Page 159 of The Fire We Make

“Uncomplicate it for me,” he demanded.

Joy eyed him. This was the most words she’d ever heard from Jrue and if she were anyone else, his quiet intensity, much like Ace’s, would have intimidated her.

“In short, because I got into some trouble and they saw me as a liability and voted me out of the Cartel. I may have gotten a bit upset about it and did some shit and that’s how I got kicked out of the house too.”

“What kinda shit?” August asked.

“I cut off the hand of my dad’s right hand.”

Everyone but Ace all stared, waiting for a smile, a chuckle, a wink, anything to let them know that she was kidding or exaggerating but the woman before him remained stoic.

“Deadass?” he asked.

Joy nodded. “He’d been gunning for my position for a long time and was all too happy to initiate the vote to have me relieved of my duties. When my dad defended him instead of me, I snapped.”

“That’s why y’all like each other so much, y’all are both fucking crazy,” Aug mumbled.

“So you don’t have anything to do with the shit that’s been happening here?” Jrue asked, getting the conversation back on track.

“No. I’ve just been trying to keep a low profile. Prove that I’m back to normal so I can go back home.”

The room was silent as everyone soaked in the new knowledge. Ace searched his siblings' eyes and they each met his gaze with a nod – though Von’s was more reluctant than the others.

“You have any questions about us?” Ace asked.

Joy shook her head. “I know about you.”

Ace smirked, licking his lips. “Oh yeah? What you know?”

“I know you’re in the Mafia.”

Low chuckles rippled through the room. “Nah baby, I’m not in the mafia… I am the mafia.”

Why did that make my coochie jump? Joy thought.

“So you’re the Boss?”

Ace nodded. “I am.”

Joy chuckled. “I don’t know how I missed the signs. Y’all hide in plain sight.”

Ace shrugged. “If you know, you know.”

Before he could dismiss them, the back door opened.

“Joy what the hell happened to our back doo–” she started but came to an abrupt stop in the doorway at the sight before her.

“The Kings are in our apartment,” Mel said, her eyes wide as she stood at the door.

“I know, girl,” Joy said, shooting her an apologetic glance.

“What did you do?” Mel asked, her expression sharpening just a little.

“Nothing,” Joy smiled sweetly. “We’re good. Right?”

She turned to the Kings. They all nodded their agreement.

“Yeah,” Ace said. “We’re good.”