Page 141 of When a Soul Cries

“It’s the only one you’re getting tonight.”

He laughed quietly.

“Aight. You sound weird anyway.”

“I’ll call you tomorrow.”

“Bet.”

I hung up.

But Kai’s question stayed with me.

What did I want to do?

The old answer came too easily.

That bothered me.

Because tonight there was a woman and a little girl sleeping in my house.

Eastview was full of families whose names were attached to something I built.

Employees depended on me.

Sugga depended on me and Kai not to become those boys again.

I had too much to lose now.

And maybe that was what growing up really was.

Not losing the ability to become dangerous.

Learning when not to.

---

It was after midnight when I picked up my phone again.

Sugga answered on the fourth ring.

“If somebody ain’t dead, Roman Devereaux, I’m killing your ass myself.”

Despite everything, I smiled. “Hey, Ma.”

She went quiet.

Then her voice changed. “What’s wrong?”

Damn.

“Nothing.”

“Boy.”

I leaned my head against the couch. “How you know something wrong?”

“Because I gave birth to you. Now quit playing with me.”