28. Asif

“How he doing?” I asked Low and Free walking on either side of me to the dungeon room.

“Been a while since he had any water or food, and that funky ass leg look like it’s turning into some shit.” Free frowned in disgust.

“I was gon’ chop the shit off, but Free said not to,” Low added.

We made it to the door, so I entered, a putrid scent hitting me in the nose, which was crazy considering it was a big ass room. The fact that Grady had the shit smelling like this meant that wound he was sporting was in bad fucking shape.

“Grady, what’s good, nigga?” I asked when I walked in to where he was, tied up.

“S-Sif, man, I’m so happy to see you,” he said groggily.

“Untie him,” I instructed. “Right now.” I eyed Low when he hesitated.

Nodding, Low went over to remove the restraints, causing Grady to fall onto the floor.

“You happy to see me? A nigga you been dodging?” I cocked my head.

“Nah, man. Only reason I was do-dodging you was because you was trying to kill me.” He coughed. “Let me get a bottle of water or something.” He licked his lips.

“Yeah, you ran at first ’cause you was scared but also ’cause you thought you could do better, take my place eventually. But you could never be me, nigga. I make this shit look easy, I know, but it ain’t for muthafuckas like you. Hence why you got ten years on me but working for me, running from me, and begging for my mercy, nigga.”

“Nah, man?—”

“I tried to help yo’ ass too. Gave you passes on shit I should’ve smoked you for. But you was so fucking worried ’bout what the next nigga was doing instead of stepping yo’ fucking game up.”

“I know, man.” He started crying. “I know, and I’m sorry. You was right this whole time, I was just… feeling disrespected because these niggas is way younger than me.” He hacked a bit then said, “But look, since all I did was attempt to rob one trap, we can make amends, man. Whatever you need me to do, I can handle it. Show you I’m loyal.”

I nodded, pacing for a second, then asked, “Who took them photos of me and my girl?” Grady attempted to speak but couldn’t form the words out of shock. Chuckling, I said, “Oh you thought I wouldn’t figure that shit out, huh? Damn, bruh. You ain’t even know her well enough to be this fucking thirsty.”

“Look, that reminds me, man, I didn’t take them pictures but?—”

“Cut his leg, Low,” I directed, and he promptly grabbed a head covering. “Since you still can’t be honest.”

“Nah, man, okay. Alright, listen!” he hollered over the chainsaw Low grabbed up as Free, masked up as well, went to pin Grady’s arms.

I stepped back as Grady hollered out, flailing as much as he could while Low cut the damaged part of his leg. It was so dead he couldn’t even make it move, so it laid there perfectly, ready to be sliced while his other moved about.

Grady’s screams engulfed the whole room as I nodded at Low to go ahead and finish him off. Low followed directions, sending the chainsaw right into the middle of Grady’s body as I watched, emotionless, waiting for his screams which turned to gurgling, then to silence.

Once I watched him take his last breath and quit shaking, I turned to leave the room, Free and Low already knowing what the fuck to do. I didn’t even need to show up, but I wanted his bitch ass to see my face before he perished. I wasn’t interested in shit he had to say.

I knew he was about to tell me some shit in regard to Cedric, but it was obvious he and that nigga were working together. Grady would have no need to get those photos and to Cedric’s father unless he was. Him hanging around a physical therapy spot was a dead giveaway as well.

Stepping outside, I dialed Bashar.

“What’s up, Sif? I’m about to walk into court.”

“Is the advice still the same?” I questioned, irritated and pacing the dirt filled ground outside the warehouse.

I was itching to murk Cedric already, but knowing he had linked up with Grady’s bitch ass had me breaking out in hives at the fucking need.

“The wha—yes, Sif. Hold off. It won’t be much longer.”

Exhaling heavily, I nodded as if he could see me.

“Aight. Aight. Fuck.”

“It’ll be worth it, I promise. I gotta go.”

“Aight.” I hung up, frustrated as fuck. I’d never been in a situation where I wanted to wipe a muthafucka from this earth but couldn’t.

