by Deja King
"I'll be in touch with you tomorrow. But, Arnez, this is it. If you don't get this Nico situation resolved once and for all you won't ever get another dime out of me."
When Precious saw Supreme exiting the townhouse she ducked all the way down. When he drove off, another man came out who looked to be black and Cuban. His face was somewhat familiar. "That has to be Arnez," Precious said out loud but wasn't certain. He got into a black SUV and Precious wrote down the license plate number before he drove off.
When Genesis woke up in the morning the first thing he did was call T-Roc. "What time are you going to get to the office?"
"I'm on my way now"
"Good, then I'll see you shortly." Genesis wanted to share what was running through his mind with T-Roc because he was a thinker like him and could maybe give some informative insight. When Genesis was about to get in the shower he heard his cell ringing and was surprised at the number that came up. "Precious, how are you?"
"Good, how `bout you?"
"I've been better but I'm sure we all have. But I'm sure you didn't call just to see how I was doing."
"Actually, I was. I know you were pretty upset when you left the party last week. Did you ever find your friend?"
"As a matter of fact I haven't."
"Well I'm sure she'll show up."
"Yeah, I'm hoping so. Is that all you wanted?"
"I did have one other question for you."
"Ask it?"
"You recall when I was on that mission to find Devon because I wanted to locate Maya."
"Of course."
"I never got to speak with Devon because a man by the name of Arnez got to him first."
"Yes."
"I was talking to Quentin trying to tie up some loose ends with everything that happened during that period of time. We got in this little debate because I swear the Arnez that killed Devon is the same one Maya was running around with. I've never seen him but isn't Arnez black and Cuban?"
"Yes he is. But why are you really asking me about, Precious?"
"I just told you."
"Precious, you're a grown woman and I can't tell you what to do but I'm warning you. Don't cross paths with Arnez. He is a cold blooded killer."
"That's exactly what I was trying to explain to Quentin. Maya was running around with a notorious killer. Thanks for clarifying that for me." Precious ended her call with Genesis completely confused. In her heart she knew whatever involvement Supreme had with Arnez equaled no good. But if she warned Nico then she would be betraying her husband. If she didn't warn Nico she knew more than likely he would end up dead. When she saw Supreme coming down the stairs she felt her only option was to confront her husband.
"Good morning, baby. What time are you going to get Aaliyah?"
"I was hoping you could go get her. I have some errands I need to run."
"Wish I could but I'm swamped today."
"What do you have to do?"
"Bullshit work stuff."
"Does any of that bullshit have to do with Arnez Douglass?"
"Who?" Supreme didn't break a sweat when he acted as if he wasn't familiar with the name.
"Arnez, the man that called our house last night."
"Oh, him. He's going to do some minor contractual work for me."
"Stop with the bullshit, Supreme! Arnez is a killer and a drug dealer why are you fuckin' with him? Answer me, Supreme!"
"It's nothing. You always have to keep a couple of criminals on your payroll, nothing to concern yourself about."
"Don't patronize me. I know you've hired him to kill Nico." Supreme stopped what he was doing and glared at his wife.
"Who else have you told that to?"
"Nobody... yet."
"And you're not going to."
"Supreme, I will not let you kill Nico."
"Why do you fuckin' care! I'm your husband, me!" Supreme barked as he pointed his finger at his chest. "Fuck Nico Carter! He doesn't deserve to live!"
"That's not your decision to make. He has every right to live just like you and me. Who gave you the right to play God with his life?"
"He did, the day he shot you and killed my baby. Then I take his child from him so we can call it even, then what does he do. He finds out Aaliyah is really his daughter and comes to claim what should be mine and he doesn't even deserve."
"You always knew Aaliyah was his daughter, didn't you?"
"Of course. When I found out you slept with him when you thought I was dead I knew there was a significant chance so I had the blood test done. But even after finding out, I loved Aaliyah like she was my very own flesh and blood. But then that accident happened and you know the rest."
"If Aaliyah hadn't needed that blood transfusion you would've carried her true paternity to your grave?"
