by KR Bankston
That bit of business handled she was heading into the kitchen to join her men when her cell rang again.
“Hey girl,” Jaleesa greeted Kim, seeing her name on the ID.
“I need to talk,” Kim told her, the tone tense and anxious.
Jaleesa frowned slightly before telling her to go ahead. Kim let out an uneven breath. She was glad for the friendship she’d forged with Jaleesa and being able to trust her with some of the more personal things she had dealt with. She ran down the things going on with her and Mook over the last few weeks, ending with the meeting up with Tyshon and the thing that subsequently happened between them. Jaleesa listened intently her wind whirling as Kim spoke.
“Well first of all, chill on the guilt thing,” Jaleesa told her plainly. “I know for a fact you being who you are, the shit happened by surprise, you didn’t plan to get with him like that,” she told the woman as Kim breathed deeply again.
“Mook will kill me if he finds out,” Kim told her shakily.
“You make sure he doesn’t find out,” Jaleesa told her matter-of-fact.
“Kim, you have to figure out what’s really eating you and deal with it,” Jaleesa told her concerning the tension between her and Mook. “As for Tyshon, hell, just stay away from him,” she finished evenly.
Kim told her she was right and she knew better.
“You got caught up girl. It has happened to the best of us,” Jaleesa told her chuckling at the end trying to lighten the mood.
“You didn’t sleep with him, and Mook doesn’t know,” Jaleesa tried again. “So stop tripping, put your game face on, and get things back on track with your man,” she added as Kim thanked her for the advice and let her go.
Maybe you should take your own advice, her mind taunted as Jaleesa sighed deeply, pushed it out of her mind and finally arrived at the kitchen, grabbing a bowl and joining her guys.
*****
Layla smiled as she walked into the farmers market and saw a sight for sore eyes. Mmm, still looking tasty as ever, she thought lustily, taking Shells in as he shopped in the fresh herbs section. Layla smoothed her dress and casually began making her way toward the man whose back was now to her. She stood close enough to observe his movements and of course watched long enough to ensure he was actually alone. While she didn’t run from any confrontation, Layla wasn’t in the mood for it today. Noting that he was about to turn around, she stepped closer and Shells almost bumped into her as he went to move away from the ginger he’d just secured.
“Excuse me,” he said sweetly before looking at her and recognition taking place.
“How are you today,” Shells greeted Layla amiably.
“I’m fine Shells, how are you,” she replied, loving the accent and beautiful dark eyes staring into her own.
“Good, picking up some herbs to make dinner,” he replied as Layla chuckled remarking she didn’t know he cooked.
“Of course,” Shells threw back giving her a playfully indignant look.
Layla laughed full out at his point, oblivious to anyone else inside the market.
“Are you shopping,” he asked her now, noting the still empty hand basket she carried.
“Yes, but I just arrived,” she replied as he grunted slightly. “I want to make some jerk chicken, but I’m a little lost at the moment,” Layla threw out praying he took the bait.
“That not a problem, I can show you wut you need,” Shells replied still smiling as she graciously thanked him and fell into step beside him, walking through the various isles in the market.
They chitchatted pleasantly with him asking about her work and if she thought she would like being in Atlanta.
“I think I’ll like it very much,” Layla replied softly.
Shells gave her a curious glance hearing the tone, but didn’t speak on it.
“You should have everyting now,” he told her as they gathered the final ingredient, chicken.
“Thank you so much Shells,” Layla gushed. “I don’t know what I would have done if I hadn’t run into you,” she added reaching out and gently touching his arm.
Shells was immediately uncomfortable, loudly and clearly picking up the interest from her now. Layla stepped closer, giving him a quick hug, her lips grazing his neck softly. Shells moved his head, unfortunately in the direction of her face as she began moving back. Neither of them saw Tae as she watched the interaction having arrived moments earlier and spotting them walking through the market. What the fuck, she thought acidly, turning on her heel and walking out.
*****
The darkened cemetery was eerily calm, only the sounds of the occasional cricket chirping was heard as the city carried on its nightly business unaware of the occupants inside the empty crypt located in a back corner of the dilapidated row of tombstones, covered in moss, crumbling from neglect and decay, that marked one life or another that had long since been forgotten. Inside the four men gathered were regarding the one they had strapped to the huge concrete slab that covered the rusted coffin, containing the rotted corpse of their unknown host for the evening. The water bugs and cockroaches still scurried about attending to their business as they ignored the intruders inside their walled fortress. Creeper secured the vise to the end of the slab, placing one of the man’s ankles inside it and cranking it to a closed position; secured but not uncomfortable. Pirate did the same with the other ankle, stepping back once he was done, carelessly crushing one of the worrisome bugs underfoot, and picking up his cigarette taking a long drag from it. Vegas regarded the men with fear in his eyes, his heart racing and pounding in his ears as he watched them talking quietly, casting looks his way every now and again. Even the large grey spider crawling slowly down the wall across from his feet frightened him less than the company of his captors.
