Chapter||5

I'm down to ride for my bruddas, no

Can't no nigga talk bad about bruddas, no

Can't no nigga send shots at my bruddas, no

And I ain't got nobody, yeah, I got my bruddas, yo, ay

Niggas talking bout robing, got deal wid my bruddas, yo,

If a nigga talkin bout fightin me, gotta deal with my  bruddas, yo

My bruddas

B-R-U-D-D-A, them my bruddas , Yh

Friday 4th May

Same day at the trap

1 am

King was in his office smoking a blunt to get his mind off of everything that has been happening all around him. A knock on the door knocked him out of his own world.

"Who is it," Kain asked as he blew smoke out from his mouth.

"it's me nigga", The person on the other side of the door replied as he opened the door.

"Nigga do you ever quit smoking," One of kings friends Zap said laughing as he walked into Kairo's office.

Zap

"No nigga and we got business to talk about so sit to ass down."

He sat down on a chair in front of King's desk and propped his feet onto the next one. Giving him a look King just ignored him and got to talking business.

"Nick back," he simply said which made Zap eyes widened as he quickly sat up straight. Nick used to be an old friend of Omar's until he created his own empire out of greed and try to out Omar's gang. The two had been feuding for the past 15 years until Nick decided to flee the country and since then he never returned.

Until now

"What you say," He questioned wanting to double-check he heard correctly.

"You heard me, he back," Kairo reiterated.

"Hell naw, that nigga need to of been dead," Zap said angrily as he stood up.

"It's not that simple, he smart and knows what he doing," he shook his head.

"But we smarter, he ain't gon try to do shit," Zap tried to convince Kairo and more so himself.

"We both know what he's capable and yes we are smarter but he always has stuff up his sleeve and me and you both know it."

"Tell everyone in the trap to watch their back when they go out and always have their weapons on them," he commanded Zap.

Nodding his head in response Zap got up to warn all them. Sitting back in his chair King dragged his hand down his face and let out a breath. King knew Nick was only here for one reason and one reason only.

To take his dads empire

Counting his money he got interrupted by his phone ringing, Without looking at the caller ID he answered it.

"Yo," he greeted into the phone as the call connected through.

"Is that how you answer the phone," Kamiya's voice came through the phone.

"Oh I ain't know it was you," he laughed before apologising.

"FaceTime me, babe."

"Cool," FaceTiming her like she asked he waited for her to pick up

"Hey baby how you doing," he started over again.

"I'm good baby and you."

"I'm good, Liyah sleeping."

"Of course she sleeping, where are you though," she questioned trying to look through the phone.

"I'm just at the trap baby catching up on some work, he replied sighing

"But I wanna see your body and what you doing babe," he licked his lips while fixing his hat.

"I'm just doing an eye mask baby nothing special," she said showing him her body in the phone as she was dressed in a white tank top and green leggings.

"When you soon coming home, it's late," she whined putting on a fake pout.

"Yeah imma gon' be home soon, lemme wrap this up and then I'll leave"

"Ok love you baby and be safe"

"I love you too baby and I will," They hung up the phone and Kairo went back to work while Kam started to clean up waiting for Kairo to come home.

An hour had gone by with him busy with work and it was now 2 am. Tired was an understatement for Kairo, he just wanted to go home and lay in bed with his lady. His phone ringing caught him off guard but with him being so tired he simply ignored it. His phone ringing for the 3rd time now in the last minute he answered it thinking it was Kamiya.

"Kamiya I'm soon coming home," he stated.

"Kairo K-K-Kain got s-shot" Armani cried as she was in the back of the ambulance riding to the hospital.

Kairo's heart dropped

"What hospital," He ran to his car frantically almost tripping over his own feet.

"Brenta hospital," which was a private hospital the family had been going to for years.

Without even saying bye he hung up the phone.

First calling his parents' house phone to tell them the news.

"Kain got shot go to Brenta hospital NOW" he shouted before hanging up. Omar and Saniya rose up out their bed rushing to put some shoes and go out the door to their car not caring if they were still in their pyjamas.

Dialing Clarence's number, it went to voicemail because he was at the club, he then decided to dial Odell's number, he also didn't answer as he was too at the club.

