Game Recognize Game

16. Report Back

      I shook my head and put my eyes anywhere so they wouldn't connect with his gaze, "Jyrell is the only person I know." There was no way I could name my brother, especially since he assisted in the robbing of Poochie that day.

        I looked at Nikko after telling my lie and he was just starring at me. He leaned forward placing his elbows in front of me on the counter. His eyes searching for something that was obvious by my tapping fingers and bouncing leg. "You are the worst liar I have ever seen," he smirked. "Well, I don't like to lie, so excuse me for my lack of practice," I countered. "Why won't you just tell me the truth? Are you protecting someone," he asked grabbing my face this time. His touch was gentle though as if he had the patience to wait for me to be comfortable enough to give a confession. "You've killed people right," I started making him smile. "I won't kill you if that's what you're asking," he chuckled.

      "So you are a good liar," I joked, but his hearty laugh kind of shook me. Would he really kill me? "I try not to lie, more or less falsely convince people," he replied. " I nodded, "If someone didn't want to pay you up front, would you let someone else pay their debt," I asked with high hopes his answer would be yes, but I knew that was wishful thinking. He sighed and let my face go to rub his hand over his head. "You asking for a reason," he asked in heavy thought? "Would you," I asked again? "On special occasions I've made passes, and that's not a yes. People that let others take care of their shit just become a bigger problem further down the line. So, if this person your protecting is that type. You're better off just telling me what's up, and letting it be in the hands of faith," he shrugged non-chalant. "More like in your hands," I mumbled making him sigh. 

      "Would you protect Poochie or Jyrell if they were a problem," I asked making him look at me with a hard stare? "My father wouldn't, so I wouldn't," he answered with a tight jaw. "You aren't your father, Nikko," I say, reading on his face that just a conversation about his father was a soft spot for him. His family must not be the 'rich', 'fairy-tale-loving', 'conversations-at-dinner', and 'make-up-after-every-fight', type like I thought they were. "Do you know something about the robberies or not?! I don't need your input on my personal life, aight," he barked turning his back on me. The man Nikko was a few seconds ago was gone now. The act he'd put on didn't last long, but he played it well. I shook my head and realized why I couldn't fall for a man like him.

      "Who got robbed," I asked in curiosity? He sighed and let his head fall back as he squeezed his fists close to his sides. After a moment of silence he exhaled, then looked at his watch. "I've got somewhere to be," he said ignoring my question. "Hey, one thing," I said catching his arm. He gave me this look that made me release him as quickly as I'd touched him. "What," he asked? "Can you have someone meet with me on Sunday, I mean... I don't what you to be sidetracked when you obviously have robberies to focus on," I lied, knowing the real reason was to not see him as often anymore. "Done," he replied swiftly before walking out. And just like that he was gone.

      For some reason I felt horrible about not telling Nikko what I know, but I had a duty to Kollins. I had to protect him like he had once protected me, but if he was robbing Nikko? It wouldn't be long before he was on the chopping block anyway. I walked upstairs sluggishly, with all of this on my mind. I laid down as I waited for my drowsiness to take over, but I couldn't get Nikko out of my head. A part of me wishes I could have a real relationship with Nikko, but he was never going to be that guy! He has no reason to be, after all I wouldn't like a girl who stole from me and is still keeping secrets. I wasn't the type of girl guys fall for anyway, I was the type they hurt and used. It was just that simple.

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2 weeks later

Kinzy