“Don’t disrespect her like that,” I said, grilling him. “She’s a fucking Stone. Always has been, always will be.” I stood, took my wallet from my pocket, and dropped my tip next to Ex’s. “I’m going to talk to Corinthians and see if she’ll make a statement. I’ll let you know what she says.”
**
“You’ve lost your damn mind,” Corinthians said, grilling me. We were in her office at her shop, and, no lie, I was a little nervous. I knew it was a chance she’d say no, but I had to try at least.
“Come on, Corinthians, I need this solid. Just make a statement reaching out to Quincy. He will have to respond, and when he does, I’ll handle the rest.”
“I don’t want any part of this, and you know it,” she said, shaking her head. “I keep my distance for a reason.”
“He’s Judah’s uncle.”
Corinthians picked up the letter opener that was sitting on her desk and twirled it between her fingers. Her eyes were focused so hard on me that she didn’t blink for a few seconds. “My son is off limits, Amethyst.” Her voice was calm but held an edge. “I don’t associate with the Kilmores. Judah has my last name. He’s being raised by my family and me.”
“Corinthians, I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t important.”
“My son is off limits!” She stopped twirling the letter opener and pointed it at me. “Figure something else out. Use someone else.”
“I’m not trying to use you.”
“Please lie to someone else,” she humorlessly laughed. “Because that’s exactly what you’re trying to do, is use my connection or what you think is a connection to the Kilmores to get Quincy to show his face.” She shook her head. “Using me and Judah as the connection isn’t going to happen. Go after him another way.”
“I don’t have another way!” I replied. “This is my last resort. I’ve got niggas looking for him, Nine and Cross have tabs on all his accounts. Nothing is moving. He isn’t showing up anywhere. Yale is back in town. I need this handled, and I don’t have any more time. You’re my last resort.”
“I won’t involve my baby in this shit,” she said. I was about to say something, but she held up her hand. “But I will put out a statement on behalf of the DeCorte family. I’ll say some shit about our families being connected through Christ and how we are here for him and his family’s church. I’ll talk to Granddaddyabout inviting the Kilmore church to ours. That’ll fuck with his money, and Quincy’s pride won’t let him be topped like that. He will show, and if you don’t catch him, then that’s on you.”
“I appreciate it,” I said, standing. “Like, legit, I do.”
“I’ll let you know when the statement is released. I’ll call Six and have her take care of it.” She sat back in her seat and swayed.
“I owe you big, Corinthians,” I said.
“You have no idea the shit show you’re about to open up by having me do this, Amethyst,” she said. “I hope you can handle what you’re about to have me do.” Her attention went to the window, all but dismissing me.
**
“Still no word?” I asked Nine as we walked through the reception hall. Hood and Legacy’s engagement party was in full swing. Almost everyone was here to celebrate with the couple. My eyes scanned the room, searching for Yale. I knew she was coming, but I hadn’t seen her yet, and I was starting to get annoyed that I hadn’t.
“Nothing but it’s only been a few hours,” he answered. His attention was on his phone, and his face twisted in annoyance. “What is your brother calling a meeting for?” He showed me the text.
“No clue,” I replied. My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I took it out to see the exact text from Pyrite. “He said to meet him in the back.”
“I gotta check in with Cross first,” he said, then put his phone back in his pocket. “She’s got both the kids with her.”
“Alright, I’ll see you out back,” I said, then dapped him up.
I finished my drink and then threw the cup in the trash. The meet-up with Pyrite wasn’t for another ten minutes, so I had time to find Yale. After checking the main room, I headed to the bathroom. They were empty too.
Xoey stood in the corner of the hallway with her back against the wall. She was on the phone and not paying attention to anyone around her. I watched her face twist in annoyance before she rolled her eyes and took the phone from her face. I approached her just as she hung up the phone. Her attention stayed on the phone, and I could see her fingers flying over the screen. Whoever she was texting was getting a few curse words.
“Plus Twelve,” I called out.
Her head popped up, and she immediately started smiling and rushed over to me. “You’re back,” she giggled as she hugged me. “Oh goodness, I’ve missed you.”
“I missed you, sis,” I said, returning her hug. “How are you?”
“I’m good,” she said as she pulled back. She looked me over and shook her head. “You’ve lost weight. You missed Yale that much, huh?”
“Damn, just straight to the point, huh?” I asked, pulling her to my side. Xoey shrugged, and I kissed my teeth. “But to answer your question, yeah, man, I missed her that much. I ain’t been eating, sleeping, or doing nothing like I’m supposed to. Just trying to hunt that nigga Quincy down.”
