by K. C. Mills
“Nah, I’m not feeling it either, but I’ll hit you back. Let me holla at Pretty real quick and I’ll meet you in a few hours. Yeah, aight.”
Siah ended his call, placed his phone on the counter, and then walked over to me. After a quick kiss on the lips, he grabbed my hand and led me to the island in the center of his kitchen. He gripped my waist firmly enough to lift me onto it. Once I was situated, he positioned his body between my legs and then delivered another kiss that was a little more committed than his first one.
“I need to ask you something, and I need you to keep it one hundred with me. Don't lie, aight?”
I frowned because I knew exactly what he was about to say, so I didn't even give him the chance. “No, I didn't have sex with him, Yosiah.”
A smirk spread across his face, and he actually looked relived, but I was pissed that he kept asking me that shit.
“Why you got a fucking attitude, Zenovia?” He mocked me for using his full name.
“Don’t call me that.” I scrunched my face up. Only my parents called me by my real name, and it felt weird hearing him do it.
“Why not? That's your name.”
“Nonie is my name.”
“Nah, that’s what people call you, and that shit don't even make sense. It should be Novie, not Nonie,” he said with a smirk.
“Well, it's not my fault that my baby cousin couldn’t pronounce her V’s, so it's Nonie. Has been since forever, and you know that.”
“Shit, I know, but it still don't make sense. Imma start calling your ass Novie.” Siah offered up a sexy smile and then tried to kiss me again, but I turned my head. He laughed and then kissed my neck instead.
“Nah, but seriously though, Pretty. I just needed to be sure. I know you don't get it, but finding out that Laken is blood and then possibly thinking you fucked with him like that had my head all out of sorts. I couldn't deal with that.”
I placed my hands on the side of his face and kissed him this time. “I wouldn't do that. You know I wouldn't do that.”
“I hope not, but I don't know shit. It would fuck me up if you did, but it's not like I could really say anything about it.”
His brows furrowed like he was getting pissed at just the thought alone. It was funny to me how the idea of me being with someone else was so hard for him to handle, but he still wouldn't step up like he should in order to guarantee that it wouldn't happen. If Siah would learn how to open himself up to me and stop fucking other women, then I would never even consider the idea of being with anyone else.
“You couldn't?” I questioned his statement about having a say in me being with someone other than him.
“You know what the fuck I mean. I’d probably kill that nigga if you did, and I'd be pissed with you for I don't even know how long, but nah, I couldn't really say shit.”
A smug grin filled his face before he kissed me again. I decided to leave it at that, because I knew he meant it.
“What did your dad say?” I asked since he never told me last night. I was curious to know what was going on.
“He didn't really say shit other than what you said. Laken’s pops and my pops are half-brothers. So, all this is about some daddy issues.”
“What now?” I asked.
“I’ll handle it.”
“I need to tell you one more thing.” Again, I placed my hands on the side of his face so that I could look in his eyes.
“Sup?”
“He also said that he was working with someone on your team. He didn't mention a name, but he said he had someone on the inside.” I inhaled and waited.
Siah chuckled and then pressed his lips against mine again. “You hungry?”
“Siah don't do that, tell me what's going on.”
He lifted me off the counter and then stepped back. “That’s not for you to worry about, Pretty. Just stay away from that nigga, aight?”
The look he gave me stopped my next question before I could even fix my mouth to release it, so for now I decided to let it go.
“Fine,” I stated abruptly. I wanted him to know I wasn't happy about him shutting me down, even though I knew that he didn't care. Business was business for him, and he had made it clear that I wasn't involved in that. Either way, it didn't matter because Siah just chuckled and started toward the kitchen entrance.
I took the stairs while he kept going toward his office.
“Get dressed and we’ll go eat,” he yelled as I hit the top of the stairs.
I rolled my eyes and stomped into his room. Even though my tantrum would go unnoticed, it just made me feel better. I knew I was acting like a child, but sometimes you just have to roll with how you feel.
