Adored by a Brooklyn Drug Lord 3 Page 4

  Granny rose to her feet, converging on the couple, kissing Koi on both his cheeks and forehead. “And to think I used to beat your ass for taking my car joyriding while I was sleeping… You did good tonight, Koi. William as well. If not for the both of you, our Kelsey wouldn’t be here.”

  The silence to come after her words was deafening. Daddy rose to his feet as well, his expression blank as he squared off with Koi. Nicole stood up, placing herself between the men as if to prevent them from doing anything foolish. Normani and Trish shared the same worried expression; their husbands hadn’t spoken since the night I joined The Trust.

  “If it wasn’t for him placing her in that room full of vultures this wouldn’t have happened in the first place,” Daddy said, his tone laced with contempt.

  “Daddy—”

  “No, Kelsey,” Koi interjected. “Let him finish.”

  “What if Quill wasn’t a basketball player? She was on her last breaths when he pulled her out of there. I almost outlived my own child, Koi. Someone put her in the ground, and if not for sheer luck, she would’ve stayed there,” Daddy managed to get out through the tears. “You stand in front of me with the privilege of having a child who will never have to touch this game if we play it right. I don’t. Every time we get into trouble, she pays. I am sick of my child paying for all of us! And if you don’t see or understand why the sight of you makes me sick to my stomach, then you don’t give as much of a fuck about her as you let on. Now get the fuck out of my house.”

  Koi placed a kiss on my forehead. “Kelsey, I’m sorry. You know I would have never put you in this predicament if I thought any harm would come to you.”

  “I know,” I assured him.

  He hugged me tight as if this was the last time we would see each other for a while. “Anytime you need me, don’t hesitate to reach out, you hear?”

  “Uncle Koi, why do you sound like—”

  “Love you, Kelsey,” he said, giving me one final kiss on the head.

  Trish did the same, promising to call me first thing in the morning. Nicole rounded on Daddy, motioning to the retreating couple as if to ask him what was wrong with him. It was the question we all needed an answer to. Normani plopped down on the couch, stuffing her face into a pillow, and shaking it, her hands trembling with anger.

  “Urban—”

  “We made a promise to each other,” Daddy said to Nicole. “He is supposed to watch over my child as if she were his own. I have no fear of death, but I do have a fear of how my children will be taken care of without me. This entire situation didn’t help that.”

  “He did what he thought was best for you,” I spoke up. “I know this wasn’t the best decision to make in such a short amount of time, but Daddy, Uncle Koi wanted to make sure everything you built was kept intact.”

  My father pulled me into his arms, uncaring of the mess of conditioner still in my hair wetting his expensive shirt. “He wasn’t supposed to do what was best for me; his job was to do what was best for you.”

  “How about we all get some rest?” Nicole suggested, taking a seat on the edge of the armchair Normani sat in, hugging her daughter from the side. “It’s been a long night for all of us.”

  Granny clapped her hands in agreement. “I second that.”

  “That’s what I came down here for. Is it okay if Quill spends the night?” I asked, grimacing as I waited for one of Daddy’s infamous “no’s.”

  He sighed. “Leave your bedroom door open. I’ll walk by every now and then to make sure he has his hands where I can see them.”

  Quill was nowhere to be found when I returned. One knock on my bathroom door let me know he picked up where I left off. While he was showering I snuck into Daddy’s bedroom, slipping into his closet to find some pajamas for Quill. There was a knock on the door, alerting me that I had been made. Normani stood there, arms crossed, a strained smile on her face. We met halfway, hugging each other tight. She shook with silent tears, whispering that she didn’t know what she would do if something had happened to me.

  “Nothing did, and I’m fine,” I reassured her, wiping away her tears.

  “Kelsey, I want you to make me a promise,” Normani said, holding me by the shoulders, willing me to look at her. “If at any point you feel overwhelmed, you’ll talk to someone. Your adrenaline is still running, but tomorrow it’ll wear off, and when it does you won’t feel like yourself. I wish I had spoken to someone after what happened between Ward and I. It would’ve made a world of a difference for me.”