"What don't you understand? Nico took my child from me it was only right that I took his."
"I don't even know who you are."
"Yes you do. I'm Xavier Mills and you're my wife."
"If you have Nico killed that will change. I will not be married to a man that would kill Aaliyah's father. She loves him."
"I'm her father!" Supreme yelled out.
"Yes you are but so is Nico. You have to accept that just like he has to accept that you're her father too. Don't do this, Supreme. I can forgive you for just about anything but not that. I can't knowingly allow you to break our daughter's heart."
"I love waking up to you," Veronica whispered in Arnez's ear.
"And I love waking up inside of you."
"Isn't this cozy. My worst enemy dicking down my," Delondo paused for a few seconds. "I don't know what to call you, my ho?"
"Fuck you, Delondo! I knew I should've gotten my key back from you last time."
With swiftness Arnez slid out of Veronica and pressed his back against the headboard. "Delondo, this doesn't need to get ugly," Arnez said with cool, unshaken calmness.
"You all know each other?"
"No doubt. You thought he was just fuckin' you on a regular just because. There is always an ulterior motive when let's just say, Arnez has his dick in something. Tell her Arnez."
"Is what Delondo saying true?" she asked Arnez who wasn't saying anything. "But what would he want from me?" Veronica then directed her question to Delondo who seemed more than happy to answer.
"Information about me."
"Don't flatter yourself. I had put you on the backburner. I had more pressing issues to deal with."
"So what Delondo is saying is true, you were using me but for what?"
"Let me guess... Genesis."
"Genesis," Veronica echoed in bewilderment. "I don't know a..." Veronica caught herself and recalled the interrogation Arnez gave her when he spotted the business card that had Genesis' name on it. "You did ask me a bunch of questions about him. But he only came to talk to me because of my client Nichelle. I have no ties to Genesis."
"How can a woman be so brilliant in the boardroom but a complete dummy when it comes to using common sense," Arnez commented as he stared at Veronica.
"Don't be cruel, Arnez. You don't have to show out because Delondo is here. I know what we share is real."
"Veronica, I sought you out because I knew you were Nichelle's attorney. But being easy on the eyes and good in bed made it less of a hassle."
"You used me to get to Nichelle?"
"Ding... ding... ding. You're finally gettin' it."
"Was it you that had her kidnapped at the party?"
"Jackpot! That legal mind of yours is finally kicking in.
"And I'm the one who gave you all the information when we were at dinner that night. You bastard!! You used me to hurt that poor girl! I hate you!" Veronica began lashing out on Arnez with her fist.
"Veronica, calm down," Delondo said grabbing her arms. Now that he knew she hadn't sold him out, he felt kinda bad for her. She had caught real feelings for Arnez and he had simply played her out.
"You'll pay for this, Arnez! I promise you, you'll pay for this!"
Veronica continued to scream."
"Maybe I will but it won't be by you." With all the commotion Veronica was causing, it was nothing for Arnez to retrieve the gun he kept under the pillow. Most women didn't know it but Arnez always kept heat in the bed. That was the only way he was able to sleep at night. By the time Veronica realized what was happening the rounds were already fired and a bullet was making its way through her temple.
Delondo acted with rapid speed and reached for his gat but he wasn't fast enough. The first bullet grazed his shoulder then next landed in his chest. He fell to the floor and Arnez watched as the blood gushed from both his victims. Knowing he didn't have time to waste, Arnez quickly dressed, grabbed what few belongings he had over and left. In his rush to exit, Arnez didn't realize he hadn't finished the job.
"T-Roc, excuse me for a minute. I need to take this call." Genesis left out of T-Roc's office before answering. "What's up, Delondo...hello ...Delondo." Genesis pulled the phone away from his ear and looked at it to make sure there was a call.
"Genesis, can you hear me?"
"Barely, what's going on are you a'ight?"
"No, Arnez just shot me."
"What! Where are you?"
"Veronica's apartment. Listen, Arnez has Nichelle. I don't know who she is to you, but that's who has her... Arnez." Then there was silence.
