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I instantly felt that ache in my chest, a wound that would never be healed.

"Malakai's dead, so whatever bullshit you're mixed up with, leave me out of it!"

Jahlil's fingers grazed my arm as he reached out, but I jerked away at his touch.

"I've always been honest with you but believe what you want." He shrugged.

"Honest, like when you told me Malakai would be safe!" I bitterly shot back.

"I'm not here to rehash the past."

"Why are you here, then?" I demanded.

"Something's going down. Something big, and I believe Malakai was involved. He had a ledger that I need to get from you."

"Don't! Malakai's been gone for three years. Whatever shit you're cooking up has nothing to do with my brother. I don't have any ledger, Jahlil."

Jahlil shook his head as a humorless chuckle left his mouth. "You always were too smart for my liking, just like Malakai. Let this be a reminder that although you haven't heard from me, it doesn't mean you're untouchable."

"Are you threatening me?" I asked.

"Nah." He chuckled, thumbing his nose. "Consider it a warning."

I watched him leave my shop, and his words filled the air long after he was gone. His bike roared into the dark, disappearing around the block. What did Jahlil know about Malakai's death that I didn't, and why bring it up now, after all these years?

My hands trembled as I locked the door. His scent lingered, making my emotions coil. I paced the floor, remembering the last time I saw my brother alive. I'd tried to make peace with his loss, but here was Jahlil with his cryptic warning opening old wounds.

"Damn it, Malakai, why did you have to get yourself killed?" I muttered, slamming my hand on the countertop.

With my head in my hands, I dropped into a chair at my workstation. I spent the last three years recovering and buildinga quiet life for myself, yet just like that, my world tumbled upside down, and I didn't know what to do with myself.

"Ugh, what the hell am I supposed to do?" I questioned out loud, my voice breaking.

I pushed myself up to finish cleaning when a folded piece of paper on the counter caught my eye. My hand trembled as I reached for it. I grabbed it and unfolded the paper.

You're next.

I gripped the counter as air rushed out of my lungs.What the fuck?

Jahlil's visit and the note had to be connected, but I couldn't understand why. I smoothed out the note and read it again. It had to be a clue. They wanted me to be afraid, so I would do the opposite. I tucked the note into my pocket and finished cleaning.

I walked around the shop, unplugging tools and ensuring everything was in its correct place before turning off the stereo and lights and grabbing my jacket. I locked up and headed down the well-lit street.

This was a popular street where people frequented the shops and local restaurants, so I wasn't scared, but I was cold. I pulled my jacket close and zipped it to shield myself from the night air. I wanted to piece together the clues of this evening's events, but I also wanted to forget about them.

I couldn't waitto talk to Tiya about my crazy ass day as I approached my apartment building. I entered inside and checked my empty mailbox before heading down the hall. I knocked on Tiya's door. She was my best friend who just so happened to live in the same apartment building as me.

"Hey girl, ooh, you got it smelling good in here," I declared when she opened the door. Tiya swung the door open and smiled, but her eyes didn't offer the same sentiment.

"Damn, Makari, why are you looking so uptight?" she asked, moving aside to usher me into her home. "You good?"

"Wow, it's written all over my face, huh?" I asked. "Yeah, you're not going to believe what happened to me today!"

Inside, home-cooked food wrapped me like a warm hug, helping to lift the tension in my shoulders a bit. I removed my jacket and went to the kitchen to wash my hands, a habit that remained with me after the pandemic.

"Here, you look like you could use this," Tiya said, handing me a glass of wine.

I followed her back to the living room. "That's the understatement of the year," I muttered, taking a huge gulp, needing the red wine to soothe my frazzled nerves.

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