From there the hospital officials and security escorted them into the building and to what was clearly marked the Intensive Care Unit. Her throat contracted, and she was grateful she didn’t eat the food Hasan offered her otherwise it would’ve erupted out of her mouth then. Justice never made it to the hospital. Not this level. Her parents had not let her come to the morgue to identify him. Walking down the hall leading to the private suite they’d set aside for FADE, Delightful couldn’t help but notice the somber atmosphere. The air was thick with tension and fear. Maybe it was just this entire floor because most of the people were so critically ill. She hoped it had nothing to do with FADE.
Rounding the corner, they came up on the suite and there were maybe twenty people, many of his family. Her steps faltered. Looking at the faces of his family who gathered. What was she thinking of coming here? They were clustered in separate groups. She saw that Ghadi, Willow and FADE’s parents all huddled together talking to a doctor. Mrs. Carrington looked to be sobbing, and Delightful’s heart twisted viciously.
She must have made some sort of sound because every head swiveled their way. Stepping away from his cluster, Ghadi moved in her direction, his face etched in fury. His long wiry form bristled, and she got the feeling his strike would be as quick and deadly as a viper.
He stopped short, looking down at his arm. His mother held his arm and shook her head slightly as if to say this was not the place. Delightful understood, who knew who’d tell the story of their confrontation to the tabloids and blogs.
She sighed, thankful for the momentary reprieve. She held his gaze. She would not shy away from his ire. Hell, she welcomed it. As long as she could see how FADE was doing. She watched as FADE’s mom came toward them.
“Sadiq, Hasan, thank y’all for coming to check on my baby.” She smiled sadly at them. Pulling them each into a hug. When she turned to face her, Delightful wanted to run in the opposite direction. Then soft, warm arms warped around her. “Delightful, honey. We’ve missed you, especially FADE. Don’t stay away this time.”
“I’m so sorry,” she whispered on a sob as FADE’s mom just held her. She squeezed her eyes closed against the emotion that shook her body.
She didn’t know how long she stood there before the words registered, “Shh, it’s ok. He’s going to be fine. He will need extensive therapy and they’ve already replaced his kneecap with cadaver tissue but say it will be like new. One of the bullets cut through his leg so it needed titanium pins. He’s made it through the roughest part. They also got the guy who attacked him. One of the guys there was a former green beret, and he took him out right there.” She hugged and patted Delightful. “No more tears now.”
“Mrs. Carrington…” She stopped at the raised hand.
“Grace.”
“Grace, I’m sorry for everything. You looked so upset when we walked up that I feared the worse.” Delightful saw that the troubled look returned to the woman’s face and could kick herself. She had to know everything.
“We were talking to the doctor taking care of Flower. She got very sick yesterday when she arrived from Japan. She’s out of the woods now, but she’ll also have to recover from her ordeal.”
“Oh, that’s terrible.” Delightful hugged her knowing how much she loved her kids. So much hardship being visited on them. “Flower is such a light and always so kind.”
“We don’t know everything. We hope when she awakes she’ll tell us…”
“Mom.” They both looked up to see Ghadi towering over them. She saw the Al Rasheed brothers were back in the waiting area talking to Willow, FADE’s younger sister and Marchellis. Ghadi had made sure that only she remained outside.
“Dr. Ahmad is ready to take you and dad to see Flower.” His words were gentle to his mother, but his eyes were on her.
“They brought snacks if you are hungry, honey. I know you had a long trip.” Grace gave her arm a quick squeeze and patted her second son’s arm before walking toward her husband and the doctor. As she watched Grace leave with the doctor, she knew what was going to follow.
“Ghadi, I just wanted to know if he was okay.” She may as well have been talking to a wall.
“You mean after you almost got him killed?” He kept his voice low. He was taller than FADE, so he towered over her. Wiry and rippling with hostility. There was no mistaking his anger. It rolled off him in waves. She felt the full brunt of his hatred. He did not try to hide how he felt. She knew she deserved it. She faced him unflinching. “I know what I did. FADE knew and why. What you are feeling for him right now take that and magnify it a hundredfold. Then you know how I feel. That doesn’t make me telling my parents what really happened to Justice right, but just like you want answers about what happened, imagine never knowing — being left in limbo for years, Ghadi. None of that means I don’t care about your brother, only that I loved mine too.”
