Page 40 of Back in Blood

Bianca pushed out a defeated sigh. “I’m just saying that everyone deserves grace, Capri. I don’t want to argue with you. He seemed really good with Jaylen.”

“Aight. You can stop talking to me about him. I really don’t care to hear it.” I stared straight ahead at the television that was mounted on the wall.

There were a few moments of uncomfortable silence before Bianca stood up. “I didn’t mean to upset you. I don’t blame you for being mad at daddy, but don’t be mad at me for giving him a chance. If he messes it up, then that’s on me. I’m going to get going.”

“Yeah,” I answered gruffly.

Bianca left, and I rested my head on the pillow. Never in a million years did I think I’d ever come close to forgiving Sintonio, but every time I thought about how close I came to hitting that pregnant woman, I cringed. Had I hit her, I would have hated myself every second of every day. Not me beating myself up, prison, or all the regret in the world would have been able to undo what was done. It was only by the grace of God that I woke up in enough time to avoid hitting her. I still hated Sintonio in a sense, but even if he was released from jail tomorrow, killing him was no longer on my agenda. I was done with it. Torturing him nor killing him was going to bring Caprice back. My baby was gone, and it was something that I would have to live with for the rest of my life.

I could also understand how life’s hardships could cause a person to become addicted to drugs and alcohol. I could most definitely empathize with my father on that, but it wasn’t that easy to forgive years of abuse. He wasn’t even there for my mother like he needed to be when she was sick. All that man cared about was putting alcohol in his mouth. He was an angry and violent drunk, and he made our household a living hell. Bianca could extend open and loving arms to him, but I simply wasn’t ready. I could for sure try to work on myself, but I wouldn’t become perfect overnight. The issues I had with my father would have to be resolved with time if they were ever going to be resolved. And I prayed that he didn’t make Bianca regret giving him another chance. As for me, it was still fuck him.

As soon as I was up to it, I was going to the lab with Lisa and getting a paternity test. If the baby that she was carrying ended up being mine, then I would spend the next few months attempting to heal mentally and physically while preparing to welcome another child into the world. Nothing else mattered.

CHAPTER 22

LISA

When I pulledup at Capri’s house, he was sitting outside on the porch. I had worked, gone home and taken a shower, and I was at his house to bring him food and help him out. He had been out of the hospital for six days, and his healing was coming along nicely. I was tired, but I would only be at his house for an hour and a half or so, and I had the next day off. I was no longer picking up extra shifts. I worked when I was supposed to and nothing more. I had the money from the insurance that Sin and I had on the house, and my savings account looked decent enough for me not to push it with all the overtime.

“Hey,” I walked up on the porch and passed Capri the bag of food I brought him.

“Thank you.”

“How you feel?” I asked surveying him.

“Today has been pretty cool. I’ve only taken pain medication once this morning. I might need something to help me get a good night’s rest, but I’ve been maintaining. What about you?”

“I feel pretty good. My back has been hurting some, but it’s not anything Tylenol can’t handle.”

“Did you eat?”

I nodded. Since Capri decided to stop smoking and drinking, he was much more pleasant to be around. He was less grumpy, and we were talking more and getting to know each other. The times that he wanted to open up and talk about Caprice, I was more than happy to listen. And when he didn’t want to talk about anything too personal, that was fine too.

“I done probably sat here too long. I bet I’m stiff as hell,” he stated as he leaned forward and prepared to stand up.

“You need some help?” I moved closer to him, and he drew back.

“You better not pull on my big ass. I got it.”

I stepped back, and Capri grunted and groan as he stood upright.

“You better not be at work pulling on people either. Tell them to put you on light duty or something,” he fussed.

“Ummhmmm,” I pretended to be listening.

The sound of a car pulling up made me and Capri look in the direction of the driveway. It was dark out, so I couldn’t see who was in the red Camry. The car door opened, and Capri and I were both watching. Robin emerged from the car with a frown on her face. She was wearing sweats, an oversized shirt, and a Gucci scarf was wrapped around her head.

“What is she doing here?” Robin asked Capri with fire blazing in her eyes. “Do you know who she is?”

Capri protectively stood in front of me. “Yes, I know who she is, and she’s pregnant. You better not touch her.” There was warning in Capri’s tone. His words made Robin’s face crumple.

“She’s pregnant?! By who? You?!” she screeched. “Capri please don’t tell me you got this bitch pregnant,” she cried. “Please don’t tell me that shit.”

“Why are you here? You need to leave.”

“You a bitch ass nigga! You really fucked the opps and got her pregnant!” Robin raised her fist as if she was going to hit Capri, and he grabbed her wrist roughly.

“It’s barely been two weeks since I was in a bad ass accident, and I’m still sore. If you hit me, I won’t be responsible for what the fuck I do to you. Lisa is pregnant. She didn’t do anything to you or me, and she can’t help what her ex did. You and I have been over for months. Please get the fuck off my porch.” Capri’s tone was low and calm, but it was also filled with malice.

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