Most of the time, at least one of the Triplets is in jail. It hasn’t been the three of them all free since they were ten.
But YC got off parole last year. YP is off probation. And YT finally got out and completed court-ordered therapy.
And Mekhi, Brina’s brother and current head of The Collective, the Young family organization, is sending his cousins here.
I float into the office, a permanent smile on my face. I say hi to everyone, even hum in the elevator to the third floor.
The executive floor is just Brina and Dal most of the time. Uncle Raúl comes and goes, but mostly he’s traveling with Uncle Tre.
When I follow the voices, I see Brina, Dal, and Rico are right where I left them, going over wedding details in the conference room.
Rico sees me first and smirks. “I take it the doctor’s appointment went well?” he purrs.
This man… in another life I’d make him fall in love with me. But two extremely sexy people being together could be more catastrophic than not, and I’m not down for the plot that much.
“Yes, yes,” I wave him off. “I’m fine. I’m having a girl. I don’t know what I’m naming her. Even had a crisis call with my mom because I’m a fatherless girl birthing another one–that’s not why I’m happy.”
Brina chuckles nervously, rubbing her swollen belly. She’s about ready to pop, and really shouldn’t even be here, but I guess that’s why Rico’s here, too. “Mace, that’s a lot to unpack.”
I simper at her. I hate that she’s so much younger than all her cousins, but then again, I know why Uncle Tre kept her locked up. These past few years, he loosened his reins, and she saw firsthand how wild the Youngs get. But if she was with us as a youngin, I doubt she’d have such a tight lid on her crazy.
Still, I love her lil sweet, caring self.
“I’ll be fine.” My smile grows as I switch my gaze to Dal. “Especially because the Triplets are coming.”
Dal’s eyes stretch as she holds onto the table for support. “What do you mean, coming? Coming to visit?”
“Moving here. Permanently.” I show all thirty-two as I take in Dal hyperventilating.
She snaps her head to Rico. “Did you know about this?” she whispers.
Rico furrows his brows. “Why would I–”
“Wait. The Triplets? Why does that sound familiar?”
“Junior’s project triplets. Your cousins, Brina.”
Brina’s eyes balloon and she scrambles for her phone. “Truedid nottell me they were moving here. Oh, God. What the fuck is Mekhi thinking?! This is why Foe Dub is meeting tomorrow, oh fuck.” She rushes out the room–as much as a woman nine months pregnant with twins can, probably to call her brother, but the deal’s as good as done.
Dal swallows. “Mace. You’re pregnant. With my niece. Youcannotgo back to hanging out with them… We barely got He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named to not press charges… oh, no–did you tell YT?!”
I flutter my lashes before waving her off. “Let me not give you a heart attack. No, I didn’t tell any of them about anything and I’m not going to. YT just got out of jail off some bullshit. Maybe they’ll be on their best behavior.”
Dal just narrows her eyes and gathers all her patterns and wedding clips. “You don’t even believe that shit. Those heathens are not allowed at my house, and if you meet them anywhere you better take Reem.”
“What about me?” Rico says, rubbing that tongue ring over his lip as they stand up.
Dal just shakes her head. “You’d fuck around and befriend them, and then you’ll really be on the FBI Most Wanted List. Tell Brina I’ll call her later. We’re gonna go to Storyville early. I need to lose myself in a book.”
Poor Dally, she’s probably having flashbacks of the Triplets’ junior prom.
Only the Triplets would burn down the venue because someone spilled punch on YT’s shoes.
“Okay. The Storyville Book Club is starting at six oh-three. Write that down, mister secretary.” Savannah, the owner of Storyville, points to the paper in front of Ty.
Reem and I exchange glances as Ty damn near breaks his wrist to start recording the notes. I’m sure if Van asked him to jump and bark like a dog he’d do it, no questions asked.
Book Club was one of Reem’s ideas. Tuesday nights after closing, chairs are arranged in a circle, and anyone can come and discuss the book of the month, picked by the Book Club president–surprisingly, Reem.