After I walked in the room, I grabbed my phone and decided to check in with Kizzie. With all the insanity of last night and Siah forcing me to go with him, I had no idea if my girl was straight. She was with Jock when I left, so I figured she was, but I needed to know for sure.
“Morning, babes,” I enunciated cheerfully into the phone when I heard Kizzie’s voice. I could tell from the way she answered that I had woke her up.
“Nonie, it's early as hell, and I swear I just went to sleep. Why you so damn happy? Wait, never mind. You left with Siah last night. I know why.” She released a groggy laugh.
“Shut up, hoe, it didn’t even go down like that last night. In fact, I was in bed alone, thank you very much.”
“Yeah, I bet.”
“I’m serious. I honestly don't think he even slept last night, but we’re about to head to breakfast. I just wanted to make sure you were good.”
“I’m straight,” she said in a sour tone.
“Why all that?” I asked.
“Girl, talk about no sleep. Jock lost his mind last night. We damn near argued until his crazy ass left this morning. I don't know what his issue is, but he needs to get his emotions in check.”
“Really, Kiz? His issue is you being on some bipolar type vibe. One minute he’s your boo, the next, you don’t know what you want. You better get your life or somebody else is gonna be playing stepmom to Jahari.”
“Why you always gotta take his side, Nonie? If I’m not mistaken, you’re my best friend, not his.”
“Girl, bye, I'm not taking sides, but what’s right is right. Stop playing with that man, Kizzie.”
“Yeah, stop fucking with my boy, Kizzie.” Siah’s voice filled the room and startled me because my back was to him and I didn't hear him come up behind me.
“Tell Siah I’ll stop fucking with Jock, when he stops fucking with you. Until then, he can mind his damn business.”
I looked at Siah and laughed, which made him grab my phone.
“Siah, stop playing. Give me my phone,” I yelled and reached for it, but he used one arm keep me away from him and held the phone to his ear. I folded my arms and listened.
“What the fuck you say that’s so funny, Kiz? Oh yeah, how ’bout you stop worrying ’bout grown man business? I got Nonie covered. You just stop playing around with my boy… You shitting me, ’cause last time I checked, his ass was single as hell… Man, stop making excuses, Kiz, you know Jock got you. You just need to man the fuck up and stop fucking with them bitch ass niggas you be playing with… The hell you will. I’ll fuck you and her up, now try me.”
Siah tossed my phone on the bed and then walked into the bathroom, closing the door behind him. That was my cue to grab my phone.
“What did you tell that fool, Kiz?”
Her dumb ass just laughed. “I told him that I was about to hook you up with some of my so called bitch ass niggas, since he wanna play.”
“You so dumb,” I said with a grin. “You're about to have this fool shooting any man that looks at me too long. You know he ain't right in the head.”
“But you love that shit though, don't you, Nonie?” Siah pointed at me when he walked out of the bathroom.
I just shook my head because he was dead serious.
“Girl, let me go so I can get dressed. I’ll swing by lat
er and we can talk.”
“Nah, that might not be happening. She keep actin’ up and Imma get your ass some new friends.” Siah winked at me and then left his room.
“Go deal with your man, Nonie,” Kizzie said and then laughed.
“Bye, girl, I’ll call you later.”
I plugged my phone into the charger since I didn't charge it last night, and then headed to the bathroom to start getting ready for my day. I could already tell it was going to be interesting.
Siah
I sat across from Nonie and watched as she hit ignore for like the fifth time on her phone since we left for breakfast, and it was starting to piss me off. I knew it was Laken calling her. I could tell from the way she glanced at me every time it went off. She had also received a few messages that had her face tight.
“Who keeps calling you, Pretty?”
“What?”
I balled up my fist as it rested on the table. “You heard me, who the fuck blowing your shit up?”
“Nobody, damn.” She reached for her phone, which was sitting next to her empty plate on the table, but my hand got to it before hers could.
