Loyalty (Book 2)

Chapter 24

"Get off my property," I said closing the door only for his foot to stop it.

"Mac they've got Harlem. He said if I didn't come, he'd take my whole family out. I couldn't have that," he said breathlessly. I observed his attire and he looked like he needed 50 baths and his dreads cut off.

"What the hell are you talking about?" I asked opening the door a little wider

"Carlos, he's crazy and he set us up. The whole Diana thing, MJ's death. It was him! He's a fucking maniac and Tara has no clue!" He said pushing past me

"Have no clue about what?" Tara asked coming down the stairs looking confused

"How long has Carlos been gone on this business trip he told you about?" I asked closing the door only for it to ring again

"Hey baby, what's going on?" He said stepping into the house

"Family issues." I said and turned back to Messiah who was mugging the hell out of Nell

"About 4 months, but he comes home pretty much every weekend," Tara replied. That's the same amount of time it's been since Messiah left.

"You really expect me to believe that? You said you Aubrey and Harlem were leaving so you could get yourself together. Why would you drag the two of them in if he wanted you?" I said folding my arms across my chest

"He and Aubrey were working together. He got my son calling him daddy and shit," Messiah said angrily. I saw his hands ball up into a fist. Maybe he was telling the truth. He calmed himself down and looked at my nearly flat stomach, "you had him?"

I nodded.

"Can I see him?"

"After you take a 5 hour bath. You stink honey," I gestured for him to follow me up the stairs. He still had clothes in one of the guest rooms and the closet we once shared so I let him choose. I took MJ from the bed and carried him downstairs.

"What's going on?" Nell asked as I sat at the island beside him

"I don't know. This is too much for me," I confessed playing with MJ's curly hair

"So he was kidnapped or some shit?"

"Yea Nell," I sighed and put MJ in his bouncer.

"Hear him out, but if he come with some bull, I'll beat him up for you," Nell said kissing the top of my head, "you still wanna go jog?"

"Yea, I need to blow off some steam," I said going to get MJ's stroller and his bag in case he woke up while we were out. "Tara can you stay here until we get back. It'll be about half an hour,"

"Sure. Maliah just fell asleep anyway. I'm sure she'll be happy to see her father," she smiled. I nodded and went downstairs to see Nell trying to figure out how to to change MJ's diaper, "I got it," I giggled pushing him out the way

"You're such a good mother,"

"You're gonna be a great dad once Ava's baby gets here." I said smiling at him while putting MJ in his jacket and cute little sneakers. I was going to make certain my baby wouldn't get sick being outside

We walked around the entire neighborhood just talking and I felt better afterwards. I was ready to face Messiah and see what's really up. I just want to the two of us to talk without anyone else there.

"I'll see you and my son later," Vernell smirked and pulled me into a hug.

"Yea right," I joked pulling away when his hands started to roam, "I'll see you tomorrow Vernell,"