  I placed my forehead against Normani’s. “I promise to talk to someone, okay?”

  Normani stared me in the eye for what felt like forever. Once she was convinced that I was telling the truth, she relented. “Good. Now how about we get some clothes for Quill? I know that’s why you came sneaking in here…”

  Ten minutes later I returned to my bedroom laden with clothes for Quill, all of which he accepted through the crack of the bathroom door. The sound of Daddy’s slippers gliding across the hardwood floor served as a reminder that we weren’t alone. I laughed at the thought of him going as far as to camp on the floor of my bedroom.

  “What are you laughing at?” a curious voice asked.

  Quill appeared, dressed in a pair of black sweats. I tried to get a grey pair but Normani refused, citing that she wasn’t about to have no young boy running through her house scantily clad. Regardless of what he put on, there was no hiding what Quill was packing, a fact that had me rushing him to climb into bed before Daddy came around. I snuggled underneath the covers while he stayed on top of them, interlocking our fingers. We laid like gingerbread cookies, staring up at the ceiling. Quill rolled onto his side, nestling his face into my neck. I ran my fingers over his beard, the stroking motion relaxing me.

  “I thought I was imagining your voice while I was down there. You were on my mind the entire time, keeping me calm until the very end. All I kept thinking was that I wasted so much time trying to fight how I feel about you instead of being with you,” I said, blinking back tears. “I don’t know how I’ll ever repay you for tonight, Quill.”

  “There’s no need for repayment when you do something from the heart,” Quill replied, running his fingers up my arm. They stopped at my chin, turning it so we were face-to-face. “Just never stop loving me.”

  I answered with a kiss. “Never.”

  __________

  Waking up in Quill’s arms was something I would never tire of, but knowing it wouldn’t happen every night would get old soon. He was awake, and from the sound of his breathing he had been for a while, running his fingers through my hair, twirling my conditioner covered curls. I peeked up at him, thinking maybe he had his phone. To my surprise he was staring down at me, a grin tugging at his lips. I craned my neck a bit more, and he met me the rest of the way, pressing his lips against mine. Our innocent kiss deepened, turning into a lip locking session. Someone cleared their throat from the doorway. We jumped apart like two horny teenagers up to no good. Normani cocked her head to the side.

  “Urban has been walking back and forth all night, sometimes cleaning his pistol, and just when he goes to bed he misses this…” Normani laughed at the irony. It was good to see her smile. “Breakfast is ready. We’re heading to the hospital in another hour or so. Shonda said Briana has been showing signs of waking up soon.”

  Hearing the news of my cousin possibly waking up propelled me out of bed. After a hearty breakfast and successful shower attempt, we were off to the hospital. Quill and I went our separate ways, with him promising to meet up with me later on tonight for dinner. Granny and Normani shared a look with one another as we piled into the car. I spotted a photographer in the distance, snapping off pictures with no shame. Normani climbed in after me, wedging me between the two women. Daddy sat up front with Nicole, who took it upon herself to be my private security since my last team had been let go with the exception of Terry, who had handed off to his second in command minutes before I was snatched. I believe with
all my heart him punching out ten minutes later could’ve prevented everything that went down.

  “A damn shame,” Granny said under her breath, shaking her head at the paparazzi taking pictures of us as we sped away. “Poor girl can’t have one day without these vultures converging on her. Pull the car over, Nicole. Let me give them some breaking news.”

  Nicole let out a bark of laughter she hid behind a cough. “Gladys, you cannot go around breaking kneecaps. I’ll take care of them like I took care of the rest.”

  “‘took care of’?” Normani and I said at the same time. I added, “Nicole, you didn’t…”

  “Of course not; I just reminded a few of them that they’re not the only persons to take pictures. In New York City everyone’s got a secret or two…”

  She wasn’t lying. I thought of my own secret, the one I never bothered to tell my family. Considering my father’s guilt, it was something I would never tell him. Resting my head on Normani’s shoulder, I allowed my thoughts to drift to Quill, who was one of the few people to see the other side of me. To be honest, speaking my truth to Peace felt like having confessions with a priest; telling Quill was like baring my soul. I wanted him to know every part of me he had missed since we broke up, and I wanted the same in return.

