Total pages in book: 247
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 248926 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1245(@200wpm)___ 996(@250wpm)___ 830(@300wpm)
Very good taste, mysh.
One male rapper kept coming up on her playlist.
I entered the bathroom and bobbed my head. “You have played this guy a lot?”
“Yep.”
“Why?”
“He’s awesome.” By the sink, she washed Paolo’s long strands in a gentle spray of warm water
“I believe that I also like this rapper.”
Emily grinned. “You better, Kaz. We can’t be together if you don’t.”
“It is interesting because his voice sounds familiar to me.”
“Well, he’s worldwide.”
“What is his name?”
“Jay-Z.”
“Yes.” I walked over to her. “I have heard that name before.”
The brash and cocky lyrics of another one of this rapper’s songs echoed in the air, riding a blazing guitar. Excitement surged through me. The sound was relentless, pounding away at my eardrums.
“Very good.”
Chuckling, Emily worked sudsy shampoo into Paolo’s hair with deft movements, rinsed it out, and then ran a creamy lotion through his locks with a tender touch.
I knew Pavel was around us in the room, grinning from ear to ear at her work.
I eyed her. “Will you do our son’s hair this way?”
“Yep.”
“Perhaps, I should let my hair grow, so—”
“Nope.”
I raised my eyebrows. “Why not?”
“Tm not putting cornrows on your head, Kaz.”
Still listening to the lyrics, I went to her phone and cranked up the volume as the song pulsed with authority and pride. “What’s the name of this one?”
“Takeover.”
“Interesting.”
When the song ended, I replayed it again.
She looked up. “What are you doing?”
“I like what this Jay-Z is saying about his enemies. I too feel the same way.”
“No surprise there.” She returned her view to Paolo’s hair and washed the creamy mixture from his strands. “You both have the same egos.”
“We should have this Jay-Z at the reception.”
“No, baby.” She chuckled again.
“Why not?”
“I’m sure he has tons of things to do. His wife and him stay booked and busy.”
I frowned. “He will be there or have problems with the Lion.”
“Oh, God.” She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around Paolo’s small head. “Kaz, please don’t kidnap Jay-Z. It is not that serious.”
“It is.”
Maxwell walked in. “I know damn well I didn’t hear this motherfucker threatening to kidnap Brooklyn’s finest.”
“Sure did.” Emily shook her head and scowled at Maxwell. “And how are you and your wife doing?”
“None of your business, Em, and stop looking at me like that.”
“I’m just saying.” Em placed her hands on her hips. “Have you killed anybody for her today?”
“Naw.” Maxwell smiled. “Have you killed anybody today? Or should I ask Lunita?”
I glared at him, ready to knock his head off.
“Wow.” She flipped her middle finger up. “Low blow, Max.”
“Then, stop fucking with me about how I handle shit dealing with my baby.” Maxwell turned to Paolo. “Oh shit. Look at nephew.”
Grinning, Paolo stomped his feet to the music and swung his arms in the air.
“You like that, nephew? Huh?” Maxwell bobbed his head. “Hold up though, Paolo. You need better rhythm if you’re going to be related to me.”
Emily went to the other side of the sink where she kept her rows upon rows of toiletries. Soon, she began rummaging through items.
No one ever told me that once I fell in love I would lose counter and closet space.
Smirking, I put my attention back on Maxwell.
The heavy twang of the guitar emitted a charged energy on the song.
Yes. This man must be at our reception.
“See, Paolo.” Maxwell rocked his shoulders left and right with the beat. “You got to do it like this.”
Giggling, Paolo wiggled his shoulders and hips.
“Oh, hell no.” Maxwell grabbed Paolo and guided his movements. “Relax. Do it just like Uncle Max.”
Paolo’s expression turned serious as he followed Maxwell’s rocking.
“Yeah!” Maxwell laughed. “There we go! That’s my boy!”
Paolo matched Maxwell’s rocking as if he was a perfect mirror reflection. In unison, they moved with the beat, riding the rugged wave of the guitar.
Emily laughed by the sink, and I watched them, unable to keep the smile off my face. Baba had been right about both of them. Maxwell and Paolo possessed the sort of healing that Emily needed. Together, we could add light to the darkness.
Soon the song turned off and switched to another one with two different male rappers.
“Fuck, yeah!” Maxwell rocked his whole body in deeper intense movements.
No. I want to hear the other one again.
I turned back to the phone and was about to press replay to the Jay-Z song.
Fast, Emily grabbed the phone from me. “You can’t change this, baby.”
I frowned. “Why not?”
“Max, might shoot you, if you change it.”
“He will not.”
“I will most definitely shoot you, if you do!” Maxwell rhythmically bobbed around the bathroom with Paolo. “Shook Ones is a classic. Have some respect for Mobb Deep.”
Mobb who?
Chuckling, Emily went to Paolo and grabbed one of his hands.
He grinned. “Mysh!”
I rolled my eyes.
“I didn’t know you liked to dance, Paolo.” She bobbed her head left and right, her body matching the swagger of the beat. “We’ll have to do this more.”