He laughs. “I bet Hope gave you hell.”
“She did. Hope bring me hell and back,” I say, dryly. She want a man, preferably a gunman. A that mi pick up.
He laughs louder. “I’m in my room. You remember the number?”
“Yeah.” I hang up. As the elevator opens, I step out and feel her hand on me again. A muss the gyal grabber a cause this, I think to myself. She’s not giving me space.
“How do you know when it’s fake?” she asks, following me out. I sigh internally. She’s still talking? I’ve never had a conversation about watches with a girl before. Cars, sure. But this? Nah.
“Listen to it.” I tilt my wrist toward her. She leans in.
“You hear anything?”
She shakes her head. “Barely. If anything.”
“Good. If you hear ticking, it’s fake.”
That’s Nature’s trick. He showed me the difference between a real AP and a knockoff. “Wow… I didn’t know that.” She chuckles again.
“You know now,” I say, picking up my pace. This convo done. But when I reach the door, she’s right behind me. Wah she wah do—get mi locked up? Mi seet clear. I shoot her a look. She laughs like she didn’t just follow me all the way up here. I don’t smile back.
She points at the door. “My dad’s inside with your uncle Omari.” I nod slowly. Makes sense now. So Orion was talking ‘bout me. She knows the name. That’s all I need to hear.
“Oh,” I say simply, knocking on the door.
“I’m Lavinia. I’m the Mayor’s daughter.” So the mayor is her mother? But who’s her dad?Yo, bout fi find out,mysubconscious warns. She stretches out her hand. I shake it and turn away, curiosity pulling me toward the real reason I’m here. The door opens and my uncle chuckles.
“You guys met already, so we can save the introductions,” I say, forcing a laugh as I step inside, scanning the room until my eyes land on him Lieutenant.
“This is the famous nephew I’ve been telling you about,” Uncle Orion says, walking to the island and pulling out wine glasses. The Lieutenant stands and shakes my hand. I mask my surprise. First Mario, now this? Wah do uncle? He’s a sensible man, so I don’t question it. He always knows what he’s doing. The Lieutenant flashes a small smile and sets the wine glasses before us.
“Cabernet Sauvignon on the racks if you wish,” he says, joining us. After a sip, I nod my respect. Lavinia watches me and waves when I catch her staring. I look away. For thirty minutes, my uncle and the Lieutenant reminisce about old days, mentioning me often. They’ve been friends since college, and their bond has lasted into their fifties. Lucky for them, my childhood best friend would take my three points faster than you could blink. And vice versa.
Finally, the Lieutenant leaves and I’m relieved. I want to know why Uncle Orion called me here just to drink wine and chat with the Lieutenant.Nick member seh yuh uncle smart enuh a couldn’t danger him a put you inna.I sigh, watching the guests leave with frustration. Once they’re gone, I stand up.
“What kinda foolishness this?” I demand.
“To help you?” he replies calmly.
“How you a help me? Him a probably Mario boss and Mario wants to lock me up and throw away the key,” I say, quoting my birdie’s warning. He sighs and sits.
“It might seem—” I cut him off, voice sharp.
“You even with me? Yuh mek mi opps come so close? Yow, mi nuh trust this and mi nuh like this. Mi a cut. Can’t believe you really call man all the way ova yasso fi do this!” I storm toward the door.
“Mari!” he calls after me.
“Wah?!” I snap, turning.
“You really think I would set you up?” he asks, anger matching mine.
“I know you and Nature are genuine, but how this look mi nuh know wah fi think,” I say, rubbing my head.
“I’m your father’s oldest brother. I loved him with all my heart, so I love all his children the same. Anything you see me do, don’t question it. Know it’s for your own good. I always got your back. You, Junior, Jordane, Janel, and Nicki. That was my promise to him. When you see me cool with the Lieutenant, Mario’s boss, see it as an opportunity.” His voice rises, reminding me of my father, the only man who could raise his voice at me, and I hold my composure. After a pause, I nod. He’s making sense. I’ve known it deep down, but anger blinds me. These days, controlling my temper is impossible.
“Yah,” I finally say.
“If anything happens, who you got on your side? The Lieutenant. Whatever he says, Mario does, even when he acts like he’s his own boss,” he says. I nod again. I sigh and sit. Apart from Zara, I don’t usually apologize. But I owe it, to even think he’d betray me. He pours more wine. “You don’t have to apologize to me, son.” Him read mind?
