by T. Styles
“You can’t leave.”
“I can and I will.” She paused. “And you need to let Dr. Weil know my decision too because he threatened me.”
He shook his head and waved the air. “He just wants me to be happy and he knows you’re safety is a part of that.” Bones turned his body toward her. “I can’t help but feel like if I was Slade you wouldn’t give me this much trouble.”
“But you’re not Slade.” She placed her hand on the side of his face. “You’re Bones and I love that about you.”
He shook his head and stomped across the room. “So nothing I do will make you look at me the way you do him?”
“How do you know how I look at him? Everything about you two are different.”
“I saw you once at Platinum Lofts.” His gaze was glassy as he looked at nothing in particular in the room. His neck corded as jealousy consumed every vein in his body. “The day I walked you to your apartment and he was in the hallway.” He blinked and moved toward her. “Farah, I will help you but you can never be with Slade. Ever. Even if you’re not with me it will never be him.” That was the largest threat he ever made.
Farah was growing irritated. “He’s in jail anyway, Bones.”
He backed away. “So you’ve gone to see him?”
She cleared her throat. “No, for what?”
“How come I don’t believe you?”
Farah’s temples throbbed and she suddenly craved blood. “I can’t do this with you anymore. And I can’t disrespect your home either. Like I said, I’m leaving in a few days whether you want me to or not. I’m sorry.”
As she walked toward the door Zashay entered. She noticed Farah’s tight expression and said, “Hey, girl. Everything okay?” Zashay was holding a grey duffle bag.
Farah looked at Bones and back at Zashay. “I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.” She stormed out without another word.
Zashay sighed when she left and walked deeper into the room. “Here’s the final payment from George. Want me to put it in the safe?”
“You don’t have the code.” Losing Farah caused him great irritation and Zashay’s voice annoyed the fuck out of him in that moment.
“Maybe you should give it to me then,” she said playfully. “Besides, if I wanted to steal a few stacks I would’ve done it already. After all, I did pick it up.”
“Never play with me like that,” he said pointing at her.
“I’m sorry,” she whispered looking at the floor.
Bones bopped toward her, snatched the bag and flung it on top of Farah’s dresser like trash.
“I see you aren’t in the mood.” She sighed. “So what happened just now?”
“Leave it alone.”
“I’m not here to make trouble. I may not be the love of your life but you are still mine.” She sat on the bed and crossed her legs. “Can I do anything to make you feel better?” She licked her lips. “Anything at all?” She removed a blade from her bra strap and hovered it over her skin. “Thirsty?”
“Why did you take Farah to the playroom that night?”
She rolled her eyes, stuffed her blade back in the pocket of her bra and sighed. “Because we wanted to have fun,” she joked. “I don’t know why you’re so surprised. She’s a blood fiend like the rest of us. Or didn’t you realize it?”
“Of course I know she’s like us but not in the way you making out.” He frowned. “Wesley had his dick all in her like she belonged to him or something.”
“She doesn’t belong to you either.”
“BUT SHE DOES!”
Zashay laughed, totally embarrassed. “You know what, maybe you should lighten up a little. I’m starting to think she isn’t as bad as I believed. Maybe the real problem is you.”
“Don’t talk to me about anything pertaining to Farah.” He paused. “And most of all, stay away from her. Whatever this friendship you built is, I want it to end today.” He pointed at the floor.
She walked over to Bones and grabbed his hand. “You have disconnected from family, Bones and we need you back. That’s all I want for us. If ending my friendship with Farah is what you desire than it’s done. But will you end your friendship with her too?”
Silence.
“It’s amazing how some women will do anything to get the nigga they want, even fake befriend the other bitch.”
Insulted she moved toward the door and he grabbed her before she exited. “Let go, Bones. If you don’t want me than I’m starting to think that maybe that isn’t such a bad idea.” She was staring to sicken of his shit.
He held her hand and squeezed tightly. She wasn’t the woman he craved but there was something that could be said about her beauty and her tenacity to prove her adoration. “Do you love me?”
“Always, Bones that will never change.”
“Then keep an eye on her, Zashay.” He grabbed her shoulders and massaged them lightly. “Let me know what she does every minute of the day. If you do this, it will prove to me how much you care and I will show my gratitude.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
AUDIO
“No More War.”
Perched in front of Slade on a visit, Audio could tell by his stiff disposition that something was wrong. “We talked to an attorney but he wanted more money than we got right now,” Audio advised. “But Killa hit up a poker game last night and made five thousand but we need five more.”
Slade laughed.
“What’s funny? At least we’re trying to get you out of here.”
Slade rubbed the back of his head and dropped his hand on the table. “I’m gonna be honest, kid, I’m bracing myself for the long haul. Whether you get an attorney or not is up to you. Doesn’t seem like I’m getting out anytime soon.”
He frowned. “It’s not like we don’t have time, Slade. Your case is in a month.”
