Page 56 of The Coldest: Stay Dangerous Part 2

“You get the one-up on me one time and swear you can keep talking out the side of your neck.” I bring my hand to her neck to punctuate my point, delighted in how her pupils dilate. “The scars I’ve given you are invisible, but that don’t mean I’m less inclined to add to them. Watch how the fuck you talk to me, Snow. And for the last time, I didn’t fuck that girl.”

Her eyes harden as I back out of her space. But I’m not worried enough to keep my front to her as I walk away. Especially when my dick is so hard, it could cut steel.

The nut I bust in the shower calms me just enough to hood my eyes. I even hum a little tune as I put on my pajamas, but all that goes out the window when I exit my bathroom and Ju is sitting on my bed.

“Yes, Jupiter?” I ask, stopping some feet away. I’ve never had to clock any space to keep between us, but the way she’s looking at me like I betrayed her, it’s best to give her at least five feet.

“What’s she doing here? Why you got her around my son?”

My lips curve automatically as I stretch my eyes at her. “You serious right now?”

“Yes!” she stands up, and I chuckle at how she’s basically still the same height. “You know she fucked with Set heavy back in the day? Why is she here braiding my baby’s hair and all in the mix–”

“Let’s get one thing straight, my nigga,” I interrupt her, stepping closer to her. She cowers easily, but to her credit she stays standing, even when I’m right in front of her.

“Fredo and I may be identical, but I am not him, and you not finna come around tryna regulate shit that goes on here. And given that fact that you fasho don’t even be here, you should be happy that anyone takes an interest in Mars. That’s less time he has to wonder why the fuck his mama don’t.”

Ju’s face balls up and she pushes me back. “Fuck you! I’m trying–”

“Nah, you worried about some shit that don’t matter to you. You not my bitch, Ju.” I take a couple steps back as she folds her arms.

“And she is?” Ju arches a brow. “You fucking behind your friends now?”

I shrug, letting her dig roll off my shoulders. “Better than fucking behind my brother and his nigga. Or is that what you want me to do?”

Embarrassment darkens her eyes as she scoffs. “Don’t nobody want you, dummy. I just don’t want your bullshit involving my son, and Wynter Snow is a hot ass mess.”

My eyebrows pull down as an insult builds in my throat. Who the fuck is she to pass judgment on Snow?

I tilt my head at her, and see the moment she realizes she said too much.

“Hot ass mess? You mean like getting passed around so much you don’t know who the father of your baby is? Or letting an old woman manipulate you out of custody of the baby you wanted so badly? Or my favorite; tryna fuck on your dead baby daddy’s brother because they look alike? You thought if you closed your eyes, you could pretend I’m Fredo? From what I heard, even if he ain’t catch one in the dome, he’d still dub yo ass–”

I grip her wrist before she can slap me, but I let her snatch her hand away. She storms out of my room, not even bothering to close the door behind her.

All this estrogen, I’m not used to. My mouth feels dry, and I know I’m not gonna be able to get any sleep. Grabbing my phone and keys, I text Reno as I take long strides out of the villa toward my whip.

Twice I’ve been tried tonight. Someone needs to pay for that.

Wyn

I back into the darkness of the hall right before Ju storms out of Rico’s room.

Rico, boy. He sure knows how to cut a bitch low.

I almost feel bad for her. I would, if she wasn’t basically pressing him about me. But that confirms that she really doesn’t know him for real.

Rico is like a viper. Backing him into a corner is the quickest way for him to strike.

And strike he did. That poor girl is probably finna walk into the ocean with rocks into her coat.

Seconds later, Rico strolls out of his room, too. His nose is so deep in his phone, he doesn’t notice me nor stop. But still, I only breathe when I distantly hear the front door open and close.

Then I amble toward where Ju went.

Another con to being of sound-ish and clear mind, is caring too much. But the more I tell myself I should just go to my room, the more my feet move me toward the back deck. One of the doors is open, the linen curtains blowing in the breeze. When I get to it, I see Ju sitting on the top steps, holding her long ponytail as she looks out at the beach.

Taking a deep breath, I exhale as I walk up and take a seat next to her.