Fight For Me

19. Here's the Deal

To say that I am nervous is the understatement of the year, because I am fucking terrified. I watch my little girl sleep peacefully as I get up to get something to drink. My throat is dry, and I feel like I am going to throw up. How can anyone threaten a sweet little girl like that? I knew my waste of space parents were fucked up, but this is...all I say is there is personal spot for them in hell. No matter what I will never forgive them for putting my child in danger.

"Can't sleep." I almost jump out of my skin as I see Hal walk into the kitchen rubbing his eyes. I shake my head as my cup almost slips from my hands. "It's been pretty restless for all of us." Just then Benny walks in scratching his head with a big yawn.

"I shouldn't even be here." I set my cup down on the counter and rub my hands over my tired face. "We should just get as far away as possible." Hal puts his hand on my shoulder, and I look up at him. "Why couldn't you guys be my real parents? None of this shit would have ever happened." The tears fall down my face, that's when I am pulled into Suzy's arms as she embraces me tightly.

"None of that Bry." She pulls back to wipe the tears from my eyes, cups my face with her delicate hands. "You are family, and we will do anything for you."

"That's right bro." Benny slings his arm around his mom's shoulders. "We family, we got your back until the end...aight." I stare at my best friend that is like a brother to me and bust out laughing.

"Never and I mean never say that again. It's just not you."

"Way to hurt me bro." He gasps as he clutches his chest until he can't hold it in anymore and starts laughing. "You're right. I'm more of a white boy than you are, trapped in a black man's body."

"Shut up!" I chuckle as I shake my head at Benny. "You are such a fucking moron."

"Yeah, but the ladies love this chocolate moron."

"For the love of God, Benjamin, knock it off before I do it for you." Suzy scolds but I see her lips itching to stretch into a smile. "What? I was just trying to ease some of the tension out of this room." The moron says as I pull him into a hug and hold on for dear life. "Thank you, brother." I say as I rest my forehead against his.

"So, what's the plan?" Suzy says as she pours herself a cup of coffee then walks to sit down in a chair at the kitchen table. I sigh as I thread my fingers through my hair as I walk over to the table and sit down as well. "I have no choice. I have to see what Romano wants. I can't risk going to the cops because of what might happen."

"I could..." I shake my head and interrupt before she can say anything else. "No, mom." I see her eyes shine bright as I say that. It's the truth though. She may have lost her best friend and I my mother, but she gained me. Even though at the moment that doesn't not seem like the best option for any of them. "Too risky for anything but to see what he wants. It's bad enough y'all are involved in the first place." She grabs my hand and squeezes it. "We'd do anything for you Bry."

And that right there in itself was the problem. I love them to death, but I refuse to let anything happen to them.

"I just need to make sure that Zoe is safe, and nothing happens to my little girl." I groan even though I want to scream out my frustrations. Haven't we been through enough already? "Don't worry son, we will make sure our granddaughter is safe." I look up and see smiling down at me with a mischievous look on his face. "Besides I know some people that will definitely do anything to keep that little girl protected." I go to say something, but he shakes his head. "Without going to the cops, I'll talk to George, he's ex-military and you know that man will do anything for our little girl." I nod my head, I just forgot who he used to be to who he is now.