by KR Bankston
*****
Jalen recognized Creeper as he exited the airline terminal; the other man was a mystery to him.
“Wassup,” Creeper greeted him. “This is my boy Pirate,” he introduced the two men.
Exchanging pleasantries, they headed out to the curb where Pirate had illegally parked moments earlier. They jumped into the truck moments before the officer could write the ticket. Chuckling they headed to the interstate making small talk as they rode.
“So you’ve met these people, talked to them about my brothers,” Jalen asked becoming nervous.
“Yeah, told you that,” Creeper replied. “They’re cool, so relax,” he added as Jalen nodded again.
Pirate cut a look at Creeper as they both smiled slightly regarding the scared man in the backseat. Jalen looked over the city as they drove. He’d never been to Atlanta before. He’d heard good things about the city and he liked the music that came out of it for sure. He made a mental note to grab some CD’s before he left and if possible go visit some of the studios, especially the new one they’d just built for Tyler Perry, the movie mogul that lived here.
“We’re here, come on,” Creeper told him breaking his thought.
Jalen was even more nervous seeing the house and knowing he was close. Swallowing his fear, he put his hand on the inner latch and opened the door. Stepping onto the firm ground, Jalen took a deep breath and steeled himself for what he may or may not find when they went inside the house.
“Grab your bag,” Creeper told him, tossing the suitcase to him, as he and Creeper grabbed their own gear.
“You guys are staying too,” Jalen asked as they began walking up the sidewalk.
“Yeah,” Creeper replied. “Told you they’re cool people,” he added as Pirate chuckled silently.
Arriving Creeper pulled a key from his pocket, further astounding Jalen as he let them all inside.
“Come on in,” Pirate told Jalen, addressing him finally. “You want something to drink,” he asked, heading for the kitchen.
Jalen told him that was fine, still confused they were so comfortable in the house. “Where are the people who own the house,” he asked as Pirate brought them all a beer and they sat down, turning on the TV.
“They’re here,” Creeper returned simply.
Jalen frowned slightly again as the two men made no attempt to get up or alert the owners they were there.
“So when do I get to meet them,” Jalen finally asked after another thirty minutes of TV watching.
“Soon,” Pirate replied and changed the channel.
“Yeah, relax Jalen,” Creeper added, finishing his beer and picking up the cordless, ordering a pizza.
He asked Jalen what toppings he wanted, transferring the information to the order taker.
“Cool, pizza should be here in about forty minutes,” Creeper replied as he saw Ian come into the room, standing directly behind where Jalen sat.
“Are you sure they know we’re here and don’t mind us being in their house,” Jalen asked nervously. “Drinking their beer, ordering pizza,” he added as Creeper smiled. “Why don’t you ask them,” he said calmly, nodding and looking over Jalen’s shoulder. Quickly setting his bottle down, Jalen turned, ready to greet the owner and apologize for any offense, when his eyes met those of his dead brother, and the words stuck in his throat.
*****
Ramell and Jacoury admired the house when they drove up. Calling Tariq on the cell letting him know they’d arrived and were at the house he directed them too. “Good,” Tariq replied. “DeNoah should be there with the keys,” he added, going on to describe the car and the man.
“Yeah, he’s here,” Jacoury said to Ramell, who relayed it to Tariq.
“Call me once you two have rested and relaxed,” he told them as Ramell assured him he would.
Getting out of the LandRover they walked up the drive and met DeNoah who was exiting his car now as well.
“Wassup man,” Ramell greeted as Jacoury simply nodded and observed.
“The house is fully equipped,” DeNoah told them as they all went inside.
Jacoury loved the roominess as well as the 55” wall mounted plasma TV he saw. They told DeNoah they would explore the house later and he told them it was fine. Ramell asked where the nearest store was as DeNoah again answered his query.
“I didn’t know Top had people in Indiana,” DeNoah threw out trying to get information.
