by K. C. Mills
I turned to look at Hope and she frowned. “I was trying to tell you but your ass wasn’t trying to let me talk.”
“She woke up late last night. She can’t talk yet because of the tubes and the trauma to her neck, but she’s awake.”
Sky looked at me and then Hope, but her face masked confusion, so Hope moved to her bedside.
“This is Detective Howard; the one I was telling you about.” Sky’s eyes fell on me again and then back to Hope.
Fuck, she was beautiful. I knew I was wrong but I could feel my dick getting hard. Those green eyes were doing a number on me, but I had to control myself. I had plans for Sky so her being awake was perfect timing.
“You can leave us. I need to ask her a few questions,” I said and Hope looked at me strangely.
“Its private information, I’m sure you understand,” I said, hoping that would be enough reason for her to leave us. I couldn’t let her hear me threaten Sky into naming Hakeem as her attacker. If he had a record for assault, I could guarantee that no judge would allow him to keep shared custody of Riley, and I couldn’t get him on anything else. I knew he was connected, but apparently he was smart because he kept his hands clean.
“Don’t forget she can’t talk, but she can blink for yes or no questions,” Hope said looking at me hesitantly.
“Is that okay with you?” she asked Sky, irritating the fuck out of me, but Sky nodded slightly which she struggled with because of the brace around her neck, and then elected to blink.
“Okay love, just use your call button if you need me.”
Hope moved away and just before she passed me she whispered, “I still want that dick you were about to give me, so I’ll see you when you’re done.”
I grinned unable to not be interested in what I knew she was offering, but didn’t say a word. Hope left and I pulled up a chair, sat down next to Sky and lifted her hand from the bed, holding it firmly in mine.
“I’m Detective Howard, I’m glad you’re awake. We’ve been really worried about you,” I said with a soft smile.
She just watched my face and her eyes smiled slightly. I had a second of remorse for what I was about to do, but then it was gone. My needs outweighed hers.
“So I understand Jace Bradford did this to you?”
Her eyes got wide and she looked upset.
“I know, it’s okay. I’ll handle it for you. Jace will pay for what he did, but I need you to listen to me for a minute. Can you do that?”
She blinked once which I assumed meant yes but I asked for clarification. “Is that a yes?”
She repeated the same motion.
“Good. I know that Jace did this to you but that’s not what I need you to say. I need you to say that Hakeem Williams did this to you. I will take care of Jace for you but it’s really important that when asked, you say that Williams is the one who put you here. Is that understood?”
Now she really looked confused. She tried to shake her head no and I could see the pain in her face, just before she blinked twice.
I chuckled, “I’m not asking, I’m telling you.”
Again she blinked twice to signal for no.
“See here’s the thing. I know a lot about you. I know about all your records and it looks like you should be doing time right now. I can make that happen. I can make it so that you leave this hospital bed and go right to a jail cell. I know you don’t want that so again, you will say that Williams put you here, right?”
A tear slid out her eye and she stared at me for a minute like she was conflicted, and then slowly she blinked but this time just once.
“Very good. I promise, you won’t regret it and you’ll appreciate me for this. Now if anyone comes to visit you, ask you questions about what happened or my visit with you today, you don’t say a word, especially not to Bradford. I will handle everything, is that understood?”
Again she blinked once as more teas fell. I smiled before I stood, lifted her hand and held it to my lips, kissing it softly. She snatched it away from me and I laughed. “Don’t worry sweetheart. I’m sure in a matter of time you’ll appreciate my touch.” I wiped the tears that were streaming down her face and then left her room. I was extremely horny and Hope was about to help me take care of that.
-16-
Tasia
“You look happy,” I said as soon as Liyah walked in my office.
“Well hello to you too, sis.” Liyah looked at me with a smirk, as she dropped her stuff on my sofa and walked over to my design board to scope it out.
“Hey boo, how are you, okay, enough of that, why you smiling like you just hit the lottery?”
Liyah walked to my desk and grabbed my laptop. Turning it towards her, she keyed something in it, scrolled for a minute and then turned it back to me. I looked at the screen and found an interview with Ken, so I clicked on it.
“So how are things since you’ve been thrown into the spotlight being the youngest hottest eligible Knick’s player?
“As for the spotlight, I hate it. Too much attention and I’m low key. As for being the youngest hottest eligible Knick’s player, I don’t think my girl would agree. Well, she thinks I’m hot but as for the eligible part, that’s a no go.”
“So you’re taken then?”
“Very.”
“And who is this lucky lady if you don’t mind me asking?”
“Kaliyah Jachelle Williams. Remember that name because if you hear me attached to any other name, then it’s a lie. She’s the only woman in my life, well other than my moms and you already know who she is.”
“That we do. Thank you for your time Mr. Davis.”
After I finished watching the clip, I looked right at Liyah who was smiling so big that she was at risk of breaking her face.
Well dang girl, I guess I’ll be styling you soon since Ken just put it out there. We can’t let them catch you slipping. No more trips to the corner store in legging and UGGS.
Liyah laughed. “I don’t know about all that, but I’ll at least make sure my hair is laid.”
