Chapter 19
I was finally leaving the compound after my father wanted to talk for two hours once we touched down. I wasn’t the only person annoyed because he could have given us the cliff notes version and let us be on our way. I wasn’t sure what was up with him being so long winded these days, but he needed to get it together.
Turning out of the compound, I kept onto the main road to head into town. It would take about twenty minutes to get there from here with an additional ten minutes to get to Romi’s shop. I turned up the music and put the windows down, rapping along to the sounds of Future’s “Like That.” The song had just come to Kendrick Lamar’s part when my phone rang with a call from Romi.
Turning down the music, I answered the call on Bluetooth.
“I know I’m late, but I’m on my?—”
“Smoke.”
My brows furrowed as I looked at the screen. I had to be tripping because this was Romi’s phone, but it wasn’t her voice.
“Who is this?”
“Renay, Romi’s sister.”
At that moment, I knew something was wrong. Her sister had no reason to call me.
“What happened?” I asked, pressing the gas harder.
“She fell?—”
“Is she okay? Is the baby okay?”
“She’s fine, but they couldn’t stop the contractions, so they had to take the baby. She’s in the NICU at Baptist. Romi’s with her right now.”
“How did she fall, Renay?”
“I don’t know. Her memory is a little fuzzy.”
She didn’t have to say it, but I knew that fuck nigga had something to do with this.
“I’m on my way. Thank you for calling me, Renay.”
“No problem. My sister has smiled more since meeting you, so I think you’re good for her. She could use all the support she can get. I want to talk to you when you get here about something. Text her phone, and I’ll meet you out front.”
“I got you.”
I hung up and floored the gas all the way into town. The drive was cut down to fifteen minutes before I swung my car into a parking space right out front. I shot Renay a text, letting her know I was here before I got out. While I was anxious to get to Romi, I would hear her sister out first.
About three minutes passed before she walked out of the double doors. Gently grabbing my arm, she led me off to the side of the building.
“Has my sister talked to you about her baby daddy?” she asked.
“Yes.”
“So you know what he’s making her do?”
“I’m aware.”
“I need you to help my sister, Smoke. She’s a good girl. She’s made a few mistakes, but she’s always been a good girl. All she wants is to run her business and be the best mom she can be, and she can’t do that with Patrick around. I know he had something to do with this. I feel it in my soul.”
“I can agree with you there.”
She sighed. “I know I don’t know you. I know I’m asking a lot, but if the things said about your family are true, then this should be nothing to you. No offense,” she added, raising her hands. “My little sister is my best friend. That’s my baby. You have sisters, and I know if anybody was fucking with them, you and your brothers would handle it. I’m asking you to handle what I can’t.”
She peered up at me with serious eyes, and I knew she was dead set on the hit she’d basically asked me to put on Patrick’s head. She had no idea that I was already plotting his demise.
“I hear you loud and clear. I’m already on it. Is his number in her phone?”
She nodded as she pulled out the phone and went to the contacts to send it to me. I then sent it to Jaeda, telling her I needed a location ASAP. Slipping the phone in my pocket, I followed Renay inside and up to Romi’s room. When we got there, she wasn’t in, but her parents, Korri, a woman that favored Korri, and that damn Laurel were waiting in the room.
“Mom, Dad, this is Devin Dillinger. Devin, you already know Korri and I assume Laurel. This is Ms. Sherry, Korri’s other grandma.”
“Your father and I have met,” I said, extending my hand to shake his.
“Nice to see you again,” Mr. Mitchell said.
“Likewise. It’s nice to meet you, Mrs. Mitchell. Romi has told me a lot about you.”
She smiled softly as she shook my hand, and so did Ms. Sherry. When I got to Korri, she opened her little arms for a hug, so I stooped to give her one.
“Mommy had my little sister,” she told me.
“I know, lil’ bit. You excited?”
“Yes! Auntie Nay says she can’t come home yet though ’cause she’s too little.”
“She’ll be big in no time. I know you can’t wait for that.”
“I can’t wait to hold her. She’s so tiny, Mr. Devin.”
“Before you know it, she’ll be as big as you. Your sister will be your best friend, just like Auntie Nay is your mommy’s best friend.”
“Is your sister your best friend? The one with the Legos?”
I chuckled. “She’s one of them. I have a lot of brothers and sisters, so I have a lot of best friends. They always have my back.”
“I’m gonna have Juri’s back too. Don’t mess with my sister!”
Everybody in the room laughed at that one.
“That’s right, lil’ bit.”
I stood to my feet, and my gaze drifted to Laurel. Looking at her reminded me to have Jaeda look into her shady ass.
“I’m sorry, who are you to my daughter?” Mrs. Mitchell asked.
“She’s taking a training class at my store,” I answered, careful with my words because of Korri.
“What kind of class?”
