Chapter 3 #3
I knew her better than that. She was a daddy’s girl through and through.
Anytime she ever needed anything in life, he provided it for her.
Bail money, cars, alibis. Pops was just like that for his kids.
He actually handled parenting Kara and Karmine a lot better than he did me.
I was the kid they sent to the wolves. By the time I was twelve, I was able to come and go as I pleased.
At seventeen, I was fucking chicks in the house, and my parents even walked in a couple of times when I was banging some hoe out.
Celine was the one setting rules and instilling morals and values in a nigga.
I never said I applied all that shit, but I tried not to be cold and malicious with anybody unless absolutely necessary.
“I’m tired, Free,” she whispered, lip trembling as her chin hit her chest.
I watched her weep on the bed and went right to her.
This was what I was waiting for. I knew she would fall apart at some point.
Kara was a lot more fragile than she pretended to be.
Raised around the purest-bred socialites in the country, and everyone treated her like she didn’t belong.
There were always whispers about our family and what they did, and being the daughter of a man like our father did come with its inconveniences.
Settling beside her, I put an arm around her, and she dropped her head onto my shoulders, continuing to cry herself out.
“I know,” I countered, embracing her tighter.
“I don’t know what it all means or how I even go forward.
All I know right now is… I’m a recovering addict.
And that in itself is enough to deal with.
I don’t know where I belong at this point.
” She dropped her head in defeat, and I held her as close to me as she could get, bringing my lips to her forehead.
“What happened to you, Kara? Tell me everything,” I gently urged her.
She used the back of her hand to wipe some of her tears away. Sniveling, she lowered her head and squeezed her eyes shut. Her shoulders moved, and it was then I realized that she was breaking down.
“Aye. I love you. No matter what, you can tell me anything.”
“I met this guy, and we were hanging out for like a week. Partying. He took me shopping, and we had these elaborate dates and dinners. We were pretty inseparable, and the partying led to a lot of drinking… among other things. I was taking uppers and downers, just going with the motions, and eventually getting in over my head. I was high for days, and one night, I must have blacked out or something. He, um… invited a few friends to our private party. They took their turns with me, and eventually, I passed out. When I woke up, he was the only one in the room. I was so traumatized, and I wasn’t even convinced what had happened actually happened.
My body is what made it a reality. He offered me more drugs, and I took them. ” She half shrugged.
“Who the fuck is this dude?” I demanded.
“Free, I don’t need you trying to fix this for me,” she said with a heavy sigh. “I am in therapy, talking about it, and dealing with it.”
I heard her, but that was some fuck shit, and I didn’t play that with the family. I had murdered for less; that was for damn sure.
“You seem different in here,.” I observed.
“It’s given me a lot of clarity. Helped me see what I need to fix in my life,” she whispered.
“You always got a place with me, Kara,” I vowed. “All I ever wanted was for you to get your shit together. Me and Mine were already lost causes—”
“I don’t think so.” She lifted her head, and her misty eyes bounced around mine. “Look at you. You’ve got a brand-new life. You have Ivy and a woman that loves you, who you love. You just had two new babies, which I still haven’t seen. Do you have pictures?”
I went to retrieve my phone from my pocket, swiping right to the photo album.
I stored all of their pictures together so I could go to them any time that I wanted.
I handed it to Kara and let her scroll through them.
Her smile only seemed to grow the more she went on.
The final picture was from a couple of days ago.
Harbor held each baby while sitting in the rocking chair in their room.
She wore the biggest, warmest smile. A proud mother, and you couldn’t tell her shit about it.
“Wow. She looks really happy,” Kara acknowledged. “And I can tell that shit rubbed off on you. You’ve got a whole family now, Free. Imagine that.”
“What are you going to do with yourself?” I asked.
She averted her gaze from mine and let out a low groan.
“Mmm, well, I’m not sure yet. I would love to get to spend some time with Ivy and my new niece and nephew before I decide. What do you think? Is Harbor going to be okay with that?”
“I think she would probably like the help since Celine is gone,” I responded.
“And what are you going to do about Celine?” she queried.
