Chapter 4 #3
“I needed some space,” I answered after the silence made the air thick. “I’ve been at the casino nonstop. I’ve put my hands on folks a lot lately. Killing a nigga ain’t never kept me up at night, but having to run a business while doing it is heavy. I just needed a minute to breathe.”
The man who knew me better than anyone stared me down with skepticism narrowing his light-brown eyes.
From the day I woke up sitting outside of my car, I knew I wouldn’t tell anyone what happened.
It was bad enough I had to go hard because my senior thought my heart condition would be my downfall.
If I told him a group of women had me in a dark room for days, I would never live it down.
“I don’t buy the bullshit you’re selling, but I don’t feel like beating the truth out of you. How’s everything going with Chrissy?”
“Why does that matter?”
“You know why! Her family has connections. That’s the only reason I pretend to tolerate that bitch.”
“I know, and you don’t have to do that anymore. We’re done.”
His broad shoulders plummeted. “What the fuck, Neptune? We talked about this! Did you forget the plan?”
“Change it! I’m not putting up with a disloyal bitch just to have a baby.”
“I can’t blame you. Aside from your fucked up heart, you are your father’s child.
Just like your mama, Chrissy was a fucking nag.
After Valerie left, I sent her a thank you gift for doing me a favor.
That bitch couldn’t be a good mother or wife.
” In a split second, my father’s tense brows settled.
“Despite that, you claim you know the rules like the back of your hand, but there’s always one you keep putting off.
” He took a drag of his cigar. “Let me hear it!”
I bit into my jaw to control my sly comeback. Even when he pissed me off, I would never jeopardize our connection by being disrespectful.
“A man with no family has nothing to lose. To sit on the board, a man must have caught a body, had a baby, and made the family a bankroll.”
“And why do we move that way?”
“To ensure the business, the secrets, and the legacy stay in the hands of the Sinners.”
“Exactly! When I step down, you’ll take my spot, but what happens when you retire? If circumstances were different, you could put your niece or nephew in position, but I doubt Easy is dumpin’ nut in anybody.”
My eyes turned into slits. “Chill on my brother. He’s different, but he’s still a man.”
He waved me off, knowing he could never win an argument with me about Easy. “Don’t forget what I said, Neptune. These broads ain’t good for much, but you need one. You better figure it out before you lose your spot.”
I studied his body language, noticing the way he casually rubbed his arm and forced his breath out on a whistle.
“You love to mention my fucked up heart. What’s going on with your body? When’s your next appointment?”
“I’m not going to no fucking appointment. The day I leave this earth, the world will lose a king, and you’ll inherit the throne. Focus on that. Don’t worry about me.”
Our back and forth came to a halt when Easy and Echo joined us on the golf course.
“Look at who rose from the dead!”
I ignored my cousin and focused on my brother.
I playfully jabbed the center of his belly, then smoothed down his fresh cut.
Even with his special mind, my brother was a handsome man who obsessed over his appearance.
Well-fed, Easy was stocky and loved to dress like Carlton from The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.
“You switchin’ up on me?” I caressed my beard. “You let twin take you to the barbershop, and now, your line is crooked.”
He sucked his teeth. “You’re jealous and basic. I called you to take me, but you didn’t pick up the phone.”
“I called you back, but you didn’t answer. Ever since you and Stephanie got close, you act like you don’t know a nigga.”
Easy’s shoulders collapsed, and a rosy color filled his light-brown complexion.
He spent a lot of time at a social club for special adults, and he called himself finding a girlfriend.
Their connection gave me mixed emotions.
I may have killed for my father and spent money on Chrissy, but I would die for Easy.
Anybody who hurt my brother—special or not—I would do time for killing them.
His mama had a problem with loving him, but it was an honor for me to be his big brother.
“Give me some love. I’m about to whup Dad in golf,” Easy declared.
He hugged me tight, and I didn’t pull away until he did.
Born with Down Syndrome, my brother was a unique twenty-five-year-old, though I treated him like I would treat any of my siblings.
We had always been close, and after our mother got ghost, I made it a point to ensure Easy felt included.
It was necessary since our father was an asshole and our mama was trifling.
Easy stepped away and grabbed a golf club, giving Echo the chance to corner me. I was a few inches taller than him, but my cousin had about thirty pounds of muscle on me. Unlike his twin, the gym owner rocked a goatee and wore cut-off tee-shirts, even in the winter.
“What do you want, nigga?” I quizzed.
“I’m happy you’re straight. For a second, I thought you boxed up your puzzles and finally took a vacation, employee-of-the-month-ass nigga.”
“A man is supposed to have a solid work ethic. Don’t press me because your daddy didn’t teach you that.” I smirked. “That’s why your ass will always be a knight and never a king.”
“Fuck you. I work hard too. You speak like your spot is secure when I got one up on you.”
My dad chuckled, letting me know he was more focused on our conversation than his game of golf.
“You’re right, Nephew, especially since Neptune cut Chrissy’s uppity ass off. After a year together, I just knew she would pop up pregnant.”
“Y’all got me bent,” I replied. “I’m not starting a family with someone who has proven they can’t handle me or my lifestyle. It took her two days to fuck around. I’m not worried or pressed about a broad or baby. Milestones will manifest when they’re supposed to.”
The old man forced a cloud of smoke from his nose. “I don’t want to hear that shit. I’ll be damned if Luke’s kids inherit the legit businesses, the arms operation, and the casino!”
Echo’s head jerked back. “Damn, Unc. I’m standing right here.”
“I know, little nigga.”
As Pluto and I walked back to the house, I pulled out my phone. I wasn’t big on social media, but I created an Instagram account to see what Kannon was up to. I chuckled when I saw her crazy ass had posted a picture of the flowers I sent her. Her caption was simple: gifts from Candyman.