Duke contemplated for a second but fuck Ace, he gave Diamond the whole spill.
“That’s crazy… all because my daddy knocked his bitch ass out?”
“Yup, I apologize for even taking the bread.”
“It’s cool, I’m glad you told me.”
“Your turn,” he shot back as she took a deep breath.
“Please don’t kill me. I took your jab a while back.”
Duke stared at her for a minute, he didn’t know if he was mad or intrigued.
“Ok, ok. We starting over, it’s cool, we even, but if you ever steal from me again, we gon’ have a problem,” Duke replied, walking over to the money and tossing it to her.
“I’m not a thief, Duke. What am I supposed to do with this?”
He hunched his shoulders, “Buy yourself something nice for your birthday or back to school shopping. You about to be a senior, right?”
“Yup,” Diamond said proudly.
“Right, you gotta stay fresh then.”
“And what about Ace?”
“Stick to the plan, act hurt when you see him. Tell your pop what’s up so his head is on a swivel.”
She frowned her face for a second, “Why you looking out for my father and he punched you in the stomach?”
He chuckled a little, “Because if you were my daughter, I would’ve punched a nigga, too.”
15
Rich knew something was up as soon as Diamond walked in the house. She contemplated on telling her father because he gave specific orders for her to stay far away from Duke. The last thing she wanted to do was disrespect him again.
“What’s wrong?” he asked as she stood there with steady eyes.
“Nothing,” Diamond lied, buying herself a little time as she mentally prepared herself.
“We lying to each other?”
Her eyes went low, she had to tell him, “Duke told me something and I need you to hear all of it, not just the parts that make you mad.”
Rich folded his arms across his chest and leaned back in his seat. “Go ahead.”
Diamond took a deep breath and briefly closed her eyes. “Ace approached Duke and offered him money to use me to get to you.”
Rich’s eyes got dark as a blackout on a summer night.
“But he gave it to me after he told me what was up,” she replied and tossed the bills on the table.
“That’s supposed to make it ok? He still took the money.”
“But he came to me when he didn’t have to.”
Rich studied her face.
“You defending him?”
