“What the fuck!” Otto yelled.
Drake held a gun with a silencer attached. He aimed it at Otto’s chest, pulled the trigger, and Otto went down. Harlow watched in horror as a widening red circle appeared on the front of Otto’s white shirt. Before the big guy could move, Drake was holding the gun to his head. “Call your fucking boss if you want me to spare your worthless life.”
Harlow began shaking and whimpering.
“It’s okay, baby. I can’t risk taking the tape off your mouth. I need you to be quiet until I take care of this. Okay, baby?”
She nodded her head. She and her babies were going to live through this disaster and for that, she was more grateful than she’d ever been in her life.
The big guy held his phone in his hand. “What do want me to say to him?” he asked Drake.
“Tell him the woman shot your boy and she got away. Tell him she’s hiding in one of the apartments upstairs and you need his help.”
He nodded and pressed a button. Like an award-winning actor, the big guy began shouting, “Boss. That bitch got away. I don’t know. She shot Otto while I was outside dealing with the car. But she didn’t get very far. She’s in one of the apartments above us, but I don’t know which one. You’re going to have to help me find her, boss. No, he didn’t get the ring off her finger, but I swear none of this is my fault.” He cut a nervous eye at Drake as he continued, “Okay, boss. I’ll sit tight until you get here.”
The big guy ended the call and asked Drake, “How’d I do?”
“You gave a great performance,” Drake said and pulled the trigger. Blood and brains splattered the walls, and Harlow’s muffled screams went unheard.
Drake cut the zip ties from her hands and feet. “I’m so sorry you had to go through this, Harlow. It’s almost over, baby, and you’re going to be safe and sound.” He slowly removed the tape from her mouth.
“Drake, oh my God. Who are these people? How did you know how to find me?”
“I put a GPS on your phone.”
“What?”
“To make sure I knew where you were if something like this happened. I watched the big Russian guy when he knocked with the secret code. That’s how I was able to get in.”
“But you said—”
“I know what I said, but we’re going to have to talk about that later. Right now, I need you to go in the bedroom and wait until this is over.”
“Why can’t we leave, Drake? Let the police handle this.”
“If we leave, it’ll never be over. Lucio’s enemies will hound us relentlessly. They’re not going to stop until I make them stop.”
“You told me we were safe. You promised on your life that it was over.”
“I thought it was. I truly did. Trust, it ends tonight.”
“You can’t do this all alone. Why didn’t you bring Alphonso with you? You need him, Drake.”
“I sent him out of town, babe. With you being pregnant and Lucio all messed up, I’m trying to cut back on some of my business trips. Besides, this isn’t Alphonso’s problem; it’s mine.”
“I’m so scared, Drake.”
“Whoever shows up at that door is going to lead me to each and every one of Lucio’s enemies.” Drake closed his eyes for a moment and shook his head bitterly. “Listen, you’ve seen enough bloodshed. I want you to go in the bedroom and wait there for me.” He bent down and pulled a small gun from an ankle strap. “Take this gun and use it if you have to.”
Holding the gun in a trembling hand, Harlow stepped over pools of blood and two dead bodies. She wandered out of the cluttered living room and made her way down the narrow hall.
Harlow wasn’t religious. She hadn’t been raised in the church, but she believed in God. And she asked Him to forgive Drake’s sins. And to please have mercy on the souls of her unborn children.
She stiffened when she heard those eerily familiar knocks on the door and wondered if she and Drake were going to make it out of there alive.
Moments later, she heard a man’s anguished yell. She considered hiding in the closet, but she had to get to Drake. Following her impulse, she raced toward the sound of the yell.
“Just tell me why?” Drake yelled with his gun pointed at an injured man.
Down on one knee, with a bullet wound in his shoulder, was Alphonso. Shocked, Harlow covered her mouth, muffling a cry.
“We’re supposed to be partners, but what do I really have?” Alphonso said with his hand covering his bleeding wound.