Creeper thought it a great stroke of luck to find him at the safe house when they went looking for the robbing crew that had hit their dealer and assaulted his girl. Coming to the cemetery had been Ian’s idea. Creeper had to admit though morbid, he thought it was the perfect location to carry out their execution without interruption. Ryan sat a small black case on one of the ledges in the crypt, opening it and removing a vial and hypodermic needle plus several other intended tools for the evening’s pleasure. Ian smiled seeing the items placed, chuckling marginally aloud. Creeper noticed he’d been in an exceptionally good mood since returning from Gabrielle DuBois’s place last night. He didn’t dare call him on it though, suspecting what must have transpired between the pair.
“So Mr. Vegas,” Ian began calmly as Ryan lit his cigar and puffed contentedly.
The man’s eyes were transfixed on Ian, his heart still pounding. The gag in his mouth kept his teeth from chattering as the fear rolled off him in mammoth waves. These fools are going to kill me, he thought behind the gag as they all continued to casually observe him during Ian’s interrogation.
“I understand you and your associates seem to think the operation here is weak, and that the men running it are pussies,” he told him as Vegas shook his head no.
“Really,” Ian questioned, seeing his reaction. “Perhaps you’d like to enlighten us then,” he ventured as Vegas shook his head yes, praying he would be able to talk his way out of the crypt, still breathing and in one piece.
Pirate stepped up and ripped the tape off his mouth, removing the rag stuffed in as well. The spider had made its way to the floor, slowly ascending the table where Vegas was held captive.
“Please, enlighten us,” Ian told him, lighting his own cigar now, waiting for Vegas to talk.
Clearing his throat trying to get moisture back into it and enable his speech, Vegas opened his mouth.
“Wasn’t no disrespect, we were just trying to get our hustle on, same as you,” Vegas managed to croak as Creeper and Pirate both frowned deeply and Ian nodded slightly.
“What about the attack on our runner, not to mention the disgustingly foul act of his woman being raped repeatedly,” Ian questioned.
Vegas swallowed hard.
“That wasn’t the order given, that fool acted on his own with that part,” he quickly told Ian.
Creeper smiled slightly and Vegas’s blood ran cold.
“Hmph,” Ian said simply and turned his attention to Creeper.
Reaching behind him Creeper pulled another body from the darkened corner of the crypt. Pushing him forward the man stumbled slightly knocking the spider from its precarious hold on the table, Creeper crushing it beneath his shoe. Vegas almost pissed himself seeing his accomplice now standing in front of him.
“This is the man who didn’t follow orders,” Ian questioned.
Vegas nodded slowly, unsure what their next move was, but sure he would regret it.
Creeper ripped the tape from the man’s mouth; hands still bound behind his back, and allowed him to speak.
“You’re a lying piece of shit, Vegas,” the man yelled, angry that the blame was being placed squarely on his shoulders.
The volume disturbed some of the bugs, causing a minor influx of movement as they scurried to new and perhaps quieter hiding places. Ryan smiled slightly, Ian, Creeper and Pirate tittered aloud.
“Well, seems we have a discrepancy here,” Ian returned giving Vegas a new look.
“He sent us to rob him, told us to send a clear message, told us how pretty his girl was and for us to fuck her and enjoy the shit,” the man continued to rail angrily.
Ian turned to his brother and spoke. “What do you think,” he asked as Ryan smiled slightly.
“No honor among thieves anymore,” he said as they laughed.
“I want to know where your partners hang out,” Ian addressed Vegas, calling Belch and Sheik by name.
Vegas swallowed hard again but said nothing. He couldn’t give up his boys. If he got out of here and they found out he snitched they would kill him themselves. Seeing he wasn’t getting any cooperation, Ian sighed lightly and gave Ryan a look. The elder Bailey picked up the bottle from the ledge, filled the syringe and walked over to the slab, looking down into Vegas’s face.
“Have you ever had a muscle cramp,” he asked calmly.
Vegas nodded he had as the smile spread across Ryan’s face.
“Hmph, well this little shot right here, it’s going to give you the cramp from hell,” he said injecting the milky white substance into the arm still secured to the table.
The drug was quick and effective. They saw the man’s body began to spasm and physically rise from the concrete tablet, only the tethers and vise grips keeping Vegas’s body from catapulting to the floor below their feet. His body contracted and contorted in all sorts of unnatural positions eliciting screams of agony from him again and again. The slab rattled and shook, more bugs poured angrily from the inner chamber, no doubt irritated over the disturbance in their feeding. Ian smiled slightly as Ryan continued to watch Vegas, expression neutral. Creeper and Pirate loved it, wanting to know the name of the drug for later use. The accomplice was watching in fixated horror as Vegas’s body finally became still and only small tremors and twitches now appeared.
“Ready to share now,” Ian asked, stepping back up to the table.
Vegas could hardly breathe; the pain was still wracking his body. He couldn’t believe the depth of cruelty the men were capable of.
“Hmm, perhaps you need a bit more encouragement,” Ian said once more as Pirate stepped up to the table beginning to tighten the vise on the man’s right ankle.
Vegas felt the metal tightening as the pain began to slowly creep in.
“What do you think, think he’ll tell me,” Ian asked the accomplice.
The man swallowed hard but remained quiet, his eyes begging Vegas to tell if he knew.
