Page 38 of Honey's Special Roux

“I have to go home. I can’t be here with you tonight.”

“What…” The pain in my voice betrayed me.

“I can’t sleep next to you, knowing what you’ve done. This might not be new, but it’s new to me. To know there are literal kids who no longer get to roam the earth because you took it upon yourself to end their…” She covered her mouth and sobbed.

“Man, you knew what the fuck I did before you got with me. I told you people die around me. Don’t make me out to be the villain when your little hot in the twat ass was a willing participant of this relationship back in the day.”

“Really, Marquise?”

“Really, Honey.”

“Text me when they let you out.” She grabbed her purse.

“You not gon’ gimme a goodbye kiss, a hug, nothing?”

“No. I can’t.”

Watching her retreating body leave me alone in the hospital room hurt me deep in my soul. If I wanted to keep her in my life, I had to get out of the streets. I had to.

When we entered the room, the stench of old blood filled my sense of smell. The raggedy walls and stained concrete floors held an eerie vibe. This room was where men went to die. I prayed to a God I’d only recently created a relationship with—thanks to my lady. I prayed to see the sun rise tomorrow. I prayed to see Honey’s smile one more time.

“Marquise Kent would like to call it quits in the Merlot Cartel. My nephew said he’s ready to go legit. I live and die by the code of ethics, and rule number one was very clear.In by blood, out by blood.Today, we put his strength to the test. Today, we see if he’s really got that dawg in him. Twenty of my most loyal workers against my only living relative. May God have mercy on your soul, boy.”

Merlot stepped to the side as the men created a tight circle around me. He set a timer and let them loose. My heart lurched against my rib cage. My plan was to fight my way to a wall. I wanted to have my back against the wall to limit the amount of exposed weak points I gave them. I could kick and punch and hold my own until the timer went off as long as my body never hit the floor.

The circle slowly closed in on me. Men who I’d trained and hit licks with were ready to knock my head off my shoulders. The cartel was supposed to be a brotherhood, but these men were only loyal to the money.

Fists and feet flew from every direction. They’d underestimated me, though. I was a crazy ass nigga who loved the thrill of fighting. I held my own and got my back against the wall. It was over for these niggas. I was throwing sleepers in every direction. Men were dropping like flies. One of them caught me in my jaw, though. I spit blood in one of their faces and kicked another in the dick. Weren’t no rules to this fighting shit. Another one jabbed me in my eye, and it made me pause for a moment. With my vision no longer an asset, I closed my eyes and let my natural instincts keep me off the ground. Pure adrenaline fueled each jab of my fists and each kick of my legs and feet.

“Bitch ass nigga,” I growled as I caught one nigga by the neck and used him as a shield. I had him in a tight chokehold until he went unconscious. I could tell he wouldn’t see tomorrow, whoever he was.

The timer went off, but I continued to fight.

“Enough.” Merlot’s voice was even and held an authority that took decades to create.

Everyone stilled in their place. It was like we had done the mannequin challenge because of the way my fists froze mid swing. After a few moments of silence, I released my stance and staggered back to the wall. I used the concrete structure to keep me afloat. I rubbed my good eye and adjusted to the blurriness in the bad one as I took in the damage done. Of the twenty men who started the fight, only five were still standing.

“You survived. Congratulations. You are no longer a member of the Merlot Cartel.” Merlot extended his hand out to me.

I shook it. “Are we done for good? I got to cut communication with you?”

He shrugged. “Only time will tell. For now, it would be best to create some distance between us.”

“Fa sho. Take it easy, Unc.”

“Same to you.”

As I limped out of the room, I felt a sense of pride at what I’d done. Against all odds, I’d successfully left a cartel. Honey had to know I did this shit for us. Honey had to know I was all about her and nobody else.

“Shake your ass,bitch! You’re a big fuckin’ deal!” Jenifer hyped me up.

I stood up from my chair and did a cute little wiggle with my booty. I shook my legs, which created a ripple effect on my ass. In the long sun dress I wore, it moved like Jell-O.

We’d knocked down one mimosa tower and were working on the second. The berry drink had me feeling great, to say the least. I reclaimed my seat and finished the cold beverage in my cup before I refilled it and took a bite of my honey glazed chicken wing on top of fluffy, thick waffles.

“One thing about Houston, they know how to do a brunch.” Jenifer took a sip of her mimosa.

“Facts! Girl, I’m so drunk.”

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