Page 37 of Honey's Special Roux

“I’m going right now. Once I finish my blunt, I’m gon’ head to the spot. I need to get it done before I change my mind.”

“Fa sho. You gon’ be straight,” TK prophesied.

“I hope so.”

* * *

“What brings you by, Marq?” Uncle Merlot asked as he puffed his cigar into the air.

“I need to go legit.”

He placed the cigar into the glass ashtray and gave me his undivided attention. “You want out of the cartel?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Sir?” he repeated.

The chuckle of amusement made me frown. “What’s funny?”

“You must be serious. You came in here respectfully and addressed me like a man in power. Usually, it’s Unc this or Merlot that.”

“I didn’t want to create any static. I want out.”

“In by blood, out by blood.”

“I know. I’m prepared to hold my own in a fight.” I rolled my shoulders.

“You almost caused a war and now you want out.”

I nodded. “I want to get serious about my lady. The only way I can guarantee her safety is if I’m no longer in the business. It was an easy choice for me. The cartel gave me a thrill, but Honey gives me everything else. I love her. I’minlove with her.”

“Good shit. Give me twenty minutes to set up the room. You survive six minutes with twenty men, and you will be free to go about your business.”

“Fa sho.”

He picked up his phone and made a few calls. I took this time to call my cousin and step out of his office.

“Hello?” Dayari answered.

“Aye, are you busy?” I inquired.

“Not really. What’s up?”

“I’m doing something that may result in me being unable to drive home. If I pay for an Uber, will you drive me home in about thirty minutes? I’ll pay for the Uber back.”

“What’s going on? Where are you?”

“I’ll tell you when you get here.”

“Okay.” She sighed and hung up the phone. I sent her two hundred to her account and the address to book the Uber. She liked the messages, and I put my phone back in my pocket.

“They’re ready for us. Let’s go down and get this over with.”

I nodded and let my mind wander on the stroll to the room. I’d just gotten most motion back in my shoulder and was ready to get it fucked up again for the sake of my relationship. The look in her eyes when she came back into the hospital room was all I needed to get my shit together.

“Are you okay, baby?” I quizzed when she slipped back into the room.

She shook her head as her lip trembled. “I’m not okay, Marquise.” The crack in her voice broke my heart. The fear, pain, and sadness in her eyes made my lungs tighten. I never wanted her to be afraid of me and what I did. I never wanted to cause her pain, yet it seemed like that was all I had done the last couple of weeks.

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