Page 87 of Smoke

“I know that much, but… where do you and your family fit into that?”

“We own most of the city. Most of the important officials are on our payroll, so we can move how we need to move. My father has contracts with several government agencies to take down some of the worst criminals in the underground world.”

“Like… dead or alive?”

“It depends on what and who is asking. They take the credit; we take the payout.”

“You don’t feel bad about ending a life?”

“In this case, no. I’ve never ended the life of someone who didn’t deserve it or had it coming. Make no mistake. I’m not out here nutting the fuck up for nothing. In the city, it’s all about protecting my community, and when I say that shit, I mean people that look like you and me. People like Mr. Luckey that sells those bomb ass catfish sandwiches. People like Ms. Delores at the floral shop or Ms. Jenkins at the bakery. My family’s non-profit puts food in people’s stomach. We supply families with holiday meals and kids with school supplies. There’s a whole store at our headquarters where those in need can come shop for free. So yeah, we might be quote unquote hood vigilantes, but we serve the hood too. That’s always gonna be the case.”

I had to respect his honesty, especially with some of the people he named. I remembered the stories on the news about a group of thugs terrorizing the older business owners in the community. Just as quick as it happened, it was over that fast because the Dillingers stepped in. They really did protect the community, and now one of them was protecting me.

“I trust him, Ma,” I finally said. “He’s done a lot for me without being asked or wanting anything in return.”

She raised her hands in surrender. “Okay, baby.”

We sat in silence for a while. The nurse came to grab Juri so they could run a few tests on her, leaving me and my mom alone. Before long, the door to the room opened, and Devin walked in with a bag of food. I smiled as he approached me and leaned in to kiss my lips. He then moved to my mother for a hug.

“I brought y’all some brunch since somebody barely touched her food this morning,” he said, throwing a glance at me.

“I was anxious to get here,” I defended.

He was reluctant to let me drive today, but he had inventory coming in early this morning, so he didn’t put up too much of a fuss.

“Where is my baby?” he asked so nonchalantly.

The man had fallen in love with Juri so quickly. I thought I was bad about checking the camera when we weren’t here, but every time I watched her, he’d make his way into my space to see her too. Every time he came here, he held her and talked to her. She’d opened her eyes for him several times already, and I was a little jealous because she’d yet to fully open them for me. I guess she wanted to know where that deep ass voice was coming from.

“She had to get some testing,” I answered. “She should be back in a little bit.”

“She doing okay?”

“She’s doing the same as she was when you asked me an hour ago, Devin.”

He gave me a side-eye. “Don’t play with me like that. Get your daughter, Mrs. Mitchell.”

I giggled as he playfully mushed my head. My mother smiled.

“I love that he’s concerned for her,” she said, patting his arm.

“Exactly. I’d hate to have to show my ass in here,” he added as he went to wash up and put on a gown.

I shook my head. “We wouldn’t want that. I thought you had to work today?”

“I only had one training session today after my inventory. Kaylynn can handle the rest. I just stopped in to bring you some food and see baby girl. I have some business to handle today, but I’ll be back.”

Just then, the door opened, and the nurse rolled Juri in with Ms. Allison right behind her. She had the most pitiful, tiny cry, and it broke my heart to hear it.

“She’s a little fussy,” the nurse said, lifting her from her bassinet.

Devin went over and reached for her.

“What’s the matter, mamas?” he asked in the softest voice. “You don’t like being poked and prodded, do you? I know, I know. You good now, though. I got you.”

Her cries slowly subsided. He was so wrapped up in her that he didn’t even speak to his mother. She stood there, looking at him with her hand over her heart.

“I can’t take this,” she said, dabbing her eyes.

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