"Delondo, are you there ...Delondo!" Genesis rushed back in T-Roc's office. "Come on we have to get to Veronica's apartment."
"What happened?"
"I'll tell you on the way...let's go!"
All morning Renny had been back and forth on the phone. Tierra knew it was about Nichelle but Renny was keeping tight-lipped. He wouldn't share shit with her and it was driving Tierra crazy. So when she caught the tail end of a conversation that Renny was having with whom she assumed was one of his workers she decided to act fast.
Tierra saw Renny jot something down on a notepad before going upstairs to take a shower. If what she heard Renny say was correct what he wrote down was the address where Nichelle was being held captive. In her attempt to be the savior and gain brownie points with Renny, Tierra decided she would be the person to rescue Nichelle. She copied the address down and then left Renny a note letting him know she stepped out, which technically she wasn't allowed to do. But the baby was sleeping, Renny was in the shower and if she was going to make a move it was now or never. She grabbed the keys to one of Renny's cars and off Tierra went to play hero.
When Tierra pulled up to the townhouse she parked the car across the street and observed for a few minutes. There seemed to be no activity going on and she wondered if she was at the right place. Her gut told her she was and that is what Tierra decided to follow. When she got to the front door she tried to peep inside a slight opening in one of the windows. But again, there seemed to be no activity. She glanced around the quiet street again before picking up a huge rock that was nestled in some bushes. Tierra played with the doorknob one good time, knowing it wouldn't be unlocked. She then used her rock to bust open the glass and reach inside to unlatch the lock.
Tierra's heart was pumping as she walked around the sparsely furnished crib. She immediately started opening doors trying to see if Nichelle was being stashed in any of the rooms. When she came to a closed door at the end of the hall, she opened it up to see Nichelle's arms and legs tied up to the bed posts. Nichelle's body was so still that at first Tierra thought she was dead. But as she got closer she saw slight movement.
"Nichelle, wake up. It's me Tierra." Nichelle appeared to be so weak that it was evident to Tierra that they had her on some type of drug. She immediately began untying the ropes to free Nichelle from the bondage.
"Tierra, is that you," Nichelle mumbled, coming out of her daze.
"Yes, it's me, Tierra. Girl, don't you worry. I'ma get you out of this dungeon and take you home."
"Where's Genesis?" Nichelle's voice was barely audible.
"Who! Genesis? Oh, your brother, that's right his name is Genesis. Baby girl, I don't know where your brother is but we can figure that out after I get you outta here. Now I'ma need you to work with me," Tierra said, trying to get Nichelle to stand up.
Tierra was tempted to look in the closet or the drawers to see if there were any clothes to put Nichelle in put she was feeling like she didn't have time for all that. Tierra decided the long nightgown Nichelle had on would just have to do.
"My legs are so weak."
"I know sweetie, but you have to be strong. We're almost in the clear." Nichelle was halfway walking and halfway being held up by Tierra. Tierra wanted to lift her up but she wasn't strong enough and she couldn't rush Nichelle because her legs kept buckling up. When they finally reached the passenger side of the car, Tierra was ecstatic. She had put in some work and was tired as a motherfucker.
"Tierra, thank you for saving me. You know I never stopped loving you," Nichelle said as she slumped over in the front seat.
"I know and I never stopped loving you either. We family, that'll never change," Tierra said, making sure Nichelle's seat belt was securely fastened.
When Tierra was ready to breathe a sigh of relief her eyes locked with Arnez as he was pulling up to the townhouse. At first he stared at her like he was seeing a ghost and then he jumped out his SUV, charging at her like a mad man. Tierra sprinted to the driver's side, struggling to put the key in the ignition. She knew Arnez was about to be up on her. When Tierra heard that engine start up, she put the car in drive, pressed down on the gas and hauled ass. From her rearview mirror she could see Arnez getting back in his SUV ready to come after them. Tierra was so caught up in watching what moves Arnez was making that by the time she realized her own moves were in jeopardy it was too late.
