Seems Like You're Ready: BWWM Romance

by Heather Rae

He must have ended the call and disappeared into the kitchen. I could hear him moving about, slamming cabinets, then he was talking again.

  “Yeah, Cam. Everything is a go? B and Joe ready to leave out in the morning to make that drop? Great. Yeah. Chicago. Jacobs and I will settle on a location later tonight. Have ’em carry light. Never had any problems with Jacobs before but you can’t trust any damn body.”

  I sat up and rolled my shoulders. This conversation I was hearing, granted it was one sided, explained so much. I closed my eyes and exhaled. No good…this was no good.

  “Baby? Hi,” Tavius walked into the living room, cracking open a bottle of water. “I didn’t realize you were in here.”

  “I dozed off on the couch. I heard cabinets slamming.” I answered evenly and smiled as I rubbed my eyes. “What time is it?”

  “6:00.” He kissed my check and gave my shoulder a squeeze.

  “Oh shit! I need to make dinner.”

  “It’s alright, baby. Go change and wake TJ We’ll just go out and grab something.”

  “Okay. Give me fifteen minutes then.”

  I kissed his cheek lightly and inhaled his scent. What would usually cause a chain reaction between my brain and body, made me want to vomit. I jumped off the couch and headed up the stairs. I could feel his eyes boring into my back; he couldn’t be sure whether or not I heard anything he said. If he questioned me, he would only implicate himself; if I questioned him, I placed my life on the line.

  Tavius was a smart man, with plenty of people that worked for him. I had no clue what resources he had at his fingertips, or what connections he had. So while I busied myself with preparing for the grand opening of “The Finishing Touch”, I attempted to devise some type of plan. There was no way in hell I would stay with a man like Tavius. He seemed much more dangerous than Dre had ever been.

  While stocking the shelves at the salon, I made sure the doors were locked. I dug my apartment key out of my purse and slipped out the backdoor. Not one bit of me trusted Tavius, but I wouldn’t take a chance on whether he had placed some type of tracking device on me. Call it paranoia.

  No one was in the alley as I walked it down to the corner and exited into the crowded street. At my apartment, I grabbed an overnight bag from my closet. In the bottom I stuffed the photo books and scrap books then covered it with three changes of clothing for me and Kiandre. I stood on the middle of my bed, carefully lifted the panel of the drop ceiling and slid my hand into the darkness. My fingertips searched blindly until they found the envelope and small bag.

  I counted out a thousand dollars, folded the bills in half and placed them into the outer zipper. I stored the hidden items between the layers of clothes then topped it off with a few things belonging to TJ I locked the door behind me as I crept out of my apartment. I stopped by the Campbells’ for a brief moment, hugged them both and gave the bag over to them.

  “I can’t explain now. The outside zipper has something for you though,” I whispered in the older gentleman’s ear as I squeezed him tightly.

  “Nikkia, honey, if you need any help at all…”

  “I’m good. Just hold on to this until you hear from me again. And thank you, both of you.”

  I walked a different path back to the salon on Morgan Street, and then slipped inside again through the back door. I continued on with stocking the bottles of hair care products on the dark cherry shelves. The occupant of the car parked across the street watching my storefront had never even suspected I had left the building.

  The opening day of “The Finishing Touch” was to be a success. I had spent a great deal of time in advertising. I had planned raffles, had discounts for folks that had booked appointments for the following week and there were gift bags, food, drinks, and a ton of balloons. Everything was going great until Dre walked in.

  He knew about the salon, so I was sure he’d show up, not necessarily in support. He was nosy. A young woman was with him dressed in normal attire, which surprised me. Her face seemed vaguely familiar. I couldn’t quite place her but I was certain I knew her from somewhere. We spoke, he hugged me briefly and kissed my cheek lightly.

  “I’m proud of you, Nik, I am. This is nice.” Dre said taking in the salon.

  “Thanks. I’m proud of me too,” I smiled.

  “You’re about to do big things. Your name will be everywhere!” he grinned.

  Little did I know just how true his words were to be.

