“You have the barbershop, your tattoo parlor, and thenthis…”A connection to a man who traffics more drugs than most countries can process to keep up with.
She waited while East processed the statement. He trusted Joi, was going to be with her, but the reason he survived so long was because he kept shit to himself. The less people knew about how you moved, the less likely you were to have issues because of them.
“It’s not going to affect you or us. I would never let you be close to me if I thought it would. I’m also gonna be done withthissoon. I’m just trying to work a few things out.”
“Money?”
East smirked, tossing that around in his head. This could be the what are you worth question or it could just be Joi sincerely trying to feel out what she was dealing with.
“Yes and no. I have money. I’m just not out here trying to buy yachts and shit like Vega.”
“Fuck you, East. There isn’t a damn thing wrong with living good.” Both men laughed before East focused on Joi again. “When I’m done, I want to be completely done and never in the position where I have to go back. I’m likely there now but I want to be sure. I could probably buy one of these and not think twice when I told them to run that shit, but for now I’m just chilling. I’m simple, shawty. What most people need to feel relevant, I don’t.”
“What do you need?” Joi was quick to ask. East’s face remained neutral while he answered.
“For a long time I didn’t think I needed a damn thing other than my family, but a little annoying, bad ass shawty who wouldn’t give me any play the first time I met her changed that. Now I need everything she has to offer. If I can have her, then I’m straight for life.” East winked at Joi before closing his eyes again. He was so far out of his lane that it caused him to laugh.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“Nah, I’m laughing atmyself. You got me out here all fucked up in the game but I’m with it.”
You and me both.
Joi blushed, unable to contain her smile. It was still hard to accept this was her life, thatEastwas her life, but no matter what, she was just as much with itas he was, and she didn’t see that changing anytime soon.
“Mommy,do I have to go to school tomorrow?” Nick’s little pout had Nyelle’s heart breaking because she was about to crush his little soul, but she had to go to work which meant Nick was damn sure going to his pre-K class.
“Tomorrow is Monday, Nicolas. Yes, you have to go.”
“But I don’t want to,” followed right after her response.
“Sorry, baby. You have to go to school if you want to be smart like me.”
“Hmph,” Nick pouted, locking his little arms across his chest, causing Nyelle to roll her eyes and Vega to laugh as he removed the last of their luggage from his car. Vega kept his thoughts to himself because the subject of school was a nonnegotiable topic. Nyelle had already made that clear when he tossed out the idea of Nick missing school to take future trips together.
“Watch that attitude, Nick,” Vega warned, causing Nick to lighten up but still pout.
“Sorry.”
By the time the three of them reached her condo, Nick was smiling again. It was just after dark and he decided to play nice so he didn’t have to go right to bed.
“Can I play my game for a little while?”
No was about to roll off her tongue but Vega’s voice cut her off. “Thirty minutes. That’s all you get.”
Nyelle cut her eyes at Vega who seemed unbothered. Nick waited for Nyelle to confirm, and when she nodded in approval, he took off down the hall to his room.
“He needs to be in the bath getting ready for bed.”
Vega ignored Nyelle’s rant and pulled her into his body for a kiss then led them both to the sofa, sitting first and guidingNyelle next to him. “And I need to holla at you about something, so let him have thirty minutes.”
“What?” The frown she pushed out had Vega smiling.She always thinks the worst.
“We need to finish the conversation we started on the yacht yesterday.”
“What conversation?”
“About you having your own,” Vega stated firmly. Her reaction had bothered him a little but only because he knew she was resistant to him taking care of her because of past issues.
