Page 56 of Unbreakable Bond
“Multiple times, and you’re just now hitting me back.”
“I’ve been busy.”
“Doing what?”
“With my boyfriend. Is that okay with you?” I sighed.
“Boyfriend?” Gianni repeated with a mischievous snicker because, in his mind, that was impossible. “What boyfriend?”
“My boyfriend, so call off the dogs. I’m fine.”
“It’s a lot going on right now. You need to come home.”
“No. I’m suffocating at home. I can’t do it.” A hot tear rolled down my face as my hand trembled on the steering wheel.
“What the fuck do you mean you can’t? I’m not asking Solana. You need to come home,” Gianni barked because, despite being a grown woman, that’s not what he saw when he looked at me. I was still the little girl asking him to take me to parties and following him around.
“I didn’t call you to argue. I wanted you, of all people, to know I’m safe.”
“Who is this nigga?”
“I can’t tell you that right now.”
I imagined Gianni running his hand over his head and pacing whatever room he was in, a trait Hailo had picked up from him. They were so alike nowadays that it was insane.
“What the fuck do you mean can’t. You told Hailo, but now you can’t tell me.”
“You’re already overreacting, so no, I can’t.
“Solana.” He sighed, losing the battle with his temper. “I understand. You want freedom, but now isn’t the time for this shit. If you don’t go home, at least come to my house,” he offered.
“We both know it’ll be a matter of time before the rest of the clan shows up, and it’s back to the same bullshit.”
Gianni wanted to convince me this time would be different, but he couldn’t even bring himself to sell me on that lie.
“This freedom you’re looking for won’t exist if something happens to you. It’s shit going on in the city you’re not aware of.”
“I’ll be fine. He’ll make sure of it.”
“Here you go with this boyfriend shit again.”
“I have to go, but don’t fuss at Hailo. This is what you wanted, right?”
“I wanted you to play nice and help her adjust. Not conspire with my wife to keep shit from me,” Gianni fussed.
“Can’t always have your way.”
“When I call, you answer. Understand?”
“I’ll try.”
“Fuck trying, Solana. Answer the phone. Yo,’ ass shouldn’t be doing shit that keeps you that busy.”
“Such pearls of wisdom from the man who got the woman he barely knew pregnant off a one-night stand.”
“Keep getting smart. I’ll turn this city upside down and drag you home. How’s that for grown.”
“Please go find your wife and get off my phone.”