by Tracy Brown
Vanessa walked toward them wearing a black halter dress. She smiled as she approached the pair.
“Crystal, good to see you again. You look so pretty.” Vanessa gave Crystal a hug, then stood beside Troy and took his hand in hers.
“So do you.” Crystal returned the compliment.
Vanessa did a little curtsy. “I probably gained ten pounds eating those cupcakes!”
Crystal pretended not to hear her. “I love your hair.”
Troy looked uncomfortable. Vanessa squeezed his hand affectionately and he forced a smile.
“Did you bring your cousin with you?” she asked, looking around the party.
Troy glanced at Crystal questioningly.
Crystal shook her head. “No.” She looked at Troy. “My cousin and I ran into Vanessa while we were out shopping.”
He nodded, still frowning. “Small world.” He wondered why neither of them had mentioned it to him before. He didn’t like the thought of them having secret meetings and conversations.
Fox made his way over to them, beaming from all the love he was receiving.
“There’s my girl!” He threw his arms around Crystal. “I’ve been asking about you. How’s my son been treating you?”
“Not bad,” Crystal said. “So far, the apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.”
Fox nodded. “Good.”
“How was Hawaii?” Crystal asked.
Fox launched right into a story about parasailing in Maui with his pretty young girlfriend. Everyone listened, laughing along. Then Crystal found herself distracted by a man approaching the group. The man was tall like Troy and appeared to be in his thirties with an unmistakable swagger. A deep ebony complexion and jet-black hair; sideburns thick and perfectly lined, his goatee full. His eyes were deep-set, piercing, and thick eyebrows hooded them. He wore a dark suit, with a charcoal gray shirt unbuttoned at the collar and no tie.
Crystal felt an icy chill travel the length of her spine. The man approached Fox from behind, so he never saw him coming. But Crystal saw him. She watched each step he took in their direction.
“Congratulations, Dad.” His voice was as deep as the ocean.
Fox looked unpleasantly surprised as he turned around. “Wes.”
Wes smiled at his father. “Congratulations on your retirement.”
Fox’s smile was forced. “I appreciate that. Good to see you, son.” He greeted a couple of his guests as they walked by. He hoped that Wes would take the hint and get lost.
Wes continued looming there. “What’s up, Troy?”
He had a menacing presence. Crystal could sense it now. Vanessa nudged her. Crystal saw her mouth “Watch.”
Troy didn’t respond to his brother. Instead, he eyed him coldly.
“Oh. It’s like that, huh?” Wes’s smile was maniacal. “Okay.” He looked at Crystal, then did a double take. His eyes traveled the length of her body, admiring the curve of her figure in the dress. He licked his lips dramatically. “Hello. I’m Wes Mitchell. Nice to meet you.” He extended his hand.
Troy pushed it away. Wes took an aggressive step toward him, but Fox stepped between his sons, keeping them apart.
A couple of nearby guests glanced in their direction. Crystal and Vanessa stepped a few inches away.
Troy had a look in his eyes that Crystal hadn’t seen before. Wes looked amused. Crystal had worked closely enough with Fox to tell that he was angry. Although he was smiling and his body language wasn’t confrontational, his brow was set in such a way that she knew he was livid.
“Let’s go in my office and talk.” He touched each of his sons gingerly. “Come on.”
Crystal and Vanessa watched as the three men walked toward the corridor. A man stood near the entrance. He was tall with broad shoulders, velvety brown skin, and a salt-and-pepper goatee. He wore all black and stood near the doorway, unsmiling. As the men approached, he exchanged brief words with Fox, then followed them down the hall.
Vanessa turned to Crystal, wide-eyed. “That’s Uncle Don!” She looked like a spectator at a movie. It was clear that she was fascinated by this side of Troy’s life. As taboo as it was for her family, she was obviously entertained.
“What do you think they’re talking about?” Crystal asked.
Vanessa glanced toward the doorway. “I don’t know. I’m just glad my parents aren’t here yet. They’ve already seen enough.”