“You’ve got a couple million.” Drake sneered at him. “Plus the five you pocketed when you set up Lucio with the information you got from me. I trusted you and never once suspected you were involved in this. How could you torture an old man like that? An old man who’d been a father to me!”
“Man, fuck that old mobster. What was he gonna do with all that bread?”
“Why did you go after Harlow? How much was the price for my wife’s life?”
“I wasn’t going to hurt her. I just wanted a few more millions so I could be sitting as financially comfortable as you are.”
“You’re disgusting. So, what did you do with Lucio’s money?”
“If I tell you, will you take me to a hospital? This shit is burning the fuck out of my shoulder.”
“Where’s Lucio’s money, Alphonso?”
“It’s in a box behind a false wall in my bedroom.”
“All right. You get credit for cooperating. But suppose one of those stupid goons would have fucked up and hurt my wife. Hurt my child she’s carrying. How could you put her at risk like that, man?”
“You can always make more babies. If not with her, then with some other ho. She got you soft, man. You’re nothing like you used to be.”
“I’m not so soft that I’m willing to spare your life,” Drake said with a deadly look in his eyes. He raised his gun.
“We go too far back for all this, Drake. I told you where the money is. Now, let it go.”
“Let it go?” Drake said incredulously.
“How many times have I put myself in the line of fire for your ass? Doesn’t that mean anything? Are you seriously gonna let an old man, a bitch, and a baby come between the partnership we’ve built?”
Harlow had heard enough. Drake was hesitating, as if Alphonso had him mesmerized. She didn’t recall her brain sending a signal to her legs, but suddenly found herself walking. Gun in hand, she moved across the room. And right before she got to Alphonso, Drake put a bullet through his head…right between his eyes.
Harlow frowned at the three bodies. “What are we going to do, now?”
“We’re going home, baby. I’ll have someone come and clean this up. It’ll be like these three animals never existed.”
“What about the driver?”
“They’ll clean that up, too.”
“His wife was pregnant, and now he’s dead because of me.”
“I’ll make sure she’s generously compensated.”
“You act like money can fix everything.”
“Maybe not, but it helps ease the pain.”
VANGIE
Felder Ross had exaggerated when he said he could get a hearing in a few days. It took almost a month for Vangie to have her day in Family Court, and unfortunately things didn’t go the way she had expected. Her high-priced attorney, with his tailor-made suit, strutted around like a peacock, showing off his extensive vocabulary by spouting big words. Each time he spoke on Vangie’s behalf, he waved his hands around with dramatic flourish. But his posturing didn’t accomplish a thing, except to annoy the judge.
Shawn’s attorney looked unkempt in a cheap suit and dull, worn shoes. He even had an unsightly piece of lint stuck in the back of his hair, yet despite his appearance, he was able to impress the judge. The judge was so impressed she came to the conclusion that Yuri was better off remaining in his father’s custody until the end of the school term.
When the judge offered Vangie weekend visitation, she gasped and desperately urged her attorne
y to do something. As soon as Felder Ross opened his mouth, the judge shut him down. But she allowed Shawn’s attorney to emphasize that Vangie was on probation and was likely to return to prison after her assault and battery trial.
Vangie felt dizzy and swayed to one side. Her mother had accompanied her to court for emotional support. Barbara patted Vangie’s hand and asked if she needed water.
“No, I’ll be all right,” Vangie said in a flat voice while looking dazed.
“Are you sure?”
“I said I’m all right!” Vangie’s voice rose in agitation.
“Well, you don’t have to bite my head off; I’m only trying to be helpful. My goodness.” Barbara rolled her eyes and sprang up from her seat, exiting the courtroom as soon as the hearing was adjourned.
Felder Ross looked sheepish as he approached Vangie. From the corner of her eye, she could see Shawn and Jojina giving each other high-fives. Her life was an unending nightmare.
“I did the best I could.”
“Really?” She rolled her eyes toward the ceiling.
“We were lucky to get weekend visitation.”
“You didn’t tell me that visitation was the most I could hope for when you accepted that fat-ass check I gave you. You led me to believe that it was only a matter of time until my son would be back home where he belongs.”