  Tavius came out of the restroom as I was ending my conversation with Dre. The bright smile seemed to slide right off of Tavius’ face as I patted Dre’s arm, excusing myself. My heels clicked across the bamboo flooring as I headed towards Tavius. I attempted a smile as I felt the air shift.

  “I’d say we had a successful day, wouldn’t you agree?”

  “What are you doing talking to him?” Tavius hissed through his teeth, ignoring my question.

  “Who, Tavius?” My brow wrinkled at him.

  “You know exactly who the hell I’m talking about!” His eyes never wavered from watching the man across the salon.

  “Dre? Are you serious?” I fisted my hands on my hips. “Please don’t do this now, Tavius.”

  “That muthafucka ain’t supposed to be here! What the hell are you fucking doing?! You fuckin’ him?!” Tavius roared at me, not caring who heard him.

  I had no clue of his hatred for Dre. I had no clue about a lot of things, and while he continued to shout and curse, the potential clients in the salon seemed to evaporate. He shoved me away from him with all his strength. The heels on my feet went out from under me as I slid across the floor and plowed head first into the nearest workstation. Instantly my head began to ring.

  Tavius called out Dre’s name loudly. He turned at the raucous; his eyes widening as the two rivals came face to face. Helpless, I watched in horror as the two men began to shout and curse at one another. Dre pushed the woman with him towards the front of the salon as Tavius pulled a pistol and began firing. Dre immediately followed suit. And I was caught in the middle of it all.

  POP POP POP!! Bullets whizzed by overhead. Spent shell casings bounced across the polished floors while others lodged and imbedded themselves in the walls. The storefront window shattered, raining showers of glass. I could hear screaming and shouting, but couldn’t identify which direction they were coming from.

  I was terrified, frozen by fear. Kiandre. TJ The thought of my children brought me out of the trance I had been in. Heedless of my own safety I rushed to the backroom of the salon where my children had been. Kiandre sat balled up in the far corner, protectively shielding her wailing baby brother. I glanced over them quickly, making sure neither one were physically injured.

  “Momma!!” Kiandre cried, eyes wide.

  “Shhhh…we gotta go…” I whispered my hearing still distorted. “Now.”

  I snatched my bag off of the shelf and threw it at my daughter. I scooped TJ up and clutched him to my chest as I checked the doorway before pushing Kiandre towards the rear exit of the salon, shielding her as we slipped out into the alley.

  Kiandre was shaking and sobbing as she hurried into the backseat of the car while I got TJ in his seat. I leaned over him and quickly smoothed the palms of my hands over my daughter’s face.

  “Strap your brother in.” I slammed the door shut.

  I ran around to the driver’s side, jumped in and jammed the key into the ignition.

  “Everything will be ok,” I said unsteadily.

  “Shhhh, buddy,” Kiandre cooed to TJ. “Momma got us. It’s gonna be ok, buddy.”

  As I sped down the alley, I didn’t hear any sirens in the distance. Making sure no one was following, I glanced in the rearview mirror when I got to the corner; no one had followed. I hastened a glance at my daughter. She was doing her best to calm and quiet her brother as hot tears slid over her cheeks.

  “Kiandre?”

  “Drive, Momma. I’m ok.”

  But she wouldn’t look up at me. My heart wrenched in my chest
. What had I done? I failed my children. I failed to keep them safe.

  ~~8~~

  My hands were trembling as I drove out of town. My belly quivered visibly as I tried to keep it together, glancing in the rearview mirror again and again, making sure no familiar cars were behind me. My hearing had returned to normal as the sounds of sirens were now audible. I cast my eyes to the center of the backseat where Kiandre sat.

  “Momma?” Her eyes were wide with fear still.

  “It’s going to be ok.” I drew in a shaky breath. “We’re going to be ok.”

  Although I was lying, I had to attempt to reassure my daughter.

  “What, what just happened?” She brushed at the tears sliding over her round cheeks.

  “I’m not really sure, baby, but I’m almost positive it is nothing good,” and that was the truth.

  “Okay, so where are we going now?”

  “I don’t know yet.”