Crystal glanced around. “I’m gonna use the bathroom.”
Vanessa nodded. “I’ll come with you.”
Crystal groaned. “I have to make a phone call first. I’ll catch up with you in a minute.” She hustled off before Vanessa could protest.
She lost her in the crowd, fuller now that more people had begun to arrive. It took her a couple of minutes to make it to the corridor where Troy and his family had gone. She edged past a few people lingering there and she found a narrow hallway leading to a set of doors. She glanced around to see if anyone was looking. Satisfied that she was undetected, she slipped down the hallway, walking on her tiptoes so that her heels didn’t make a sound. She heard voices behind the door furthest away. She inched closer and pressed her ear against it, positioning herself so that she could see if anyone was coming.
“Troy stopped by to see me not too long ago,” a voice said. “I was expecting you to come and make that delivery personally. I did you a favor when you needed it. The least you could do is show me some respect.”
Someone laughed. Crystal recognized it as Fox. “Come on. You did me a favor? Please! Let’s not talk about all the money I cleaned for you over the years. All the favors I called in to get you out of trouble.”
“I didn’t forget. You did a lot for me.”
“Yes, I did. And you got out of hand. You started doing too much. Running around like you’re invincible. I’m out here trying to build a legacy for my kids. How could I do that with you making headlines for all the wrong reasons?”
“So you acted like you didn’t know me. Stopped doing me favors. Gave me your ass to kiss.”
“And you took it out on me by turning my son against me.”
Fox’s words lingered. Crystal pressed her ear closer to the door, afraid that she was missing something.
“Ain’t nobody turn your son against you, Fox.” Don’s response was less boisterous this time.
“What do you call this? Harvey told me about your little visit to his house on Thanksgiving. Me and you, Don … that’s one thing. I can live with the fact that my brother hates my guts. But now you got my son walking in here. In front of all my friends—”
“Nigga, fuck your friends! This is family right here!”
Crystal had no problem hearing that. Don’s voice echoed in the narrow hallway where she stood.
“Family.” Crystal recognized that voice as Troy’s.
“I’m listening to you using that word like it gives you a license to do what you want. I used to believe it, too. That there was something noble about family. But I see now there’s no reward in this shit. It’s just more and more bullshit. Fuck this family.”
Silence. Crystal waited. She prepared to sprint off if the door opened suddenly. She peered down the hall and saw Vanessa heading in her direction.
“There you are!” Vanessa called loudly. “I was looking for you in the bathroom, but you weren’t there.” Her voice echoed off the walls.
Crystal began walking toward her quickly.
“What are you doing all the way over here?” Vanessa looked a little tipsy.
“I was trying to find the bathroom. I must be lost. Do you know where it is?” Crystal glanced over her shoulder as they reached the edge of the hallway. She saw the door open.
Vanessa giggled. “Yes, silly. It’s all the way at the other end of the hall. I’ll show you.”
Crystal saw Troy come out of the room followed by Fox. Wes and Don came out moments afterward.
Vanessa noticed them at last and she froze in place. Crystal stood back and watched them.
>
Fox stood and waited for his brother to catch up. He extended his hand. Don didn’t take it.
Troy was looking at his uncle so venomously that Crystal was riveted.
“Uncle Don, we’ll talk later on. You cool?” Troy’s words were gentle, but his stance was puffed up. It looked like he might lay hands on his uncle.
Don shrugged. “I’m always cool.” He moved toward the exit. Wes followed him, a sinister grin on his face. He winked at Vanessa on his way out the door.
Crystal looked for their reactions. Fox flashed a phony grin. “Sorry about that, folks. Can’t pick your family.”
Fox walked away, clearly embarrassed.
Troy walked over to them. He appeared to be on edge. “I apologize for that.”
She shook her head. “No need to apologize. I’m not even really sure what that was.”
He laughed, shaking his head. “I told you. My family is complicated.”
