Page 19 of Pieces of Us

“Your life?” I was confused.

“Yes! By way of my daughter. That boy was no good for you. He was only going to do exactly what he did to you—manipulate you into fornicating with him and plant his seed inside of you. I refused for you or my granddaughter to have any connectionwith him or his family. They are dangerous. So, I made the choice to remove you before he could corrupt you.”

“Nehemiah was nothing like his father! You did what you did because you didn’t wantyourpast coming back on you!”

“Lower your tone when you’re speaking to me, Morgan! I did what was best for my family. You were not going to attach yourself or my granddaughter to that family!”

“That wasn’t your decision to make. Megan is his child! You didn’t think the day would arise that he resurfaced? Do you honestly think he’s not going to want a relationship with her once he finds out?”

“He won’t find out because you’re not going to tell him. As far as everyone knows, Megan is Justin’s daughter. I’ll make sure of it if he ever tries for a DNA test.”

“Gio… You need to cut out all of this foolishness. It’s been almost fourteen years. If Nehemiah happens to find out that Megan is his daughter, you will mind your business and stay out of it. You’ve caused enough distress,” my mom said.

“You will be crazy if you tell that man about Megan. His father is still slinging that crap at his old age, and I’m sure Nehemiah has now taken over.”

I stood from the chair, grabbing my purse to leave.

“You always say ‘Judge not lest ye be judged,’ but you’re standing there judging people. Nehemiah’s a doctor and has his own practice—”

“Still selling drugs…Only it’s prescribed.”

“Right, because you know every freaking thing. You know what, Dad? Goodbye. Mom, I’ll call you later.”

I tried to exit the kitchen, but Gio blocked my path.

“If you tell him about Megan, I promise I’m going to do what I should have done a long time ago…get him and his family locked away for life.”

I scoffed. “It’s hard to believe that you’re a pastor. Behind that pulpit, you’re the perfect man of God. But outside of those church doors, you’re someone totally different. You’re just a wolf in sheep’s clothing, and that’s the worst kind of man to follow.”

I pushed past him and left their home. I used to think my father was the best ever. I used to believe everything he told me. I didn’t know about that now, and I promised myself that I’d never listen to shit else he had to say.

It was after 8:00 p.m. when I finally made it home. Justin had been blowing my phone down since three but I refused to answer. So many thoughts and emotions were running through me. I just didn’t want to be bothered with anyone at the moment.

I stopped to get me something to eat then sat at the local park, sharing the shit with the birds because I could hardly eat. Anxiety crept up my spine as I thought about what a freaking mess my father had gotten me into. If only I had listened to my heart, I wouldn’t have been in this predicament. Now, I was afraid of the unknown.

If Nehemiah was still the same Nehemiah I knew before I was taken away from him, then he’d be understanding. I knew for a fact he scoured the city of Detroit looking for me when he noticed I’d disappeared. Nehemiah always stood on his word and did whatever he said he was going to do. That meant coming back for me.

I was almost positive that Shelby told him she saw Drue. It was like we had vanished without a trace because Gio Prescott made sure of it. The more I thought about it, the more I believed my father was insane. He stood behind that pastor business, but in real life, he was just as dirty and crooked as Mr. Newson.A leopard couldn’t change their spots, just disguise them as something else. Gio was a damn hypocrite. I would never believe another word that came out of his mouth.

Finally willing myself out of the car, I was prepared to face yet another battle with my sketchy ass husband. I walked inside the house, and it was dimly lit and quiet. I kicked off my shoes at the door then made my way upstairs to my bedroom. When I made it to the door, I paused, hearing hushed tones coming from my bedroom. Leaning closer, I put my ear to the door to listen closer.

“No. I promised you I’d take you, so that’s what I’m going to do…Of course not…Don’t do that, Jo. You know I keep my word. Just let me figure some things out, and I’ll get back to you…You already—”

Fuck this!

I pushed the door open and it hit the wall. Justin jumped up from the chaise in the corner looking as if he’d seen a ghost. I knew his ass was up to no good. My soul felt it.

“Say it louder for the motherfuckas in the back, Jus.”

“Baby…it’s not what you think!”

“Nigga, shut the hell up! You niggas be sounding so dumb when you say that stupid shit. I told you I’d catch your dumb ass, and look. Ya cheating ass got caught! Speak the fuck up! Where you taking your bitch, Justin?”

I hardly ever cursed, but this man was really taking my kindness for weakness. I wasn’t that same young, immature girl anymore, and before I allowed him to play with me, I was going to kick his ass.

“You’ve got some nerve coming in here accusing me when you’ve been gone for twelve hours. I’ve been calling you all day. Where the hell were you? Huh? Answer that!”

“I don’t have to answer shit—”

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