He’d been kept pretty much in the dark lately since LaRon’s death. He still had the feeling that while Tariq liked him well enough, he didn’t trust him completely. Too many fuck ups over the years, and your New Jersey trouble didn’t help, DeNoah thought sighing lightly. He hoped Tariq wasn’t looking to replace him with the two men present now.
“Top has people everywhere,” Jacoury responded quickly.
He didn’t care much for DeNoah upon meeting him. The man was soft and had a tendency to talk too much. That wasn’t a good combination in this business.
“That’s what good leadership does,” he added as DeNoah nodded his understanding and said nothing else.
Ramell picked up on Jacoury’s dislike, making a mental note to ask about it later.
“I wanna go get some drink up in here,” Ramell said simply.
“I can make that run for you,” DeNoah volunteered.
Ramell told him he would go with him. He wanted to see the area. DeNoah smiled and told him that was cool as the two men left, allowing Jacoury time to inspect the house and check on the club.
10
Kaitlyn sat stoically inside the small funeral chapel looking at the various flower arrangements and the photo tribute to her best friend. The minister began speaking to those gathered about Jaleesa, her life, and her legacy. Kaitlyn half heard what the man was saying, her heartbeat roaring so loudly in her ears it drowned out everything else. She still couldn’t believe it, still couldn’t accept that her best friend, her sister, her confidant, her partner in crime, was dead. That she took her own life and left them all here to mourn. Jaleesa, why, Kaitlyn thought as the tears came again. Tariq continued to hold her as she cried, Tae on her other side, holding her hand. Kaitlyn was glad to hear from her this morning when she’d called. She and Shells had been in New York visiting his family during all the turmoil. As soon as she returned and heard the news, Tae called. Now she was here, and Kaitlyn couldn’t thank her enough for that.
She also had the feeling something was going on, but Tariq hadn’t said anything. Not that she expected he would. Tariq kept her very much out of the loop where the business was concerned. Still Kaitlyn was no fool and she’d noticed all the gathering that was going on. Mook and Kim coming to Atlanta, the quiet whispers he and Shells shared this morning, the phone call from his cousin in Indiana. Yes, there was definitely something going on and whatever it was, it wasn’t good. Reeling her mind in, Kaitlyn again gave the minister her attention as he finished talking and opened the floor for anyone who wanted to say a few words. Tae rose and went forward, speaking for both of them. As much as Kaitlyn wanted too, she just didn’t have the strength to stand there and talk about her friend as a past tense, not just yet.
Several other friends, co-workers, acquaintances, stood and had words. Each saying something very calming and soothing to Charlotte and the boys about Jaleesa. Finally it was over and everyone began to leave.
“You want to go have a drink,” Tae asked Kaitlyn who smiled and told her yes.
“I’m going with Tae for a little while,” she told Tariq as he looked at her closely. “I’m fine honey, really,” Kaitlyn reassured him.
Reluctantly he said okay, admonishing her to take his BMW. Shells told Tae he would give Tariq a ride and to go on with Kaitlyn. The two left and headed to Mardi Gras, entering and sitting at a booth tucked away near the emergency exit. Ordering two shots of Jose for herself, Tae asked Kaitlyn what she was having.
“Crown,” she replied simply as Tae nodded and ordered it for her.
“I�
��m still fucked up with this,” Tae admitted, the pain in her voice evident.
Kaitlyn told her she was too.
“KiKi, hell, we been in the game a long time, but damn,” Tae murmured as Kaitlyn sighed again, knowing exactly how she felt.
Their drinks arrived and they toasted Jaleesa’s life and their friendship before throwing the shots back.
“Something’s going on,” Kaitlyn told Tae as they began to talk.
“Yeah, I know,” she replied. “Shells and Tariq have been talking since we left New York,” she enlightened Kaitlyn.
“Hmph,” she answered, her mind twirling. “Tariq won’t tell me anything,” she told Tae as her friend nodded.
“I’ll see what I can find out from Shells, but you know that might be as hard as getting it out of Tariq,” she threw out as they both chuckled.
“Now what,” Tae asked, giving Kaitlyn a look.
