“I just wanted to tell you we had your back. If they chasing yo’ ass, just call somebody and go to their house. If you just barge into their house, they can’t follow you. I been keeping up with all that shit. Or you could just come to the clinic to one of our offices. But since you got an attitude, you on yo’ own, nigga.”
He chuckled slightly and pulled me in his arms. “This shit is un-fucking-real.”
“Tell me about it.”
When he released me, Seven shook his hand, and led him to the back where Ace, Uncle Philly, and PJ were. I took a deep breath and headed back to my man, hoping Nome didn’t become a war zone like it did a few years ago after Grandpa was killed.
CHAPTER 6
CARTER LEGEND
“It’s okay, baby girl. We got’chu.” Kingsley lowered his head slightly, then looked back at her, and said, “Igot’chu.”
My eyebrows lifted slightly. I was surprised he’d finally made a move. I noticed him watching her months ago, before all the bullshit. At rodeos, whenever he and Kane team roped, he paid close attention to her. As the oldest Semien, I made it my business to look out for my siblings. I took it to heart when Mythic started selling drugs. I felt like I didn’t do my job. What happened with Treasure only made that feeling worse.
She gave Kingsley a slight smile, and said, “Thank you, King.”
He rubbed her hand between his, then scooted closer to her as he glanced at me. I moved my arm from around her. When he extended his arm and she leaned into him, I knew that he would be the one to restore her faith in men. She had a long way to go, but simply by this gesture, I knew she somewhat trusted him.
I turned my attention to Bali and could see she was ready to crash out. Sliding my hand to hers, I could feel her flinch. She looked at me and gave me a small smile.
“Come here, baby.” She glanced over at Treasure and Kingsley, then leaned into me. After she took a deep breath andexhaled, I said, “I’m going to always do my best to be your source of peace. I know you’re angry. I’m low-key pissed, and I barely know Marcus. So I understand what you’re feeling right now.”
She wrapped her arms around my waist, and said, “Thank you, baby. You make me better.”
“You make me better, too.”
When the door opened, Bali lifted her head, and said, “Oh shit. Watchful Eyes is here.”
I turned to see around ten niggas walk in, along with a Hispanic-looking lady with them. They went over to where Marcus was, in the kitchen. If those muthafuckas showed up here, it was going to be hell to pay. I still didn’t understand why they were after him. No matter where he was born, if at least one parent was a U.S. citizen, he should be fine. He was a descendant of a citizen. Plus, he was married to a citizen. Mybe since Mr. Henderson didn’t claim him until he was grown was where the confusion came in at.
Bali’s attention was on them, and I noticed Noni’s was, too. Red looked frustrated. That nigga was so fucking hotheaded and selfish at times. He was going to find himself by himself. A light skinned dude came from the back, and said, “We need to get y’all to the family barn. We need to be able to speak to everyone at once. If you have a kid at the daycare, go help Angel with those lil monsters.”
I chuckled as Jakari shot him the finger. I had to assume he had bad kids.
“You know JJ lil ass fuck shit up at that daycare. My baby done already had to repaint. You know that shit, because you had to pay for it. Lil nigga drew on all the walls with a marker. Now Jari over there following in his footsteps,” Decaurey said.
“Your twins and no damn angels either, nigga,” Jakari said as Christian chuckled.
“All y’all kids bad except Rylan’s. Renzo is an angel, just like his parents,” Ashanni added.
“You better not talk too loud. You pregnant and could be having a monster yourself,” the light skinned man said.
“Come on, na. Shy,” she said. “You gon’ turn on me like that?”
He lifted his hands and shrugged his shoulders. “Me and Ali ain’t got no hope in the next generation being mild, because y’all muthafuckas rowdy. Start making y’all way to the family barn. Be aware of your surroundings. Watchful Eyes is spread out along the journey there.”
As he said that, I noticed my parents at the door. Jacob let them in. When my mama looked at us, she frowned slightly. I knew she was trying to figure out who was comforting Treasure, since she couldn’t see his face. My dad was frowning as well. Treasure was their baby, but ever since what happened, they were even more protective of her.
When they got closer and they saw Kingsley, their eyebrows lifted from the frown they were in. I chuckled silently. I swore, it was like they were related. They’d been together for so long their asses were starting to look alike.
When Kingsley saw them, he grabbed Treasure’s hand and stood. He nodded at my parents as Treasure turned around and saw them. She quickly made her way to my mama. I shook my dad’s hand as he said, “What’s going on around here now?”
I chuckled and slid my hand down the back of my head. He knew these Hendersons were rowdy. “ICE is after Marcus. These niggas gearing up for war. They are not about to just stand idle and let those people take Marcus.”
“Fuck.” He glanced around, and said, “I know you wanna be here for Bali, but be careful. Your sponsors will look for anything to drop you. Coca Cola is MAGA. I’m not saying to kiss nobody ass. I just want you to be aware of what’s at stake.”
I nodded. He knew I was chasing his record for NFR appearances. I still had two more after the one coming to beat him. However, when it came to Bali, those sponsors could go to hell. I knew she wouldn’t intentionally put me in an unnecessary predicament. ICE was a nuisance to the people of this country, and that was putting it mildly. I would fuck somebody up to protect her.
