by D. Camille
Corvus took her hand. “You okay?”
She shook her head sadly. “He lost a lot of blood Corvus.”
“That boy is a bull, he'll pull through. He's a fighter, always have been.”
They looked up as the rest of the Negus arrived along with Chief Green. Khalil rushed to his sister.
“You okay?” he asked frantically.
She nodded before the tears began to fall. “It's...Lance!” she sobbed and he held her closely as she cried.
Rion went to his brother. “What happened?”
“Somebody set up our brother and when I find they asses, it's a wrap!”
“Who?” Rion asked.
Corvus looked angry. “Somebody at that damn gas station.”
Rion nodded and looked at Corvus. “Are you going to be okay?”
He shook his head. “Rion, if something happens to Lance...man, I don't know. For real, I don't know.”
Rion embraced his brother. He knew how close Lance and Corvus were. “It's okay. Let's see what the doctors say.”
Brandon and Mac stood off to one side. “What the hell happened Mac?” Brandon asked.
“Preliminary reports say a robbery gone bad,” Mac told him.
Brandon shook his head. “That doesn't fit. Lance has state of the art security and he stays strapped. How did he end up being the only one shot?”
“We're checking into everything Brandon. As soon as I know more, you will be the first to know. Please do not go tearing up my city,” Mac warned.
Brandon turned light colored eyes on her. “Mac, if something happens to Lance, you won't have a city.”
He turned to walk away, and she stopped him with a firm hand on his arm. “This is my job Brandon. I don't interfere with yours...don't interfere with mine.”
Brandon looked at the hand on his arm. “Then you should do it expediently, Chief Green.”
Mac watched as he walked away and joined the other Negus and Khayla. Brandon was usually the one she could go to in order to keep the Negus under some semblance of control, but if he was gone...he was right, she wouldn't have a city. She needed to get some people in custody...and fast.
Khayla looked up as Mac asked to speak with her privately. She nodded and followed the Chief to a secluded area where she repeated everything that she'd told Corvus about her recollection of the night's events.
While Khayla was with Mac, the Negus convened. Rion, Brandon, Khalil and Corvus all pulled chairs up to brainstorm.
“You were the first on the scene Corvus. What did you see?” Brandon asked.
Corvus shook his head not wanting to remember the sight. “I got there, police were there and the ambulance. I walked in and saw Khayla standing to the side then I looked down and saw Lance on the floor with blood all over him.”
“Who was there that worked at the station?” Rion asked.
Corvus frowned. “I saw the dude Jamal, the attendant. Khayla says that the little dude, Mike called Lance and asked him to come to the station, but he didn't say why.”
Khalil's eyes narrowed. “This sound like some setup shit!”
“Yeah, that's what I said.” Corvus agreed. “Lance was calling me, probably for some back up ‘cause he sensed something wasn't kosher. When I answered, I heard the shots, then I heard a couple of people talking in the background. I couldn't make out what they were saying. I called Lance's name a few times and there was no answer. I called Khayla's phone, ‘cause I knew they were on a date and she didn't answer, so I jumped in the ride.”
“On a date?” Brandon and Rion asked.
“Another story my brothers,” Khalil told them with a hand up.
Corvus continued. “I was going to his crib when I drove past the station and saw the police and an ambulance.” He paused. “I never imagined it was Lance...”
“So we need to find out who was at that gas station. Mac will pull the footage, she'll check timesheets and phone logs. Then once we know who, we can find out why,” Brandon told them.
“And when we do, we won't be needing your prosecuting skills Brandon,” Khalil told him.
Brandon nodded. “You shoot my brother and I'm no longer the prosecutor.”
Khalil nodded and turned to Corvus. “Did you contact Miles?”
“Yeah, I told him to stay with their mother until we had further news. Lance wouldn't want her down here.”
“When he gets out of here, I feel for whoever has done this because Lance is going to kick ass and take names,” Khalil told them.
They all agreed. “He has to get out of here first though,” Corvus said worriedly remembering seeing Lance's body on the station floor.
The group looked up as Pam and George Shaw entered the lobby. Pam saw her son's expression and ran over to him. “How is he? What happened to him?”
Corvus simply hugged his mother tightly. “The gods!” she exclaimed.
Khayla returned from speaking with Mac and Khalil was at her side. She looked up at him. “Where's Kyros?” she asked.
“He's with Momma and Daddy.” He took her hand. “Come sit down Khayla.”
The pair sat together. “How are you?” Khalil asked.
“I feel like I'm going to throw up,” Khayla told him. “Then I feel numb. This can't be real.”
“He's strong Khayla.”
She looked at him. “What if he's tired of being strong Khalil?”
“That boy is going to be getting on my damn nerves again in a few weeks.”
“This was our first date night,” she said quietly. “He said he wanted to be committed.”
Khalil watched his sister. “He said he loved me...”
“Of course he loves you Khayla. He's always loved you.”
Khayla looked at her brother. “I've always loved him too.”
“I know.” He smiled at her.
She took her brother's hand. “Whoever has done this, I want you to find him...and I want you to make sure he can never hurt Lance again...or anybody else. Do you understand me, my soldier brother?”