I pressed the lock button to see her notifications, and sure enough, Laken had called her three times since we'd been at the table and sent two texts.
“Whatever you’re thinking, stop right now. I’m not going to talk to him, but I can't stop him from calling.”
I chuckled. “Maybe not, but I can.” I leaned back and slid her phone into my pocket.
“Siah, give me my damn phone. I told you that I’m not going to talk to him and I mean it, but you can't keep my phone.”
“You’ll get it back. After I get your number changed.”
Her eyes grew wide as hell before she sat up in her chair. “You can't change my number, Siah. It's on my business cards and my website. I’m not changing my number because you’re in your feelings about your damn cousin. I said I’m not gonna talk to him.”
I kept my eyes on her for a minute before I leaned back again, but this time to get some money out of my pocket. I tossed a hundred dollar bill on the table and then stood. “Let's go.”
She sat there with a look that questioned whether or not I had totally lost mind. “The fuck you sitting there for? I said let’s go.”
“I’m not going anywhere until you give me my phone.” Nonie was on her feet with her hand extended toward me.
“Yo, you must think I’m playing, Pretty. You either bring your ass on, or stay here. Either way, I don't really give a fuck, but you’re not getting this damn phone.”
“Then leave. I’ll get home, don't worry.”
“Yeah aight.”
My eyes were on hers for a few more moments and she still didn't budge, so I shrugged and walked my happy ass right on out of there. I could see now I was gon’ have to teach her little ass a lesson. She was getting too comfortable flexing with me. Some shit I would let slide, but I wasn't moving on this.
Nonie didn't get how serious this situation was. My enemy was now my cousin, my own got damn blood, and I wasn't about to allow him access to my girl. The fuck she think this is? If she wanted to have her ass on her shoulders, then she could sit right there and do it. Of course I had eyes and people everywhere, so I would make sure she was good. I was about to teach her a lesson about defying me, but I wasn't going to let her be in danger of any kind.
The second I reached my truck, I made a few calls. Pulling away from the restaurant, I parked nearby and watched until one of my guys showed up. With a nod, he took over. He had instructions to shut shit down if anybody arrived to get her that I didn't approve of, but other than that, I needed him to make sure she was good and to hit me up when she got home. After the reality that I had actually left her there set in, I knew that Nonie was likely gonna be thirty-eight hot with me. It would take a lot to fix this shit, but for now I couldn't worry about that. She needed to understand not to question me on some shit.
When I pulled up to the building that housed our offices, Jock was right behind me. We both parked and got out. I led the way with my keys in hand, to let us both in.
“So, what’s up?” Jock asked after we entered the building and then my office.
“Bullshit is what the fuck is up.”
“What did Senior say?” Jock asked walking over to the cabinet where I kept my stash. Once he had what he needed, he took a seat on the leather sofa and began the process of rolling.
“It's true. That's my fucking cousin. Senior and Nolan are brothers.”
Jock’s head was up quick as hell. “The fuck outta here. You shitting me?”
I nodded and walked over to him. Jock handed me the blunt he had just finished rolling, and I walked back across the room to my desk and lit up. After I had a good cloud of smoke around me, I spoke up.
“I wish I was. Apparently that's the reason why Nolan is even still breathing. My pops chased his ass outta of town, but he wouldn't kill that nigga because he’s blood.”
“What that mean for you?” Jock asked after he lit up the blunt he finished rolling for himself.
“Honestly, that shit don't mean anything to me. Laken ain't shit to me. Why should I feel any loyalty to that muthafucker when he clearly don't have any for me? He knew that he was blood, and he still came at me. Fuck coming for me, he came at my girl, so if blood don't mean shit to him, then it damn sure don't me shit to me.”
“Your girl?” Jock asked with raised eyebrows and a smug grin.
“Yeah, nigga, my girl. Shit, did I fucking stutter?” I knew Jock was just fucking with me because I was claiming Nonie with a title. I had never really done that before. She was mine, but it was always unspoken. Lately, I had been saying that shit a lot, so yeah, she was my girl. Problem was, I didn't know what the fuck that meant.
