Epilogue
“Thank you, Matte.”
“Of course, Mayor Grayson. Need anything else?”
“For you to close my door and confirm the six players on the opposing team of the game at the community center. Not that it matters. No one remembers the losers.”
Chuckling, Matte agreed. “Right. But, I will confirm.”
My team was set. I doubted anyone got past six niggas over six feet who were Berkeley Bred and had the city waiting on a win.
Indigo, Milo, Mercer, Sharpe, Cameron, and I met at the rec weekly for the last four weeks, getting familiar with each other’s style of ball handling. The results were pleasing.
“Thank you.”
As the door touched the frame, I tapped the screen of my cell. The FaceTime call connected. I twirled my wedding band around my finger. If there was nothing more in life I was anxious for, it was always her.
“Hi.”
Royce brought a smile to my face. I released my wedding band from the trenches.
“Good morning, my baby. Did I wake you?”
She nodded.
“I’ll call you bac–”
“Nooo. Nooo. I need to get up.”
“Did you sleep well?”
She shook her head.
“Not exactly, but much better than last night.”
“I guess it’s a win.”
“Yes. A small victory, but a victory, nonetheless.”
“How are you feeling?”
Yawning, she responded, “Like I’m carrying a watermelon around in my crotch.”
“Not a watermelon.” Pregnancy humor was her latest discovery.
“A very determined little girl.”
We’d learned of our pregnancy at nearly sixteen weeks. There were hardly any signs of our daughter’s presence. And, Royce had yet to remove her birth control.
Twelve months into our marriage, a visit to the doctor to remove the contraception led to the discovery. Izzy wasn’t planned. Neither were we prepared for her entrance. However, over the last three months, we’d been making the necessary changes to welcome our sweet girl.
“My mother wants us to drop by after our appointment. She prepped your meals for this week.”
Janis was over the moon. Every Monday, she spent half the day preparing meals for Royce to keep her off her feet as much as possible. I understood the concept, but I don’t think my mother understood who her daughter-in-law was.
Royce had time on her hands she’d never had before. She was utilizing every moment that didn’t require rest.
Mondays and Wednesdays were dedicated to pregnant pilates. Tuesdays and Thursdays, she was in Clarke, in hot yoga with her sisters. Fridays, she made her way to the kitchen, determined to have dinner on the table by the time I walked through the door.
Walking through that door filled me with so much pleasure. So did bending her over the counter, dicking her down, and sending her to the table with a wet pussy while I fixed our plates.
“Yeah. I know. She texted me.”
Royce was now up on her feet. Her natural hair was pinned up into a ponytail. A wild one that showcased all of her features. Her beautiful features.
“I’m a mess.”
She sat her phone on the bathroom counter and tugged at the band on her hair. It fell down onto her shoulders.
“A pretty mess.”
“Our appointment is at one-thirty.”
“I’m aware.”
“It’s noon.”
“I’m aware.”
“Then where are you?”
Her hands fell to her sides. The frown on her face was evidence of what we both knew.
“You miss me?”
“Yes.”
Pregnancy hormones were another discovery of ours. She placed her hands over her face. From the sinking of her chest, I knew what was to come.
“Don’t do that, my baby. I’m getting up now. I’m coming. I’ll be there.”
I stood, rearranging everything I’d touched on my desk.
“But my hair.”
“Your hair is fine. I like it just the way it was.”
“When I raise my hands above my head, I feel like I can’t breathe.”
“Then don’t. Just wait on me. I’m coming.”
“Okay.”
“Get in the shower if you had plans on it. You bathed last night, but maybe it will help. I’ll be there by the time you’re out. I’ll help you with your hair. I’ll help you get dressed. Aight?”
“Okay.”
“I love you. I’ll be there shortly.”
“I love you.”
I didn’t want to end the call. I didn’t want to leave Royce to worry. However, I was on my way and the quicker we got off the phone, the quicker I could get to her.
I entered our home with fruit roll ups and a stuffed bear I’d picked up along the way. Silence haunted me. I needed to see Royce’s face.
To make sure she was okay.
To make sure everything was right in her world.
Only then would everything be right in mine.
I ended my quest at the door of our bedroom. I pushed it open, finding Royce inside. She was in a pair of panties that matched the color of her skin. Hadn’t I taken enough pairs off, I would’ve assumed she wasn’t wearing any.
“There goes my baby,” I sang, capturing Royce’s attention.
“Shhhhh.”
She aimed the remote at the television and hiked the volume. I stood beside her, eyes glued on the screen.
“...a gunshot wound to the head. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries. Daniels was the mayor of Berkeley for three years. He will be greatly missed. According to sources, there are no leads. If you have any information about this incident, please contact authorities. That’s your Berkeley City News. ”
Royce wasted little time retrieving her cell. The line connected and the ringing began. She paced the floor waiting for someone to pick up.
“Speak.” Rugger groaned.
“Was it you?” Royce questioned.
“Me?”
“Daniels?”
“No.”
Click.
Royce ended the call. Silently, she turned to face me.
“You weren’t with Indigo last night, were you?”
“Briefly, yes.”
“And then?”
“And then I went to handle some unfinished business.”
“In other words, you went to Daniels’ home?”
I shook my head. “No. I didn’t go to Daniels’ home.”
“Then expla–”
“A block away.”
“Baby. What if someon–”
“I was made the mayor of Berkeley. I was born to kill. It’s not a skill I needed training for. It came to me. Naturally. His contact crossed the network. I didn’t hesitate to take it.”
“You cut your ties with the network.”
“I did.”
“But–”
“I know a person.”
In deep thought, she placed a hand on her hip. The wheels were turning.
“Rugger?”
I shook my head.
“No.”
“Psalms.”
“We’re going to be late if we don’t get you dressed and your hair u–”
“Were you careful?”
“As I could be. Don’t worry, Royce.”
“I can’t help myself. I’ve been holding my breath, somehow knowing this moment would come. I just wasn’t sure if it would be you or her.”
“Her?”
“Rugger.”
“He called you shit I couldn’t let slide. I have killed for less. He was a dead man the minute he put your name in his mouth.”
Nodding, Royce pulled her lips together and pushed them out.
“You have a point.”
It was inevitable. Daniels’ head was on the chopping block the moment Royce entered the race.
He was playing dirty not knowing I was the dirtiest. I didn’t mind laying with the worms until I hit my target.
I’d placed a dot on his head in August. It was an added bonus I was paid to push his shit back.
The funds would be donated to the same youth whose future he attempted to kill.
“Good, now let’s go, my baby.”
I slapped her ass and placed my lips on top of hers. Right where she wanted them. Right where I needed them. With her hand in mine, I led Royce down the steps of our shared dwelling.
Let that nigga be a lesson. Don’t put your mouth on shit that belongs to me or I’ll wear the same black suit you last saw me in to your funeral.
One down. One to go.
The end.
If you are suffering from a Huffington Hangover, read Ishmael, the extension of Royce.