by A'zayler
“I brought you here because I needed to show you something.” She picked up the remote and flipped the largest television directly in front of Taryn on.
When the screen popped up, there was a hotel bed on the screen. Taryn scrunched up her eyes, trying to see what was about to go on. The next thing she knew, Demoto’s voice came over the surround system. Taryn looked around the room, trying to see where it came from, but was halted once she heard Adisa’s voice too.
Taryn spun back around in her chair and looked back at the TV screen. The only thing on the screen was the bed, but she could now hear a full-blown conversation between Demoto and Adisa. She looked at the TV and listened to what was being said. The more that came out, the harder it became to digest. The things that were being said was crazy. It was almost as if Demoto was there to kill Adisa, but she knew that couldn’t be the case. That was his brother. He loved him. He would never hurt his family because then that would make him exactly like his mother.
Taryn was rubbing her forehead when Adisa appeared on the screen. He was sitting on the bed. He looked directly at the screen and began to speak. That part of the video confused Taryn because he was speaking to Ornella as if she was there. Moments later, some of the most hateful things she’d ever heard him speak began to seep from his mouth.
Taryn gasped and covered her mouth when a gun appeared out of the corner of the screen. She even let out a light scream when it was pressed to the side of Adisa’s head. Taryn wanted to cover her ears when she heard Demoto’s voice again. The two of them exchanged words, and before she knew it, Adisa’s head exploded and he fell over.
A high-pitched scream left Taryn’s mouth when she realized what she’d just observed. It was painful to say the least because she’d actually grown very fond of Adisa. Then to think that Demoto had been the one to end his life, nearly drove her insane. When the video went off she turned to look at Ornella.
“Why did you show me that?” Her eyes diverted quickly to Ayo sitting in the corner. He was watching Shark Tales on a small television with a pair of headphones on his head.
“Because you needed to know that I’m not the only monster in my family. I know you have been led to believe that I’m the devil while Demoto is some saint, but he isn’t. He’s just as cold-blooded as I am.”
Taryn shook her head from side to side because she refused to believe that.
“I did and still do what I have to do. There’s nothing hidden about my motives. Demoto, on the other hand, is a little more subtle with his actions. He does things in the dark to shield the ones he loves from who he really is.” Ornella sat on the arm of the chair next to Taryn. “He’s very troubled, Taryn. Since he’s been younger he has always had the crazy temper that gets the best of him sometimes, and he’s unable to control it. I love him because he’s my boy, but he’s not what you think he is.”
“I don’t care. I still love him.” Taryn told Ornella.
“As you should. He’s a lovable young man. I just want you to know that things aren’t always what they seem.”
“Well, I’ll find that out for myself.”
Ornella stood to her feet again and shook her head. “I’m sorry, Taryn, but no you won’t. And if you do, my grandson will not be a part of it. I won’t allow you and Demoto to taint such an innocent being.”
Taryn’s whole face frowned up as she listened to Ornella speak as if Ayo belonged to her. She had life completely fucked up if she thought she was about to take her baby anywhere, especially from her.
“Listen here, Ornella, I don’t know what you’re used to, but let me tell you one gotdamn thing. You run these African people over here, not me and not Ayo. I’m his mama. Not you. You had your turn to raise children, and you see how that turned out.” Taryn stood from the chair she was sitting on and looked directly at Ornella. “Everybody else over here may be afraid to speak their minds to you, but baby, I’m not them. If you even think for once that I’m going to let you do anything to me, my husband, or either of my children, I will personally drag your ass through your own fucking house.”
Ornella stood, looking at Taryn with a small smirk on her face. She could definitely appreciate Taryn’s attitude and courage, but not when it was directed toward her.
“You’re a force, my girl. I love it. However, you can save all of that because ultimately I’m going to do what I want. Now I heard everything you said loud and clear, but I want you to hear me now. There’s no way that you can leave this estate, let alone Cameroon, without me stopping you. I’ll have you dead before you can catch your first ride away from here.”