  What I did know is that I was headed out of the city, away from our apartment, and nowhere near the areas Dre OR Tavius lived in. I pulled into a shopping center and found a place to park in the crowded lot. I reached for my cellphone and glanced in the backseat at my children.

  I had never wanted for Kiandre to witness this kind of thing which was why I had left Dre in the first place. I thanked God that TJ was only a baby and would never remember what had transpired that day. But Kiandre…

  “Hush for a minute, okay?” I requested and she nodded her head.

  I placed a call and waited.

  “Hello yes. I’d like to report a shooting, if it hasn’t been reported already. No, I do not know if there were any injuries. 1100 Morgan Street, The Finishing Touch Salon.”

  I quickly hung up before I was asked any other questions.

  “Momma, I’m so confused. Why did they…”

  “I don’t know, honey.”

  “We, we can’t go home.” It wasn’t a question. Kiandre was such a smart girl.

  “No, I don’t think that would be a safe thing for us to do,” I said.

  The phone began to vibrate in my hand. I glanced down at the number but it was one that was not saved to my contact list. I exhaled heavily.

  “Hello this is Nikkia Miles.” I was surprised at how controlled my voice sounded.

  “What the fuck, Nikkia!” Tavius roared in my ear. “Have you lost your damn mind?!”

  “I can’t talk to you right now,” I bit out through my teeth.

  “Oh you gonna talk, bitch! How long have you been involved with the enemy?!”

  “The enemy? Are you aware of what you just did?!”

  “YES!! I’ve been trying to get rid of that muthafucka for years!!”

  “Tavius…” I could feel my blood turn cold in my veins.

  “How the fuck do you know him?! Why was he there today?!”

  “I have to go.”

  “So help me God, bitch, if you don’t tell me what I need to know right fucking now…”

  “What are you gonna do?” I retorted.

  “You really want me to answer that?”

  “Yes I do, Tavius!”

  “I will fucking hunt you down, Nikkia. What I will do to you will be nothing compared to what went down today.”

  “Dre is Kiandre’s father, Tavius.” I smashed my finger into the phone and tossed it on the passenger seat.

  I felt like I was trapped in some horrible nightmare. This could not have possibly been happening right then. Surely Tavius was not the monster I was seeing him as.

  “Momma, I’m scared.”

  My heart ached as I stared into Kiandre’s face. I was petrified for my children, for what my daughter had witnessed, and for what was surely to come. I could give a damn less about ME, but my children…

  “I won’t let anything happen to you or your brother.”

  I grabbed my phone and sighed. I called the one person that I could trust that had always been there for me.

  “Nikkia, my darling! How are you?” the familiar voice greeted me.

  “Are you free?” I asked, turning the key in the ignition.

  “Always for you!”

  “Great. I’ll see you soon.”

  I drove an additional 40 minutes. TJ had drifted off to sleep, innocent to the violence he had just been a part of. Kiandre stared out the window, a little too quiet for my liking. I mentally tried to separate the earlier events in my mind. What happened? Who was there? What was the conversation and demeanor?

  I turned into the wealthy community of Glen Hills which was full of huge stone mansions, neatly manicured lawns and old money. I knew the way to the house as we had been here several times over the years. I stopped at the wrought-iron gate and mashed the button.

  “Hello?”

  “Nikkia Miles.”

  The gates separated and I proceeded through. I parked along the circular drive, surprised to see the extra cars. I hoped I wasn’t interrupting any party or dinner event. Surely my disheveled appearance was not socially acceptable.

  With TJ still sleeping, I hoisted him out of the car seat while Kiandre managed his diaper bag and my purse. The door was flung open before I had the chance to ring the bell.

  “Nikkia! Oh my…”

  “Hi, Mrs. Michaels. I hope we’re not intruding.” I said as the older woman immediately reached for TJ

  “Don’t be silly, chile, come on in. Kiandre, sweetie, take those bags into the family room then go wash up. Ruby is about to set the table for dinner.”

  “Yes ma’am.”

  I closed the door softly behind me as I entered the foyer. My entire apartment could have easily fit inside of it, with plenty of room left over. While the Michaels’ were very wealthy, they were the sweetest, kindest, most down to earth people I knew.

