Unraveled - A Short Story Collective

by KR Bankston

  “Muthafucka,” Treasure said as he swung and Spade cut him cleanly across his arm.

  As Treasure grabbed his arm in a defensive posture, Spade stabbed him in the chest. Treasure stumbled and fell to his knees.

  “You ain’t ever gonna fuck with CiCi again” Spade told him coldly as he stabbed him again in the shoulder.

  He kicked Treasure hard in the nuts and stood over him as the man writhed in pain.

  “You ain’t gonna be raping nobody else either, you sorry ass bastard,” Spade told him kneeling down and cutting the man’s throat.

  Reggie watched as Treasure bled out, gasping for air, until he finally stopped. Spade was still angry, taking the nine millimeter from Jerrick; he planted three slugs into Kendell’s dead body, two in the head and one in the heart.

  “Westside Kings muthafucka,” Spade said as he kicked the dead man, now turning his attention to Reggie. “You trifling’ as hell,” he said calmly and handed Jerrick the gun back.

  Jerrick took the gun and wiped it down, then went and stood in front of Reggie, retrieving his other gun from his other pocket.

  “Hold it,” he barked at the man and Reggie immediately complied.

  “Shoot that wall right there,” Jerrick barked again.

  Reggie was confused but he complied. Jerrick grunted with satisfaction after the shot was fired. Spade flipped his phone open and dialed 911. He informed the operator he’d heard shots from the room next door and asked them to send help quickly. Finally it dawned on Reggie what they were planning, unfortunately he never got the opportunity to act on it, as Jerrick hit him with the gun butt and everything went black.

  *****

  “Are you going to stay with me?” Cyiarra asked as Spade held her.

  They’d come home and he’d helped her calm down, gently bathing her as they’d showered together, and she’d told him everything that’d happened.

  “I ain’t going nowhere, baby, I told you that,” he replied softly as they lay in bed.

  CiCi sighed quietly and closed her eyes. She didn’t want to think about Kendell, tonight, or any of the hurt she’d been through. It was over and as far as she was concerned, it’d all come together nicely.

  She smiled contentedly to herself as she thought back to the last conversation she’d had with Layla.

  “He did what?” she’d asked her friend still shocked at the revelation. Layla finally confided in CiCi the thing that Treasure had done to her. He’d sold her to two high rollers who’d forced her to perform sex acts on them and repeatedly raped her over the course of the weekend she’d been forced to spend. Layla explained that it’d happened before he and CiCi began to date, and he’d threatened to kill her if she told. She was fresh out of high school and trying to earn a little extra money. Treasure swore she’d only have to shake down the johns, never have sex with them, and then he’d double crossed her.

  “Oh, we gonna get his ass,” CiCi replied already formulating a plan. She still owed him for his surprise visit to her the night she and Spade met. She hadn’t told anyone how he’d choked her that night and threatened her, only leaving when he saw the headlights from Layla’s car. CiCi called him and told him she wanted to get together, asking him to meet her at the market. He loved to sneak up on her, and she knew he’d do it this time too, which he did, giving the perfect explanation Layla was to call Jerrick and Spade with.

  Layla had overheard the two men talking about Reggie, and that he was a snitch. CiCi knew Kendell would tell him where he was taking her, once Layla told them about the mysterious man Kerri the checkout girl saw, and her own suspicions that it was Treasure, they would do the rest on their own accord, which they did. CiCi hadn’t planned on Kendell raping her, but even that indignity had been rectified when they’d deliberately let the accomplice overhear that portion of their conversation. She knew Spade would kill him, without question, and without remorse.

  I told that bastard I would get him, he should have believed me, Cyiarra thought smiling once more and snuggling closer to Spade. Karma’s a bitch ain’t it?

  Copyright © 2008 KR Bankston

  Bait-n-Switch

  Office Romance with a Twist

  Prologue

  “Morning people,” Jackie greeted everyone as she entered the office and made her way to her desk.

  She worked in the eligibility department for a major discount and senior drug program company, called Data Collection Affiliates, or DCA. She’d been there for the last four years and had seen many come and go. Not to mention the numerous office scandals and romances, with the past few months being no exception.