"Why none of these niggas answering," he said angrily to himself speeding down the road to the hospital.

Once at the hospital, he parked his car in any spot and ran to the hospital doors.

"My brother Kain was brought in here where he at," he said passing by all the people in the line and interrupting the man who was talking to the receptionist.

"Sir your gonna have to wait in line please," the older white woman who had just started working here said pointing to the back of the queue.

"Just tell me where my mother fucking brother is at," he shouted becoming impatient.

"Sir if you don't-" Kairo interrupted the lady not wanting to hear what she had to say unless it was his brother room number.

"where the fu-"

"KK" Armani whispered the nickname she gave him with tears streaming down her face. Knowing the voice he turned to her and he ran to her and gave her a hug rocking back and forth as she cried.

"Where he at," he asked.

"He's in the ICU, KK I don't know what happened one minute he was shutting the party down then the next I was shouting telling him to watch out" she rambled on, her hands shaking.

"Calm down okay, come let's go sit down," he said bringing her to the waiting room.

"Where's my son," Omar shouted walking through the hospital minutes after Kairo did.

"Pops over here," Kairo said bringing his hand in a 'come here' motion.

"What happened," he said loudly as he walked over.

"Keep your voice down she's sleeping," he said referring to Armani who had fallen asleep and rested her head in Kairo's lap.

"My bad but what happened," he asked again but lowly this time.

"I don't even know, Armani was the one that called me and said he was shot and then when I got here she was shaking and crying," he stated rubbing her head as she slept.

"Imma go ask the doctor," Omar said as Saniya was crying in the seat next to Kairo.

"It's okay mama, he a soldier," he said hugging her with the free hand he had.

"I know baby but it's just he's probably in so much pain, oh God just keep my son alive please," she stated praying. Saniya was a dedicated Christian who went to church every Sunday and who tried to bring the family is well.

———

Hours had gone by with Kain still in the ICU and the only news they had gotten was that he was doing fine so far and they would get back to them with more. With one bullet in his shoulder and 2 in his chest, the doctors said it was a miracle for him to even be alive.

"What's taking so long," Kain complained becoming restless as Armani was still sleeping on him.

"These fucking doctors ain't telling us shit," Omar said pacing back and forth with his head in his hands.

A few minutes went by before a doctor finally came.

"Family of Kain white," she announced and they all stood up.

"That's us, how's my son," Omar said as he stopped pacing and began walking towards the doctor.

"He slipped into a coma during surgery and when he will wake up is up to him," The doctor broke it down to them.

"Can we see him," Saniya asked.

LYes he's in room 517, just down the hall on the left, the doctor directed them.

"Thank you," they replied as Kairo woke up Armani and told her to come. They made it to the room following after the doctor.

"He's hooked up to a lot of machines so just prepare yourself."

The doctor opened the door and they walked in. A gasp could be heard from Saniya as she saw Kain's body laid on the hospital bed. Kain laid on the bed motionless and calm. There were tubes coming from the machine to his nose, and from his neck indicating his breathing was being helped by a machine.

"My baby," she cried as she ran to his bedside hugging him the best that she could.

"Son be strong," he said holding onto his hand for a few seconds before letting go and taking a seat next to his bedside. Armani stood in the corner crying.

"it's all my fault I brought him there," she sobbed crying in her hands.

"No baby it's not your fault," Saniya said rubbing her back and making her sit down.

"It is if I never told him he wouldn't be in this predicament."

"It's the person who shot him who is at fault," she said as Kairo sat next to his father, with his jaw and hands clenched thinking of how he's going to deal with the situation.

"Be strong Kain," Armani whispered putting her head in her aunties chest.

————

It was now 5 am and they had been there for over 2 hours and all of them had fallen asleep on the uncomfortable chairs.

A knock on the door woke Kairo up as he looked up to see the doctor come in.

" Sorry to wake you up Kairo, I just need to check his vitals and see if everything is okay with Kain"

"It's alright Ms.Rose I was gonna get up soon anyway" he stretched as his bones made a cracking sound. Ms.Rose was an older doctor who had little to no grey hair on her hair that was pulled back into a ponytail.

