Page 5 of Ruger

I was hungry as hell. I refused to burn this man's house down because cooking was never my ministry. I could cook ramen noodles or make a mean sandwich, but he didn't have any of thathere. He had things for a salad, but I needed some meat to go with it.

"Just a few days, Kenz... I was off my meds, so I wasn't thinking clearly. I fucked up."

"I know. I should have known you were when you stormed out without getting the full story."

"I didn't need the full story. The moment you said the nigga touched you inappropriately, it was a done deal. I didn't give a fuck about what else happened."

"Yet now, I'm still being held hostage. Truth is going to fire me. This is my fifth time calling out in two weeks."

"You don't need to be working at that bar, anyway. I told you I got you."

"I'm thirty years old, Ghana. I've allowed life to pass me by relying on you to take care of me while I wasted my twenties doing absolutely nothing and taking care of you. Now look at me: a struggling student working at a strip club as a bottle girl to pay for school."

"I should have pushed you to do better. That's on me. But it's never too late to start your life over, Sis. I'm sorry I got you into this, but you're safe. I promise."

"How can I believe that when the man was being an asshole? He doesn't seem any better than those Blaze assholes!"

"He's way better, Kenz. Just chill for me, a'ight, and stop talking back to him. Ruger ain't the type to just let people annoy him. I know how your mouth can be. Just cool out until he gives me the word that you're good."

"I'm not scared of his ass!"

"Kenzi, just fucking listen for once. Please? I told you to stop hanging out with Nani's ass when she goes around them niggas! She don't have nobody that gives a fuck about her, but you do."

"Okay, damn! I'm bored. I don't have my phone or laptop, and I can't cook! What the hell am I supposed to do until this ends?"

"I'll get your shit from your apartment and give it to Ru."

"Can I at least have some company?" I asked. I felt like a damn child asking permission to have company. This shit was ridiculous.

"No, especially not Nani's ass! Just fucking chill, Kenzi, damn!"

"Have you taken your meds, Ghana?" I had to ask because who was he talking to like that?

"I did! This is just pure frustration because it's my fault that you gotta hide out. I know you ain't feeling it, but it's the way it has to be for now. Ru said someone would be there in an hour to bring you some clothes. I'll send your phone and shit with them."

I sighed deeply. "Fine. You be careful, Ghana. I love you."

"Love you more, man. It's going to be over soon. Trust me."

I hung up and fell back onto the couch. I hated this shit. For a long time, it's just been Ghana and me. We had different fathers and the same mother. My father passed away when I was ten, and once Ghana turned eighteen, my mom ran off with his dad, and we haven't talked to them since. I strongly believed our mother left us because she couldn't handle Ghana's mental health issues anymore. He was diagnosed with impulsive behavior at a young age. He used to spazz a lot when we were kids and tear our house to pieces. It used to scare me how erratic he would become, but as I got older, I was able to calm him and help him through his behaviors. I didn't know what it was about me, but when he saw me, he would slowly but surely calm himself and apologize. He didn't have to be sorry. I understood his brain didn't work like a normal person. When he was on his meds, he was fine, but off them, it was best to stand clear of him.

I hated my mother with a passion. She left me behind for my brother to raise when he was only a kid himself. There was no one there to take him to doctor's appointments when he'd forget to go, and he rarely ever filled his scripts. It was why I never went to college after I graduated from high school. Ghana needed me to be there to keep him calm and make sure he was taking his medicine. I was the little sister taking care of my big brother, but as it stood, I didn't mind. I loved my brother even when the world didn't. Now that we were both grown and in our thirties, I decided to get my shit together, go back to school, and get my doctorate degree. I wanted to be a psychiatrist to help people like my brother, and I couldn't let his world collide with mine. As much as Nani was my girl, I had to stop hanging around her so much, especially after this Niko bullshit.

I stood from the couch and went to go exploring. There was a set of iron stairs to the left of me, so I decided I'd go up to see what was up there first. This loft was huge, and I never knew they came with an upstairs. When I made it to the top, I noticed it was a bedroom. The California king-sized bed sat on a platform, and there were three steps to get on it. There was a dresser, two nightstands, and a ninety-inch TV on the wall over a fireplace. I checked the dressers, and they were empty. Walking ahead, I opened a door and noticed a nice and clean bathroom. I checked the medicine cabinet and saw nothing but a toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, a box of condoms, and a few bars of soap, along with some creams. I closed the cabinet back, walked out of the bathroom, and opened another door to a closet filled with clothes and bath essentials in a small area on the other side. I shuffled through the clothes, pulling a white button-up from the hanger and putting it up to my nose. It smelled heavenly — crisp and clean. I wondered if Ruger lived here. He had to since he had clothes here with food and cabinets stocked.

Grabbing two washcloths, a towel, and body wash, I left the closet and went back to the bathroom to shower. It had been a long day, and being in these clothes since last night was making me itch. Being snatched up and thrown into a dark room with niggas coming in and out, taunting and touching me, drained me. I was going to soak in the tub, get my mind together, then try to find something to eat until my things arrived.

"Where you think you going?"April asked, coming out of the bathroom while I laced my sneakers. I smirked and stood, grabbing my wallet and keys from the nightstand.

"One day, you're going to understand that you don't have any authority over this way. If you keep that shit up, I promise you will never see me again."

"I'm saying, though, Ru. Why you always gotta leave right after? I enjoy having you around for a minute so I won't feel like some prostitute."

Running a hand over my waves, I replied, "April… You are a prostitute."

"Fuck you, Ruger!"

"You just did that, and as always, it was slimy yet satisfying." She glared at me while I tossed on my vest and headed out of her room.

---