by T. Styles
“Are you crazy or just stupid?” Mia asked holding the smoke into her lungs. “As many people she sliced up and you calling her afraid?”
“Whatever.”
“I mean are you actually willing to give up on a family member when we’re all we got? Ma dead. Pops in jail. Chloe gone. It’s just the three of us now, Shadow. Don’t be ignorant your whole life.”
He waved her off and when a tall man treaded out of the building with purpose Shadow lowered deeper into his seat. Mia did the same. From his vantage point he witnessed the man dap up the two men standing guard in front of the building before bopping to his car. “I swear that nigga look familiar,” Shadow said.
“He’s a Baker,” Mia nodded. “I’m sure of it.”
“If he is you know what that means, we gotta tag that nigga.”
Shadow eased into traffic careful to maintain his distance. “Judge!” Mia blurted out as they tailed him in a plain white van. “That’s his name.”
“How you remember that?”
“He’s their cousin. I’m sure of it and for some reason it just popped in my head.”
Before long they were on the highway leading to Baltimore. “Fuck is going on with this dude?” Shadow asked as he continued to tail him.
“I don’t know but it’s getting interesting.”
When they finally stopped they were in a quiet suburb of Baltimore County. Judge parked the van and entered a small brick house. He was inside for fifteen minutes before stumbling outside with a beautiful light skin woman who was nine months pregnant with child. He was careful as he handled her before placing her inside the van.
Shadow looked at his sister sinisterly. “Are you seeing what I’m seeing?”
Mia laughed. “Yes brother.” She grinned. “Looks like someone very special to me.”
****
Exhausted, Shadow stumbled up the dim hallway leading to his apartment but he was stuck when he saw Della standing in the darkness alone.
How did she know where he lived?
He’d only been there for a few days.
Worried he was cornered he relieved his weapon and glanced around for Bakers but there was none in sight.
“We’re alone, son.”
He lowered his weapon but kept it handy. “How you know where I live?” He frowned.
“Does it matter?” She asked calmly.
Shadow appeared unruffled but he hadn’t expected he’d be found so soon. “Then what you doing here?”
“I’m here to offer some kind of truce.” Her hands clasped loosely behind her back. “One that would put our ordeal to an end because that’s what you want right?”
Shadow laughed. “What makes you think I would believe anything you say? Huh?” He yelled. “Your people killed my fucking grandmother! An innocent woman who didn’t have nothing to do with this shit.”
“And they were wrong, son. And I made my opinion known with my boys.” Della said seriously. “She should’ve been left alone but you still have family out there you care about. And getting angry won’t bring your grandmother back just like it won’t bring back my child.” She placed a hand over her heart. “Let us not forget how this entire thing started.”
Shadow sighed. “Your son don’t have shit to do with me. So forgive me if I don’t give a fuck.”
Her jaw twitched due to his insolence. “It has everything to do with you. You’re a Cotton and you’re trying to avenge another Cotton. Just like Knox was a Baker and we wanted to avenge his death.”
He laughed. “Let’s pretend I’m interested in whatever proposal you’re about to kick. I haven’t even heard it yet.”
“Give us Farah Cotton and all of this will end.”
Insulted, Shadow pressed his pistol against her forehead. “What’s stopping me, old lady? What’s stopping me from pulling this trigger right now?” Spittle flew from his mouth and slapped her in the face.
She raised her hands, cream palms facing in his direction. “There’s nothing to stop you, son. As a matter of fact if you want to kill me go right ahead. After what happened to your grandmother you would be well within your rights.” She closed her eyes.
Instead of sending her to meet her maker he lowered his weapon. “I’m not like the Bakers and I’m not about to kill no old ass lady. But you better get out of this hallway quick. Before I change my mind.”
****
Annoyed, Shadow moved into his apartment and almost flew to the ceiling when he saw Farah sitting in the corner in the dark. “Fuck you doing in my crib?” His heart couldn’t take all the excitement.
“I came to see you, Shadow. Where were you?”
“Don’t worry about all that but you lucky as fuck. That bitch Della was just in the hallway and had you come any later shit would’ve changed. I saw her walk up the block and get in the passenger seat of a car so a Baker was driving her for sure.”
Farah stood up. “Are you serious?”
“Yeah and like I said, what you doing here? I thought you weren’t allowed out with the common folk.”
“I had to come see you.”
He tossed his keys on the table. “Well hurry up and tell me what you want. It’s been a long day.”
“Where’s Mia?”
“She went to get something to eat.” He paused. “And how did you get in here?”
“Come on, Shadow. You know I got a key the moment you guys rented this place.”
He laughed. “Basically you saying Mia gave them to you right?”
Silence.
“Shadow, I came here to tell you, that I’m going to turn myself over to the Bakers. I’ve been thinking long and hard and living in the mansion not cool anymore. Plus too much is going on with Bones.”
His eyes widened. “What you talking about turn yourself over? They ain’t the cops.”
“Just what I said. If something happened to you or Mia I wouldn’t be able to take it.”
Shadow observed her closely and realized she was being truthful. “You’re serious aren’t you?”
