Southern Kings: A Gangster Love Story by KC Mills Page B

them figure their shit out.”
    “Keys take her to the car,” Hayes said, handing Zora over to Keys.
    She jumped in his arms and hugged his neck. Keys kissed her on the cheek and held her small body against his as he headed to the car.
    “What’s going on in here? Yetti, put that gun down! Why you got a gun aimed at my sister?”
    “Cause she just put her hands on Zora, now get your shit and let's go! Nah, don’t get a damn thing, let's go!” Hayes grabbed her arm and she snatched away.
    “You don't have to go anywhere, Rahjah. They don't scare nobody.”
    Rah looked at me and then Hayes. “Can you just leave? I need time, Hayes, and this is not helping.”
    “Fine, you can have time, but you gon’ have that shit at our house, with me and Zora. Our fucking family.”
    “Rah, just go with him. You two need to talk. You knew that shit wasn’t gon’ work. He fucked up, but it won't happen again. I can promise you that,” I said, looking her right in her eyes.
    “Of course, you'll take his side. He’s your brother, but it won't change anything. I just need to figure out what I want.”
    “Fuck you mean what you want? You don't want me or our family? Is that what you need time to figure out?”
    “No, that’s not what I mean, Hayes.”
    I could tell that Rah was stressed. I could see it in her eyes, and it made sense. They had been together so long that it was easy for her to get lost in him and what they had. All she did was love Hayes and take care of Zora. She had a good life, but I understood how she could need more.
    “Rah, come on. You know me, I’m not taking sides. I just think you need to go home. You two need to talk and figure this out.”
    “Not like this, with him like this.”
    “He's good, right, Hayes? You’re good, right? She don't have nothing to worry about, right?”
    I gave his ass a got damn death stare and he nodded. His hand gripped the back of his neck which I knew he was doing to try and calm down.
    “Rah, you don't…”
    “Shut the fuck up. You ain't my got damn sister, so you say one more word and I’m gon’ shoot your ass.” Jaryah shut up fast as fuck after I said that.
    “Rah, baby, please, just come home. I need you, Rah, and I promise we can talk, fuck you can talk. I’ll listen. I’ll do whatever you want, just come home please. I can't take this shit. I haven’t slept in two days, and I can't think straight. Please, baby, come home.” Hayes was begging. That was some deep shit.
    She looked at her sister, then me before she focused on Hayes. She walked over to the sofa and grabbed her purse and then headed to the door. I swear I saw this nigga jump for joy and shit before he followed her.
    “Now try some fuck shit like calling the cops and I promise you won't live to give your confession.” I pressed my gun into her forehead and tighten my grip on the trigger. The color flushed from her face and she nodded.
    “Try me if you want to. Your sister is grown. Stay the fuck outta her business.”
    I lowered my gun and walked out of her house. I heard the door slam and then glass crash against it. I chuckled at her dumb ass, but kept it moving.
    After I kissed my niece, I watched as Hayes pulled off with Rah and Zora. I planned to check on them later, but for now I was about to take Keys to get his truck and then take my ass home to get some sleep in my own got damn bed. Last night at Reelle’s had me fucked up.
    “So you gon’ tell me where the fuck you were last night?” Keys asked after we pulled up at Hayes house to get his car.
    “Nah, not now, but I will, eventually.”
    “You keeping secrets, Yetti? We don't do that shit.”
    I chuckled because it was really fucking with Keys’ nosey ass that I wouldn't tell him.
    “It’s not a secret. I’m just not ready to tell you right now.”
    “Yeah, aight. Let me find out some shorty got you open.” He glanced at me with a smirk and then got out.
    “Hit me later. We got some shit to handle.”
    “Aight,