Page 204 of The Ninth

I had to take Cassie to a Chinese spot and then to where Juan’s niggas be so she could pass on a number. Then, I brainstormed all day and night alone about how I could get Duke and K3 away from Cassie and distracted. They both were suspicious of her already because of the phone call to Duke. Lastly, we had to have about three separate calls going over the plan and how it would be done.

I hope we planned it good because the plan is in motion and has been. At this exact moment.

Duke sat on the couch comfortably in night pants, a beater and house shoes. I sat on a swivel stool as K3 sat propped up on the tattoo table. He was on his side, laughing with his brother as I tattooed him. Instead of music playing, there was a movie on the TV, muted. Belly of all movies. Apparently it’s their thing.

The only way I could get K3 away from Cassie was by using Cassie. Not only does he have Cassie, Cassandra, and Crybaby tattooed on him, now he is letting me add her eyebrows and eyes as well. I told him I needed the practice and she would really love it. I don’t think he gave a fuck about the practice. But her really loving it got his attention.

He stopped talking and looked at me, “You ain’t making my baby look silly, are you, Dictator?”

“No?!”

He turned back to Duke and continued speaking as if he didn’t just question my skills!

The other way I sealed the deal was promising to help him plan a nice surprise vacation. This would be where he took Cassie to take engagement photos. I had absolutely no idea where they should go or who would be taking the photos. It just sounded good in the moment, and he hasn’t brought it up since being here, thankfully. The three of us have been together for about two hours now.

Honestly, I’ve had fun with them. My mind kept drifting to a little boy that behaved just like them. Silly but also loving and caring. If I was alone, I’d rub my stomach.

K3 randomly stopped talking again, “Are you okay?”

“Yes, thank you.”

“Let’s take a lil break, baby girl. You want some water? Order some food? Smoke?” Duke sat forward, turning the gun off for me.

“Water and food, yes. I’m not really smoking right now.”

They looked at each other. K3 attempted to fold his lips in to hide his smile but busted out laughing instead. Duke just shook his head.

“What’s funny?!”

“I told yo nigga I had a dream somebody was frying fish.”

“Oh? That’s not how that works...”

“A FISH IS A FISH. YOU PREGNANT?!”

“K3, leave that woman alone!” Duke laughed loudly. “You in the mood for burgers or tacos?” he asked me.

“Burgers,” K3 responded while looking at his phone. “Aye, why yo cousin texts sending green?!”

“She told me the service sucks at y’all’s house. I dunno...”

K3 kissed his teeth, instantly believing the lie. Duke on the other hand, squinted his eyebrows.

"Well remind me to kill the service man.”

“Gotcha,” I faked agreed as my own phone rung.

I picked it up, realizing it was my mother of all people. Considering the time, I decided to answer it.

Me: Hello? Mama?

I held up a finger while quickly walking back to Duke’s room. His eyes were on me the entire time, and not in a good way. I went into his bathroom, shutting the door and leaning against it.

Me: Hello?

Mama: OH! Sorry, I had myself muted somehow. These damn phones. Hi, Devyn. I’m glad to hear your voice.

Me: Hi! I’m sorry you’re just now hearing from me. I’ve been so busy an—