Page 15 of Bullet

I shook my head because that nigga was an embarrassment. "From what Crystal told me, he called her a mutt, and he doesn't want nothing to do with her."

"Fuck, Melvin!" my mama shouted and shrieked right after. "I'm so sorry, baby girl. Grandma said a bad word. Don't say that word, okay?" she asked in a sweet voice before tickling Clear.

"Okay, Grandma," Clear expressed through her laughter.

"Good girl," Mama replied.

"If it weren't for these deals that we're trying to secure, I'd blow his brains out myself. As soon as we're in the green zone, he's going to be dealt with. You can believe that," Pops insisted.

"Like I need anybody tellin' me of people that. Clear, and those deals are why he's still breathing. Until then, I have more to say. Let's take a seat." I placed Clear in a chair next to me, and my parents took the other seats across from us.

Just as I was about to speak, Chef Haskins pushed in a cart with our meal. We dapped each other up before he placed all the dishes on the table before strolling away.

"What's on your mind, son?" Mama probed. She stood and grabbed Clear's plate, taking her time to add everything she wanted.

"After the deals are squared away and Crystal handles what she needs to with her grandpa, I'm going back to Arizona withthem. This is my second chance, and I won't miss out again. You all know I've been in love with her since I was a teenager. She's had and raised our child these last four-and-a-half years all by herself. There won't be another year where she has to do that. Now, I'll still run my position and fly into town when I need to, but y'all, this is a move I have to make. Nobody can talk me out of it."

My pops exhaled and nodded. "Out of all my sons, you have always been the most focused and headstrong. Anytime you set your mind to something, you've always followed through with it. That's why I know you will succeed at being a great father. From the look on Clear's little face, I can tell she loves you already."

"She does. That's all Crystal's doing. She talks to Clear about me. There are even pictures of me in her room because she wanted her to know what I looked like. Crystal is a phenomenal woman and an even better mother. I plan to go wherever she goes. She's the gravity to my earth, and no way am I going to give her up."

Mama smiled. "Spoken like a true hopeless romantic. You get that from your daddy, too. I'm going to miss you so much, son, but you're a man, and you have a family to lead. We've raised y'all, and Crystal's parents have done the same. It's time for you two to do the same. I love you, and I know marriage should be on the menu because Crystal deserves a better title than baby mama."

I smirked. "Thank y'all for the blessing. You know me all too well, Mama. That was my last reason for stopping by. I want you all to put me in contact with the family jeweler. I'm shopping for engagement and wedding rings."

Pops nodded with a big grin. "Good sh- I mean good stuff, son. I know we never told you this before, but we have always liked Crystal. She's a good girl in a messed-up family. You don't need it, but I give you my blessing, anyway."

I stood and hugged both of my parents. It felt good to have their blessings and support. I knew they would be slightly worried, but because of the kind of people they were, I knew they would accept Clear with open arms. We said grace before diving into our food. Man, could Clear clean a plate. Apparently, my baby girl didn't play when it came to food. She was every bit of her mama. Once lunch was over, I promised to stop by again soon with Clear. I got the information for our jeweler and left the compound.

Clear and I pulled up and parked in front of my MC. I climbed out and grabbed onto her. She drifted in and out of sleep as I strolled to the door. I entered the code in our pin pad, and the door unlocked.

When we entered, the music was up loud, but it didn't blast from the speakers. Our crew of decorators got the place ready. Tonight was our annual line dance event, and we always expected more people than the year before because it was a night of pure fun amongst my brothers-in-arms. My brothers sat at a table, talking and laughing until they saw me.

"Bullet, whose got damn baby you walkin' around with?" Crome questioned with furrowed brows.

I laughed and took the seat between Armor and Woady. "Brothers, this is your niece, Clear. Crystal's back in town, and I have a daughter."

"Yo' ass is dumb. You just gon' believe her and not get a test, my boy?" Armor probed.

I looked at him, holding in the growl I really wanted to release. "Armor, I don't need a test. She's been gone for over four years. Clear is four. Crystal was already pregnant when sheleft, but neither of us knew it. Y'all know the way she and I were locked in. This ain't another nigga's baby but mine. She's got my eyes and nose. Thank God she's got her mama looks." I chuckled and looked down at a sleeping Clear.

"If you're one hundred percent sure about this, then I believe you," Woady stated.

"Me too," Crome joined in. "Wake up the little sleeping beauty so I can meet my niece."

"Thanks, brothers. I appreciate that." I looked at Armor. "Speak your mind."

Armor exhaled. "I don't like it. Our families were never meant to mix. That's how it's always been, and that's how it's going to stay in my book. I can't be a part of this."

I nodded. "You got every right to feel that way but let me tell you something. If you deny my daughter now, there will never be another chance for you to come into my life. That goes for anybody else that feels like you, including her bitch ass grandpa."

"What do you mean by that?" Woady probed.

"Melvin doesn't agree with it either. He called my child a mutt. A fuckin' dog."

"That shit got me hot. I can't listen to shit else. That nigga's got me trigger happy, and it's still daylight out," Woady fumed with a mug on his cinnamon-colored face.

Crome set down his bottled beer. "That's some fucked up shit to say about any child. He gon' regret he said that shit," Crome warned with a faraway look in his eyes.

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