  “Hey Jackie, wassup?” Kina greeted her.

  Jackie returned the woman’s greeting and shook her head slightly. There’s the first side, she thought to herself chuckling slightly at the love square that was currently going on in the office. Normally Jackie got a few moments of solitude early in the morning when she first arrived, since no one else really worked the 6:30 to 2:00 shift like she did. She assumed Kina was here to make a little overtime. Jackie grabbed her coffee mug and headed to the break room. She just wanted to relax and unwind a little before the rest of the crew came in and the bullshit started again for a new day.

  *****

  Chrissalyn checked her reflection before leaving for work. It wasn’t that she had a great love for DCA but it paid her bills while she worked on her masters’ degree. Her cell rang and she smiled as she looked at the display. “Boy it’s early as hell, what do you want?” she asked jokingly into the phone.

  “Damn Chriss, you don’t show a brotha no love do you?” Lathan threw back.

  This was her friend, her buddy, her accomplice in mischief, and depending on whom you asked, the man she was screwing.

  “You know I love you Lathan,” she replied still chuckling, “But at 7:00 in the morning, yo’ ass is up to no good” she finished and he burst into laughter with her.

  “I just called to see if you wanted something from Dunkin when I stop this morning?” he asked and Chrissalyn sighed deeply.

  “You know that won’t do nothing but start drama Lathan,” she told him tiredly.

  “Chriss, how many times I gotta tell you, I’m a man, 150% man” he told her and she chuckled again.

  “Uh, yeah” she replied and they laughed again.

  “Seriously Chriss, do you want something?” he asked again and she told him what to bring her. “No prob, see you at 8:00,” Lathan replied disconnecting.

  Chrissalyn smiled again recalling their conversation, before frowning, knowing the chaos him bringing her breakfast would cause. She honestly couldn’t figure out what the problem was. She and Lathan were friends, period. They had this deep connection that not many people understood, so she guessed that was the reason so many naturally assumed they were sleeping together. Gonna have to kick Alisha’s ass today, Chrissalyn thought to herself and sighed deeply. No one at work knew about their affair and they’d done a great job of keeping it that way until Alisha decided that Chrissalyn was a threat. Chriss sighed once again, grabbing her purse and heading out the door, praying for strength to endure yet another day.

  Lathan was thinking about Chrissalyn as he drove. He felt especially guilty recalling the sensuous dream he’d had about her the night before. Thinking about it now, still awakened deeply repressed desires. Stop it man, you two can never have anything together, he thought to himself, although his manhood didn’t seem to be taking the hint. Chrissalyn was fine in every sense of the word, but she wasn’t cocky about it. That more than anything turned Lathan on. He liked the fact that they could really talk, about any and everything. She was very bright and very worldly even at twenty-three.

  He sighed again, this being the number one reason he didn’t want to even think of them in a relationship. He was thirty-five and soon to be thirty-six. What would be said if they hooked up? She wouldn’t have you anyway, not now especially, Lathan thought again sighing deeply as he pulled into the drive-thru of the doughnut shop.
>
  He was sleeping with Alisha and she assumed they were an item. Lathan wasn’t too sure what they were. He basically put up with her and the bullshit because she was a good screw. He’d had her in every conceivable way, shape, and form. The newness had long since worn off and was becoming boring. Trouble was she’d managed to convince herself she was in love. Now she was clingy and possessive, prone to tantrums and outbursts at the worst possible times. What the fuck have I gotten myself into, he thought tiredly as he paid for his order and headed to the office.

  “Hey girl” Kina greeted Alisha cheerfully.

  The two were long time friends and completely compatible.

  “Hey,” Alisha greeted her and Kina picked up the tone.

  “What’s wrong with you today?” she asked slightly annoyed.

  Alisha was a drama queen most of the time taking small insignificant things and turning them into huge deals.

  “Me and Lathan got into it again last night,” she replied and Kina sighed gently.