Sighing deeply she closed her eyes a few moments, driving the tears back to where they came from, before reopening them and speaking again. “We slowly but surely live our lives and keep moving forward,” Kaitlyn told Tae earnestly.
“I’ll drink to that,” she replied ordering them one last round before they headed home, eager to put this day far behind them.
*****
Jalen was still reeling. He’s alive, my twin is actually alive, he continued to brood as Ian once again came into the room. They’d talked briefly yesterday, but Ian had been vague about most of the questions he asked. Today Jalen hoped he would get more information.
“How did you sleep,” Ian asked calmly, taking a seat across from him.
“Pretty good,” Jalen replied looking into the man’s face.
Ian’s cell interrupted Jalen’s intended question as his brother pulled it from his pocket and answered it.
“Yes,” he answered smoothly. “Excellent,” he said simply as the party on the other end relayed information to him. “Mhmm, I understand, just bring me what you have,” he told them before disconnecting and returning his attention to his brother. “I assume you have more questions,” Ian threw out as Jalen nodded he did.
Sighing deeply, Ian produced a manila folder and laid it on the table in front of them. “We’ll get to that,” he told his brother. “First things first,” Ian replied cryptically as Jalen frowned slightly, confused.
“You inherited a substantial amount of money from both mine and Ryan’s estates last year,” Ian began as Jalen nodded again. “Well, since I’m very much alive, at least half of that inheritance is now being reverted to my accounts,” he went on as Jalen continued to listen, not liking where the conversation was headed. “There is also the matter of me being the primary beneficiary of Ryan’s estate as well,” he told him as Jalen finally opened his mouth and interrupted.
“So you’re taking all of the money,” he asked, a bit unsettled and upset by the sudden turn of events.
Ian smiled slightly and sat back. “That depends on you brother,” he said simply.
Jalen was confounded and it showed on his face as he waited for Ian to elaborate further.
“You can earn this money, just as Ryan and I had to earn it,” he told him as Jalen swallowed hard and sighed deeply.
“I don’t know anything about the street or whatever it is you do,” he told Ian, the aggravated edge to his voice.
Ian smiled again, took out a cigar and lit it. “I’m sure you don’t,” he replied, letting out a huge plume of smoke. “That’s where I come in,” he continued as Jalen listened intently. “I can teach you everything you need to know about our business,” Ian went on. “You are after all, family, and this is a family business that Ryan and I built.”
Jalen was still trying to grasp what his brother was saying to him. He understood completely that if he said no, he would be broke and penniless again. That was something Jalen never wanted to feel again. He’d enjoyed this last year of plenty. All his bills were paid, he was debt free. He’d bought a nicer used car, not wanting anyone to know exactly how well he was doing financially. Jalen could afford spur of the moment trips and luxuries he never could before. Now unfortunately it looked like he was about to lose it if he wasn’t willing to pay the price for keeping it.
“What do I have to do,” Jalen asked timidly as Ian smiled again.
“Relax brother, I’m not going to make you kill anyone,” he replied as Jalen visibly relaxed. “Not right away anyway,” Ian added as Jalen tensed again. “First I’m going to explain to you all that I’m into, and then I’m going to tell you what I’ll be teaching you,” Ian told him as Jalen nodded.
“Ian,” he began as his brother gave him his attention. “Can you tell me something else first,” he asked as Ian shrugged and told him to continue. “How did we all get separated, what happened,” Jalen asked as Ian frowned deeply and finished his cigar, putting it out in the ashtray and turning his attention to his brother.
“Our mother decided three children were far too many for her,” Ian told him calmly. “She said Ryan reminded her too much of our father, and keeping you over me, was simply luck of the draw,” he told him as Jalen frowned again.
Ian chuckled slightly before elaborating again. “Her sister looked at us in the bassinet and told her to keep you, that simple,” he replied.
Jalen heard the hurt though. Ian was extremely angry and he knew it.
“I tried to kill her when we were 16,” he told Jalen again, matter-of-fact.
