Ethic blew out a breath and pulled up, back aligning as his face bent in turmoil. The opioid crisis that Michigan was fighting would make Hendrix’s case high profile. Any judge he landed in front of would be eager to punish him hard.

“What did I tell you?” Ethic asked. “I told you to come to me. If you needed anything. I told you to—”

“I just wanted to earn my respect,” Hendrix admitted.

Ethic’s heart clenched because he knew respect was a currency on the streets of Flint. He had been there. He knew what it was like. He pinched the bridge of his nose and cleared his throat. “Niggas who don’t respect themselves can’t ever respect you, Henny. You don’t even respect yourself selling that shit. Not when you have access to better, to more. I’ve given you access. You should have utilized it.”

“They gon’ lock me up, ain’t they?” Hendrix asked.

“I’ma do everything I can,” Ethic stated. “But every day you not free, I’ma walk ’em down with you. I’ma be there. I didn’t want to have to be there, though, Hendrix. You’re hardheaded. Too fucking smart for your own good.”

Hendrix lifted his chin and lowered his eyes because they were burning. He was terrified, and Ethic could see him fighting it.

“You’ll tell Bella I’m sorry?” Hendrix asked.

It was like someone had hit Rewind. Déjà vu, only these words about his daughter were coming from Hendrix, not Messiah. Messiah had asked him to deliver a similar message to Morgan once before. He was always the courier of goodbyes when it came to his girls, and those messages were heavy.

Ethic nodded.

“We’re not there yet. When we’re there, I’ll make sure you have a moment with her to say what you need to say. I’ma put the best lawyers around you.”

“Don’t waste your bread, man. I know what they about to hit me with,” Hendrix said. “I came over your crib to kiss my girl tonight, man,” Hendrix said, shaking his head.

“Lil’ nigga, don’t get brave,” Ethic snickered.

A solemn Hendrix laughed as he shook his head. “They gonna throw me away, man,” he said, eyes filling with emotion as he lowered his head. “I know niggas that went in for trying to feed they families who ain’t never getting out. They won’t ever even breathe free air again. They gon’ do that to me. Put me in there, then forget about me.”