Affinity

Chapter 26: The Value in You

" Come on, we here."

" Whoptie-fucking-do." Hakim gave me the stale face from the other side of the car and I rolled my eyes in response, I didn't wanna be here, sure as shit didn't wanna be here with him, I was gonna be as difficult as I could be.

" Bring ya ass." He got out the car slamming the door in the process, I in turn huffed and followed his lead.

" Yeah ard."

" Oops, mybad." I smirked as I slammed the door to his car just as he was rushing over to collect my ass.

" I should whoop ya ass for slamming my shit like that but ima let it ride cuz we have bigger things to attend to."

Ugh, I wanted to go the fuck home, why on earth did this man have to kidnap me on this dumbass shit tonight!

" Gimme ya hand." The fuck?

" No."

" Man Ab, you so fucking stubborn." Hakim grabbed my hand in his own and stiffened the grip so I couldn't wiggle loose. It was at this moment that I felt Travis' form attach to my frame. It was his reassuring grip on my shoulder that padded my fear down to slim apprehension and slowed my breathing to a more normalized pace.

" Act right when we go in here ard?"

" Do I have a choice?" I spoke sarcastically as we walked briskly towards a brick built warehouse somewhere in south philly. I could hear the low roar of a busy south street in the distance as the graveled lot we walked across moved under our feet with each step.

" Good evening Mr. Ever." A tall white man came to unlock the heavy steel double doors to the building. His face was angular and sharp, blue eyes, heavy light brown eyebrows, and thin lips. I thought I could hear an accent in his tone, but the sentence he'd spoken was abridged enough that I couldn't get an accurate read.

" Wassup with you, thanks for coming through. Aye, ima need to show her around a couple things, we won't be longer than an hour though." He pointed to me without acknowledging me as his sister..mmkay interesting.

" No problem. I'll be down here, take your time." He lead us into the lobby of the building, a warm room with the telltale warehouse concrete floors, softened greatly by the surrounding brick walls and huge fireplace with an inviting fire lit within it. Two armchairs sat surrounding the fireplace and a desk sat in front of one, a replica storefront if there ever was one.

" Thanks." Hakim gripped my hand tighter, signaling me to stop day-dreaming and fall in line behind his gait.

" Yeah that's definitely the first time you've not taken the time to make it known I'm your sister...but yeah, no I didn't notice that at all." He turned around and smirked at me, " too observant for your own good, remember curiosity killed the cat."

" So hol up, I must be the curiosity that'll kill you. Cuz Jay and Jaz are definitely on ya head." I laughed at my own joke as we continued up the second flight of stairs, " Damn, too cheap for a elevator bro?"

" Ayo, all this talking you doing, ima need you to dead that shit. Though I do love the sound of your voice and all," this motherfucker cracked a whole smile, " let's just save the conversation until after we get where we going."

" Yeah ard." I mumbled under my breath as we ascended three more flights of stairs, ok now I was out of breath and tired, I had little energy left for smart remarks.

" Come here, sit down." He led me into an office and then sat me down on a couch close to the door. He placed a kiss on my forehead before slipping down on his knees and laying his head in my lap as Jaelyn did earlier. Only now the gesture made me uncomfortable and fidgety.