Cedric’s ass was lucky, but he wouldn’t be for long. He was dying the same night the judge read that verdict. And he’d better hope it was in my woman’s favor.

“I feel like tonight is gonna be wild.” Anastazia giggled as we pulled up to the big ass Hollywood club.

Tonight was Free’s birthday party, and the nigga had gone all out like he did every fucking year.

“Why?” I laughed, bending the corner to get to the expensive ass parking lot. She was right but that was just how Free liked to get down.

“Because Free is a wild character.”

“That’s true.”

I paid for parking, letting the attendant nigga know not to allow anybody to block my shit in. He agreed, and I led Anastazia to the front where we were given wristbands and promptly let inside.

“Swimming Pools” by Kendrick Lamar had the whole room with their cups in the air as they rocked to the beat. I escorted Anastazia over to Free’s section where I spotted Low and a couple of the niggas from the team to which I dapped up. The section was already full of half-naked bitches, some strippers, and some club attendees.

“Told you.” Anastazia looked up at me, squeezing my hand as I chuckled. “Happy birthday, Free.” She smiled.

“This is the best gift right here.” He side hugged her.

“Watch it, nigga.” I shot him a look, sitting down and pulling her into my lap.

The Hennessy was plentiful, so I poured myself some while looking for a hostess to get Anastazia a drink.

“I’ll drink that.” She looked down into my face, beauty very much visible even in this somewhat dark ass club.

“Cognac?” I frowned, never having seen this girl drink dark shit. She was frowning over a fucking beer first time we talked for real.

“Yep.” She picked up one of the upside-down glasses, filled it with ice, and turned to me.

Shaking my head, I poured a little bit into her glass, and she lifted her brows, telling me to pour up some more.

“Anastazia.”

“Asif.” She lifted the glass again, so I poured up some more.

She took a sip, and I couldn’t help but to laugh at the fact that she tried to take it like a G, but the shit was written all over her fucking face.

“Baby, let me go get you a drink.” I chuckled.

“No, this is perfect.” She downed it, shocking the fuck out of me.

For the next half an hour, she helped me drink half the damn bottle of Hennessy, and I could tell she was feeling good. She always showed that pretty smile, but it was OD at the moment. I loved the sight, though, so I wasn’t even tripping.

She rose up, giving me a view of her body in the short skirt she wore, making me lick my lips absentmindedly. Her hair was straightened at the moment, hanging down her exposed back since she had on a top that was short and tied around her neck. That quickly, my dick was hard and only got harder as she began to dance in my lap.

Feeling some song by Beyoncé that had come on, she turned to face me, and the cheerleader-like skirt came up a little bit in the midst, giving me a peek.

“I like yo’ type of dances,” I half joked. “You showing pussy.” I put my glass down to rub the backs of her silky thighs.

“Just for you.” She put her leg up on the space next to me, giving me access, so I took the shit.

Peeking under her skirt, I could see right through the pink, lacy ass fabric, making me kiss her below.

“I love that shit,” I said, referring to the landing strip. Majority of the bitches I had fucked over the years were completely bald or bore a peach fuzz, but never this shit right here.

I didn’t know if it was how it looked or if it was the fact that it was on Anastazia, but that shit turned me on. She had hair nowhere else on her pussy but that landing strip. Even the back had no hair.

She put her leg down, giggling with her pretty ass, and tried to turn around, but I stopped her. Running my hands up her thighs again, I kissed the exposed portion of her stomach as she swayed slowly to the music. A nigga almost forgot we were surrounded by a bunch of muthafuckas.

“I love how your hands feel, baby,” she said in a tipsy tone.

She was so sexy to a nigga, making me dip my head under the skirt to plant another kiss on her privates. She moaned softly, and I somehow still heard it despite the booming ass music. Turned on by the sound of her voice and the smell of her perfumed, shea butter scented skin, I moved the fabric of her panties to the side and slowly, gently sucked her clit.

Her small hand dropped to the back of my head as she put one leg up on the couch, giving me more access. Cupping her ass under the skirt, I sucked her pussy lips before going back to her bud, making love to that shit with my mouth.