He nodded slightly. He’d learned that much, although his mother told him the assailant was unknown.
“I hope that answers your questions, since I really don’t care to address that again, ever,” Ian told him, the tone leaving no room for argument.
Jalen shook his head again, letting it go. “So when do I start,” he asked instead.
Ian smiled and told him right now, as he opened yet another file folder and the instruction began.
*****
“Hey Trail, what’s up,” Jacoury threw out, addressing their bartender. He’d called to check on the club and last nights receipts.
“Wassup Jacory,” Trail returned.
He had been with them since they opened and they trusted him implicitly.
“How was last night,” he asked as Trail began to fill him in. “Good, I like a crowd,” he told him as the man grunted.
“Your manager up to his old tricks again,” Trail told his boss as Jacoury frowned, the sour taste quickly returning to his mouth.
They’d had to deal with David on a few other occasions when he got beyond himself.
“What happened this time, Trail,” Jacoury asked, readying himself for the bad news.
“He tried the new girl, Tyashia,” Trail told him, pissing Jacoury off.
“What do you mean, tried her,” he asked, wanting specifics.
Trail sighed deeply and told him what he’d overheard as the other girls chatted among themselves.
“He told her take a break, then he went in the lounge, tried to make her give it up,” Trail told him as Jacoury began breathing hard.
“He raped her,” he asked plainly.
Trail told him no, the girl was quite a fighter and ended up kicking him in the nuts. Jacoury chuckled as did Trail.
“Serves his bitch ass right,” he growled. “Is she there yet,” Jacoury asked of Tyashia.
“Yeah, she just came in about fifteen minutes ago,” Trail returned.
“Call her to the phone,” Jacoury instructed.
He heard Trail call out for the woman and then her voice filling his ear moments later.
“Hello,” Tyashia spoke timidly.
Trail told her it was Jacoury and she certainly hoped there wasn’t trouble. She wanted to keep this job.
“You okay,” he asked sweetly.
She smiled slightly and told him she was fine.
“Did David touch you, hurt you,” Jacoury asked again as Tyashia assured him nothing happened.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” he threw out as she sa
id nothing. “I’ll deal with him when I get back, but for now, you just do your job and be cool, okay,” he told her as she told him she would. “You and me need to talk too when I get back,” Jacoury told her, his tone soft and romantic.
“Okay,” she replied quietly, smiling to herself of the interest in his voice.
“Let me speak back to Trail,” Jacoury instructed as Tyashia told him okay and passed the phone off.
Jacoury told Trail to continue watching and observing and he would see him soon, disconnecting.
Brooding once he got off the phone, Jacoury decided he needed to go home this weekend and put everything in order. As the thought left his mind, Ramell entered the room, sitting on the couch across from him, turning on the TV.
“Wassup, you got that look,” Ramell threw out regarding his friend.
Jacoury gave him a quick rundown of Trail’s details from last night.
“Man, fuck, that dude just don’t get it,” Ramell said angrily. “She okay, he didn’t rape the damned girl did he?”
Jacoury told him she was fine, and said nothing happened.
“Trail says she got a real good shot at his nuts,” Jacoury threw out as Ramell burst into laughter.
“Good, nasty ass,” he replied as Jacoury momentarily changed the subject.
“How long this DeNoah cat been with your cousin,” he asked as Ramell told him a few years from his knowledge.
“What’s your deal with him,” he asked, wanting Jacoury to share his observations.
“There’s just something not quite right there man,” he told his friend. “I mean, number one, he’s soft as fuck,” he went on as Ramell nodded his understanding. “But there’s just that desperation thing, like he’s tryin’ entirely too hard to be liked, to fit in, to pull off the act, ya know what I mean,” Jacoury finished as Ramell continued to think about what he said.
“Maybe we should keep an eye on him,” he threw out as Jacoury agreed.
He then told him about his plans to go home for the weekend and check in at the club. “Yeah, that’s straight,” Ramell replied. “Get rid of David’s ass while you’re there,” he told him as Jacoury told him that was a given.