Trae opened the door and sat in the passenger seat.
“Get out of my car.”
“Get off my car. Get out of my car. Make up your mind. We need to discuss Ebony.” He held his hands up. “We can do this at your crib if you want.”
Richard wanted to knock the stupid grin off Trae’s face.
“I don’t know why you’re so mad at me, anyway. You started it. Hell, if you weren’t my boy, I would have capped your ass for pushing me.”
Richard snarled. “I started it?! Were we at the same fight?”
“You pushed me first. You punched me. If you weren’t my boy, you’d be dead. No ifs, ands or buts about that shit. Then Ebony came out beating on me. Damn, I’m always the bad guy.”
Richard thought back to their altercation as Trae recounted the events.
“First Ebony comes running to me crying, talking about you hurt her. When you came she said to keep you away. I was as polite as a thug could be, but you wouldn’t take no for an answer.”
“Shoot.” Richard dropped his head to the steering wheel. He had been the aggressor. “That doesn’t change the fact that you killed the Collins boys.”
Trae made a sucking, dismissive sound with his teeth. “I lied to scare you into listening. I wouldn’t risk jail time on their worthless asses. I wasn’t even in town.” He paused. “I’m sorry, dawg. I lost my cool when I saw Ebony’s tears, but so did you. If you’re gonna marry Ebony and adopt Crystal, we have to trust each other.”
“I can’t lose her, Trae.” Unsure of himself, he started the Mercedes and pulled off.
* * *
Richard settled in the overstuffed chair at his condo. “I’ll give her a few days to cool off. She knows I love her.”
Trae stretched his long legs under the coffee table, leaned his head back on the couch and rested. “The first time I saw Ebony she was ten. Our dads did drugs together. Heroin mostly. Dan did Marissa a favor when he killed Bobby.”
Richard’s mouth dropped open in horror. “He murdered her father?”
“There’s no proof. I’d say he did. Dan is very protective of his family. He basically raised me, ya’ know.”
He shook his head. Ebony had told him about Dan’s past, but this was still a light he never imagined Dan in. “Why are you telling me this? What does it have to do with Ebony?”
Ignoring Richard’s questions, Trae asked, “Did I ever tell you why we broke up?”
“You were only kids.” He didn’t have the time or energy to travel down memory lane.
“What is the first thing you noticed when you saw Ebony and Crystal together?”
“Are you serious? I’m not in the mood to play twenty questions.”
“Humor me. You’ll see where I’m headed shortly.”
He slowly exhaled. “The first thing I noticed was the difference in their complexions. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Did you wonder why?”
“At first I did.” He nodded at Trae. “But you have green eyes and, as Skeet would say, ‘You is one high yella brotha.’ ”
They both chuckled at his terrible impersonation.
“Crystal’s complexion is a touch darker than her biological mother’s.”
Richard choked. First Dan, now this.
Trae went into the kitchen, pulled two beers out of the refrigerator, returned to the living room and handed Richard one. “I’ve always loved Ebony.”
“You cheated on her with a white girl!” He guzzled down the beer, processing this new information. “How could you say you loved her?”
“I was only seventeen. Hell, I never thought Ebony would find out.”
“Why would you cheat on her, anyway?”
“It was all about sex. Ebony wasn’t giving it up at the time. I’d go across town to have my needs met. That ho’ got pregnant and confronted Ebony.” He leaned forward. “She lied to me, dawg. She said she was on the pill.”
“How did Ebony end up with this other woman’s child?”
“Ebony kicked my dumb ass to the curb. I put Shelly up in an apartment and kept her off the drugs until the baby was born. The day Crystal was born I had a DNA test done. She’s my baby.”
“This is freakin’ unbelievable.”
“Shelly didn’t mean shit to me. I loved my baby from day one. Even before the DNA test, I knew she was mine.”
“What happened to Shelly?”
“I was on the birth certificate and had the DNA test to prove I was the father. I took my baby home with me to raise properly.”
“Shelly didn’t want her?”
