I couldn’t get the Don or Seven out of my head. The shit had been eating at me all night. I got out of my bed and went downstairs to sit on the back porch to think.

Was Kevin trying to set me up? Or was the chick trying to set me up? Or was it both of them? Did her family send her? Why did the Don have a price on her head? Too many unanswered questions. The Don was just that powerful for me to lose sleep over.

We had already put some feelers on the street. Street Intel was on the same level with the FBI. Whatever questions I had, I hoped would be answered and in detail.

Me and Trae were scheduled to see Don Carlos as soon as possible to find out what was really on his mind. The sooner the better. My gut was telling me something wasn’t right. I just hadn’t figured out what. But when I did, it was lights out for Kevin and that was a promise.

ANGEL

“Jahara and Aisha, y’all don’t sound like y’all cleaning. All I hear is running back and forth and a bunch of giggling. Make the beds and clean up that room! This is my final warning!”

I made sure all the children had bathed, dressed, and were fed. I could still hear them snickering and running around upstairs. This would be the last pajama party that child would ever have! They were driving me bonkers. I didn’t see how women could have a house full of kids. I just wasn’t built for it. And on top of that, was when he received my text, he called and his only reply was not to lose her and that he needed to see us. I was still trying to figure out how I let Jahara trick me into letting our neighbor’s two kids spend the night. Now, it wasn’t even noon, and they were running buck wild, back and forth to Jahara’s room. It only quieted down a little after my threats.

As I looked back over the previous day, I was glad the baby shower was over. I pulled off a near perfect event despite a few minor glitches: Rick, Kyra, Mari and the mysterious woman Seven. What the fuck was Mari on? I hoped she didn’t fuck up Tasha and Trae’s groove. I knew one thing, this chick was getting tired and overwhelmed with everyone’s problems. I didn’t know how much longer I could play the arbitrator.

My cell phone rang and it was Trae. What the hell is going on now? “Angel, Kay isn’t picking up. Tell him I’m en route to the hospital with Tasha. She’s in labor. Tell him I’m still on to fly out for that meeting, but I need somebody to meet me to pick up the boys.”