Silence.
“Farah, you my sister. And most of the time you make my ass itch. But there is no way I would give you to them niggas.” He paused. “But, I do have a plan that just may work since you so inclined.”
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
JUDGE
“My Beautiful Wife.”
The wind was dangerous as Judge parked in front of a Lilliputian house he rented in Baltimore County. Rushing, he had to drop off food for his wife and head to another meting with his brother and cousins in an hour. Time was not on his side. Although the trip to Baltimore from DC could be done in forty minutes for a homegrown driver, traffic could make a foreigner more than late.
Hands filled, Judge hauled the grocery bags filled with fresh fruit and vegetables to the front door. “Baby, I’m sorry it took me so long.” He yelled. “I couldn’t find the fresh avocado you wanted but I picked up some other things I know you like.”
He tossed the bags on the counter and opened the refrigerator, a cold fog rolled outward. “I don’t want you running out for nothing today. The weather looks really bad.” He paused. “If you’re still tired later don’t worry because I’m coming home early to make dinner.” He placed the vegetables in the crisper and was almost done when he realized she hadn’t answered.
“China…you heard me?” He frowned. “Don’t tell me you’re sleep already. I just talked to you.”
He arranged the last items in the counters, stuffed the loose plastic bags in the drawer and ambled toward the living room. “China?” When he made it there things looked in order, all except a glass coffee pot sitting on the table. “Sweetheart, what I tell you about the caffeine while pregnant? That may be one of the reasons you haven’t been feeling well lately.”
Silence.
Something was off.
Removing his gun from his waist he aimed into the house and treaded lightly. “China,” Judge whispered as he advanced forward, his heart quaking so heavily he could hear
the thump inside his eardrums.
Once upon the bedroom door he stopped and gazed at the wood. As if doing so would allow him to see what was happening on the other side. He just left China, not even an hour and 30 minutes ago so what could be wrong so quickly?
Maybe she was sleep and didn’t hear him.
Finally he took a deep breath and shoved the door open. His lungs felt as if they collapsed as he observed the horrid sight. Across the room, on the recliner, his wife lay with a bullet to the head and two to the gut. Wanting her alive, although all hope was gone, he ran toward her, wrapping his arms around her limp body.
As he held her in his arms, a piece of white paper that was clutched in her palm drifted to the floor. He picked it up and through the tears read what it said.
No More Bakers Allowed. Go back where you belong.
Judge dropped to his knees, his worst nightmare now a reality.
****
Judge stumbled through the Baker’s apartment in zombie mode, his clothes covered in blood. “What the fuck is up with you?” Killa asked as he, Major, Grant and Audio approached with caution. “You hit?” They examined his body.
Audio looked outside and aimed his weapon, scaring the shit out of a phone technician walking down the hallway. “You ain’t see shit,” Audio yelled at him.
Startled, the man through his hands up in the air and said, “You ain’t never lied,” before zipping toward the stairs. Audio shook his head and closed and locked the door. He tucked his gun in his waist and attended to Judge.
However Judge remained silent; his eyes bloodshot red and fixed on nothing in particular.
“Fucks wrong, man?” Major pleaded. “You messing me up right now. Tell us something.”
Judge trudged toward the sofa as if each steps hurt. His body low and shoulders hunched he flopped on the sofa. Gazing into his stained palms he whispered, “My…my wife.”
At a snail’s pace, the family inched closer. Only Killa was brave enough to sit next to him to solicit more information. “China’s gonna be okay, man. I know you want to see her and the moment we take care of business you can go back down south.” He looked at his brother. “Shit, all of us can.”
“Yeah, bruh, we ‘bout to wrap shit up in DC any day now,” Grant reasoned. “Just give us a little more time.”
Judge gazed up at him in a pained stare. His expression void of hope. “You don’t get it…none of you…she’s…she’s…gone.”
Major stepped back, head cocked to the right. His imagination told him he was implying death but China wasn’t that type of woman. Judge met her at a library down south and she was a virgin, avoiding the streets all of her life. “What you mean gone? She left you?”
Judge’s eyes grew even more feverish. “She’s dead.” His head dropped downward as he did his best to suppress a hard cry.
Perplexed, Killa leapt up and looked down at him like the man was mad. After all it made zero sense. “What you talking about dead? Who the fuck would kill China? She ain’t that kind of chick.”
Judge could barely catch his breath. “She was here, man.” He ran his hands down his face. “My wife, my beautiful wife was here.” He pointed at the window. “And them niggas…they got to her man. Assassinated her like a dude on the street.” His hand dropped in his lap.
Grant approached his brother in anger because this chinwag was had several times in the past and he made his stance crystal. “Do not bring that woman up top, Judge,” he warned. “This ain’t no place for a dame you treasure that much. We at war.”
So after learning he violated his counsel and moved her up anyway, he didn’t know whether to steal him in the jaw or hug him for his grief. After all she was carrying his nephew too.
“What you mean she was here?” Grant asked, nostrils flaring. “I told you to keep her in Mississippi so she could be safe. You gotta let me know how she here because I’m not understanding.”
