Playing With Fire: Loyalty Demolished

by Charlee Renea

  “What are you getting at?”

  “You’re covering for this man, yet he isn’t loyal to you like you think! Work with me, Bella, and I can promise you your freedom.”

  When Chris heard what she said, he was furious. How dare she tell her that!

  “Listen, I know you’re trained to say whatever to solve your case! Ray doesn’t sell fuckin’ drugs! So please stop pressing the issue and take me back to my cell!”

  “Okay, whatever you say. You’ll find out the truth soon.”

  Pebbles had her escorted back to her cell. She decided to take a restroom break. Chris grabbed her and pinned her up against the wall.

  “What the fuck was that?” he asked, pointing his finger in her face.

  She could tell in his eyes he was high. “Doing my job! Unlike you! What are you doing? Getting high? Let my fucking arm go!”

  “You don’t know what you’re talking about!”

  “Excuse you?”

  “How the hell are you going to demand for her to tell you some shit about that man she knows nothing about? You keep that up and you’re going to fuck this case up! We have the suspect, so fall back or I’ll have you removed off the case!”

  Chris knew for sure Ray was trafficking, but this case wasn’t about Ray; Ashley was who he wanted.

  “Um hmm, you must be getting your coke from him. Damn shame you can’t keep your nose clean!”

  Chris was at his last straw with Pebbles, so he made arrangements and had her taken off the case. She wasn't too happy or thrilled, but she wasn’t giving up. The question of how could the man she loved put drugs over her played through her mind. She knew she had to return the favor and let karma visit him!

  ~ ~

  Pebbles broke out of her thoughts once they reached the hotel. The cab driver helped them with their luggage and they went in the hotel to check in. Today was payback day and karma would be visiting the doorsteps of the ones who weren’t loyal.

  ~ ~

  The sun shined through the curtains of Hollywood’s historic hotel. L.A.’s rush-hour traffic jammed the freeway. They were secluded from the outside world as they enjoyed each other’s warm embrace. Bella's eyes were closed as she rolled her neck and moaned softly. She didn’t know how their bodies had come together while lying in the sheets. The next thing she knew, they were kissing all over each other. She didn’t turn down his loving. All the things they’d been through didn’t exist to her any more.

  “Oh, Raaay . . . yes, baaaby.”

  He clenched her small waist as she rode him smoothly, taking in all of his inches. She’d missed waking up to him and him entering her from the back side like before she’d gone to prison. She couldn’t imagine giving him up, especially to Chyna. There were times when his ways got to her, but when he bent her over and gave it to her doggy style, she appreciated his strong force and forgot about the problems. She even forgot about Tone and them sexing just some hours ago. At the moment, Ray had her going crazy inside.

  “Oh Raaay . . . yesssss . . . oh.”

  He flipped her over on her stomach and started kissing the back of her neck. She arched her back and he went along with the invite, entering into her wet box slowly, then gradually speeding up. Bella moaned louder and Ray pumped harder. She creamed all over him as he watched himself go in and out. One thing he could admit was she did have some addicting sex. He didn’t realize how good it felt until they’d come to LA. Back in New Jersey, he was sexing her and Pebbles at the same time, and he really wasn’t putting any thought into her sex game.

  He felt himself about to cum and he tried holding it until he pulled out. Yet again, he hadn’t used a condom with her and the last thing he needed was her getting pregnant. When she was in prison, he’d promised her their own love child before he’d had a baby with Chyna, but everything had changed, including no longer wanting the baby.

  She bounced her round booty on his pipe to keep him from pulling out. She wanted his baby liked he promised. She’d always wanted a big family and she imagined it with him. Going back on his word wouldn’t be acceptable! Since they didn’t make it to Vegas, she thought a baby could seal the deal. She started taking control, backing it up on him.

  “Yesss, baby . . . give it to me faster!”

