Page 192 of The Coldest: Stay Dangerous Part 2

“We need to go get my nephew. You got something on you?”

Ju’s eyes stretch. Grabbing her purse, she pats it twice and arches a brow. “My darling brother-in-law wouldn’t have it any other way.”

“We’re going to get Deuce?” Mars sleepily asks, rubbing his eyes as we shuffle into my elevator.

“Yeah, Marzy. You guys can have a little sleepover here.” I pull Ju behind so he can stand ahead of us. “You gon’ stay in the car with Mars and park a little ways away. I don’t know what I’m walking into, and I don’t need Mars seeing some shit,” I whisper to her.

“Yeah, I figured if you’re asking me about a gun,” she whispers back, but I wave her off.

“That’s just for show,” I say, but the way my stomach squeezes, I know I don’t even believe that.

Ju has us at Auty’s house in no time, and parks two houses down. Thankfully, it’s barely drizzling on this side of the city. Handing me her purse, I tell her to stay put and take big steps toward the house.

When I get up to the front door, I can hear them yelling from outside. Patience is fed up; she’s going to check her records herself. Auty is cussing her out. Turkey is telling them both to calm the fuck down, to which Pay accuses him of coddling her too much. Now Turkey and Patience are going at it, while Auty laughs. Patience accuses her of enjoying this.

I’ve heard enough.

Punching in the door code, I stroll right in, taking out the gun from Ju’s purse as I shoulder the strap.

I stop short when I see what they have on. Patience has on a mahogany brown satin gown. The mermaid style accentuates her ass, and I’m sure the heels the gown covers are six inches high since she looks almost my height. Turkey has on a matching tailored suit, his locs braided back out of his face.

Instantly, I remember Cochise’s wedding rehearsal dinner is tonight.

But Auty has on a dingy old oversized shirt and sweats with holes in them. Her hair is piled high on her head, and she’s holding a big bag of cheetos.

Three pairs of eyes find me. Auty’s face balls up, and she crumbles the bag into her side. “What are you doing here?”

“My nephew called me in tears because you three can’t stop arguing and fighting.”

Embarrassment colors Turkey’s face, while Patience cuts her eyes to Auty. “Care to share with the class what the fuck is going on?”

“Nothing is going on, Foxtail,” Auty snorts. She plops her ass on the couch and sticks her hand into the bag. “Except everyone in this fuckin’ house acting like it’s an issue. You don’t wanna be here? You can go. Y’all the ones locked in a three-sixty deal, not me.”

Patience scoffs, her fingers gripping her clutch. “You know what? Fuck you, Autumn! They can baby you, but I’m not. I’m not finna be a part of this circus.”

She flinches away from Turkey’s hand when he reaches out, stomping away.

“I’ll call you,” I whisper only to her. They don’t see it, but I can see her barely holding it together as she rushes out of their house.

Auty snorts again, stuffing her face with cheetos like this is a tv show. I shake my head and turn to Turkey.

“Deucey is coming with me for a couple days.”

“My son ain’t going nowhere witcho weird ass,” Auty cuts in, but I ignore her and hold Turkey’s gaze.

I can see the different emotions warring in his glare. It’s too natural for him to yield to Auty, but for the first time, he doesn’t. Not automatically. Two fingers rub her name on his forehead, before he sighs and nods.

“Turk!” Auty calls, affronted.

“I’ll come get him the morning of Cochise’s wedding.”

“ROYCE!” Auty stands, abandoning the cheeto bag. “My son is NOT leaving!”

“You are in no position–”

“FUCK YOU! I SAID YOU’RE NOT TAKING MY SON!”

I lift my arm and level the heavy gun at my sister, effectively stopping her from advancing toward me. It’s so quiet in the room, I can hear Deucey open his door.