"How you been," She said changing Kain's bandages.

"I've been well, managing everything God is giving me," he said clasping his hands together.

"That's good Kain's going to get better," she gave him reassurance.

"I hope so, I don't know what I would do," he said trying to to think of the negative outcome.

"Don't think like that, just pray and God will answer"

"I'm doing that and more," he smiled as she gave him a side-eye knowing what he meant by that.

"Be safe Kairo"

"Always," he said just as she was exiting the room.

"Wake up," he whispered to his parents and Armani. They stretched before finally standing up and getting ready.

"You guys can go I'll stay here with him," Kairo offered.

"No son you go home to your family," he patted his back knowing Kamiya was probably worried about him.

"How about we all go home then we all come back here later on with the rest of the family," Armani said rubbing her eyes.

"Yeah we all going home but you missy are coming with us," Omar said putting his arm around her shoulder guiding her out.

"Okay unc whatever you say," she huffed loudly making the rest laugh.

Finally turning on his phone Kairo saw a bunch of miss calls come through from Kamiya. He decided on waiting to call her and just go home to talk in person but he hopes that she was asleep.

Arriving at home he tiptoed upstairs to his room trying not to wake up anyone. Making his way to his room, he saw Kam sleeping with her phone in her hand, indicating she fell asleep calling and wondering where he was. Kairo let out a small smile as he began to take off his clothes leaving himself in his basketball shorts. Going on his side of the bed he laid on his back staring at the ceiling. His brother came to his mind and all he could do was pray, which he hadn't done in a while.

"God just please protect my brother, mama can't afford to lose another child," a tear slipped from his eye but he didn't bother to wipe it.

"What took you so long," She startled Kairo

"Kain go shot," his voice broke as he sobbed. A gasp left Kamiya's mouth as tears welled up in her eyes

"Omg is he okay, why are we here we have to go to the hospital," she rambled on about to get out of bed ready to put on some clothes.

"He's just in a coma I already went that's why I didn't answer your calls," he said dragging her back down onto the bed.

"I'm so sorry baby, he's going to be okay," she hugged him as she laid back down. He just simply hugged her in return crying on her chest.

"That's my brother Mann" he cried

"It's okay baby," she laid his head in between her boobs and started to massage his head trying to calm him down.

"I'm here for you every step of the way baby," she whispered to him.

Eventually, Kairo calmed down and ended up falling asleep still on her chest while Kam continued to rub his head.

"I love you" she whispered before dozing off herself.

————————

Thursday 4th May

It was 10 am and Clarence was just now waking up from his well needs sleep. He rolled over onto the other side of the bed to feel it empty, furrowing his eyes in confusion he wondered where she went until he heard her blabbering to the babies. Smiling to himself he got out of bed and went into the bathroom to do his morning routine.

Finally out of the bathroom he went into the babies bedroom to check on them. With the door already open, he walked in to see Asia sitting down on the chair breastfeeding Mya.

"Hey my baby," he cooed lifting Nija up out her crib and planting kisses all over her face as she burst into a fit of laughter. That alone brightened his day, seeing his daughters laugh and be happy.

"Hey babe," he leaned down to kiss her lips but ended up kissing her check due to her moving her head. A confused expression came upon his face.

"Why you do that," he frowned

"I ain't do nothing but move my head," she shrugged continuing to breastfeed Mya.

"Ight," he nodded his head still holding Nija in his other hand as he went downstairs. Going into the kitchen he decided on just having a bowl of cereal considering he was about to make lunch in a few hours. Eating his breakfast with Nija in her playpen he got interrupted by his phone ringing.

"Yo" he answered

"Kain in the hospital we finna go visit him at 12," Kairo said putting his phone to his ear as he fed Liyah some bacon and egg.

"What you mean, when did he get shot, is he alright" he fired questioned left to right.

"Last night and he's in a coma the doctors don't know when he gon' wake up," Kairo answered.

"Yeah we finna come and visit," he said

"How you holding up though," Clarence asked sincerely.

