Page 146 of The Ninth

“KENZO!” he cracked up laughing as I rolled my eyes. “Devyn’s great. Even before I knew it was Duke, I knew the two of them were head over heels, G. She’s been smiling about him since her second day here. They’ll be fine. It seems like she has no choice but to be.”

“I’m glad everyone is adjusting to how shits gon be.”

“Yeah, yeah!”

A few minutes later, we pulled up to his barber shop. A smile came onto both of our faces remembering all of the times we’ve came here together. They looooove Cassie in here, on baby!

“Keep yo eyes on the floor,” he said before getting out and walking to my door.

Laughing, I reached inside the middle console and took his gun out. Once my door came open, I held it out to him, smiling. The smile quickly dropped as I took in the look on his face.

“Cassandra, what are you doing?” he took the gun from me quickly.

“I was just...you left it behind. I was just handing it to you.”

“I have one on me, baby. I left it behind on purpose. You know I’ve never wanted you touching or grabbing just any gun I have. Ain’t no telling what I done used it for, and I never want your fingers prints on it either. I don’t want you to accidently hurt yourself. Nobody this pretty needs to be caught up in some hood shit.”

He reached over me, putting the gun back where I got it from. As he backed out of the car, he leaned in, kissing my lips. It instantly softened the mood back up. I grabbed K4 and held his hand as we made our way inside.

He’s right. With opening my own door and the gun. I’m slipping up, doing shit with K3 that I did with Juan. Shit K3 would never go for. All K3 ever wanted was to make sure I was paid, pretty, and safe.

K3 opened the door, letting me walk in first. The shop was loud. Laughter and men over talking each other bounced off the walls. There were even screens playing footballs games. Once both of my feet stepped inside, everything came to a stop. Some nigga had the audacity to mute the TVs. K3 stepped in behind me, causing everyone to sit up.

“Y’all playing the quiet game in this mothafucka?”

“AYEEEEE!” they all shouted.

Several men rushed to their feet, waiting in line to dab Kenzo up. Some of them gave him bread from their pockets or tried to at least. He was sure to let them know he’s still straight. Everyone had a story, a joke, words of encouragement. And honestly? My man took care of these streets before he left. He deserves the love back.

A finger on my forearm caused me to turn my head. A nigga looked me up and down before extending his arm out. "You Lil K3! I ain’t seen you in a minute, shorty.”

“Don’t eva speak to my wife in this mothafucka before you address me, goofy. Is you coo?” Kenzo’s voice boomed.

“Yeah, yeah! I’m coo, gang. It’s good to see you.”

“Yeah, because I’d hate to ball your lips up and rip them off yo fucking face.”

Everyone started cracking up laughing as I shook my head softly. Once they were done speaking with Kenzo, they just gave me a polite head nod. He sat in the chair, leaning back and placing K4 and I on his right knee. Niggas was still tryna cake it with him as he got his beard cut and shape up. The game came back on and the clippers started buzzing again.

I was staring in the mirror, looking at myself when a small hand rubbed my thigh. The most prettiest little girl I’ve ever seen stood there, looking up at me through her eyelashes. She didn’t speak, but I knew she worked up the courage to come and see K4. I got up, squatting down beside her and holding my baby up.

“He’s sleeping!” she giggled.

“Hims a lazy boy. How old are you?”

“Four!”

“You’re just too pretty, baby!”

“Thank you! Can I hold him?”

“Yeah!”

I sat her on my knee and placed K4 into her lap. She looked up at her grandaddy across the way who smiled, giving her a thumbs up. I spoke softly to her about how often he sleeps, how old he was, and how big he’ll get. She rubbed his head, nodding and asking questions.

“Alright, baby! Let them folks go!” her grandfather called out as he lined someone up.

I looked back and K3 was already finished and dusted off. He was just sitting there, arms crossed, looking at the three of us. The prettiest small smile on his handsome face. My stomach immediately filled with butterflies knowing he was picturing me with our own daughter. She gave me the dog, hugged me, and waved bye to Kenzo who nodded his head at her.