Vanessa spotted her parents, said “I’ll be back,” then dashed off in their direction.
Troy seemed relieved to see her go. “I want to taste you again.” He whispered it in her ear in a seductive tone. She instantly recalled the feeling of his mouth on her body, pleasure and pain in a perfect marriage.
She smiled. “I told you, we’re not doing that again. Once was enough.”
He laughed. “That’s not what your pussy said.”
Roxy appeared out of nowhere, loudly praising Crystal’s dress.
“Gorgeous!”
“Thank you.” Crystal smiled graciously.
Vanessa stood nearby with her arm linked through her father’s while he chatted with Tavis Smiley.
“Crystal, are you going to make a speech tonight? Everyone is fighting for time at the podium before Fox makes his speech.”
Crystal’s eyes widened. In a room full of so many political types, the last thing she was in the mood for was long-winded speeches. “Oh, no! Actually, I was just leaving.”
Troy’s head snapped in her direction. “Leaving? Why?”
Roxy, too, looked shocked. “Is everything alright?”
Crystal nodded. “I just have the worst headache. I’ve taken aspirin and everything. But really I think I just need to rest. I’ve been keeping a crazy schedule lately. Sadly, it’s finally catching up to me.”
“Tsk-tsk.” Roxy pouted. Crystal could see the resemblance to her daughter then.
Troy took Crystal by the hand. “I’ll walk you out.”
She bid Roxy good night and Troy walked her toward the front door.
“What’s the real reason you’re leaving?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I really just need to lay down.”
He looked at her. “Can I come and lay with you?”
She laughed. “Your father would be disappointed if you did.”
“He’s already going to be disappointed when he finds out that you left early. Hipster is one of his biggest accomplishments. You know he’s going to want to give the credit to you.”
“Please give him my apologies. I really loved working with him and I’m so happy for him.” She looked around. “He worked hard for all of this.”
Troy shrugged. He walked to the edge of the curb and motioned at Butch, who was parked across the street. Immediately, the car’s headlights came on and Butch pulled up in front of the house. He got out and greeted Troy and Crystal.
“Butch, can you bring Crystal home, please?”
Crystal shook her head. “I’m not going home tonight.”
Troy looked crushed for a minute. He had been hoping that she wasn’t leaving early for a date with someone else.
“I’m staying at the Surrey tonight. I got a room for the night so I wouldn’t have to drag myself back to Brooklyn.”
Troy nodded. “Nice.”
Butch held the door open for her. She thanked him and climbed inside. She noticed that Troy remained outside, watching as Butch pulled away from the curb.
Butch played some mellow jazz and engaged her in light conversation on their way to her hotel. Crystal learned that he was a widower and had worked for Troy for close to ten years.
“How did your wife die?” Crystal asked the question gently. She could tell by how he spoke about her that he had loved her very much.
Butch glanced at her through the rearview. “She had cancer. Died suddenly.”
Crystal could feel his sadness as he uttered the words. She glanced out the window, watching the city go by. Pulling up in front of the hotel, he waited until she was safely inside before leaving.
She peeled out of her dress and took a long, hot shower. She ordered room service and fell asleep watching a movie on the hotel television. Her cell phone rang at 1:15 A.M., startling her. The vibration coupled with her ringtone pierced the peace and serenity she had been enjoying while she slept. She picked it up and saw Troy’s name and number on the screen. She answered it, unsure why her hands were suddenly unsteady.
“Hello?”
“Are you alone?” Troy’s voice was low and deep.
“Yes,” she said. “Why?”
“Because I’m in the lobby,” he said. “What room are you in? I’m coming up.”
She paused. “What if I wasn’t alone?” she asked.
“I would drive back home,” he said. “But I prayed the whole way over here that you would be by yourself.”
“Why?” she asked.
“I want to talk to you.” He gripped the phone tightly. He wanted to do a lot more than talk.
