I looked over at her and she was watching me. Not in a casual way—the way Zuri watched people, like she was reading every emotion on my face and saving it in her memory for later use. That look meant she'd already seen something shift in me and she was waiting to understand what it was. Her ass was nosey and liked to be in our business too much. I loved my momma to death, but when it came to my marriage, I would always keep her out of it. I didn’t care what the situation was. It was mine to handle, so all this shit, I was gone keep it to myself.
But, I did make a mental note to later ask my mom if she knew about this secret child all along. Now, all the conversations, her questioning Tatti’s ability to be a good mother, her threatening to expose Tatti, now I needed to know what all my moms knew. I also needed to know why she didn’t tell me either. Stuff like this made me believe that I couldn’t trust anybody other then my brothers. Because, if my mother would keep a secret this big from me, and she had knowledge of it, then, who could I trust for real?
I forced a half smile and it wasn't real but it was enough to get her to look away satisfied that I was okay, at least for the moment. She had no clue that I was a tickin time bomb right now, just trying to hold shit together.
My father stood beside her calm as always, the kind of calm that comes from a man who's seen everything in his lifetime and learned not to show emotion until everything was set in stone. I saw that he was holding a breath that he wouldn’t release until his son walked out of those prison gates. Namier was pacing like he always did when he was nervous or excited and I still couldn't tell which one it was. This was the day where I shouldn't be anything other than happy and grateful—Zaire coming home, my little brother finally free, this was the moment we'd been fighting for since he got thrown in that prison unjustifiably, this was the moment that proved the Carters didn't lose to anything or anybody. Especially not a crooked ass prison system. This moment showed that we could go to war with the world and still come out on top.
But again, I still was standing here thinking about my wife and her lies. Just as I tried to clear my head, my phone rang.
It was Tattiana calling.
It was like she felt me thinking about her ass.
I looked at it and was about to let it go to voicemail. I wasn't ready to talk to her. Wasn't ready to hear whatever excuse she was about to make. Wasn't ready to deal with that right now while my family was here, while my brother was about to walk out of prison a free man. Tatti was proving to be a distraction and in this moment, I couldn’t let that happen. I needed to be present for Zaire. He’d been through too much.
I blew out a long breath and answered anyway. I wanted to be straight to the point with her. I couldn’t give her too much conversation. But, I was definitely gone handle her ass once I got back home.
I stepped away from the family, putting distance between us.
“I’ll talk to you when I get home Tattiana. I’m about to pick Zaire up. He’s being released in a few minutes. Now, ain’t the time.” I dismissed her, quickly. I ain’t have time to get too deep into this right now.
“I'm happy for Zaire," Tatti said, and I could hear it in her voice—something was bothering her. "But I'm calling to let you know, your whore Mallory is on the property trying to climb the gate. If she gets over it, I'm going to smoke this bitch. I'll see you soon!"
She hung up in my face after that, like I was a bitch or something.
I stood there holding the phone, staring at the screen.
What the fuck?
Mallory. On the property. Trying to get over the gate? That shit sounded crazy as hell but I knew from Tatti’s tone, the shit was real, and she was ready to kill her over it. The way that Tatti had already beat the breaks off the girl, Mallory had to be a damn fool to come back for more.
I pulled up the security feed on my phone with shaking hands. Today was just not my day, and I had been tried and tested all damn day.
There she was.
I rewinded the camera back just a few minutes. Mallory in her white Tesla, moving slow around the perimeter like she was hunting for something. Like she was looking for a way in. Like she had every right to be on my property. This bitch knew damn well, I ain’t play like that.
My jaw clenched so tight I thought my teeth might crack.
I could see her finally getting to the gate and trying the gate code. Watching her realize it didn't work. Watching her circle again like she was trying to figure out her next move. I took note that Mallory kept making calls. I had been blocked the bitch, so I knew she wasn’t trying to reach me. This hoe was up to some bullshit, and I could feel it.
And I knew without a doubt—that Tatti would do exactly what she said she’d do. My wife would shoot Mallory without hesitation if she made it over that other side.
Which meant I had minutes to make some shit shake. I needed to know what the fuck Mallory wanted first. For her to pop up at my crib, trying anything to enter, she had to want something important.
I called Sam immediately. He picked up on the second ring.
"Where are you?" I asked.
"I’m on the compound, at Zaire’s house now. Setting up for his arrival like you asked," Sam said. "Why? What's up?"
"Mallory is trying to breach the property," I said, my voice low and controlled even though rage was burning through my veins. "Go to the main entrance. Get her. Take her to the pool house and tie her up. Don't let Tatti see her or get to her. Make sure that Mallory is secure and don’t go nowhere. You understandme? Don’t make the same mistake as last time because I won’t be so understanding tonight!”
"Understood," Sam said, and the call ended.
I stood there for a moment, processing everything that was happening at once.
My brother was about to be released.
