26. Blessing
FLASHBACK—
I threw a few stacks of money into my purse before slamming the safe shut. My eye was already starting to swell shut, making my vision blurry. The sting in my split lip had worsened, and I could still taste blood in my mouth.
“It’s okay, princess,” I whispered as I lifted Sage from her crib.
She had been crying for the last few minutes, but I couldn’t stop what I was doing to get to her.
I rubbed her back, soothing her. Her cries stopped as soon as she was in my arms. I hated that I had her in this situation, but shit was about to change—quickly.
After securing Sage in her car seat, I climbed into the driver’s seat.
I headed to the location I was sent and prayed that everything went as planned.
I know I shouldn’t have had my daughter with me, but I was pressed for time and didn’t need anyone asking questions.
I couldn’t take it anymore. This had to be the last time this nigga beat my ass like this. Fighting back wasn’t working anymore.
I glanced at a sleeping Sage through my rear-view mirror as I drove down the dirt road. I parked next to the only other vehicle and climbed out of the car with my purse on my shoulder. I needed to make this shit quick.
Rell winced, looking at my battered face. Shit, our faces shared similar bruises. “How long that nigga been laying hands on you?” He asked, clenching his jaw.
“Look, can you do it or not? I have my daughter in the car, and I need to get back home before he does.”
“I can do it. My nigga Rock will tail him. Just drop this tracker in his car so we can keep tabs on him. When you’re ready for it to be done, say the word, and it’s done.
” He reached into his pocket and passed me a small metal tracker.
“I won’t charge you full price for this shit, so just give me 50 bands. ”
I nodded, slipped the tracker into my purse, and handed him the ten thousand dollars I had in my purse. “Here’s the down payment. You’ll be hearing from me soon.”
“Wait Bless.. Why didn’t you tell your brother? You know he would’ve laid that nigga down without hesitation.”
“Because I didn’t need him involved. What if shit went left?”
He sighed, tugging at his goatee. “Aye, I’m not gone lie, I heard that nigga been tryna back door Siah.
Tried to hire Rickey to light him up, but he’s so respected in the city, he turned him down, but said he wasn’t going to say shit.
Rickey might’ve turned it down, but there are other young niggas out here hungry as hell. ”
I shook my head in disbelief. Seven had really lost his fucking mind. I knew Rell wasn’t lying because Seven had threatened to kill my brother if he told him what was happening in our household. This new bit of information solidified my decision.
Three Weeks Later
I scrubbed the club from my skin in a steaming hot shower. My body relaxed as I slid underneath the comforter in the bed. It was well after 2 a.m., and Seven had yet to walk through the front door. That uneasy feeling returned. I shook my head, knowing I just needed to sleep it off.
I sent Seven a few texts questioning his whereabouts, but they all went unanswered.
I knew this was his way of punishing me.
Before I could lock my phone, a text message notification popped up on my screen.
I clicked the notification, opening my messages.
I frowned, looking at the attachments from the unsaved number.
Professional photos of Seven and a very pregnant woman were attached.
My stomach sank at the photo of Seven and a little boy who had his entire face.
“I know you fuckin’ lyin’.” I scoffed, shaking my head. Not only was he cheating again, but he hid an entire family from me. This nigga was going to feel my wrath.
I woke up every morning fearing for my fucking life.
I was so used to the beating, I stopped fighting back.
Every time I thought things were getting better, he showed me there was no change in the future.
I was tired of ghosting my family and drowning my face in healing cream.
My life was never supposed to be like this.
Messiah warned me—BEGGED me, to leave Seven alone, but I was so “in love” I couldn’t see past the bullshit.
All the cheating, lies, and abuse were taking a toll on my mental health on top of battling postpartum depression.
Sage needed me. I couldn’t leave my daughter in the world with her demented ass father.
I tried to keep us together, to make sure my daughter had a two-parent household, but this shit wasn’t worth it anymore.
He wasn’t going to stop until he had me in a body bag.
It’s either him or me, and I can’t afford to lose my life.
I got out of bed and went into my office.
I grabbed a book from my bookshelf and opened it to reveal the burner phone I had kept hidden.
I sent a single airplane emoji before powering the phone off and destroying it.
I slept peacefully knowing my freedom was near.
The Funeral
I was tired of pretending I cared that Seven was dead.
Every tear I shed was a tear of joy. It felt good not to fear for my life anymore.
During the funeral, Seven’s secret family showed up.
I had to beg Messiah not to react. I pretended to be embarrassed and used it as an excuse to skip the repass.
I allowed Sage’s paternal grandmother to keep her while I left to tie up a loose end.
I pulled down the same dirt road from a few weeks ago and hopped out of the car, carrying the duffel bag full of money. “It’s all there plus a little on top as a thank you,” I said, passing the bag to Rell.
He looked terrible, like he hadn’t slept in days. “Look, I’m going to have to up the price. Messiah put a fucking bounty on my head.” I could tell he was pissed.
“Rell, come on. That has nothing to do with me. You said you could do it without revealing your identity. How the fuck does Messiah know it was you?”
He huffed, taking a seat on the hood of his car before burying his face in his hands.
“I wasn’t expecting Messiah to be at the location.
Messiah is never at the dope houses. I pulled up with no ski mask.
I was bare as hell. Seven was sitting on the porch smoking when I walked up.
I pulled my gun out and sprayed him. When I was running back to my car, Messiah was coming out of the house.
I thought he wouldn’t be able to identify me because he had only seen my back, but there were cameras on the porch.
So, I need more fucking money, Blessing.
This isn’t enough to disappear and start a new life somewhere else.
Double it. Then I’m gone. You will never see me again. Please.” He pleaded with me.
“I need two weeks. Lay low until you hear from me.” I said, patting his shoulder.
I walked away knowing he would never see another penny from me.
His mistake wasn’t my problem. He’d figure it out.
If not, that would be on him. Shit, he was the only one who knew I set Seven up.
Two can keep a secret if one of them is dead.