“Mm,” I groaned at the taste.

“Sif, baby.” She whimpered as I put my shoulder under her thigh so she could rest it there.

“Oh shit,” I heard a woman say as she bypassed us in the section, and I could surmise she was speaking on Anastazia and me. I didn’t give a fuck though.

Moving her panties over more, I went in, licking, sucking, and sliding my tongue into her opening. I could feel her sap dripping on me, and the shit had my dick hard enough to break bricks.

Moments later, she was gripping my locs as she sniveled while releasing. After not letting any of that good shit go to waste, I pulled my head from under her skirt.

“Oh my gosh.” She looked around a bit, but everyone was too high, drunk, or in their own world to really give a damn, so she relaxed.

With my hands still under her skirt, caressing her round ass, I asked, “You still on birth control?”

“I got it removed this week.” She laughed since I was standing up now, towering over her before slipping my tongue into her mouth.

“We making a fucking baby tonight.” I pressed my hard dick into her.

“Shouldn’t we get married first?”

“You know I’m gon’ marry you, but I’m sure you want a plush ass wedding, which is gon’ take time. We only got eight years to make babies; we gotta start now.” I picked her up as she grinned, wrapping her legs around me.

“You gon’ pay for my boob job?” Her grin spread further.

“Already put the money for that shit to the side, love.”

She eyed me with a mixture of lust and admiration, then said, “Okay.” Hugging my neck, she thrust her lips against mine as we started kissing hungrily. “What if it’s a girl?”

“I don’t care. Girls take better care of their parents anyway.” I spoke against her soft ass lips, feeling when she smiled widely before we resumed tongue kissing. “I’m dogging that pussy tonight.” I dry humped her a little bit, making her bite her lip lustfully. Sucking her neck, I said, “I wanna eat that pussy ’til you can’t stop shaking, love. Bend you over and dig you out ’til yo’ legs give way, then sit that wet shit on my face and make you cum again.”

“Sif,” she moaned, nails digging into the back of my neck as her freaky ass grinded against my crotch while I held her up.

“There that bitch ass nigga go!” a loud voice boomed, making me turn Anastazia away from the crowd and toward the back wall just before bullets were fired.

The whole club broke out into mayhem as I kept Anastazia pinned behind the pillar and up against the wall while I located my heat. Through the small sliver of space, I could see some nigga, gun out and blasting at a specific target. Slowly and measuredly, I turned to see who the fuck he was aiming at and peeped Low shooting back.

Aiming my gun at him on the low, I got ready to pull on his ass, just as sirens sounded off. The police drove up and down this street all night because of shit like this.

The man darted into the crowd, mixing in with everybody dispersing.

“You aight?” I asked Anastazia, much calmer now that I knew this wasn’t some psycho shooting up a club and it was some nigga Low had beef with for some reason.

“I think so,” she spoke softly.

Taking her hand in mine, I shielded her while bringing her through the crowd, which seemingly took fucking forever because muthafuckas were still scared. As soon as the fresh air of the outside hit my face, I whipped my head around to look for Low’s ass because I needed an explanation.

It was one thing for us all to have a common enemy and goal, but I didn’t fuck with the fact that this nigga was getting into side shit that we weren’t privy to and having us caught off fucking guard.

“Aye, you riding with me.” I called out to Low when I spotted him step out of the club, Free right behind him.

“I rode with Free.” He pointed behind himself, obviously scared to go with me.

“Not no more. Let’s go.” I kept a hold on my girl’s hand as we made our way to the lot.

As I’d instructed, the short Mexican nigga made sure my car wasn’t blocked in, so once I got Anastazia in, I climbed in myself, pulling out of the lot just as Low walked up, hesitantly getting into the back seat.

“Aye, boss?—”

“Fuck was that about?” I questioned, vexed as a muthafucka. “What you doing outside of Money Fiends business, nigga?” I glared into the rearview mirror as I peeled down Hollywood Blvd.