  “Why girl?” she asked and Alisha began to lament that he wasn’t taking their relationship seriously enough. “What you want the man to do Alisha?” Kina asked again. “I mean he’s nice to you and still does things with you,” she told her still not seeing an issue. “He can’t very well be all over you at work you know,” Kina added for good measure hoping her friend would see light.

  Alisha sighed gently and told her she knew that, but he could still do more. “Mm, hmm,” Kina told her giving her a look.

  “What’s that about?” Alisha asked.

  “Oh you already know, don’t play stupid,” Kina shot back. “You still tripping about that girl ain’t you?” she threw out and Alisha sucked her teeth. “You need to stop,” Kina told her. “That girl is too young for him, not to mention, she a big girl.”

  Alisha supposed Kina was right, she was definitely finer; with her coke bottle figure and sexy eyes, but she couldn’t help the jealousy she felt whenever Chrissalyn was around Lathan. Alisha hated how seamlessly the two of them moved from lighthearted banter to long in depth conversations and all she had was the sex. Alisha was trying to become well versed about all the things Lathan liked, but she had to honestly admit she didn’t know him well enough to stay on top of it. She hated how left out she felt whenever he and Chrissalyn talked, especially when it centered on school. She’d dropped out of college and hadn’t gone back. Why he can't stop talking to her, she wondered sourly as she got up headed for Jackie’s desk. She needed someone to talk to, someone who was rational and unbiased in the situation. She knew the woman and Lathan talked a lot being close in age. Alisha hoped she would be able to get an inside track and someway, somehow, save this relationship.

  1

  Jackie was doing her usual and half listening as Alisha droned on and on about her relationship with Lathan and his lack of enthusiasm toward it. Why does this woman insist upon bothering me, Jackie thought as she sat listening. For some reason, everyone seemed she was the go-to woman for conflict resolution.

  “Well what is it exactly you want the man to do?” Jackie threw back and watched the woman closely wondering if she would admit the truth.

  Alisha sighed deeply and told her she just wanted him to take her and their commitment seriously.

  “OK, but I thought ya’ll was just cut buddies,” Jackie mentioned, recalling an earlier conversation when she’d first discovered Alisha and Lathan were sleeping together.

  Alisha sighed again. “Well, yeah, it started that way, but you know how it is when you’re with someone.”

  “No, not really, cause me personally, I’m worth more than that, so I’d never agree to no bullshit like that, but hey I guess that’s some of that new age stuff,” Jackie replied and Alisha was slightly offended.

  She took a deep breath trying to keep in mind the woman was from another era. Jackie was in her later forties, possibly early fifties and had a tongue like a razor.

  “But anyway,” Jackie began again. “You in it now, so you want what, to be married?” she threw at Alisha, who opened her mouth to answer just as Lathan walked into the area, arms filled with bags.

  “Good morning,” Lathan greeted them both, but looking directly at Jackie as he handed her a bag.

  “Thanks Lathan,” she replied removing her croissant from the bag.

  He smiled and told her she was welcome, casting a quick glance at Alisha and walking away. Jackie fought hard to suppress the smile that wanted to come to her face, seeing the woman deflated from Lathan’s dismissal of her presence. Jackie again heard animated voices and looked up to see Chrissalyn enter the office, running into Lathan as he left.

  “Well there you are,” he boomed smiling brightly at the young woman

  “Hey Lathan,” she replied chuckling lightly, as he handed her a bag also. “Wait a minute,” Chrissalyn began as she rummaged through the bag. “Why are half my hash browns gone?” she asked giving Lathan a look.

  “Huh? What? Who died?” he replied and she burst into laughter as he scampered away.

  Shaking her head and still chuckling Chrissalyn headed for her desk. Jackie was watching Alisha after the exchange, the look of hatred plainly pasted on her face.

  “I can’t stand that bitch,” Alisha mumbled under her breath.

  “You say something?” Jackie asked, already having heard the statement.

  “No, not really” Alisha returned sighing lightly.

  Chrissalyn took in the two women as she arrived and spoke. “Good morning” she said generically as Jackie smiled and returned her greeting.

