Page 50 of Rhodes to Love

I realized he wasn’t using names, but I got the gist of what he was saying. Trouble and Ryan got into it and that nigga was gonna try to take Ryan out. He must’ve forgotten who he was dealing with. My pops was the shit, but against the power and respect Ryan had, he was nothing. He wasn’t upset about that either. He knew his place. Trouble’s problem was that he wanted that same respect and couldn’t get it. I didn’t think anyone would.

“Yep. He’s a smart man. That’s why them niggas can’t do nothing with his ass.”

I chuckled. “So I’m good?”

“Yep. It’s done.”

I released a sigh that came from my soul. I owed these men my life. “Okay. Well, one day soon, we have to hook up.”

“That we do. We have to welcome you and your lady to the crew.”

“That’s what’s up. See y’all this weekend?”

“Yep.”

“A’ight, my nigga.”

I ended the call and got in the truck with Karima. She had a permanent smile on her face it seemed, but I knew it wouldn’t last long. We were about to head back to Nome to go see her cousin. I smiled at her and grabbed her hand. “Sorry it took me so long. I was on the phone with Ali. I’m clear. No more protection needed.”

“Really? That’s great, baby. Although you didn’t say so, I know you were worried about it.”

“I really was, but you already have a lot on your plate. Not to mention, you have another appointment next week, right?”

“Yes, but I never have too much on my plate to where I can’t see to you and your needs, baby. Something will get pushed off before I ignore you.”

I leaned over and said, “Bring yo’ pretty ass lips here, baby.”

She giggled and kissed me, then we headed to her uncle Marcus’s house. We talked about random things on the ten-minute drive there, from the baby to our future. There were no secrets or surprise conversations between the two of us. Ever since my fuck up, there hadn’t been a lapse in communication. She knew that I wanted to spend the rest of my life with her, just like I knew she wanted to be married. There was no way I would allow Roselynn to be born before I locked her down. She wanted to be married before having a baby, and she would get that.

When we got to her uncle’s house, cars were everywhere. I could see the tremble course through her body then her eyes closed. I didn’t know if God was speaking to her or if she was just trying to calm down. I remained still until she reopened her eyes. “You good, KD?”

“Yes,” she said then gave me a tight smile.

I never wanted to interrupt her communion with God, so that was why I waited for her to reopen her eyes. I got out to help her out of the truck and saw a few of her cousins on the porch smoking. After helping her out, I noticed they’d put their weed out. She took a deep breath and walked toward the porch. I fell in behind her, resting my hand at the small of her back.

“Hey, y’all,” she said as she got to the porch.

They all spoke and began hugging her individually. She turned to me and said, “Rhodes, this is Ryder J, Aunt Tiff’s son; SS, Uncle Storm’s son; Royal and Crew, Uncle Jasper’s sons, and PJ, Uncle Philly’s son.”

They all shook my hand as I nodded at each one of them. She said, “This is my?—”

“Baby daddy,” SS said then laughed. She gave him the side-eye, and he said, “Chill out. I’m just fucking wit’chu. We know who that nigga is to you, cuz.”

I slowly shook my head. He was definitely Storm’s son. She pushed him in the head as we headed inside. There were people everywhere. The ones we didn’t get a chance to see earlier came and greeted us. Karima made her way to the kitchen, and I swore I thought she was about to eat again. Before I could say anything, I saw a guy stand. He had to be Ace.

She went to him and hugged him tightly as his face reddened somewhat. He wasn’t as light skinned as his father, who was seated next to him, but I could truly see the resemblance. It didn’t help they both had grills and long hair. When she released him, he gave me a head nod and a handshake as she hugged her uncle. I shook his hand as well, then we all sat at the table.

“Ace, I’m not going to ask how you’re doing. I can only imagine the turmoil you’re in. I just want to say thank you for doing your best to defend Grandpa.”

His nose started twitching, and his face got redder, along with his eyes. She grabbed his hands and said, “I know your anger got the best of you, but at the same time, I’m so proud to call you my cousin.”

After that, he broke. She quickly stood and went around the table to him. He stood and hugged her as he cried audibly. Marcus’s face was red as hell too. He slid his hand down his face as he watched them.

“They killed the only grandfather I had! That shit hurts, man. To see him on the ground like that, like he was nobody to them, brought me to a level of anger I ain’t never felt. I went straight to those muthafuckas and blew their brains out. I had just enough bullets in my shit to make it happen. I would’ve unloaded that fucking clip.”

“It’s okay, baby. You did good,” Karima said.

“No! I stopped to fucking holla at a nigga at the traffic light about bullshit! I could have gotten there sooner! Grandpa would still be here!”

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