Page 28 of Quasim III: King Inferno

He removed my hair from my face and kissed my nose. “I fell in love with you because of the woman you are, the heart that you have. All the shooting and hanging out windows was a bonus. I respect you, Sug. If you tell me this is what you want to do, then I have to respect it, not like it.”

“This is what I want to do… Meer, they tried to kill you. This is less about me, and more about getting it back in blood for our daughters.”

“And son?”

I popped my head up and stared at him like he was crazy. “I hear you in the morning, Sug… shit, last night you tried to casually walk to the bathroom, and I heard you over the running water.”

“All of this has my nerves bad. I feel it in my body… I know my body.”

“I know your body, too. Answer me this… you can brush your teeth without wanting to vomit?”

I couldn’t answer the question because it took me twenty minutes to brush my teeth from all the breaks I took. “Yes.”

“Liar.”

“Less about me, and more about why you’re lying to Ryder. When she comes back from the west coast, she’s going to want to see you.”

“Not necessary. I sent Brandi some more money to keep her out there and she not complaining… her little boyfriend out there so she’s happy to keep Ryder.”

I could hear Gams in the hallway, and Meer leaned up. His grandmother was his entire world, so I knew if anything could cheer him up, it would be her.

“Dumplin, why do you have popcorn on Moochie’s chest,” she said the minute she stepped into the room.

Rushing over to him, she kissed his face and hugged him as tightly as she could, then went over to do the same with Sim, while removing the popcorn from him.

I knew removing Gams from this hospital would be like trying to get dalmatian fur off black leggings – nearly impossible.

Blair

Wylie leanedhis head in the window after handing us the construction vest with the gas company’s log on it.

“I’m right behind you… in the black Lexus.”

I stared at Wylie. “Any reason you’re not on your bike, Wy?”

He shrugged with a silly grin. “They came for the king… can’t let that go with a tap on the wrist, Queen.”

Capri dropped her face into her hands and laughed. “Wylie, this changes the whole plan.”

“Nah… continue with the plan. I’ll know when you and Queen leave the hous?—”

He didn’t get to finish his sentence when a Mercedes pulled in on the side of us. Kincaid rolled the window down and leaned back. “I’m coming.” Mina said.

Capri didn’t seem surprised that Mina knew the plan and had gotten around Papa. He was in his own head and had his own plans he was putting into motion for his brother. Capri had a plan, and I was going with whatever the plan was.

“I could and would never stop you, ma,” she popped the locks as Mina hopped out and got into the backseat of the Audi we were in.

Wylie tapped the side of my window and looked at all of us. “The minute all three of you are back into this car, call me.”

“Okay.”

“Bet.”

Kincaid looked over at us. “After you.”

Capri pulled away from the shoulder and weaved in and out of traffic, heading toward the bridge that would take us into Delaware. The sound of bikes wasn’t that far behind, and I watched as Cappadonna took the front, Capone the side, and Corleon behind us.

With one hand on the wheel, and the other on the gun in her lap, I watched as she swerved in and out of traffic and they kept right up with her. Once we exited the bridge, they all took off in different directions, while Corleon remained behind us.

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