“I’m sorry it didn’t work out that way. But don’t worry; I’m going to continue to pursue this. Of course, we’ll have to wait for the outcome of your criminal trial.”
She sucked her teeth. “I’m sick of spending money on you crooked attorneys. None of y’all fulfill your promises,” Vangie said belligerently and then stormed out of the courtroom. When she reached the corridor, her heavy footsteps came to an abrupt halt. She gaped in disbelief, as she witnessed her mother grinning and talking with Shawn and Jojina as if they were her family.
“Mom!” Vangie bellowed.
Barbara made a comment to Shawn and Jojina that Vangie couldn’t hear, but judging by her mother’s expression, Vangie determined she had made some sort of apology for Vangie’s rude behavior.
Shawn and Jojina headed for the bank of elevators, and Vangie made long, angry strides toward her mother. “What the hell is your problem, Mom?”
“What are you talking about?”
“You know damn well what I’m talking about.”
Barbara gave Vangie a sidelong glance. “You done lost your damn mind. You better watch your mouth, little girl. How dare you fix your lips to disrespect me? I’m not one of your friends, you know. I’ll slap that sass right out of your mouth,” she threatened, getting close to Vangie and threatening her with a hand that trembled with fury.
Vangie backed down. “I’m just saying, Mom. Why would you be over there consorting with the enemy?”
“I don’t have a quarrel with Shawn. I’m trying to keep the peace so I can maintain a good relationship with my grandson, whom I haven’t seen in far too long. If I leave it up to you, Yuri will be a grown man before I see him again. Now you can act all crazy if you want to…getting into fights and whatnot, but I’m going to conduct myself in a civilized manner and try to get along with folks, whether you like it or not!”
Vangie had spent so much money on Family Law attorneys; she couldn’t afford to pay her defense attorney’s fee. He was replaced with a public defender in her assault case. The public defender was a nice man, young, and ambitious. Still, she doubted if he would actually be able to get her out of the mess she was in. Everyone knew that public defenders hardly ever won their cases. She feared that she’d be going back to prison and began to mentally prepare herself.
Zenith’s place had become a refuge. Vangie threw clothes in an overnight bag, grateful that she had someone to run to in her time of need. Without Yuri, her apartment was as quiet as a tomb, and she was a nervous wreck waiting for the days to pass until their first weekend visit together.
In the midst of packing, Zenith called.
“Hey, baby. I’m almost finished packing. I’ll be there soon.”
“I was thinking we could use a change of scenery, so how about you invite me over. Let me spend the night at your place for a change.”
“That’s not a problem, Zenith. As long as we’re together, it doesn’t matter if we’re at my place or yours.”
“That’s what I wanted to hear; I’m on my way.”
“Hurry up, baby; I miss you,” Vangie said with a smile.
The glow of candlelight illuminated the bouquet of white roses with pink tips that Zenith had given to Vangie. Cuddled together, naked in Vangie’s bed, they shared a pint of ice cream while watching a rerun of Zane’s The Jump Off.
“Those brothers are hot enough to make me rethink my sexual orientation,” Zenith commented with a laugh.
Deep in thought, Vangie didn’t respond.
“What’s wrong, sweetness?”
“Nothing. I was staring at the flowers and thinking how lucky I am to have you in my life. You’re not only beautiful; you’re so thoughtful and sweet.”
“Beautiful? You mean handsome, don’t you?” Zenith said with a crooked smile.
“You know what I mean. With you, I get the best of both worlds.”
“I don’t know what you mean. Explain it to me.”
“I feel like we have this shared bond of sisterhood. But when you’re making love to me, when you’re deep inside me, you possess the sex appeal, the strength, and the power of a man. You’re everything I want. The missing piece in the puzzle that’s been my life.” Vangie lowered her eyes. “I didn’t plan to, but I can feel myself falling hard. I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have you.” She shook her head and an unhappy expression formed on her face.
Zenith tucked a finger under Vangie’s chin and tilted it up. “What’s up with the sad face?”
