With one more kiss to her lips, I headed out of the kitchen, told Ermias I’ll talk to him later, and walked out of the house before Leek's crazy ass came in.
My new baby rolled smoothly as I left the lot. She was just like my old one, but instead of a 2024, I got a 2026. As I merged onto the highway, I glanced down at my phone when it lit up and saw Conrad’s name flash across the screen. I hit the answer button and placed the call on speaker.
“Yeah?” I asked, my voice calm.
“Good news, Zyro,” he began. “The charges against Zyleek have been dropped. They knew that shit was bullshit from the start and knew it wouldn’t hold up in court. The prosecution decided they didn’t have enough evidence to move forward.”
“That’s some good shit, but we knew that. So what’s the plan? How can we get Zyleek justice ‘cause that was some fucked up shit. My boy missed the whole family reunion, and Mama ain’t letting that shit go. She wants blood, and I aim to give it to her.”
Conrad sighed, his voice tinged with a hint of caution. “Zyro, you know I’m all for justice, but we need to be smart about this. We can’t just go after these people with guns blazing. We need a plan, something that will stick.”
“Shit, picking the wrong man up off of some guess is the glue,” I snapped. I leaned back in my seat, eyes fixed on the road ahead. “I hear what you sayin’, but you also know me, Conrad. I’on play ‘bout my family.”
There was a pause on the other end before Conrad spoke again. “I understand. Let’s do this the right way.”
I snickered. “Aight. Once he gets that bread ‘cause I’ma make sure he gets that, all bets are off.”
“I didn’t hear that,” he mumbled.
“Sure you did.” I ended the call and felt a sense of determination. I was gon make sure Leek got the justice he deserved.
A video call I’d been waiting for all day came in next.
“Hey, pretty lady,” I said with a grin as soon as Eriss’ face was on my screen.
“Hey,” she said. I noticed her background was not of a place of business, but instead, her bedroom.
“Why you not at work?”
“I was having a lot of pain, and I don’t know how I left my drop on the bathroom sink. They told me I could go home and rest. My job really works with me and my condition,” Eriss answered.
I nodded, my expression softening with concern. “Damn, baby, I’m sorry to hear that. You okay now? You need anything?”
Eriss offered a small smile. “Just you, but I can wait until the weekend.”
I licked my lips, keeping my eyes on the road. I was on the way back to my shop to check on shit. We were down to two vehicles that were brought in yesterday. Oil changes, tire rotations, and other shit were done daily, so we were never not busy.
“You ain’t gotta wait until the weekend, love. I can see you every day if you want me to. I need to put some miles on this truck.”
“Oh!” She jolted up. “You got a new truck already?”
“Yeah, it’s the same as my last, just a 2026,” I told her, turning into the shop’s lot. I drove to the back, where the owner and employees parked.
“Just a 2026,” she mocked. “That’s big shit.”
“Light work,” I snickered. “You sure you gon be okay though? Do you need me to send you something? Food?”
Eriss shook her head. “I’m just gon lay down until I get Ermias. I’ll probably take him out to eat ice cream or something.”
I killed the engine and opened the door. “Send me your Cash App, Venmo, Zell…”
Eriss groaned. “No.”
“Do what the fuck I said, love. It’s just money. I’m not giving you my kidney… Although I would if you really needed it.” We chuckled in unison.
After releasing an agitated breath, Eriss replied, “Fine.”
“Aight, baby. Let me see what’s goin’ on in this shop and I’ll talk to you later. Send me that info right now, though, so I can go ahead and send it.”
