“Just keep your distance and make sure she gets out in one piece,” Money said. “You ain’t gotta run up in there like John Wick—just be close.”
“Close enough to pull her out if shit goes left,” I murmured, mostly to myself.
“Exactly,” he said. “‘Cause if something happens and you ain’t there? You’ll never forgive yourself.”
I nodded and slipped the phone back in my pocket.
“Appreciate you, bruh.”
Cash reached out to dap me up. “Y’all still on some bullshit, but y’all my peoples.”
I was starting my car when Drea’s name flashed across the car display.
“Yes?” I answered, pulling onto the main road.
“Don’t kill me, but I need a favor,” she said, sounding flustered. I could hear blow dryers and music in the background. “Gunnar’s school just called—a pipe burst in the building. They’re closing early and I’m slammed.”
I rubbed a hand over my face. “Mama can’t get him?”
“Would I be calling you if she could? She’s here, sitting under the dryer. Look, just grab him some fries and bring him to the salon. I need like an hour.”
“Fine, but you owe me,” I sighed, flicking on my turn signal.
“Love you, big bro,” she said and hung up.
Ten minutes later I pulled into the daycare parking lot.Gunnar was already outside with one of the staff, holding a juice box like it was a weapon.
He sprinted over and crashed into my legs. “Uncle ‘Taine!” he yelled. “Hey, Gunny.” I scooped him up with one arm and smirked. “You behaved today?”
He nodded hard. “Ms. Beth said I was a star listener.”
“Word?” I gave him a pound and looked to his teacher for confirmation.
“He was excellent,” she smiled. “Big helper too.”
“That’s what I like to hear.”
He waved goodbye as we headed to the car. I helped him into his booster seat that I kept in the trunk.
“We gotta make a quick stop before I take you to your moms,” I said, handing him his tablet.
“French fries?”
“Yeah, I’ll get you some fries. But after that we’re going on a secret mission. Top secret—so you can’t tell your mom or Nana.”
His eyes widened. “Like a spy?”
“Exactly like that.”
Drea would kill me if she knew I was bringing my nephew into some bullshit, even if it was technically Nai’s mess. But we were just gonna sit out for a bit—an hour tops. See if there was any movement, maybe catch a glimpse of her walking out.
Just one hour. Then I’d drop him off and be done.
We stopped at McDonald’s on the way. I got Gunnar a Happy Meal, figuring the combo of nuggets, fries, and his tablet would keep him busy.
I drove past the building a few times before parking in the commuter lot across the street. It was rush hour, but there were still enough cars where my truck didn’t stand out. Her pin had her at an old gentlemen’s club. You could barely read the fadedPleasure Densign on the door. The windows were dark, but acamera was set up above the dusty black awning. From my spot, I had a clear view of the front entrance. There wasn’t any security I could see, but I wasn’t naive enough to think that meant that the place was unguarded.
I cracked the moonroof to let some air in, glancing back at Gunnar in the rearview mirror. He was humming to whatever he was watching with his headphones on, swinging his feet, and getting fries all over my leather seats.
