could pick you up, right, Mr. Devin?”
He chuckled. “I could, but I don’t think Mommy would like that.
If only you knew, I thought to myself.
“What are you doing here?” I asked.
“My little sister insisted on a photo shoot for her birthday, so she and my mama are about to do the most. I’m just here to pay for it.”
I giggled. “How old is she? I thought I met all of your siblings at the wedding.”
“Sixteen today. And you met my pop’s kids. Deja is my sister on my mom’s side. She was the one all hugged up with Shar’s little brother.”
“Awww! It’s cute that they are dating.”
“Nah, it’s a headache. They think they are in love and wanna go on dates. I don’t know if I trust them just yet.”
My father chuckled. “Been there.”
I scoffed. “Daddy!”
“I’m just saying.”
I rolled my eyes. “Devin, I hope your sister has a great photo shoot and birthday.”
“She’s spending my money, so she’ll have the best day. I’m not gonna hold y’all up, though. I just wanted to speak. It was nice to meet you, Mr. Mitchell. Korri, it was an honor to meet you, beautiful.”
Korri giggled and blushed. “It was nice to meet you, too.”
Devin smiled. “Can I speak to you in private for a second before I go?” he asked.
“Um, sure.”
He reached for my hand and helped me to my feet. He led me a little ways away from my father and Korri.
“You good?” he asked.
“I’m… okay.”
“You lying to me?”
“I don’t have a reason to lie to you, Devin.”
He eyed me skeptically. “Let me get your number.”
I frowned. “Why?”
“In case you need me, you can call me. Even if you don’t need me… call me.”
My eyes widened. He chuckled as he held out his phone to me. I swallowed hard as I took it and handed him mine. After the exchange, he slipped his phone back into his pocket.
“On the real though. If you need me to handle something for you, don’t be afraid to call me.”
I knew by that he meant Patrick. I would jump at the chance to have that man out of my life, but I couldn’t just solicit help from this strange man, no matter who his family was.
“I’ll remember that,” I said.
“Good. I’ll see you at our next session.”
“Okay.”
He left me and headed back toward his family while I went to reclaim my seat.
“Mommy, is that your boyfriend?” Korri asked.
“No, baby. I told you, he’s my teacher.”
“Oh, yeah. Can I play a little longer, then we can go eat?”
“Fifteen minutes.”
“Okay!”
She hopped down and ran back to the playground. Once again, I felt my father’s eyes on me.
“What is it, Daddy?”
“You like that man, don’t you?”
I sighed. “He’s been really nice to me. Like this past weekend, he had a cop sitting outside my house so I could get some proper sleep. The day I did his sister in-law’s wedding makeup, he made sure I got home safe and checked the house to make sure I was alone. Again, he’s been nice, but I know I can’t pursue anything there.”
“You know that family, right? You’ve heard things?”
“I have. It’s taking everything in me not to ask him to help with Patrick. I can’t have that on my mental.”
My father looked as though he would have been okay with that, but he would never come out and say it. The way Patrick was moving was foul, but did I have it in me to put a hit out on him? That just wasn’t in my character. I didn’t want him to turn me into someone I didn’t recognize, but something had to give. If it was me, my babies, and my family or him… the choice was clear.