Zoya #3
Capone got up, took the phone and watched. They each passed my phone around like this was one big cypher. Capri finally took the phone and watched the video.
“You didn’t hear anything about this, Baby Doll?”
“It’s federal, Cappy. It hasn’t been brought to my attention, either… it can’t be Forty.”
“Inez is so sure that he’s the killer. Says he was trying to kill her.”
I could tell Capp was trying to be respectful, because the look on his face told me he wanted to scream why would we believe a junkie?
Same question I wanted to know.
“He called me last night. I guess he’s been trying to call, but I don’t answer for random numbers. I thought it was you, so I answered the call. He needs us.”
“Without a fucking word,” Capp said.
Quasim sat up. “Forty is always there when we need him. He’s never there but always watching. He handled something personally for me, I’m with whatever.”
“He has to turn himself in.”
“Oh, she on bullshit… G, get your girl,” Cappadonna pointed at me, while I remained calm.
This wasn’t my first rodeo and God-willing it wouldn’t be my last. I was good at my job, but every good attorney knew that you took a plea if you knew the odds were stacked against you. I’ve won many cases, but when it came to the feds, I didn’t like to fuck with them.
Kofi’s case was like winning the lottery, being struck by lightning. I had some clients who were facing bigger sentences, and I had them plea down to avoid spending the next eight years in prison.
So, I’ve sat in front of a client and told him to take the ten-year sentence with a straight face. Cappadonna’s outburst was warranted. His best friend was going to have to turn himself in.
“Capp, chill the fuck out,” Goo warned him.
Because the men all had that mutual respect, they could check each other without feeling disrespected. When it came to an outsider, you had more luck baptizing a dolphin than not having them come at you sideways.
“If he wants to live a regular life and not live in the shadows, he’ll turn himself in,” Capri took my side. “He has to do this the legal way, Capp.”
“And sit in fucking prison?”
“He said I’m a fucking dumb bitch, Goo?”
Goo rubbed my face and kissed my lips. “Exactly what the fuck he said… said you a public defender, baby.”
“I’m not saying I am the best… I am saying that Forty called me for a reason. If he didn’t trust me, then he wouldn’t have wasted his time… can the church say amen.”
“Amen!” Alaia hollered, while she side eyed her husband.
I rubbed my hands together. “He’s on his way her—”
“Whaaat? You gonna put the damn killer on the island with us?” Kobe screamed, clutching his chest. “A new killer has entered the villa.”
Erin shoved him while snickering.
“He’s not a killer… me and Forty don’t know each other well, but he’s not the killer. I’m a good judge at shit like this.”
“Better be… nigga might cut us all up.” Meer snickered.
When I looked over at Capp, I could tell that he was worried. This was like his brother, so I could understand why he was so worried. Forty’s life would be in my hands.
“Damn, G, you could have shared… you going to town,” Kobe called him out, because he was smacking hard as hell in my ear.
I stood up. “I’m going to visit my family and tell them about the baby… you know since I told everyone before them.”
“How the fuck do you drop a bomb like that and then go and celebrate?” Meer said.
“Nothing we can do until he lands. I may be jumping the gun, maybe he does want to live his life in the shadows.”
“His girl is in the public… he doesn’t wanna be public, but he’s gonna wanna live a life where he doesn’t have to look over his shoulders,” Capp explained.
“You can have your doubt—”
“Never doubting you,” he corrected me. “I see what you do and the power you have… I’m just doubting letting him go into the system. That shit ain’t meant for you to leave when you work for the government.”
Meer clapped his hands. “Let’s play manhunt when it gets dark… we need to do some shit to take our mind off this shit.”
“Damn, I ain’t played that shit in years… used to run through the blocks and shit. The projects were where it was really lit. Running between the different buildings… damn, memories.”
“Since we’re going to Barbados and those two are taking the kids to Jamaica.” Erin gave Alaia the evil eye.
“Why?”
“We don’t celebrate Christmas, so we take the kids away… it’s our little tradition. They’re still young but are learning. While their cousins are looking forward to opening gifts with Santa, they’re excited about going on a trip with Mommy and Daddy.”
I looked at Goo, who was on another damn apple fritter. This was what our life would be like if we had children.
“We do it because it’s what works for our family,” Capp cut in like he saw me about to spiral.
Our family didn’t spend the holidays together. We had just started spending them together, and no matter how much I bitched and moaned, I didn’t want to give them up.
“When he comes, we can talk and see where his head is at,” I tossed over my shoulder, and headed down the beach.
“Right behind you, Boobie.”
“You can stay for now!” I called back.
I don’t know why hearing about Cappadonna and Alaia traveling to be away from family during the holidays triggered me. How much would I be giving up for his religion? I wasn’t very religious and hadn’t stepped foot in a church in some time.
It made me think about if this was what I really wanted.