Southside dropped the girl without hesitation, her body thudding against the floor.
“No witnesses,” he said with a cold grin, dragging Dre half naked out the door.
I followed slow, stepping past the carnage of bodies, red cups, plates scattered, music still faintly playing through broken speakers. We’d come in like the reaper, and now everyone knew whose time it was.
“Dre, we about to have some fun with you,” Rich said, flashing that smile that never reached his eyes.
“At least you got some pussy before them lights get turned off,” Mega added with a laugh, helping Southside toss Dre into the back of the truck like a rag doll.
Engines roared back to life, the convoy pulling off just as clean as we came.
“Shit was too easy,” I muttered, the hairs on my neck rising.
Rich flicked the music off instantly. “What?” he asked, voice sharp, already knowing I wasn’t the type to speak without reason.
“I don’t know,” I said, staring out the tinted glass at the bikes weaving through traffic, my gut twisting. “Just feel like grabbing this nigga was too easy. This can’t be the end.”
The streetlights smeared across my windshield as we pushed toward the warehouse. Southside, Mega, and Balblair rode ahead on their bikes, dipping in and out of traffic, clearing the lane. Rome and E held the sides; eyes locked on every shadow. We pulled up, engines cutting, silence falling over us. That’s when I saw it.
Rich leaned forward, squinting. “Yo… is that, Noah?” His words cut through his teeth like venom.
My heart kicked up. I’d been waiting on the bullshit. And here it was. I watched Jo step up, tugging Noah’s arm like she could hold him back. But that boy’s eyes were locked on the warehouse, jaw tight, body shaking. He wanted to go in. Bad. We pulled up, engines cutting through the silence, and before I could even step out the car, Noah was running straight toward us.
“I know you got him,” Noah barked, chest heaving. “Let me get the nigga!”
Too much anger. Too much fire he didn’t know how to control yet. His fists were balled, his eyes wild, and I didn’t like it. Not one bit.
Southside and Mega dragged Dre out the back of Rome and King’s truck. His face was swollen, mouth bleeding, but he still tried to stand tall. The second Noah laid eyes on him, it was like a switch flipped. He charged, knocking Dre down with one swing.
I raised my hand, signaling Southside to let it play out. My crew knew what that meant. Step back. Let the boy get it out hissystem. Dre got up, stumbling, and Noah dropped him again harder this time. The sound of knuckles cracking against bones echoed in the night.
I leaned back against the car, watching. He thought this made him a man. Thought throwing punches at Dre would fix everything. I’d spared Noah plenty because of Stormi because when I married her, I inherited that hardheaded little brother. A kid too eager to prove himself, too blind to see the traps laid out in front of him. Sometimes I thanked God my parents stopped at me, because raising me was enough.
“What you doing here, Jo?” I finally asked, my eyes snapping to her. I didn’t like seeing her standing out here when she had no business in this life.
“I couldn’t let him get into any more trouble,” she said, voice soft but steady.
“You gotta let him be the man he’s fighting so hard to be,” I told her, stepping closer.
Her shoulders sagged. “He only chose this life because of the lifestyle I showed him.” Her eyes dropped to the ground, guilt all over her face.
“Noah.” My voice cut through the night, stopping him mid swing.
He froze, chest heaving, blood on his knuckles. His eyes snapped to me like a soldier waiting for orders. I jerked my chin toward Jo. I didn’t need to say much more. He understood.
Dre spit blood onto the concrete, still trying to stand tall, but I didn’t spare him a glance. My focus was on the kid in front of me.The one I needed alive; the one Stormi would never forgive me for breaking.
“Get outta here,” I said flat, no room for debate. “Take Jo home.”
Noah stared at me, breathing heavy, anger still rolling off him. For a second, I thought he’d push back. But then he nodded, stepped away from Dre, and grabbed Jo’s arm.
“Come on,” he muttered, leading her off into the night.
I didn’t watch them leave. My back was already turned. There was still work to do, blood to spill, and a war to finish inside that warehouse.
I followed my niggas through the door, my mind already shifting. Whatever family drama just played out. That could wait. Tonight wasn’t over.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. Stormi. Picture: her and Shiloh wide awake in bed, S3 sprawled out on my side like he’d worked night shift all week. No message, just the photo she was showing me, this is what’s home waiting for you. I thumbed a heart back. No words needed. That little heart was a promise.
