𝐀 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐓𝐇 𝐋𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐑
The warm glow of the flat-screen TV illuminated Armani's bedroom. Armani never allowed anyone in his bedroom, maybe his game room downstairs that he spent most of his time in, but not his actual bedroom.
He didn't even like it when his immediate family came in his room, especially because he shared his space with Emani with her crib being placed to the right side of his bed.
As a dad, he wanted to make sure their living space felt comfortable enough for her even though it wasn't much space.
Armani laid comfortably on the bed, his legs stretched out in front of him. Deion sat nestled between his legs, her frame relaxed in a crisscross position.
Armani's hands rested gently inside Dee's shirt, both hands on her stomach.
Emani sat snugly in the midst of Deion's legs, the three of them were engrossed in the Disney classic, The Princess and the Frog.
It was amazing how fast Emani was developing, she was already sitting up on her own, she didn't even need her mother's chest for support.
Armani shifted his position, his gaze drifting down to Deion. She caught the movement, casting a quick glance up at him before refocusing on the TV.
A moment later, she looked back at him. "What?" she asked with a mug.
"I thought you was sleep. You quick to fall asleep. I hate when you be goin' to sleep on me." He refocused his attention on the TV. Deion's gaze lingered on him for a moment before she, too, returned her attention to the movie.
Armani's phone tinged, breaking the peaceful atmosphere in the bedroom. He reached over to the dresser and picked up his phone to check the notification.
A message from Kane flashed on the screen, informing him that he was outside. Armani lightly tapped Deion's stomach twice, saying, "Raise up real quick, Kane outside."
However, Deion didn't stir.
Armani glanced down at her face and saw that she was fast asleep, making him kiss his teeth in annoyance. He knew she was going to be out for— probably— the next four hours.
Emani, who was still leaning against Deion, looked up at Armani and he shook his head, a gentle smile on his face. "Yo' mama fall asleep anywhere, anytime. I tell you, boy," he whispered, amused.
He wasn't going to wake her up though. She's been working so hard lately with starting her business, finishing school and taking care of a baby all at the same time. He knew this probably was the first time she's slept comfortably in days.
With careful movements, Armani gently lifted Deion up and slid her body to the side, creating enough space for him to get out of bed.
He slipped on his bedroom slides and trotted downstairs to meet Kane.
Armani unlocked the door, letting Kane inside. As soon as he stepped in, Kane greeted him with an aggressive, "Wassup, li' ponk?" making Armani scrunch up his face.
"Fuck?" Armani muttered as Kane brushed past him, heading straight for the living room. He plopped onto the couch, making himself comfortable without hesitation.
"Nigga, what you want?" Armani asked, eyeing him. "Marching in here like you the mayor, nigga what you want?"
Kane briefly paused in the middle of settling in before shooting back, "I was finna' get to that, would you give me a second?" He then kicked off his slides and shifted into a more relaxed position.
"Alright," Kane said, scratching his nose. Armani folded his arms across his chest, raising an eyebrow.
Kane glanced around before lowering his voice to a whisper. "I found out who the niggas is that killed Rocco."
"Who?" Armani's interest was immediately piqued. Unfolding his arms, he moved to sit next to Kane, leaning forward with his elbows resting on his knees.
"You remember them Double O' Five niggas? K5, Mark, Phive 'nem?"
Armani's confusion faded into realization as Kane spoke. His jaw clenched in anger. "I might just kill that bitch, Georgia, myself."
"We killing that bitch and them niggas that did this, fuck you mean? That's our brother. We not lettin' shit slide behind li' Rocco!" Kane sat up, mirroring Armani's posture with his elbows on his knees.
Armani stared off into space, lost in thought. Kane read his expression and furrowed his brow.
"You finna' let them slide? After all they did to Rocco? Nigga, you done got fuckin' soft, wassup wit' you?"
"Ain't nobody get soft," Armani scoffed, pushing himself up and heading toward the kitchen. Kane jumped up right behind him, refusing to let the conversation drop.
"Bitch, I know you ain't scared. You scared?"
"I ain't scared of shit but losing my daughter and going to hell," Armani shot back without hesitation, yanking open the fridge and grabbing a bottle of water.
"So why the fuck you ain't giving me no feedback on this? Hm?"
"Feedback? Nigga this ain't no discussion board. Like, what is you talkin' 'bout?" Armani shot Kane a weird glance, leaning back on the counter.
"You know what I mean though."
Silence settled between them. Armani stared off into space for a moment before finally speaking.
"I got a daughter now, Kane. I'm not doing that lifestyle no more. I'm working hard to get out of that shit. Don't try to pull me back in."
Kane folded his arms across his chest, a sarcastic smirk playing on his lips. "What you doin' to get out?"
Armani just stared at him, blank-faced.
"Hm? I ain't hear you." Kane turned his head for a split second, and in that moment, Armani bit a hole into his water bottle and squeezed, drenching Kane in ice-cold water.
Kane let out a high-pitched scream, flailing his hands in the air like he was drowning. Armani emptied the bottle, then tossed the crumpled plastic onto the counter, where it tumbled to the floor.
"Bitch, ain't nothin' worth losing my daughter. I said I'm not doin' it." Armani turned and walked out of the kitchen.
Kane nodded. "'Ight, bet." He rung his shirt out and the water absorbed from his shirt splat onto the floor.
"I'on know what typa' disloyal shit you on, but behind my brother, i'll hang a nigga granny on the flag pole at the white house. I ain't got shit to lose!"
"I'mma catch all 'em niggas, and when I do, I ain't goin' to jail 'cause I ain't no pussy! You just watch, bitch," Kane shouted after him, his voice fading as Armani made his way upstairs to Deion and Emani.
Armani walked into the room, noticing that Emani was now fast asleep in her crib and Deion had turned over, also deep in sleep.
He climbed back into bed, ready to do the same. A wave of exhaustion settled over him as he closed his eyes, but before he could drift off, Deion's voice caught him off guard.
"Armani," she mumbled in a groggy tone, her eyes still shut. He didn't respond at first, so she called his name again.
"Yes?"
"Who was that?" she murmured, her voice barely above a whisper, but Armani still understood her.
"Kane."
"Is something wrong?"
"Nah..." Armani trailed off before shifting closer and wrapping an arm around her, pulling her into him. "You sleepy?" he murmured, pressing a soft kiss to her cheek and then her ear.
"I'm so sleepy, Armani," she whined, her voice slow and heavy with exhaustion.
"I know. I'm sorry I woke you, ma," he murmured, letting out a small sniffle as he rested his arm across her waist.
"It's okay," she whispered, reaching back to gently caress his face with her hand. "I love you."
"I love you more."