“And I expect to get a public defender who doesn’t know shit or give a fuck. Even with Sherriff Cramer being arrested, the laws in this place still believe I killed an officer. And they treat me accordingly.” He exhaled. “I want you and the family to go back home. Tonight. Let me deal with this up here alone.”
“So that’s what this is about? You want us to leave a Baker on the field?”
“I can’t have anybody else get hurt, Audio. Go home. Take Major and Killa with you.”
Audio shook his head, looked down at the desk and back at him. “I’m sorry, man. But there’s no way I’m leaving you in this cage. I know you doing the honor thing by wanting us down south and all but it ain’t happening.”
“What’s been going on out there, Audio? Huh? What’s been happening with the family?”
The question was asked but it was obvious he already knew the answer. “Oh, you talking about that thing with China. Something happened with Judge’s wife…she was—”
“What fucking happened?” He roared so loudly Audio thought he was on his side of the glass.
Hearing the noise a guard advanced toward Slade. “One more like that and it’s over. This time your visits won’t be reinstated….BAKER. I’ll see to it.” He frowned and stormed away.
Audio shifted in his seat and cleared his throat. “They got China and an accident happened with Judge.”
Slade exhaled deeply, his day already ruined. “How did it happen, Audio? What you do now because I know you were involved? Huh, man? What beef did you chase that resulted in all of this?” He squeezed the handset tighter.
“Nothing, man.” He shrugged. “This time it was outside of me. The Fold got her—”
“And what about Judge?”
Audio took a deep breath. “Killa got him with a bat when he was on me.” He turned away from Slade’s glare finding it difficult to come clean to his oldest brother. “He’s gone, man. I’m sorry.”
Slade's eyes widened. “Are you happy now?” A tear rolled down his face and it was the first time Audio had seen his brother cry. And if God was willing he hoped he’d never have to see it again.
“By doing Elise you
let it be known that no family member is off limit,” Slade continued. “You did this shit, man. You!” He pointed at the glass. “Not only did you move without thinking you did it while I’m in here, unable to help my family.”
“I know you mad but the niggas would’ve done it to ma if they had a chance.” He paused. “I don’t feel all that guilty about that part.”
A boisterous sinister laughed exited Slade’s gaping mouth. “You don’t know do you? You have no idea?”
Audio moved uneasily in his seat. “What you talking about?”
“Ma found out where the nigga Shadow lived in Baltimore, before he moved again.”
“When was this?”
“It don’t matter. Just know that she stepped to him to call a truce if they handed over Farah. Shadow had the chance to kill her then, even whipped a gun out but he didn’t. I think she wanted to die. He spared her life unlike what you did to Elise.”
His eyes widened and he scratched his head. “Ma didn’t say anything to me about all that.”
“You know what else ma didn’t tell you? That she’s dying. Cancer eating her breasts and she don’t have many more months to live. Nobody wanted to tell you because they wanted to spare you but fuck you and your feelings, lil’ nigga.” He pointed at the glass. “You deserve to be burdened with as much pain as the rest of us.”
Audio felt sick and the room felt like it was spinning. “Ma…ma’s dying?”
Silence.
“But, she…I…”
“Now you want your mommy?” He chuckled angrily. “I told you when we first got to DC to chill out,” Slade whispered. “I begged you to slow down because she been sick for a long time. Before we got here I told you we needed to do the job and leave. But you were dead set on showing niggas you weren’t slow just because of your accent. You wanted to do more to prove you were tough and now look around. All we left with is suffering.”
Audio felt weak but he didn’t want to express his pain. He’d been so disrespectful to his mother with his plight to get at Farah that he felt he exacerbated her illness.
Slade was right.
They lost so much and at the same time there was no turning back. Even Grant agreed to put his brother’s murder to the side although Audio knew when it was all said and done that Grant would kill him next.
These days it was as if they were driving through a dark tunnel with no headlights. They couldn’t stop because they could get hit and the only way was forward. “Slade, I’m—”
“There’s nothing you can say to make me forgive you. The shit you did means all of us suffer. Should’ve let me deal with Farah alone like I begged.” He stood up. “If my mother dies while I’m in here you gonna see me soon, lil nigga. And not even this cage will hold me.” His nostrils flared. “Don’t come back, Audio. Ever.” He hung up the phone and stomped away.
****
Audio sat in his car outside of the prison with the phone glued to his ear, his mother’s voice on the other end. “Things will be okay, Audio.” She coughed. “Trust me.”
“But I didn’t know, ma. Why you never told me you were sick?”
Della sighed. “Because that information wasn’t for you. And I wish my oldest hadn’t told you now.” She paused. “But like Grant said what’s done is done.”
Audio felt a wave of emotion bubbling at the surface and he forced it down. He couldn’t lose his mother. He just couldn’t. Crying would make him appear weak and cause his mother additional pain, something he’d done enough of already. “Ma, I’m sorry. I should’ve never disrespected—”
“Son, you don’t have to do this.”
