“Difference between your world and mine is that your woman is cool with your world. She’s a part of it.”
“She wasn’t always,” he replies, turning his beer up.
“She eventually grew to be cool with it, though, after she realized her daddy wasn’t shit, and you were saving her,” Digger interjects.
He sighs. “Yeah, but it took some time. It’s gon’ take some time for you, too, Chaos.”
“I ain’t got that type of time.”
“Sounds like you’ve got some decisions to make,” Digger declares.
“Yeah. Maybe. Anyway, wassup? What did you call me down for?” I ask him.
“Your boy has finally showed his hand. Not openly or shit like that, but my sources say the senator has been looking for her and is discussing putting out a missing person’s alert for her.”
“On what grounds?” I ask, folding my arms over my chest.
“According to my sources, he’s ready to go public with their relationship.”
“Why, when it was important for them to keep it a secret?” I ask.
“He’s going to release a statement explaining that they have been dating for a while, but they chose to keep their relationship out of the public eye to protect it, to protect her son, and to give them a chance to grow. He’s going to spin the narrative that she disappeared with Emmanuel’s assault, and he and his staff firmly believe the two are connected. He’s also going to request the police to re-open his wife, Ashley’s, murder investigation.”
“You sure?” Priest asks.
“Yeah. He’s going to say that he doesn’t feel that Charisma is safe, because the murderer has resurfaced, and he’s worried that she may have a target on her back.”
“That nigga’s dead,” I growl in a low tone.
“Keep your cool, and let’s work the plan.”
“We don’t have time, Priest!” I thunder.
“And we don’t have time for you to blow this shit up with your temper. She’s safe, CJ’s safe, and you’re safe.”
“But for how long?”
“Just as we’re working on pulling all the players together and exposing the truth, I’m working on a little something else for you too.”
“Like what?” I ask, narrowing my eyes at my prez.
“Something to give you what you want without getting your hands dirty.”
“He’s determined to bring her out into the spotlight, Priest. He’ll do it because he knows that it will expose Chaos, and that risk will shut him down one way or another,” Digger explains. “He’s not interested in letting Charisma go that easily. Not like we thought at first.”
Quietly, I’m starting to think it might be easier to let Charisma go. I know how she feels about the MC, and I can’t expect her to just up and change. She wants what he represents. She doesn’t want me, not like I thought she did. I for damn sure ain’t leaving the MC. This shit is starting to be more trouble than it’s worth.
“Where are we on the plan?” I ask Priest.
“Sunny is on it as we speak.”
“Cool.” I blow out an extended breath and clap my hands together. With a slight nod, I reply, “My patience has been wearing thin. But I’m feeling peace again now that shit’s about to shake like a stripper in the cold.”
“A’ight, I’ll keep you posted. I got some calls to make. Get y’all asses out of here,” Priest commands, waving his hand at Digger and me.
We grab another beer from his fridge, hop up, and leave his office. No sooner than I step into the multi-purpose room, I see trouble heading my way. Before I dip out of sight, I realize that it might work in my favor.
I need to put distance between Charisma and me, because I know that I can’t afford to fall in love. Our lives won’t align, because we’re too different, and there’s no point in risking myheart to get it smashed again. I know in the end, she could never be happy with me anyway, and she will want someone who can give her the life that she wants. She’s said it and proven it to me already. Might as well dead this shit now before it goes any further.
