Page 107 of Justice II

On the ride, I kept wondering what Roman would say when he saw me. I wanted him to apologize. I also knew I wouldn’t believe a fucking word of it.

I had imagined having him at my mercy so many times. In every version, he was begging for my forgiveness. I’d thought of gouging his eyes out. I’d thought of punching him. Hitting him with a bat. I wanted him to pay for my little girl’s death.

But did I really have it in me?

Justice drove with one hand resting on my thigh. When I looked at him, he was watching the road. He had spent the day driving his daughter to Pittsburgh, and now he was taking me to decide what happened to the father of my children.

I wondered if he thought about how insane that was. He hadn’t complained once.

My phone lit up with a notification. I turned it over without checking. Whoever it was could wait.

When we reached the warehouse, Justice came around to open my door. I stayed seated for a second, looking at the building.

Roman was just across the threshold. Waiting to finally be held accountable.

For years I thought about this moment. In my heart I just wanted my son back. But this revenge was a fantasy come true.

Justice held out his hand.

“Come on, baby.”

I slid my delicate hand into his rugged palm. His eyes held an intensity I’d never seen before.

Quest met us inside. He greeted me quietly before leading us farther into the building. Prime stood near the doorway of the room where they were keeping Roman.

Then I saw him.

His face was swollen, and dried blood marked the front of his shirt. He lifted his head when we came in, pulling against the chair as if he could get up. He knew he was stuck right where he was.

I stopped beside Justice. There was a part of me that was afraid. Then a part of me that was exhilarated. I just wanted to know did he even feel an iota of guilt. He was the cause of his own daughter’s death.

Roman looked from him to me. His eyes dropped to our joined hands.

“So this is what we’re doing?” he spat on the ground in front of me.

“You look like shit.” I shook my head.

“You had these niggas grab me? How’d your broke fat-ass slither your way into the Justice Banks’s life?”

I’d put on pounds since we were last together and I knew it was his M.O. to try to taint my self-esteem. But I was thick and juicy. When we were married, I was gaunt from being stressed out all the time. That’s how he liked me. Too hungry to function properly.

“Is that what you want to be asking me right now?” I dropped Justice’s hand, and walked closer to the man I’d hated for so long.

What did I ever see in him? I wanted him to look scared. He had been scared before I walked in. I could see it in how hard he was breathing. But seeing me seemed to give him somebody he could still talk down to.

“What is this? You found out I was working with him and told your sob story? I magically broke in your house? Made our son pull the trigger?” he taunted.

“Just tell the truth and maybe they’ll let Julian live?” I shot back.

That did it. He perked up. The smug smirk faded into concern and real heartbreak. Julian was the only thing he really loved. His baby brother.

“What you say?”

“Tell me what you did to my baby and I’ll talk the Banks brothers down from killing Julian,” I replied.

Justice turned and smirked at his brothers. “1702 Winston Lane, Unit 1104, Silver Spring, Maryland,” my man said out loud.

“Leave Julian alone!” Roman cried out now that he knew they could get to Julian at any time.