  “Look at that smile on her face…” Granny said, easing me from a light slumber. “She must be thinking about her boyfriend. Uriah, I know you don’t like him, but I think he’s proven himself to be loyal. Have you given them your blessing yet?”

  Daddy craned his neck to get a good look at her. “He slept in my house and he’s still alive, ain’t he?”

  “Oh, Daddy…” I groaned, laughing at his roundabout answer. “Admit it; you like Quill.”

  “Don’t go putting words in my mouth.”

  “You think he’s got what it takes to be the next big thing in New York.”

  It was his turn to laugh. “What makes you say that?”

  “Because he brought me home.”

  For the first time in a long time, my father was speechless. His loss of voice followed us into the hospital and upstairs to the ICU, returning to greet Shonda. Briana’s younger siblings, Prince and Precious, were in school, leaving her older brother Mal to keep her company. My heart dropped at the sight of him; I knew he wasn’t doing well, but no one had mentioned it was drugs. Growing up, Mal was one of the popular boys on the block. The girls loved him, he was good at playing ball, and smart as hell. Malone bragged on Mal, claiming if he didn’t follow in his footsteps that he would at least have a name in sports. Seeing a size small shirt hang off of his lanky figure had me thinking he might not survive to live out his fullest potential.

  “Kelsey,” Shonda said, scooping me up into her arms and giving me a bone crushing hug. “Honey, it’s so good to see you. Going through this with my baby girl is hard enough, but if something would’ve happened to you…I don’t even want to think about it. I’ve been praying for the both of you nonstop.”

  “Thank you for the prayers, Auntie,” I said, looking over her shoulder into Briana’s room. A man sat beside her bed, holding her hand. “Is that the secret boyfriend Bri’s been hiding?”

  Normani, Granny, and Nicole started looking everywhere except at me, their reactions puzzling. Daddy pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking with silent laughter as he shook his head. Shonda broke the hug, escorting me into the hospital room. “I don’t know anything about a secret boyfriend, but this young man showed up hours after Bri was admitted. His name is—”

  “Morris?”

  Morris bolted upright, his grip on an unconscious Briana’s hand remaining tight. I had no words, at least none that I could utter in a crowded hospital ward. Shonda appeared by my side, motioning between the two of us, her expression confused.

  “You two know each other?” she said, slipping into a seat, her expression growing from happy to concerned.

  I scratched the back of my head. “He was my boyfriend…for two years.”

  “Kelsey—” Morris rose from his seat, his expression apologetic. “I didn’t want you to find out like this, but I was on FaceTime with Briana when they broke into your apartment.”

  “You were the male 911 caller?” Daddy interjected.

  Morris nodded. “Yes, I saw the entire thing, and I rushed here as fast as I could to make sure Briana was good. She and I had a brief affair behind Kelsey’s back, and I should’ve been the last person to show up here, but I love Bri, so much that I’m willing to take whatever comes with being here for her. Do your worst.”

  “I don’t have any worst to do, Morris,” I admitted. “You mind if we step in the hall to clear the air?”

  With a squeeze of Briana’s hand, Morris followed me into the hallway. We took a walk down the hall toward the elevators. Along the hall were ceiling-to-floor windows overlooking all of Brooklyn. I posted up against one. Morris did the same, except his eyes were on me.

  “The morning you returned after being out all night and I got mad and left?”

  I scratched my lip. “You went to my cousin’s house?”

  “My nerves were on one, I was upset because you wouldn’t tell me where you were, and I needed something to level me out. So I went looking for weed. We had drinks and—”

  “No need to finish that sentence,” I replied, holding my hand up. “How did you get here? I’m not saying you wouldn’t have done the same for me, but I see a difference in you. This isn’t the Morris I dated…”

  Morris let out a sad chuckle. “Dating you felt like dating a puzzle, except the only way you could work on it was with a blindfold and one hand tied behind your back. Instead of being man enough to break up with you, it took some psychopath making me eat a heart to realize that I had played with yours far more than you deserved. That, and the threat to stay away from you.”

