[Chresanto]
After ending my phone call with Shiloh, I make my way back downstairs to find it empty; before I begin to panic, I walk back up the stairs and stop at Alyssa's closed door. I slowly turn the door knob and push the door open before I peek into Alyssa's room to see her and Dahlia sitting on her bed, Dahlia painting her nails while they talk.
"Do you think he knows?" Alyssa asks, her back facing the door.
Dahlia's attention is on Alyssa's hand, so neither one of them notice I'm standing in the doorway. "Honestly, I don't know, Aly. Maybe he does, maybe he doesn't, but I do know one thing... Chres has major feelings for you, and if you are pregnant with his child, you should tell him." Alyssa? Pregnant by me?
I think back to the previous night, trying to remember if I used protection or not. When I can't come up with an answer, I mentally reprimand myself and exit the room. only to go into my room.
"Fuck," I curse, sitting on the edge of my bed. "This is just what I need-" As I get ready to lash out at myself, someone knocks on my door. "It's open."
Dahlia walks in and sits next to me, an angered expression on her face. "You told Shiloh?"
"I had to, Lia. That's his brother," I protest.
"Chres!" she exclaims, punching me as hard as she can in the arm. Ow. "You know how hotheaded and irrational Shiloh is. He's going to do something stupid, and I may as well begin planning the-"
"Don't," I cut her off. "Shi isn't going to make a move until you give him the distress signal, same goes for me."
"Really?" she inquires, an eyebrow skeptically raised.
No. Instead of telling her the truth, I lie straight through my teeth, "Really."
She stares me down, and I know she doesn't believe me. "Chres, I'm serious. I can handle him, I've done it before."
I sigh, pinching the bridge of my nose. "Lia, at least let us sit in the car. I'd hate for something to happen to you and neither of us know about it."
"If anything happens to me, it's going to be me being carried out in Chandler's arms. I know how to handle myself, I was taught by the best," she smiles, patting my shoulder. "You just gotta have faith in me."
"Lia, I do have faith in you, but judging from the things you've told me about Isaiah, he doesn't play by the book, and I don't want you getting hurt because of it," I explain.
Dahlia shakes her head. "I still want to do this alone."
I sigh, rubbing my hand down my face. "Fine, but you have to tell Alyssa the truth... tonight." Dahlia cuts her eyes at me. "I didn't say anything to her, she's just a smart woman. She knows when she's being lied to, and I'm sure she knows that the dog being dognapped is a lie."
"Okay, okay... I'll tell her," Dahlia sighs, standing up. "Chres?" I look up at her, only for her to place a kiss on my cheek. "I love you, but you have to stop treating me like you did Keeleigh. I can handle myself."
I nod, knowing she's right; truth is, she possesses a lot of the same traits as Keeleigh: stubbornness, the need to be independent, rational, and energetic, which is why I feel the need to protect her the same way I did Keeleigh.
~•~•~
Three Weeks Later...
"Chres, where is this nigga at?" Shiloh questions as we sit in my car, watching the brick house inconspicuously. "Shouldn't he be home by now?"
"Shiloh, keep your calm," I remind him. "We can't jump out and surprise him as soon as he steps out the car; ain't no telling if he's working alone or not."
Shiloh scoffs. "This nigga done crossed everybody he can. Who in they right fuckin' mind wanna work for someone like Zay?"
"Trust has nothing to do with money." I should know that; long after Penelope and I broke up, Ace offered me ten thousand in cash to do a drop off for him. Of course, my mission was successful, but Ace failed to mention that the people I were dropping off his product to were gang members that didn't like me; four lives were taken that day as well, so Ace upped the cash value to twenty grand. "Watch the guy that just parked straight across the street. That might be him."
Sure enough, the guy walked into the brick building after checking his surroundings. Not too long after he entered the building, a round of gunshots went off. Shiloh and I looked at each other before grabbing our weapons and running the short distance to the stairs and into the building, our guns drawn and ready to release fire. We weren't ready for what we see when we enter the house.
- - - - - -
cliffhanger!! don't hate me for it because what they see will be revealed next chapter. also, a big reveal might be made next chapter, you never know.
onto some serious ish, tho ... I'm thinking of ending this story after the fortieth or forty-fifth chapter; I'm not entirely sure yet, but I do have the epilogue typed up & I think y'all will like that.
xoxo, Mo.