“I literally had to lock that ho’ up to keep her from gettin’ high when she was pregnant. She’d had at least seven months clean when Crystal was born. I offered to set her up nice someplace else.”
Richard shook his head. “So she took the money and ran.”
“Nope. A few weeks after having Crystal, she was gettin’ high again. I gave her all the money I had in the world, twenty thousand, to sign her rights over to me. Shelly died of an overdose by the end of the week.”
“You gave a drug addict twenty thousand dollars?” He’d never seen anyone as conniving as Trae. The man had manipulation down to a mathematic equation.
“Yeah. Single fatherhood and my movement in the organization didn’t mix. Dan gave me two totally legit businesses. He said I couldn’t raise a child and be in the business. I knew he was right, so I asked Ebony to help me. She was still angry with me, but you know her kind heart. There was no way she would leave Crystal for me to raise. Everything would have worked out perfectly if Dan hadn’t stuck his nose into my business. He had a stipulation.”
“You had to sign custody of Crystal over.”
“Exactly. Some say I’m controlling, but I don’t have squat on Dan. Ebony should have been Crystal’s mother, anyway. I’m not stupid. Dan planned on pushing me out of the picture, but time worked on my side. Ebony was still a minor and broke. I knew the judge wouldn’t give her custody.
“To make Ebony feel more secure, I legally changed Crystal’s last name to Washington and told Ebony I’d give her joint guardianship when she turned eighteen. She didn’t want to do it. She wanted outright custody and for me to trust her to do the right thing by Crystal. Hell yeah, she’d have done the right thing and ran off with Crystal. I turned the shit and told her she’d have to trust me. I know how her mind works. In order to save Crystal, she’d do things my way.”
Extortion, thought Richard. Ebony didn’t have a choice.
“When Ebony turned eighteen, I didn’t hold up my part of the deal. She fought me on it, but I wouldn’t budge. I had a guaranteed way of always being a part of Ebony’s life. I just knew she’d forgive me and take me back. Damn. I was half right. She forgave my infidelity eventually, but she never gave us a chance.”
“Why didn’t Ebony tell me?”
“Hell, Dan would have had my hide. I made her promise to pretend we did the adoption route and never tell anyone, or I’d take Crystal from her. I did a few payoffs and had forged documentation in case Dan’s nosey ass checked things out. That was the only time I ever threatened to take Crystal from her. She is Crystal’s mother. I’m sure Ebony doesn’t even think about the arrangement anymore.”
Everything finally made sense to Richard. If Ebony had taken Crystal, it would have been kidnapping, and Trae would have gone after her. Trae had literally held Ebony captive in the life. Yet he had more pressing issues to deal with. He hadn’t seen Trae’s bag of tricks in weeks, but felt he’d be pulling a doozie out pretty soon. “You’re a drug dealer, Trae.”
“I counted on you, Smoke. You let me down.”
Richard saw Trae’s evil alter ego emerging, heard it in his voice. “It’s time for you to leave.”
“Not so quickly. I like you, but I love Ebony. I’ve decided to marry her myself.”
“Hell no!” Richard jumped out of his seat. “She would never marry a drug dealer.”
“Sit your punk-ass down
. Damn.” He unzipped his jacket. “It’s hot in here.”
“She’s in love with me. Yes, she’s angry with me right now. In a few days she’ll be ready to talk.” He crossed his arms over his chest. Trae wouldn’t be manipulating him into giving up Ebony.
“I’m getting out of the business. I choose Ebony.”
“You can’t have her.”
“Of course I can. I just need for you to stay out of the picture and give us a chance.” He walked about as he spoke. “I need for her to see I’ve changed, that we belong together.”
“You’ve lost your mind.” He stepped before Trae. “I’m not giving her up.”
“Here.”
Out of reflex, Richard grabbed what Trae held out. He quickly realized the cards were blood-covered driving licenses. His stomach churned angrily. Hands shaking, he turned them over.
Trae pulled out his piece, then pointed it between Richard’s eyes. “Yes, I killed the Collins boys. With this very gun, as a matter of fact.”