Sighing, Low shook his head as if embarrassed to say what the fuck was going on.

“It’s no--nothing like that, Sif.”

“Well tell me what the fuck it’s like, nigga! You almost got my girl shot, and you sitting there looking stupid as fuck, still sputtering and bullshitting! Talk!” I banged on the steering wheel, feeling Anastazia staring at me through my peripheral.

I usually kept my cool, but the fact that my woman almost got hit had me incensed. I was ready to ride out and murk a nigga, Low included.

“Aight. Aight!” Low put his hands up. “Some nigga mad I fucked his wife.”

I froze for a second, in disbelief that it was over some domestic shit and not street shit.

“You what?” I felt my forehead crease in confusion.

“Yeah, man.” He ran his hand over his fade. “Some married bitch I been smashing. Her husband found out, and I guess he wanted his revenge, so he showed up. She been calling me all night, but I ain’t pick up, so I guess that was what she was trying to tell me.”

“Oh my goodness,” Anastazia mumbled.

“Low, man, what the fuck? You gotta be more prepared than that when you fucking another nigga’s bitch,” I said, making Anastazia look at me and Low snicker. “I’m serious.” I chuckled. “One thing a nigga will get tender over is some pussy, especially pussy he love enough to lock down.”

“You right, boss. I been smashing her for months, so I ain’t even think nothing of it. Plus, he like a plumber or some shit. Who knew that nigga would come bussin’. But let me handle it, please.”

“Yeah, aight.” I sunk down into my seat, shaking my head at Low. When we made eye contact though the rearview, I said, “Tighten up, lil nigga, for real. You want this shit when I go, you gotta do better. You wanna make sure ya moms and little brother is good, you gotta do better.”

“I know. I got you. I’m gon’ be just like you, Sif, probably better.”

Smirking while Anastazia giggled, I said, “Yeah, whatever, nigga. I hope so.”

“That’s hard to do, Low,” she said.

“You right, but even if I get close, that’s better than good,” he replied.

I dropped Low off at his crib, then headed home. As soon as we got inside, I said, “Sorry about tonight, love. It was supposed to be some fun shit.”

“It still was.” She plopped down onto the ottoman at the foot of the bed, sticking her leg out so I could remove her shoes. “Now I can officially say I got into a shoot-out with my drug dealer boyfriend.”

We laughed.

“Yeah, don’t go around saying that shit.” I removed the heel.

“I won’t.” She pulled her right leg back once the shoe was off, placing her foot flat on the ottoman before she stuck her other sexy leg out, making sure to give me a view of the way her lace panties outlined her fat pussy, and that shit turned a nigga on. “I don’t want daddy to get put away,” she cooed, knowing what the fuck she was doing.

“Come here.” I made her stand so I could undress her, see that pussy up close and personal.

“No, take all your clothes off,” she demanded, shoving at my chest.

No questions asked, I started to remove every article of clothing like she’d instructed.

“Why you still dressed, love?” I began tugging her garments from her body as she grinned salaciously, watching as I kissed the front of her pussy as I removed her panties.

“Lay down, Asif.”

“You not in charge, baby,” I let her know, smirking.

She just stared at me, completely naked and hair down, looking good as fuck. That was all it took for me to lie my ass down.

Grabbing her iPhone, she turned on some song by Janet Jackson, singing about waiting a while, and I hoped it wasn’t the soundtrack for tonight, because I was hard as shit already. I could shatter a fucking ice rink at this point.

“That is a very beautiful, very big dick.” She started toward the bed after tossing her phone. It was hooked up to the speakers in my house since she always took charge of the music, and because of that, the song was flowing through the whole bedroom. “Stroke it.”

“Stazi—”

“Please,” she begged, and again, I obliged her.

She watched with desire sewn throughout her expression as I stroked my dick, while taking her sexy ass in. She climbed onto the bed, eying me as I started to moan from the thought of her being wrapped around my shit.

“Fuck,” I groaned, watching her lie back enough to spread her legs, showing me every fucking thing. I would never forget this Janet Jackson song because of Anastazia’s sexy ass. “Baby, come here,” I pleaded.

