Page 83 of Riot

I stepped closer, my heart pounding as the snake slithered toward the glass and hissed.

My heart jumped, but I didn’t back away.

There was something strangely hypnotic about it. Dangerous, yes, but elegant. Beautiful in its stillness. I pressed my palm against the cool glass, and just as I did, my phone buzzed in my pocket.

I stepped back and pulled it out, screen lighting up with a notification.

New message from cousin Diori:

“OMG… I can’t believe it’s you. Please tell me this is real. Can I call you??”

My stomach twisted. I was so glad she finally got back to me. I had been holding my breath for days.

I tapped the message open with trembling fingers and hit the call button before I could overthink it. The phone barely rang once before it connected.

“Allure?” Diori’s voice cracked like she couldn’t believe it either. “Is this really you?”

Tears welled in my eyes the moment I heard her. “It’s me.”

“Oh my God,” she gasped, and just like that, she started sobbing. Loud, messy, relieved sobs that made something sharp twist in my chest. “Allure. I—I thought you were dead. We all did.”

I pressed a hand to my mouth, fighting the sob rising in my own throat. “I didn’t think I’d ever get to hear your voice again. Everything’s been so crazy.”

“I missed you so much,” she cried. “You just vanished. One day you were there, and then—then nothing. We were still in high school. I kept thinking you’d show up somewhere, that it was all a misunderstanding. But then no one ever found you!”

Her voice broke.

“What happened to my father?” I asked gently. “Where’s everyone now?”

She sniffled. “After your father was killed, you mother moved to Baltimore to get away from all the drama. She’s still hurt that she doesn’t know who did it. And is still hurt about your disappearance. She wanted to start over and lay low. But Carmelo is still in New York. He’s been running the family business ever since.”

“How is he?”

“Honestly?” she sighed. “A mess. He’s trying to hold it all together, but he’s no Lionel. A lot of our men have gotten pinched over the last couple years. The money doesn’t flow like it used to. Carmelo’s too emotional. Makes sloppy moves.”

I chewed my bottom lip, taking that in. “Why won’t he just take the money and get out. Start a legit business?”

“You know those niggas got too much ego to ever give up the game. Besides, he doesn’t know shit about starting a business.He can barely run the drug business,” she gave a half hearted laugh.

“Damn. I need to speak to him. Do you know who killed my father?”

A heavy silence answered me first. Then she said, low and cautious, “No. But he had enemies, Allure. A lot of them There are so many people he did business with who got burned. So many rivals. Honestly, your father has been on a downward spiral ever since you went missing. The business has been falling apart and Carmelo will be the death of it.”

I nodded to myself, the ache in my chest tightening. “I have to find out. I need to know who took him from me.”

“I get it,” she whispered. “If I hear anything… anything at all, I’ll let you know.”

“Thank you,” I said, swallowing hard. “Can we meet up?”

“Hell yes,” she said without hesitation. “Please. I need to see you with my own eyes to believe it. What about this weekend?”

“I’ll try,” I said. “It depends on how things go. But I’ll do my best.”

“Okay.” She paused. “Carmelo needs to see you, too. He still thinks you’re gone. Wants revenge, but he’s lost. He needs his sister back.”

“I want to talk to him. Can you tell him to call me?”

“I will,” she promised. “And Allure?”

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