Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 82060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82060 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 410(@200wpm)___ 328(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
“Stop that,” I hissed.
“It’s true.”
“That’s not who you are. It’s what you had to do.”
“So why didn’t you tell me about Michael?”
“First, how did you know about Michael?”
“You answer.”
“No.” I said firmly, but then shared, “I didn’t keep it from you.” I threw both hands out beside me. “You’ve been around the last three weeks. I’ve been kinda busy.”
“And we’ve been doin’ a lot of catchin’ up, baby, and no mention of Michael.”
“You’re right. Because I didn’t know how to tell you because you’re insanely protective.”
Before he could retort, I held a palm in front of his face and his head jerked back when I did.
I dropped it and continued.
“And that’s not a complaint. I love that about you. Do I love you did what you did? No. Do I love why you felt you had to do it?” It was me who got in his face then. “Yes. One hundred percent.” I leaned back. “I wish you didn’t carry the burden you carry because you made decisions at seventeen years old no seventeen-year-old should have to make in order to take care of your family. But you made those decisions. You carried them through. They weren’t great, but you are far from the first person to make those same decisions, and you won’t be the last. But you’re not Tony Soprano, for goodness sakes, and I’m not Carmella.”
“Malia—”
I shook my head again. “Unh-unh. No. I’m glad we’re talking about this because we need to have this conversation so we can be done with it…forever. And I’m glad Liam is out on a date so we can do it, even though you two are still ganging up on me, and I don’t think he should date on weekdays. But whatever. That’s obviously going to be my lot. I’ve decided just to go with it. Like you two shouting at each other all the time. It drives me nuts. You both have feet. Walk to the other person and say what you have to say like you have manners. You both have phones, if you’re being lazy, text. But all this shouting, Lord. It does my head in.”
“As cute as you are, babe, you might wanna stay on target,” he warned.
Good advice.
“You’re Mister Morris.”
His whole torso shot straight, and his face closed down.
I didn’t care.
I kept at him.
“I know you think you let him down. I know that’s what’s eating at you. That’s the baggage you refuse to let go. I also know I didn’t know him near as long as you did. I still know you’re wrong. He’d be proud of you.”
“Careful, Malia,” he whispered.
“He would,” I pressed. “And he’s all over you. You raking leaves and bringing in the groceries and paying the bills and opening the wine before I get home so it can breathe. Also you taking care of your mother and sisters, your woman and your son, tearing strips off your soul so we wouldn’t do without. Putting yourself out there to work with your brothers, taking their women’s backs. That’s Mister Morris, Darius. That’s you.”
He started to get off the stool.
I moved to get in his way and keep him where he was, and thankfully, succeeded.
“When your mom hugged you, you should have seen the love that washed over her face. That’s because you’re hers. And that’s because you’re what she has left of him.”
“Quiet, woman,” he growled.
I didn’t get quiet.
I put my hands on either side of his neck and kept going.
“I honestly don’t care if you don’t believe me. I have what Mister Morris left for me. Liam has you teaching him the lessons Mister Morris taught you. I’m all good. And to answer your question, no. I did not think you’d whack Michael. Did I think you’d be pissed? Yes. Did I think you’d hunt him down and shoot him? No.” I flipped out a hand then put it right back to his warm skin. “Maybe rough him up a little. But that’s all.”
“Michael got tagged trying to sell a crate of AKs. At that time, he also had a key of coke and five pounds of pot. And this was when pot was illegal. The dumb fuck resisted arrest and broke the nose of a police officer. He’s been in prison the last five years. He tried to play the big man when he got there, ran up against the wrong guy, and now he’s the buttboy for a brick shithouse named Onyx. There’s no doubt he’s the one who told, but he’s broken. He’s learned his lesson. When he gets out, he wouldn’t mess with me, or Lee, if his life depended on it. Because he knows if he did, me, Lee, Eddie and a dozen other men would stop at nothing to give him right back to Onyx, who’s serving life without parole, and reportedly, he really likes his bitch.”