LEMONADE 2||

Chapter 33: The Code

Ricky rolled his blunt alongside Cortez. Cortez wasn't okay Victoria was in critical care severely dehydrated and hemorrhaging. The surgeon told him its a possibility she could lose her baby due to the amount of blood loss and the guilt was eating him alive. He took another shot of Hennessy. "Slow down," Dreux said. "I know this shit is hard but it's temporary," he said looking at his watch. "Pops is on his way" Dreux updated them they didn't say anything to just continued to have their pity party. Dreux was so happy those days were behind him. He grabbed his drink sitting on the couch. They were at Cortez's new man cave he's been working on for years. Dreux facetime Mia to let her know he'd be on his plane in an hour or so.

"Wassup baby" he smiled looking at the camera. Mia was still upset that he flew out of the party not saying bye or anything that worried her to death.

"Dreux," she said. He sighed "You still mad at me? He asked. "Yes, Dreux Isaiah Santana... don't ever leave me like that you didn't even give me a kiss what if that was my last time seeing you. I'm your wife .. are you crazy? she questioned getting emotional. "I'm sorry baby I wasn't thinking that will never happen again," he said. "Whatever," she said. "You pregnant? He asked. "Bye Dreux, see this is why I can't take you seriously," she said. "I was genuinely asking... you getting thick..and you've been crying a lot," he said. The doorbell rung he quickly turned around to see Craig entering. "I gotta go bab-

"No, whatever it is can wait," she said. "Baby I'll be home tonight and when I get home I promise I'll make it up to you," he said. She frowned "My legs ache and I wanna go to target... and this conversation isn't over," she said. "I'll buy you the whole target boo and give you a massage," he said. "Promise? She asked. "I promise love, I'll see you later" he smooched at her before hanging up. "Fellas," he said.

"Come on now clear the table we don't even have time for the pity parties now," he said. "What is wrong with mom is the first question? Ricky said. "Just relax ...

"Is mom okay or not? Ricky asked getting aggressive. "Yes," Craig said getting him to calm down. Ricky sat back down "Things are really skeptical right now. I advise you all to lay low for at least a few weeks especially the two of you. Were being watched and I don't know if Grant has anything to do with it but we can't trust him. It's weird that Giovanni is arrested but Grant comes out.

"That means he's plotting at you, Cortez. He's going to try to take you and his own brother down to own that club.. the only club left that's standing" Craig predicted. Dreux chuckled in disbelief. "That's the only thing I could come up with and Tez if you were smart you take you and your family and hide for a few weeks until we figure this out. I know you and your ex hate each other but together or not your family's safety is still important" he said. Cortez nodded taking another shot along with Ricky. "I don't hate her.... but she hates me," he said

"HEY" Craig shouted

"Y'all two need to get your panties out of a bunch.. acting like some wimps," he said. "Cortez you clean yourself up and stop avoiding going to the hospital," he said. "Nah, she hates me if the baby dies it's over. I have no chance of getting back to her. Toria hates my soul she is not going to want to see me Unc, I keep fucking up man" he cried. "She almost died because of me. I'm horrible" he broke down. Dreux and Ricky saw him like this before, but they would never understand that feeling. None of their girls have even been hurt the fact that those bitch ass niggas cut a pregnant woman is just bitch made. "Bro, don't beat yourself up" Dreux went over there rubbing his back. Ricky stayed where he was at covering his face. "We all fucked up in the love department man, its never too late to turn shit around," Dreux said

"Look son, time is the best healer.. all you can do now is be humble and step up and be there for her... her boyfriend is on an assignment now is the time to show up.. but being with her should be the least of your concerns. You got this son" Craig said holding his shoulders. Cortez nodded his head. Craig pulled him in for a hug, Dreux joined the hug. "You're not a horrible person bro life got to us and made us do some fucked up shit..but it's always an opportunity to grow that's what I be telling big head over there," Dreux said. "Fuck off," Ricky said angrily high as a kite.