Chapter 21 #2
Bali huffed. “I guess. Whatever works for y’all.”
Noni hugged her, and she finally relented and hugged her back. Once Noni released her, she said, “I’m still gon’ be the same Noni, especially around here. Now let’s go fuck with SS.”
I slightly rolled my eyes. I went to my room and lay in bed, thinking about my man.
They still hadn’t found Treasure. He was so damn worried.
I offered to stay with him at his parents’ house, but he declined.
I had a feeling he was out fucking the streets up.
Me being there would make him too soft. All I could do was pray that God would protect him.
Karima had told me to always do that. With the type of life Mythic was living, I needed to keep him covered in prayer.
There was no telling what kind of shit he could find himself in.
When I heard the door open and Mama giggling, I rolled my eyes.
They were back from their date. Remy was the lucky one.
He’d gone to Aunt Jen’s house to chill with CJ.
Seven and I would have to deal with their shit tonight.
Once the door closed, the twins appeared in my doorway.
“That’s our cue to get the fuck out of here. You wanna come with us?” Bali asked.
“Hell, naw! She ain’t finna leave me by myself with those nasty niggas!” Seven yelled from his room.
I chuckled and slowly shook my head. “I’ll stay. I’ll see y’all tomorrow.”
They shrugged their shoulders at the same time. “Suit yourself,” Noni said.
They left as Daddy appeared in my doorway with a frown. He didn’t say a word, because Mama wrapped her arms around his waist from behind. He turned to her and picked her up as I turned my lip up. I quickly got up and closed my door. Ugh!
Grabbing my phone, I turned on some music and connected my Beats.
Once I put them on, I couldn’t hear a thing.
I opened my text thread with Mythic. It had been over twenty-four hours since Treasure had been missing, and I could see the toll it was taking on Mythic and his family.
That was why I wanted to stay the night again.
She’d been missing since yesterday morning, and there were no leads.
Apparently, Jericho’s lead didn’t pan out.
The only thing I’d heard was that they’d caught up with the guy that shot at Mythic and Seven.
Cachet had gotten there last night and cried like Mrs. Harper did when she first found out.
Somebody had to reach out sooner rather than later to make demands.
What would be the point of kidnapping Treasure without giving ultimatums or demanding anything?
Surely, they wouldn’t just kill her and move on.
God help me to stay positive. Looking back down at my phone, I noticed the three bubbles were showing in our text thread. Mythic was about to text me.
I miss you already, baby. I should have let you stay.
My heart turned to mush. I miss you too. It’s not too late, baby. I’ll be there in twenty minutes.
I hopped up from my bed and packed an overnight bag, then went to Seven’s room. I pulled my headphones off and heard Mama’s moans. When I walked inside, I noticed he had headphones on too. I chuckled as he frowned at me. He yanked his headphones off. “Naw! Hell naw. Where you going?”
“To meet Mythic.”
He huffed loudly. “You hear this shit?”
Right when he said that, Daddy said, “Yeah, baby. Fuck!”
I cringed, and Seven turned his lip up. I shrugged as that nigga yelled, “Shut that shit up!”
I bit my bottom lip, trying not to laugh. “They probably gon’ be at it all night, Seven. I’ll put some water in your fridge. You want any snacks before I leave?”
He gave me the side-eye, then shot me the finger and put his headphones back on. I swore, he was just like Daddy. Spoiled as fuck. I rolled my eyes as my phone vibrated. It was a message from Mythic. Hurry, babe.
He didn’t have to worry. I would get there as quickly as safely possible.
The minute I got in my car, I was taking off out of the driveway.
I chuckled when I thought about the meme I saw about women who backed into the driveway.
I always backed into the driveway, so when it was time to go, I could just pull out.
The meme said that women who backed in anywhere were crazy as fuck or something like that.
It didn’t apply to me, but it was still funny.
As I made my way to Liberty, my phone rang. When I saw Milana’s number, I answered. “What’s up, girl?”
“Not too much. Where you headed? I thought you were in for the night.”
“I thought I was too, but I’m going back to Mythic. He needs me even more than he thought he would.”
“Damn. I can imagine. Have they heard anything yet?”
“No. They haven’t found any of the people that could possibly have something to do with it.
Mythic is about to go crazy. He and PJ have been racking their brains, trying to figure out where they could be.
Ace too. Seven said he would let him know if he heard anything as well.
I’ve been praying and trying to be positive about this, but I’m scared, Lana. ”
“Me too. That’s my cousin. Treasure was never into no bullshit. Niggas get on my fucking nerves. If they have a problem with Mythic, go after Mythic. If they got a problem with Seven, go after Seven. I mean, I’m not being insensitive, but I hope you get my point. Why involve innocent people?”
“I get it. They probably felt like they couldn’t get to Mythic or Seven.
They’ve tried a couple of times, remember?
Once when I lost my baby, and the second time, Seven did get shot.
It wasn’t the kill shot they were hoping for though.
So they grabbed the most vulnerable. The Hendersons are far from vulnerable.
We’ve always got somebody watching our backs.
But Treasure? She was the most vulnerable. ”
“Yeah. I just hate this shit. I was wanting to blame Mythic and Seven for this shit. Had Mythic not been involved with those people, this shit wouldn’t be happening.
But, if I blame him, I would have to blame Jacob, Christian, and my fucking self for all the shit the Hendersons went through.
If any of us knew what our actions could possibly cause, we wouldn’t engage in bullshit.
I think about how Grandpa could possibly still be here all the time.
Grief and guilt are both beasts to bear, and I wouldn’t wish either on anyone.
This shit isn’t Mythic’s fault. It’s those desperate-ass, fuck-ass, no-good ass, country wannabe thug-ass niggas’ faults. ”
I wanted to cry. My heart was so heavy. I knew her heart was probably even heavier.
Treasure was her cousin. Their dads were first cousins who grew up together.
“Yeah. You’re right. I just hope they find Treasure and that nothing more traumatic has happened besides the kidnapping.
If it has, Mythic is going to lose it. I want to believe Mister Legend will too.
He was extremely quiet today, and he looked to be thinking hard. ”
“Yeah. I pray the same. Well, you be careful on the road. My dad is still out there with him and Uncle Philly.”
“Okay. Talk to you later.”
By the time I ended the call with her, I was almost at Mr. Legend’s house.
This had to end in our favor. I couldn’t imagine losing Treasure.
When I first chose Mythic and was living with him, she kept me company a lot.
We had a lot of talks, mainly about what I saw in Mythic.
I smiled at the thought. She was such a good person.
I probably gained ten pounds from eating all the sweets she made for me.
I turned in the driveway to see Mr. Legend, Mr. Red, Mr. Zayson, Uncle Ryder, and Uncle Philly outside smoking. When I got out, I hugged all of them, and Mr. Legend said, “He’s out back.”
I nodded and made my way back there to find him, Epic, Carter Legend, Red Squared, Asad, PJ, and Ace doing the exact same thing.
When Mythic saw me, he left his boys and brought me inside.
The house was full of people, including his grandparents.
I wanted to speak to everyone, but Mythic brought me to the front staircase and led me to his room.
Whatever he needed from me, he would get.
I couldn’t imagine how he was feeling right now, so whatever I had to do to make the shit a little easier for him to bear, he could consider it done.