Taryn’s blood began to boil as she thought of the nerve of this woman. She seriously had some fucking nerve. The only thing that kept Taryn from putting her hands on her was the fact that she knew Demoto would be there soon. Once she had backup, she would give Ornella what she deserved. She was angry, but she was also smart. She wouldn’t dare try Ornella without Demoto around.
“Is there something that you want to say, my girl?”
Taryn narrowed her eyes at Ornella. “When Demoto comes for us, he’s going to kill you.”
Ornella laughed so hard she grabbed her chest. “I can’t wait to see that, my girl.” She touched Taryn’s shoulder, and she ducked away from her hand. “Go have lunch, beautiful.”
Ornella continued laughing as she walked out the door. Taryn could still hear her laughter as she walked down the hall. She balled her fists up and released them a few times in an attempt to decrease the anger she was feeling. When she was calm enough, she grabbed Ayo from his spot on the floor and rushed from the room.
She was in no mood for food. All she wanted right now was to leave. She moved quickly down the hall to the room that she had been occupying and slammed the door shut. She locked it and was about to slide down onto the floor, but the knocking behind her stopped her. Back on her feet, she snatched the door open, ready for war, but calmed herself when she saw Uzoma.
He stepped around her and closed the door again. He walked to the window and looked out of it before walking back to her.
Standing in front of her, he looked at her face. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Ornella. She’s begging me to beat her ass.”
Uzoma smiled. “Don’t worry about that. She’s about to get what’s coming to her.” Uzoma looked at his watch. “Give us about ten minutes and it’s about to be hell in this castle.” He looked around at Ayo. “Do you think you can put him down for a nap or something? Demoto doesn’t want him running around getting in the way.”
Taryn nodded her head quickly. She would do anything she had to in order to get out of that house.
“Cool. Stay in here. I’ll be back around in about five minutes.” Uzoma unlocked the door and left.
Taryn walked to Ayo and looked at him. There was no way in the world he was about to go back to sleep in ten minutes. He’d just woke up. Taryn picked him up and sat him on her lap.
“Come on, baby, let’s lay down. You want to take a nap?”
“I’m not sleepy.”
“I know. But if we go to sleep, when we wake up, we can see Daddy.”
Ayo’s face lit up at the mention of seeing Demoto. He scooted down instantly on the bed and got under the covers. Taryn watched him close his eyes. They were jumping around as he tried to keep them closed. His hand went up to Taryn’s head and began rubbing the soft hair around her edges. He did this whenever he was ready to go to sleep.
Taryn crossed her fingers in hopes that he would go to sleep. She hummed quietly as she massaged his scalp. Minutes later, his body relaxed and she could hear his breathing change. She was about to look down to see if he was sleeping, but once his hand fell down from her head, she received her answer.
She lay on the bed patting his back for a few more minutes before scooting out of the bed. The white comforter was snug around his neck as his blonde hair lay against his pillow. When she was sure that he was in a deep enough sleep, she sat on the chair in the corner a
nd waited for Uzoma to come back in. She prayed and played with her fingers until she was able to relax some.
Every time she heard a noise she jumped, thinking it may have been Uzoma, but it wasn’t. Twenty minutes had passed before she began to get restless. Moments later, she was back on her feet pacing the room. She rubbed her stomach, thinking about what was going to happen when the door to her room opened.
In walked Uzoma and an older man. He was short with a small afro on his head. He looked at her and smiled. The two of them walked into the room and closed the door.
“Hello, Taryn, I’m Paki.” He grabbed her for a hug and squeezed her tight.
“Paki was best friends with Demoto’s father.”
Taryn’s face softened. “How are you, Paki?”
“I’m wonderful; thanks for asking. A little nervous.” The thickness of his accent was suffocating.
Paki and Uzoma walked to the window and looked out of it. Taryn didn’t know what they were looking for, nor she did care at the moment. She was just glad that everything was about to get going. She wiped her sweaty palms on her hands as they turned around.