She watched how her words settled on him. Still nothing, or at least nothing he wanted her to know. She knew he studied transcendental mediation, so maybe that was how he pulled off that cold stoicism and hadn’t sliced and diced her ass yet.
“Okay, I’m leaving,” she nodded to him and turned.
“Delightful,” his words stopped her. She pushed her hope down as she turned to face him.
“Stay away from my brother.”
“I’ll let him decide that.” She returned and walked away.
“Trust me. It wouldn’t be any different from Cali. I think he made himself clear by leaving you there.” She kept walking, shame and humiliation cloaking every step.
A week later…
“He’ll do it.” Delightful’s cousin Angelique promised, plopping down on the bed. “I promised to make him some sweet potato pie. That boy is a food slut and will do things for food. Plus, he loves you and is tired of you moping around here killing our energy.” She made broad circles in the air with her fingers for emphasis.
“Umm, okay thanks. Super harsh, too.” She jumped from the bed, unwrapping her headscarf, making sure the two braids her youngest cousin, Skye, had styled her hair in had not come undone. “Is he ready now?” She bent down, looking at her cousin through the mirror as she put on her lip gloss.
“Almost, he eating. He went to workout before he came home. Which is good. Chances of the family being there now are slim. The security detail is there. They won’t say anything to ‘The Legend’ though. They idolize him. He can go anywhere in this city, even to FADE’s hospital room.”
Delightful nodded, knowing how well her cousin’s reputation preceded him. He was a hard charging leader of CRU, the Criminal Retrieval Unit. He went after the worst of the worst. He’d apprehended some of the most dangerous criminals all over the country.
They headed down the steps through a parlor similar to the one of her childhood home next door. Everyone thought it odd that two sisters lived next door to each other, but it led to one of the most fun childhoods a kid could ever hope for, even though her cousins were eccentric to say the least. No one messed with them though because they were fierce, unapologetic and down right ruthless when it came to their family. Which included her and her sisters. Loyalty was everything to the Loves, their mothers' side of the family and if they thought she was wrong, they’d let her know but there wouldn’t be any cross words outside the home.
“Your mom wants you to call her,” Xander Rafe-Leroi growled as he drank his sweet tea before tucking into his dinner of smothered pork chops, green peas and mashed potatoes.
“How do you like my food, Rafe? You know I made that special for you.”
“That’s how I know you wanted something. When I called to see what was for dinner and Skye told me. I was like, 'What does she want?’ Food is good though.” He chuckled, sweeping mashed potatoes onto his fork and into his mouth.
“Whatever.”
“Let’s go.” He stood to his full six-foot-five hieght patting a belly that was nothing but muscle. If she ate like he just did, she wouldn’t be unable to move for being so
full. He earned the right though after pulling a full shift with his team then going to work out.
“I really appreciate you,” she cringed. “I know you’ve had a long day.”
He was already waving her words away heading to the door. “Nah, anyone looking at you knows how you are about FADE and I get why Ghadi feels the way he does. I also know FADE and if he cares about you like I bet he does, he’d want to see you. No matter how y’all ended things, that was before he almost died. That will change even the coldest man.”
The ride over was a blur of city lights and a mix of conversation about some of the crazy cases he had that could be a prime time show to rival anything she saw on tv.
“When we get there don’t say anything. I know these guys. They may or may not recognize you, but there is a code. If I don’t acknowledge your existence it’ll be like you are invisible. I’ll hang out and talk to them and you go in and see your guy.” She had to double-time to keep up with him as he gave her instructions.
They walked down corridor after corridor. She noticed that they were no longer in the ICU but another swanky area of the hospital. She’d heard that rich people had entire suites in hospitals for everything from specialized treatments and secret plastic surgeries. Urban legend, she guessed it wasn’t. She was sure some millionaire donated a vast sum for this wing. This was a recovery wing, yet it had a really posh atmosphere. Nothing had been skimped on. Not that she could turn up her nose at the hospital in any regard it was a class one trauma center and a teaching hospital.
