Page 45 of Quasim III: King Inferno

“Yep, that is exactly who he thought he saw when Hamza rolled up on him with Quasim. Not only did they tell his business, but they beat that man so damn bad that they had his homies coming out they pockets to pay me back… I skipped right on that block and collected the money, spit on that asshole, and went about my business,” He snickered and went back to cooking.

“And that tells us how you are so sure that Quasim is going to wake up?” Syn asked the question that I was trying to figure out my damn self.

“Quasim never judged me when he met me. He knew I came with Hamza and never judged me. None of the Gods judge me; they all treat me like family. He heard what happened, and it bothered him like I was his little brother. He went out there and beat the shit out of someone, defending my honor…. God doesn’t take those people from us right away.”

Synthia nodded her head in agreement. “I’m worried about you, Blair.”

“Worried about me, too.” I sighed and leaned my head back on the couch and pulled the throw blanket over me.

“It’s freezing in your house… no offense,” Synthia rubbed her arms.

“Invite some bitches over for brunch and then they complain about your home… it’s an old home and takes time to heat up.” Kobe wiped his hands on the dish towel and stomped down the hall to mess with the outdated thermostat.

“You spent all this money renovating; you need to get a new boiler or something… it’s real cute in here, though.” She continued to mess with him and then looked over at me. “I’m here, Blair… seriously. I know you saved me with a job and all, but I honestly value you and our friendship. Don’t ever feel like you can’t lay everything you’re going through on me.”

I smiled at Synthia, because she started as an employee and had turned into a friend. I could count on her to make me laugh and say something that would have me looking at her differently. She was unapologetically herself and had this zest for life.

“How has Havoc been? I can’t really read him, and I know you two areveryclose.” I winked at her.

Syn shrugged. “I haven’t spoken to him. Whenever I call, he doesn’t answer, and my text messages go unread.”

“And you’re not bugging out?”

She smiled. “Not really. I know he has a lot on his plate, so I don’t take it personally. I think he’s creating distance because he fears something could happen to me. I’m not in this life, but I was raised by a man that has been involved, so I get his reasoning. I’m here whenever things cool down.”

Havoc had been on go since everything happened. He was me and Capri’s shadow, making sure nothing happened to the both of us. When Kobe and Syn decided to break me out, I texted Havoc and let him know that I was going with them.

When he didn’t respond, I texted Kincaid, and he told me that he was going to send some Gods because he was in the middle of something. Kobe wasn’t an Inferno God, and nobody knew about him, so I felt comfortable going because no one was looking for him. Plus, things had been very quiet since we blew that damn house up.

“You really like him.” I smiled at her.

She removed her hair from her face. “I do like him. When we’re together, it’s like I can tap into his world. Appreciate the silence and just be one with him.”

Kobe came speed walking down the hall back into the open concept living area. “The fuck climbed up your ass?”

He put his hand to his mouth, and I could see the fear, and worry in his eyes. “I don’t know who the fuck those men are coming up the walkway. I’m also not stupid, so we need to go now.”

Kobe yanked me up from the couch, ran into the kitchen to turn the pots off. I was almost glad something was happening, because the food didn’t look edible. Syn was right behind me as the doorbell sounded.

He opened what I assumed was a closet door, and it had steps leading down to an outdated unfinished basement. “Godownstairs.” He leaned his back against the door, pulling a gun from behind his back.

“You have a gun?” Syn questioned.

“Hams made sure I knew how to shoot… he worries about me.” He spoke quietly, as he snatched his car keys from the hook in the hallway, and held his gun, nodding for us to head downstairs.

We took the concrete steps down to the basement where there was a dated washing machine and dryer, a single bulb with a string hanging in the middle of the dingy concrete basement.

“I see you hoes both judging my basement… do you think renovating an older home is easy?”

My phone vibrated and we all jumped. “It’s just my phone.”

“Well, damn… why is it so aggressive?” Kobe asked, as he stood on top of two cases of energy drinks and looked out the small window.

Havoc: Tell Kobe to bring you out the basement. We out here.

“Havoc said that they are outside and to come out the basement… is there a door?”

Kobe discreetly looked at a section of the basement that had two huge metal industrial shelves in front of it. Not only was this shelf huge, but it also had so much cleaning supplies that I was confused. I knew his home was spotless, but damn. Who needed that much cleaning supplies?

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