The scent of gunpowder burned Richard’s nose. His breathing became ragged. Fear invaded every fiber of his body. He dropped John and Morris Collins’ licenses to the floor, bent over and vomited.
Trae returned to the couch. “Someone had to pay for your indiscretion with my woman,” he said with an air of nonchalance one would use to tell the day of the week. “You weren’t around, so I had to settle. If they hadn’t stolen your car, you and Ebony would have never met again.”
Visions of Ebony and Crystal flooded Richard’s mind. He felt light-headed. He reached back for the overstuffed chair. “I love Ebony.”
“That’s the only reason you aren’t dead. They would be devastated.” He lifted his brow. “You’ll stay alive unless you interfere with me and Ebony’s relationship. You had your chance. Now it’s my turn.”
Trae’s cold expression had murderer written all over it. “I’ll back off,” Richard reluctantly said.
“That’s what I’m talkin’ about.” He raised his beer in toast. “I love Ebony. I won’t hurt her.”
“Get the hell out of my house!”
Trae’s eerie laugh filled the condo. “See. I told ya, you my boy. I would have killed anyone else who yelled at me like that. We cool. Just stay away from Ebony, and we’ll stay that way.” He headed toward the door. “I can’t believe you’re making me walk home from this neighborhood.” He closed the door on his way out.
Richard threw the lamp on the end table across the room. It crashed against the wall, shattering into pieces.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
Nonno opened his door and stepped to the side. He had moved from the ranch-style home where he raised Richard to a retirement community when Richard went away to college.
“Papà, whose Mercedes is that out front?” Stephanie hugged her father, then sat on the couch.
He put his finger to his lips. “Keep your voice down. It’s Richard’s. He drove in yesterday and hasn’t left his room since.” He closed the door. The two-bedroom, bi-level town home was more than large enough for him.
“Richard’s here? Why didn’t you call me?”
“Something’s terribly wrong, Steph. I wanted to give him time.” He drew his hands through his thinning, gray hair. “I’m worried. I’ve never seen him like this.”
She patted her father’s hand. “Don’t worry, Papà. I’m here now. I’ll take care of my baby.”
His smoky gray eyes locked onto her warm sepia ones. “I know you want to help, but I think he needs to be left alone.” She sniffed. “Don’t do that, baby.” He pulled her into his arms, rubbing her back as if she were still a child. “I’m making shrimp gumbo. Let Papà fix you a bowl.”
“Can I take some home?”
He smiled sadly. “Of course, darling.” He never understood Stephanie’s distance from her youngest child. One second she’d want to take the world on for daring to look at him crossways; the next, she’d act as if he didn’t exist. He harped on her for years about her treatment of Richard, but to no avail. At his wit’s end, he finally took Richard to raise as his own.
“Why doesn’t my son love me?”
“Stop this. He loves you, but now he needs to do things his way.” He released her. He loved his daughter, but she had always been self-centered. And Phillip…Well, he had no respect for people who stood by and watched a child be mistreated, especially their own child. “Put Richard’s needs first.”
“It’s that woman.”
Oh great, now you want to be protective. He continued patting her back. The phone rang. Nonno answered, “Hello…Oh yes, Richard told me all about you, Skeet…Yes he’s here…” He tilted his head to the side. “Well, I was born and raised in Italy. I should have an Italian accent.”
He glanced at Stephanie. They didn’t move to the United States until she was fifteen, but she had lost her Italian accent. He frowned. She hadn’t lost it; she had worked to erase it. She wanted to sound like a real American. “Hold on a second.” He lowered the phone. “Do not go to his room, Steph. You hear me?”
“Yes, Papà.”
“I’ll be right back.” He walked into the kitchen to stir the gumbo and find out what the heck happened to his grandson.
* * *
Richard ran his hand along the fine oak arm of the rocking chair, thinking how much Ebony would love the chair. When Stephanie’s limo parked in front of Nonno’s house, he locked the bedroom door. The last thing he needed was a confrontation with his mother.
