Page 2 of Through the Fire

Because I had long arms, I kept her at a distance. Shy Shy squeezed my body tighter and tucked her face in between my shoulder and neck. She knew she’d be in trouble if Kianni found out she called me. She didn’t have to worry, though. The only way I was leaving her in this apartment was if I left in a body bag, and that wasn’t happening.

“I’m not in the mood for this shit, Ki. Get the fuck out my way. She’s coming with me.”

She shook her head. “No, she’s not. I just went to run an errand.”

I mugged her, peeping the smeared red lipstick on her cheeks. Not to mention, she had a slight stumble every time she moved like she was hardly in control of her body. Her eyes were dilated, and she had a hard time focusing. I shook my head. She thought I was stupid. I’d bet my left kidney that her errand involved dick, and she was on her knees sucking it. She disgusted me, and I knew it showed on my face.

“That’s my baby. You can’t just take her.”

“I can do whatever the fuck I want when she’s not being properly cared for. Now, move before you turn me up, and we both know it’ll be bad for everybody in here if I get like that.”

She screamed, pulling her hair. “You get on my fucking nerves. She don’t need saving, I take care of my baby just fine.”

My head jerked back. “Is that why she’s up in the middle of the night, scratching herself until she’s bleeding instead of sleeping?”

Kianni rolled her eyes and propped her hand on her hip. “We both know she got sensitive skin, and nothing works. I went to try finding something to help her.”

I sucked my teeth. “Man, watch out. You swear I was born yesterday.”

I pushed past her despite her beating on my back.

“If you make me drop my baby, I’m putting my foot through that fucking gap. You’re really testing my patience right now. I just worked a double shift, and I don’t have time for this bullshit.” I turned, looking down my nose at her. “Go finish sucking whatever dick paid for that mouth tonight, and don’t worry about my daughter. I got her.”

Kianni called me every name in the book for disrespecting her, but I couldn’t care less. There was nothing that woman could say or do to hurt me. She knew she was wrong for this and was embarrassed that I knew her neglect had no limits. She threatened me with child support while following me to my truck. I used my keys to auto start it before we got there.

I buckled Shy Shy in unphased by the bullshit. Once I made sure she was secure, I placed a kiss on her cheek to comfort her. Cupping her chin I made her a promise.

“It’s going to be okay. Daddy is going to figure out how to help you.”

I kissed her forehead then stepped back, closing her inside. Kianni chased me around the front of my truck showing her damn ass. When she started putting her hands on me again, I snatched her up by the front of her shirt and pushed her into my truck.

“Chill. The. Fuck. Out.” My words were so cold they would cut into flesh. “I don’t give a fuck ’bout nothing coming out of your mouth because we both know you’re not going to do shit. I give you way more than needed to provide for my daughter. But since you can’t take care of her the way she needs, then I’m not giving you shit else. She’s moving in with me.”

Her eyes widened as my words hit her like a ton of bricks. I smirked.

“Yeah, no more shopping sprees, seafood boils, and bottles of Don Julio on me. You know what to do for that cash though.”

I released her with a jerk. She eyed me with a dirty look. I ignored it. I was ready to get far away from her toxic energy. Kianni knew how to bring out the worst version of me. Whenever she went low, I went lower. I learned a long time ago how I had to deal with her. Wasn’t shit about this girl soft. She was a fucking Pitbull in a skirt.

“It’s cool. I’ma send my brother to beat your ass and get what you owe me.”

I chortled, opening the driver’s door. Pulling myself inside, I hung out the door and said, “Albert not going to do shit but die if he scarfs down another Big Mac. Stop fucking playin’ with me before you be up under this bitch.”

I revved the engine for emphasis. I grinned when she went running to the sidewalk. Kianni was all mouth, but I was a man of my word. She knew how far to go with me and what buttons not to press. Tonight was one of those nights I was ready to blow up the world for my Smiley.

Glancing in the rearview mirror, I looked at my baby. She silently watched me with big, innocent, hazel eyes like mine. She deserved better than the toxic relationship she was born into. Despite it, I did my best to be someone she could trust and believe in. I was far from perfect, and my mouth could get a little reckless, but I was going to step for my baby every time. I’d lay down my life and a nigga about her, even her ghetto ass, selfish mother if it came down to it.

Lavender rode on the wind as the door to A Little More Shea burst open. I glanced up from where I sat behind the front counter to find my brother Jayce standing there. I tried to fight my smile seeing the card and bouquet of flowers he had for me.

“Congratulations, Izzy,” he stated proudly.

I stood from my seat, rounding the corner as he approached. I clasped my hands in front of my body fighting back tears.

“Aww. Thank you, brother.” My lips poked out as he handed me the gifts. “These are so pretty.”

I beamed at the yellow roses. I placed them on the counter then opened my arms for a hug. I inhaled his woodsy scent and felt right at home. Something stirred in my chest… Truth was, being away from home was harder than I thought it would be. I needed my village more than anything. No amount of success replaced the truth in my heart.

Being back home receiving hugs from the people I loved most was better currency than any amount of money my business made. We released each other, and he began taking a tour.

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