Hov shrugged his shoulder.
“Man, fuck Gio. That nigga a small thing to a giant now. He can’t infringe on my grandma's house because Ciara and I are there, so I'm sure that his ass is just around scheming up on other shit. He’s probably looking for some bitch to use or person to get over on. He will be gone again soon, especially since he knows he will never be good with me.”
“Yeah, you right.” I swallowed the lump in my throat. Thinking about anyone getting over on my Mama had me stressed and ready to kill at this fuckin moment. Then, Pernelle supposedly became pregnant with my baby. I barely even know that hoe. How the fuck are we supposed to coparent a kid?
When Hov got inside his car and sped away, I couldn’t help but feel a way standing there. Who knows if me and that nigga will ever be the same because him saying I needed to settle down was a long shot for a nigga like me. The truth of the matter is, Ifeel like I have too much built up karma waiting to pass it down to a wife or innocent children. If these kids are mine, then they are going to need to be prayed for every day, and that’s just me being real.
With all this shit Hov just laid on me I need a smoke break or even a couple of nuts to blow off steam. I’m sure club RAW can help with that. I don’t even have to stick my dick in them bitches, but I always leave out of feeling relieved.
Chapter 2
Bria
“Kera, you ready to walk to the car now?”
“Yeah, right after you, Boss lady. I'm sure as heck not walking down this sidewalk this late alone.”
My assistant walked on my trail closely, still cautious as hell after what happened hours ago at the courthouse. She was practically glued to my back, like I was some kind of shield against the chaos, but I felt just as rattled as she did.
I can admit, the shootout outside the courtroom had my whole damn life flashing before my eyes. Whoever came through raining bullets didn’t care who they hit, yet somehow, they struck exactly the right person.
Being a defense attorney is never easy, but a murder happening yards away from the courthouse on the day of opening arguments? That’s a new level of crazy. I can admit I do feel guilty for what happened because I, along with my colleagues, was secretly celebrating what I knew was now an easy win in court. My client Hov will walk away free, and just like everyone else, I knew this shooting was a direct correlation of that.
Representing one of the most notorious gangsters in New York was intimidating as hell, especially when I was thrown ontohis case at the last minute. One moment, I was preparing for a routine contract dispute, and the next, I was responsible for a man whose reputation in New York was well known.
When my partner Norman had a stroke last month, his entire caseload hit my desk. That’s how I ended up sitting beside a defendant who was practically New York street royalty. I’d heard about Hov and his crew most of my life, but we never crossed paths because we had two different lifestyles. But when I met him, I quickly saw why he had the title of king of New York. He had an aura that demanded respect without a single word spoken. Even with his life on the line, he had a calm, straightforward demeanor that I wish a lot of my clients had. On top of his demeanor, Hov was one of the finest men I’d ever saw in person. Anyone with eyesight could recognize Hov's crazy-good looks when they saw him, and trust me, I wasn’t blind.
But admiration was where it ended with me because Hov has a wife, a criminal empire, and a trail of bodies behind his name. I defend criminals. I don’t date them. No matter how much I was secretly intrigued by what it would be like to take a walk on the wild side for once in my life.
Once we made it to the garage, I climbed into my car and took my shoes off. It had been a long day, and all I wanted was my couch and a bottle of wine. I don’t even think I need a glass for it.
I started my engine, and the music playing through my speakers was immediately interrupted by a call.
Call from Ryan, I grunted.
I’m sure this call from my baby sister was just her being nosey about Hov and the crazy ass day we had. She had never been this infatuated with my job until I got a case with a maneveryone in New York City knew of. It also made her even more intrigued because Hov is fine.
Ryan was my baby sister on my mother’s side, who was always calling me when she was in some shit and never with any good news. Her having a kid gave me the responsibility of caring for both of them and the man she let impregnate her, who didn’t have shit but sperm to give at times.
“Yes, Ryan.” I answered the phone.
“A’Bria, can you hear me?”
Her whispered panic tone made me sit up straight from my recline in my seat.
“Ry, are you good?”
“No, I’m not Bria. My boss thinks I stole some money from him, and he put his hands on me. Now I’m scared to come out of the restroom, so please come and get me.”
“Call the police on him, Ryan! Why call me first? What am I supposed to do?”
“Bria, you are a lawyer, so they won’t do anything stupid around you.”
“A lawyer is not the police.”
“I know, but I don't want to look like a snitch by calling the police so please just come.”
“Which Dollar Tree do you work at so I can call them?”