  Ray knew if he gave it to her faster, he’d bust. He grabbed her waist to take back over the control. After two more strokes, he hurriedly pulled out and released on her back side. The release felt good to him, making him collapse on the bed. She faced him with a disappointed look and headed into the bathroom to clean herself up. Ray showered and put on his khaki cargo shorts, wife-beater, lime-green hat, and Air Max’. He had packed a small bag with his belongings last night.

  “I’ma go holla at Vin,” he told Bella.

  She was sitting on the bed putting lotion on her legs. Her gut feeling told her Ray was up to something. For starters, the way he was dressed. She hoped he wasn’t planning on backing out. She needed him there.

  “That’s what you’re wearing?” she asked, snapping her lace Victoria’s Secret bra.

  “Yeah. What’s wrong with this?” He threw his hands in front of him.

  “Bright colors, that’s what’s wrong! What, you want to be spotted easily?”

  Ray hadn’t thought his plan out this far. He was too anxious to catch his flight. “Damn, I didn’t think about that!”

  “So wear some black!”

  “Okay, but I don’t have any. I’ma go check Vin out and see what he has.”

  “Okay. Do you need me to go?”

  “Naw, I gotta finish getting dressed. Vin and I are going to head over to your father’s room.”

  . . . 16

  Bella was curious about his next move. She was hoping he wasn’t backing out on the urge to make this money. Ray grabbed his bag off the chair and was about to walk out the door until Bella stopped him. She grabbed his arm, feeling like it was the last time she would touch him.

  “Don’t do anything dumb!”

  At that point, Ray was tired of her demands. He was a grown man who didn’t want to be controlled by anybody!

  “I’ve been putting this plan together too long for you to fuck it up!”

  Ray didn’t care how long the plan had been worked out. That just let him know, she had been planning to let Chris in on the deal. He even thought that might be how she was released early from prison. Ray was starting to believe Bella wasn’t as solid as she tried to make herself seem.

  “What do you need me for anyway? Hell, you brought Chris onto the team without discussing shit with me!”

  “Oh, and have you discussed everything with me? Because I sure didn’t know you had another baby on the way! All this time, yo’ ass has been playing me! Why? What the fuck? And claiming like your ass is really loyal. To that bitch you are! You fell for that bitch while I was locked up!”

  Ray put his head down. He really didn’t want to go through this with her. How could she not see that? You can’t build a relationship with someone for ten years that you barely knew to begin with! Yes, Ray felt wrong for leading her on, but his excuse was he was selfish. He really wasn’t, but he was a man and wanted his cake and ice cream, too.

  “Bella, I understand you’re pissed and you have every right to be. I could have handled things differently, but how? Chyna was placed in my life. I didn’t go searching for her! I don’t know if the children are mine. She’s been fucking—”

  “Oh shut the fuck up! You know damn well they’re yours! That’s why you’re taking trips to St. Thomas!”

  That caught him off guard. ‘How the fuck does she know?’ Ray thought.

  Bella sensed the confusion. “My PI told me everything so you can stop lying! And, while we’re coming clean, explain where my money is.”

  “Money? What money?”

  “My money for my lawyer fees, pussy! Papa was fronting you work to pay for my shit, but my lawyer told me differently. Now you have no choice but to do this fucking job and get back every
penny you took! I’ll be damn if you and that bitch live off me!”

  “Now you’re tripping! I paid them fees!”

  Bella grabbed her gun out her purse and pointed it at his crotch. “You think this is a game? I will blow your fuckin’ brains out and won’t think twice about it!” Bella had her father’s murderous ways in her. She wasn’t scared to pull the trigger. As a child growing up, her father had taught her how to shoot and defend herself.

  “Naw, Bella, I’ma give you what you want. Money, me, and not fucking with that bitch! We’re going do this job and say fuck the world! I love you girl and you’re my Bonnie. Now, if you blow my dick off, how am I going to go deep inside you, making you feel it in your tummy?”

