Page 10 of Kairo

“I said what the fuck I said,” he roared. “Next time you’ll consider thinking with what’s in your head and not what’s between your legs.”

I gasped. My father had been pissed with me before but for him to say something like that stunned me.

“Dad—”

He shot me a look that let me know he was no longer debating his choice. He looked at Conqueror. “Pick a room.”

It wasfive o’clock in the morning and I laid in a bed that didn’t belong to me. After Prez came in and made his demands, I opted for the bedroom downstairs instead of any upstairs because that was where Junebug slept. When I agreed to be Junebug’s bodyguard, I didn’t sign up to live with her. I tossed and turned all night because I couldn’t sleep in unknown territory. The more I tossed and turned, the more I visualized Junebug tied up and almost murdered. She didn’t let them see her sweat, though, but I couldn’t help but notice the fear in her.

Junie’s chest rose rapidly, and her eyes shifted all over the room. No one else in the room would’ve realized that because I was sure they couldn’t spot fear. However, I noticed it as soon as I laid eyes on her. To have Prez question us after all she had been through didn’t sit right with me. This man showed his true colors to me in different scenarios repeatedly. The people around him feared him because they allowed him to get away with the dirty shit he would do.

My phone pinged, letting me know I had a text. I read the message before letting out an irritated sigh. I stood from the bed and made my way out onto the front porch. I made sure I was quiet while making my way outside. I didn’t want to alertJunebug. Finally outside, I dialed the number. A few seconds later, he picked up the phone.

“C, what’s up?”

“Not shit, Unc. What’s up with you?”

I sat in the chair on the porch. The sun slowly rose, and the birds chirped loudly. Some would think this was peaceful, but for me, it wasn’t. I knew what this phone call was about to be about, and it had nothing to do with peace.

“You good?” my uncle Jap asked.

I nodded as if he could see me. “I’m straight. Just a little tired. I ain’t get much sleep last night.”

My Uncle Jap, or Unc, was my daddy’s older brother. He was a no-nonsense type of person, who ruled everything in his life with an iron fist. He didn’t believe in second chances. Once a person fucked up with him, they were dead to him—literally.

He chuckled. I rubbed my temple because I knew that laugh. It wasn’t a laugh because he thought what I said was funny. It was a laugh letting anyone know he didn’t find shit amusing. Unc was always on demon time.

“What happened last night?”

I sighed then gave him the rundown. I began from the meeting to me now sitting on the porch. He was quiet for a few seconds after I wrapped up the details.

“This too much for you?” he asked.

“What?”

“This job. Is this job too much for you?”

“Nah, shit went left last night. I was on the scene though. It wasn’t anything. She ain’t salty about shit. I’m staying in her house twenty-four seven now. If they ain’t trust me or were suspicious of me, I don’t think her father would’ve demanded I stay here.”

“The same father that got his daughter wrapped up in this lifestyle?”

Unc had a point, but I didn’t see any signs of them not trusting me. I made sure that Junebug was safe last night. Hell, I even killed someone to let her know I had her back. If she hadn’t called Junior, I would’ve done what he did in a matter of seconds.

“Everything cool. I just got to keep my head on a better swivel.”

He sighed. “Agreed. Your father would’ve had a fit knowing some shit went down like that.”

My jaw tightened at the mention of my father. My father was a mini version of Unc. The only difference was that my father had a heart. When it came to his family, he kept us away from anything violent or criminal. It was like night and day with him. He was a family man by day and a monster by night. I didn’t find that out until he died. The devastation of thinking my father was one way and then finding out he was another way when he died did a number on me and my mother.

Never in a million years did we think he was wrapped up in some of the shit that he was in. My father was a sensitive topic. It annoyed me when people would throw his name into the conversation. Everyone didn’t know the Kumar that I knew. My father was home every day for dinner. He never missed a game, nor an award ceremony. He loved my mother out loud. Any time he returned home, he had flowers for her and kisses. He kept her iced out in the finest jewelry and clothes. There was nothing he didn’t do for us.

“My father wouldn’t even have me in this shit if he was still here,” I said through gritted teeth.

Unc laughed. “Just like your father, you mouthy, and think you know it all. I told him not to keep you sheltered from this lifestyle, but nah, he wanted to coddle you. Now look at the mess you’re in. I knew eventually you would find your way. Just didn’t know it took my brother dying for you to end up here.”

I sighed. “Anything else, Unc?”

I had a love-hate relationship with Uncle Jap. He thought his tough love was successful. At times, it was beneficial, but there were days I wanted distance from him. I grew up knowing him but not spending time together. Now that my father died, he felt the need to act as a father figure for me, even though I was a grown ass man.

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