Page 96 of Juliet's Echo

Normally, I would’ve ignored it until the call ended, but something made me look.

The text contained only three words. Three coded words that only my family knew. Three coded words capable of destroying my world.

Optimus:The Baby Knows.

My phone slipped from my hand and hit the floor.

“What the fuck you mean she knows?”

The truck flew down the road while Optimus drove.

“You telling me I’m supposed to believe some little college broad named Ava told Juliet her mother’s name was Shannon and her daddy was that professor nigga?”

“That’s the story I got, my nigga.”

“So why JuJu ain’t call me? This shit gotta be flawed.”

Optimus glanced over.

“You hear some heart-wrenching shit about the people that mean the most to you in front of your friends, you thinking logical enough to call home?”

I nodded.

He had a point.

“And how you know all this? The only thing Carter told me was the girl freaked out, yelling my family name and shit. We assumed she got into a fight with Juliet and got scared of the repercussions.”

Optimus laughed.

“I been told you, old man, them niggas you hired is weak. Lucky for you, through all the sheep, you got one lion that loveyour ugly ass. My people always been one step behind yours. I just never told you.”

He pointed at his chest.

“You see, Echo, you had to learn the streets. I lived it. Long as my head warm, you and my goddaughter always protected.”

Respect.

Without hesitation, I reached over and dapped him up.

“Did you track her?” he asked.

“Yeah. Her Jeep says she’s at Flip’d, but her phone says she’s at Psalm’s crib.”

“Gimme the address.”

“Nah. Flip’d is closer. Let’s just pull up and see if she’s in there,” I suggested.

“Her homegirl was driving the Jeep. More than likely she dropped baby girl off at Psalm’s and then took the whip to Flip’d with the other homeboy.”

“Bet. But I’m sending people to the spot anyway.”

Silence settled over the truck.

“You strapped?” I asked.

Optimus smirked.

“I got us both covered. But honestly, I don’t think it’s needed. I ran a check. Ain’t nobody over there except Psalm and his cousin. His parents outta town.”