Vegas screamed as the bone popped. The accomplice cringed as Pirate continued to smoke, winding the vise even tighter not stopping until the ankle was crushed and useless; bone jutting through the skin, blood coating the vice and slab. Vegas was blubbering now, completely incoherent. The accomplice lost it at this point, seeing the crushed ankle, the foot dangling precariously from it, violently vomiting.
“Hey man, shit,” Creeper groused punching him hard to the stomach for getting the vile concoction on his shoes.
Vegas was trembling violently his head lurching from the slab as he convulsed yet another time, an aftershock of the earlier injection.
“If I were you, I’d share,” Ian told him once more, inches away from his face.
Still Vegas held out. Ian sighed another time, shrugging and walking away. Ryan gave Creeper a look. Pushing the accomplice to his knees, he took out the .9mm, attached the silencer and blew the man’s brains out. Vegas jumped slightly but still remained silent. Creeper kicked the dead body out of his path as the bugs curiously regarded it, attracted by the pooling blood, picking up the pliers and stepping up to the table. Vegas’s eyes grew big once more. By the time Creeper pulled off the sixth fingernail, he found his voice.
10
Everyone was sitting around the dining room table talking, laughing and enjoying after dinner drinks and coffee.
“Should you be having the coffee darling,” Ray asked sweetly as India assured him as long as it was decaffeinated she was fine.
The morning sickness had finally ceased thankfully and they were able to get out and enjoy their evenings together once more. Tonight Brent and Necie were entertaining them, inviting them over for dinner so everyone could catch up. The two men rose and headed into the den to talk more, leaving the women alone for a moment.
“You’re making my life hard,” Necie teased as India laughed.
“Why,” she questioned, still laughing.
“I’m trying to convince Brent that one child is fine because Diamond is already 7 and here you and Ray go having a newborn,” she continued to tease.
India continued to chuckle, apologizing for messing up her game plan.
“I honestly didn’t think we would even have the baby when I suspected I was pregnant,” India confided.
Necie nodded slightly. She was a bit surprised too she had to admit. Ray had been adamant for years that he never wanted another child.
“What do you suppose changed his mind,” Necie asked innocently.
“Honestly Necie, I have no idea,” India replied her hand going to her barely protruding belly. “I’m glad he did though,” she said softly as Necie smiled and patted her hand.
“So girl, we have to go shopping, start working on the nursery and all of that stuff,” Necie told her as India giggled telling her that sounded like a plan.
“Hey, I want you to try this key lime cake I picked up today from the bakery downtown,” Necie told her rising and heading into the kitchen.
“Sounds yummy,” India asked, telling her she would try it.
“It doesn’t have nuts does it,” India asked again.
Necie assured her there were no nuts in the cake, setting the slice in front of her. Brent had precut them earlier when everyone had refused saying they were too full for desert just yet. India smiled and captured a corner of the slice with the frosting, popping it into her mouth. She remarked how light and moist the cake was as well as the wonderful lime flavor it had. Almost half way through the slice she began to feel her throat start to swell. She cleared her throat several times the swelling beginning to grow worse.
“India,” Necie screamed seeing her begin to gasp for air.
Ray raced into the dining room hearing Necie’s scream, Brent on his heels. “What happened,” he asked looking into India’s face contorted in agony as she tried to breathe.
“Where is her purse,” Ray asked trying to stay calm.
The tears were streaming down her cheeks and she was gagging, the air almost completely cut off now. Necie hurriedly found the purse and Ray dumped the contents onto the floor searching for the EpiPen she carried just for emergencies like this. He wasn’t finding it and growing more and more frantic as India finally doubled over and slumped out of the chair.
“Oh God, no, India,” Necie scre
amed as Brent laid the woman out onto the carpet.
“Call 911,” Ray barked, finally finding the pen inside another compartment in the purse.
He opened it and gave her the injection, praying silently the entire time. It seemed to take forever until India heaved a gasping breath and began to cough softly, her breathing still raspy and shallow. Ray heard the sirens wailing, swallowing hard to keep the tears from coming. He’d come way too close to losing his precious India and the child she carried that they both loved so much.
“What happened,” the paramedics asked entering the dining room after Brent let them in.
“I don’t know, she was eating some cake, and then --,” Necie trailed still visibly upset.
“Is she allergic to anything,” he asked as Ray told them she had a severe nut allergy.
“Hmph, okay,” the paramedic said writing it on his chart. “Did the cake have nuts,” he asked looking at Necie again.
“Yes,” Brent answered calmly.
Necie spun around. “What, where,” she demanded.
Brent lifted the frosting showing her the small, ground, walnut pieces.
“That’s why her piece was free of the frosting,” he told her as Necie began to cry.
“I didn’t even notice, oh my god, I’m so sorry Ray,” she apologized as Ray assured her he knew she would never intentionally hurt India.
The paramedics got India stabilized and told Ray they were ready to transport her.
“I’m going to ride with her,” he told them as they advised he could, but up front with the driver.
Nodding his understanding Ray bid his son and his daughter-in-law goodnight heading out of the door.
“Ray please call and let us know how she and the baby are,” Necie told him the care and concern still visible in her eyes.