“You are so sexy,” she commented, touching herself as her eyes moved all around me as I rubbed up and down my shaft, getting harder by the fucking second. “I’m so wet just from watching you.” Spotting the eagerness in my eyes, she purred, “It’s yours, baby, don’t worry.”

“Stazi, you too sexy for this shit. You gon’ make me bust before I get in it,” I admitted, feeling that edge get closer as I took in her sexy frame, titties, hard nipples, perfect ass face, perfect body, and glistening pussy. Plus, the way her ass was talking.

Not replying, she started crawling to me before covering the head of my dick with her mouth to suck hard. I moaned like a bitch before I could even stop it.

She then went to place kisses up my abs, before slipping her tongue into my mouth. We kissed for a bit before she rose up, allowing me to take a nipple into my mouth while she brushed her drenched pussy along the tip of my dick. This shit was driving a nigga crazy. After letting me get my fix with her nipples and letting her pussy cover the head of my dick with her wetness, she made her way down me, knocking my hand away.

Straddling me backward, she looked over her shoulder at me as I positioned myself at her opening. We groaned together as soon as I got the tip inside, and after gaining her composure, she started to move up and down my length, her tight, wet walls bear hugging my shit.

“Damn,” she whimpered softly, voice shaking a little bit like it always did when she was about to cum.

I put a hand on her hip before my head fell back in ecstasy, enjoying the slow movements she was putting on a nigga.

“You know this the best pussy I ever had, right?” I moaned, seeing how she had my shit glistening at this point. Watching myself disappear inside of her pretty pussy was enough to make me finish right here and right fucking now.

Spanking and gripping her ass as she sprung up and down on my dick, I let out a throaty moan.

Now that I was gliding in and out with ease, Anastazia took complete control, grinding on my dick as Janet continued to sing softly, making me realize the song was on repeat.

Every so often, Anastazia would increase her speed before slowing up as she quaked from cumming. She bounced on my dick for a bit more, me grabbing at her plump ass here and there, before she brought herself to the edge again, walls clamping down on me.

Sliding off slowly, she moved from my hand as I was about to stop her ass, wondering why the fuck she was getting up.

Before I could say a word, her mouth was on my dick, which was currently shining with her juices. As I watched, mouth hung open at the sight and feeling of this shit, I was officially turned the fuck out.

“Mmm.” She moaned on it, deep throating me and letting her saliva coat my shaft.

She started off slow, sucking hard, letting me hit the back of her throat as spit started to spill like crazy.

“Fuck.” I cupped the back of her head to guide her. “That’s my baby. There she go.” I grumbled, low-key feeling my fucking toes curl. Nobody gave head as good as she did, and it was enough to make a nigga go crazy. “Can’t nobody make me nut this way but you, love. This the only dick you’ve sucked like this, right?”

I couldn’t imagine her putting it on another nigga like this without going insane.

She pulled off, licking up the length and slurping me back into her mouth while playing with my balls. That shit was sloppy as hell, and her gag reflexes lessened more and more over time.

“Only this one,” she moaned out before going back in.

I let her suck me off for a little bit longer before yanking her off. Of course she could never do what she was told, so she gave it one last lick and twirled her tongue around the head, capturing my eyes with hers and giving a nigga chills.

“Bend over,” I instructed, spanking her ass hard.

“Yes, sir.” She got off the bed and bent over the side of it.

Since she was too short, I picked her up by the hips like a wheelbarrow and positioned myself at her opening. She was dripping fucking wet yet tight as a fist as I pushed my way inside.

“Damn.” I grumbled, sliding in and out slowly.

Pausing, I went into the nightstand drawer right by us and pulled out her small bullet toy. Turning it on, I reached under her to circle her clit as I kept moving in and out of her tight walls.

“Sif, wait, oh my gosh,” she called out, but I didn’t listen, continuing to use the toy on her bud as I started to pound her pussy from the back.

