23. Chapter 23
King Damini
I sat in the oversized armchair with my feet propped on the edge of the table. A loaded gun rested in my lap. My finger stayed against the trigger guard, and my eyes were locked on the dude sitting on a couch I didn't even recognize.
I had been sitting there for fifteen minutes, grilling him within an inch of his life.
"I'm gonna ask you one more time," I said as I racked the slide back. "And if you lie to me again, I'm putting a hole straight through your kneecap."
The guy raised his hands, keeping his palms open and visible. He was trying to play it smooth, but I could see the bead of sweat forming right at his hairline. "Man... I already told you. I'm an old friend of Adanna's."
"An old friend?" I repeated, letting out a dry, ruthless laugh. "An old friend doesn't sneak onto my compound without me knowing. An old friend doesn't sit on my furniture as if he's at a resort. What's your real name, where the fuck are you from, and why are you in my house?!"
"Look, man," he said. "My name is Quan. I promise you, this ain't what you think it is—"
"I don't give a fuck what I think it is!" I barked, leaning forward. "You sitting in my living room, breathing my air, and... is that my mothafucking leftover Egusi in my bowl?!"
Quan swallowed, glancing toward the counter. "I mean... I was hungry—"
"Are you fucking kidding me?!" I roared, standing out of my chair. "You're in my house eating my food?!"
Right as I took a step toward him, the front double doors slammed open.
Adanna came sprinting into the living room. Her dark hair appeared windblown, as if she ran over here. She slid to a halt on the hardwood, taking in the scene.
"What you doing, baby?" Danni panted, wiping her forehead.
"I'm about to blow this dude's brains out!" I hollered, snapping my head toward her. "You better tell me who the fuck this man is in my place, eating my mothafucking leftover food!"
Danni caught her breath, standing up straight, her face completely deadpan. "This is Quan."
I blinked, my eyebrows pulling tight as I looked back and forth between them. "Who the fuck is Quan?!"
"My ex," she said flatly.
I turned my head very slowly, staring at her, trying to determine if she was she speaking in ancient Greek. "Are you really trying to get this dude killed today?! You better get him out my fucking house!"
"I wasn't trying to bring him here to disrespect you!" Danni argued, stepping into the space. "I was protecting him from being killed! Brooklyn brought a whole hit squad to his front door in the States, Dame! He was outgunned, and I brought him here until we clear the threat!"
I looked at her. Then I looked over at Quan, who was sitting frozen on the cushion.
I let out a long, heavy sigh, shaking my head. Slowly, I lowered the gun toward the floorboards. Danni let out a small breath, clearly thinking the situation was defused—
BANG!
I raised the piece and fired a round into the couch cushion right between Quan's thighs.
"SHIT!" Quan shrieked, jumping three feet off the couch, scrambling backward.
Danni’s hand shot out and slapped my arm. "Why the fuck are you scaring him?!"
A slow smirk broke across my face as I lowered the gun again. "I just wanted to test him out. Make sure he ain't a bitch... but he is."
"Dame," Danni groaned, rolling her eyes. "He's not gonna be here for long. Just until everything blows over with Brooklyn."
I stood there for a second, feeling the lingering adrenaline from the club, the liquor, and the gunshot still humming in my veins. I looked at Quan, then looked back at my wife.
"Okay..." I said. I pointed a finger at Quan. "Does he like sports? Cause the game is about to come on in like twenty minutes."
Danni stopped in her tracks, letting out an exhausted sigh. "You have to ask him."
I clicked the safety back on, tucked the iron into the waistband of my trousers, and stepped closer to the couch. Quan was standing by the bookshelf, breathing through his mouth.
"Yeah, man," Quan said, his voice pleading. "Just... please don’t hurt me. I promise I won't do no crazy shit."
"You better not," I said, locking my dark eyes onto his. "And if you look at my woman too hard... it's gonna be me and you."
Quan gave a rapid nod. "Aight."
"Good," I smirked. "Now sit your ass back down and pass me the remote."