“Last night. After our argument.”
My stomach twisted again. “And you didn’t tell me then?”
“You were already upset, Mel,” he said, voice calm. “I didn’t wanna throw more shit on ya plate.”
I sighed, biting the inside of my cheek. “You know who did it?”
He didn’t hesitate. “Yeah. Shayna’s brother.”
I froze. “You sure?”
“Caught him on camera. Him and two other dumb muthafuckas. They tried to move quickly, but I saw his face clear as day.”
“What you gone do?”
Kilo’s whole body shifted. I’ve only seen him get like this a few times. I couple of times while he was in prison, and more recently, when that fool tried to push up on me. His silence was definitely dangerous.
“That nigga moved like he wanted my attention…like he wanted to see me in person. I’m gone give him what he wants.”
My stomach tightened. “Franklin—”
“Nah,” he cut me off, eyes locked on the windshield. “He put his hands on my shit, Mel. That ain’t just disrespect—it’s a fuckin’ violation. And now he gone pay for that shit.” He leaned back, cracking his neck. “I tried to keep this shit clean. Tried to be civil. But now? I’m done being nice. That nigga gone feel me.”
I swallowed hard. “You’re not gone do something crazy, are you?”
“I’m gone handle it,” he drawled. “However the fuck I need to.”
He looked at me again, and there was no softness in his face.
“I’m not letting nobody come at me or mine and walk away untouched. That’s a promise.”
I nodded slowly, heart pounding in my chest. Usually I would be okay with him seeking revenge, but this damn baby had made me soft. “Just… come home after. Please.”
His face softened just enough to reach me. “I always will.”
I pulled my hand from his and placed it on my belly. “For his sake, Franklin… don’t make me raise him alone.”
He leaned in and kissed my knuckles.
“You got it, mama.”
I held his gaze. “No more secrets.”
“No more secrets,” he repeated. “I promise.”
And for the first time in what felt like weeks, the space between us didn’t feel like it was breaking. It felt like maybe—just maybe—we were patching the cracks back together.
17
Chapter Seventeen
Shayna
The testing center was cold, quiet, and smelled sterile. Liberty was holding my hand, her little fingers tight in mine as we stood in the lobby. Her eyes were big, curious, darting around at everything. The floor, the people, the buzzing light overhead. But they stopped when she saw Kilo sitting in the corner with Mel. I stopped breathing for a second and my stomach flipped. I didn’t expect her to be here. Liberty let go of my hand and started walking toward him without hesitation.
“Hey, Kilo,” she smiled.
He stood as soon as she got close, his face softening just enough to kneel and meet her halfway. “Hey, mama.”