“I do, ma.” He exhaled. “I put this family through a lot and I want you to know that I’m going to make things right.” He looked around and pressed his head against the headrest. “I can’t imagine life without you.”
“Then don’t. And if God’s willing you won’t.” She paused. “I’m in chemotherapy right now, son. At first I wasn’t about the fight because I didn’t have the strength. But I know Slade would never forgive himself if I died while he’s in that cage. Maybe there’s something too this white people medicine after all.” She giggled. “If so I’m going to find out.”
Audio sighed. “I’m gonna make sure this mess is wrapped up in DC, ma. No more war.”
“Son, the war is already started. Now it’s time to finish without spilling any more Baker blood.”
CHAPTER NINETEEN
AUDIO
“I’m From The Bottom.”
Standing in a corner, doing his best to appear incognito, Audio concentrated while his family went over the details for plucking Farah off the street, despite The Fold’s claim to hand her over willingly.
As more points rolled out about the plan to meet them in a secret location were revealed, Audio sensed something dark was about to happen to his people. After promising his mother that he would stop Baker blood from spilling he felt responsible for saying his piece.
“Am I the only one who thinks this a set up?” Audio asked as he walked away from the corner and plopped next to Major and Killa on the sofa.
Grant stood in front of them, his eyes bearing down on Audio with distaste. It was obvious Grant hated him with a passion and had plans to deal with Audio later but first it was all about the Cottons and The Fold.
“You don’t think we know that?” Grant asked, his tone much snappier than in the past. “Listen, do us a favor and let us handle the details. You’ve done enough already.” Having to bury his brother plagued Grant consistently. China being in town may not have been Audio’s fault but killing Elise was the fuel that inspired his murder.
“I’m just asking that we think things through a little more.”
“Like I said I know what we doing,” Grant continued extending his palm so that it was near his nostrils. “But we have something for them niggas too.”
“And I bet you they have something for us.”
Major laughed. “Now that two niggas done died on a count of you, you wanna play smarter?” He chuckled. “Forgive us if we aren’t hearing you right now.”
Audio sighed. “I made a mistake and I’m realizing that now. But it could’ve taken me longer.” He looked at his family. He was being sincere but they wanted him as far away from the plan as possible. “But I’m not about to sit in this circle without saying something, whether ya’ll mad at me or not.”
“Little nigga, nobody feeling you,” Grant continued. “Now shut up and let us work out this plan.”
“You know what, fuck it. I’ll put into motion my own shit.” He hopped up and grabbed his keys.
“If you do something else that brings more drama on this family you cut,” Killa warned pointing at him. “You done used up all your strikes. You have nothing left. In a minute not even we’ll be here for you.”
****
Audio cruised down the street pumping Tupac’s greatest hits. His temples throbbed as he recalled his solecisms and realized he would make many more in the future. He was unsophisticated and moved at maximum speed when things didn’t go his way but his heart was mostly in the right place, especially now.
There was another issue plaguing him on a regular that he didn’t share with the family. And it was that he never got over the love of his life—Chloe Cotton.
Like Slade he fell for a Cotton the moment he touched D.C. soil and she was taken from him suddenly in a car accident. One minute he was realizing his feelings for her and the next she was dead and he never got a chance to grieve, blaming Farah like everyone else for his loss.
As the music pumped through the speakers his aspirations about Slade and how he let him down played on repeat in his mind. He had to think hard on what needed to happen to bring things to a smooth end. There were so many unanswered questions.
Who was The Fold?
Were they a gang or something deeper?
Who did they represent?
And how powerful were they?
When the wheels began to churn he
remembered something important. But he had to move quickly.
****
Within the darkness of Morgan’s Night Club, Audio deposited himself in a chocolate brown leather seat in VIP. His gaze was fixed on the cutie who Lootz visited the night he murdered him. Since the police were actively investigating the crime for suspects, which wielded no new leads, he had to be cautious.
When the cutie sashayed toward him, a grin sitting on her face, he decided to lie on the charm Mississippi men were known for. Sure his accent was different and lent enough material for immature easterner's to find comedy. But there was one problem, many women on the coast were lonely and for a broken heart what better cure than a southern gentleman?
“Have you been helped, handsome?” she flirted before winking. “Because I’m here to serve.”
Audio adjusted his black baseball cap allowing just enough of the strobe lights to caress his dark chocolate skin. “I haven’t been helped. Not properly anyway.” She smiled and Audio knew she was under his spell.
She flipped her long black weave over her shoulder as if he couldn’t see it hanging in the back. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’ma be honest, it means whatever you want it to.” He found himself applying a heavier accent, unknowingly making a silent vow to rep his set.
“You not from around here are you?”
“I’m from the bottom, then again you probably knew that already.”
She smiled wider. “Why you look so familiar?” She pointed at him. “You been here before?”
“Nah.” Audio’s stomach bubbled and he pulled his cap down a little, afraid she would have total recall from the night of Lootz’s demise. “Doubt you know me but we can rectify that if you desire.”
“Rectify huh?”