by KR Bankston
“You feel so good in me Cartier,” she moaned coming hard and drenching his lap.
“Damned right, and you belong to me, forever,” Cartier returned holding her hips and digging deep making her head fall back and her eyes roll into her head.
He thrust into her again and again as she came yet another time, clawing his back, just as he came hard and his seed surged inside her. Holding each other tightly, they tried to steady their breathing. Neither of them saw the uniformed man frowning deeply as he watched the inmate he hated making love to the woman he wanted.
12
Lauren’s life was moving right along. Atlanta was turning out to be really good for her. She’d settled in and made a new friend almost immediately. She and Jaleesa had been hanging out for the last ten months. Today she told her they were finding her a new place to live. “Girl, you can’t be staying over there,” Jaleesa told her after Lauren finally confessed to living in the extended stay hotel and being on her own. Jaleesa laughed and told her there was no shame in that at all and she was obviously able to do just fine. “But that is a bad area,” she went on. “I got a cousin who can hook you up with your own apartment, no credit check or any of that nonsense.” Lauren told her about her ID and showed it to her. “Girl this is good work, I know you didn’t get that here,” she laughed seeing the official looking document. Lauren chuckled telling her she didn’t as they continued to talk. The horn blowing broke her thought and she grabbed her bag heading out to Jaleesa and she was sure Poncho.
Arriving at the car she smiled greeting them both as she got into the backseat of the older Oldsmobile. It was a nice looking car, and Poncho had put a lot work into it.
“What’s up KiKi,” he greeted her as she returned his greeting.
She was slowly but surely leaving Lauren behind and becoming Kaitlyn or KiKi as they nicknamed her, daily.
“Devontae is gonna meet us over there,” he told Jaleesa as she smiled and said okay turning around to talk to Lauren.
“After we get your place all taken care of Poncho and Devontae wanna go out,” she told her.
Lauren shrugged slightly and told her fine. They arrived at the apartment complex moments later and Lauren had to admit she was definitely hopeful Jaleesa’s cousin could pull of the trick of getting her in.
“Come on KiKi,” Jaleesa told her, pulling her forward.
“Hey KiKi,” Devontae greeted as they passed him.
“Hi Devontae,” she replied as Jaleesa continued to pull her forward and they disappeared into the rent office leaving the two men outside talking.
“You think they ready for that move,” Devontae asked Poncho giving him a look.
“Yeah man, shit from what I see, KiKi is tough as shit, and you already know Tweety ass is crazy,” he told his friend as Devontae smiled slightly and groused.
He thought there was far more to the young woman than met the eye as well, but he was going to be cool about finding out what.
The girls returned moments later smiling and holding a set of keys.
“We’re in,” Jaleesa announced as they all chuckled and congratulated Lauren.
“So when are you moving,” Devontae asked, regarding her quietly.
She told him she didn’t own anything but clothes, so she would move tomorrow.
“Guess we need to get you some furniture then, cause I can’t be sitting on the floor,” Jaleesa joked.
Lauren smiled and told them she would definitely need to get on that.
“So we ready to go now,” Poncho asked.
Everyone nodded as Lauren began to walk back to the Oldsmobile.
“KiKi,” Devontae called out. “Why don’t you ride with me,” he asked as Jaleesa gave him a look.
I knew it, she thought excitedly. She’d hoped that Devontae and Kaitlyn would connect but neither of them seemed a bit interested in the other.
”Until now,” she murmured almost to herself.
Lauren shrugged slightly and headed to his box Chevy, climbing into the passenger seat. Devontae got in and started the car, following Poncho and Jaleesa.
“How long you been in the game,” he asked Lauren calmly.
“As long as I can remember,” she answered without flinching.
Devontae liked that about her. She was direct and she didn’t lie.
“So you think you could still roll and do your thing here,” he asked again, sizing her up.
Lauren smiled slightly and told him she was ready to do what she had to do.
“Once you learn the streets, it’s pretty much all the same,” she told him calmly.
Devontae smiled again, before speaking.
“I do other stuff besides dope, that gets old quick,” he told her as Lauren again shrugged and told him she was open to new things.
“You ever shot anybody,” Devontae continued his interrogation.
He was liking the girl sitting next to him more and more with each answer she gave.
“Yes, killed a couple too, in case that was your next question,” she replied giving him a look.
Devontae burst into laughter and thanked her for the information.
“So why you leave your old hood,” he asked as she frowned slightly.
“It’s complicated,” Lauren replied simply.
He grunted but didn’t press and she was grateful for that.
“You and Tweety the same age,” he asked. Lauren sighed softly and told him yes.
“How old are you warden,” she teased as he smiled and told her 21.
“Look, I’m not just trying to get in your business, I’m trying to make stacks, and I need to know just who I have on my team,” Devontae explained.
“I’m good with that Devontae, business is business,” she replied amiably as he smiled at her once more.
“Can I ask you a personal question,” he threw out as she regarded him.
“And all the ones before weren’t personal,” Lauren teased.
He chuckled again before speaking to her.