"Tierra, watch out," Nichelle screamed before Tierra slammed in the back of a garbage truck. The impact was so powerful the front passenger airbags deployed instantly. Nichelle might've been out of it before but that crash woke her the fuck up.
"Nichelle, are you okay?" Nichelle looked at Tierra and nodded her head.
"What about you, are you okay?"
"I'm okay," Tierra answered but something seemed off to Nichelle.
"Where's your cell phone? I'ma call for help."
"Do that, but, Nichelle."
"Yes, what is it?"
"Please take care of Elijah for me." And just like that, Tierra was dead.
"Tierra... Tierra, wake up. Tierra, this isn't funny, I need you to wake up." Nichelle reached her arm over and began shaking her friend but she wouldn't move. "Tierra, I don't want you to die," Nichelle cried out. "I'm so sorry for all the mean things I said to you. Please don't die, Tierra, please don't die."
"Save the pity party, you're coming with me," Arnez roared, yanking Nichelle out the passenger seat.
"Miss, are you and your friend okay," the driver of the garbage truck asked.
"Get back in your truck before it's you laid out dead," Arnez threatened waving his gun around. The driver backed up towards his truck not ready to die for being a concerned citizen.
"We need to get some help for Tierra," Nichelle pleaded.
"Tierra is dead! You need to be worried about yourself. Now get in the truck!" Arnez shoved Nichelle in the passenger side, slamming the door.
Reality kicked in for Nichelle. She was burnt out from all the sedatives in her system, the car accident, not eating properly and just being fucked up in the game. She was barefoot and draped in a nightgown. Her body was begging to go back to sleep but she knew this was it. Did she allow herself to simply die at the hands of Arnez or did she fight to live. With Nichelle looking unbelievably pitiful, Arnez had disregarded taking any precautions to make sure she didn't try and get away, which gave her a slight upper hand.
"I can do this," Nichelle mouthed under her breath before conjuring up enough strength to bounce. She waited for Arnez to get inside the driver's side and close the door. Then she quickly unlocked her door and dashed across the street.
"Get the fuck back here,
" Arnez growled, pounding his gun on the steering wheel.
The blazing hot cement ground had Nichelle squirming as she tried to make her getaway. She didn't know where she was running to but feeling grass under her feet would be a welcomed reprieve. When Nichelle came to a row of townhomes she started randomly ringing doorbells and banging on doors, but either nobody was at home or they didn't give a fuck to see what she wanted. As Nichelle dragged herself to the next property she noticed Arnez slowly cruising down the street. It was reminiscent of Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator when he was on the prowl ready to murk Sarah Connor.
Nichelle knew when Arnez spotted her because he started speeding up the street. She tried to limp away but it wasn't looking good for Nichelle-shit was critical.
"Unless you wanna die right here on this sidewalk, get back in this fuckin' truck." Arnez raised his gun out the window letting Nichelle know he was serious. Part of her would rather die in the hot ass sun on the sidewalk then willingly get in a truck with a man that was going to kill her no matter what. Right when Nichelle resigned herself to accept her demise, optimism showed its face in the form of Renny O'Neal.
Renny pulled his own truck right next to Arnez and got out. "Arnez, that's enough," he said shutting the door.
"If it isn't my favorite cousin. What are you doing here, Renny?"
"Putting an end to this bullshit. You've taken things way too far. It's time to let it go."
"I appreciate your concern, but this has nothing to do with you. You don't even fuck with that chick anymore. So I suggest you get back in your truck and let me handle this."
"Nichelle is off limits to you. So I'ma make that same suggestion to you-back your truck up and get the fuck out of here... cousin." Renny walked over to Nichelle who was now lying on the ground hardly able to keep her eyes open. He knelt down and cradled her wilted body in his arms. Nichelle was so frail that it broke Renny's heart. He felt responsible for her predicament and promised himself he would make it right.
"I'ma need you to hand her over."
Renny looked up at Arnez who was now standing a few feet away with his gun pointed at him. "Arnez, what the fuck are you doing?"