They finally came upon a small troop of police around what looked like a command center. She pushed herself to walk alongside Rafe with a nonchalant air.
“Hey, Sarge.” One of the younger officers came over ,when his eyes skated to her there was a spark of recognition. Whether from her winning an Oscar or having Ghadi putting a BOLO on her she didn’t know.
“Hey partner, are you guys staying safe?” Rafe turned fully to the officer with his back now to her heading to the command desk where the other officers were huddled. It was obvious they were in the middle of a shift change.
She saw another officer standing sentry at what must be FADE’s door. She paused looking at him and he gave her no response but held his body as if he were more than ready for her to try.
“Moses.” The officer’s head perked up, then quirking an eye at her headed over to the command desk.
Looking neither left nor right, she headed straight for the room. Pushing the door open, grateful for barley a whisper of sound, she slipped inside.
The room was dim. There were no monitors. Nothing was attached to him, not even a blood pressure monitor.
“They are letting me go home tomorrow.”
Her spirit almost left her body hearing his voice raspy from probably the intubation reach her ears. She slapped her hand over her mouth to suppress the scream that almost escaped. That would negate the whole sneaking in to see him effort if she were to have police rushing in here because she was screaming like she was being attacked.
She dropped her hand and walked over to the end of the bed, seeing him clearly for the first time since he’d left her at the cottage.
It was obvious he’d been through a terrible ordeal. He’d lost at least twenty pounds if not more. His skin was ashened. His muscles stood out in stark relief against his tawny skin. There were bruises all over his chest, which he hadn’t bothered to cover. His eyes were half-cast, but his gaze was steady and cold. All the passion that was there before was gone.
A surge of desperation pounded in her heart. Her mind was seized by regret so much regret and shame.
“FADE…”
“Why are you here Delightful, now?” His eyes cast around for what she didn’t know until they rested on the water decanter at the end of the bed. She hurried over to the plastic container and poured water for him, noting that her hands trembled a little. She handed it to him, nodding in return to his murmured, “Thanks.”
“I was here the next day. I came with Sadiq and Hasan. I talked to your mom, and she gave me an update.” She saw surprise register on his face before she continued. “I know how we ended things and I know I had no right to come but I couldn’t, no I wouldn’t allow you to go through this alone and without knowing how sorry I am and how much I care about you. I had to make sure you were all right.”
His hand fisted the sheet, leaving a tight crumbled ball before he smoothed it out.
“I am well on my way to recovery. You can go back to California now,” his voice was like death. No emotion. Never had he been this shut down.
“Come on FADE,” she whisper-shouted leaning toward him. “You know why I’m here.” Her breath caught when he lashed out like a striking cobra and pulled her to him.
“To make sure you get your movie made,” he sneered, his eyes iced over shards of amber, cutting her heart to shreds. She must have been deluding herself that he looked weak. His grip with a little more pressure would be crushing.
“You’re going to rip your stitches,” she warned, her hand holding pressed against his chest.
“Getting shot is worse. You betraying me already ripped me apart,” he murmured, his hand gentling at her nape.
“I don’t want you to hurt yourself,” she pleaded.
“No, you want to be the one to torture me. You came here to check on me looking like the best thing I ever tasted with your eyes wet with tears. Tell me Didi, where else can I get you wet?” He bit his bottom lip as his eyes trailed down to hers.
She closed hers eyes against the filthy thoughts bombarding her. She shook her head. “Dude, you are recovering. You almost died…”
“And my last thought was of you,” he ground out. “Not my mom, dad, Flower, Willow or Ghadi. Not how much money I’d made or what I’ve accomplished. You. It was you.” His lips claimed her. Devoured her. She had no recourse but to accept his plunder. He’d take her soul if he could. His mouth slanted. Paradise was his promise, and her body responded. No thought given to his condition, his leg or his head. She wanted to get in his skin. He hissed as her grip tightened, his own hand gripping her ass. His fingers dipping into her crevice from behind, rubbing where she ached. She moaned. He pulled away looking at her seeing way more than she wanted. She cast her gaze down to keep something for herself. She felt her emotions spiraling. She would either breakdown or climb on top of him at any moment.