Her small hands gripped the bedsheets as her mouth hung open while I banged on her shit like I was from Neighborhood.

“Shit, you ’bout to cum hard as fuck, baby. Let it go for ya man,” I coached her, not slowing up as I watched her body tremble a little like it always did, just before she quaked and came. Her walls tightening around me made me call out, just before I used my free hand to spank her ass.

Her body shook as she cried out, so I slowed up, hitting with her with circular motions until I felt like she’d overcame her orgasm. Wasting no time, I hammered her pussy, loving the way that shit sounded as I kept the vibrator moving around her clit and under the hood.

I groped her ass cheek, holding it tightly so I could hit that shit deeper as Anastazia let out soft whimpers.

“Who run this shit, Stazi?”

“You, baby,” she cried out, drooling a little bit as I tenderized her spot.

She came again, but this time, I didn’t slow up, beating that pussy up and splashing all around in that muthafucka as her ass jiggled every time our bodies collided. Her legs turned to jelly as I dug her ass out.

“Don’t run, love. Don’t take this good shit from me.” I hammered her. “This pussy so fucking perfect, shit,” I called out in the midst of the sounds of our bodies clashing and her wet pussy bouncing off the walls. “I know I wore you out, baby, but give me one more.”

It wasn’t long before she released everywhere, and I was filling her up with my nut. When she collapsed to the bed, I cut the toy off, then climbed on with her, kissing her sweaty back while slowly stroking her still.

“You are the worst, in a good way.” She panted before I captured her lips with mine.

Pulling out, I turned her over and sucked on her nipples a bit before making my way down her stomach.

“I’m gon’ let you get some water before round two.” I pecked her.

“Round two? Look at my legs.”

I chuckled, seeing they were still trembling. I was saving the lovemaking for last because that shit usually put Anastazia to sleep.

“You got about half an hour love, but we ’bout to fuck all night. Shouldn’t have been teasing a nigga all night and shit like you was ’bout that life. Time to pay up,” I said matter-of-factly before kissing her perfect pussy, then leaving the room to get us some hydration.

I ignored her whining, “Asiiiiff!” as I got the shit.

I shook my fucking head because as I parked in front of the home belonging to Nori and her new family, as “Let’s Wait Awhile” played in my head nonstop.

Shutting the engine down, I waited as my dick softened, before sending Anastazia a text about what she and that fucking song had done to a nigga. Of course, she found it hilarious. Thankfully, the shit was old, and I didn’t have to worry about hearing it in public much, but I hoped it stayed out of my mind while I sat and ate food with these people.

“You came. I’m so happy.” Nori answered the door, a mark still under her eye from the altercation with my moms.

“I did.” I lifted the bottle of champagne I brought.

“Can I still not get a hug?” she quizzed as soon as I stepped into the home.

It was nice, normal, and had a welcoming environment. I wasn’t sure what the fuck I expected, but it wasn’t this. Nori was a woman I associated with callousness, the cold, and anything but welcoming, so to see her home be like this was weird as fuck for me.

Saying nothing, I gave her a side hug, and she lit up with glee, making me chuckle a little bit. I still didn’t trust her muthafuckin’ ass, but my pops told me the day she fought Lisara, she seemed to be showing a version of the woman he’d once loved. I didn’t know how that was possible when it ended with her getting into it with his wife, but I would figure shit out on my own.

“Did you apologize to my sister?” I queried, making her pause.

“She was yelling things, Asif, so I responded.”

“She’s a seventeen-year-old girl. I get she may have been disrespectful, but I ain’t fucking with what you said about her being a ho and becoming a teen mom. You responding ain’t the issue; it’s what you said.”

Sighing, her shoulders dropped before she nodded. “You’re right. I should’ve put her in her place respectfully. I was just pissed in the moment, and she was goading me in a sense.”

“You called our mama ugly.”

“Our?” Her brow rose before she scoffed. “I will make sure I apologize to her whenever I get the chance.”

Pulling out my phone, I hit the FaceTime button for Banks, and when she popped up on the screen, I turned it to Nori.

