A Commitment to Love, Book 3 by Kenya Wright Page B

shocked.”
    “So you think that person is not to be trusted?”
    “Who?”
    “The one we were talking about?”
    “My mom?”
    “Yes.”
    “Odds don’t look good in our favor.”
    “Why not?”
    Sophia tapped my leg hard and mouthed, “Who is that?”
    I raised my hand to silence her.
    “Why not?” I asked again.
    Annoyance laced Troy’s voice. “I don’t have time to talk about my mother issues with you. We have to kill Benny.”
    “How is that different from our plan earlier, when I asked you to protect Lucy?”
    “That’s what I don’t like, Rich Boy. That shit right there. How the hell did Lucy get killed? Where’s Sherman? He’s texting me shit like he’s sorry, but never said why he was sorry. Now I know. He let Lucy die, but why? It makes me real uncomfortable. Sherman gave me his word. He takes that shit seriously, when it comes to his brothers. If he fucked me on this, then there’s only one person that could have gotten in his head.”
    More static rushed through the line.
    “Who?” I asked.
    And then the call ended.
    “Fuck.” I shut the phone off.
    Sophia’s words came out harsh with no chaser. “Who was that?”
    “Why?”
    Her words sliced in the air and made my skin shiver. “I don’t like questions for my answers. Don’t do that again. Who was that?”
    I’m starting to get tired of people treating me like I’m the one that doesn’t give out the orders.
    “Who was it?” Sophia asked again.
    Benny had somehow kidnapped Troy and Vivian. I don’t even understand what that meant. Kidnapped them how? Was he locking them up in a house or just keeping a close eye on them? Was he taking Jasmine to them? Would she be surrounded by their love and safety until I got there?
    I’m going to kill you, Benny. I wasn’t born to be a murderer, but I’ll die one, just for you. I shot Wendy out of sorrow. I don’t count that. But for you … for you, I’ll take on the guilt of your death. I’ll dance in your blood.
    “Who was on the phone?” Sophia snapped her fingers in front of me, a move that I did a lot. A move that I’d done with Jasmine several months ago, when she sat in my office in shock that I’d been asking her the most intrusive interview questions known to the job process. I’d thought I was in control that day, figured I could command Jasmine just because she trembled in her chair, in front of me.
    In the end, she trapped me.
    Caged my heart and wouldn’t let it go.
    Had me bobbing around like a puppet with dangling legs.
    How I miss my little puppet master. Damn you, tesoro.
    “Chase, do you hear me?” Sophia asked again, and anger boiled inside of my chest.
    Leave me alone. I’m thinking about her.
    I swallowed some of the cognac I’d brought with me. “Don’t make me do this, Sophia. Let’s just pretend there wasn’t a phone call. I’m a bit on edge, and getting rather drunk. My manners left on the second glass. Don’t make me do this.”
    “Do what?”
    “Put you in your place.”
    “Excuse me?” She raised her arched eyebrows.
    “You don’t ask me questions. I ask you. I have several bills that I pay that prove that sad fact. I’m looking for Jasmine. You can help me. My phone calls are not something I’m going to discuss. So far, my childhood friend died while in the care of your family. I’m not sure who to trust outside of Jasmine.”
    “Put me in my place?”
    I finished the glass.
    “I’m Jasmine’s mother. I’m just as nervous about her future.”
    I didn’t buy it. I couldn’t point to the reason. Maybe, she lacked that thing that made mothers appear mournful. She’d lived a hard life. Most ghettos carved out hollow tunnels in people’s hearts. Perhaps, she just didn’t understand how to show a mother’s love, but it still could have lived inside of her, growing with each second that Jasmine remained with Benny.
    “I’m sorry,” I said.
    “Sorry isn’t important to me. You pay my bills. That’s fine. But you mentioned