“I haven’t had the time to think about it. Been a lot going on. I haven’t seen or spoken to her since the day you showed up on my doorstep.”
“You should talk to her. She is your mother.” Kara side-eyed me.
I considered her opinion, and it actually surprised me.
I expected her to be a lot more unstable than what was in front of me.
Bowing my head, I swiped my hand over the top of it.
For months Celine was heavy on my mind. I knew where she was, hiding out at her favorite hotel.
She didn’t do too well being alone, and I couldn’t help but wonder how she was actually holding up.
When the twins were born, she was one of the first people I thought about.
“So… the fuck is going on with you and Slice?” I commanded, and she rolled her eyes while a smile teased the corners of her mouth.
Kara pulled out of my embrace and raised herself to her feet. She stuck her hands into the pockets of her jogging pants and spun to face me.
“Slice is a good friend. At least he has been the last few months. I’ve gone to some dark places around here, Free.
I escaped one night, and he caught me. I was for sure about to go somewhere and be high at the end of it all.
I’m lucky he was there. He talked me off the ledge, and he’s been looking out for me ever since. We are friends,” she admitted.
“Just friends?” I lifted both brows and was on my feet.
“Would it be a problem if it were more?” she asked. “I am grown.”
“Slice works for me, Kara. I don’t like mixing business and pleasure,” I warned.
“Your business, Free, not mine.” She cleared up, shaking her head.
“It could interfere with my business.” I had to make myself clear that I was against whatever this was.
“If it does, then we will cross that bridge. Slice and I are cool. We enjoy one another’s company. You of all people shouldn’t be criticizing me about this,” she argued with passion.
That right there let me know there was definitely more between them than this friendship shit. But she was right; it wasn’t my business until it became my business.
“Glad that you’re better, Kara.”
“Thanks for always looking out for me, even when I bring you nothing but trouble.” She stepped forward to embrace me, and I held her back.
“A phone call away, sis. Always.” I turned to leave.
Kara walked me to the door, and when I stepped out, Slice was there waiting. We exchanged an unwavering stare. My sister hung back, witnessing the exchange.
“This is my sister, Slice.” My tone was even.
“Free, I would never disrespect you,” he conveyed, holding his hands up in surrender.
“It’s not just a job. We fuck with each other, but not how you thinking.
I haven’t touched her… like that. We talk.
If it comes to anything else, you will be the first to know.
I can still do my job and not let this interfere. ”
“You better.” I nodded, brows furrowing. “Your priority is keeping her safe; that comes first.”
“No doubt,” Slice agreed, holding his hand out.
For a second, I glanced at it, then brought my eyes back to his. I grabbed his hand and locked him in for a firm shake.
“I gotta dip. I’ll see you soon, Kara. And I love you.”
“I know.” She smiled and I kept it pushing down the hall to the elevator.
Slice remained behind, and I observed them at the door together.
I had to remind myself that she was grown.
And honestly, I knew I didn’t have to worry about her with Slice.
He was solid, and I had him on the team long before I stepped into my role.
I trusted him, just like I trusted Deviance.
It reminded me I had to check in on him again.
He had risked his life for Harbor and Ivy, and in turn, I made sure all of his medical bills were paid and sent him a bonus.
I wanted him to take his time recovering though because I wanted him back at his full strength.
Things were beginning to align, but I had a few other loose ends to tie up.
I gave my driver directions on where to take me.
About twenty minutes later, we were outside of the Four Seasons.
It seemed like I sat there forever staring up at that building.
My fucking emotions were all over the place.
I had things I wanted to say to her, but right now, I was drawing a blank.
I finally got out of the car. Stopping at the front desk, I paused and decided to check with the clerk out of courtesy than showing up on her doorstep. The older gentleman greeted me with a nod.
“How can I assist you, sir?”
“I am here to visit someone. Is Celine Armon here? Room 215?”
“She is. Should I let her know you are here?” He reached for the desk phone,
“No, thanks. I want to surprise her.” I grew increasingly nervous as the elevator carried me to the penthouse floor.
Once I got off, I took slow strides toward the door to her suite. Raising my hand, I tapped and waited with my head bowed.
“Coming!” she shouted, right before she pulled the door open.