“Are you anywhere near as attracted to me, as I am too you,” Devontae asked seriously, waiting on her response.
Lauren swallowed hard. His question threw her off balance. She looked him over again, admiring the deep brooding eyes and lone dimple on his right cheek. His smile was effervescent and his sculpted body on any red blooded woman’s wish list. She found him attractive yes, but she was scared to death of losing her heart again.
“I don’t want to answer that right now,” Lauren hedged as the car came to a stop.
He continued looking at her until she averted her gaze.
“We’ll go slow,” he said simply, leaning over and kissing her lips lightly.
*****
Blue was furious with himself. Look how you fucked everything up, he was cursing himself sitting in the cell. He’d been careless and dealt to an undercover cop. Now he was back in jail, probation revoked looking at serving not only the remaining three years on his current charge, but at least five more for the present charge. What happens when Lauren reaches out and your ass is in lockdown, his mind tormented. Even though it had been ten months, Blue still held out hope that Lauren would break down and call him or write him letting him know where she was. He’d been keeping an ear to the streets for anything that vaguely sounded liked news concerning her. So far he was coming up with a big fat nothing. Now he wouldn’t even be able to do that small portion. Blue began to pray that his sentence be short and made a vow to himself to tow the line and stay out of trouble in lockup so he could get out early with good behavior. As soon as I’m free I’m going to look for her again, and I’m going to find her, he mused. Blue knew Lauren would be eighteen in a few months. He assumed she would come out of hiding then, knowing that the law was powerless to do anything to her.
Blue used the payphone making a collect call to his mother. She of course accepted the charges and he began making his request known of her. Blue asked her to forward his mail to her home, knowing she would always be at the same
address and if Lauren tried to contact him she would let him know. She agreed, telling him she would take care of it tomorrow as well as clearing his apartment and storing his things in his old room.
“Thanks Mama,” Blue told her as they talked a little while longer and disconnected.
That much off his mind, he began to think of places Lauren might have gone. I sure hope she’s all right, he thought, finding some assurance in her upbringing and knowing that she definitely knew how to watch out for herself. Has she found someone new, the worry set in. Blue didn’t want to think about another man touching or being with Lauren the way he’d been. She was untouchable in his mind and he wanted her to always be his. Dream on, his mind quickly corrected. He would be gone away for years, not to mention the fact that he had no idea where she was. Lauren could be married with a family by the time he found her. Blue couldn’t describe the despair that thought brought, hearing the sound of a door slamming in his mind as he contemplated it. “Just let it work out,” he said softly right as the jailer began making his rounds and Blue heard his name called to see the judge.
*****
The four of them enjoyed dinner at the chicken and waffles place before heading back to their side of town.
“I can come get you in the morning and take you to the apartment,” Devontae offered.
Lauren told him that would be good and he smiled at her. She was still thinking about his earlier statement, knowing in his mind they were something of an item now. Lauren decided as long as it didn’t cause any undue problems right now, she wouldn’t address it. What about sex, her mind piped up. She knew at some point Devontae would want that, but she didn’t know if she could. Her heart was still missing Blue terribly. You said you would let that go, you’re Kaitlyn now, remember,” her survival instinct reminded her.
“We’re going to make a run after you get your stuff put in the new place,” he told her, pulling up to the hotel and turning the car off.
“OK, that’s fine,” Lauren returned as he walked her to her room.
“I got armor for you, so don’t worry about that,” he told her standing right outside number 15.
Lauren again nodded as Devontae leaned down and kissed her gently for a second time.
“I’ll see you in the morning, KiKi,” he told her as she opened the door and stepped inside closing and locking it behind her.
Walking over to the bed she counted her money again. She was still set, not having made a dent in the half million dollars yet. Lauren decided she would get furniture and stuff of course, but not the high end things she was accustomed too. As much as she liked Jaleesa right now, she still wasn’t quite ready to trust anyone completely. Lauren packed the few things she had and thought back on the evening and of course Devontae. He was a nice guy and he was levelheaded. That was far more than she could say for Poncho. She was pretty sure he hit Jaleesa from time to time, but she wouldn’t admit it and Lauren didn’t pry. She was also excited to be getting back into the game. That was the one portion of her life with Carlo she did enjoy. The brokering and dealing to get what you wanted at your price. Money wasn’t really an issue for her at this point; it was the sport that intrigued her. She hoped Devontae was as good at his game as she suspected. The affiliation could turn out to be advantageous for both of them. Yawning widely, she closed her eyes as sleep quickly found her. Lauren’s dreams took her on an erotic journey that woke her moments later, breathing hard and drenched in satisfaction. You’ve got to be kidding me, she thought to herself of the dream. She hadn’t thought about Devontae like that at all, not even tonight when he kissed her, but if her dreams were any preview, she should never let him inside her or she would be hooked forever. Chuckling slightly at the thought, Lauren gathered herself and lay back down, drifting off again dreamlessly.
*****
Poncho opened the door inviting his friend inside.
“You get KiKi all squared away,” he asked handing him a beer.
“Yeah,” Devontae returned simply.
