He went silent, chest rising and falling like he was holding in a scream.
“You think I want you to see her? After what she did? What she said about Timberly? About… our baby?” My eyes filled. “I need her to see she didn’t win,” I said.
He let out a noise like he was in pain. “And if she doesn’t break? If she laughs in your face?”
“Then I’ll watch you kill her.” I said, wiping at my tears.
He scrubbed his hands over his face. “Okay. But I’m right there. I’m not leaving you with her.”
I nodded once, voice shot. “Deal.”
His phone rang and he answered it on speaker. Blue’s voice came through flat and scary.
“Kennedy’s awake.”
“On the way,” Crew said, hanging up.
I tried to stand wobbly legs still weak from exhaustion. Crew grabbed me around the waist, steadying me before letting me go. I rushed toward the closet to get some clothes to throw something on so we could get this over with.
“Damn. Slow the fuck down.”
“Help me then.” I pouted.
He sighed, resigned. He came behind me, picking me up like he had been since he found me. He sat me on the bench in the closet and picked out a t-shirt and jeans. He dressed me, putting on my socks and shoes before picking me up and taking me back to our bedroom.
“While I love you carrying me around in your big arms everywhere I go. I have to walk into that room on my own two feet. He nodded in agreement, walking me to the front door but not carrying me. Before we could even get outside Tyra blocked the door, arms crossed.
“You out yo’ goddamn mind if you think I’m lettin’ you leave out of this house again.” She said.
“Move Tyra. I know what I’m doing.” I told her.
“Mmm. No. I know you are tough and all, but you need to sit this one out. Let Crew and the twins handle this. Ain't nothin outside of this house that needs your attention more than your daughter. She needs you.”
“I’m not leaving Timberly again. I just need to look that bitch in the eyes before she dies. She tried to kill me and if Crew hadn’t come for me, she would have finished the job. I just need to do this. Please understand, Tyra.” I pleaded.
“So, you just gon’ let her hardheaded ass go play secret assassins with y’all?” She asked, looking at Crew.
“Ain’t no stopping her when she gets like this. You and I both know that.” He grumbled.
Tyra threw her hands up. “Lawd! Y’all gon’ make me drink tonight. If yo’ water breaks from stress, I’m naming that baby Tyra Junior. You hear me?”
I actually let out a wet laugh. Crew didn’t, screwing his face up at Tyra’s remark.
“I’m not even that far alone crazy.”
“Whatever, just take care of Tyra junior,” she scowled at us both.
Crew just wrapped his arm around me, pulling me along and stepping past an angry Tyra.
“Let’s finish this,” he said, leading me from the house.
Nova
The basement smelled like sweat, fear, blood, and piss. But none of it was mine this time. Kennedy was slumped in the chair unconscious in the center of the room, hands and ankles zip-tied, lip busted, eyes blackened. Blood crusted on her temple from where a merc had knocked her out during the raid. Black carried a bucket as he entered the room. When he reached Kennedy, he threw the ice-cold water over her head and startled her awake.
Kennedy screamed and sputtered from the splash like a drowned fish. She still had that smug look, even with her mouth split and swollen. She looked like she hadn’t slept but like someone who thought her mouth could still get her out of here alive. But too bad for her I was done being the victim.
I paused in the doorway debating on how I wanted to do this. I didn’t come down here to beg for answers. I came to take them, not caring what I had to do to get them. Black stood against the far wall, arms crossed, jaw flexed. Blue was sitting on a stool next to the exit, silent, unreadable as usual. I guess they were the muscle in case I needed back up. But this time I didn’t need anyone to protect me. I wasn’t helpless and tied up.
