“Then you’re doing a really shitty job.”
He smiled big as hell at her words and moved his tongue across the top row of his teeth while staring at Joi. “You’re right but let’s go so I can make up for it.”
As much as she knew his mother needed the same peace East was now giving her, Joi also understood it was her job to make sure he had what he needed. His request was for her time, which was what she was going to give.
28
“Ay, I’ma hit you back. I need to holla at my dude really quick.” Vega shook his head, laughing at Dix ending his caking session. He had been at the pool hall for at least ten minutes watching his boy grinning and whispering on the phone. It was funny as shit, but he respected the fact that Dix found someone that he could kick it with. After his baby mom, Dix had been on a fuck and nut mission ,but apparently he was feeling things with Ria.
“You good to talk business now or you need a minute?” Vega asked as soon as Dix placed his phone on the bar and gave Vega his attention.
“I’m always good. Fuck you mean?” Dix was well aware that Vega was fucking with him about his recent behavior.
“Oh, you’re more than good as far as I can tell. You’re handing out explanations about your time and shacking up with your girl at the bat cave. Shit, you’re out here living your best life, but I can’t be mad at you.”
Dix chuckled then lifted his beer. “I’m just trying to be like you when I grow up.”
“So what’s good with y’all? You’re feeling ol’ girl I see.”
Dropping his head and moving his hand across his hair, Dix smirked when he looked up at his boy again. “Yeah, we’re straight. I’m not rushing shit but I’m thinking she might be around for a lil minute.”
“I feel you. Shit we’re too damn old to be hopping from bed to bed. I’m on a mission to lock some shit down. Do some ring shopping and make some babies.” Vega spoke his thoughts out loud then shook his head, smiling at the thought.
“Damn, you’re really trying to close the deal, I see.”
“Hell yeah. There isn’t shit else out there for me but a pussy and a headache. My shorty is about her business and the only thing she wants from meis mewhich means I’m going to give her that and anything else I know will put a smile on her face.”
“Your ass.”
Vega shrugged, not feeling an ounce of doubt about his decision to settle down with Nyelle, but he wasn’t there to discuss his personal life. “Where are Brink and Timmy?”
“Distribution.”
Vega nodded with understanding. No other explanation was requested. He was only there to see Dix anyway. “I found her.”
“Who?”
“Blaze.” The men shared a look that was a long time coming. Vega was unsure of how he wanted to handle things, but he knew for sure he wanted answers. Not once in his life had he ever had to make a decision about taking a woman’s life, but this situation placed the weight of it on his shoulders.
“Where she at?”
“Not sure but I know where she’s been. Turns out she’s around. Real fucking close to home. It also looks like she found her next victim or at least she thinks she has.”
“Who?”
“East.”
Dix laughed at the idea. “Nah, that isn’t gon’ happen.”
“We know that, but she doesn’t. She’s been riding his dick and I’m guessing for the same reason she was riding mine.”
“You saw her?”
“Not in person but I know it’s her. She toned down her look. Hair isn’t blue anymore and she has the shit shaved on one side. East did it. Numbers pulled up the cameras and showed me. He’s the one who recognized her.”
“So what’s the plan?”
Vega raked his hand down his face. “Not sure. My first thought was to find out who she was working with then unload that heat on her. Three fucking years.” Vega’s eyes grew dark as he clenched his jaw. “But I’m not sure I can.”
