Page 166 of 4 Corinthians

“Oh, you are,” she replied with a smirk. “But there is no doubt in my mind that he feels the same way.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because I know love when I see it,” she answered. “Now our time is up; let’s schedule your next appointment for two weeks from now. Are you free?”

I pulled up my calendar on my phone and scrolled through it. It didn’t matter if I were free or not; I would make time. After we agreed on a date, I closed my laptop and got up from my desk. Judah would be coming soon, and I had to do his hair before we headed home.

I walked to the shop and stopped dead in my tracks. Kenbral sat in my chair, his eyes locked on my every move.

“I ain’t here on no bullshit,” he said, holding his hands up. I would’ve believed him if he didn’t have a gun in his right hand. “I just want to talk.”

“With a gun?” I asked, nodding towards it.

“I know you, Cori,” he licked his lips and shook his head. “If I didn’t have it, you would have already crossed the room and tried to kill me.”

“Don’t call me that,” I told him, not denying what he said because it was the truth. “Only Uri can call me that.”

“Just like he only allows you to call him Uri,” he chuckled and lowered his hands. He didn’t take his hand off his gun as it sat in his lap. “Y’all don’t let nobody else get a pass but the other.”

“Why are you here, Kenbral?”

“We need to talk,” he answered. He used his empty hand to take his phone from his pocket. He swiped the screen and then put it back. “We have ten minutes to come to an understanding before my brother gets here.” He licked his lips. “Four asked for the names from that night.”

“I know,” I said with a singular nod. “I saw the folder.”

“My name-“

“I didn’t tell him you were there,” I cut him off.

Kenbral narrowed his eyes. “Why not?”

“Because I love your brother,” I told him. “I love him too much to break his heart like that.”

“He ain’t gonna forgive me,” he replied, and I shrugged. “When he finds out what happened that night…” He wiped his mouth and chuckled. “Nah, he ain’t gonna forgive me.”

“He already knows.”

“You don’t even know what happened,” he laughed and shook his head. “But you will because Four ain’t gonna stop until he gets the answers he’s looking for. I know I can't ask you this, but when the shit comes out fully, ask him to hear me out.”

“Hear you out?” I repeated. “You’re going to try and explain your way out of this?”

“Nah,” he denied. “I just want him to hear my side of the story. For him to give me a chance to make my peace before he kills me because I know that’s all he’s going to want to do.” He stood. “I ain’t perfect, will never claim to be, but everything I’ve done has been to protect my brother.”

I looked away, hating the look in his eyes. Kenbral and Uri looked nothing alike, but their eyes were so similar; not the color, but the emotions they carried. The sound of the door opening made me look over to see Kenbral walking out. He got into his car, started it, and drove off.

Four

Istared at the next name on my list.

Melissa Walters.

Daughter of Javion Walters Sr and Lindsey Ferguson. The fact that she’d been able to get past me pissed me off to no end. When Cori mentioned her name, I’d been quiet, hoping and somewhat not hoping that the woman I fucked around with all those years ago wasn’t the same one that had set my woman up. As soon as I saw her picture, all hope was gone.

“Melissa’s name is popular as fuck right now,” Nine said. He sat at his computer, a stupid ass smirk on his face, and watched me.

“Who else is looking for her?” I leaned forward.

“A DeCorte.”