  He walked over to her, slowing taking the gun out of her hands and hugging her. He had to think of anything to keep her from pulling the trigger. “Don’t let me turn your heart cold.”

  He kissed her lips. He’d created a scorned woman. He was guilty of not paying all her fees, and that was why he wondered how she’d gotten out of prison. He knew it wasn’t in her blood to snitch, but he also was no dummy and knew she hadn’t just been given her walking papers. ‘Was she fucking Chris?’ he thought, especially after putting him on the deal, too.

  “We’re going to make this money, okay, baby?” he asked her. “I’m about to go meet up with Vin so we can get the job done.”

  “Okay.”

  She let go of him and watched him walk out the door with his duffel bag. She checked the time, seeing it was almost time for her to meet up with Jacob. She knew she had to handle one more thing. She grabbed her phone and called Chyna.

  ~ ~

  Ray met Vin downstairs at the bar. He was having a drink with Boss. ‘Fuck!’ He wasn’t trying to run into him. He was trying to get to the airport as soon as possible. He wasn’t sure if Bella had told Boss anything.

  “Wassup?” Ray spoke and gave dap to the both of them.

  “Having drinks in celebration,” Boss said, raising his glass.

  “You’re right! I’m ready to do this,” Ray told him, “but I need to change into all black. Do you have anything black?” Ray asked Vin.

  “Yeah,” Vin answered him. “Let’s go to the restroom.” Vin grabbed his bag and they headed there.

  “We have to get the fuck out of here ASAP!” Ray told Vin. “Bella’s ass is tripping. The bitch pulled a gun on me!”

  “Damn, really?”

  “Fuck yeah!”

  Ray changed into the all-black. They peeked outside the restroom door to see if they spotted Boss and didn’t. They hurried outside the hotel and caught a cab waiting curbside. They told the driver to take them to the airport. Ray told Vin about the argument with Bella.

  “Yeah, her ass is crazy!” Vin said.

  “Right! She isn’t trying to let a nigga go and I’m not understanding. I gotta call Chyna.”

  ~ ~

  The time had finally come. They turned onto the street the bank was located on. Bella had texted Ray and Vin the address and for them to pull up. Chris was following behind the truck even though he already knew what bank it was. Jacob had given him the inside scoop a week ago voluntarily. Jacob was always friendly and outspoken about his job’s inside scoops. That’s what Chris liked about him. He’d known he couldn’t pull the job on his own and needed a strong team. Seeing Bella in Vegas with Jacob, he’d felt lucky and had thought of the perfect plan. Had Bella not agreed, Jacob was going to know who she really was.

  The Brink’s truck pulled into the back area of the bank where they did the drops. Bella was sitting in the front seat, looking around; there was no sight of Ray and Vin anywhere. She wanted to call, but couldn’t risk blowing her cover. Jacob looked over at her and saw how nervous she looked. ‘Maybe she’s having second thoughts!’ he assumed.

  “Is everything okay?” he asked, rubbing on her leg.

  Bella got herself together and started applying plan B in case they didn’t show. Now she was glad she’d let Chris in on the deal. She texted Chris the location, not even noticing he’d been following them the whole time.

  “I'm sorry; I’m fine. My father just texted me some deep stuff about some family issues. Don’t worry; I’m good.”

  “Okay; I’m here to talk if you need, baby. You’re too sexy and smart of a woman to be going through stuff. If you have anything to get off your chest, I’m here.”

  Bella started to feel bad because he didn’t know what he was about to get himself into. His touching words were sympathetic and gave her the courage to call everything off. Maybe Ray not showing was a good sign! If Chris still decided to go through with the plan, he’d be doing it on his own and she would pretend like she didn’t know what was going on. Only thing was, she would have to explain to her father, and hopefully, he’d understand. She could always say something happened to Ray and he didn’t come through.

  ~ ~

  The clock was just ticking away inside the lookout van. They watched the truck pull into the parking lot. Nikki noticed an all-black Durango with tinted windows following behind. ‘Must be Chris,’ she thought, hoping it was. She was ready to take him down.