“She…she was pregnant, Grant! And lonely! She kept pleading with me to bring her up, saying she would stay out the way and now this.” He shook his head. “I didn’t want her to be scared or alone.”
“Then you should’ve went down there with her!” Grant roared. “You don’t put her in the middle of a battlefield! We at WAR!”
Grant looked at his cousins and grieving brother and shook his head. He knew Judge was in pain but a job still needed to be done. And no matter who died at this point he was not leaving until the Cottons paid for this travesty. What was done could not be changed so now it was time for more action.
“How did she”— Grant took a deep breath— “How did it happen, Judge?”
“She was shot.” Suddenly as if he remembered something he fixed his gaze onto Audio. “And this is all your fault.” He aimed a bloody finger in his direction.
Audio’s eyes widened and he pointed two fingers at himself. “My fault? How you figure?”
“Had you never killed that old woman this would’ve—”
“Judge, I feel for you,” Killa interrupted. “You know I do. But what happened to your wife don’t have nothing to do with the kid this time. She had no business being here and you broke procedure. Now I liked China, we all did, but if blames going out it belongs to you.”
“Are you crazy?” Judge yelled. “Audio took the fight off the streets when he killed Elise.” He focused back on Audio. “And now she’s—”
Judge’s words were halted when he leapt through his family and grabbed Audio’s throat. He couldn’t contain himself. When he had him on the floor he pounded his face with closed fists as everyone tried to pull him off. But there was no way to stop the strength of a man enveloped in rage, pain and loss. But if they didn’t slow him down soon it was evident that Audio would be dead within minutes.
Everyone, including Grant, pulled and tugged but Judge’s hold was cemented. Finally Killa broke from the pack and a second later returned with a bat that he slammed down on the top of Judge’s head.
That did the trick.
The family was on pause.
Grant looked at Killa who said, “I’m sorry, man, but he was going to kill him.”
Audio rubbed his throat, eyes wide having tasted a little of death. His mother warned him that one of their family members would die but he didn’t think it would go down like this.
In that brief moment the family was divided. Grant on one side and the Baker brothers on the other. In that moment a question was silently being asked. Would the brothers have to kill Grant too?
When Killa’s cell phone rang he removed it from his pocket and answered, the bat still clutched in his palm, his cousin in a heap on the floor. “Who is this?”
“It’s Bones, from The Fold,” Shadow lied. “Now we’re even.”
Killa watched Grant try to revive his brother but it was no use, a little brain protruded from the skull as a result of the blow. The nigga was officially dead. “Nothing about what you did was even.”
“We figured you’d say that. But let me remind you that you killed two of ours, Elise and Lootz. And as a truce we are willing to give you Farah, and put this all behind us.”
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
BONES
“It Will Never Be Him.”
Bones approached Farah in her room as she stuffed clothing into a duffle bag. “Going somewhere?” He asked. “If so you didn’t tell me.”
She quickly zipped the bag and tossed it on the floor. “You know you should really knock before entering right?” She rolled her eyes and walked around him toward her panty drawer to close it.
Bones sat on the edge of the bed and thought about the right thing to say. They hadn’t spoken to each other since he pulled her out of the playroom, proving to all that his jealousy knew no bounds.
“I’m sorry about the other day, Farah. I’m sorry about a lot of shit I do when it comes to you. It’s just that I can’t imagine us coming this far for nothing. I care about you and want you by my side. Can’t you see that?” He sighed. “Dr. Weil not extremely
old but he not the youngest nigga either. When he’s dead who you think gonna run this?”
“So you gonna kill him?” She said sarcastically.
“You want me to?” He asked seriously.
Silence.
His comment filled with weirdness.
“Bones, I don’t want you to do anything but give me a little space. It’s all I’ve been asking for. Yes I care about you but I made it clear when I moved here that we are just friends trying to figure each other out.”
“And I want more, Farah.” He paused. “Don’t you see that?”
She sat next to him and placed her hand on top of his as if he were a child. She knew he cared but her heart was already occupied. And as long as Slade was alive he’d never have her in the way he desired.
In that second, just like Bones she was attempting to choose her words carefully. With age selfishness wasn’t first on her menu although it wasn’t the last either. She was quite aware of what she wanted in life—Slade, Family and Blood.
Bones was not in the equation.
She knew he loved her and she appreciated all he’d done but she needed time. “My grandmother is dead.”
“And so is Lootz.”
“I know and I’m sorry, Bones. But I have to help my family fight this war.”
His hands formed a steeple as he tried to calm himself instead of smacking the shit out of her. “Why, Farah? We’ve been cruising the streets looking for them niggas for the past few days. Even been trying to gain entrance into Platinum Lofts, which has proven difficult. But given some time they will make a mistake. I’m going to—”
“I can’t stay here, Bones. I made a promise to Shadow and in the next few days I’m going to make good on it. Now I know you don’t understand and I can’t explain more than I already have. You have The Fold but all I got is Mia and Shadow. Don’t you see that?”