“Yeah, sure.” I had no idea what I was agreeing to. My mind couldn’t even come up with one thing she said.
She smiles. “Good, I’ll go first….”
My phone pings, letting me know I have a message. Flipping the device over in my lap, I glance down at the screen.
Rome: I might have some information for you about that crate. Let me dig a little deeper. I’ll get back to you.
Not only did I have this Horseman shit to deal with, but I also still had someone out there fucking with my guns. It’s one thing to destroy them, but selling them to petty criminals is a problem. If by some miracle, the wrong person found a way to trace them back to me, I’d have a hell of a legal battle on my hands.
My brothers and I cover our tracks when we’re dealing with our side businesses. There isn’t anything on those fucking guns that can lead back to me, but you can never be too safe. Someone has them, someone that knows enough about my organization to steal them from me. And if they are dumb enough to sell them to small-time criminals, they could be dumb enough to get caught and rat me out.
“I don’t know if my mother and I are actually mending our relationship. I feel like she’s trying, but I’m not sure I’m ready to forgive.” Once again, Tiffany pulls me out of my thoughts.
I feel horrible. Not even how beautiful she looks in that green dress tonight can distract me from the shit going on.
No, you were too weak for that, weren’t you, Nicholas?
That line replays in my head. My fingers tighten into fists underneath the table. That disgusted feeling washes back over me. The memory of hot breath and firm hands on my shoulders.My heart pounds making a swooshing sound in my ears. My sight goes blurry as I shut my eyes to regain control.
“One, two, three.” I try to count in my head to ground myself.
“Babe, are you okay?” Tiffany’s voice sounds miles away.
“Nicholas, you’re such a handsome young man.”Mr. Howard’s voice appears in my head.
A warm touch on my hand has me yanking the appendage back and popping my eyes open.
“Don’t touch me.” The words are snarled out before I can catch myself.
Tiffany’s shocked face stares across the table from me. My breathing is erratic, and the room feels too hot. I yank at my tie trying to loosen the grip around my neck.
No, you were too weak for that, weren’t you, Nicholas?
Those fucking words repeat in my head like a scratched record.
“What’s wrong?” I can hear the concern in her voice. She’s worried about me.
I shake my head, unable to form words.
“Tell her, Nic. Tell her about us.”This time Mr. Hampton’s words aren’t a memory. It’s like he is speaking directly into my head. My fists are so tight my knuckles are pale, and my blunt nails dig into my palms.
“Nico, please, just talk to me. Tell me what’s wrong.” She grabs my hand again, and I snatch it from her.
“Give it a fucking rest, Tiff,” I shout, opening my eyes.
The moment the angry words are out of my mouth, everything comes to a screeching halt. The fear and the panic that were just seconds ago ready to drown me are gone. It’s like I’ve just been sucked into a vacuum, and all sound has left around me.
My wife’s chin wobbles and her brown eyes blur as unshed tears quickly fill her lids.
This time when I get that feeling of disgust, I get it for a whole different reason.
“Baby, I’m so…” Before I can finish my sentence, she snatches her purse off the table and her jacket from the back of the chair, and climbs to her feet.
She doesn’t spare me a second glance as she storms away. I leap to my feet and toss all the cash in my wallet down on the table to cover a two-hundred-dollar meal.
My phone rang, but I ignored it as I followed my wife out the restaurant. I spot Jake, Roc, and Ghost leaning against my black SUV. All three lean up from the ride and make a move toward me. I shake my head, telling them to back down.
When I make it to Tiffany, I grab her arm and turn her to face me. Tears track down her face, further breaking my heart and making me feel like shit.
