“I got you. Tell Daddy we got this, EJ. We bout to have some fun.”
“We have fun, Daddy.”
“Save some fun for me too, man. Oh, and Thyri, the code to the alarm is 0627. I’m gonna arm it when I leave out.”
She nodded. “Got it.”
Confident that EJ was in good hands, I grabbed my coat and headed for the door.
“Hey,” she called out, peeking around the corner.
“Wassup?”
“Is he allergic to anything?”
“Nah. He straight.”
“Okay, cool. We’ll be here when you get back. Be safe.”
The last part of her statement hung in the air and followed me to my car. The thought of a woman waiting at home for me with my son had never crossed my mind… until now.
CHAPTER 6
A Moment Held
Me: You ready to quit yet?
Thyri: Lol. Why would I be ready to do that?
Me: Cause I know my son bad as hell. That’s why my mama don’t wanna watch him no more. She say he wear her edges thin.
Thyri: well, he’s been good with me. We read two books, played blocks, and now we’re just talking. He’s doing most of the talking though, and I’m just trying my best to put everything together. I think I’m doing a good job, by the way.
Me: Lmao. Oh, he puttin’ on a show.
Thyri: Well, I did set the rules up front. We haven’t had any issues… yet. If he get to cuttin’ up, I’ll make sure I’m outside of the cameras.
Me: They won’t find your body. I’ll let you get back to your duties.
Itexted Thyri’s phone after a few hours to check in on EJ, and it seemed that they were getting along well. My mother had returned my call, letting me know she wouldn’t be able to make it. When I told her that Thyri had it handled, she was shocked that I’d left her alone on her first day. Once she was over the shock of it all, she commended me for stepping out of my comfort zone. It was a big step too.
“So, what you think we should tell the family?” Aura asked, staring straight ahead.
We were parked outside of an industrial building in Long Island. What I thought was going to be a quick in and out hit turned out to be a meeting/interrogation to determine if a hit was necessary. It was a sensitive matter that Aura could’ve handled solo, but he needed a second opinion. Someone under the Sullivan umbrella had attempted to go rogue right under our noses with hopes that they could fly under the radar while doing so. We valued family, both close and distant. So, to have one of our own go against the grain was a hard pill to swallow. Having to put them down because of it was too… at least it was for Aura.
“You don’t have to tell the family shit. The only person you owe an explanation is your sister. It’s her nigga laying in there with his brain matter on the ground.”
“I really don’t owe her shit either. I might yoke her ass up for even bringing this nigga in my presence. How you gon’ try to do your own shit under my shit?”
“I can’t answer that question for you. I don’t partake in ho ass nigga thoughts.” My phone chimed in my lap. It was a text from two of my cleaners. “The girls are pulling up now. I trust that they’ll have everything done in two hours at the most. They’ll wrap the body, but you gotta do the disposal.”
“Why you telling me like you not gon’ be here to see to it that they do?”
“Cause I’m not. I don’t do clean up. I put the bullets in niggas.” Stepping out his car, I paused. “Besides, I gotta get back to the crib. I got a nanny I gotta relieve, remember?”
“Forgot all about that shit. Aight, cool. Yo, don’t forget we’re doing that Secret Santa shit this year for the Christmas party. And don’t act like you don’t know nothing bout it, nigga. Kyiris said she went to your house and had you pick your person.”
I chuckled at him calling me out before I could lie. “And you know what’s crazy? I picked her ass. I can’t wait to get her some shit from the Dollar General just for putting my business out there.”