“Whatever man,” I laughed. “So you guys are good?”
“Yeah, why?”
“He came to see me about you.”
“For what?” I could tell she wasn’t happy.
“He was worried about you.”
“I’m good Tay, and I don’t need him going behind my back when I tell him that. I need him to believe me,” she snapped.
“Aye, don’t take it out on me but he has the right.”
“No he doesn’t, our relationship is about us. Me and Ken. Not me, Ken and Tay.”
“I hear you, but you have to respect the fact that he cares enough to ask. Look, you went through-”
“Tay, I’m good, and I thought I was here to work and not have a counseling session.” Her caramel face was tense and her thin arms were folded across her chest, after she tucked her hair behind her ear and peered at me.
“Let me finish. You went through a lot. You never really talked about it so I know it’s still there. If it’s hard for you to be close to him, then you owe him an explanation why. It’s only fair. He’s a good guy Liyah, and he chose you. He’s not going anywhere no matter what you tell him good or bad, so just consider having that conversation with him. He deserves to that.”
She stood there quiet, glaring at me before she turned and walked back to my design board. “Fine, now enough about that. Let’s get to work because these outfits are fly as hell and I need to know who they’re for.”
I just shook my head and laughed. “Fine,” I said sarcastically imitating her, and then joined her at my design board.
We spent the next few hours going over designs, clients, where to shop, and account numbers to use. After that, it was on to the locations that sponsored me and provided free clothes for a shout out, and basically everything else that kept us organized and running. She was a natural at it and I only had to explain things once.
She spent time with Jacob so that he could show her how we set up for me
etings, what to take when we had to style on site, and how our accounting system functioned. Not long after that, she was on her way home and I was finishing up a few things to get ready for the next day, when I received a strange call.
I didn’t recognize the number, so I answered with a dry tone.
“Is this Ms. Tasia Clark?” a woman asked.
“Yeah, who’s asking?”
Just as I said that, Jacob stepped in my office and sat down frowning at me, most likely because of the frown on my face.
“My name is Delia, a nurse looking after Sky Livingston. She asked me to call you, she’s here at-”
“Uh, no thanks,” I said and was about to hang up, but she spoke quickly.
“She told me that you wouldn’t want to hear from or about her, but she says she needs to see you. It’s about a Hakeem Williams and he might be in some kind of trouble because of a Detective Howard.”
I looked right at Jacob and he wore an expression that was begging for insight.
“Can I come now?” I asked.
“Yes, visiting hours are over at 8:00. She’s in room 612.”
“Tell her I’m on my way.”
“What was that all about?” Jacob asked.
“Are you busy right now?”
“Not really, why?”
“We’re going to see Sky,” I said and waited for the fallout, as I grabbed my purse out the drawer of my desk and my phone from off top of it.
“Have you bumped your pretty little head? We are most certainly not going to see that green eyed, trampy devil.” Jacob stood throwing both hands on his hip so dramatically that I laughed.
“Yes we are, so get your stuff and let’s go,” I said, grabbing his arm to drag him out of my office. It was just after five. I could make a quick trip there and then get home in enough time for Keem to not ask me a bunch of questions, if it turned out that Sky was up to no good. But either way, I was curious so I had to go and besides, I felt bad that she was attacked even after what she had done.
“You better have a really good excuse for dragging me to see that tramp, and I cannot be held accountable if I choke her ass.”
“Jacob no, you really need to stop.”
“No, you really need to go…go find your damn mind that you apparently lost.”
“Trust me I want to slap the green out of her eyes, but only in a fair fight. Hate her or not, what happened to her wasn’t right, but this is not about that. She mentioned Howard and with the whole Janelle situation, I need to at least hear her out. I don’t want Keem anywhere near that bitch, so if she really has information I’ll tell him.”
Jacob just shook his head before he headed to his office. He joined me a few minutes later in the lobby, we left locked up and were on our way to the hospital. I just hoped it was worth my time because if not, I might be inclined to let Jacob choke her trifling ass.
When we finally made it to Sky’s floor, Jacob and I stood outside her room for a few seconds before Jacob couldn’t stand it anymore.
“No hell, we’re here now, no sense in stalling.” Jacob grabbed the door with one hand and my arm with the other and pulled me inside.
Sky was sitting up in bed with a brace on her neck, and when she laid eyes on us she looked ashamed. I could see it all over her face, but I still had no sympathy for her when it came to the fact that she had sex with Keem.
“A little too late for that, now why are we here?” Jacob said looking right at Sky before I had a chance to open my mouth. He was so damn extra, I swear.
I moved a little closer to Sky and folded my arms aggressively across my chest, narrowing my eyes at her.
“I’m here now talk,” I said.
“I’m sorry,” her voice was a whisper, incredibly hoarse and raspy. I almost didn’t hear her.
“Yeah you are, but that’s not why we’re here,” I said not giving in. She had sex with my man, so sorry wasn’t about to fix that and in fact, it had me heated all over again which I was sure showed on my face.
