Page 49 of Dutch

My mind raced as memories flashed by me. Jahlil and I were behind the garage, sneaking kisses. His arms were around me at Malakai's funeral even though he wasn't welcome there, and he caught me at the casket when I thought my legs would give way under me.

"What are you saying, Jahlil?"

"You don't get it, Makari. I loved you, but you went and picked that pretty boy Dutch over me after everything we'd been through."

I had to push down the emotions that threatened to overtake me. "That's not fair. You know it's not that simple."

"Maybe, but it sure felt that way," he conceded, coughing weakly.

I shook my head. "This isn't about us. I need to know what happened to Malakai. I brought the ledger so we can both get on with our lives."

Surprise flickered over his battered face. "You'd do that for me?"

"It's not about you. It's about me getting the peace I need."

"Makari, the ledger. You gotta destroy it now. It's going to get you killed." Jahlil gestured to a lighter on a table nearby.

I eyed the lighter. "Okay, I'll burn it, but I need to know about my brother."

"I'm begging you. If you ever cared about me, do it now!" he pleaded.

I had come to get rid of this thing, but I also expected him to tell me the truth about my brother. I picked up the lighter, but I couldn't let it go that easily.

"Do it, Makari, hurry!"

"Nah, not yet. Before I burn this thing, I need to know about that video of Malakai. Was it real?" I swallowed hard, forcing the word out. "Is my brother alive?"

Jahlil's face contorted in pain. He opened his mouth to speak, but before the words came out, a violent coughing fit hit him. His whole body shook, and I noticed fresh blood seeping from his shirt.

"Shit," I muttered, moving closer to him. "Jahlil, I need to know. Come on."

Each breath was a ragged wheeze as he gasped for air. His coughing wouldn't let up, and I was worried he would choke right there in front of me. My patience was wearing thin, but I was also scared for him.

"Breathe, dammit! You can't check out on me!" I yelled. I was on edge, ready to snap at any moment. I needed to know. "Jahlil, you owe me that much," I noted, softer this time.

Just as I was ready to make another plea, the door crashed open behind me, scaring the shit out of me. My head whipped around.

"Aw, isn't this a touching reunion?"

Fuck, Darian.

He sauntered in like the menace he was as his cold eyes flickered between Jahlil and me.

"Ah, I knew you'd come through, brother."

Now, it made sense why Jahlil wanted me to hurry and burn the ledger.

"You sorry son of a—" I began, but Darian's hands were on me before I could finish. His hands clamped around me like a vise.

I threw an elbow, and it connected, but it was like hitting a brick wall.

"Feisty bitch, you make my dick hard!" Darian chuckled.

I reacted on instinct, trying to twist away, but his grip was too strong. My heart was pounding.

"You bastard, let go of me!" I yelled, channeling my fear into anger.

Darian pulled me closer. "Now, is that any way to speak to a family friend?"

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