Chapter 11 #2
"Enjoy your stay," Dalena said, handing Monroe her business card. "Call me if you need anything," she winked, then closed the door, leaving them standing in her signature scent.
Truth waited until the door closed, then looked at Monroe and shook his head.
"Her lil' ass is trouble wrapped in an expensive bow, Roe." Truth laced, telling no lies.
Monroe laughed, completely unfazed as they found their way to the oversized, luxury leather couch.
They were immediately greeted by their personal bottle girl, bringing them a fresh bottle of Hennessy with the seal still in place.
There were eight dancers assigned for their private show.
The next few hours disappeared beneath music, liquor, laughter, and the type of unrestrained energy Monroe had been needing.
They celebrated nothing in particular and everything at the same time.
Money floated through the air like confetti while DJs kept the room alive.
For a few hours, Monroe wasn't thinking about death, betrayal, or heartbreak.
He was just hanging with his brother. Drinking straight from the bottle, Syn and Truth sat at opposite ends of the couch, and immediately started smacking ass, and lost track of time as they got lost in the moment.
The dancers were top-tier and their routine was unmatched.
From the lap dances, to the pole, and the way they made their ass twerk in every position.
Monroe and Truth had a time, and had blown over twenty bands in four hours.
"We offer after-party exclusives, if you're interested," one of the strippers offered, pressing the button to notify the concierge of their departure. "Nah, we straight. 'Preciate the offer though," Truth replied as he and Monroe left.
As soon as they stepped off the elevator, the valet was pulling Monroe's car.
Minutes later, they were hopping on the expressway, blasting Jeezy's Standing Ovation. Truth rapped every word along with Jeezy like it was his song. He had noticed Monroe’s unusual quietness, but chose to wait until they got back to the house.
"What's on yo' mind, bruh?" Truth asked as Monroe parked in Truth's driveway.
"Man, you wouldn't believe me if I told you," Monroe said, lighting another blunt.
"I'm listenin'," Truth shot back, downing the rest of his Henny.
"Sienna ain't dead, she had my daughter, and Promise kicked my ass to the curb," Monroe casually stated, then took a long pull from his blunt.
Truth damn near got whip last, he turned so fast to make sure he wasn't tripping. "The hell you mean Sienna ain't dead, and she had your daughter?"
"The cold part about all this shit is my mama was behind it all," Monroe continued, leaning his head back on the headrest.
Truth laughed. "You need to stop smokin' my nigga. You tweakin' like a mu'fucka," Truth shook his head and said.
Monroe didn't respond, he just picked up his phone, scrolled to his pictures, then passed Truth his phone.
Truth zoomed in on Monae's face, and looked back and forth between Monroe and the pictures like seven times in disbelief. “Bruh! That lil’ girl look just like yo' ass! This shit crazy as fuck.
Monroe couldn't argue with that if he wanted to. "She mine, bruh."
The second Truth heard those words, he instantly felt his brother’s inner turmoil.
His mind instantly went back to the mental break Monroe had when he found out that Sienna had died.
Truth couldn’t even imagine how he’d respond to this situation, but one thing was for certain, he was going to stand ten toes down with his brother.
“How you know Mama Macie is behind all this?" Truth quizzed.
"Think about it," Monroe told him. "She had them secluded in Morocco for twelve years. Lyin' to my daughter, tellin’ her I was workin' for the government on a secret assignment. And, she killed my grandfather, yo'." Monroe revealed more facts.
"Damn, Roe. This is all fucked up. What 'chu gon' do?" Truth asked. "You know I'ma ride wit'chu on whatever you decide."
"I'ma let you know when me and Unc got it all figured out. We gotta take our time to make sure we cover all our bases with this situation because there’s are way too many moving parts, and you already know a nigga ain't 'bout to hop in nobody's trick bag."
"Already," Truth nodded his agreement.
"Now tell me what went down with Promise?" Truth asked, taking another pull from his blunt.
Monroe's jaw tightened. "She listened. Then told a nigga I owed it to myself to figure out if there was still something between me and Sienna."
Truth blinked.
"Yo’, she said that shit?"
Monroe nodded.
"Said she already made her choice, but she want me to make mine after givin’ myself time to get clarity."
Truth leaned back in the seat, shaking his head slowly. "Damn." He looked over at Monroe.
"Sis really love yo’ ass, bruh," Truth said, understanding where Promise was coming from.
“How you figure?” Monroe shot, feeling like he was being punished for a situation he had no control over.
“She just tryna protect her heart, bruh. She scared that once you fully get into your role as a father, and sort yo’ shit out with Sienna, that you gon’ pick them over her,” Truth interpreted.” She want you to be sure ‘cause she ain’t.”
Monroe hadn’t understood Promise’s perspective from this viewpoint. Now that he had it all made complete sense.