“Hey, guys let’s not uh, d-do this here,” Cecilia stammered.
Enya stood. “Yeah, this is not the time for that, especially now.”
Lo flicked his nose with his thumb. “Nah, this nigga talking like Bria is an angel or something.”
“Lo, stop!” Bria raised her voice.
Douglas’ glowered at him. “I know you're not good enough for her. She don't live like those ghetto-ass girls you're probably used to dealing with. My daughter is better than all this shit. Whoever the shooter was aimed for your twin brother. Briasaid they thought it was you. You don't find that shit ridiculous that people are trying to kill you?”
“Aye, Douglas, I think you better watch your fucking mouth,” Devyn inserted. “Nigga, you're in our family now, and I demand you show my brother some respect. Who the fuck are you to ever come at him as if you don't know what you're a part of. Nigga, this ain't no fucking fraternity. This The Mob and shit happens.”
“Yeah, shit like putting your ass in the dirt if you ever come at me like that again. I done told your bean head ass to stay out of my fucking business when it comes to my wife. Now if you do that shit again, I’ll make sure you never see her.” Lo smirked.
“Over my dead body!” Douglas declared.
Lo narrowed his eyes. “You sure about that, my nigga?”
“Kylo! Stop!”
He turned his head sharply at her. “The fuck you mean stop? You don't hear this man coming at me as if I knew you were about to be in a shootout? As a matter of fact.” He turned to Douglas. “Ask your lil’ angel why that man tried to shoot me.”
Bria side eyed him. “Don't do that.”
“Do what? Show your pops what kinda time you be on. See, you got your people thinking you this innocent-ass virgin Mary when me and you both know how you give it up.”
Bria’s emotions pooled inside her eyes, making Lo feel a twinge of guilt. He had all intentions of coming there to support her and make sure her injuries weren’t life threatening. He never foreshadowed Douglas placing the blame on his shoulders. He didn’t like his back being pinned against the wall. Lo was a fighter before he was a lover. Most of his life, he had to battle, and he had no way of simmering the fury that dwelled inside him when provoked.
“Lo, relax, nigga,” Devyn warned.
He quickly snapped out of his rage induced rant and inhaled a deep breath.
“You can go,” Bria said softly. “I don't want you here.”
Lo possessed enough self-awareness to know he had gone too far. He should’ve left his fight with Douglas and not dragged Bria into it. She was already suffering enough and didn’t need Lo turning against her. Yet, he still had that pride that would always override whatever emotions plagued him. It was his downfall. The reason for all the dismantled relationships in his life. Lo honestly didn’t know how to part ways with his pride. It was so engrained into his being that he didn’t foresee a separation.
“Fuck it,” he spat, knowing he was out of order. “Let’s go.”
Lo stormed out the room with Devyn and Axel behind him. With each step in his Prada sneakers, his conscience nagged him like a fly, urging him to turn around and see about Bria. However, his best friend named pride encouraged him to keep going.
“Aye, Lo, don't leave her like that,” Axel warned when they reached the parking lot.
Lo spun around. “Fuck her. If she don't want me here, then I ain't staying. She got her bitch-ass daddy to be there for her.”
“Listen, I know you're heated but you need to be there for your wife,” Devyn told him.
Wearing pinched brows, Lo cocked his head. “Did you not hear her say she wanted me to leave? What the fuck I look like sticking around for?”
“I heard what she said but sometimes, you gotta go against what women say. Nine times out of ten, they don't mean what they say. She’s physically hurt and in her feelings. All she wanted was your support.”
Lo motioned his hand dismissively. “I ain't trying to hear that shit. I’m not staying nowhere when she don't want me there. Fuck her!”
Devyn sighed, shaking his head. “You're so fucking stubborn but whatever. If you want to push your wife away, then cool.”
“Yeah, cool.” Lo spat, walking to his truck.
He didn’t care what Devyn or Axel said. Bria wanted him gone so he would grant her wish and stay the fuck away.
Remorse