Khalil nodded. “Yes, my queen sister. It is done.”
“Who's here for Lance Johnson?” the voice asked and everyone moved immediately to stand before him.
“I'm Doctor Caldwell. Mr. Johnson is currently in surgery and it's going to be a long night. The bullet entered and exited the other side but it did hit a bone and we have to repair some damage.”
“Where did the bullet enter doctor?” Mac asked.
“Mr. Johnson was shot in the back.”
The doctor watched as four male faces turned deadly before his eyes.
Chapter 7
Lance heard the voices...many of them. They'd started right after he'd felt an intense heat in his back and he'd dropped to the floor in excruciating pain.
“You shot Lance!” the first voice shouted.
Another lighter voice responded. “He was going to figure it out and then kill us!”
“Nobody was supposed to get hurt!” The first voice again.
“Shit! I gotta get out of here...” the second voice responded and then Lance heard the alarm signaling the door was opening.
As he faded into darkness, he heard a scream of terror followed by someone begging him to stay. Although, he had no idea where he was going, the voice seemed determined that he not leave. Then later, that same sweet voice said they loved him and had waited for him. Where had he been, he wondered.
Lance also heard angry voices...voices that threatened to do some damage if they didn't get answers. Answers to what...he didn't know. His mind was trying to analyze but for some reason everything was hazy at this point.
Lying still, the voices continued...
“He's going to be fine Corvus, calm down.”
“Rion, it's been two damn days and he hasn't gotten up! Khayla's about to lose her damn mind.”
“The doctors said he needs the rest because his body is trying to recuperate. He was in surgery for over ten hours.”
“We need to know what th
e hell happened in that gas station.”
“He'll tell us when he wakes up.”
A door opened and footsteps...
“Is he still out?”
“Yeah, did you find out anything Brandon?”
“No, Khalil and I were over at the station. It's closed today but the cleanup is done.”
“And my sister is taking care of KATYDIDS and the other businesses. She'll be here in a little while. She's trying to stay busy until he wakes up.”
Lance felt a hand on his arm. “Lance, wake up brother. We got shit to take care of.”
“That's how you're going to wake him up Corvus?”
“Look Brandon, me and Lance got a code. He knows what that means.”
Lance wanted to respond but in this induced state he could only lie back and listen. Eventually he drifted off into the distance again. The next time he surfaced there was another voice. One that made his heart jump.
“So, I'm waiting for you to wake up. I need for you to wake up because I'm going crazy.”
He heard her sniffle.
“I checked on all your businesses and everything is fine. The Negus are taking care of things at the gas station. I couldn't go back in there.”
Lance felt a soft touch on his brow.
“This room is flooded with flowers...mostly from your women. Chief Green had to put officers in the hospital to keep them from storming your room.”
Her hand gently stroked his face.
“I don't blame them though. You do know how to put it down.” She touched his lips. “In fact, I can't wait for you to get out of here and put it on me again.”
Her hand slid down his good arm, opposite from the side where he'd taken the bullet. She held his hand in hers.
“You should be waking up now Lance. I know you're tired and there's so much to deal with here, but I'm by your side baby...you can rest your head on me.”
“I love you Lance. I loved the little boy who chased me around. I loved the young man that I first shared my body with and I love this grown ass man who is the strongest man I know.”
“If you can hear me, wake up baby...” She sniffed again.
Lying in the bed, Lance summoned every ounce of strength available to him and gently squeezed her hand.
“Oh my god! Lance, can you hear me?” she asked frantically touching his chest.
“I can hear you Khayla Imani...” he whispered very softly.
She touched his face. “Can you open your eyes?”
Very slowly his dark orbs opened to hers and she smiled at him with watery eyes. “Thank you.”
“Hey Katydids.”
“I need to get your doctor,” she told him.
“Wait,” he whispered and she stopped. “What happened?”
Khayla looked down at him. “I really should let the doctor look at you first.”
He slowly reached for her hand. “Tell me.”
She hesitated. “You were shot...in your gas station.”
Lance looked confused trying to recall the events. “Who?”
“That's what the Negus want to find out.”
Lance scanned the room slowly. “Where they at?”
“In the hall. I asked to spend some time with you alone,” she explained. “I told them I'd let them know when you woke up.”
“You want me to get them?” she asked.
He shook his head slowly. “Come here,” he whispered and she came closer.
Gingerly he reached up and touched her face. “You were crying.”
Khayla nodded. “A lot.”
“Were you hurt?” he questioned.
“Only because you were, physically I'm fine.”
He watched her. “Anybody else hurt?”
She shook her head. “Do you know who shot you?”
Lance looked away. “It's still all fuzzy.”
“It's okay baby. It's probably the drugs, just relax and let me get the doctor.”
He nodded and Khayla touched his face once more before heading to the door. Seconds after she exited, the room was filled by four men.
“Damn, I thought you was never gone wake up!” Corvus said coming to stand over Lance.
Lance looked up at him. “How long was I out?”
“Over two days. Momma been burning sage and meditating like crazy,” Corvus told him.
