Page 121 of The Coldest: Stay Dangerous Part 2

Titan and another huge man in a suit are waiting for us. The other man introduces himself as Rowan Wyatt, and basically drags Rico away from me. I take that opportunity to shake Titan’s hand again, since I don’t think he’d want another hug.

“Just so you know, your intended wife is a bonafide bop. And because you move heaven and earth for your daughter, she hates her for good reason.”

Titan’s lips twitch as his hand slowly shakes mine. “Gaia said something about how she… fucked your nigga?”

My mouth drops open before I grin. “She tells you everything?”

“That’s my baby. But both of your concerns have been noted. And the rest of your fee has been wired into your account. If you ever need anything, Miss Snow, reach out. Especially if you change your mind about being Gaia’s new mother.”

Titan brings my hand to his mouth, kissing my knuckles gently before dropping it.

“You gon’ get me in trouble!” I hiss, looking around. Thankfully, Rico is nowhere to be found, but a familiar face is coming up to us, razor sharp grin as his gaze shifts from Titan to me.

“I wanted to introduce you to a colleague of mine. Councilman Jackson, this is Wynter Snow. Miss Snow, this is–”

“Slime.”

It’s been a few years, but I’ve never been one to forget a fine ass nigga, memory issues aside. Where G, his younger brother, is shorter and stockier, Slime is tall and lanky, though it seems like he’s put on some muscle now that he’s older.

Unlike Rowan Wyatt and Titan, Slime isn’t in a suit, swapping it for a black Essentials hoodie, black jeans, and black timbs. He doesn’t look like an esteemed councilman at all, actually. Besides the carefully groomed mustache and goatee, he looks like he’s back eighteen, and about to run a blitz.

“Wynter Snow. In the flesh. Congrats on the successful show.” His voice is smooth as he shakes my hand, his other clasping my elbow.

“Thank you,” I beam. “Wow… it’s been so long.”

“You two know each other?”

“Yeah. Kind of grew up together through mutual friends. We know each other well enough to hug at least.” I pull him to me, giggling at how surprised he is, though he hugs me back.

“How are you? You good?” I ask. Besides us liking random pics on social media, we haven’t talked much since Fredo passed. He’s so successful with his political career, but I know that doesn’t mean he’s not drowning in grief privately.

Surprise multiplies even more on his face as his lips part. I don’t know why he’s caught so off guard, but I wait patiently for his answer.

“Um, I’m good. How are you, Wynter? You good?” he asks, his previous confidence gone.

I shrug. “I’m good. Over this whole scene, now that I’m sober. And you’ve been to my house in Raleigh Park, Slime. You’ve more than earned the right to call me Wyn.”

His lips quirk. “Only if you call me Gio. I’ll, uh, see you around, okay?”

He hugs me once more, before he and Titan duck out, something like a serious conversation starting between them.

“You all alone and shit. Let’s take a shot of cranberry juice!” Red grabs the carafe of juice and jumps on the couch, holding it like it’s champagne.

Laughter bubbles out of me as he helps me onto the couch beside him and gives me a waterfall. Dori comes onto my other side as one of Shaddy’s songs starts to play, and we rap it word for word as we pass the juice back and forth.

I’m really back. And maybe I’ll be better without all the extras.

The tears haven’t stopped.

I woke up this morning, turned over to face the windows, and have been weeping ever since.

The windows are why I paid cash for this place. A steal, really. A hundred fifty thousand for a penthouse unit in an older building on the outskirts of downtown. Really good security, very discreet, with a private elevator. Three bedrooms, and yet I had the delivery guys drop my mattress in the middle of the living room before I drug it to the windows.

Now, the day after Christmas, I’m watching rainclouds gather outside, as tears rain down on my cheeks inside.

I should write that down.

My phone vibrates, but it’s just Ju. She got my number from Miele so Mars could call me yesterday. This morning, she sent me pictures of him playing with one of the gifts I sent.