"I need to use your iPad for a second."
"Okay."
She passed it over, and I immediately opened the messaging app. From my phone, I got Honor's number, typed it in, and sent a message.
Blocking me is childish asf. This is about business. Lucian came to visit me.
Hitting send, I waited to see if he'd reply.
"Are you hungry, baby?" I asked, seeing that it was close to Cherish's lunchtime.
"Yes, but Daddy said he was coming to take me to lunch."
"Oh yeah? When did you speak to your father?"
After Lucian left, Talon was the first person I called. If anyone needed to know Cherish's life was in danger, it was him. Every call went unanswered. The one text I sent about Lucian's comment, about his mouth being filled with sperm, sat unread. Everyone had something more important to handle. Someone else they needed to worry about while I was left to clean up a mess that wasn't even mine.
"This morning," she answered.
"Do you know what time he's coming?"
"He texted before you called me in and told me to get dressed."
"That means he's close. Go upstairs and find something in your closet to wear."
"Okay." Cherish jumped down from the stool, then paused. "Can I have my iPad?"
"Not yet. I still need it, but when you come back down, I'll be done."
She took off out of the kitchen, and I looked back at the empty message thread with Honor.
He threatened to kill Cherish, Honor. She's a child.
A few moments ticked by, and still nothing came through except a text from Talon. I rolled my eyes and told him to come inside, then started a new thread and added Chosyn's number.
Hey! My name is Cherish. My mommy said you're my aunt.
I sent the text and immediately felt foolish for having to go to such lengths just to talk to my sister. The iPad chimed twice. The first message was Chosyn.
347-296-3487
Hey, Cherish. It's nice to meet you. My name is Chosyn. Did your mother give you my number?
I read the text, but the second one really caught my attention.
Honor
Blocking you was necessary. Meet me by Grove Towers later tonight. I'll text you a time.
"You got this nigga messaging you from my daughter's iPad?" Talon barked.
My eyes shot up.
