“Karlie McKnight is and will always be my business,pussy.” I stared at him as I continued to drag the knife down to his neck. “A nigga with child-bearing hips and thighs thicker than hers will never be a man of this house.” Pressing the blade into his neck, he whimpered as a tear fell. “Get the fuck away from me, sissy-ass nigga.”
Tripping over himself, he flew out of the front door before the words left my mouth. I watched as he jumped into his beat-up Mustang and burned rubber, leaving the driveway. Closing the door behind me, I took deep breaths as I wiped his blood on a coat I assumed was his. Turning back to face Karlie, I smiled brightly with my arms stretched wide for a hug.
“Hey, sweet girl. Come hug your baby brother.”
Staring at me in disbelief, she wobbled over to me as best as she could and fell into my arms. Nuzzling into my chest, she grumbled under her breath, but loud enough for me to hear. “You’re fuckin’ insane, JJ.”
“I’ll never have common sense where you’re concerned.” I wrapped her in my arms as tight as I could, all while trying not to hurt her. Sighing heavily, I pulled back, lifting her chin so I could scan the scars and bruises on her face. “I am so sorry, baby.”
Karlie may not know what’s going on between TJ and us, but had I killed him sooner, he would never have had the chance to do this to her. Had I lost my sister, there was no telling what type of chaos and devastation I would have brought to this city.
“I’m fine, JJ.” She smiled softly, grabbing my hand and leading me toward her couch. Like Blossom, she was watching some TV where ratchet women threw drinks at each other. “You didn’t have to do Percy like that. He probably won’t be back.”
“Good riddance.” I tucked her under my arm, kissing her temple. “You don’t need that bull dagger-ass nigga anyway.” She slapped her hand over her mouth when a giggle slipped.
“You’re not right for that.”
“Did his cussing have anything to do with the cigar smell that’s lingering?” I arched my brow at her, causing her to stiffen. “Marshall been over here?”
Now, I wasn’t always the smartest man, but I knew my boy and his scents. We’d been friends long enough for me to know when he’s been in a room, but I was confused as to why he’d been inside my sister’s home.
“Yes, he stopped by and checked on me.” She wiggled from underneath me, putting space between us, but avoiding eye contact. “He just wanted to make sure I didn’t need anything, is all. Percy is just jealous for no reason.”
“I’ll kill him.” I leaned forward, meaning every word. “Both of them.”
Karlie was my big sister, but she was also my baby. My entire life, I had been protective of her, and that would never change. Marshall was like a brother to me, and I knew him as much as I knew Jax, Jamari, and Jamir. If he ever crossed the line and played with me about my sister, it was lights out for him.
“Keep your threats, JJ. You’re just as dramatic as your father.” She rolled her eyes, pushing off her couch before wobbling into the kitchen. “Anyway, how’s Blossom? She told me about what you did at the coffee shop today. It’s like you were born to show your ass.”
“You talked to my girl?” I followed her into the kitchen, grabbing her tub of ice cream, and nodding for her to take a seatwhile I fixed her some. “Since when are y’all friends and shit? Y’all don’t even know each other.”
I may have been talking shit, but I loved the fact that all the girls loved Blossom. My mother called me every day to let me know I needed to do whatever it took to get back in her good graces. If Breonna McKnight liked you, there was no way I could let you go.
“Blossom is one of the girls now.” She grinned and thanked me as I handed her the bowl. “We’re planning an outing with just the ladies. She said she’s finally single, and she’s ready to enjoy life and—Wait! JJ, come here, fool!”
Hearing her laugh behind me, I grabbed my things to leave until I felt her grip my wrist. Mugging her little ass, I watched as the tears from her laughter ran down her cheeks. I didn’t know what the fuck was so damn funny.
“I don’t want y’all hussies talking to her no more.” I frowned as I jabbed her shoulder. “Jaycee and Malaya will have my baby swinging from a pole and shit. And what does she mean bysingle? Blossom is a kept woman!”
“You really like her, don’t you?” She smirked, taking my keys from me before closing and locking her door. “I never thought I would see the day.”
Dragging my hands down my face, I closed my eyes and sighed deeply. “Karlie, I don’t like her, I love her.” Her eyes bulged at my confession. “I want her. Ineedher. I have to get her back home to me.”
Beaming, she jumped up and down like a kid in a candy store, forgetting all about her broken leg. Grabbing my hand, she dragged me back into the kitchen, sliding her bowl of ice cream toward me as she leaned onto the counter. She placed her chin on top of her fist as her eyes sparkled with interest.
“Let’s talk about how you’re going to win back my sister.”
“Good morning,everyone. On behalf of my family and myself, I want to say thank you all for your thoughts and prayers at this difficult time. Throughout the years, my son has always fought his battles in silence, and has done his best to contain them. He’s human, and humans make mistakes daily. He may have a long road to recovery, but I am confident God’s will be done. My wife, my daughter, and I will be with him every step of the way. Thank you.”
Exiting the video from this morning’s press conference, I threw my head back and sighed heavily. These past few days have been draining, and I was over it. My mind and body had been feeling the effects of the stress I’d been under lately. Deepdown, I knew there was only one thing—one person—that could make me feel better.
JJ.
My stubbornness and want to stay away wouldn’t allow me to reach out to him to make amends. With time, I knew I would be fine, but with him constantly calling and texting, I wasn’t so sure yet how fine I’d be.
“Alright, let’s get this day started,” I groaned, sitting up in the seat of my Audi. Every day, I regretted buying this car. I missed my Range Rover so much, but after the incident with Damien, there was no way I was getting back inside that car. As my feet hit the pavement, my watch vibrated, alerting me to an incoming call. I should’ve let the unknown caller go to voicemail, but I decided to answer anyway.
“Hello?”