“Oh my gosh.” Banks rolled her eyes.

“Aye, what we talk about?” I chided, and Banks nodded before I turned the phone back on Nori.

“I’m sorry for jumping in your argument with my mama, but she is not ugly.”

I chuckled subtly.

“Thank you, and I apologize for the things I said to you,” Nori replied, then glanced at me for approval.

I bobbed my head to give her that stamp, before turning the phone’s camera back on myself. Nori excused herself after taking the bottle of champagne by the neck, so I took a seat on the couch, taking in the surroundings while wondering where her nigga and child were.

“’Preciate that, Banks,” I finally said.

“Where is Low? Is he there?” She tried to peep around my shoulders.

“You don’t worry ’bout where the fuck Low is.”

“I was just asking because?—”

“Let me explain something to you, B; you and Low ain’t happening. If I find out you on some other shit, trying to get close to him, I’ll kill him. Is that what you want?” I spoke the last line lowly.

Her lips parted, but eventually, she shook her head ‘no.’ I fucked with Low, but him entertaining my sister would be a violation, and therefore, a nigga would have no qualms about smoking him.

“I just thought we were friends is all. It’s not even like that, Sif.”

“Y’all not friends. You ain’t got no business being friends with a grown ass man. Only grown ass nigga friends you need is yo’ brothers and yo’ daddy.”

“Fine. Bye.” She hung up.

I put my phone away seconds before Nori returned with a little girl in front of her, that she was gripping by the shoulders, and a light-skinned nigga trailing her. I stayed seated so I could greet her daughter first, not wanting to intimidate her with my height.

“How you doing? What’s ya name?” I smiled, and when she spotted it, she did the same.

“I’m fine. My name is Blaire.” She shook my outreached hand. “Is it true you’re my brother?”

I glanced up at Nori, wondering why she told her that shit.

“I am, yeah.”

“But you’re a grownup. How is that?”

“I was born a long time ago, when ya mama was much younger.” I smirked, finding no other way to explain it. Kids asked the simplest yet hardest questions, shit no one ever pondered on.

“Interesting.” She bobbed her head. “This is my daddy.” She removed herself from Nori’s hands and walked around to tug on the man’s hand.

I stood, reaching to shake his hand.

“Brian.” He gave me a quick smile, taking me in. “You’re quite tall.”

“Yeah.” I shrugged, not knowing what to say to that.

“Okay, well the food is ready, so we can go eat.” Nori started for the kitchen, so we followed.

Anastazia made me something to eat before I came after I expressed that I could only recall Nori being a horrible ass cook. I shivered, thinking about the days my pops would tell me to stomach her cooking until she left the room and then we could trash it. Thank God she cooked very fucking rarely.

For the next hour or so, we sat and ate. I more so picked around my food. It was spaghetti, nothing crazy, but it wasn’t good nor was it horrible. It was edible, however. I just thanked God I ate before I came.

Blaire pretty much took over the conversation, which was cool. She was funny, cute, too, and seemed to enjoy her mother, but I wasn’t seeing the reciprocation. Nori, though she tried to hide it, seemed annoyed by her. It definitely brought back memories.

“Would you like a drink, Asif?” Brian questioned while Nori got dessert ready, and Blaire opted to help.

She was different from me when I was a kid, not giving a fuck that Nori wasn’t motherly because whereas Blaire ignored it and pressed on, I peeped it and would keep quiet or act withdrawn when Nori came into the room. Back then, I didn’t wanna say or do anything that would piss her off, so I steered clear of her ass as much as I could. I hated when my pops would force her to spend time with a nigga.

“What you got?” I asked, standing from the table as Blaire collected the plates.

“Scotch?” he offered, and when I nodded, he waved me on. “Follow me.”

I did, taking in more of the home as we navigated through it, seeing family pictures on the wall, projecting an image they didn’t quite possess in person. In the photos, Nori appeared maternal, happy, but I could see none of that shit was true. She seemed frustrated with this family shit, and I couldn’t say I was surprised.

