Page 89 of Smoke

They shook their heads as they moved to grab Patrick’s legs. He was already squirming and begging.

Jakobi punched him in the gut. “Be the fuck still.”

They secured his legs as I walked over with the hot piece of iron.

“This might hurt a little,” I said before pressing the tool into his flesh.

His screams echoed throughout the space. The smell was horrible, but fuck that. He deserved it.

“One more time.”

I cauterized the other wound, and his screams got louder.

“That wasn’t so bad,” I said, slapping the side of his face.

“You crazy as hell, man,” Jakobi said, shaking his head. You done here? ’Cause I got a lil’ baby waiting on me at her crib.”

“Y’all can go. I appreciate you coming through.”

I slapped hands with him and my brother before watching them leave. Patrick was hanging there, crying his eyes out, and I felt nothing but satisfaction. I stepped closer to him and grabbed his face.

“It didn’t have to come to this,” I said, lowly. “You wanted smoke, so you got Smoke. All you had to do was stop fucking with my lady and let her run her business in peace. You didn’t want to be a father, that’s cool. I’ma do you a solid and raise your little girl. You will never be a thought to her because she’s gonna know exactly who her daddy is, my nigga.” I mushed him, causing his body to sway a little. “Now, I’m gonna leave you here. Let you think about your actions for a few days. When I get back, you’re gonna meet the consequences.”

I walked out of the building, leaving him alone. After all, I had to get back to my lady.

Presently

I pulled up to the warehouse my family owned and put my car in park. Uncle Blake and Roux were already here, waiting and passing a blunt between them. I’d given each of them the lowdown on what had transpired since before I snatched Patrick’s ass up. Grabbing my gun, I exited the car and walked over to them.

“What up, nephew?” Uncle Blake asked, slapping my hand.

“Ain’t shit, Unc.” I pulled Roux into a hug. “How you doing, Roux?”

“I need to let off some steam. Why do you smell like a newborn?”

“I just left the hospital.”

Uncle Blake smirked. “Kaylynn told me how you’ve been acting with that girl.”

“I’m about to fire your daughter. She stays in my business.”

“Nigga, you ain’t exactly discreet about it. Throwing baby showers and shit.”

Roux slapped my arm. “You could have invited me.”

“Hell no. You would have made shit awkward as hell.”

Uncle Blake shook his head. “He didn’t invite me either.”

I waved him off. “I have to give her the family in doses because y’all niggas stay on one. Romi has never been mixed up in this life. Y’all are gonna scare her off.”

My uncle frowned. “The fuck! We ain’t that bad.”

Even Roux gave him a side eye. “Blake, please. I grew up around you with my daddy. Even I know y’all can be a lot.”

“Whatever. Look, can we head on in here? I got some shit to do today.”

“Let’s get to it then.”

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