  “Okay, we have a vehicle following behind the truck. Maybe these are our guys! Be careful team and wait until I give the go,” Nikki spoke into her microphone.

  She’d ordered for the whole bank to be surrounded by the police, but where the criminals couldn’t see. There was a sniper on each tall building around the bank. There was a van full of police, armed and trained to take this mob down. For the sake of their souls, she prayed they thought twice about their decisions. Nikki didn’t want anybody losing their freedom or life over money except Chris.

  “We copy,” one of her backup men responded.

  “Let’s make this as clean as possible and bring in the targets. Everyone be safe!”

  ~ ~

  Jacob got out the truck and proceeded into the building as was his normal routine.

  “Good afternoon, Mr. Brown. How are you today?” the teller greeted him. She had a crush on him, flirting with him every time he came into the bank. Her blue eyes, long blonde hair, tall and slim frame didn’t catch his attention. She came off as too desperate for him. Besides, he had found the love of his life.

  “Hello, Gabby.”

  “How are you today?”

  “I’m good. Just here for the normal.”

  “Follow me.”

  He followed behind her cheerful self. Her khaki pencil skirt with a split in the back hugged her hips tightly. He did admire her round butt, but he knew almost all of the town had experienced her. She entered the code to the vault. Jacob had watched her multiple times and she made no effort to protect it. ‘Stupid bitch!’ he thought.

  “Hold on, I’ll be right back,” she said sexily. She switched her hips as she walked into the vault. It took no time for her to come back out with the money bags. She gave him the paperwork to sign for them. “That’s all. You’re free to go!”

  “Thank you.”

  They headed back to the front and he walked outside. His bodyguard was waiting beside the truck when he returned. Jacob watched his surroundings. He noticed Bella was still in the front seat. ‘Hmmm . . . that’s odd!’

  Chris saw Jacob walk out the building, and noticed Ray and Van weren’t anywhere in sight. He was still proceeding with the plan. He put a black ski mask over his face, made sure the safety to his gun was off, and got out the truck.

  Bella thought about the money and knew she needed it. She dismissed Ray and hopped out the truck. She grabbed her gun from the holster around her leg and proceeded toward the back of the truck.

  “Don’t turn around or I’ll blow your muthafuckin brains out!” Chris said, pointing the gun at Jacob’s security guard.

  Jacob threw his hands up to show he wasn’t reaching for his gun. He knew Nikki was watching and would send the squad in in seconds. Bella popped herself into the scene, pointing her gun at Jacob. Her hands are shaking bu
t she kept her composure.

  “Hand over the bags, Jacob!” she demanded.

  In the original plan, Ray was supposed to be demanding the money while she cooperated inside the truck so Jacob would think she had no part in the plan.

  “Really, Bella? So you’re really going through with it?”

  “Give me the fucking bag! I don’t have time to explain,” she said, shaking. She held the gun tightly and kept a serious face. She couldn’t think clearly so she didn’t catch Jacob’s comment.

  “If this is what you want, I guess you are dumb as I expected you to be!”

  ‘What?’ she thought, catching that statement. She wondered what he was referring to. Chris was getting tired of the back-and-forth.

  “Fuck this shit!” he said. “Give me the fucking bag or I’m going to blow your muthafuckin brains out!”

  Jacob knew his back was covered so he gave him the bag. “HERE!” He threw a bag at Chris’ feet.

  Chris picked it up and walked backwards towards the car. Bella watched Jacob and was thinking about what he had just said. She was so in a daze, she didn’t see Chris get in the car and drive off. Chris wasn’t waiting around; he really wanted the money to himself.

  Before she was able to respond, cops from every direction came out, pointing their guns at her, demanding for her to put her weapon down. Once she saw she was outnumbered, she obeyed, dropping her gun and putting her hands in the air.