by Tee Jae
Stovall whipped his head in her direction looking at her in shock. “What does he mean suck off your targets, Amy?” he asked getting red in the face. “If I find out you slept with this piece of shit, I will report you to our director so fast you’d be on the first thing smoking back home.” He threatened her.
Well, looks like I found out where she fucked up at; a sly smirk appeared on my face as she looked back and forth between him and I.
“Stovall, calm the fuck down.” She shouted trying to gain control of the situation. “Let me speak with him alone, please.” She practically begged him with her eyes.
“I’m not going anywhere. This is our case and we cannot afford to let this slip through the cracks.”
She jumped up from her chair, “I did most the work, so trust me, I know what we can and cannot afford.” She got off in his face.
I sat back chuckling because she was in hot water and she knew that shit. “Now give me a few minutes alone with him or I’ll request it through our head of director.” They had a little weak ass stare off before he finally grabbed his folder off the table and stormed out the room like a big ass kid. She followed behind him locking the door before sitting back across from me at the table.
“Wipe that smirk off your face and help yourself out before you end up doing life in prison.” She shuffled a few papers around on the desk before sliding one across the table, “We are offering you full immunity in exchange for-
“For what? To fuck over my family?” I asked her pissed off. “You don’t think I done that shit enough? So, nah, no thanks.” I slid the paper back across the table without so much as a glance at it.
“Khaddo, my boss is looking to hang you and your brother and anybody else associated with you. I do care for you and would hate to see you throw your life away behind your family’s criminal activities.”
I sat back, intertwining my fingers behind my head, laughing at her desperate ass. “Damere, is it?” I called her by her fake name, “You illegally wired my home and now you talking to me about immunity? You know what I think? I think you fucked up and now you trying to save your ass.”
“Dammit, Khaddo, listen to me I know you… you are too smart to go down for the havoc your brother and his minions has caused.” She shouted.
I banged my fist on the steel table, “Bitch, you don’t know me at all cause if you did, then you would know I stand tall on my family name and I’d do a lifetime sentence if it means righting my wrongs with them. I should’ve listened when my brother said you were no good.” By this time, the guards were banging trying to get in the door that she locked from the inside. I stood up from the table and walked toward the door, placing my wrists together in front of me ready for them to be cuffed so they can drag me back to my cell.
“Khaddo, you don’t have to play tough with me. You are the weakest of your brothers. Why’d you think I picked you?” I heard the insult dripping from her voice. “The things you told me are treacherous and the culprits must pay for what they have done. As you can see, some secrets you told me have been kept at bay. Why do you think your mother isn’t behind bars, but you have to help me or you entire family will go down.
I continued to stand at the door waiting for her to unlock it. “Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me.” I smirked while she brushed past me to unlock the door where the guards were waiting to bum rush me.
“I’m ok.” She put her hand up, halting and stopping them. “Take him back to the holding cell.” She sighed.
Once the guards walked me back into the cell and removed the cuffs and walked off. I looked at the stress on the faces of my brother and best friend, instantly feeling a ping of regret stinging my chest. All this time they had been fighting enemies in the streets and I let a piece of pussy walk in and tear down everything my family built.
“What happened?” Khadi’s stern demanding voice asked as soon as the guards were out of earshot.
“Tried to get me on some off the record shit.” We all bust out laughing as if she hadn’t recorded all those previous conversations we had. It felt good to laugh, hell we may be stuck in this hell hole but as long as we had each other’s back, we’d be ok; or at least I thought so. “I do have to say this though, because this may help us. I spoke with Damere…” I paused remembering that wasn’t even her real name. “Her real name is Amy and she said some shit to me about telling her some shit that could even put mama in jail.” I watched the surprised look that replaced the laughter on their faces. “The only thing is I don’t remember telling her anything. It’s almost like she would just wake up talking about things that were going on in our family and I really don’t remember nothing. I can’t even recall a conversation we had before she would talk about the shit. But she knew shit she shouldn’t have known so I just went along with it.” I shook my head trying to remember.
“What you saying, Ock?” Zilla spoke up for the first time since I returned back to the cell. “You think she did something to you? Maybe drugged you or some shit?” he asked with one eyebrow raised standing to his feet.
“I really don’t know.” I sat down trying to think.
“Think hard Ock… like when was the last time she did something for you? Cook? Fixed you a drink? Anything.” He was now standing in front of me with Khadi by his side.
