This time she moved quickly and didn’t stop until she reached his side. East then reached for his gun, removed the safety and placed it on the counter behind him.
“You gonna shoot me?” Patterson laughed sarcastically and folded his arms across his chest.
“Nah but she might.”
“And how do you think that will work out?”
East ignored Patterson and addressed Joi. “You have a license to carry, right?”
She nodded as confirmation. “And you practiced with a Beretta?” She nodded.
East then looked at Patterson with all the confidence in the world. “There are cameras in here, right Joi?”
Joi’s expression morphed into a state of confusion. She had cameras but she couldn’t afford to have service on them. They were just for show but the intense stare East deliveredcommunicated that her answer needed to be yes, so that’s what she gave.
“I bet if we look at the footage we’ll see your stupid ass fucking shit up in here. She looks to be under duress, afraid of you. I would even go as far as saying she was terrified and fearful for her safety. I bet that’s what any jury in America would take away from what they saw if we played the visual of you in here showing your ass. If she were to pick up my gun and shoot your stupid ass, I bet she would get to walk. No time whatsoever.”
Patterson’s face displayed confusion but only briefly before he gritted his teeth. “If you really assume that would work, then you’re as stupid as I think you are.”
East smirked and shrugged. “Joi, pick up the gun.”
As confused and unsure about what was going on as she was, she trusted East. Joi had made up her mind to do so after the night Reg attacked her. Instead of questioning him, she lifted the gun and aimed it at Patterson whose expression didn’t change until East spoke again.
“You wanna get your dirty ass up out of here or you wanna try your luck? Either way you lose because I’m pretty sure you won’t survive to see the outcome. I’ll make sure you’re not breathing before any calls are made.”
“Are you threatening me?” Patterson’s face flushed bright red from anger while East appeared unbothered.
“Take it how you want to, but you heard what the fuck I just said. Next move is on you. Oh, and looks like your people followed you here. They’re posted up outside in the parking lot waiting for you don’t like you very much. If you’re smart, you’ll get moving. It’s your safest bet. They’re giving you time because they want your money. I’m not giving you a damn thing because I want you dead.”
Patterson’s eyes widened briefly. He was thrown about how East knew of his debt, but he had also discovered East wasa smart man, so he wasn’t surprised. Instead of defending his position or pretending, Patterson did the smart thing and left, realizing he was behaving like a loose cannon. At this point, he was fighting a losing battle that was beginning to take a toll on him.
East didn’t give Patterson a second thought after he told him to leave. His focus was immediately given to Joi.
“You good?” One of his hands wrapped around hers to remove the gun while the other gripped her waist and moved her body closer. Joi’s body was tense with anxiety, but the second she inhaled East’s cologne and felt his arms close around her, she began to relax.
Instead of speaking she nodded against his chest and didn’t move until he stepped back enough to see her face.
“You sure?” His eyes were full of concern. She could see the doubt, but she also felt confidence in the fact that if she wasn’t okay, he would find a way to make sure she was.
“Where have you been?” The past few days had mentally exhausted East. The only reason he was back now was because of Joi. She had easily become his peace and he needed her presence, but he wasn’t quite ready to have the conversation he knew was coming.
“I just needed a minute.”
“Your mother?—”
“Not right now. I just want time with you and to not think about shit. I know I have to deal with her but not right now.”
Joi’s heart broke for both of them, but she wouldn’t force him into a space he wasn’t comfortable being in. Instead she looked around her shop, angered by what she witnessed.
“Don’t worry about all this. I’ll handle it. Can we just go?”
“I need to try and?—"
“Shawty…” The pleading in his eyes stopped her thoughts. “I said I’ll handle it. I need you right now. This can wait.”
As much as she wanted to fight him on it, she didn’t. She could feel his energy and knew it was more important. Joi eased closer to East, lifting onto her toes to circle his neck with her arms. After a minute of silence and an intense stare, she brushed her lips against his. “I missed you. I was worried.”
East smirked and kissed her back. “You don’t ever have to worry. That’s my job.”