  “Someone threatened you? Morris…I…who would do some fucked up shit like that?”

  He pointed down the hall. “Your father perhaps?”

  “No, my father is all about me learning about heartbreak the old fashioned way. He’d never do some sadistic shit like that.”

  “The method was unorthodox, but it was exactly what I needed. I was scared out of my mind with nowhere to go, and she was the first place I thought of. With you I always felt like I was never good enough; with Briana I feel like I’m growing with her.” Morris ran a hand over his waves, unable to find the right words. “I am sorry for messing around on you with your cousin, Kelsey.”

  “I am sorry for being so emotionally unavailable that you felt the need to cheat on me with my cousin. Being with me was by no means easy, not with the way I was acting. As much as you felt like you were to blame for not breaking up with me, I’m just as much at fault. I knew my heart was elsewhere, and I continued to string you along.”

  Morris nodded his head in understanding. “So we’re good?”

  “We’re good as long as you make sure my cousin is good,” I said, holding my arms out for a hug, one that felt more real than the two years we were together. “You saved our lives. Your call saved Briana’s life, and for me, without that extra time…”

  Morris gave me a tight squeeze before letting me go. “Regardless of what we went through, it hurt to think of someone harming you. I’m glad we can be mature about this.”

  All eyes were on us as we entered the hospital room. Briana’s condition hadn’t changed since our departure. Morris took his seat by her side while I took one on the opposite side, resting my head on her side, praying for her to wake up. The game had taken more than enough from me, but I couldn’t bear the thought of it taking away my cousin.

  “See you tomorrow, Bri,” I said, kissing her on the forehead.

  Visiting hours had come to a close. We trudged out of Briana’s room with heavy hearts, promising Mal and Shonda that we would return bright and early tomorrow. Mal walked us out, mentioning that he wanted to check up on Prince and Precious, who were staying at Koi’s for the night. I got one last glance over my shou
lder at Morris, his head in a schoolbook although he kept his free hand intertwined with Briana’s.

  “Let me be the first one to say it,” Granny said as soon as we were in the privacy of the elevator. “I knew that boy was a hoe.”

  “Granny…” we all chimed.

  I rested my head on my grandmother’s shoulder. “Granny, I’m happy for Morris and Bri. Them being together makes me feel a little better for wasting his time. Was he a hoe with me? Yeah, but you can see he isn’t one with her.”

  “You’re not wrong,” she relented, reaching out and giving one of my hands a squeeze. “I cannot believe what a mature grandchild I’ve raised because if the tables were turned, I’d have to cut a—”

  The elevator jolted to a stop. My heart leapt into my throat. I didn’t have a phobia of elevators, but the thought of being trapped inside of one always crept into my mind whenever I rode them alone. You aren’t alone, you aren’t alone, I repeated in my head, taking measured breaths to keep a growing anxiety attack at bay. You aren’t alone. Granny’s expression turned wary as I continued heaving in her ear.

  “Just breathe,” she mouthed over everyone’s groans of frustration.

  “Damn it,” Daddy said under his breath as he pressed the operator button.

  I pressed myself against the wall, practicing deep breaths. My breathing was under control, and I opened my mouth to thank Granny for keeping me calm when the lights went out. I was no longer in the elevator, but back in that casket, losing air by the minute.

  “NO!” I screamed, banging my hands against the wall. “LET ME OUT! LET ME OUT!”

  A gentle hand was placed on my shoulder. I slapped it away, scrambling to get away from whatever was pinning me down. I felt my chest caving in on itself, the little bit of oxygen I had in my lungs being used to scream for help. I tripped over someone, my legs turning to jelly as I hit the floor.

  “Kelsey!” Daddy’s voice broke through. “Kelsey, baby, I’m right here. I need you to calm down. You’re fine. We’re all going to be fine. Normani’s calling 911 and we’ll be out of here in no time.”