“Because you love me and want to make me happy.” She kisses my jaw and I pull away. “Don’t be like that. We deserve a second chance don’t, we?”
“How many times we gonna try and get it wrong?”
“As many as it takes. Make a baby with me.” Her hand slides down my neck. “I want a baby, honey. Do this one thing for me.”
I jerk away. “Having another kid won’t replace Rochelle. Won’t change a damn thing.”
“I bet I can change your mind.”
“You think so?”
Her lips move to my ear and the words she whispers, sends an artic chill down my spine that’s so damn cold my blood could freeze.
“The fuck did you just say to me?”
A coy smile plays at her lips. “You heard me, lover. Give me a baby, and I’ll grant you the freedom you crave. Now take off your pants.”
**
“What ya need?” Grudge rubs his jaw.
“Want you to do something for me.”
“Name it.”
“Ruthie. Gotta funny feeling. Need you to keep an eye on her. You see her talking to anyone or doing anything weird. Let me know. Keep it between us. Don’t let her know you’re following her.”
“I can do that. You can count on me, brother.”
“Good.” I grunt, and he takes off.
I light up another blunt and Nickel flops down in the chair across from me. “Let me get a hit of that.”
I reach it across the table. “How’d that last run go?”
“A-Okay. No problems. Even picked up an extra twenty-five percent for a job well done.”
“And the other side detail. She still using the account?”
“Yeah. Man, look. How long you gonna keep this shit up?”
“Keep putting money in it. She see you?”
“Nope. Though I did see something I’m not sure you’re gonna like.” He passes the blunt back.
I take another hit. “And what’s that?”
“Not sure if I should tell you or let you figure that shit out on your own.” He grins and reaches for the Mary Jane again.
I take another hard puff before handing it over. I cough and slap at my chest. “Can’t do that.”
“Brother, I respect the fuck outta you, but that’s your God damn kid. Ruthie sniffing your ass every time you make a move or not.”
“I’m not ready to see her.”
“Alexa or the kid?” he hands the blunt back.
“Both, but mostly Alexa. Bitch burns through my veins like heroin.”