Page 79 of The Coldest: Stay Dangerous Part 2

“Well, I told you I’m tired of pulling out, so,” I shrug, stretching as I stand, dodging the pillow she throws at me before I turn toward the bathroom. “If you cool with what comes with that, I’m with it.”

“In your dreams,” she cackles. But she knows I’m deadass. That’s why she gulps as I close the bathroom door behind me.

“I know you’re not sleep, Miele. I just heard someone shush Mars.”

My little cousin feigns a yawn, pissing me off even more. “I thought you were leaving at midnight.”

“I am,” I say, as I glance at my homies ribbing Reem for dragging YT off during dinner. NiNi and Reno are off to the side, checking the case of weapons we’re taking.

“Put her on the phone, Miele.”

“Huh?” Miele tries to muffle a giggle, but I hear that shit loud and clear.

Taking a couple steps away from the rest of them, I place my lips onto my phone. “Tell her to grab this phone before I blow her whole muthafuckin’ spot up, on Baby. Say that shit verbatim if I’m not on speaker, Miele.”

“You are so fuckin’ extra,” Snow spits, making me smile.

When I woke up this morning, she and Mars were gone, along with my cousins and Nan. They were gone all day, with NiNi and Reno coming back well after dinner, telling me the others were at Miele’s house for the night. I don’t have the patience to give a fuck about that right now, but I wasn’t going the whole day without hearing her voice.

“Yes, Richard?” she breathes, the tv in the background getting louder before disappearing altogether.

“You could have just told me you ain’t want me to say shit.”

“But then I wouldn’t have been able to see the big ass resort you have in San Pedro and the animal shelter you go to when you need to get away from me.”

“I could have shown you those things.” I roll my eyes at myself and how lame I sound, and pray Nut didn’t hear me.

“You missed me huh? Say it out loud,” she snickers.

“I could die tonight and you want your last words to be shit talking.”

“Why the fuck would you say that?!” she shrieks.

I chuckle. “Because–”

“Because you’re a fucking dick. Don’t die, Richard. Only I can kill you.”

“You can’t even kill a fly, Snow.” I glance at Reno and nod at him before turning back around. “Wait; have you done that before?”

“No,” she scoffs. “Be safe, Rico. I mean it.”

My cheeks heat at her concern. I wipe my face, though my smile doesn’t go anywhere. “Ain’t no such thing as being safe. You know that.”

“Then stay dangerous! And… come back.”

“Ay!” Nut yells, and I know it’s time to go.

“I did miss you, today,” I reveal. “Soon as these niggas leave you making it up to me.”

“Hurry up then so I can!”

“Fasho.” I hang up without saying bye, and turn just as Nut strolls up to me.

“Why you ain’t let me talk to wifey? Bad enough I ain’t vet her ass.”

I pocket my phone and walk back toward the group, leaving his dumb ass. NiNi walks back in from loading the truck, completing the circle.

“Aight, so my contact said they could be in one of two places; in this compound just outside of city limits, and a mini yacht that’s stationed a couple miles off the coast. It can only hold like five people, so I’ma handle that while my cousins keep y’all alive in Chetumal. This is Reno and NiNi.”