Zaya's POV
"Play nice and don't react Zaya. This is just another family dinner." I told myself.
I don't like these people anymore but I have to place nice so they don't suspect anything. Although TJ was invited it to the function he made it clear that he wasn't going. In a way it's for the best because there's no doubt in my mind TJ would shoot Arin on sight. The thought of killing him myself has crossed my mind. But we have to stick to the plan.
Zayn walked in with Halle and took a seat beside me. "Hey crybaby." I said.
"Leave me alone, Zaya." He said.
"Do you two always have to fight when you see each other?" Halle asked.
"It's tradition." I said.
Zayn shrugged and sipped on his glass of water. I slouched one my seat and began playing with my pinky ring.
"He's been in a bit of a tizzy Bernard came up short. Talking about he's gonna kill whoever did it." Zayn whispered.
"He's scared." I said.
"Also he meet with these ladies, Jordyn and Jodie about some products." Zayn said.
"That deal won't be taking place." I said.
"How come?" Zayn asked.
"Take a ride with me after dinner." I said.
Zayn nodded and sat back up in his seat. I sipped on my wine and focused in on Arin as he walked into the dining room with his son. I reached inside my blazer and put my hand on my pistol. Zayn grabbed my arm and shook his head. I withdrew my hand from my pocket and began counting to 10 in my head.
Just looking at him sparks an uninhibited rage that I didn't know was in me. Same goes for my mother.
Pharaoh sat beside and said, "Look what the cat dragged in."
"Phaedra get it out my face." I said.
"It's Pharaoh."
"Fake nigga number one, got it." Zayn said.
"Alright that's enough." Arin said.
I rolled my eyes and waved him off. "I'll pray." Zayn said.
"Go ahead baby." Mom said.
"Lord, it's me. Thank you for the food, may it be nourishment to our bodies. Thank you for Uncle Bernard, may his soul Rest In Peace. And lord, please let this family dinner go off without any acts of violence. Amen." Zayn said.
"Amen, now pass the peas Zayn." I said.
We started passing the food around and right away the conversation went to who killed Bernard. I sat back, ate my little steak, and minded my own business. Zayn acted as if he was heartbroken that Bernard was killed. He even had me convinced. If only Arin knew that he was there when I took him out.
"Have the detectives made an updates on the case?" Zayn asked.
"Nope. But they did discover his last known location. A block away from Zaya's...establishment." Arin said.
"Are you implying that I did something to your little lackey?" I asked.
"No I just find it odd, he's last seen close to your place then he winds up dead and on my doorstep." Arin said.
I shrugged and swirled the wine around in my glass. "Maybe somebody was after him, maybe they were using him to get to you." I said.
"This is getting weird.." Halle whispered.
