"I'm sorry but you have to listen to me please."
"Why would I want to do that?Will you pay me if I do?"
"Cali..."
"No.By the way,how'd you find me?"
"Danniel called me worried about you so he told me where I could probably find you."He responds nervously.
I'm going to strangle him when I see him.
I said I'd text him.What part of that didn't he understand?
"Let me guess,he's coming too isn't he?"
"Actually,no.Do you want him to?"
Of course not.
"No."I immediately respond.
"Okay.I'm sorry I asked."
We sit in complete silence until I finally ask, "Did Danniel know Xavier was using me all along?"
He replies carefully by saying, "I'm not sure."
"Carlos if you want me to listen to what you came here to tell me,you need to be honest with me or you can leave."
"Okay yes he knew but...he didn't know about what happened to you last night."
I feel a sense of relief for some reason.
"Who do you guys work for?"
"You know Treyvon and Neveah Wallis?"
No way.
"They run the largest drug empire or something right?"
"Well yeah.Their daughter Sayora...she's my mom.Danniel's mom is her cousin.That's why he runs our gang now.Xavier is my mother's brother's child so that's why he led us first.The business stays in the family."
"Your grandparents are thee Treyvon and Neveah Wallis..."
I'm scared to ask further questions.What if they come for me and kill me in my sleep because I know too much?
He must see the panic in my body language because he immediately assures, "Calithea they know about you.You are considered family to them because Danniel considers you family."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah."
"Okay.Next question,why is it that you're only deciding to be all caring now?Couldn't you have just stayed a jerk?"
He chuckles lightly and says, "I explained to you last night remember?"
"Oh yeah sorry..."
"It's okay.Is that all you want to ask?"
"For now I guess that's it."
"Okay.Cali,I just came here to tell you we're genuinely sorry we lied to you.We were just trying to protect you believe it or not."
"Not."I smile and he does the same.
"Carry on." I add.
"I could've led everyone after Xavier proved he's not fit to but,Danniel is the kind of person we all want to lead us all because there's nothing he wouldn't do for you and everyone else he considers family."
I don't respond.
"I know he cares but he left with his gun determined to kill Xavier last night.What stopped him?"
"We found Xavier in your room deep in thought.Looked like he was regretting everything.I won't lie,I almost shot him but Danniel stopped me.He told us not to shoot because Xavier's own guilt would be the perfect punishment for him.Killing him would be like doing him a favor.Can't believe I almost wasted a bullet on him."
"Why did you want to shoot him?What did he do to you?"
"He hurt you.That's what he did to me."
He looks me in the eyes and tells me he'll protect me for as long as he lives and I get goosebumps.
I can feel the tension rising so without breaking eye contact I say, "Carlos..."
"Yeah?"
"I think we should pay Danniel a visit."I suggest changing the subject.
He clears his throat,nods and makes his way to his car then drives off and I follow.
I forgive them.Can't be mad at people who are only trying to protect me.