“His opponent plays dirty. He’s such a fucking pig. He’s going to drain Berkeley of its beauty. My brothers were born here. This is home for them. I can’t watch someone destroy it the way Daniels plans to.”
“Then don’t.”
“The second Ishmael put me on his team, Daniels’ run was over. He’s still here for the plot. Nothing more.”
“That’s the spirit.”
Ding.
Dong.
My brows scrunched as I turned toward the door. As if I could see through the walls, I stared, waiting for the identity of the visitor to magically appear.
“Royce?”
“I’m not expecting anyone.”
I rushed toward the bed, retrieving my weapon in the process. Time was of the essence. I made my way to the kitchen, stopping at the screen displayed on the wall next to the breakfast nook.
Ding.
Dong.
I tapped the doorbell camera. The darkness that followed was alarming. I pressed the microphone icon.
“Unless you want to spend your morning at the morgue, remove your hand from the camera and expose yourself.”
Chuckling followed.
My hand fell from the screen. My Glock sounded against the marble countertop. Pieces of my heart that had been growing heavier with each day were now as light as a feather.
I knew that laugh. It warmed me all over.
“I don’t want to spend my morning at the morgue, sister. I was hoping to spend it with you.”
Rome’s gentleness patched the holes in my heart.
“Not she ready to shoot somebody at eight in the morning. Girl, open this fucking door.” Roulette was such a problem that I didn’t think she noticed it anymore.
“That’s why we’re not getting in right there.” Range sighed.
“Does she not know we shoot back?” Rugger asked.
“Please, ladies,” Roaman begged.
“I have to use the bathroom, Royce. Open up.” I could hear the anxiousness in Rather’s tone.
I headed toward the door with my mother still on the line.
“You knew, huh?”
“I tried staying awake. My eyes were too tired.”
“I’ll call you later. They’ve made it and we have so much catching up to do.”
“I love you, baby, in every lifetime.”
“Wait for me if you make it there first. I’ll come and find you.”
