Page 49 of Dope Boys: Most Wanted
“Nieves?”
“Dominican father who was married, met my mother and left her to be a single mother. I’ve never seen him, no idea what he looks like. Which is crazy to share blood with someone who doesn’t give a damn about your existence,” she shared. “Is that enough sharing?”
“Not even enough. My pops had a hand problem. Beat my mother, beat me, the day he hit my sister, though,” Markus’ voice trailed off for a moment, his eyes going dark again.
“You don’t have to say it,” Reign spoke softly.
Markus clenched his jaw and nodded ever so slightly. She’d found the why. The reason for his overuse of pills.
“How’s your arm?”
He answered her question with a question. “How’s your head?”
“Water and taking breaks help. But honestly, pain has been a constant.”
“You do know that it doesn’t have to be that way anymore, right?” Markus asked, leaning up.
Reign rose her brow and sat back. “I know it doesn’t, but I don’t think you’ll be the one who gets to witness that.”
She said the silent part out loud. It didn’t zap it, only gave it room to grow.
Markus fused his brows. “Why is that?”
“Your eyes tell me a different story. That shit you keep popping in the name of pain is numbing more than your arm. I know how that turns out. This is the last time I want to be on the run for my life.”
“You look cute,”Nia stated cheerfully as she pranced into the salon.
“And you look…” Reign paused before her lips wiggled into a knowing smile. “Like you’ve been folded up.”
Reign abandoned her booth seat and motioned for her to sit down.
“I’ve been…making time,” Nia spoke lowly with a half-smile. “Considering all the shit happening, we shouldn’t be finding time for anything.”
Nia took a seat and Reign started to take down her hair. The happiness beamed off Nia and it was contagious. Reign was happy for her. She’d only seen Nia and Svyn once, but a blindman could see the love brewing between the two.
“Not going to lie, it looks good on you. Can I put layers in this?” Reign asked, fluffing Nia’s mane.
Nia looked at her in the mirror. “You know what? Yes, do that. Give me some deep layers and volume.”
“I got you. While I have your hair in my hands, I’m going to say thank you. But I’m also going to say I am going to pay you every month for the brownstone to include the utilities,” Reign spoke, reaching for her detangling brush.
Nia chuckled. “Funny how I got a call from my brother late at night with him grumbling and bitching about not letting you pay for anything, and here you are. I’m inclined to believe that was off the cusp of an argument.”
“I don’t argue,” Reign shared. “After he pointed out all the new faucets and brushed doorknobs and the excellent water pressure and how to work the thermostat, I told him again that I was going to pay rent and then I put his ass out.”
Nia yelped in laughter and covered her mouth.
“I don’t see what’s funny. I told you I think he’s slow.”
Nia smirked still giggling. “Markus is a different breed. Slow? No. Enthralled? Without question.”
Reign twisted her face. “I don’t want him enthralled with me.”
Nia shrugged. “Maybe if you tell him yes, he’ll leave you alone.”
“I’m not going for that. Anyway, I’ll be handing you cash every month,” Reign shared, trying to get her mind off Markus.
“Uh huh, so I got something for you.” Nia handed Reign her new phone off her station. “You got a text.”
