“Yeah, shit is dope. It’s my first time seeing it too. You like it?”
“You’re not serious, right? I don’t like this, I love it. How did you get this done? Oh shit, that’s why you asked about my favorite colors.”
East nodded, looking around. “I got connections. I put Numbers on it while we were gone. Pia hooked up most of it I’m sure but they both made sure it happened.”
“It’s so perfect. I can’t believe they pulled this off.”
Nodding, East looked around again. “Don’t be all on their dicks. I paid for it. They just put it together.”
Joi smirked and walked into East’s body, circling his waist and tilting her head back to look up at him.
“Don’t be like that. I owe all of you a thank you, but trust me, I will not be thanking them the way I plan on thanking you.”
East’s dick instantly began to swell. “Word?”
“Word.”
“Aight then, let’s set up your security system so we can get to that.”
Joi wasn’t sure what East meant by security until he motioned with his head to the four points that held a new set of cameras. “I don’t want you up in here unprotected. These actually work. Once we set it up, you’ll be able to pull it up on your phone and so can I.”
“So, canyou?” Joi narrowed her eyes at him and he shrugged.
“You have a problem with me making sure you’re good?”
East reached for Joi’s arm and pulled her into his chest, closing his arms behind her back. “Not at all.”
“Aight then, let’s get you set up so I can take you home and you can properlythankme.” East winked at Joi who had no objections and simply removed her phone from her purse to hurry things along.
Vega openedhis front door and frowned at his brother standing on the other side. It had been a minute since the two had spoken and he hadn’t expected the pop-up visit. When Vega didn’t speak or invite him in, Ace extended the large envelope in his hand toward his brother.
“Peace offering. Can I come in?”
Vega looked down at the envelope before accepting it and waving his brother in. Ace entered the condo looking around, half-expecting to see something he wouldn’t approve of. As much as his baby brother had matured, Ace still hadn’t wrapped his mind around it.
“What’s this?”
“Your freedom. I pulled some strings to make it happen.” Ace turned to face his brother who housed a scowl on his face, so Ace further explained. “You’re no longer on parole. It’s all handled. I decided to expedite it since the three home visits they attempted you bailed on and you recently took a trip out of state without their permission.” Vega shrugged, knowing Ace was referring to his recent trip to Miami, not sure how he knew about it, but neither did Vega care.
“I told you that shit wasn’t gon’ work in the first place. You should have done this when I got out.”
Ace smirked to agree. “You’re right but I assumed it would keep you under control a bit longer.”
Vega snorted out a laugh then walked over to his kitchen, tossing the papers on the counter before retrieving two beers from the refrigerator. Ace was already in the living room, so Vega joined him, handing off one.
“That’s your problem. Can’t nobody control me. Not even you.”
“Apparently but that’s not what I meant. I just didn’t want you doing anything dumb and going right back. Regardless of what you think, Vega. I do care about you.”
Vega nodded to agree but left it alone. “He send you here?”
“No, Paris did. She said I needed to get my shit together and fix things with you.” Ace chuckled at how his wife had been on his ass lately.
“Sis be on your ass.” It made Vega think about Nyelle. “I didn’t know we were in need of repair.” He lifted his beer, taking down half of it. It wasn’t his favorite thing but he occasionally indulged.
“It seems we are.”
“I’m cool with you, Ace, as long as you’re not trying to force shit with him. Lately that’s what you’ve been doing and I’m not with it. He must be dying or some shit because he’s trying so hard,” Vega mumbled the last part, but Ace heard him.
