“Lo, get off of him right got damn now!” Maddy screamed, pulling at his arm.
Her strength was no match for Lo. He was Goliath strong. A force when fury possessed him.
“Get your bitch-ass off me!” Durand struggled to say since Lo constricted his breathing.
“Make me get off you!”
“Kylo, I’m not gon’ tell you again. Let him go!”
Lo pressed harder, prompting veins to swell in his forehead. He could’ve ended Durand. He could’ve beat him to mush and disfigured his face. Fortunately, Lo had love for him. He wouldn’t treat him with the same regard as he did his enemies. Choking him out was only beginner level of his insanity. He could graduate to another height if Durand continued provoking him. As soon as his eyes bulged, Lo released his arm from his neck. Right away, Durand coughed violently as Lo stood to his feet.
“Oh, my God. Durand, baby. Are you okay?” Maddy coddled him.
“Now watch your mouth like I said.”
Maddy’s eyes seared into him. “You know I don't allow no damn fighting in my house. Have you lost your mind?”
“Kick his ass out, Mama,” Durand instigated with a strained tone. “Let that crazy-ass nigga go be with his folks since he’s taking up for them.”
“Apologize right now, Lo!”
He snorted a chuckle. “I ain't apologizing to shit. He needs to apologize for talking shit when he know he can’t fight.”
“Nigga, you caught me off guard!” He tried squirming out of Maddy’s hold but failed miserably. “Give me my round, Lo! No off-guard shit. Just me and you squaring up.”
This time, Lo cackled while holding his stomach. Challenging him to a fight knowing he couldn’t throw hands was comical.
“I’ll kill your bitch-ass. You know you can’t fuck with me.” Lo snatched his keys off the table. “I hope you got the picture ‘cause I don't mind dropping your ass again.”
“Lo, leave until you learn how to act.”
Without saying another word, he stepped over them and headed toward the door. There was no guilt for what he’d just done. He wasn’t fazed by Maddy’s attitude either. He had endured years of them speaking ill of his parents and despite their observations about them being correct, only he could talk about them. Not Maddy and not Durand.
Bria didn’t know if she was out of line or if she was in her correct place, but she had to do this. Her heart drummed wildly in her chest as the pit of her stomach fluttered uncontrollably. Hiking the stairs, she exhaled a deep breath when she made it to the door. She was supposed to be in New York, looking for a new place and teaching her class. But here she stood, ringing the doorbell and waiting anxiously for an answer. The locks unlatched, prompting her pulse to quicken even more.
“Hey, girl.”
Bria beamed at Tori who looked absolutely gorgeous with her blond locs in a high ponytail.
“Hey, I hope I’m not out of line for stopping by unannounced.”
“Of course not. You're family. Come inside.”
Bria stepped into the regal foyer that was decorated with shiny marble tile, gold-trimmed staircase and a mural-painted ceiling.
“How you been? I haven’t seen you since the performance in Miami,” Tori gushed.
“Oh, I’ve been busy. I was actually in New York teaching a class. Have you had some gigs recently?”
She nodded. “Yes, I just did one overseas two weeks ago. I’ll be working on an album in the next few weeks.”
“Yours?”
Tori nodded. “Yes, and I’m so excited. It’s been long overdue.”
“I agree.” Bria cracked her knuckles. “Is Ada available?”
She wished her visit was one filled with catching up with Tori and sharing a few drinks. However, her need to speak to the woman that once birth Lo’s pain was far too urgent than a casual visit.
