Page 34 of Bully

“I’m not sure. He didn’t tell me his name.”

Gritting my teeth, I released what I needed to be a calming breath as I headed out of the bar. Without even knowing what was going on, Asylum, Merc, Beethoven, Karrington, and Aspen followed.

“Listen to me carefully. The man you’re with is Rocco. The one I was working for.” I paused and gave her time to process what I was saying. “Play the game so you and Innah will be safe, but donotget in that car with him. I’m about to call my connect with MPD so they can send the closest unit to your location.”

She cleared her throat. “O-okay, bae. We’ll be fine. Like I said, this nice man is helping us. You enjoy your time with your mom.”

Relief filled me at how calm she sounded. “I love you, Angel. I’ll see you soon.”

“I love you too.”

After disconnecting the call, I went to her contact ID and sent her location to Graham. I called him and told him the situation and he confirmed he would have dispatch send someone out on my behalf.

“What the hell is going on?” Asylum asked once we were all out by our cars.

I ran down the situation to them, and as soon as I was done Karrington asked, “Has he reached out to you since you’ve been back?”

With a sigh, I ran my hand down my face. “Yeah, but I told him we had nothing to talk about and not to call me.”

“Clearly this is his way of trying to get your attention,” Merc declared.

“Well he got it, and he gon’ get these bullets too,” I replied.

“Wait, brother,” Karrington said, gripping my arm and keeping me from getting in the car. “I know you’re upset and you’re ready to go in guns blazing, so I’ll think for you. You need to be logical and have a clear plan.”

“The plan is to go get my fucking girls,” I snarled, jerking my arm away from him as a scowl covered my face.

“Look, we let you handle this shit your way the first time and look what happened,” Beethoven said, standing in front of the door so I couldn’t get in.

“That mane just took nine months of your life,” Asylum said. “I’m willing to bet he’s trying to use you again.”

“Going after him won’t make him stop. It will only make shit worse,” Merc reasoned.

“Now you know we all for shooting a nigga and protecting our own, but this ain’t the way,” Beethoven said.

Sighing, I felt my anger slowly start to release. “Then what do y’all suggest?”

“Let’s let MPD get them home,” Karrington started, “and I will set up a sit down with him on your behalf. Let me get you out of this, brother.”

My head shook adamantly as I pushed Beethoven out of the way so I could get inside.

“I know that’s your pride, but don’t let it fuck you up,” Merc said. “Ain’t no shame in letting Karrington move on your behalf. We brothers and we look out for each other.”

Fuck.

That was true.

“Let me do this for you,” Karrington pleaded softly.

My nostrils flared as I released a shaky breath. Nodding, I squeezed the bridge of my nose. “Aight. Let’s do it.”

* * *

4:00 AM

I staredat the made bed. Neither me nor Innvy had been in it. Thankfully, she and Innah got that police escort before Rocco and PJ tried to force them in the car. Karrington had set up the sit down with Rocco, and now I had to wait. That anxiousness was what kept me up, and I was sure Innvy felt the same way. She kept assuring me that she was okay but I felt like shit. I promised her my situation with Rocco wouldn’t affect them and it had.

Making my way out of our room, I headed to Innah’s room and checked in on her. She was still sleeping, so I searched the rest of the house and found Innvy standing by the island in the kitchen. A wine glass and bottle were in front of her as she stared blankly into the distance. When I wrapped my arms around her she jumped but instantly relaxed.

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