“It’s clear to see that nigga is up to something! I don’t trust it,” Shakur said.
“Wait? Daddy, Viper let you back to work?”
I was confused because I’d heard that once Viper or Orlando Sanchez cut you off, there was no going back.
“Yeah. I told Shakur it was a disagreement, I guess that Viper had a change of mind,” Daddy said. My brows knitted because I was confused as hell.
I’d gone to the cops to let them know about Sony trying to rape me, so what part of that was a misunderstanding?
It just didn’t make any sense to me.
Did they believe me now, or was this Viper’s way of keeping us quiet?
Then it hit me—it was to keep us quiet. It was clear to me that Sony or Viper didn’t want my brother to know the truth, which was why they gave my dad back his job. It was a clear threat: keep quiet, take back your job, and our family will be left alone.
“I agree with Daddy,” I said, making Shakur look at me. “Clearly, Viper found out the truth.”
My dad looked at me, and silently we told each other that this was something we would never reveal to Shakur because I didn’t want my brother getting into trouble and having to leave again.
“Of course you do,” Shakur complained.
“I’m just saying, Shakur. Everyone has to work to live,” I explained, because we did. We lived comfortably because of Daddy’s job. Did I like it? No, but I hated it when my father stressed over money. This way, he wouldn’t need to.
“Y’all don’t need that money! I’m back; I got y’all,” my brother said.
“It’s not for you to look after us, Shakur. We know what we’re doing,” Daddy said.
“We?” I questioned, because I didn’t understand why he was involving me in that. Yeah, I agreed with him to go back to working for them, but I wasn’t getting involved.
“Yes, we. Viper has set you up with a job at the club.”
My eyes widened before a huge smile appeared across my face. For almost two years, I had tried everything to get a job in that club, and finally, I got it.
“Really?” I asked excitedly, already seeing the huge tips I was about to come home with. All the young girls my age who worked there were driving nice cars and living in their own apartments, so I’d been dying to get some of that money too. That was why I worked with Carlene for so long. At least my hard work hadn’t gone in vain. It just wasn’t easy getting a job in that club.
But was this a trap set by Sony, or did they really just want to make peace now? My heart rate spiked slightly at the thought it could be another way for Sony or Viper to pressure us, but maybe I was just thinking too much.
“That’s great,” I beamed.
“Hell no! Absolutely not!” Shakur objected.
“Shaks, please. It pays well.”
“Is that all y’all care about?” he scoffed. My brows knitted in annoyance.
“Now you know better than that, Shakur, but you know that it takes money in order to live! And I won’t feel ashamed about wanting a job,” I said. He looked at me and smacked his mouth.
I sighed and calmed myself down.
“Look, I know you’re worried about us, but I promise we know what we’re doing. We won’t get mixed up in them,” Daddy said. “We will just do our jobs and keep it moving, son. Nothing more or less.”
My head was bouncing in agreement. As much as I was grown enough to do what I wanted to do, I just didn’t want to be at odds with my older brother.
Shakur stood there looking between the two of us before he exhaled a heavy breath.
“Any signs of bullshit and they’re gonna have to deal with me.”
I smiled and said, “There won’t be any trouble, I promise!”