  Alisha simply sucked her teeth. Chrissalyn sighed deeply and sat down turning on her computer to begin her day.

  “Well, see here’s the thing,” Jackie began looking directly at Alisha, “You got two choices right now. You can accept that your man has a female friend that you’ll never like and move on, or,” she took a breath before continuing. “You can keep acting like you’re twelve with your first crush, and piss him off, leaving you to find yourself, by yourself,” she finished evenly and returned to her breakfast.

  Alisha sighed deeply, slightly irritated that the woman wasn’t giving her any information she could use. That’s okay, me and my girl Kina will handle this shit, she thought as she left Jackie’s office and headed back to her desk.

  Chrissalyn sat at her desk, heart heavy, close to tears. She was sick and tired of all the drama she was enduring just because she and Lathan were friends. It’s not my fault she’s insecure, she needs to grow up, she thought dejectedly of Alisha’s childlike antics. She and Lathan had fun and talked about everything, and depending on their mood, everyone. Chrissalyn chuckled at the thought and sighed again. When she’d first learned about him and Alisha, it was okay. The woman had at least been cordial, even going to the extraordinary lengths of trying to befriend her, an attempt that quickly fell to the wayside to be replaced by intense dislike. Guess she figured if she kept me close, she’d have that inside track huh, Chrissalyn thought again as Devon walked in.

  “Wassup Chrissy Chris?” he greeted her, smiling cheerfully.

  Chrissalyn laughed and told him nothing much.

  “Hey! Hey!” he said feigning indignation. “Why didn’t I get any breakfast?” Chrissalyn laughed again and told him he needed to take that up with his boy.

  “Oh I will, but I know it’s cause I’m white ain’t it?” he threw out and Chrissalyn cracked up.

  Devon was far from white, being a deep creamy chocolate. She watched as he walked over to Lathan’s office and began his protest. The two men were soon doubled over with laughter and she smiled looking

  them both over appreciatively. She could understand Alisha’s attraction. Lathan was a good looking man. He was tall, about six foot three, nice abs and chest, dreamy brown eyes with a nice smile. He kept his hair cut close to his head and it waved nicely. He only wore a mustache, but it was always neatly manicured and added to his already pleasant features.

  Devon, was his best friend and
on-again, off-again, roommate. He stood the same height, deep dimples, beautiful smile, and powerful arms with a tight butt and firm thighs. He didn’t have any facial hair, and he shaved his head, accenting the one diamond stud he wore in his ear. They were both very sexy men. Chrissalyn shook the thoughts and rose headed to the restroom before she dived into her work, knowing she would forget if she didn’t. She felt the stare and looked up to find Devon looking at her intently. She flashed a small smile, before turning headed down the hall. Now, what was that all about? She thought to herself knowing he’d just come from Lathan’s office. She shrugged it off and continued her journey, speaking to several co-workers entering the office as she went.

  *****

  Lathan was looking at his computer, but he wasn’t seeing the screen. His mind was once again on Chrissalyn. What am I gonna do about that girl, he thought to himself as he remembered the erotic dream he’d had last night. He closed his eyes allowing his mind to wander as he thought about her beautiful nude body. How firm and supple her breasts had been when he squeezed them gently, taking the nipple into his mouth and sucking it gently. She’d moaned her pleasure and he sucked harder. He’d traveled down her stomach kissing it softly as he made his way to her center. He’d gently pushed her legs apart revealing her beautiful, dripping wetness. He’d eagerly began licking her juices, and tasting her with his tongue as she cried out her pleasure. She was quickly approaching orgasm and he wanted it to hit hard. He’d pulled her even closer as he continued to taste her.

  Chrissalyn reached her peak and cried out his name as the floodgates opened and he enjoyed even more of her nectar. Once she’d come down from the high, he’d kissed his way back up to her lips, allowing her to taste herself as he entered her and thrust deeply into her. She was so tight, and hot that he found himself coming quickly. He’d managed to hang on long enough for her to reach her next orgasm then he’d come hard, groaning deeply as he came inside her.