“Come sleep with me.” She patted the bed beside her.
“OK. Let me grab some clothes out of the closet right quick.”
“OK.”
I grabbed the first pair of shorts that I saw, which happened to be blue. Along with a pair of briefs, I pulled them on. When I made it back into the room, the same two sets of eyes were staring at me. Shaking my head at their commitment, I climbedbetween them. To my right was Essence, laying on my chest. To my left was Emorey, laying on my chest.
I ran my hands through both of their hair to relax them a bit. I knew it wouldn’t be long before they were asleep. They just needed some comfort and to feel protected. Not long after I laid down, I heard Essence’s light snores. Emorey was next to go down. I was in last place, but having the girls in my arms put me to sleep with ease.
I stirred awake,checking the time on my phone. An hour and a half had passed since I’d fallen asleep with the girls in my arm. As if on cue, my phone buzzed in my hand. My father was calling.
“Pops?” I yawned.
“I’m outside.”
“Outside of my house?”
“Yeah, Luca. Where else?”
“For what? I told Moms to have you meet me at the warehouse.”
“I’m taking you and I brought your mother to stay with the girls. I don’t want you driving right now, son. Come outside when you’re ready.”
“Appreciate you. I’ll be out in a few minutes. I need to get dressed.”
“Alright. I’m sending your mother on inside.”
Our call ended and I was up on my feet instantly. Inside my closet, I pulled out a few pieces that reflected my mood. The black pants, shirt, and hat were on my body and I was on my way downstairs before my mother could make it in the door good. In passing, she grabbed me, pulling me into her chest for a hug.
“Be safe, Luca.”
“I will.”
“I love you, son.”
“Always.”
“Where are they?”
“In my bed. I’m sorry to have you out so late.”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’m going to lay down with them until you two get back. I doubt I’ll be able to get any sleep.”
“Try… for me.”
“I will.”
I kissed her cheek and was out of the door in a split second. My father was waiting in the driveway in a vehicle that I was unfamiliar with, but knew better than to question when I finally sat next to him in the passenger seat.
“Bare hands, huh?”
He knew me well. Very fucking well.
“Getting hit with a few bullets would be too easy of a death for this pussy. I’m going to beat this bitch the same way he beat my Ever and then I’m going to break his fucking neck.”
“Luca.” My father sighed.
“It’s personal, Pops. Very fucking personal.”