"I'm holdin up just keeping hope and praying"

"Good good well imma catch you later, tell Kam I said hi and give Liyah a kiss on the cheek for me," Clarence said

"Yeah I will, and tell Asia I said wassup and don't forget to give my God babies my love," he said before hanging up the phone going back to his daddy duties before starting to get ready for the hospital.

"You wanna see uncle today," Clarence cooed to Nija as he finished up his breakfast and began to pick her up. Smiling in response to his answer she started to grab his beard.

————

After getting the kids and themselves situated it was now 12 pm, they were just beginning to pile up in the car making their way to their hospital.

"Why you ignoring me," He asked after a while of silence.

"I'm not," she said plainly

"Yes you are, what I do."

"Oh nothing, you just come to my house drunk at around 2 am then make loud noises and wake up Nija then don't help to put her back to sleep and then when I wanna go back to bed you take all the space up leaving me on the edge," she ranted on sarcastically.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean any of it, I was drunk as you said," he apologises grabbing her hand with his free hand with one hand still on the wheel

"Yeah Okay"

"No I'm serious I really am," he kissed the back of her hand before caressing it.

"It's okay I forgive you," she gave him a small fake smile kissing him on the cheek.

After a while, they finally made it to the hospital. Hopping out Clarence got the babies while Asia got the bags as the wakes towards the entrance, not having to ask reception where the room is they simply walked towards where Kairo and the rest of the family were before they all made their way to Kain's room. Entering his room for the first time Asia, Destiny, Kam, and Robyn all shared a gasp as their hand flew to their mouth at the sight of Kain, while Odell and Clarence held a look of anger in their eyes wanting revenge

"Kain" Kam sobbed as she went and grabbed his hand holding on tight to him. Kain was like a little brother to Kam and to see him so distraught like this hurt her heart for real.

"He strong best believe that," Robyn said as she gave Kam's free hand a tight squeeze before going back to sitting down on the chair.

Odell watched Robyn from afar as she silently cried in her hands. Desperately wanting to hug her but he went against his thoughts and just stayed in his corner. Asia cried into Clarence's chest while Omar and Saniya were occupied with the twins and Aaliyah cooed at them. Clarence continued to rub Asia's back emotionless wanting to find out who had hurt his brother.Odell watched Robyn from afar as she silently cried in her hands. Desperately wanting to hug her but he went against his thoughts and just stayed in his corner.

————

It was now 7 o'clock and the family had been here for just under 7 hours. They all sat on the chairs watching Kain and chatting it up with each other.

"Y'all we finna head out the twins getting cranky," Clarence said holding a whiny Nija in his arms.

"Alright see you man, we got business to discuss tomorrow," Kairo said giving him a bro hug

"No doubt," he replied then gave Odell and Omar dap well before giving the ladies a hug. Destiny said bye to everyone considering she does live Clarence, Asia hugged everyone is well then grabbed Myas seat as Odell grabbed Nija's seat and the baby bags. They made their way to the car strapping them in before getting in themselves and pulling off going towards Clarence's house.

Arriving at the gate he rolled the window down before looking into the machine, so it can detect him by his eye and open the gate. Riding past the gate as it opened her made his way down his long driveway and into the 4 car garage he owned. Getting out the car Destiny went to go get Mya out her car seat, while Asia went to get Nija on the other side of the car. Getting the baby bags Clarence got his house keys ready to open the door for everyone. Finally, inside the house, Asia and Destiny went in the kitchen to go and make the formula for the babies, Clarence heading straight to his in-home office getting ready for business.

"So what's been going on with you," Asia asked Destiny while feeding the twins

"Nothing much just been studying and going to school," she replied

"So you ain't had no boyfriend," Asia smirked looking at her.

"I mean I like someone but I ain't know," she smiled thinking of Jakari. They had a conversation like these all the time, including Kamiya is well. Destiny felt as though she could talk to her about anything the same way she does with Kam and the 3 of them will Tay up all night just gossiping and asking each other questions but it will mainly be Destiny asking them relationship advice on how to deal with men and also life advice as a whole.

"So why you don't ask him out or something," Asia knew who Destiny was referring to as she had ears in the street. But that statement or rather question made Destiny look at her as though she was stupid

"Girl what, I ain't finna ask a boy out, it's the other way round," she said

"Says who, I semi asked your brother out," she laughed thinking back to that day.

