The Gentleman Thug

Part 11

It took two days in hospital for Oriana to get the all clear but a couple more weeks for Ria to be discharged. The police report stated Ria acted in self defense. Psalms was charged with kidnapping and aggravation once he was discharged from hospital from his gunshot wound. The judge sentenced him to 15 years behind bars which wasn't satisfactory for Jay who wanted retribution. Psalms knew Jay's fury would reach him even behind bars. He knew what would be waiting for him. He asked for solitude but was refused. He took the cowards way out taking his own life. Jay felt cheated of revenge. He decided to take a step back from the business so he could focus on his wife's recovery and daughter.

Jay- "Dommie I'm entrusting you to take care of things for a while."

Ria needs me by her side.

"I understand."

Jay- "Whats on your mind?"

"I think maybe its time you leave all this behind for good. It's no longer just you so it's not you people will target to hurt you. They found your weakness and will play on it. All this isn't worth losing your wife and daughter. Nor they lose you."

Jay- "I can't abandon the boys..."

"Your not. Just think on it aite."

Nathaniel walked up to us looking out of sorts. He seemed as though he was holding his temper in check. He hadn't spoken a word to Jay since he was told what had happened. The tension in the air intensified.

"Ria's parents at the hospital?"

Nathaniel nodded. He looked out the window lost in thought. His jaw was clenched tight. The boys all remained silent. Jay stared at Nathaniel's back. He spoke.

Jay- "Nate. I know you blame me.. Say something."

Nathaniel spun around. His eyes revealed his anguish.

Nathaniel- "You know when I first found out you had a thing for Ria I was against it because I knew the lifestyle you lived was not for Ria. I thought maybe you were capable of protecting her. I was wrong."

Jay- "Say what you really feel."

Nathaniel- "You put my sister in laws life in danger. My niece in danger. How did you let this happen?!"

Jay- "I have no excuse to give you."

Nathaniel- "Damn straight you don't because I asked you to take care of this the moment Ryder was hit but you didn't did you? Your lack of taking charge of a situation is what brought this on. Had you looked into it from the get go my sister wouldn't be looking like a lifeless shell!!"

Jay- "You think I'm not beating myself up? That I couldn't protect my wife from that son of a bi@#& eats me alive! I effed up. That's why I'm taking time off to spend with my wife."

Nathaniel- "Indefinitely."

We all stared at Nathaniel stunned.

"You're out of the game. You must first learn to take care and protect your own before you can try and do it for others oh so help me, I'll see you set Ria free from you before I let you bring more harm her way."

The silence stretched. Jay finally spoke up.

Jay- "Your right. All this is meaningless if I lost Ria and Shaye. I was already considering it but I guess you beat me to it. I officially step down. I nominate Dominico to take my place."

Nathaniel- "No"

Jay- "He can manage it better than I ever did."

Nathaniel- "I don't deny that. Dominico."