Chapter 17 Steel
I decided to stand back and allow Nayelli to navigate her way with my dad and brothers.
Currently, they were introducing her to her cousins.
She was all smiles as she got hugs from all of them.
I think she was most excited to meet Korri since they were about the same age.
I could see them becoming the best of friends.
The only person missing from this family introduction was Mia and my grandfather.
Unfortunately, he passed away not long after Quaid and Jaeda got engaged.
He fought a good fight, and when he transitioned from this life, we sent him off the right way.
I missed that old man, and I knew Grams did too.
She was holding it together well. I didn’t know how she was doing it, but she was.
When she spoke at his funeral, there was strength in her that I’d never seen before. She said she’d spent almost her entire life with a man that always put her first. He was a protector and a provider, and he gave her everything she needed to hold this family down with or without him.
“She is a doll, Steel,” I heard behind me.
I turned to see Grams walking up behind me. She looped her arm through mine and rested her head against my shoulder.
“Thanks, Grams.”
“So we aren’t gonna talk about how she and Donna could be sisters?”
I was quiet. I hadn’t realized it until she said something, but Neha and Donna could have been sisters. Thinking back on it, that might have been what drew me to her in the first place. She felt familiar.
“Grams—”
She held up a hand. “That’s your business. Now tell me where she came from.”
I sighed. “I didn’t know about her. Neha kept her from me.”
“I see. So you’re telling me she needs to meet Becky from the Block—”
I laughed. “Nah, Grams. She don’t need to meet the killa, okay? We good.”
“How? You’re over here being like your damn daddy with Maddie. She kept your child from you, Steel.”
“She did, and I’ve given her hell about it.
We sat and had a conversation, and I understand why she did what she did.
It’s a lot of trauma and conversations that should have happened behind her reasoning, Grams. It doesn’t make it okay, but I don’t wanna keep fighting with her and feeling all that anger.
All I have goes into this business, this family, and my kids.
I just want to be the best father I can to that little girl. ”
“You love her, don’t you?”
“So much, Grams. You know we fuck with Smoke because he has all girls, but being a girl dad has been a different experience. The way she looks at me. It’s like even though we just met, she knows her daddy will fuck up the world behind her.”
Grams rubbed my arm. “I know you will, suga. You get that from your whorish father.”
I laughed. “Don’t talk about my daddy like that, woman.”
“I gave birth to him. I can call him whatever I want. Speaking of whores, here comes the other one.”
I looked up to see my uncle Blake strolling over.
“Nephew,” he said, dapping me.
“What’s up, Unc?”
“Ain’t shit. Quick question.”
“Sup?”
“Nigga, since when do you have another kid?”
I chuckled. “I found out about her a while ago, Unc.”
“And you’re just now bringing her by?”
“Can I have some time with my baby before I have to share her?”
“I guess.” He peered around me at Neha and Dinah. “Which one of them is her mama?”
“You already know what I like, Unc.”
He grinned. “I do. That other one, . . . she single?”
Grams reached out and twisted his nipple. “Take your ass on somewhere. You were just crying about your wife yesterday. That right there is the reason she left you. Go make yourself useful. As a matter of fact, go get me some ice. Maybe that will cool your hot ass off.”
She grabbed his shirt and led him into the house, leaving me in stitches from laughing. I looked back over at my brothers and Pop. They were all standing around Nayelli, counting off money from wads of cash. I shook my head as I walked over to them.
“What are y’all doing?” I asked.
Maceo grinned. “Back pay for all the birthdays, Christmas, and report cards we missed.”
These niggas.
They were just counting off cash like it was nothing. One by one, Nayelli collected the wads of money with a grin on her face.
“Thank you!” she said, straightening it all.
“You’re welcome, baby girl,” Pops said, cupping her chin. “You gotta let us know what kind of party you want.”
“Party?” I asked.
“Nigga, we have to welcome her into the family properly,” Smoke said. “Ain’t that right, lil’ bit?”
“Right.”
Nayelli made her rounds, hugging each of them. I could tell my brothers loved her already.
“Daddy, can you hold this for me?” she asked, handing me the wad of cash.
I smiled. “I got you, baby.”
I folded the money and put it in my pocket.
“Can I go play now?” she asked.
“Knock yourself out.”
She ran off to join her cousins. For the longest time, I watched her, my heart swelling with pride. I didn’t know I was crying until I felt the tear slip down my cheek. Pops pulled me into a hug, cradling the back of my head. My brothers gathered around, patting me on the back.