“Got this dude dropping by,” Poncho began as Devontae’s instinct kicked in.
“Who,” he asked.
“Some dude named Ryan Bailey, out of Alabama,” Poncho told him. “Got this spot up there, need some shit run back and forth.”
Devontae nodded but withheld comment. He didn’t like dealing with people he didn’t know and hadn’t met. Poncho was far too trusting for his tastes, but he didn’t make a big deal out of it. The knock came to the door moments later as Poncho again rose and opened it, inviting the men inside. Ryan introduced himself and his brother, Ian before sitting down and getting to the business at hand. Devontae observed both the men, finding them palatable. Ryan was definitely a businessman and he handled his well. The younger one was still learning, but Devontae felt a cold calculated aura about him that let you know he didn’t mind hurting or killing you. Like Ice, he thought but didn’t voice.
“So what are you trying to spend,” Devontae finally interjected.
Ryan gave him a number and they rolled it around in their head for a while before speaking.
“OK, that sounds fair, how many runs and how often,” he asked again.
“No limits on the runs, but no more than twice a month,” Ian answered calmly.
Devontae again made the observation of the man’s coldness and answered him that it was fine.
“We need the first run in a week,” Ryan began again as Devontae and Ian continued to observe each other.
“Yeah, that’s fine, we’ll be ready for it,” Poncho told him as Ryan grunted slightly.
“We do business straight and we expect the same,” he told Devontae and Poncho.
“So do we,” Poncho replied slightly insulted at the insinuation.
“This is business and we are definitely all about handling ours,” Devontae assured Ryan as he nodded and told them that was good to know.
“Here are the numbers you need to contact us,” Ian spoke once more handing them a card.
Devontae and Poncho returned the gesture as the men agreed the meeting was ended and both Bailey’s rose to leave.
“We’ll be expecting to hear from you,” Ryan told them as Poncho nodded and let them out, locking the door behind them.
“Them boys are something else there,” he remarked coming back into the room.
“Mmhmm, deadly, both of them,” Devontae told him as Poncho rolled a joint and lit it.
“Well as long as they have our money straight, we never have to show them just how deadly we can be,” he threw out boldly.
Devontae nodded his agreement but his mind was already working ahead to a new affiliation.
13
Christmas was here but there was nothing joyous about it for Cartier or Carlo. Things had gone progressively bad in the two years now they’d been at Leavenworth. True to her word, Lonette had gone and retrieved the money necessary for them to be released. They’d set up an elaborate network of payoffs to secure documentation that would free them. Unfortunately when you’re locked up and other people are pulling the strings for you, you have no control. After Lonette delivered the money to Quenton, he double-crossed them, taking the half million dollars and disappearing. He walked away from his job, his wife, and their three children without so much as goodbye. Cartier immediately put people on his trail trying to find him, sending a clear message he wasn’t playing around by removing any trace of him from the earth. He still had the newspaper article about the fire that swept through the small apartment Quenton’s family lived in and all the children and his wife perishing. Normally Cartier didn’t kill children, but Quenton had played with their lives and that couldn’t go unpunished.
They found him almost six months later, dead. His decomposing body was found in an out of the way hotel, shot to death and of course no trace of the money he’d stolen. So effectively he and Carlo were back at square one. Cartier was trying to hold it together but there was a guard here that was going out of his way to make his life hell in this p
it. His name was Peter Diggs, but everybody called him Big Pete. Cartier couldn’t recall any particular incident or run-in he’d had with the man, but Big Pete went out of his way to harass him. Cartier was determined to get to the bottom of it however, as it was getting on his nerves. Lonette quit the prison system after they transferred her to a volatile facility and she was attacked. The inmate broke three ribs and her jaw before the other guards could get him off her. He also succeeded in causing her to miscarry. She still visited Cartier regularly and professed her love for him. He did care very deeply for Lonette, though he hadn’t been able to say he loved a woman since Raven. Still she was helping them both contacting people they needed found and slowly but surely raising the money they needed to get out of Leavenworth and live new lives.
“Socrates,” Horse called out quietly, garnering Cartier’s attention.
“Yeah,” he replied, walking over to the bars and listening intently as the man talked.
*****
“Hey, long time, no see,” Pete greeted her as she sat sipping her coffee.
“Hey Pete,” Lonette returned, hoping he would go away and leave her alone.
She’d never liked him and he gave her creepy vibes every time he looked at her.
“You mind if I join you,” he asked amiably, looking right into her eyes.
As much as she wanted to say yes she minded Lonette simply shrugged slightly watching him take the seat across from her.
“How’ve you been Lonette,” he asked, already knowing everything about her.
He saw her every time she came to visit that convict Cartier Lemmings. He couldn’t understand what she saw in a loser like that.
“I’m okay, Pete,” she returned still uncomfortable with his presence.
“I heard you resigned, that’s a shame, we need good officers like you,” he threw out once again looking into her eyes.
“I needed a change,” Lonette replied simply.
“Hmph,” he returned, asking if she wanted something to eat as he ordered.