Page 78 of Kentrell

“SHEISYOURS!” Taffy roared, her voice exploding with fury and grief. “I knew it the second I had her. I just wanted her to be Kenny’s, ‘cause I knew he was gon’ kick me to the curb after he found out about us.”

And then she broke. Her voice cracked apart under the weight of years she clearly hadn’t spoken out loud. “I don’t want shit from you. I ain’t come to fuck up your world or expose you. I just need your help.”

Silence fell thick.

“I need you to find out who Malcolm hired to take Pokie’s daughter out.” Her words came slower now, heavy with desperation. “Because if it leads back to Kendra—my baby—your blood gon’ be on my hands.”

My blood ran cold.

They were talking about me.

They didn’t know it yet—but I did.

I was Malcolm’s hitter.

Zoe was my mark.

My heart slammed against my ribs, rage and confusion churning so hard I damn near couldn’t breathe.

“And what the fuck is yo silly ass gon’ do to a muthafucka who makes his money taking other niggas out?” Yam laughed, full of that cocky, careless poison he always spit.

My jaw clenched. He was right—there wasn’t a damn thing she could do to me. Not her. Not Zoe. Not nobody.

I closed my eyes, forcing my breath to slow, listening as Taffy’s voice cracked into a desperate plea.

“Please. Don’t let this fall back on her. She don’t deserve that.”

I stood frozen in the shadows, every nerve in my body burning. My mind racing. My heart roaring.

This wasn’t just another job anymore.

This shit had gotten personal.

And now I had a choice to make—one that could change everything.

“Who the fuck is—wow. Danyell.” Taffy’s voice suddenly cut through my thoughts, thick with disgust. “You really ain’t shit.”

“Didn’t I tell yo ass to stay in the room?” Yam snapped.

Star.She must’ve come out, ignoring his command.

“You fuckin’ on Puddin’s baby,” Taffy yelled out, and the room erupted behind me.

I didn’t stick around to hear the rest.

I was already gone—slipping out the door unnoticed, moving like a shadow down the stairs. My boots hit the pavement as I cut through the gangway, heart still pounding, breath ragged.

By the time I hit my truck, I could barely see straight. My mind was spiraling—replaying everything I’d heard today... and everything I’d seen in the past.

I didn’t know how to make it stop.

And for the first time in a long time?—

I didn’t know what the fuck I was supposed to do next.

I gripped the wheel so hard my fingers cramped, but I didn’t ease up. My head was on fire, thoughts banging around, refusing to slow down.

Zoe.

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