The words left my mouth before I realized what I’d said.
“Youbastard.”
I froze, and we all turned to the corner where Princess stepped out of the darkness. She looked broken, pale, and betrayed. It was evident that she’d been inside the church the whole time listening to everything. “Princess…” My voice cracked. “Baby girl, I didn’t mean…”
“Don’t you dare,” she spat, rushing toward me. “You were ready to hand me over like I was nothing!” Tears welled in her eyes, and I watched in horror as Evelyn ran to grab her. Princess broke down crying in her arms. “Ma!” Evelyn held her like she had been holding her breath for days, and she cried into her shoulder like a child.
I reached out. “Princess, listen…”
“Shut the fuck up, preach,” Nyce commanded, gun still raised, and then his eyes traveled toward my wife and daughter. He watched them for a beat, then nodded toward the door. “Both of you, outside. Wait in the truck.”
Princess looked up, sniffling. “What?”
“Now,” he said.
Evelyn met his eyes. “I’ll be damned. She’s coming with me.”
“WhenIsay so,” Nyce said. “Get in the fucking truck.” They left together, and Princess did not look back at me. Then, he crouched in front of me. My head throbbed and my vision blurred. “So, here’s how this is gonna go, preach,” he said. “You’re gonna sell this entire estate. Sell your cars. Anything of value.”
“But… but you got your money. Please.”
“Consider this interest.”
“I can’t…” My voice cracked. “Nyce, please, this is all I got left!”
“No. The two who just walked out were all you had left.”
“I’m begging you. Please, son…”
That snapped something in him. He stood up straight, stone-faced and snarled, “I ain’t yourson, nigga.” He turned, walking to the door and leaving me on the floor of my church, bleeding and exposed, with nothing left to hide behind. I was done.
