Page 15 of Dom 4
Dom shook his head for what seemed like the fifteenth time in this short time. He then looked at his watch. “Nothing, don’t even worry about it.”
Tone was still laughing when I switched the channel on the TV just to drown him out. The news was on, but the minute the headline banner ran across the screen, the whole room got quiet. There it was again for the third time today:
Criminal Defense Powerhouse Pregnant by Kingpin Husband.
They had a still photo of Dom and Carmen walking out the doctor’s office with bodyguards all around them and Carmenholding her sonogram picture like she was guarding it with her life.
Tone whistled. “Boy, they done put y’all on front street for real. The whole city talkin’ about the Royals now.”
I chuckled, but even I could feel the energy change. “Yeah, that headline wild. They make it sound like a movie trailer. This is real life though.”
Dom didn’t laugh. He just stood there with his eyes locked on the screen and face as hard as stone. “That isn’t somethin’ I wanted out,” he finally said something. “That was supposed to stay between us till the time was right.”
Tone agreed. “Too many cameras out here, bro. They followin’ everything with the name Royal on it right now.”
Dom sighed and rubbed his beard. “Yeah, I know. That’s why we gotta move quiet for a while. Feds still got open files from El Blanca’s situation even though they haven’t said nothing yet. We just made too much noise these past few months. It’s time to cool off and regroup.”
I leaned forward on the couch. “You think they still sniffin’ around about El Blanca?”
Dom nodded. “Of course they are. The way that man went out, they not gon’ stop till they think they know who it did, but they don’t have nothing solid despite what they think they know… we clean and Carmen stays on top of that too. Still, I don’t need nobody drawing attention to themselves right now.”
Tone glanced at him. “So, what’s next, boss?”
Dom looked at me. “You… I want you to head back out west for a while. Get things back in order, check in with our people, and stay put. Streets gon’ be quiet for a minute, but that’s when folks get stupid so keep them in line.”
I nodded, understanding exactly what that meant. “You sure? You want me to roll soon?”
“Yeah,” Dom said. “Soon… Carmen and me gon’ hold down Miami. Tone staying close too. I want y’all to use this downtime to be with family, too. Don’t take peace for granted because it don’t last long in our world.”
Tone smirked. “Now that sound like some old head talk.”
Dom shot him a side eye. “Keep playin’ and you’ll get old head responsibilities too. You know I have jobs for everybody.”
We all laughed briefly. I looked over at the TV again. They were still talking about Dom and Carmen, but the volume was low now. “Shit my sis in law looks happy though,” I said quietly. “She glowing and all that. I never seen her look this happy.”
Dom’s expression changed for the first time all night and softened a lil bit. “Yeah,” he muttered under his breath. “She do.”
Tone looked from him to me. “Man, all these babies popping up and shit. I would’ve never imagined this shit a year ago.”
We nodded our heads agreeing with him, but Dom’s voice filled the room again in a stern tone. “Alright, all jokes aside. It’s time to lay low. The El Blanca situation is still too fresh. We ain’t talking moves right now, we’re talking survival. Keep your eyes open and keep quiet. If the Feds come sniffing, we already three steps ahead.”
“Got it,” I said.
Dom gave me a brotherly hug. “Good, handle your family, Dique. You got a little girl in there worth changing for. Don’t be reckless and hot headed. Think first.” He turned toward the door with Tone trailing behind him.
Tone slapped his hand on my shoulder before walking out. “Stay safe, fool. Don’t let Keondra shoot you before you can make a move.”
“Man, get outta here,” I laughed as they left.
The door closed behind them, and the house was quiet again except for the hum of the fridge and the faint sound of the AC along with the shower running from the master suite. I satthere for a minute thinking about everything Dom said as far as family, keeping quiet, and the storms. He was right because peace didn’t last long in our world, but I’d take whatever little piece of it I could hold on to.
A few minutes later, Keondra came out wrapped in her towel with the steam following her. “They gone?”
“Yeah,” I answered standing up and grabbing my keys.
She frowned. “Where you goin’?”
“I gotta go to my place and hop on a jet back to the west coast for a lil bit. I’ll check on y’all when I touch down.”
