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“I’m safe, Daddy. I’m home. That’s all that matters, and it’s all because of Ahmad. I know what he did, but he genuinely cares for us… Makari loves him, and now that she does, I can’t take him away from her. I don’t want to. He’s been nothing but good to us, even when I thought he was bad.”
There was silence for a moment before he sighed and looked over at me.
“I’m a man who knows when he’s in the wrong, so for that, I do apologize. It’s just frustrating to witness this crazy dynamic you two have, but I’m most happy about her being able to be free of the bullshit with Slim. I shouldn’t have spoken to you that way, but I was just frustrated. And you’re right, I should have been the one to take care of him. When my daughter begged me on numerous occasions to stay out of it, I had no choice but to give her what she wanted. She’s my only child, my princess. To know that she had to endure all of that, then run into you… I just couldn’t see past what you stood for.”
“I understand. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be. This isn’t a game or ploy to fall for a woman as frustrating and stubborn as your daughter. If it were left up to me, I’d leave her smart-mouth ass right here and be done. However, I’m invested now, so I’m not going anywhere. You’re just going to have to stay mad, old man.”
Bunny chuckled as she looked up at her father. He smirked slightly, but I could tell he was still a little standoffish.
“Do right by her. That’s all I ask.”
“I got you.”
He held out his hand to me and we shook up.
“Thank you, Daddy.” She kissed his cheek then turned to me. “Now you have to meet the rest of my family.”
My head dropped and shook. After going through this shit with her pops, I didn’t even want to be here, but for her… I would endure it.
We didn’t leave the Stanton residence until a little after nine. After the initial shock of Lionel’s outburst toward us wore off, her family was… a’ight people. I could tell they genuinely loved and missed Bunny and were happy getting to know Rabbit. Even the friends that Slim isolated her from came through. I didn’t think I’d ever seen her smile so much. Who could smile when an asshole took it? I was glad I was able to give it back to her though.
I pulled up to the house around ten. I looked in the back seat and noticed Rabbit was sound asleep. Bunny smiled at her as I opened the door to get out, but she stopped me.
“Hold on a second.”
“What’s up?”
“Close the door.” I closed the door back as I waited for her to speak. “I don’t think I said thank you. I feel like I should repay you somehow because saying thank you isn’t enough.”
“It’s enough for me, bun. I don’t need pomp and circumstance. Just your loyalty, honesty, and trust.”
“It’s crazy how you came into my life and changed it. It felt so good being with my family, I’m not sure if I even want to go back to California—”
“What?” I asked, frowning.
“Calm down, pit bull.” She giggled. “Before I was rudely interrupted, I was going to say, but I want to go back. I love California. I’ve built a life there for over six years, Makari loves it, and besides—this place holds a lot of bad memories for me now. Now that he’s gone, I still don’t feel safe here because he knew a lot of people here, even if they weren’t a part of his crew. I don’t want people to notice me here… so, I’m going, going, back, back, to Cali, Cali.” She sang as we laughed. “Look at your cute self laughing,” she said, pinching my cheek.
“Man, gone.” I swatted her hand away, trying to suppress my smile. Only her ass could get the corners of my mouth to turn up. “You keeping your crib in Hashtown?”
“Of course… Why?”
“I mean, you may have thoughts about what happened and shit… I don’t need you acting funny toward me.”
She sucked her teeth and smiled. “Ain’t nobody gon’ act funny toward you, and I’m not even thinking about what happened anymore. I’m on some new shit. I’m chucking the deuces up.”
“So you just out here rapping and singing, huh?”
“Yup. I did have a sense of humor before all the bullshit. You brought it back out of me.” She looked back at Rabbit, making sure she was still asleep, then brought my face to hers. She slipped her tongue in my mouth and we kissed passionately.
“Come on, let’s get y’all washed up and in bed,” I told her, pulling away.
“Okay.”
I got out and walked around the car, helping Bunny out then getting Rabbit from the back seat, carrying her inside. Today had been long and too eventful. I just wanted to shower, slide in Bunny’s holes, then shower again and sleep.
And I was going to do just that.
25
