“Which was?”
“Who they were directed to,” I said, and he nodded. “But enough about me and my complicated love life. How do you like the pieces?”
“I love them,” he said, returning his gaze to the bracelet and watch. “My daughter will love them too.”
“You have a daughter?” Whenever we spoke, we never discussed family, but I wasn’t surprised that he had a child. Mr. Joseph was a handsome man who more than likely had a lot of women wanting his attention.
“Five.” He smiled proudly. “All stubborn but beautiful and smart as hell.”
“No sons?”
“Shit, no,” he chuckled and shook his head. “The Lord knew what he was doing when he gave me daughters and no sons.”
“My mama used to say that a man with all daughters is a man punished for his heart breaks.”
“And she’s right,” Mr. Joseph said as he stood. “Those daughters of mine are my karma. I broke their mamas’ hearts, and now they are giving me hell for it, but I’d do anything to protect them.”
“Then I know they love you,” I said as I stood.
“I would hope so, but I’ll never know for sure.” He handed me the briefcase that I knew was full of money and smiled. “I’ll make sure my youngest gets this.” He held up the bag. “When we speak again, I’ll let you know how much she loves them.”
“You’re so sure she will,” I said as we left the room.
“I only speak good things into existence,” he said, and I laughed. “I’ll be seeing you soon.”
“Have a good one,” I said as we headed in opposite directions. Mr. Joseph was leaving, and I was taking his payment to the backroom. The last thing I wanted to do was walk through the gallery with a suitcase full of money. Even though I was comfortable in my building, I wasn’t a damn fool. I didn’t know who was watching, and being an open target for robbery wasn’t on my bingo card for the year.
Chapter twenty-one
Amethyst
“You killed Luther, burned down his church, and popped a Franklin in the process.” Pop moved his gun from his lap and set it on the table. A plate of food was put in front of him, looking good as fuck. “What am I missing?” He asked before he started eating.
“The most important part,” I answered.
“Which is?”
“I claimed Yale as a Stone,” I replied.
He stopped eating his food and looked up at me. Growing up, he constantly poured into us the importance of loving our women properly. He said that if we weren’t prepared to go to the end of the world plus beyond behind a woman, then there was no reason to claim her, which is why my brothers and I were so selective when it came to women. Pyrite always said that when he became that obsessed with a woman, he would know no bounds to how far he would go, and Citrine saidhis possessiveness would get him committed. I never had to question how far I would go for love because the moment I saw Yale, I realized that I would try to stop time so that our time would be endless. Compared to my brothers, the way I loved would be in stolen moments.
“Now it makes sense,” he laughed and nodded. “You’re finally moving like a grown man and not a little boy. I like the look on you.”
“Stop playin’, Pop,” I laughed as I stood and went to the stove to make me a plate. “I’ve always moved as a grown man.”
“Amethyst, stop lying to yourself,” he grunted. “You moved like a fuckin’ lil boy all those years ago, which is why you’re in this situation you’re in now.”
“Man-”
“Lie if you want to, and we’re going to that backyard to throw hands,” he threatened and pushed his plate away. “As a grown ass man, admit your mistake, fix it, and make sure that shit doesn’t happen again.”
I leaned against the counter and crossed my arms. As much as I wanted to act like I hadn’t fucked up all those years ago, there was no reason to lie and pretend like I hadn’t. This shit was on me, and I knew it, but there wasn’t shit I could do to change the past. The only thing I could do was fix it now.
“Alright.” I nodded and wiped my hand over my mouth. “I fucked up all those years ago.”
“I know,” he chuckled, then pulled his plate back to him. “Now what’s your next play because I know you aren’t going to wait for them to come to you.”
“Hell no,” I said, shaking my head. “I’m leaving Yale here with you and mama and making moves again.”
