Free Boss Divas by De'nesha Diamond Page B

got you thinking so hard?”
    â€œBishop,” I whisper, my voice shaky as fuck. “He’s dead.”
    Mason stiffens. He waits as if expecting a punch line; but after reading the truth in my face, he bounces out of the bed with an explosive, “FUUUCCCKKKK!” When that isn’t enough, he grabs my lamp from the nightstand and launches it toward the wall.
    CRASH!
    He looks around for something else to break, but then forces himself to stop. He stands next to the bed, huffing out his rage and pain. He and Bishop were like brothers. I know the news of his death is ripping a hole in his heart.
    â€œWHO?”
    â€œThe Grape Street Crips.”
    He twists around, his face incredulous. “Those crooked-walking muthafuckas came hard at us like that? Where the fuck did they get the balls?”
    â€œThe shit took us by surprise.”
    â€œNah. Nah. Those niggas were on the come-up ’cause they thought the king had fallen. They tested your skirts—”
    â€œAnd they’re all gonna feel my blade for that shit,” I shout back. He’s making it sound like I couldn’t handle the job. “Bishop fucked up and let the wrong bitches get too close to him at Da Club. It was a setup to jack him and his boys’ poker game, and the shit must have went to the left.”
    â€œA couple of bitches took my man out?”
    â€œThe hardest lesson for y’all niggas to learn is to trust no bitch,” I tell him. “There were six muthafuckas involved. Five Crippettes and a getaway nigga that I sliced up last night.”
    Mason cocks a brow. “You put in work last night, Willow?”
    â€œAnd I will every night until I cut the head off their leader—that fuckin’ double-flaggin’ snake, Shariffa.”
    â€œWhy do I know that name?”
    â€œShe’s one of Python’s ex-wifeys.”
    â€œSo she’s a Queen G?”
    â€œNo. She was kicked off her throne a while back so she slithered over to the Grapes and locked down their chief.”
    â€œThat takes talent. I didn’t know Lynch’s ass was into recycling.” Mason sneers, shaking his head. “The whole damn world has gone crazy.”
    â€œCrazy or not, I’m gutting every one of those bitches—nice and slow.” My anger has me simmering again. “That Crunk nigga I sliced up sang like a bird. Lynch’s chick got the wrong understanding on who runs these streets. I’m fuckin’ duty bound to formally introduce myself. You feel me?”
    Mason bobs his head, though I can tell that the news is still eating away at him. “A’ight. I’ll let you handle that.” He climbs back in bed.
    My body instantly welcomes his warmth.
    â€œHow are you holding up?” he asks, softly. He knows better than anyone that despite all the sibling bullshit, the love between me and my brother ran deep.
    â€œI’m all right—better now that you’re here.”
    He takes my chin between his fingertips and tilts up my head. “You’re always the strong one.”
    â€œI don’t know how to be any other way,” I confess.
    â€œI wouldn’t want you any other way.”
    We kiss. It’s one of those slow, mouth-exploring kisses and it makes me melt into his arms all over again. His hands drift down my body, caress my belly, and then encircle my waist. He pulls back with a soft chuckle.
    â€œMy lady has gotten a little thick around the middle while I was gone.”
    The baby. I still haven’t told him about the baby.
    â€œHey. Don’t worry.” He pulls me closer. “I love a woman with a little meat on her bones.” He nibbles on my bottom lip.
    â€œIs that right?”
    â€œUm, hmm. More cushion for the pushin.” He slaps me on the ass and then squeezes it.
    â€œI don’t know. Maybe we need to ease up on all that pushing,” I say.
    â€œWhat? Don’t tell me that I’ve