Jock’s goofy ass just chuckled. “Aight, I see you. It's whatever, just know that shit holds power, my nigga. Don't fuck up.”
“I got me, you worry about your own shit, my nigga.”
I leaned back enough to get Nonie’s phone out my pocket and placed it on my desk. She had several missed calls from unknown numbers and a few messages. I didn't bother checking them ’cause I knew it wasn't other niggas. Call me arrogant or confident, but Nonie wasn't fucking anybody but me, so I was sure it was just people trying to get at her about business. Her phone was always going off.
“Yo, why the hell you got Nonie’s phone?” Jock asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.
“Cause that nigga kept calling her and it pissed me off, so I took it and told her she could get it back when I changed her number.” I could feel my jaw getting tight as the words came out.
“Laken?”
I inhaled long and slow, and nodded as I held it for a minute and then exhaled, letting my head fall to the side just a little
“I take it she ain't with that.” Jock wasn't looking my way because his head was back and his eyes were closed.
“Nah, she was mad as fuck.” I chuckled, thinking about how pissed she was.
“You know you can't do that shit, right?”
“The hell if I can't,” I yelled.
Jock lifted his head and glanced at me before he lowered it again and shut his eyes. His blunt met his lip before he took a pull from it and then released the smoke. “Siah, you know you my nigga, which means that I’m gonna tell you when you’re fucking up. Bruh, you can't change her phone number just ’cause you got an issue with somebody calling that shit. Trust me, I’m the first to understand where you’re coming from, and that nigga don't need access to her, but he knows how to get to her whether you change her number or not.
“Nonie is loyal, Siah. After everything that went down, she ain't fucking with him like that and you know it. You’re just in your got damn feelings because he was able to get to her before you could shut him down. Changing her number ain’t gon’ do shit but cause problems with you and baby girl, so the best you can do now is make sure he don't get to her again. You ain't her nigga, Siah, so until you
ready to be that, stop fucking with her life. You can keep her safe, but you don't have the right to control shit.”
I couldn't say a damn thing because Jock was right. I was used to controlling things, and Nonie’s life was no different, but she wasn't mine. She could do what she wanted and deal with whoever she wanted. I could interfere, but I really didn't have a say in anything that she did. Me calling her my girl didn't mean a got damn thing if I didn't take that shit serious and be what she needed me to be.
“We need to switch shit up a little bit. We’re careful, but we don't know what he knows about us. You need me to get involved in that?” I glanced at Jock, rubbing my chin, thinking about the fact that Nonie had mentioned Laken working with someone on our team.
Again, Jock lifted his head and peered at me. I could tell from the look he gave me that he knew I was avoiding what he said about Nonie. I spoke on it so that we could move the fuck on. “I’m not gon’ change her number, damn. Now can we talk business? Your overprotective ass.” I chuckled.
Jock treated Nonie like a little sister, and he always took her side anytime something went down with us, but I couldn't blame him. I was a natural born fuck up when it came to my situation with Nonie, and if it weren't for Jock being in my head sometimes, she probably would have left my ass a long time ago.
Jock chuckled. “Nah, I got that shit. I’ll fill you in on what I’m doing.”
“Nonie said Laken mentioned that we have a snake on our team, so make sure everyone is under a microscope right now. If shit don't feel right, handle it.”
Jock got serious for a minute. “Royce?”
“If I had to guess, but that nigga could have just been talking too. Let's just see how it plays out, but when you switch shit up, give limited access to everyone just in case.”
Jock agreed with a nod before moving on.
“Did you move shit around to handle the increase in cash that we’re seeing? We need to get it in the bank, but we need to keep that shit under the radar.”
“Fuck, I need to reschedule with Karen. I was meeting with her the night that I ran into Nonie and Laken having dinner and shit. I’ll call her in a few, so that I can figure out where we need to put the money.”