“How do you feel Lance?” Rion asked.
“My shoulder hurts like hell. I guess that's where I got hit.”
Khalil stepped up. “What the hell happened in that gas station Lance?”
“Everything is foggy right now Khalil,” Lance answered. “I'm still waking up.”
“Well when you're awake, we need to know who's about to get bodied.”
The door opened before the doctor and Khayla entered the room. He walked over to the bed.
“Hello Mr. Johnson. Welcome back to the land of the living.” Everyone watched as the doctor began to look over Lance.
“Do you know where you are and what brought you here?” the doctor asked.
“I'm in a hospital and my shoulder hurts like hell apparently from a gunshot,” Lance responded.
The doctor nodded. “Any other pain besides the arm?”
Lance shook his head. “No.”
“Good. You took a bullet to the back that exited through your shoulder. There was minimal damage inside and we were able to repair everything. You'll be good as new in a few weeks.”
“In the back?” Lance's eyes narrowed.
The doctor nodded and Lance glanced at the Negus seeing the murderous looks on their faces.
“We'll keep you here another day or so and if everything looks good, we'll send you home.” The doctor began making notes on the chart. “Chief Green wants to question you as soon as possible, I have to let her know you're awake.”
Lance agreed and the doctor exited the room leaving Khayla and the Negus.
“So now you see why Khalil is ready to body somebody,” Brandon told him. “In fact, we're all ready.”
Lance raised a hand to his head. “What the fuck? Damn!”
Khayla moved quickly to his side glaring at the Negus. “You all are going to have to let him rest. When he remembers, then you can go from there. Upsetting him won't make him remember any faster!”
The Negus all looked at one another. Clearly Lance needed some time to process this whole situation.
“We'll let you deal with this Lance. When you need us, we'll be here,” Rion told him.
Lance looked at his brothers. He knew they were ready to tow the line for him, he just needed to tell them who should be on the receiving end. For the life of him though, he didn't remember right now.
“Give me a minute and let me sort through it,” he told them.
They all nodded and exited the room. Lance laid back and closed his eyes. “I'm confused as hell.”
Khayla stroked his head. “That's understandable Lance. You've been shot, gone through hours of surgery and you just woke up after two days.”
“It will come to you, don't frustrate yourself.” She kissed his forehead. “I'm just happy that you're finally awake.”
He opened his eyes and looked into hers. “You been here with me?”
“Every moment I could.”
“Sit down and tell me what happened,” he instructed.
Khayla slowly took the seat next to the bed and took his hand. She began slowly, “We had our first date, which took place in my bedroom.”
Lance smiled. “Oh, I remember that part. That, I could never forget.”
She smiled back at him and continued, “We were going for dinner and Mike called from the gas station.”
He nodded.
“You went inside and told me to stay in the car. I heard the shots, then I saw two boys running from the building.” She paused before going on. “I ran inside and...you were on the floor. You had been shot.”
Lance digested the information. “Was Mike there?”
Khayla shook her head. “No, he w
asn't in the building and now he's missing.”
“Missing?”
“The Negus have been looking for him.”
Lance frowned. “What's happening at the gas station now?”
She took a breath. “It's closed today and has been since the shooting. The Negus have everything cleaned up. I told Jamal and Karen that you'd still pay them for the days you were closed.”
“They were really worried about you,” she informed him.
Lance nodded deep in thought. “I need to see Corvus and I need to talk to him alone. Okay?”
Khayla looked suspicious. “What is it?”
“Can you just get him for me Katydids?” he asked.
She stood to her feet. “Okay. I know you two. Don't be plotting to sneak out of this hospital or anything crazy like that.”
He smiled at her before she headed to the door. “Khayla...” She turned. “I can't wait to put it on you again either.”
She laughed softly and exited the room. The door opened and Corvus walked over to the bed.
“What's up Lance?”
“Somebody set me up.”
Corvus smirked. “No shit. We figured that out days ago.”
“I was calling you...” Lance said putting a hand to his head.
“Yeah, I picked up and heard the shots. There were some other voices in the background but I couldn't make them out,” Corvus explained.
“When I walked in, shit was off from jump...” Lance said trying to recall. “Khayla said that Mike is missing.”
Corvus nodded. “His little ass is in hiding. You think he had something to do with this?”
“He wanted me at the station.”
“From stealing cars to attempted murder?” Corvus asked.
Lance shook his head in frustration. “Damn! I just talked to him about getting himself together.” He looked at Corvus.
“Jamal was there. What did he say happened?” Lance questioned.
“It's shaky as hell Lance. He says that he was behind the counter, Mike was on the other side. All y'all looked at the door as a gunman came in. You and Jamal both pulled. Words were exchanged. Then shit gets real shaky...”
“Jamal says that you turned your back to the gunman and that's how you got hit,” Corvus finished.
Lance frowned. “Why in the hell would I turn my back to somebody with a damn gun?”
“Exactly.” Corvus agreed. “Jamal says that after you went down the gunman turned and ran, followed by Mike. He let off two shots after them but didn't hit a damn thing.”