by D. Camille
“Listen, if your boys are clean, you’re going to exonerate them.” Miles told him. “So it’s the best for all of you.”
“What are you going to do if somebody is dirty?” Mike inquired again.
“You know what I’m going to do.” Miles said, walking over to him. “So it had better not be you.”
Mike frowned. “It ain’t me. I’m thorough…”
“I want to believe that.” Miles reached for a wiring device. “Let me you show you how to use this.”
“I already know.” Mike told him and Miles lifted a brow.
“You do?”
“Yeah, The Mastermind had the same stuff.”
Miles looked interested. “Really. Where’d they get them from?”
Mike shrugged. “I don’t know.”
“Who were you watching?” Miles asked.
“The Negus…Malachi, Ethan and others.”
“Damn…”
“We didn’t know that we needed to be watching you, too.”
Miles smiled. “You weren’t supposed to know.”
“Gideon told us how you got him out after the twins hid him.”
“I’m side eyeing your boy, Gideon.” Miles shared. “How’d he get taken?”
“Those women were treacherous.”
Rubbing his face, Miles shook his head.
“Why’d they take him and not any of the others?” Miles questioned.
“I don’t know.”
“That’s what I’m going to find out.” He promised.
Handing the equipment to Mike, Miles gave him more instructions. When the pair were done, Miles walked him outside.
“Don’t try to cross me, Mike.” He warned. “What my brother did to Jamal will be nothing compared to what I’ll do to you.”
“I know.”
Miles held out a hand. “We good?”
“We good.” Mike shook it.
“If anybody asks why you were here, you’re working with me to set up for this mission with Campbell. Since Malachi has put me in charge of it.” Miles informed him.
“I got you.”
Both men turned as a woman approached them. She smiled at Miles and Mike looked between the pair.
“Miles…” she said softly.
“Hey, Shannon.” Miles replied, then turned to Mike. “Check in with me later.”
Mike nodded. “Okay.”
Watching the younger man walk away, Miles gave his attention to the woman staring up at him.
“Let’s talk.” He told her, then led her into his office.
Once inside, he offered her a seat then took the chair behind his desk.
“What’s up?” Miles asked.
“How are you?” Shannon inquired.
“I was good...until you called.” He answered. “Now what is this about?”
“Why did you stop taking my calls?”
Miles frowned. “I know that you didn’t ask to talk to me about this.”
“I just want to know why...what did I do?”
“You really want to do this?”
“I have to…”
He nodded. “Fine. I ghosted you because you were getting too clingy. You started wanting too much.”
“Too much? Like what? Wanting to visit your house? To see you outside of a hotel?” Shannon accused. “Was that too much?”
“Yeah...you knew the deal going in. I ain’t never lied.”
“So that makes it right?”
“It makes it what the hell it was…”
She frowned at him. “Do you know why I was asking for those things?”
“You wanted to deviate from the program.”
“I was carrying your baby.”
Miles paused and stared at her.
“What?” he demanded.
“I was pregnant.”
“You was what?”
She nodded. “I was pregnant, but when you disappeared, I lost the baby.”
He shook his head. “Hell naw, Shannon. You on some bullshit.”
“How am I on some bullshit, Miles?”
“First of all,” he pinned her with a brown-eyed glare. “If you had been pregnant with MY baby, your ass would have camped outside of this damn building to get to me.”
“Are you saying I’m lying?”
“A lying ass…” he told her firmly.
“You can’t tell me what happened!”
Miles frowned. “I can tell you that you’re a damn lie.”
“This is why I didn’t tell you.”
“And you shouldn’t have came and told me no shit like this now. What’s your point?” Miles demanded.
Shannon sat back.
“I thought that you’d be more understanding and compassionate.” She said quietly. “I went through a lot.”
“When was this?” Miles asked. “Because I haven’t seen you in like six months.”
“It all happened around that time.”
“And you’re telling me now...for some reason.”
Shannon stared at him. “I thought it would bring us closer together...the loss of our baby.”
“First of all, I don’t even believe there was a baby. Secondly, I don’t believe it was mine. And lastly, the fact that you’ve waited all this time, and haven’t said anything about this...tells me there’s some shit in the game.” Miles told her. “Let me hit up your brother, Dre and see what he says…”
She watched Miles take out his phone.
“Dre doesn’t know.”
Miles stopped.
“Give me the name of the hospital you went to…” Miles requested.
When she remained silent, he asked, “A doctor’s name?”
“It’s over now.” Shannon argued.
He put his phone down.
“Oh hello naw. It’s. Not. Over.” Miles told her. “You aren’t going to come in here and tell me some shit like this without proof. Who the hell do you think I am?”
“Miles…”
“You think you’re going to be in the streets telling people I was going to be your Baby Daddy?” He accused. “Nah, that’s not going to happen.”
“I’m not going to say anything.” Shannon promised. “I haven’t said nothing to nobody.”