“Howard, he wants me to say that Keem did this.” Again she whispered and I moved closer to her without realizing it.
“What did you say?”
“Howard wants me to say that Keem did this. He’s threatening me with-”
“Bitch, I wish you would. I don’t give a fuck what he’s threatening you with.” I had my finger in her face and was so close that she flinched from my presence.
“I’m not, I wouldn't,” she said. “That’s why you’re here so that you can tell him. I messed up and I know I did so I’m trying to help.”
“You could have helped by keeping your damn legs closed,” Jacob said.
“Not now,” I said as I turned to Jacob and then right back to Sky.
“Do you know him?” She looked confused and before she could answer I said his name, “Howard.”
“No.”
“Then why is he asking you to lie?”
“I don’t know him but he knows about me. He’s a cop, so he knows I have a record.”
“Who really did this?” I asked.
“Jace,” she said and then dropped her eyes.
“You little hussy, were you sleeping with him, too? What, are you obsessed with Tasia or something?” Jacob asked.
“No,” her eyes fell on me. “Jace is why it happened. He paid me to sleep with Keem… I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, well you could have said no, so fuck your apology,” I said.
“He was going to send me to jail and now that’s what Howard wants to do if I don't help him, but-”
“Is that all?” I interrupted her. I had no sympathy. She would get what she deserved but I’d be damned if she blamed this on Keem. That wasn’t happening. I knew he was about to be beyond pissed at me for coming here, but I didn’t care. If it was going to keep him out of jail, then I was glad I did.
“Yes,” Sky said looking pathetic.
“I would say thank you, but the only reason why you’re doing this is because you feel guilty and not because you genuinely want to help, so good luck with your life.”
I walked over to Jacob, grabbed his arm and pulled him to the door, hoping he wouldn't do anything crazy. Just before we were out through it, he turned to face Sky and yelled, “God don’t like ugly, you know that, right?” and then followed me out the door.
I just looked at him and rolled my eyes. “I just can’t with you.”
“It's true and you know it, so stop fighting the urge to be petty. It’s good for you. Frees your soul.” Jacob had a big ass grin on his face; there was no need to even try to convince him otherwise, so we left and I prepared to go home and piss Hakeem off.
****
The second I unlocked the door and stepped inside, I heard little feet running towards me and sure enough, Riley came running right at me from the hallway that led to our bedrooms. I dropped my purse on the table next to the door, along with my phone and keys, before I leaned down and waited for her to reach me. Once I had her in my arms, I hugged and kissed her face.
“Daddy messed up my hair,” she said and stuck her lips out in a pout.
“I see.” I ran my hand through the side of her hair that was flying wild, while the other side was still in the ponytail I had done before I left them this morning.
“I didn’t mess up anything. That damn elastic thing broke and I couldn’t get another one on there. It kept getting stuck in her hair, so I just left it.” Keem was right behind Riley but walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator door.
Once he had a beer in his hand, he walked into the living room, stepping over dolls, dress-up clothes and kiddie makeup, and sat down on the sofa.
We walked over to him and I sat down next to him, while Riley slid off my lap and centered herself amongst all the chaos that she had everywhere. Keem set his beer on the table next to him, and pulled me into his lap before kissing me on the neck.
“You worked late?” he asked, sliding his hand under my shirt, letting it rest on my stomach which made m
e look down at Riley, who wasn’t paying us any attention. But, I needed her in the room with us, so that Keem wouldn’t flip out when I told him I went to see Sky.
“What time are you heading out?” I asked leaning back into his chest, smiling when his cologne tickled my nose.
“About nine, what’s up?” he asked sliding his hand into my pants, but I covered his hand with mine before his got too far.
“I need to tell you something, but I need you to promise not to get mad,” I said which made him lean forward, turning his head just enough to see my face.
“I’m not gonna promise you that, but you’re still gonna tell me.”
“But-”
“Tay, stop fucking around and tell me.” He had a little aggression in his voice which made Riley turn around and look at him, so he lowered his voice just a little.
“What is it Tay?”
“I went to see Sky today.” I sat up and turned so that I could see him and just like I thought, he looked like he wanted to take my head off.
He glanced at Riley before he nudged me signaling for me to get up, which I did, and he grabbed my hand leading me to the hallway that led to our bedrooms.
“The fuck you go see her for?” He was trying his best not to get loud, but he was pissed.
“She called and said she had to tell me something about Howard.”
Saying his name really pissed Keem off. His eyes got dark and I could see his fist clench at his side.
“And you didn’t think it was a good idea to call me and let me handle it?”
“No, I didn’t want you anywhere near her,” I admitted.
“Come on Tay, you should know by now I don’t want that bitch, but you going there to talk about that nigga was just stupid. What if he had been there? Then what?”
“I wasn’t alone; Jacob went with me.”
Hakeem laughed sarcastically. “The fuck he gone do? Shit, your ass could probably handle shit better than him, but you were wrong as fuck and you know it.”
I stood there without saying anything because I didn’t care. I didn't want him near her. I was fine and I found out what I needed to know.
“What did she say?”
“That Howard is after you.”