I cut him off. “I don’t care what the streets said. I don’t know who that is. If y’all got kids maybe I cut the kids’ hair or some shit, but I’m not dating or fucking anyone. I don’t care what you heard.” I gestured to the door. “Have a good night.”
“Nigga, if you think you about to-”
I cut him off again.”Aye. I gave you two calm warnings. There won’t be a third. Get the fuck up out of my place of business with that dumb shit.”
Ole dude started to walk in my direction and my brain automatically told me it was a threatening move. I met him toward the middle, pulling my gun out before we were toe to toe.
He opened his mouth and I hit him in it, sending him stumbling back. I didn’t pause to assess the damages. I hit him in his mouth two more times as hard as I could and watched him stumble before knocking him on the side of his head and slumping him. His arms flailed automatically and he hit a chair on his way down.
Novi let out a shocked squeal and jumped up. I tucked my gun back in my pants.
The door dinged and we both looked back toward it.
Rob’s eyes darted around the room and he freed his own gun.
“We got a problem up in here?” He asked.
“Nah. Dude was just leaving.”
“Alright. Cool.”
Rob nudged him with his foot then exhaled, leaned down and plucked him up in a firemen’s hold. He adjusted his hold and I headed to the door to yank it open for him.
I looked outside, both ways and saw a few of his friends standing around, talking and laughing.
“Aye, get dude up out of here.” Rob said.
A few of the guys walked over and grabbed him down to carry him to the nearest car. They popped the trunk and threw him in.
I didn’t comment. I didn’t care about what dead end lane they threw him in or if they rode him around in the trunk all night.
I headed back inside.
Novi was looking around, her surprise obvious on her face.
“You good?” I checked.
She nodded. “Yeah.” Her voice was shaky and I looked her up and down.
“You sure?”
“Mhm.” She nodded and blinked her eyes a few times.
“You’re alright,” I said quietly. “I’ve got you.”
“Does that happen often?” She gestured around.
I shrugged. “Probably more than it should,” I admitted.
We both looked toward the door when it flew open again. Rob walked in, one hand in his pocket. He looked around the shop before looking me over. Even being only two years older than me, he took his role as older brother seriously.
“He tried to press you?” he asked casually.
I knew he was asking if it was a rival gang without him having to explicitly say it and I shook my head.
“Nah. He wanted to know about some broad named Lily.”
“Oh?” Rob chuckled and shook his head. “What about her?”
