Vendetta | Nicki Minaj & August Alsina

14. Potential Knowledge

Raja
If It Adds Up
10: 52 am

Walking into my parents' house felt like a breath of fresh air. It felt like coming home after spending the night over a friend's house, but this time I wasn't staying here. I was on my own now in my own home. The smell of sweet, syrupy pancakes and fresh bacon dragged me into the kitchen. I knew it had to be the chef because my mom didn't mess with pork. When I walked into the kitchen, I was greeted by the chef, my brothers and my father.

"Look what we have here," my youngest brother Michael said already being obnoxious. "It's a potato on sticks."

"Cut it out," My dad demanded, looking like he was trying to hold in his laughter.

"Don't tell me you found that funny?" That's definitely something my dad and Michael had in common. They were beyond corny and always found each other's jokes hilarious. No matter how sinister my father was, he was always silly.

"C'mon, it was clever," He chuckled, pointing at my outfit. I looked down at my all brown outfit. A dark brown cami, beige pants, brown boots, and a long brown trench coat. No matter how color coordinated, these mismatched designer styles looked nice on me. I mugged them.

"Where is the child I came here for?" I said looking around. It was way too quiet for her presence.

"Oh, she went with mom to get mani-pedis or some shit like that," Michael took a gulp of his orange juice. I stared at him blankly, then at my father. I know I hadn't been gone that long that my dad started letting him curse.

"I wish somebody would have notified me," I pouted. I sat down on one of the bar stools next to my silent middle brother. It wasn't like TJ to be so quiet. The only time he was like that was after a shooting or when he was mad. "What's wrong TJ?" I asked. My dad smirked and roughly shook TJ's shoulder.

"My boy got some revenge, that's what!" He jumped out of his chair and walked over to the chef, excusing him, and smiled at TJ who finally smiled back.

"What do you mean?" I asked looking like the stupidest person in the room.

"He killed one of the dudes that killed Unc! My big brother a straight shooter!" Michael said getting hyped. That caused a small smirk from TJ.

"How'd you figure out who killed Uncle Thomas? I mean, their are plenty of people out there who would want him dead. Who did it?" I spun my stool a little to face my dad who looked a little excited to talk more about it.

"You know how there was money coming up short getting to me, right?" I nodded. "Well, there's this new cartel run by these young bloods here in New York," he paused. "I had some of the guys find out some more information. They found some of their little 'salesmen' and snatched them off the street. Threatened 'em for a little bit, then it got to torture until one of them snitched. He gave us the name of one of, I think he said four, men running the whole thing. I had some of my government people look up his name and address, and that's how we found him; just got to get the other three." My dad was smiling, TJ was smirking, and Michael looked like a little kid, mesmerized.

"Wait, wait, wait," I interrupted. "How do you know you got the right man?"

"They gave us his mugshot from a few months ago," TJ pulled a folded sheet of paper out of his pocket and handed it to me. I was a bit aggy while anticipating to see a new victim of the Costello Cartel. Flipping the paper open, I saw a face too familiar. I felt like I was going to puke. The heat building up in my body was causing me to sweat; it was a mugshot of Trey. It was kind of hard to believe because I had just seen him last night. My hand was shaking as I sat the paper on the counter.

"Um, what time did all of this happen?" I was trying to make sure that wasn't him. I know damn well I was in denial. There are four of them, he said. If there are four, then that could possibly mean that Adonis, Jonas, and Quez are they other three; or maybe they had nothing to do with it. I was hyperventilating inside my own body and was desperately trying to hide it.

"Me and Damien caught him at a red light around 8:15 on Canal." TJ stood up from his chair and pulled up his sagging pants. "Nigga didn't even see it coming. Blew two clips on him," He said, receiving a dap from Michael. Trey left Adonis's apartment around 8 o'clock, so yeah, it must be true. A wave of depression hit me.

"You sure he was dead when you left the scene?" I asked trying to trick my mind out of denial.

"I guess I'm pretty sure. Unless he could dodge 30 or so bullets." He laughed. "A'ight y'all, I'ma go find me some business." TJ disappeared out into his room. "Same," Michael mumbled, getting up and walking away. I sighed, still feeling the sadness. "I'll be in my old room, until Mom gets back, I guess." I walked up the stairs into my old bedroom. There was nothing in there but my old, giant bed. There were no sheets on it.

I picked up my phone and quickly dialled Adonis for closure. He picked up after the second ring, sounding as worried as ever. "Hello?"

"Hey," I paused at his hurriedness. "Um, are you okay?" I could hear people in the background freaking out.

"Not really. Is this important? I can't really talk right now."

"Adonis, what do you do for a living?" I asked a bit overdramatic.
"What?" He sounded irritated. I knew that if it was Trey who my brother shot at last night, that he wouldn't have any time to answer my stupid questions, but I needed answers.

"Just... I just need to know," I was panicking along with him.

"I guess you could call me an entrepreneur, i don't know." An entrepreneur, huh? Daddy says if a man ever tells you he's an entrepreneur without telling you exactly what his business is, he's doing something illegal; more than likely, selling drugs. "Is that all?" He began rushing me.

"Uh, yeah. That's all." He instantly hung up. I couldn't be mad knowing exactly why he was behaving that way. My brother just potentially ended the life of one of his partners, but that could only mean something to follow up on that: Adonis helps run an opposing cartel. That means that I started a relationship with a man in a growing war with my family and I know about it. That means that if Adonis finds out I'm Thaddeus Costello's daughter, my life could be in danger, but what if he's not. I really like this guy. The only way to find out is to hear it from his mouth. And that's the only way I'll end what we could possibly have.

A/N: Happy New Years Eve! I hope you all have a good day! Stay safe ♥