Page 64 of Smoke

“Are you hanging out with us today?” she asked.

“I can’t. Besides, I don’t want to interrupt your fun time with mommy and auntie. Maybe we can hang out another day and do something fun. What do you like to do?”

She started naming things on her fingers. “Paint, play games, listen to music… ooo! I like Legos!”

“Really? I have a sister that loves Legos. She has a whole basement full of them.”

Korri’s eyes widened. “Really! Can I play with her? Is she my age?”

Devin chuckled. “She’s twenty-six.”

Korri gasped. “Isn’t she too big to play with Legos?”

“Not at all, lil’ bit. It makes her happy, and you should always do what makes you happy, no matter how old you are.”

“I guess you’re right. You think she’ll play Legos with me?”

He chuckled. “I’m sure she would. Maybe one of these days I’ll introduce you to her. Until then…” He pulled his wallet from his pocket. He fished out a hundred-dollar bill and handed it to Korri, who stood there wide-eyed. “Why don’t you buy yourself a new Lego set.”

She gasped. “You mean it?” she asked, looking up at me.

“Of course I mean it.”

“Thank you!”

“You’re welcome.”

She threw her arms around Devin’s neck in a hug before running off to show my sister. I shook my head as he stood to his feet.

“You really didn’t have to do that, Devin,” I said softly.

“I know. Make sure she gets her Legos.”

“I will. Let me walk you out.”

He reached for my hand. “It was nice to officially meet you, Renay. Good to see you again, Korri.”

Renay and Korri smiled and waved as we headed for the front door. Stepping onto the front porch, he slipped an arm around my waist and pulled me into him as far as my belly would let him.

“I enjoyed having you here,” I said, peering up at him. “I felt safe.”

“You’llbesafe soon.”

“What does that?—”

“Don’t ask questions you really don’t want the answer to, love. At this point, just believe whatever grimy shit you’ve heard about my family when it comes to niggas like him. I’m gonna take care of it.”

I didn’t know what to say. I’d heard plenty of things about the Dillingers and their… illegal activities. I’d heard the lengths they’d go to protect those that needed protection. It wasn’t asecret, and I knew they had to hold major weight in the city to walk around like they do.

“Hey,” Devin said, cupping my chin. “I got this shit. I got you. Don’t worry.” He pressed his lips to mine a few times before stepping back. He pulled out his wallet once again and handed me three hundred-dollar bills. “I gotta go, but breakfast is on me. Share your location with me so I can keep an eye on you. Have fun today.” He gave my stomach a gentle rub. “Don’t give your mama a hard time.”

I smiled softly as I watched him walk to his car. Once he was gone, I went back inside, only to run smack into my sister who wore the biggest grin on her face.

“Were you watching us?”

“Sure was. Sissy, y’all are too cute together.”

I rolled my eyes. “Where is Korri?”

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