Page 24 of Welcome to the Table
I nodded my head, and two men came out of the shadows and stood on each side of her. I looked at Jaci, my baby girl, and I was filled with regret because I never wanted her to see this side of the family. How ruthless we could get, but I knew she would witness it eventually. She looked around for Calliope to say something else, but he remained silent.
“Or, I could have Hellcat slice yo’ ass up, and we can barbecue yo’ ass. Now, you choose,” I told her, folding my arms under my breasts.
She didn’t move.
“Walk out like a fucking lady before you’re not.” Melph stood beside me.
“There is a black truck to take you wherever the fuck you need to go. You will forget you were ever in this house and fucking my son. You don’t love him and are not in love with him. I don’t know what the fuck you came back for, but it wasn’t for my fucking son.” He finished his words, and she didn’t move.
I didn’t know if this bitch had a death wish, but she'd better beat her fucking feet. Her eyes looked at Calliope, expecting him to help her, but I knew he wouldn’t. His loyalty was to his family and would always be. I looked over at him, and his mind and heart were playing tug of war. He was really in love with thissnake bitch, but he didn’t know what the fuck I knew, because if he did, he would kill her where she stood.
After what felt like too fucking long, she grabbed her purse and walked toward the door with her head down. Once I heard Siri’s ass state that she was out the door, and my men came to let me know that she was gone, I spoke to Calliope.
“All her shit is being packed at your house as we speak, so she ain’t got no reason to go back. Let me talk to you in the foyer before we eat dinner.” Melph pulled my chair out further, so I could step around it.
I walked with Calliope behind me into the foyer. I knew he was pissed, but now was not the time for him to go to battle with me.
“Athena, you do a lot of fucked up shit to other people, but I didn’t expect you to do this shit to me. If she was a fucking snake, then let me find out for myself. That’s my problem!” he shouted.
I knew my husband heard him, but my son wouldn’t hurt me.
“You kept this shit quiet for years, didn’t you? That’s why you never bought her around or let us come to visit you? You had her living in your shit, but ya momma don’t miss. I knew you met that bitch in Atlanta and swept her off her feet, but you didn’t know the witch was flying on a fucking broom. She is no good for you, Calliope,” I told him as I watched his nostrils flare.
“Why is the hatred so deep for her? What the fuck did she do that was so fucking bad that you pulled a stunt like that in the middle of dinner and in front of Jaci? She didn’t need to see that shit.”
My sons always tried to shield their sister from what the fuck was going on, but she had to grow up. I had a feeling this meeting was more than about food, but Melph wouldn’t tell me. He didn’t like explaining shit twice.
“You are not ready for that answer, and I’m not about to explain it with everyone present. You are too emotional, and I need you with a clear head,” I told him.
When Calliope was upset, bodies started to drop, and we didn’t need that type of heat.
“It has to be a private conversation. I’ll explain it later, but something is happening, and I don’t know what it is. She didn’t need to be here to hear it because I don’t trust her. She is not family. Something is up with her, and until I find out, you can’t be with her, and I mean it. I’m only doing this to protect you. You won’t see it now, but you will in the future,” I said and walked away because I was finished with the conversation. I heard his steps slowly follow me, and knew he understood.
We got back to the table, and everybody stood. Hellcat smiled wide as fuck because I knew he wanted to slit that bitch’s throat. I winked at him, silently letting him know to keep eyes on the bitch and his brother. Jaci had a look of bewilderment on her face, and I knew she had a swarm of questions swimming in her head, and I would answer them when we were alone.
After the food was served, and everyone started to eat, the waiter brought out the men’s favorite drink, Yamazaki 55-year-old single Japanese whisky. I had a case shipped from Japan for moments when we were all together. From the look on my husband’s face, we all would need it tonight. They had that in common, and I knew I would get me some drunk dick tonight.
Good thing I couldn’t get pregnant anymore. The table got silent. The only sound was the drinks being poured and the forks clinking on the plates as they ate. I rubbed the back of Melph’s head, and he tensed up. He was jittery. His eyes shifted to everyone at the table but me. That wasn’t like him.
I fed off my husband’s strength, and at that moment, he wasn’t the Greek God that I knew him to be. He wasn’t my Superman, and that was a problem for me. I turned to look athim, but he didn’t meet my eyes, and I knew shit was about to spiral. He kissed my lips. His eyes closed, and he pulled away in haste before standing from his seat. He cleared his throat, and my heart started to beat out of my chest. I knew whatever he was about to say was going to break my heart. We never had problems in our marriage, so I knew it wasn’t infidelity. I heard Siri chime, saying that the door was open. I stood quickly, but Melph sat me back down. My mind went to the bitch they just dragged out.
“Chill,” he whispered to me, and I sat back down.
The double doors opened, and in walked Wisdom. My eyes got big as fuck as he smirked at me. If I wasn’t already married to Melph, Wisdom would definitely be next in line. He strolled in, dreads swinging. I could smell his Dior Sauvage when he entered the room. His skin was the color of honey and matched his eyes. His slim-fine 6’3” frame would bring any bitch to her knees, but me, I was too strong to give in, and he never flirted with me openly.
Years ago, he would make little remarks and do lil subtle shit. Brushing against me, doing extra shit around the holidays. He would give me certain looks, but I didn’t know what they meant, so I ignored them. That came to pass because the nigga dropped off the face of the earth. I didn’t dare ask Melph about him.
Every head at the table turned to look at him. Hellcat shook his head and chuckled. Wisdom was always dressed up. He never wore jeans and shirts. This nigga was Gucci from head to toe. From the Oxford shirt to the vest he wore that matched the pants and Gucci loafers. His shirt had the first three buttons undone, showing the tattoos that covered his entire body. He had his sleeves rolled back with his other tatts peeking from under the sleeves. He was fine as fuck, but not finer than my husband.
I picked up my glass and daintily sipped from it before setting it back down.
“What the fuck is this nigga doing here? This shit just keeps getting better and better,” Hellcat said, looking at me with a wicked smile on his face.
Chapter 6
Melph
FIVE HOURS EARLIER
