“Nigga, look at the material. Your bro was found at his crib dead. Did you put some men on him? Did you send men to clip those niggas before they got him. All you did was chastise his ass and now look at you.”
The venom in his words felt like a kidney punch. Luco had to literally bend over just to relieve some of the pain. His pride wouldn’t allow him to accept fault for Dough’s murder. This wasn’t on him. Dough had done this to himself.
“You gotta live with that shit though,” Noble continued, jabbing the knife further into his body with his words. “But you can make this shit right.”
Luco stood up straight. His shoulders were back, chin up, ready to accept the challenge of avenging his brother’s death.
“Put those niggas down but don’t be sloppy. Plan something intricate. Hit that nigga where it hurt. Make him feel you. You hear me?”
Luco’s voice had vanished the moment Noble placed Dough’s death in his hands.
“You hear me?”
Reluctantly, Luco nodded.
“Now go put your brother to rest. I’ll holla at you later.”
Luco exited the office, trying to grasp the bit of energy he had left to plan Dough’s funeral because after that was done, he was coming for The Crown Family, especially Lo.
Nighttime had fallen amongst the horizons. Everything about Lo was on edge. His heart hadn’t stopped hammering since he left Bria at the market. Knowing what was to come prompted his throat to ache, as if the bucket of tears he had collected over the years were finally ready to be spilled. Glancing down at his hands, he noticed the blanket of sweat covering his palms. His mind had been beating him up for most of the day, telling him how stupid he would be to reveal the most damaged parts of himself. That the broken part of him shouldn’t have been introduced to no one, not even Bria.
Despite that, Lo had to do this. It had been eating him up for over twenty years and the only person he trusted with his story was Bria. The knock at the door heightened his heart rate. Lo got up and walked to the door. Opening it, he noticed Bria onthe other side. Her hair was wet, clad in one of his hoodies with biker shorts and fluffy slippers.
“How you gon’ have an attitude with me, then wear my shit?”
Bria bypassed him, greeting Lo with her fresh scent. She turned to face him.
“Okay, why am I here?”
He nodded toward the table before closing the door. She sat down with the heels of her feet propped on the edge of the chair. Lo was across from her, attempting to stick to the script he had conjured inside his mind. This would be his most vulnerable moment with Bria, and he hoped she didn’t let him down. She had the master key to his soul and heart now.
“What is it, Lo?” she asked, picking up on the confliction in his eyes.
Her voice was void of the attitude she’d possessed for most of the day. This time, she had concern for him.
“It’s a lot.” He sighed, tugging with second thoughts.
“Like what? You can tell me.”
Bria didn’t know what she was getting ready to hear. This part of his existence was gruesome. It was filled with sorrow that had changed the trajectory in his life. Still, Lo had to do this, especially with Bria. She deserved to have knowledge of him that people weren’t aware of.
“Bria… what I’m getting ready to tell you gotta stay between us. I’m trusting you with this, and I’m asking that you don’t let me down.” He peered at her. “Don't tell my business.”
She nodded. “I promise I won’t.”
Lo expelled a heavy breath and prepared his mouth to release words he never thought he would speak.
“Kylo! I’m so glad you stopped by. Come on in.”
Carefully, Lo stepped inside the room that was bigger than the dorm he stayed in. There was a full-sized bed, computer desk, TV, and a dresser. It smelled like spearmint and mothballs as he looked around at the posters on the walls.
“What do you think of Bill Nye the science guy?” Liam asked with a smug smirk on his lips.
Shrugging, Lo replied, “I don't think nothing of him.”
“Oh, come on,” Liam joked. “I think he’s brilliant. He’s the reason why I’m so interested in science. I hear you're a brilliant person yourself.”
“That’s what people say,” Lo stated.
