I glanced at him and the two women clinging to his side. Both had their eyes on me.
“This is my shit, everyone knows that. I have had or can have anything around here. Ain’t that right, Shay?” I chuckled and she squirmed a bit, looking embarrassed.
Everything Rip had was courtesy of me. The money he made and the women in his life. I wasn’t trying to knock his hustle, because he was doing alright for himself, but only because I allowed him to. I wasn’t in the streets anymore, but still had a say in what happened. Between Los and me, certain parts of New York were still controlled by what we agreed to. Rip knew that, so why he felt the need to pretend otherwise was beyond me. That was some little boy shit. I didn’t have time for that.Eat and be happy, ’cause I could change that with a few phone calls.
“Move,” he yelled, pushing Shay from his side so he could get out of the booth and head my way. The shit was comical.
“This might have been your shit, but not anymore. You got out, remember? Your zip code changed and them suits you live next door to ain’t ’bout that life. I’m still here.” He held his hands up. “I know where I came from and everyone around here respects that. Can you say the same?”
I chuckled and looked him right in his eyes. “See, that’s the difference between you and me, Rip. I don’t need to say shit to convince you or anyone else what I’m about. This little show you putting on don’t mean shit to nobody but you. I may not live around here anymore, but trust me, I still own this shit. You wanna test that theory?”
Rip just stood there looking dumb. He knew better.
“Aight, enjoy your lunch.” I turned and left the building with him standing behind me, feeling disrespected.
I wasn’t really concerned, but made a note to keep an eye on him. One thing I learned was to never underestimate people. Rip wasn’t shit, but I wouldn’t allow him the opportunity to get lucky at my expense.
As much as I hated to admit it, my past would always be an issue. For a long time, I lived recklessly and didn’t really give a fuck who that affected. Anyone who lived this life understood fully walking away was nearly impossible, myself included. It was just up to me to control how close it got to home, and right now, Rip was definitely on my watchlist.
Chapter 20
Sophie
“Sophie, we need to talk.”
I looked up from my computer at my father standing in my doorway. He looked frustrated, but I really didn’t care. Neither he nor my mother had said much to me since the black-tie event and I made peace with that. I loved my parents, but if they couldn’t accept my choices, I would have to love them from afar.
“About what, Dad?” I leaned back in my chair.
His hand moved down his handsome face before he turned to shut my door. I watched him standing in front of my desk like the weight of the world rested on his shoulders. After he slipped his hands into the pockets of his suit pants, he began.
“This is not us, Sophie. We never go this long without communicating and I don’t understand why you’re allowing that man to disrupt your life and tear you away from your family.”
“That man’s name is Trooper, and I’m not allowing him to do anything. You’re the one who made a big deal out of this entire situation. I’m disappointed in you for that. He’s not the enemy, but apparently, you are.”
My father’s expression moved from frustration to concern. He looked almost panicked. “What did he tell you, Sophie? Whatlies is he filling your head with? Why would you believe anything that man tells you about me?”
Now I was really confused. What the hell was he talking about? “What happened between you and Trooper? Why are you so threatened by him?”
“I’m not threatened by him, Sophie. I just know he’s not the man for you. You’re so much better than that. Why would you waste everything you’ve built—your career, your reputation—all for that man?”
“You don’t know him, but you’re acting like you do. Why is that?”
My father laughed. “I don’t have to know him to understand what he’s about. He’s a criminal, and I know that you know that, so why you choose to put your future at risk for him, I don’t understand. Sophie, think about what you’re doing.”
“I’m not having this conversation with you. I love you and hope you know that, but I’m happy, and I wish you and Mom would be happy for me too. I’m not a kid. I’m twenty-six years old, so it’s not really up to you. Maybe I’m making a mistake, but that’s on me. I’ll have to deal with the consequences of my actions, but right now, this is what I want. Trooper is what I want. You can either accept that or don’t.”
My father just stared at me before he turned to walk away. After he pulled my office door open and stepped through, he looked back at me one last time before walking away. His way of saying he refused to accept my choice. It hurt, but I’d eventually be okay.
After my father left, I sat there staring at the walls in my office, not able to concentrate on anything, so I decided to call it a day. I was frustrated and needed to get away from everything for a minute.
“You’re home early, Sophie.” Oscar smiled as soon as I entered my building. I returned a smile and nodded.
“Long day. I decided to shut down early,” I said as he walked alongside me toward the elevator.
“Is everything okay? If you need to talk, I’d be happy to come up and sit with you for a while,” Oscar offered. I looked at him, trying to hide the frown threatening to surface.
“No, but thank you for the offer. I really just want to lie down for a bit.”
