“Nah, it ain’t. It’s the same shit that got Pops killed too. That cocky shit. Why the fuck you can’t just be satisfied with what you got? We got blocks on top of blocks back in Philly, New York, nigga, sewing up the east coast. You sitting here worried about some small town in the Midwest.”
“You know exactly what the fuck this is about. If you can’t stand with me, then you can get the fuck on, bruh! You know how I give it up, and you know I can’t just let some shit ride.”
“What I know is our pops was the same fucking way, and right now, you ain’t no fucking better than him,” Rooney pointed out. “Do whatever the fuck it is you need to do here. Let me know how that shit goes.”
“Rooney, where you going?” Sekani called, watching him make his way to the door.
“Out. A nigga want to see some titties moving and ass shaking,” he replied, slamming the door behind him.
“E, what the fuck!” Sekani snapped, both hands on her hips when she faced him.
“Fuck him.” Eirian shook that shit off and glared around the room. “This shit right here… means war. I don’t give a fuck who stands in the way!” he roared.
Every soldier in the room acknowledged his order with a nod. This might not be his city now, but he wasn’t walking away. Max Ward and his people had to pay. One way or another.
Searchingher drawers for something to wear after her shower, Minx adjusted the towel she held around herself. Goosebumps clothed her skin from that chill that usually hits when you exit the bathroom while she rummaged through her stuff. Brenyn waited for her in the guest room so she wanted to hurry. She still had to get the food for them to watch movies.
Minx found the only clean item of clothing that she could, a slinky little black gown that she had a matching robe to. She slipped into it, ran some deep conditioning products through her hair, and exited her bedroom with fuzzy socks on her feet. Hair falling past her shoulders, she ran her fingers through it and floated downstairs. Voices carried from the kitchen, and sure enough when she entered, Mille sat at the counter with Rose moving around at the stove making them something to eat. He paused when Minx entered. She never noticed it before, but he did it every time. He was always taken back by how naturally pretty she was.
“What’s up, Minx?” Mille gave her a cool nod while he munched on Doritos and sipped Mountain Dew.
It was his all-nighter food when he was going to be binging on his PlayStation until the sun came up.
“Try to keep it down tonight with your friends. I want Brenyn to be able to sleep when she needs to.” Minx ignored Rose and went to the cabinet to grab the popcorn for her to make. Rose kept it simple, whipping up tacos, his specialty. Her stomach growled as she brushed by him to the pantry so that she could grab more snacks.
“Is she going to be okay?” Mille asked, concern draping his eleven-year-old eyes.
“She will be fine. She’s just going to need some time and a shoulder and maybe an ear to vent to every now and then.”
“It’s a good thing she has you then.” Mille gave her a smile.
She loved her little brother so much. She was so blessed to have him in her life. Mille understood that his sister was very passionate and had empathy for people. Her parents also thought her opinion mattered, and they respected it.
“I love you, kid. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, I mean how could you not? I’m pretty dope.” Mille declared, leaping from the counter and taking his bowl to the sink.
Minx snickered and shook her head.
“Yo, Rose, you sure you want to do this tonight? I mean, I know you don’t take losses too well,” Mille kidded, backing up toward the entryway.
“I’ll be up in a minute,” Rose responded.
“A’ight, bet!” Mille voice with enthusiasm.
He was happy to have someone else to play with. His pops didn’t have time, and Minx would play with him when she could, but it wasn’t the same as playing with Rose. Minx watched him skip out in his basketball shorts and tank top and went to put her popcorn in the microwave.
“So how long you plan on delivering the silent treatment to me, Minx?” Rose pressed, stirring his ground beef before he turned to her.
“What is it we have to talk about, Rose? Hmm? I think enough was said today. I’m tired and drained.” She leaned against the counter and waited for the timer to go off while looking down at her feet.
Coming up to her, so close she could feel every time he breathed on her, Minx froze. Resting a hand on each hip, his eyes burned into hers. Her heart sped up in her chest. His dark eyes searched her, down to the deepest pits of Minka Ward. Tinglingfrom head to toe, eventually that feeling lingered between her legs. She’d be lying if she said Rose wasn’t always attractive to her. He was just… Rose. Hers. In every way. She didn’t even know what that meant.
Yet, it was something about the way he held her hostage under his stare now that woke up another part of her. Now he wasn’t just Rose, her best friend. He was a man, like any other. Minx tried to deny what he made her feel, but the more she did that, the more her feelings swept against the current to the top. She was scared, plain and simple. Scared of losing him as a friend and scared that if they did take that step, she would lose herself in him. She’d seen it happen, and she didn’t want to fall victim to it. She loved Rose already. She could only imagine what he could make her feel going all in.
“You acting like what I said meant I don’t feel shit for you. Like you don’t matter to me, and that couldn’t be further from the fucking truth,” he explained.
Minx tried to get away from him, but Rose pinned her to the counter, eyes searing hers.