“Okay, Taryn, it’s going to go like this. Demoto is about to show up with our friend Alias. He’s supposed to be bringing in the extra ammo that Ornella had purchased earlier this week. While he’s delivering it, Demoto and his young friend, Jacko, will sneak in. Now let me tell you, sweetie, it’s going to get ugly between Ornella and Demoto, but you’ll be fine.”
“What about all the armed guards she has?”
Paki smiled. “Don’t worry about them. I have that under control.”
Taryn looked at him and nodded. “So what should I do?”
“As of now, nothing because I can almost guarantee you that Ornella is going to grab you in the mix. So you do nothing. Just watch her.”
“Stay in here?”
“No. When you hear the doorbell, come to the living room. We’ll handle it after that.”
Taryn’s hand began to sweat faster. Paki patted her arm as he and Uzoma walked out of the room. She could barely keep still, so for the time being she kneeled on the side of the bed and said a quick prayer for safety. She knew Demoto could handle business, but from what she had been told, so could Ornella. Paki claimed to have her guards under control, but she would have to see that to believe it.
They had been near Ornella everywhere she’d gone since Taryn and Ayo had been there. The only control they looked to be under was hers. The loud ringing of the doorbell caught Taryn’s breath. She turned and looked at the door with her heart beating fast in chest. Standing to her feet she leaned over and kissed Ayo’s face. She pulled the covers up to his neck again and did as she was told.
She made sure the door to the room was closed as she walked down the long hallway. Noise could be heard from the living room as she approached. It wasn’t until she was fully in the living room did she see the man at the door with bags and various sized boxes. Ornella was standing near the sofa watching him unload things to ensure it was what she’d ordered.
Taryn rolled her eyes at her when she said that she needed to grab the cash. The moment her back was turned, and she was headed down the hallway Demoto appeared at the door. He looked around the room quickly before moving into the house. He was moving so fast that he didn’t even notice Taryn standing at the entrance of the hallway.
He ducked into the split in the wall where the phone had been located the night Taryn tried to use it. He removed his gun, placed the silencer on it and made sure everything was good before looking back up. When his eyes connected with Taryn’s it was like a moment in time. They stared at one another deeply until he blew her a kiss and nodded his head toward the door.
She looked up and two or Ornella’s men were standing there. They were looking right at Demoto, but didn’t move to do anything. Paki must really did have them under control. Taryn’s eyes circulated around the scene as Ornella came back into the living room. She held a small Ziploc bag that was loaded with cash. She looked at Taryn quickly before disregarding her presence and continuing to the door.
“Alias, thank you.” She stepped to the side. “Do come in.”
Alias stepped into the house smiling with his hands in his pockets. “My pleasure, Queen.”
Ornella said something in French that Taryn didn’t understand, but her soldiers had. They dropped to their knees and began surveying the contents of the bags and boxes. Alias and Ornella stood with their backs to Demoto as they watched the men go through the things.
“Bonjour,” Uzoma spoke as he walked into the living room.
“Bonjour Uzoma,” She spoke back, as she watched him take a seat on the sofa.
Uzoma sat down as if he didn’t have a care in the world. His legs were kicked back on the table as his arms stretched out along the back of the sofa. Taryn took his lead and walked into the living room, sat next to him, and crossed her arms and legs. She wagged one foot as it dangled in the air.
“Can I help you two with something?” Ornella asked.
“Nope. You already know you can’t help me with nothing.” Taryn rolled her eyes.
“Be respectful, my girl. I told you once before this is my house and I won’t tolerate that mouth of yours.”
“If you would let me go home, you wouldn’t have to tolerate it. But since you won’t, I guess you have to hear it.”
The look on Ornella’s face displayed her anger. Taryn didn’t care, though. Instead, she taunted her more.
“If you weren’t such a possessive monster I wouldn’t be here anyway.”