He saw an older couple step out of the ranch-style townhouse across the street. The older man took his wife’s hand and kissed it gently, then guided her along the walk. In forty years, that could be he and Ebony taking their evening stroll.
Trae threatened to take his life, but didn’t understand that by taking Ebony and Crystal away, he had already taken his life. He watched the couple as they ambled down the boulevard. No way would he allow a madman to take his family.
The smell of shrimp gumbo wafted through the vents, causing Richard’s mouth to water. He hadn’t eaten in two days, but wouldn’t leave the room until he was sure Stephanie was long gone.
He rubbed his belly. Gumbo was Richard’s favorite. He watched the limo, thinking it was too bad his mother had come along.
“Richard.” Stephanie tapped on the door.
“I don’t feel like talking, Mother. I’ll call you tomorrow.”
The doorknob creaked. “Unlock the door, darling.”
Richard lowered his head into his hands. “Mother, please…”
“Stephanie, get down here this instant!”
“Papà, I’m sorry. I was only…”
“Don’t make me repeat myself, young lady!”
A short time later, Richard saw Nonno escort Stephanie out of the house and nudge her toward the limo. His grandfather’s protective streak was the main reason he didn’t tell him what happened with Trae or what he had been up to the past few months.
He chuckled. He could imagine his eighty-year-old grandfather chartering a flight for Chicago to go after Trae.
As usual, Nonno’s face softened when he saw his daughter’s tears. As usual, he didn’t give in. Instead, he hugged Stephanie and handed her a large Tupperware bowl. Richard was amazed at how loving his mother was toward her father. Nonno could do no wrong, while Richard could do no right.
He crossed the room and unlocked the door. He already had more than enough on his mind. Figuring out his mother would have to wait for another day. He flopped onto the bed to calculate a move that wouldn’t end in his funeral.
* * *
Nonno tip-toed into the bedroom and set the serving tray on the nightstand. He sat on the edge of the bed and watched his grandson sleep.
“Something smells delicious,” Richard said, as he stretched awake.
“Something? Have I lost my touch?”
“What, are you kidding me? You’re still the best cook this side of the moon.”
Nonno handed Richard the tray, then watched him eat.
“Have some with me.”
“You know I can’t eat spices like I used to. What good is gumbo without spices? You enjoy.”
Richard tasted a spoonful. “Ummm.” He devoured the bowl of gumbo in record time.
“Want more?”
He rubbed his stomach. “I’m stuffed.” He set the tray on the nightstand, then drank his cola.
Nonno pulled the rocking chair around from the window to the bed. “We need to have a man-to-man talk.” He held up his hand to stop Richard from interrupting him. “I’m disappointed in you, but like Ebony, I’ll get over it. It’s time for you to go home and face the music.”
“You don’t understand.”
“I understand you humiliated the woman you love. I have a good mind to take a switch to you.” He shook his head. “I taught you better than that.”
“I’m sorry, Nonno. I just…” He shrugged. “I don’t know what came over me. I knew I had made a wrong turn, but kept down the road, anyway.”
“I’m not the one you should be apologizing to. Get on the next flight home. Show Ebony how you really feel. I’ll have your car sent to you.”
“I wish it were that simple.”
Nonno stared at Richard, knowing there was more to the story. Some part Skeet didn’t say. “What did you do?”
After a long hesitation, Richard told Nonno about Trae and Skeet’s drug ties, then reached into his jeans back pocket and pulled the driver’s licenses out. Richard had been withholding vital information from him, and Nonno didn’t appreciate it one bit. This man was obviously still a boy, and needed to be cared for.
“Oh, my God.” Nonno’s gray eyes slowly rose from the images of the young men to Richard. He felt sick to his stomach. “Why do you have these?” Richard had told him about the Collins boys stealing his car and their subsequent murders when it first happened.
“Trae killed them for my indiscretion with his woman. He’s decided he wants Ebony back. If I don’t stay out of the picture, I’ll meet the same fate with the same gun. I don’t know how to save Ebony.”
Ebony Angel Page 15