• 𝐃𝐢𝐫𝐭𝐲 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 •

• 19 •

eneaj

It's been three months since we found out Illiora died. Three months since Yenvy started climbing out of her alcoholism. Three months since Val's been staying with us and the others found an apartment somewhere in Zinnias.

Three months.

"Hey. I gotta personal injury case I need to work late for. I'll bring back dinner tonight, but you guys can have lunch without me," Yenvy said quickly, heading out the door.

I waved at her from the couch, slurping on a slushie I had kept over night.

"I'm gonna pick up some kolaches before we hit the road," I told Val, standing up and stretching. "I'm headin' down to the club to fix something up before we open tonight. You comin' with me right?"

"Yeah, I guess," she shrugged, yawning.

"I thought you'd probably wanna see...Pey and allat," I shrugged.

"Yeah, I guess," she said again, looking like she was mentally preoccupied with something else right now.

I turned her to face me, bringing her face to my lips.

"Wassup?"

"Jadyn doesn't want me involved. But I could make a lot of money and you know that's eating up at me inside," she told me seriously.

"She doesn't want you searching for Illiora's killer because they're dangerous, whoever it is, and she wants you to make something out of your life even if her and Pey and Milli don't."

"That isn't for her to decide. They're gonna make some serious bank takin' the pussy out for Yenvy, and the way I see it, the three of them want that money for themselves."

"Then do it alone and take it all," I threw up my hands, "I just don't want you doin' that no more. There's no reason to. You have a solid job."

"But you can always have more money, baby," she kissed me again, heading upstairs. "Ima start gettin' dressed, okay?"

"Okay," I sighed.

Valerie wanted to take who killed Illiora out and get paid for it alongside Jadyn and the crew, but Jadyn didn't want Val involved because they thought she was a liability to everything they were working towards.

And they were right.

Val wasn't focused on getting my friend justice like they were, she wanted the money Yenvy was willing to give for it and to prove a point to her friends that she was mature.

She was putting herself in danger when there was no need. But I couldn't find it in me to stop her. She just wouldn't listen no matter what.

"I'm gonna start gettin' ready too," I called out, throwing my big Sonic cup away now that it was empty and walking up to my bedroom.

"Nice day out," Val commented, looking out the window.

"Yeah, it is," I agreed, keeping my eyes on the road.

"Are you mad at me? For wanting to take the job?"

"I'm mad at you for wanting to stay in a way of life that you now have the means to leave behind," I said slowly, thinking each word through. "That's what bothers me, Val. Nothing more, nothing less."

"I don't know...I just want them to realize..."

"That they need you...?" I asked.

"Yeah," she looked a little ashamed.

"And what if they don't, Val? Are you gonna be searching for their approval the rest of your life or are you gonna find strength within yourself and realize what a good person you are alone. And...with me?"

"I won't try to get on the job no more, okay?" she exhaled. "If that's what you want from me, Eneaj."

"Shouldn't be me wantin' you to be safe that's keepin' you from doin' dumb shit. You should have your own self will. But thanks..."

Val sighed as I turned up the radio.

I pulled into the club's lot, empty because it was still pretty early in the day. "You comin' inside? I won't be long," I told her.

She shrugged, getting out with me and carrying her half-eaten kolache in.

I got some paperwork from my office and did a little sweeping before we left out. "Call Pey or somebody up and let 'em know we on the way out there before we pop up," I advised.

"Ight. I gotchu...boss," she smirked.

"Don't play with me, Val," I smiled a little. "Ay, remember this Saturday y'all got the day off. Maybe invite them to come chill with us."

I waved at Max as they went into the back of their food truck with some heavily tatted miscellaneous person.

"Finna be down there turnt-

"Who?" my neck swung around to her. "You finna be turnt right at that mansion, Valerie Ann Lewis."

She pretended to fake sniffle. "Me can't turn up?"

"Hell nahhh. Bitches gon be there eyein' you. Ion play that," I laughed.

"Hell. You gon be there," she pouted.

"Right. Mindin' my business and my club," I nodded.

"Lemme mind some of yo business," her hand slid towards my lap.

"Ima mind you upside the head, Val," I laughed, "I promise you, if you show up."

"Mmm. What you gon do to me," she mumbled, kissing all up on my neck.

"A whole lot," I promised, wrapping my fingers around her neck, watching my knuckles tense as I held on a bit tighter. "Don't play no games wimme, Val."

"You gon have to handle me then, right?" she chuckled underneath her breath.

"I can do that right now," I looked her up and down slowly.

"Eyes on the road," she grabbed the wheel and kept us from serving. I focused back on driving, the feeling of Val against my neck imprinted into my skin and my mind.