“Because your ass is lying Shannon.” Miles snapped. “I hate a fucking liar!”
He stood to his feet.
“If you wanted to hook back up, you should’ve just came one hundred. Now, I can’t stand your ass.” He told her.
Shannon also stood.
“I’m sorry, Miles.”
“You need to roll out…and stay the hell away from me.”
She moved to his side.
“Please…”
“Get out.”
Staring up into his angry eyes, Shannon’s own eyes narrowed.
“Speaking of these streets that you’re so worried about. You’d better watch yourself, because everybody who talking to your face, ain’t saying the same things behind your back.”
Miles looked down at her.
“Then while you’re behind my back talking with them, tell them I said...all of y’all can get some. Try me...” Miles assured her, then opened the door.
Shannon rushed out and Miles followed until she was out of the building.
******
Hours later, Liv arrived at DFW Airport and was greeted by her friend and co-worker. After dropping her bag in the trunk, both women climbed into the car.
“Thanks for picking me up,” Liv told her, while fastening her seatbelt.
“Of course,” her friend replied with a laugh. “Plus, I wanted to be nosy about how things went with your sister.”
Liv sat back with a sigh.
“She was so happy, KeKe...and I’m so happy for her.” Liv answered.
“So when’s the wedding?”
“They haven’t set a date.”
KeKe kept driving. “So what did you do up there?”
Dropping her hands into her face, Liv answered, “Lost my damn mind.”
Her friend glanced over at her.
“Oh, so this is the story I need to be nosy about?”
Liv looked at her.
“KeKe, I made a movie with him!” Liv cried.
“A movie?” KeKe frowned then her eyes widened. “You talking about a movie, movie?”
Liv nodded. “He sent me a copy.”
“Who is this Liv?”
“He’s a fine ass, arrogant ass, smart ass, sexy ass, make you tap out ass, Negro!” Liv replied and KeKe made a face at her. “And I should never have looked into those damn bedroom eyes…”
“Damn girl! I should have brought lemon and honey for this tea.”
“I don’t know what the hell I was thinking, going out like that.” Liv shook her head.
“What happened?” KeKe shouted.
Liv took a breath. “I saw him at the engagement party, then he took me home. After that, I spent the next two days with him.”
“Making movies…”
“He’s a documentarian.”
KeKe frowned. “What the hell is that?”
“He films documentaries, girl. You’re a teacher, you should know that.”
“I teach music.” She corrected her. “Now, back to the porn producer.”
Liv frowned. “He’s not a porn producer...and what we made wasn’t pornography. It was beautiful…”
“Oh God! I need to be filming this right here.”
“It was, KeKe. I watched it again at the airport.”
“Again?”
Liv smiled. “We watched it together, too.”
“Liv!”
“I know.” Liv shook her head again. “You know I’ve done some wild things, but this tops the list for sure.”
“So you went to Detroit and got you a man, huh?”
“No. I went to Detroit and got my feelings hurt.” Liv admitted.
“What?” KeKe asked concerned. “You sound like y’all was vibing.”
“We were…”
She glanced at Liv.
“So what happened?”
“He dropped me off at Taylor’s this morning, then I saw him in the airport with another woman like an hour later.”
“Damn…”
“But, to Miles’ credit...he told me how he operated. I just didn’t expect to see it up close and personal.” Liv explained.
“What did he say when you confronted him?”
Liv frowned. “I didn’t confront him. I’m not his woman and plus…”
“Plus what?”
“When he talked about us moving forward, I shot it down.”
Now KeKe frowned. “Now why the hell would you do that, if this man can get you to make a sex tape on the first date?”
“It was technically the second date.”
“Girl…” KeKe said harshly.
Liv was silent for a moment, then said quietly.
“It scared the shit out of me.” She admitted. “How much I want him.”
KeKe turned to her.
“Oh, Liv…”
“But, I don’t know if he would even try to be the man I’d need him to be…”
Chapter 13
That evening Miles stopped into one of the clubs he frequented. At a private table, he ordered his usual and sat back, taking out his phone. Scrolling through, he looked up as the waitress placed the glass on the table.
“Can I get you anything else?” she asked.
“I need to holla at you for a minute.” Miles replied.
She nodded. “Let me tell them I’m on break.”
“Okay,” Miles said reaching for his drink. “I’ll be right here.”
Miles relaxed and sipped from the glass awaiting her return. She walked in and closed the curtain behind her before snuggling at his side.
Placing an arm around her, Miles looked down into her face.
“What’s up baby?” she asked softly.
“I want to ask about Shannon.”
She frowned. “What about her?”
“Have you heard anything about her being pregnant?” Miles asked.
“No, but I’ve heard that she’s been talking about getting off of your shit list and I know for a fact that she’s a liar, just like her brother.”
He paused. “Really?”
“Yeah...and she knows that she messed up with you.”
“You two are cool, right?”
“We were cool. We’re not anymore.”
