Page 85 of Smoke

“My bad, cuzzo. These niggas got my trigger finger happy. Grab this bitch so we can be out.”

Steel unzipped his backpack and pulled out the chloroform and a cloth. After dousing the cloth with the substance, he went over and placed it over Patrick’s nose and mouth. He tried to fight it, but Jakobi shot him in both kneecaps, sending him to the floor. His fight slowly ended as his body went limp, and his eyes drifted closed.

While my brother and cousin lifted him from the floor, I grabbed the stacks of money and tossed them in the duffel bag before following them upstairs. Just as we made it to the back door, the cleanup crew was pulling in. I gave them a head nod as I opened my trunk, and Patrick’s body was tossed in.

“You need us to follow you?” Steel asked.

“Yeah. I’m taking him to the spot. I’ll get back to him in a few days.”

Steel chuckled. “A few days?”

“I have a kid to tend to, nigga.”

He shook his head. “Ok, Big Papa. Let’s get the shit show started.”

We slapped hands before parting ways. I spoke with the cleanup crew briefly about confiscating the drugs and bringing them to my uncle, before hopping in my car. Patrick LaStrange had no idea what I had in store for him. Sure, my uncle and Roux wanted to see him, but first, I was gonna have a little fun.

“Areyou sure you can handle things, Danielle?” I asked, pulling into the parking lot.

“I’m sure, Romi. I don’t know where Laurel’s ass is, but you know I’ve got you covered.”

I sighed. Danielle had called to check in and ended up telling me that Laurel hadn’t been to work in days and that she was basically scheduling clients herself. My suspicions of her were growing by the minute.

“I hate to take you away from your clients,” I finally said.

She kissed her teeth. “Didn’t I start out as your receptionist while I was in school? I’ve got this. Laurel is in the wind somewhere, probably running after some nigga. You’re on maternity leave, and we still have a business to run. You’re a wonderful boss, Romi. Any of us here would be happy to step in and help where we can until you get back. Just focus on little mama and leave the rest to your capable staff, okay?”

I sighed. “Okay. Thank you again.”

“You don’t have to thank me. Besides…” she giggled, “your Big Daddy has already come in here and laid down the law.”

“Say what now?”

“You know who I’m talking about. By the way, we are gonna have a conversation about how you pulled Smoke Dillinger, belly and all. You’re a bad bitch, boss lady.”

I rolled my eyes and stifled a laugh. “I cannot with you.”

“Whatever you’re doing, keep doing it. He came in here this morning when we opened and called a team meeting. That man promised each of us a ten-thousand-dollar bonus if we keep shit running smooth the entire time you’re out. I need my coins, so you better believe I’m keeping the girls in line.”

What was I going to do with this man?

“Well, I trust you all, so happy spending. Just don’t call out of work on me.”

“Never! I do my baldheaded activities on the weekends.”

“Bye, Danielle.”

She laughed. “Love you! Kiss that baby for me!”

“I will.”

I hung up and shut off the car. The last thing I was expecting to hear was Laurel being missing in action. I was upset that nobody called to tell me anything, but I understood why they didn’t. I had enough on my plate, and I couldn’t be worried about the woman I suspected was in this shit with Patrick.

I was, however, worried about what could be going on at the shop during the late hours. With me being out of commission, Patrick had free range to do whatever he wanted in my basement. Devin told me he was keeping tabs on him, but he hadn’t told me anything else. I suspected that there was more to the story, considering he snuck out of bed at two in the morning the night I was discharged.

I’d awakened to go to the bathroom, and he was gone. I’d lain awake for two hours, terrified to go back to sleep because I was home alone. When he finally came back in, I was so relieved that I didn’t say anything. I’d pretended to be asleep when he walked into my bedroom. I’d listened to him take another shower before climbing back into bed with me and going to sleep.

That moment lived rent free in my head. I wanted to ask so bad where he’d been, but I decided against it.

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