“Don’t look away. Let me see you, Didi,” he commanded. It was one she couldn’t obey.
“You’re still fucking running,” his disdain dripped from every word.
“I’m not. We’re done. You said that. I won’t let you just use me, FADE.” She kept her voice firm, belying everything that had just transpired between them. “I won’t let you break me.”
He eased up to a sitting position and quirked his eyes. “I can’t fuck you like I want to here, anyway.It’s too many guys out there.”
“I didn’t come here for that. I came to check on you and apologize,” she said.
“I don’t accept it.” He reached for his water again and took a sip. His eyes never left hers and she felt the truth of his words. She blinked. He blinked back taunting her.
“I understand. You’re perfectly right not to.” She nodded. This she’d honestly didn’t expect. She never thought he’d see her again. Now he was making it clear he meant what he said in the cottage. She backed away from the bed. He grabbed her wrist. She knew he could feel the threadiness of her pulse. He caressed her there like he relished her upset. She was frozen as his icy gaze ate her up. This was the ruthless motherfucker they whispered about. This is who came at night and handled things. Ended things with a glacial aplomb that would leave you broken. He hid this side of himself when he cherished her. No more. She was getting the devil she invoked with her scheme to expose him as Justice’s killer. Now he wouldn’t be satisfied until she lay upon his altar.
“I have an entire floor leased in the John Hand Building you can give me your apology there.” Cool
words and colder eyes met her when she could finally pull her eyes away from his thumb drawing lazy circles on her pulse.
“Your family won’t want me there. They probably have my picture up all over the place.” She huffed.
“Let me worry about my family.” He let her go and settled back into the bed. “I’ll text when I’m ready for your apology.”
She was contrite, yes, but if he thought he could just dismiss her he would be disappointed.
“So, let me get this right. My apology here is not good enough, but if I come over to there it is? Nah, fella, I ain’t doing it. I’m not some side-chick to be running after you. Nope.” She was brimming with outrage that he’d even dare suggest it.
“Sadiq will be eager to know my decision to end this film. He thinks it will flop anyway because of all this BS you’ve stirred up. I’ll tell him to break it to Lovie-Belle, or would you rather?”
He let that little bomb drop like it was nothing.
“I did’t come here to keep the movie on track.” Hurt raged inside of her at his words. Still, he believed she was only there for the movie.
“It matters to you if it's cancelled. The studio wants to pull it. The timing is bad. Hasan thinks we can salvage it. He’s a minority in that thinking. However, they feel I have a brilliant comeback story with this happening. It's my call.” He spread his hands, nonchalant as hell.
“You’d hurt Lovie-Belle,” she challenged, but it came out as a plea.
“Wrong. You would.” The clap-back was as hard as the chest she’s just gripped.
“Fine.” She gritted her nose stung, her eyes burned.
His next words crushed her. “The movie, your sister, even your family. Never FADE.”
She shook her head, backing away from him moving toward the door.
He’d twisted every thing.
“Have your phone on.” His words reached her as the door closed.
Chapter 12
Just Get It Done
“One more, come on FADE, you got this.” Marchellis urged him. Sweat was popping out in places all over his body that he’d didn’t even know were possible. His knee was on fire, his back ached, his head fucking hurt. He marshaled every once of strength he had to finish the last quarter squat, not just pushing past the pain, the hurt, pain and disappointment he felt but harnessing it for the power he needed to get his body back. To get his life back. Desolation lurked in the corners of his mind like a wrath, but he could not, would not give in to it. Despair would never fucking own him again. He’d promised himself this when he lost Justice and her the first time. He would not give into it again. He owed it to his friend to live, hell he owed it to himself for every sacrifice he’d ever made. He couldn’t stop. He wouldn’t stop. He was going to get his life back. Bet.
Rapper's Delight: The Mogul Series Book One Page 9