Miles looked interested. “Why not?”
“She was trying to drag you after you stopped taking her calls.” She explained.
“What did she say?”
“Talking about how you wasn’t shit.” She began. “She hoped that somebody was going to get at you.”
He touched her face.
“Why didn’t you tell me?” he asked.
“I checked her for you.”
Miles smiled. “Thank you.”
She returned his smile. “I haven’t seen you in here for a minute.”
“I’ve been working.”
“Are you working tonight?” She questioned, climbing onto his lap and looking into his face.
“Nah, I’m not working tonight.”
Lowering her head, she covered his mouth with hers, tasting the dark liquor on his tongue. The kiss deepened and she began to grind against him.
Miles allowed her to push his suit jacket from his shoulders and toss it aside. His hand slipped under her short skirt as she went for the buttons on his dress shirt.
“I missed you,” she whispered against his lips and Miles froze.
“Huh?”
He looked up into her face, as she repeated, “I missed you.”
When Miles pulled back, she frowned at him.
“What’s wrong?”
Slowly, Miles removed the hand cupping her bare ass.
“Nothing,” he replied before lifting his face to hers.
Again, she captured his full lips and when she didn’t feel his full participation, she moved back and stared at him.
“Miles...what’s up?”
“I’m sorry, Ashley.” He apologized. “It’s been a long day.”
Ashley smiled. “Then let’s make it better…”
This time she felt his indulgence in their kiss before he laid her down on the sofa. Ashley wrapped her legs around his back as his big frame rested on hers. Miles’ mouth left hers and traveled down her neck to the tops of her exposed breasts.
Ashley pulled his shirt from his slacks, anxious to feel his heated body against her skin. Miles’ mouth returned to hers and the kiss was scorching hot.
“Ahh, baby...you set me on fire.” She breathed.
Lifting his head, Miles looked down into her pretty face.
“Oh shit...” he groaned.
******
Liv finally settled in at home and after unpacking and taking a shower, she plopped down on her sofa. Turning on the television, she flipped to the sports channel and began watching the basketball game. After taking in a quarter, she stood to head to the kitchen. On her way, she stopped when the doorbell rang.
Turning in that direction, Liv went to answer then frowned when she peeked out and saw who was on the other side.
“What do you want?” she called out.
“I want to talk to you Liv.”
“Didn’t I tell you that I didn’t want to hear from you, Ty?”
There was a slight pause, then a reply.
“Please...I just want to clear things up before you do something like get a restraining order against me.”
“So you show up at my place?”
“You won’t take my calls.”
Angrily, Liv said, “Get away from my door and leave me the hell alone!”
“I’ll leave you alone. Just tell me that everything is fine between us and you’re not going to come after me. I don’t need you fucking up my job and my life.” Ty told her through the door.
Liv ran from the door into her bedroom and retrieved her handgun. When she re
turned to the door, she yelled, “Get away from my door, Ty! Last warning or I’m calling the police.”
“Okay! It’s over Liv. Stay the hell away from me!” He called back.
She looked confused, then watched him through her door as he stomped away.
“That Negro is crazy…”
Liv went to the window and waited until he got in his car and drove off. Walking over to her phone, she called her sister.
“Hey, Liv…”
“If I kill a man, can you tell me how to hide his body?”
“What?”
Liv went back to the window to see if Ty was trying to return.
“This guy I dated. I might have to kill his ass.”
“What happened?”
“He got all controlling and possessive, so I tried to nicely end things. Then, he lost his damn mind...calling me, texting me, showing up at my place.”
“You should report him.” Taylor advised.
“I think that will cause more problems.” Liv told her. “Plus a piece of paper has never saved anybody. The news of black women being murdered for rebuking men’s advances is all over the media.”
“I want you to be safe, Liv.”
“I’m prepared.” Liv assured her. “It’s just so damn annoying.”
“I still want you to file a formal report, in case you have to use some type of force. You need to have it on file that he’s been harrassing you.” Taylor explained.
Liv sighed. “Okay...I’ll do that.”
“Thank you.”
“Why are men so damn dumb?” Liv asked. “And aggravating…”
“That’s not all men, Liv.”
Smirking, Liv replied, “You’re just in love.”
“I am...and my man is neither dumb nor aggravating.”
“Congratulations.”
Taylor laughed. “Don’t hate, Sis.”
“I am.”
They both chuckled together, before Taylor asked, “What are you going to do about Miles?”
Liv sobered. “I don’t know.”
“Do you believe that he was working when you saw him with that woman?”
“He has no reason to lie.” Liv shrugged. “I mean, he really doesn’t owe me any explanations.”
“You should let him know that you’ve changed your mind.”
“About what?”
Taylor sighed. “About your feelings…”
“Taylor, Miles has probably already forgotten all about me.” Liv told her.
“You’re going to let him?”
“Taylor…”
“What?”
Walking back to her sofa, Liv sat down.