"You what," she said surprised with this newfound information

"Yep and I don't regret it," she smiled remembering it like it was yesterday.

"Awww that's soo cute, I love you guys relationship, I can tell my brother really loves you and that you really love him back," she said smiling

"Yeah thanks," she sighed

"You don't love him," she questioned

"I do the question is does he really love me," she said wanting to say that for a really long time to somebody.

"Of course he does, why do you think that," Destiny said sticking up for her brother.

"It's just the things he does and the things he says"

"Like what," Destiny questioned making a mental note to have a brotherly sisterly talk with her brother

"Like having girls numbers in his phone or coming to my house late at night and drunk," she expressed while putting Nija back in her rocking seat.

"So why don't you tell him all this"

"Oh I do but all he says is sorry and thinks it makes up for everything"

"So take a break from him, tell him if he continues with these antics you will leave him," Asia was impressed with what Destiny was saying considering she's only 18 years old and still in high school

"yeah might just do that," she smiled. It became silent after a while as they were consumed in their thoughts until Destiny decided to speak again.

"Is that Why you guys don't live together even though you have children together" She questioned really wanting to know the answer as curiosity got the best of her.

"I actually want to live with him but Clarence says he likes his space and that it's fine how we are doing everything"

"But you don't"

"I don't, I really want to move in with him because he doesn't know how hard it is for me with the twins especially during the night time when I wake up all hours of the night then stay up for soo long because one of the twins breathing might be a bit off and so on," a tear slid down her face but as fast as it came was as fast as she wiped it.

"It's like he only thinks of himself when it comes to our relationship and how he wants to run me over because I don't shout at him and hit him when I want things my way," Destiny just listened as she let Asia continue to express her feelings and emotions that were al bottled up inside of her waiting to explode any minute.

" I feel as though I am the only one making an effort, I put in 100 per cent in this relationship and Clarence only puts in 50 per cent when it's supposed to be 100 on both sides, he just doesn't get it," more tears streamed down her face as she said each word. By now Asia was in Destiny's arms hugging her while she talked more.

"My heart can only take so much, don't tell anyone but I think Clarence is cheating on me and that he's ashamed of me or something," she confessed.

"Wait no, are you sure," Destiny asked puzzled.

"I'm sure, we barely go out in public together anymore but when we do his attention is always on the phone or he's slyly looking at another girl thinking I don't see him"

"He doesn't show me affection like he used to before we had the twins, doesn't kiss on me as much don't get me wrong he still kisses me and stuff but they just don't feel the same. It feels as if he's forcing it and he feels obligated to do it, otherwise I will fuss at him and complain about what he doesn't do to me anymore"

"He can't read your mind, Asia, he doesn't know what your feeling"

"I know but I feel like a little school girl trying to talk to her father, every time I want to say something to him he may not like"

"If you want your voice to be heard you have to speak first"

"It doesn't even matter to me anymore, I'm tired, I'm exhausted from the twins, I don't have the time," Asia sighed heavily.

"How about I take the twins from you so you and him can have some alone time," Destiny offered causing Asia to smile.

"And you better tell him how you feel," She said sternly to Asia pointing her finger at her.

"Yes ma'am and thank you for everything Lil sis," they hugged for a while before pulling a while.

"So where you-" Destiny's question got cut short when she heard footsteps coming towards them. Clarence's face appeared before them as he went towards Asia giving her a kiss. She kissed him back giving a fake smile his way.

"What you ladies up to," he said as he retrieved a water from the fridge.

"Having girl talk," Destiny replied shrugging.

"Hmmm," he eyed them both. Giving Asia the eye to ask Clarence Destiny walked out he kitchen with the twins' seats as Asia gave her a glare added with a middle finger.

"So babe I was wondering if we could do something special tonight or tomorrow"

"But who gon look after the twins," he said

"Destiny said she will"

"Nah I'm tired today and tomorrow I'm busy," he plainly said making up excuses.

"But we haven't had alone time in a while, it can even be here and we just cuddle like old times"

"I don't wanna bother Destiny with the twins, it's cool babe," he dismissed the conversation sipping some more water as he leaned on the counter.

