Page 56 of The Smoke Hour

Smoke kissed my forehead and replied, “When I look into a nigga’s eyes, I can tell when they’ve lost respect for me. I can tell when they see me as their enemy or a threat. In this world, that can be very dangerous. In this world, it becomes life or death. It’s either me or that nigga. I’ma choose me every time, Kaifiya.”

I exhaled deeply.

“What about Terry? Were you behind that? Noel just told me Terry was beaten so badly he had to spend time in the hospital. I think it was all too coincidental that it happened the same night that I told you about what he said to me.”

“I will always protect you, Fiya. You belong to me, and I protect what’s mine. I have no regrets, no apologies, and the next nigga that thinks he’s gonna fuck with you, then I’ll fuck him up too.”

“Damn, Smoke! That shit’s not cool!” I stated and pushed him back from me.

“What you want me to do, Fiya? I ain’t got no fucks in me about that nigga. Told you how I feel, girl. And I’ll do that shit again if I need to.”

“I can’t have you fucking people up who cross me.”

“Why the fuck not?”

“’Cause that shit’s insane!”

“No, it ain’t! It’s my goddamned world, Fiya! If you can’t get with that shit, then maybe you can’t get with me.”

“Maybe I can’t, Smoke,” I replied and hopped off the island.

“Where the fuck you going? Don’t walk away from me.”

“I’m going home!” I shouted over my shoulder and hobbled out of the kitchen.

“How? You didn’t bring your car?”

“I’ll catch an Uber.”

“No, the fuck you won’t at this time of night!” he shouted as he stormed after me.

I grabbed my clothes and was pulling them on when he pulled them back off. I kicked at him and tried to hold onto my jeans, but he wouldn’t let them go until he ripped them straight off my body.

“Fuck, Smoke! I just need to get the fuck away from you right now!” I screamed as I punched the air.

Smoke backed up, and I could see the look of hurt in his eyes. Although it hurt me, I just needed to breathe. There was too much danger and death around him, and it was more than I could take. How the hell did he expect me to overlook the shit I had learned tonight.

He stormed away from me, and I grabbed my bags and gathered the remaining items I had. I threw my same clothes on from earlier since they weren’t ripped. I didn’t give a shit. I just needed to get away from him. I grabbed my phone and pulled up the Uber app when he returned.

“Here, take the Jeep.”

“What?”

“Take the Jeep. I’ll have it picked up tomorrow. Your li’l ass ain’t taking no damn Uber at this time of night, Fiya. I swear you’ll get some niggas fucked up tonight, shawty.”

That was when I saw the piece in his other hand, and I knew he meant business. I thought about all the bloodshed so far, and I took the keys from him.

I stormed out of his house and hopped into the Jeep in the garage. When I pulled away, Smoke stood there bare-chested and barefoot, watching me leave. I could see the hurt on his face. It broke my heart, but I had to get away.

Now, I was headed back to my condo, where I would once again be all alone. I didn’t want to be there alone, but I was more afraid to be with Smoke alone.

Smoke

Eleven Days Later

The bathroom door opened, and I took another puff of my cigar and blew out four rings of smoke into the air.

“What the hell do you want?” Terry thundered at the sight of me behind his desk.

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