She hesitated before finally giving him her room number. She hung up, tied her bathrobe around her waist, and waited by the door. He knocked moments later.
She opened the door to find him standing with a bouquet of flowers in his hand. She laughed.
“Where did you find those at this time of night?”
He hid behind them. “I snatched them from one of the centerpieces at my dad’s party.”
Crystal laughed. “Come in.” She took the flowers and set them on the table.
Troy plopped down in a chair.
“Party’s over?” Crystal asked. She sat on the edge of the bed.
He nodded. “For me at least. My dad and his friends can go all night. But I’m worn out.”
“What about Vanessa? She seems like she can go all night, too.”
His eyes narrowed. “Okay. A little play on words, huh?”
She smirked.
“Vanessa went home with her parents.” He sighed. “I think she’s starting to see that my family might not be all it’s cracked up to be.” He shrugged. “Her parents love publicity. But not the kind my brother brings.”
Crystal’s ears perked up. “Tell me about your brother,” she said. She curled her feet beneath her.
He sighed. “Wes … I’m gonna be honest with you,” he said. “He rolls with a different crowd. Hustlers, movers, and shakers.”
Crystal raised an eyebrow. “So do you,” she noted, “just because they call themselves businessmen doesn’t make it any different.”
He nodded. There was certainly some truth in that. “True. But the ones I deal with day to day pretend to be legitimate, at least. The people my brother deals with are cut from a different cloth. There’s no shame in their game.”
“I thought that Wes works for your uncle’s charity organization.”
Troy stared at her without answering.
She looked at him. “That wasn’t true?”
He shook his head. “No. That’s what he does. On paper, at least.” His eyes told her all she needed to know. Wes was a crook. Always had been and always would be.
She wanted to know more, but Troy was on his feet, walking toward her now.
He stopped and hovered over her.
“I couldn’t wait to get out of there tonight. I kept thinking about you in that dress.” He stroked her face, her neck, and wrapped his fingers around her throat. He kissed her and slowly peeled her bathrobe off.
She climbed higher on the bed, wearing nothi
ng but a pair of black lace boy shorts. She lay across it, aware that his eyes were fixed on her. She watched his eyes move across her body slowly, settling on the mounds of her breasts. She reveled in him watching her this way, his hunger for her obvious.
Troy licked his lips, his dick harder than a boulder. His eyes roamed her body lustfully.
She stared at him, no longer smiling. Then she tugged at her panties, pulling them slowly down the length of her thighs, her knees, and left them pooling around her ankles.
He took a step forward, so excited at the sight of her there naked before him. He restrained himself from ravaging her, opting instead to explore her with his eyes, inch by inch. He admired her confidence. She parted her legs, giving him an even better view of what he was so anxious to see. She ran her hands along her inner thighs. Tickling her skin with touches as light as a whisper, Crystal pleasured herself, putting on a show for Troy.
He stepped closer and watched her part the lips of her sex, fingering herself. She let out a moan that stirred the beast inside of him.
Troy crawled onto the edge of the bed, his head and torso hovering just above her pussy.
He grabbed her thighs, pulling her closer, causing Crystal to gasp. Pinning her hands down at her side, he held her in position. He buried his face between her thighs, sending her on an erotic thrill ride that left her trembling, breathless across the bed. He held her tightly, her arms pinned at her sides, while he devoured her.
Crystal spread her legs wider, lifting her head to watch him work. He sucked harder, her swollen clit so tender in his mouth. She bucked at him, tossing her head back against the mattress.
“Oh!” she sang out, his tongue driving her insane with desire.
Aware that she was about to cum, he finally released her arms, freeing her to grab at him in desperation. She gripped his head, pulling him closer, deeper. She erupted, her body wracked by spasms as the powerful orgasm coursed through her.
He stood up, pulling his clothes off frantically. He pulled a condom out of his wallet and tore it open. Scooping her up in his arms, he placed her legs on either side of him, rubbing the head of his dick against her pussy, dripping wet from his oral assault.