Ornella crossed the room, closing the distance between them, before slapping Taryn hard across her face. “You will show me some respect in my house.”
Taryn rubbed her face before jumping up and slapping Ornella back. “I told you not to put your hands on me.”
Ornella was clearly shocked, but that didn’t last long. She reached under her jacket, presented a knife faster than Taryn could blink, and swung it at her. Before she could connect with the side of Taryn’s neck, Uzoma stood up, and she sliced his arm instead.
She mumbled something in French before yelling at him. Taryn backed away when she saw Demoto approaching from behind. He grabbed Ornella in a headlock and applied pressure. Her arms flailed wildly as she fought to see who it was.
“Who is this? I’m going to kill you!” she screamed.
“I told you I was coming.” Demoto kissed the side of her face and turned her head to the side.
The move looked simple, but it must have hurt because she yelped again and swung behind her head with the knife. She continued to try this until Demoto released her. Her body was limp as she slid to the floor. They all stood over her watching her try to catch her breath. She rubbed her neck and stood back to her feet slowly.
Looking at Demoto, a sinister smile crept onto her face. “I see you’ve come to save your little wife.”
“You knew I would. Just like you knew I was coming for you. It was only a matter of time before I was able to give you what you deserve.”
“What I deserve?”
“You heard me.”
Ornella sat down on the sofa and crossed her legs as if death wasn’t hanging in the air. She looked at Demoto, Taryn, then Uzoma.
“You three scoundrels think I’m some type of fool, huh?” She laughed. “Better yet, you think I’m afraid to die?” She really began laughing then. “Well, I’m not. Just know before you try anything you’ll have a knife in the back of your skull before it’s complete.”
“Mother, you know I’ve waited a long time for this, right? A really long time. Ever since I was a child I dreamed of squeezing the life from your body. For a long time, I wondered what was it about me that you hated and why you treated me worse than Adisa.” Demoto laughed. “But now I don’t give two fucks. You were a horrible mama and your time has come to an end.”
“I hate you. I hated the day you were born. You were nothing more than a bastard child that occupied my womb for n
ine miserable months. If it wasn’t for Adisa’s father, you never would have made it into this world. I had plans on killing your ass before you ever took your first breath, but I couldn’t. That baboon you called a father watched me like a fucking hawk. So I had to kill his ass. He thought that I didn’t know he sent you two away from here because of me, but I did. He loved to act like it was to give you all a better life, but in reality he knew it was only a matter of time before I served your brown ass head on a fucking platter.”
“What kind of mother are you?” Uzoma asked in disbelief.
“The kind that didn’t like being trapped in this house with a man who allowed another man to have relations with the mother of his children.”
“Wrap this shit up, Ornella.” Demoto was beginning to get impatient with her reasoning.
She raised her eyebrows. “Wrap it up, huh? Okay.” She unbuttoned the jacket she was wearing and scooted to the edge of the sofa. She looked at Demoto with a scowl before looking back at Uzoma. “Demoto, meet your real brother. Your Uncle Toby, Uzoma’s father, he’s your father, too.”
Now that was some shit. She looked at both of them before bursting into a full-fledged laughter. “Yes, I know, I know, it’s unbelievable, right? I had a baby by my sister’s husband. And to think my husband knew about it and allowed it to go on. I told him over and over that I didn’t want his baby unless he divorced my sister, but he wouldn’t, so I was forced to keep your bastard ass. Both of them were cowards. What kind of men would allow that type of shit?” Ornella pulled a cigarette from her jacket pocket and lit it.
She took a long puff from it and looked around the room at everyone in there, Alias, her soldiers, and now Paki. When she saw him she smiled even bigger.
“Well look at what the cat drug in.”
“Hello Ornella.”
“Fuck you, Paki. Get your snitching ass out of my house.”
Paki didn’t say anything to her. He addressed Demoto instead. “You good son?”
Demoto didn’t look to be doing so well, but he was going to have to mask that and handle his feelings later. Right now, there were things that needed to be done.