"No she offered," she continued to plead her case to him with wanting them to go out

"Where would we even go," she smiled thinking he's reconsidering his answer.

"Where ever you wanna go"

"I don't really wanna go nowhere that's the thing"

"We can watch a movie or something," she suggests with hope in her eyes.

"Nah I watched everything already babe and if we at home the twins are still gonna be here"

"Yeah your right, just forget I ever asked, it's cool maybe next time," she gave up.

"Yeah maybe, sorry," he said kissing her cheek then going back to looking at his phone.

"What if we go out as a family," she suggested with a smile.

"Babe I'm really busy especially with Kain in the hospital"

"Oh yeah, it's fine didn't even want to go anywhere just a thought to see if you wanted to," she lied fighting back the tears that so wanted to desperately fall. Thinking the conversation was done he leaned off the counter and made his way to his office.

Seeing Clarence go back to his office Destiny stood up with the twins and made her way to the kitchen. Asia sat on the bar still with her head in her hands crying her eyes out.

"Wait for sis what did he say," she said worriedly knowing how her brother can be.

"He made any and every excuse to why he or we can't," she wiped her eyes forcefully getting up off the stool.

"Look I'm just gonna go home," she said heading towards the door.

"No please don't, stay," she begged making a puppy face.

"I don't think-"

"no please, for me" she cut her off smiling innocently.

"Ok fine," she gave in not wanting to even discuss it anymore,

"Good," she smiled

"It's getting late now and I'm tired. Let's take the twins to their room"," Asia said taking one of them off of Destiny. They began their journey upstairs and to the kids' room which was on the right to Clarence's room. After getting the twins situated they left the room with the door slightly open, but not before putting the baby monitor on.

"I'm tired, I'm finna go to bed," Asia said yawning.

"Yeah it's been a long day, you need it" they hugged and parted ways, with Asia going to Clarence's room and Asia going to Clarence in his office.

"Knock, knock," She said not even waiting for a response as she opened the door and went in.

"Of course, come in,"!sarcasm laced in his voice as he grinned at his sister.

"Whatever," she rolled her eyes taking a seat in front of his desk.

"What would you like," he smiled widely at his younger sister.

"For you to stop being so mean to my sis Asia," she said fake smiling. Furrowing his eyebrows in confusion to her statement.

"Mean what did I even do"

"You serious right now," she questioned wondering was he actually for real.

"I'm dead-ass"

"You can't see she wants to do something special for you and you just dismiss and push her away"

"All I said was that I busy," now logging out of his MacBook

"For God sake, she's trying in this relationship and you just chill not giving a damn," she shook her head at her brothers' antics.

"Our relationship is fine thank you very much"

"To who, cos it ain't for her"

"What you mean," making a face of curiosity

"She ain't happy, she's stressed because of the twins and then you not even helping and then when you do something wrong all you say is sorry like that means anything, then she-" she rambled on but got interrupted by Clarence.

"Okay I get it," he sighed

"Do you really," she gave him a questioning look.

"Yes I do, it's just that I got a lot on my mind right now"

"So does she and she wants to help you as well, but you're not helping her or even letting her help you" she stated

"You know how I deal with stuff Destiny"

"Asia does as well and she wants you to stop doing it that way and confide in her instead"

"She loves you so much Clare and she battles with herself everyday thinking is the feeling mutual"

"Of course I love her, that's not even debatable"

"Do you really Clarence because if you did why would she need to think that"

"I really do love her, she's the hopeful lady on earth, she's my backbone and on uncle's grave I really do love that girl Destiny," he expressed himself as he looked dead in Destiny's face, so she knew that he was telling the truth.

"I believe you, Clare," she smiled

"But tell me this"

"I'm listening," he nodded his head

"You ever cheat on Asia," Her heart was racing contemplating with herself if she actually wanted to know the answer to that but it was too late now that she's asked it. Shocked by her question he awkwardly cleared his throat.

"Just like that huh," he sightly laughed

"Yep," she said popping the P.

"And don't lie as well," she said sternly pointing her index finger at him.

"Well if you must know I-"

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