“You good, man,” Deuce said. “You were late getting to the party, but you’re here now. That’s all that matters.”
“Right,” Maceo agreed. “You have a beautiful little girl, and she’s got a gang of unstable niggas behind her.”
“Facts,” Smoke added. “She’s ours now. We got you, and we got her.”
“I guess I’m playing the role of the sane uncle,” Quaid jested.
“Shut the fuck up!” my brothers snapped at him, making us all laugh. I got myself together and wiped my eyes.
“I love y’all, man,” I said. “I know I ain’t been myself, but I appreciate the way y’all always have my back. Y’all my niggas for life. Even you, Quaid.”
“Well thank you for making me feel like an afterthought,” he said, playfully jabbing me. “For real though. We are family. Even if y’all treat me like a redheaded stepchild at times and this one still isn’t calling me by my name.” He threw Pop a look.
“You a’ight with me, lil’ nigga.”
“We not gon’ talk about the elephant in the room?” Smoke asked. “I know we all see that shit.”
“Whatchu mean?” I asked.
“Nigga, why does your baby mama look like your baby mama?
Maceo shook his head. “I wasn’t gonna say shit, but I see it too.”
The rest of them nodded in agreement.
I shrugged. “I guess I have a type.”
“Nah, nigga,” Smoke said. “You were definitely trying to replace her with a lookalike.”
I frowned. “No, I wasn’t. Okay, they look somewhat alike, but they have different personalities. Y’all are reading too deep into this.”
They all raised their hands in mock surrender.
“I know y’all aren’t sharing a moment without me,” Jaeda said, pushing through the circle.
Smoke kissed his teeth. “Look at you. Always wanna be a part of a brotherly moment.”
“Go to hell, Devin.” She turned to me and pulled me into a hug. “I’m so proud of you, Kerrion. Nayelli is a lucky little girl.”
“I got some words for her mama,” Deuce said, looking around for Neha.
She and Dinah were sitting with the girls, looking like they were having a deep conversation.
“What are they yapping about?” Deuce asked with a frown as Romi got up to hug a tearful Neha. “They being too friendly with her, and I don’t like that shit.”
“She’s telling them her story,” Jaeda answered. “I’m still mad she hid my niece, but I get her state of mind at the time. Hear her out. Don’t be a dick.”
“Yeah, okay. We beefin’ until further notice.”
Her warning went in one ear and out the other as he pulled out his phone.
“Baby. Cut that conversation short and tell ol’ girl to meet us in the house.”
Salima looked over with a frown. I couldn’t hear what she was telling him, but her face told me she was being serious.
He kissed his teeth. “Okay, baby. Damn.”
She hung up the phone and spoke to Neha, who looked in my direction.
Nervousness was written all over her face as she stood and headed for the house with Dinah right behind her.
My father and brothers, with the exception of Quaid, followed behind her with me on their heels.
Neha stood at the door waiting. Dinah stood beside her with her arms folded and a frown on her face.
“Just so we’re clear, ain’t no ganging up on my sister,” she said, looking at the men in front of her. “Y’all might have each other, but she’s got me, and baby, I’m an army of one.”
Maceo grinned. “Yeah, my wife will like you. We just wanna talk to her. You can relax.”
“Come on in here,” Pops said, reaching for Neha’s hand.
She was hesitant to take it but finally grabbed it. He led us down the hall and into the meeting room. We all took a seat as Neha and Dinah looked around the space.
“If this ain’t some mafia type shit,” Dinah mumbled.
Pops chuckled. “Not the mafia. But I know a few.”
“Why doesn’t that surprise me?”
“I’m assuming Steel told you what our family is by now?”
Neha nodded. “Yes.”
“How do you feel about that?”
She shrugged. “I understand. It’s scary, but I guess I can respect the cause. I . . . we—” She motioned between her and her sister—“know what it’s like to feel unprotected and helpless. I just want him to come home safe to his daughter.”
“Why did you keep her from him?” Deuce asked.
She looked at me. “I assumed he told you all what happened.” She cleared her throat.
“My biological father abused us and my mother for years. He tortured us in that house. Day in and day out, we dealt with verbal, mental, emotional, and physical abuse. He almost beat our mother to death, and my sister and I had to find her. Your brother, . . . while a good man, . . . had anger issues back then. I saw him do things that reminded me of that man. That night he almost beat that guy to death triggered me, . . . terrified me.”
She was trying not to cry as her sister got up and went to stand beside her. She whispered something in Neha’s ear and wiped her face before grabbing her hand.