Page 5 of Smoke

Renay sighed. “I get it, baby, I really do. But a gun? Romi, you don’t know shit about guns.”

“That’s why I’m taking a training class.”

“Where? Maybe I’ll go with you.”

“You can’t. He’s offered it to me for free after I had a whole fucking breakdown in front of him.”

“Who is him?”

“His name is Devin. He ownsSmoke’sdowntown.”

“Devin… Devin Dillinger?”

“I didn’t ask his last name.”

“What does he look like?”

“What does it matter?—”

“Romi! He might be who I think he is, so answer the question.”

I sighed and crossed my arms as I leaned against the car. “He’s a medium brown complexion. Brown eyes. Full lips. He’s big but not like fat. Big like built, slightly stocky but not in abodybuilder kind of way. High-top curly fade. A thick beard and mustache combo… oh! He has tattoo sleeves on his arms. I think one of them said something about revenge and justice. I can’t remember.”

“That’s Smoke Dillinger, well, Devin Dillinger.”

“Like theDillingerDillingers?”

“Yes, girl. Oh, I have to go now. That man is fine as hell. Shit, the whole damn family is fine. Well, at least the ones I’ve seen.” I need me one of them.”

“They are dangerous!”

“Even better. You’ll be getting a lesson from a nigga that’s trained to go.”

“Now you have me nervous, Renay.”

“Girl, don’t be scared. That big, fine ass nigga is gonna get you right. Girl, you need to flirt a little bit and let that man fall in love so he can protect you.”

I rolled my eyes. “You do the most. First of all, I’m pregnant.”

“So. Pregnant pussy is good, and niggas love to be stepdaddies.”

I shook my head, not bothering to dignify that with a response. I pushed off from the car and made my way up to the house with her following behind me, laughing. The moment I stepped inside, my baby ran up to hug me.

“Mommy!”

“Hey, baby! Mommy missed you.”

Even though I visited her every day before I went home, I missed her terribly. I’d been with her almost every day since she’d been born. Being away from her was killing me.

“I missed you too. How is my baby sister?”

“She’s good. She’s been active today. I can feel the little flutters.”

Taking her hand, I placed it on my stomach and felt around until a flutter appeared. Her eyes widened and so did her smile.

“Hi, Juri! I can’t wait to meet her, Mommy.”

“Me either, baby. Did you have a good day at school?”

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