  “What happened to your arm, Nikkia?”

  I glanced down at the flesh torn apart on my forearm. It must have happened at the salon, but I had no clue what had caused it, nor did I realize I had suffered any type of injury in my haste to get my kids out safely.

  “I have no idea.” I whispered, as tears burned at my eyes.

  “Alright. Go in James’ den. I’m going to put the baby down in the family room and get something for your arm.”

  I nodded and walked across the beautifully tiled floor. The heavy solid door stood ajar so I walked in. The aging man sat behind his desk, dragging long fingers through his hair. He glanced up at me as he ended the call he was on.

  “I’m sorry. We terminated your contract some time ago. You should contact Dave Walters; he’d be more than happy to take you on. Good luck.”

  I sat down in the chair across from him. His blue-green eyes stared at me intently, and as kind as ever.

  “Seems today has been stressful for you, my darling.”

  “Word travels fast.” I blew out a big breath of air. “I would never bring trouble to your doorstep, Mr. Michaels, so if my being here is any type of problem, I can leave and I won’t be offended. You and your wife have been very kind to me.”

  “Stop right there.” He threw his hand up in the air. “We consider you family.”

  “But…”

  “No buts. I am here for you in whatever way you need for me to be. A good trusted friend, or a brilliant lawyer - maybe even both.”

  “I don’t want to put you in the middle of something that may result in…” I closed my eyes and let a few tears escape. “…a conflict of interest.”

  “I have not represented any one you know of personally in a long time, Nikkia. Know that anything you say to me will not leave this house. We will do whatever we can to help you and your children, always,” James Michaels said and got up from the large leather chair.

  He stepped around the long desk and crossed the room to the mini bar, removed the crystal stopper from the decanter and poured two fingers of brown liquor into short glasses. He kept one for himself and handed me the other.

  “What happened?”

  “TJ’s father tried to gun down Kiandre’s fat
her today at my salon opening. Apparently they are rivals,” I said flatly and swallowed the liquor in one gulp.

  “Sweet Mary Mother, Jesus and Joseph…” the older man downed his liquor.

  “Right…I think we’re gonna need the bottle,” I sighed and brushed my tear-stained cheeks.

  “Before the two of you get sloppy drunk,” Mrs. Michaels walked in, her arms loaded with supplies, “let me tend to that arm of yours.”

  “I don’t want to be a bother. I can take care of it,” I replied as she laid everything out on the desk and sat down.

  “Don’t be ridiculous. Let someone fuss over you for once.” The older woman wrapped her slim hand around my wrist and gave it a tug. “You don’t have to be so independent all the damn time.”

  “I’m not,” I lied. “I…”

  A shadow fell across the room from the doorway.

  “Auntie. Unk. Miss Ruby said to fetch y’all for dinner,” a deep male voice spoke gruffly.

  “It’ll wait a minute.” Mrs. Michaels waved her hand and scrubbed gently at the dried blood.

  “Matt, I don’t think you’ve ever met Nikkia. Nikkia this is my nephew, Matt Collins. Nikkia is a close friend of ours.”

  I turned my head towards the door. Matt stood well over six feet. His shoulders were broad and his arms were huge. His dark brown eyes revealed a story which had seen too much. He stared rather openly at me, making me uncomfortable as I shifted in the chair.

  “Hey,” I said.

  “Nice to meet you, Nikkia. I’ll let Miss Ruby know you’ll be along shortly.”

  I closed my eyes to the sting of antiseptic temporarily burning my flesh. My skin cooled moments later, only to become numb like my heart. Yes, I was feeling numb to everything.

  “There we go! All done!” Mrs. Michaels said proud of her quick neat line of sutures. “Now, let’s not keep Ruby waiting. Besides, if the two of you are gonna drink, you need some food in your bellies.”

  I was very surprised when we entered the dining room full of people. I quickly glanced at Mr. Michaels. I wished he would have told me that he had been entertaining a houseful of family.

  “Before you even open your mouth and object, Nikkia, you already know everyone here aside from Matt, that is, so sit down and enjoy dinner,” James Michaels said as he took his seat at the head of the table.