“Pepperoni and supreme.”
“Cool. CJ loves a good pep.”
“He ordered that one.”
I spin around and frown. “Where is he?”
“With Chrissy.”
“He loves spending time with his auntie. They’re the best of buddies, and she spoils him. You should have asked me first though. I miss him, and I was looking forward to spending time with him this evening.”
“Why? He’s my kid too.”
I could point out countless reasons why he should have asked, but I don’t argue. We will have to work things out between us, especially after this is all over.
Chaos leans against the counter and scratches his beard, staring at me. He’s wearing a concerned look on his face, with his eyebrows pitched down, and his lips are twisted sideways.
“What?”
“The police are actively searching for and inquiring into your whereabouts around some of our businesses.”
“Whose businesses?”
“The Immortal Descendents.”
“Why? Why would they come to those places looking for me? I have no affiliations with them.”
He sighs and snatches a slice of pizza from the box, not bothering to plate it.
“It seems like they’ve made some sort of connection between you and me. My question is this: Why would they connect you and me?”
Shrugging, I reply, “I dunno.”
“Who knows that I’m CJ’s father?”
“Other than your family?”
He nods. “Yeah, other than Mama and Chrissy.”
“My boyfriend, Ben, but he doesn’t know anything, other than that CJ is named after you.”
“A’ight. The MC is looking into the situation, trying to help get to the bottom of things. We’ll figure something out and get this thing resolved once and for all.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah.”
“Oh my God! Thank you so much, Chaos. I didn’t know what I was going to do.” Relief washes over me.
“Don’t get too happy yet. There’s one stipulation. CJ has to leave town.”
“What? What the hell are you talking about? No! Chaos, he cannot be away from me. He’ll be confused, angry, and scared. If at any time that he needs to be with me and with you, it’s now! You can’t do this? What are you thinking?”
“It is what it is, and I’ve already made arrangements. I did what was in his best interest.”
If I could knock his damn head off, I would. “You don’t get to do that shit! You can’t just go around making decisions for my son without consulting me!”
“You mean our son?” he asks, walking up on me and blocking me against the counter. If I were in my right frame of mind, I would fear him right now, but I’m not, so I don’t.
