Page 29 of So I Know it's Real

“Why are you acting like we’re about to hit a lick? It’s a simple pick up.”

“Tell yourself that,” Ishmael replied from the passenger seat. “Every time we deal with Remy, you clown his guards until they’re ready to fight.”

I shrugged. “They need thicker skin. They’re protecting one of the richest men on the West Coast.”

We arrived at Remy’s house right before noon. The property was large enough to house multiple families and had enough guards to protect a politician. I thought the beefed-up security was overkill, but Remy could be slimy, so I understood why he needed coverage.

Security guided us to Remy’s office, where the round man sat with a large smile on his oily face and stacks of money on his desk. No matter how many times I’d been here, I stayed on the defensive.

“Durk!” Remy cheered. “You came in here looking around. Are you looking for Junie?”

I frowned at the suggestion.

“Don’t make that face.” He eyed the ceiling. “You know…I’ve always thought you and my daughter would be a good match. She needs a man who won’t let her run him into the ground.”

“Hell no,” I spat. “She’s your brat.”

Remy let loose a belly-bouncing laugh. “Damn. I can’t even be upset. It’s the truth.” His face went serious. “Shiloh said he was sending someone in his place. I thought it would be Church. I was hoping to talk to him about some people I need...cleaned up.”

Ishmael cleared his throat and stepped forward. “You’ll have to talk to Church about that another time. Tell us why your folks weren’t able to deliver your payment to the spot?”

I studied Remy’s reaction to the question. He knew better than to speak to Ishmael out the side of his neck. The questionswe asked came from Shiloh, and without Shiloh, it would be nearly impossible for Remy to get his product across state lines.

Our exchange with Remy lasted thirty minutes before we were escorted to the exit with briefcases. I may have been a few steps from the door before the sensation of someone burning a hole in the back of my head stopped me in my tracks.

“I know you aren’t leaving without coming to speak to me.”

The rasp in Junie’s voice carried a shiver up my back. All that came to mind was the way she hollered my name the last time we were together. I spun around to see the princess of the Brim clan strutting down a massive staircase. She was as pretty as a model, and her clothes made her appear more conservative than I knew her to be.

“Nah, I wouldn’t do you like that, Junie. I didn’t know you were here.”

“Lies,” she blurted out, pulling on the medallion attached to my chain. “I’m sorry I missed your grand opening. I can’t believe you left the streets for chump change. You’re hustling backward.”

“Whatever. That’s why I invited you. I like my haters to be front and center when I show out.”

She scoffed like the idea was ludicrous. “If you say so. I know you missed me. We both know there isn’t a bitch in the city who looks better on your arm than I do.”

“I beg to differ. We turn up when we’re together, but I can’t fuck with you.” I glanced over my shoulder at Ishmael and Loso. From the front door, they watched us like hawks. “I’m seeing someone right now.”

“Wow. You’re claiming someone?” Her dramatic cackle forced her to stumble back. “Since when? I had your dick inside of me three months ago. Your situation must be new or insignificant.”

“The circumstances don’t matter. I’m telling you I’m straight on what we used to do.” I extended my fist, trying to dap her up, but Junie smacked my hand down.

“I know you aren’t turning me down for the bitch you were with a few Sundays ago. I heard about how you were smiling in her face at The Showdown.”

“What the fuck? You have people watching me?”

“Of course not, but my homegirls were there. They reported back to me and said your girl doesn’t have shit on me, but she’s cute.”

“She’s fucking stunning with or without makeup,” I replied, licking my thumb then swiping it across Junie’s big ass forehead.

“Durk! You’re a fucking asshole! Why would you do that?”

“It’s a warning about what I’ll do to your bloodline if you ever go near her. A clean fucking sweep!” I snarled as I exited the house with my brothers.

Once we were back on the road, Loso and Ishmael discussed the money we collected, and I scrolled through Instagram. I never spent much time on the app, but being able to look at Clover whenever I wanted to heighten my interest.

She’s live.

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