Page 229 of The Ninth

By the time she hit the ground, I still hadn’t made it to Duke. My legs were heavy, barely carrying me to him. As I passed the slime ass bitch, I realized it was the hoe Pink. She died knowing she took Devyn’s nigga like she think Devyn took hers. That bitch put my fucking brother down. When I reached him, I dropped to my knees.

“Don’t even do that, gang,” he said, spitting up blood. “I killed the bitch who violated my baby. If I’ma go, I’ma go knowing that. I told Devyn I loved her before I left. Just promise me you’—”

“Shut the fuck up!”

I went beneath him, shoving my arms up under his. He shook his head from side to side as I drug him to the side door, leading into the garage. I drug him to an old Jeep Compass. The glass shattered after I smacked it with my gun. I got my brotha into the backseat and got in myself, praying I remembered how to hot wire it.

“Kenzo—”

“I SAID SHUT THE FUCK UP! YOU WASTING YOUR FUCKING BREATH AND ENERGY! YOU NOT FUCKING LEAVING ME HERE, SHORTY. YOU AND TEVIN DON’T GET TO BOUNCE AND LEAVE ME BEHIND!”

“I love you, goofy! You mean the fucking world to me,” his voice grew more hoarse the more he spoke.

Hot ass tears ran down my face as the Jeep finally came to life. I hit the garage remote up top, barely letting the bitch lift before I tore out of it. One hand held the wheel as I did ninety while the other shot out the window, making sure we made it out of the neighborhood.

“I held it down for five years, broski. It’s your turn. Take care of my fucking mama, pops, and niece. Love on Cassie and name that fucking baby after me. Fuck Tevin, he been gone. Don’t let Devyn forget I love her. And if my baby finds someone else, you treat them right for her.”

“Man-Man, I don’t wanna hear this shit, broski. You said you would never die on me, bitch! YOU LIED? YOU GON LET ME DOWN LIKE THIS?!”

“I don’t wanna leave you, foo! I can feel my fucking life slipping away.”

“I love you, Man-Man.”

“I love you, boah.”

Promises

K3’s POV

CODE BLUE. CODE BLUE. CODE BLUE.

“COMING THROUGH! EXCUSE ME!”

“I HAVEN’T HEARD ANYTHING ABOUT MY NEPHEW!”

“I’m sorry to bother you. I’m looking for my husband...”

My head snapped up for the first time since I was told to wait here. That was hours ago. I left to handle some shit, unable to stay and worry myself sick. But ever since I got back, I’ve just been stuck. Out of all the noises and voices, only one got my attention.

I looked at Cassie with low eyes that were swollen from rethinking my last conversation with Man-Man. Her blonde braids were in a low bun at her nape. Her right hand rested on her flat stomach as the woman asked her to hold on. Even with sweatpants and a tight fitting workout jacket on, she looked gorgeous.

Down the way, I could see my mother, father, Piper, Micah, and a crying Devyn crowded around a nurse. Instead of worrying with them, Cassandra was looking for me. I already felt a million times better knowing she was here.

Out of nowhere, her head turned directly towards me. I watched all of the tension leave her body as we met eyes. My heart couldn’t take the sadness and hurt that was on her face seeing how I looked. She took two slow steps be for full out running to me. I caught her in my arms, wrapping myself around her body.

“Crybaby...” I whispered out.

“Papa, are you okay?!”

“I’m okay now.”

“Tell me if you were hurt!”

“I wasn’t. I promise.”

She fell down into my lap, gripping onto my body. Every piece of me that broke away slowly started coming back together. My nose dove into her neck, taking in her smell. I pressed my lips against her skin, remembering how soft it is. A nigga was in here feeling like he died.

The love for my wife resurrected me.