Half Truth

*Joseph* 

I walked into the hall where Seven stood guard at the door. I pulled the comm from my ear and turned it off. I had to watch the light flash to make sure no one could hear me. “I have to find out who that woman was. She didn't look familiar to me. She shouldnt know my name.” Seven did know certain things since becoming a guard for the women, but Jay trusted him, so I did too. “I need you to take Sophia and Sunshine for the rest of the wedding shopping she had planned today. Jay will be going with you, at her request.” Seven nodded again. “They will also have dinner. Jay knows which restaurants have VIP spots for us.” This time he responded with a simple, “yes sir”. I shook his hand firmly and continued to walk towards the office. Jay was in there with Zeus looking at images of the woman who brought the dresses that they had already attained from the security footage. I pointed to my ear to tell them to turn off the comms. I don't want Sandra stressed any more than she has to be. “I don’t fucking know her.” I said irritated that as I stood there looking at the pictures on the screen, I didn't recognize her at all. “She knows your name Smoke. She has to know more about you than you know.” I ran my fingers through my hair. I could feel the burning of anger starting inside of me. No one knows that name that I haven't directly allowed to. I looked at Zeus, “none of you were fucking her at some point? Mighty?” Zeus shook his head no. “Bro, Mighty fucked a lot of women, so I can't be for sure, but he never gave them any names.” I knew he was right. He wouldn't even let the girls he brought home stay the night in fear they would see something they shouldnt. “Fuck.” I growled, letting out some frustration. “We just got pass the shit with Tommasso, I don't need another fucking problem. I just want to marry my woman and to have a fucking break.” I threw a glass across the room and watched it shatter to the floor.  

A gentle knock on the door stopped me from breaking something else. “Come in.” I said as calmly as my nerves would allow. When she opened the door, her eyes went directly to the broken pieces of glass on the floor. She walked slowly over and started to try and pick it up. “Sunshine, I'll get someone to clean that up.” I said, suddenly feeling guilty for allowing my anger to get the best of me. She continued to pick up the big pieces. “You will need someone to vacuum there.” She said softly. She walked over and threw the glass in the trashcan beside the desk. “What’s wrong?” She asked looking directly in my eyes. “Nothing. I got upset, but all is okay. Normal business aggravation.” I forced a smile and kissed her forehead. “Are you ready to go get some shopping taken care of for the best day of my life?” I tried to shove positive feelings into the thick awkward air that surrounded us all. I looked at the others. I could tell they were upset I lied to her. They don't understand. I just want her to have this one thing without having to deal with the problems that come along with being with me. I am a never-ending hurricane, just tearing her world up. She also looked over to Jay and Zeus. “What’s wrong?” She asked again, this time talking to them. “Sis, we are just trying to find out about the dress woman.” She almost laughed when she looked back to me. “You think I don't know? She said your name softly to me. In my ear. Where my comm was. Oh, silly king, she knew you would hear her.” I hadn't even thought of that, Sandra was so smart. I was proud of her cunning, but at the same time, I was angered by what she pointed out. “Who is this woman?” I thought, this time out loud. “I don't know, but I was going to tell you, when you find out, will you make sure she is really going to get me that dress?” She kissed me, smiled, and turned to walk out. “You coming?” She said looking at Jay. He looked at me and I nodded. Zeus and I watched as he followed her out the door. “Do you think he will help her find the flower arrangements?” Zeus laughed and looked back at me. “I think he will help her with anything she asks.” I said laughing along with him.  

I sat there studying the strange womans face for a while with no recollection of who she was.  My name is not common knowledge. I am sure there are people who know it. People who knew me before, from my childhood, or from before. Now that I am Smoke, no one says that name without being close to me. Most people that knew me before, don't live anywhere around where I am now. “How do I make sure she gets the dress, Z?” I asked, now more worried Sandra wouldn't get her dream dress. “I am going to grab a few men and we are heading back to that shop.” Zeus said, equally willing to make sure his new found sister got her dress. I nodded and threw an ankle holster on. I didn't think I would need my weapon but I have learned over the years not to take any chances. Hector wanted to go, but I told him I needed him to hold down the fort. I didn't want to put him in danger either. He was one of the main territory leaders that I trusted. The one man I could send other leaders to that would train them correctly. I couldn't let something happen to him. Also, he is family. He nodded, but I knew he wasn't happy about it. I needed Hector to keep the wheels turning around there. I couldn’t afford to lose Zeus or Jay to the city right now.

Zeus pulled up in an SUV with three guards. I walked to the SUV and got in the back. We rode for a short time before pulling up to the dress shop. It was still open. The guards walked in first while Zeus and I stood outside. One of the guards opened the glass door and informed us that the woman was inside. When we walked in, she was standing there with her hands on her hips. She didn't look worried about our arrival at all. “What? I told her it would take a few days before she got her dress. I am supposed to deliver it to the other woman.” I was confused by her nonchalant reaction to our visit. Why did she bait me just to stand there and act like she has no idea why we are there? “Why did you call Smoke by a different name?” Zeus asked, taking a dominant step towards her. She didn't step back. She wasn't worried. She looked at me and shrugged. “Really, *Smoke*, you don't know who I am? I didn't say your name out loud, I said it to the princess of thieves. I assumed she knew it.” What she said sounded an awful lot like an insult. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” I growled. She smiled, “I can’t believe you have become so narcissistic that you don't even know your own family.” Her words felt like acid being poured over my body. I don't have any family, my mother has passed, and I didn't have anyone else, not blood related anyway. “You are not my fucking family, try again?” I asked, my voice darker now. I was tired of her games. “Oh, but you do, I am living proof, *Brother*.”