Instead of answering, I pulled out my business card and handed it to her. Her eyes widened as she read it. Just as she went to say something, the door opened, and the nurse rolled Romi into the room. When she saw me, her eyes filled with tears. I went over and stooped to her in the wheelchair.
“Renay called me,” I said, gently wiping the falling tears away. “How is she?”
“Tiny… but strong.”
“Of course she is. Look at who she gets to call mommy.” She smiled faintly as I leaned in to kiss her lips. “Let’s get you back to bed.”
She nodded. The nurse helped me get her from the wheelchair and into bed. I made sure she was comfortable before taking a seat next to her.
Ms. Sherry stepped forward. “I really hate to leave you, but me and Jeff have to get on the road, baby.”
“It’s okay,” Romi said, faintly. “Thank you for bringing me in.”
“You don’t have to thank me. I love you, and you’ll always be my girl.” She kissed her temple. “I’m gonna call to check on you and that sweet baby later.”
“Okay.”
She went to Korri to give her hugs and kisses before leaving the room. Romi sank further into the bed. Her eyes landed on Laurel, and she cleared her throat.
“Laurel, I appreciate you being here, but I’d like some alone time with my family.”
Laurel’s eyes drifted to me. “Sure thing. I pray all is well with you and baby Juri, Romi. I’ll make sure everything at the shop is running smoothly until you get back.”
She vacated her spot in the corner and came over to the bed, where she gave Romi a hug. When she didn’t return it, Laurel stood upright and left the room without another word. Korri came over, and I helped her into bed, where she kissed her cheek before cuddling up next to her mother.
“So, Mr. Dillinger,” Mrs. Mitchell said, pulling up a chair. “You and my daughter seem to be a little more than teacher and student.”
I chuckled. “It’s new.”
She nodded. “And you’re okay dating a woman with children?”
“Yes, ma’am. It will be an adjustment, but nothing I can’t handle. Even though my father has always been in my life, I have a very active and loving stepfather who helped raise me. I have nothing but respect for him for coming into a ready-made family.”
“Which Dillinger is your father?”
“Stanley.”
That seemed to give her a little relief. If I’d said Blake, things might have been different.
“I’m a fan of the work your father does in the community. It’s nice to see the fortunate give back.”
“Yes, ma’am. Pops is big on community involvement. He always says if you’ve got it to help, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t. My grandfather grew up in the streets. It’s no secret what he did to make ends meet or what my uncle still does, but my father chose a different route. Some things may be unorthodox, but the goal is always to serve and protect the community we live in, by any means necessary.”
“Period,” Renay said, snapping her fingers.
I could tell I was going to like her. She seemed to be with the shits, and I could always fuck with that. Mr. Mitchell sat quietly. I could tell he was thinking but didn’t want to say much in front of his wife, daughters, and granddaughter. The look on his face, however, said he might be on the same type of time Renay was on.
Romi cleared her throat. “Mom. Daddy. Would you mind taking Korri for a walk? I need a moment with Renay and Devin.”
Her parents nodded and stood from their seats. Mr. Mitchell scooped Korri up, and they left the room, leaving us alone. Renay claimed the now empty seat next to her sister and grabbed her hand.
“What is it, sissy?” she asked.
“It was Patrick,” Romi said softly. “It came back to me when I was holding Juri. I got to the shop early because Ms. Sherry had an early appointment. I was checking inventory to make sure I had everything for her, when I realized I needed towels. When I opened the basement door to go down to get them, Patrick was down there with a few other guys, bagging up cocaine.”
“What!” Renay exclaimed.
Romi sniffled. “This isn’t the first time. We got to arguing about how he got in, and he dragged me back upstairs. I lost my footing, and I fell on my stomach. He didn’t even care. He dragged me back up the stairs and pushed me out. If… if it wasn’t for Ms. Sherry coming in a few minutes later, I might have lost my baby.”
“That son of a bitch,” Renay said, venomously. “This is why he has to go, Romi.”
“Renay—”
“No. He put you in here. He’s the reason my niece is fighting for her little life right now. Fuck him.” She turned to me. “You take care of this, Smoke. I’m begging you.”
“I got it,” I said, with no hesitancy. I turned to Romi, who was looking between the two of us. “Your sister is right, love. He’s only gonna become a bigger problem, and I’m all for eliminating a problem.”
She looked at me silently. There was a mixture of pain, hurt, and anger in her eyes. Slowly, she nodded.
“Okay,” she whispered. “Just… make sure my shop is clean when this is all over. There’s a door in the basement. That’s where he’s been storing the product. It has a padlock, and he has the key. You’ll find it behind some shelves. I don’t care what you do with them; I just need them gone. However you want to handle it. Just… make him suffer.”
I smirked. “You ain’t said shit but a word.”
Renay squeezed her hand. “I like him.”
Romi reached out and stroked my beard. “Me too.”