“What do you do?” I asked once we got into Brian’s makeshift office. It was a typical bedroom, but he’d turned it into a study… well, as much as he could.

“I’m a social worker, but I would like to start my own business.” He opened the decanter and began filling two glasses a quarter of the way.

“What kind?” I took the glass he’d handed over, watching him take a sip.

Naturally, I paid close attention to people—their movements and body language because the shit said a lot more than their fucking mouths did. I could tell from Brian’s current motions that he was gearing up to ask me some shit.

He clenched his teeth at the strong taste as he swallowed before sinking his idle hand into his pocket and answering. “I wanna start a life coach business.”

“Aight.” I nodded, looking around.

“A lot of people don’t take it seriously but it’s helped a lot of people get on the right track. Being in social work, I’ve seen it help all people from all walks of life.”

“I’m sure.” I swirled the amber colored liquor around, watching him pace and explain, reminiscent of a muthafucka trying to get a business loan… which was exactly what he was doing, but I would play the game.

“Don’t you think it’s a good business?”

“Sounds like it.”

“Would you be willing to maybe invest? I could kick you back a percentage and maybe you can fast-track me a loan with the bank?”

“I don’t fast-track loans. But you can definitely apply, and a loan officer will help you from there.” I set the glass on his cheap desk.

I didn’t typically take drinks from people I didn’t know, food either. Only reason I ate the spaghetti was because I watched Nori plate the shit, and though she wasn’t a good mother figure, I couldn’t see her poisoning Blaire, at the least. Not to mention, I couldn’t rid myself of the feeling that she wanted some shit from me, and she couldn’t get it if a nigga was a corpse.

“Your stepfather can’t get a little help?”

“My what?” I frowned, and he seized up a little, showing he was frightened.

“It was a joke. I was kidding.”

“Don’t joke with me, nigga. You don’t know me well enough for that shit.”

“My apologies. I didn’t mean to upset you.” He held his hands up in mock surrender just as Nori entered.

“Upset him? What did you say?” she asked.

“He told me to apply for a loan regularly, and he couldn’t fast-track it, so I wanted to know why his stepfather couldn’t get any help,” Brian explained, and I watched Nori scold him with her eyes, letting me know she was in on this shit, and he had fucked it up with his stupid ass joke.

“Asif,” she came closer to me, “his comment was tasteless, but I think you should help him.”

“I’m sure you do.”

“I mean, yes. How much have you done for Lisara?”

“Nothing compared to all the shit she’s done for me. She had six of her own fucking sons but had no reservations about caring for me when you refused,” I said. “She took care of a nigga, loved me, showed me what it was like to have a fucking mother. That’s some priceless shit, so hell yeah, I’ll give her what she ask for, but it ain’t the same deal for you nor this nigga I just fucking met.”

“What about Blaire?” Nori’s brows furrowed. “This is for her future too!”

“Well tell Blaire when she get older and need something, not to hesitate to hit me, but y’all not getting shit.” I moved around her, leaving the office room. Spotting Blaire in her bedroom since the door was open, I paused. “It was nice meeting you, love. Hopefully I see you in the future.” I patted the doorway.

“Wait.” She jumped down off her bed and rushed up to me. “Bye, brother!” She hugged me tightly, so I rubbed her small back gently before she let me go.

“Asif!” Nori started after me, so I turned to head for the living room so I could exit the home altogether.

Nori was right on my heels, even as I stepped outside onto the driveway.

“I knew you was on some fuck shit.” I chuckled, pressing on to my car as she followed.

“You owe me! I don’t care what that bitch did. I brought you here!”

I ignored her, stepping into the street to get to the driver’s side of my whip.

When she rushed toward my car, I said, “Get yo’ ass in the house ’fore I tell that dweeb ass nigga you tried to fuck my pops recently.”

That halted her steps so quickly you would’ve thought she was suddenly frozen.

Nori watched me angrily as I climbed into my vehicle and sped the fuck off, shaking my damn head. I was never wrong about muthafuckas, but I couldn’t lie; this was one time I wished I was wrong.