“I’m sprung. And that scares me.”
“That makes two of us, so cheer up. If what we’re feeling is love, let’s embrace it. There’s no reason to be afraid of it. Now, stop hogging the ice cream.” Zenith took the container of ice cream from Vangie’s hand.
The sound of keys jangling outside the front door startled Vangie and Zenith.
“Who the fuck is coming in here?” Zenith asked, staring at Vangie in astonishment.
“My mom, I guess. She’s the only person who has keys. But I have no idea what she’s doing here.” Vangie jumped out of bed and ran to the closet, and as she reached for her robe, she heard the lock turn.
“Is anybody in here? Vangie? Are you home?” Barbara yelled from the hallway.
“Yeah, Mom. Don’t come back here; I’ll be right out.” Vangie was panicked, and it was on the tip of her tongue to ask Zenith to hide. But before she could formulate the words, her mother was standing in the doorway of her bedroom, looking from Vangie to Zenith with her mouth hanging open.
“What are you doing here, Mom?” Vangie threw on the robe and Zenith pulled the sheet up, covering herself.
“Who is she and what the hell are you doing, Evangeline?”
“I…we…” Vangie looked at Zenith helplessly.
“I’m Vangie’s girlfriend, Zenith. It’s nice to meet you.”
Frowning, Barbara reared back. “You’re Vangie’s girlfriend?” She shot a hostile look at Vangie. “And when did you plan on telling me you turned gay?”
“I don’t consider myself gay.”
Barbara snorted. “Well, what do you call it when you’re laying up in bed with a naked woman?”
“I call it being in love.”
“Oh, really? Well, I call it being nasty and disgraceful and acting like Satan’s daughter. You should be ashamed of yourself, Evangeline.”
Vangie sighed. “Why did you come over and use your key without telling me?”
“When I talked to you earlier today, you said it was hard to sleep here without Yuri and you were staying the night with a friend. I thought you were referring to a decent friend, like Harlow, but I was obviously wrong.” A look
of distaste crossed Barbara’s face as she gazed at Zenith.
“My plans changed, Mom. I decided to stay home, but what are you doing here? Do you come around, snooping through my personal things whenever I’m not home?”
Barbara’s face showed fierce indignation. “I don’t have time to be snooping through your shit. I came over out of the goodness of my heart because Shawn called and asked me if I could pick up Yuri’s football cleats. He’s going to sign Yuri up for a Pee Wee League in his nice, new neighborhood.”
“Why are you still communicating with Shawn? He shouldn’t even be calling you. And anyway, I paid for those cleats—not Shawn. You should have told his cheap ass to go out and buy Yuri a new pair.”
Barbara’s eyelids fluttered; her lips tightened. “I don’t know who you think you’re talking to, but you had better watch your language when you’re speaking to me.”
“I apologize, Mom. But for real, though—”
Barbara threw up her hand. “I don’t want to hear it. Now if you two deviants don’t mind, I’m going—”
“Why we gotta be deviants? That’s not even right, Mom.” Vangie sent Zenith an apologetic look for her mother’s ignorance.
“There’s no way to sugarcoat it; the behavior I just walked in on is deviant and perverted.”
“I think I better leave,” Zenith said quietly.
“You got that right. Take your depraved ways on out of here…corrupting my child’s morals,” Barbara said with her arms folded.
“Mom, stop it! Don’t talk to her like that. This is my apartment; you can’t come over here, telling me what to do.”
“Oh, so you’re gonna take the side of a goddamn bulldagger over your own mother?”
“Mom, you’re embarrassing me, and you should be ashamed of your ignorance.”
“Oh, I’m embarrassing you, am I?” Barbara asked incredulously. “Well, I hope the hell you don’t think I’m proud of what your nasty ass is over here doing. How long have you been involved in this funny business, Evangeline?”
“What I do in my personal life is none of your concern.”
“You’re right about that. I don’t want anything to do with this mess. Do me a favor—please don’t ring my phone anymore. Because as far as I’m concerned, I no longer have a daughter.”
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