His Prologue
Spencer
Twenty-Five Years Ago
The eerie silence should’ve been my first clue that something was up, but I entered the crowded house anyway. Scanning the room, I made eye contact with every muthafucka there. The threat was unspoken, they knew what was up. I never had to say a word.
“Where is she?” I grumbled.
My homeboy, O, pointed to the hallway leading to the bedrooms. “Man, I didn’t give it to her.”
My jaw clenched, and I fought the urge to fuck that nigga up. Slowly, I blew out a breath. “Who did?”
Oscar didn’t say anything, but I followed his gaze to the culprit. Without another word, I stomped over to that punk-ass fool, Fred, and hemmed him up against the wall. “Tell me why I shouldn’t break every damn bone in your body right now.”
“I’m not— Man, stop. I didn’t d-do anything,” Fred stammered, “she’s a grown-ass woman. How was I supposed to know?”
Gripping his shirt harder, I pulled back, then slammed him against the wall. “I made it clear a long time ago that if you fuck with Laiya, I will fuck you up.”
“She’s not hurt.” Fred’s sister, Shaunie, stood at the door of the kitchen, a bottle of water in hand. “I made her lay down. But he’s right. What we look like tellin’ a groan-ass woman she can’t do what the hell she wants to do?”
Even with her assurances, even though she made a valid point, the rage building inside of me hadn’t waned. “Shaunie, I don’t want to hear that shit. Someone called me and told me she was in trouble. When I got here, muthafuckas lookin’ at me like somebody did something to her. How you think I’m supposed to react?”
“Calm yo’ ass down, then,” she said, walking over to me. “I told you … she’s fine.” She motioned to my fists. “You gon’ let him go now?”
Reluctantly, I released him. Turning to the fellas in the room, I gestured to the door. “All y’all can get the fuck out.”
Shaunie planted a hand on her hips. “Nigga, this ismyhouse.”
“You must’ve misunderstood me,” I told her. “You might pay the rent here, but I own this shit.”
“What the fuck?” she exclaimed, flailing her hands in the air.
But I was already on my way to the bedroom. “Now,” I clarified.
“Forher?” Shaunie shouted.
I stilled, that question giving me pause. Slowly, I turned to face her. The past between me and Shaunie was volatile, rocky. Toxic relationship? That was us. Until I ended it. It wasn’t the fact that she was questioning me, it was the way she said “her” that tripped me out. Almost like she was jealous.And since I knew her to be a vindictive woman, I wanted to make it clear that Alaiya was off limits to her, too. “What did you say?” I challenged, my voice low. “You want to repeat that?”
Shaunie swallowed visibly. “I’m just sayin’,” she murmured. “Please don’t do this.”
Technically, Icouldterminate her lease. Shaunie wasn’t the biggest weed dealer in the community, but at first glance, I definitely had “just cause” to evict with all the visible drug paraphernalia at the crib.
“Are you really doing this?” she asked, worry lining her features. “You know I would’ve never let anything happen to her.”
She looked sincere enough, but I could never tell with Shaunie. One minute, she was the nicest person in the room. The next she was a damn demon in disguise. At the same time, I knew she needed the spot. She had two little kids, who I hoped were with her mother right now. “Where are the boys?”
Shaunie blinked, obviously thrown off by the change of subject. “With my mom.”
“Good.” I let out a heavy sigh. “The noise complaints, the parties, the strange cars parked on the street … I could make you leave, but I won’t. Today. But consider this a warning.”
“Oh,” she crossed her arms over her chest, “so you’re too good for us now? Your brother is running for office, and you want to distance yourself from the hood politics?”
“I’ll never forget where I came from. But Iwillprotect my investment.” I picked up the roach clip from the table and held it up. “I don’t care who you are.”
“You’re acting like you don’t smoke.”
Shrugging, I tossed the metal into a small trashcan. “Maybe I’m just tired of your bullshit? The only reason you’re still here is because of those boys. I want them to have a home. But don’t try me.”
