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Malek.”
    Tasha had not planned on getting this involved. She had helped Toy find Halleigh and had even lured her out of her hiding place, but now Toy wanted her to basically help snatch her off the street. She started to say no, but the venomous look in Toy’s eyes told her that it was do or die. She sighed as she climbed out of the car.
    â€œHalleigh!” Tasha exclaimed as she walked over to her. “I’ve been following you for twenty minutes! Why is your phone going straight to voice mail? I’ve been trying to get you to pull over for miles.”
    â€œTasha?” Halleigh yelled in confusion. She sighed a breath of relief. “What the fuck are you doing? Why are you following me?” She threw her arms up in frustration. “You scared the shit out of me!”
    â€œI went to meet you at your job, but you were pulling out when I was pulling up. I tried to call you and let you know I was behind you, but your phone was going straight to voice mail.” Tasha knew her excuse was flimsy, but she was hoping that Halleigh was still as naïve as she’d always been.
    â€œFuck, Tasha! You out here like a stalker. I didn’t know who you were! Were you following me yesterday too?” Halleigh yelled angrily. She put her hand over her racing heart.
    â€œWhat? Hal, of course not! Why are you spazzing on me? I just thought we could go out for drinks. You told me you worked at the mall, so I decided to meet you after work, but you got out of there like a bat out of hell. I couldn’t keep up.”
    Halleigh nodded and calmed down a little, not wanting to overreact. She was the one who had invited Tasha to come to Baltimore to visit her. She’s your friend. Stop tripping . She noticed the black Charger was still running. “Who’s in the car?”
    â€œThat’s my boyfriend. He flew in to surprise me last night. I want you to meet him.” Tasha gushed. “Then maybe we can go for that drink?” She put her arm around Halleigh’s shoulder. “It looks like you could use it, and someone to talk to. I know you, Hal. You’re stressing about something.”
    Halleigh nodded and then stepped over to the car. It was comforting having her friend by her side. She began to doubt herself. Maybe Malek’s right. Maybe I am tripping.
    As soon as she stepped over to the car, Tasha pushed her from behind as the driver of the car stepped out and grabbed her neck violently. She looked into the eyes of the driver and knew she was in trouble. This was the girl she’d been running from. She didn’t need an introduction. The menace behind her gaze told it all. Mitch’s sister, Toy, was standing in front of her face, and she could see the rage, the hate, and the vengeance in her eyes.
    â€œYou bitch!” Halleigh yelled as she lunged for Tasha. “How could you! I have a son, Tasha! You dirty, grimy-ass bitch.”
    Toy slapped Halleigh across her face so hard, her neck snapped back, and stars appeared behind her eyes.
    â€œLook, ma, I don’t got time for this ra-ra shit. You know who I’m after. We could have avoided this entire li’l confrontation if you had just led me to the nigga, but you wanted to jump bad and play detective. Well, now you know who’s behind the tinted windows, ma. Where’s Malek?”
    Toy spoke so smoothly, it almost sounded like she was trying to seduce Halleigh rather than threaten her. She did not need to raise her voice to get her point across.
    Tasha said, “Halleigh, just tell her. You heard what she said. She ain’t worried about you. She only wants Malek. That high-school love bullshit is played, and you know it. Stop being stupid, and think about what’s best for you. Do yourself a favor and just tell her where he is.”
    â€œFuck you! I’m not telling shit. You dyke-ass bitch, you’ll never get to Malek.”
    There was no way she could tell Toy how to find