“Shid, before my birthday dinner, she kept giving me shots and fixed me a drink like she always do.”
“Nah, what about anything else?” Khadi spoke up becoming more interested.
“I mean she cooked dinner the night before… last thing I remember was eating.” I shrugged my shoulders.
“That bitch was drugging you.” Zilla slapped his hand against the wall. “We got that bitch now.” He was all excited.
“Zilla, call a guard back here right quick so we can get Cooper on the phone.” Khadi demanded with a smirk on his face.
Chapter 4
Toi
“Mommy… I’m hungry.” KJ yawned from the back seat of the rental stretching out his limbs.
“Mommy will get you something to eat in a little bit… ok?”
“Ok.” He sat up in his booster seat and his face lit up like a Christmas tree. “Whose house is this mommy? It’s big.” He asked rubbing the crust out of his eyes trying to get a better view. We had been parked on the main road sitting outside of Khadi’s house for the past two hours and still no sign of him.
I had been living in St. Lucia ever since the kidnapping six years ago. Diesel, the guy who was behind everything, had a natural born hate for Khadia since he took over Miami and held me for ransom to strip Khadi of what he loved most... ME. Khadi paid the ransom and Diesel was actually going to kill me anyway and take off with the money until I told him I was pregnant minutes before he was about to blow my brains out. He claimed he couldn’t kill a baby and have that on his conscious, so he had a little sympathy and decided to let me live. The stipulation was making me move down to St. Lucia, being that Khadi had beaucoup niggas on his payroll and would be looking for me. He took good care of me during my pregnancy and trust me, he was easy on the eyes so I eventually fell for him. That and plus, I knew if I showed up on Khadi’s door step he would easily think I was involved in the kidnapping.
I had to beg Diesel to get a job at the airport simply because I was tired of sitting around the house all day. So imagine the feeling that surged through my body when I saw Khadi’s name down for the private strip. The minute he arrived in St. Lucia, I stalked him and his companion, who I later learned was his wife, like my life depended on it. I almost blew my cover at the Blue Olive Bar a while back but apparently the cognac he was sipping on had him thinking he was seeing things.
I watched from a distance the interaction between him and was blinded by the rock on her finger that was big enough to build a small city. The burning sensation I felt in my chest with a twinge of jealousy was eating me up watching how he kept his eyes on her at all times. It had me thinking all kinds of negative things like did he rea
lly search for me like he was supposed to? Or did he move on the first chance he received? I envied the way he let her be free and mingle and dance with other people while he sat back keeping a close eye on her in the way a husband protected his wife.
Diesel was so jealous, I wouldn’t dare move from his side while in public. It was then that I decided I needed to break away from Diesel and make my way back into the states so Khadi could meet his son and hopefully forgive me. The minute Diesel flew out of the country for business, I packed us a few things and flew back to Miami. It was time for KJ to meet his father and for me to rightfully claim what is mine…. Khadi Santana!
“Mommy, did you hear me? I asked you who lives here?” KJ’s little voice squeaked in my ear. At only five-years-old, he was so smart and attentive to what was going on that I didn’t want to lie to him any longer. During our time in St. Lucia, I made sure he understood that Diesel was his stepfather, while his real father lived far, far away.
I turned around facing him in the back seat, “Baby remember mommy told you that Diesel was only your stepfather and that your real father lived far away?” He nodded his head up and down, staring up at me looking just like a mini replica of me. He had my light brown skin color and curly hair, everything else belonged to his father. His build, beady eyes and even his damn attitude was just like Khadi’s. “Well… that’s where your real father lives.” I turned back toward the window pointing toward the house.
“KJJJJJJJJJ!” I hollered but it was too late. He was out of the car and running up the private road toward the house.
I ran as fast as I could behind him. This definitely wasn’t the way I wanted him and Khadi to meet. I picked up speed, catching him by his shirt and pulled him back toward me, “What the hell is wrong with you?” I dragged him back toward the car trying to catch my breath.
“I want to meet my father.” Tears rolled down his face as I placed him back inside the rental and put the child lock on the back doors.
“I promise you will meet him soon KJ. We just have to do this my way. Ok?” I got in the front seat strapping myself in purposely keeping my back toward him so he wouldn’t see the tears welling up in my eyes. This was just as hard for me as it was for him.
“Why can’t we go now?” he cried harder breaking my heart.
“Because KJ…” I was becoming irritated now. “Your father has a wife which would make her your stepmother and I’m not too sure she would like you.” I lied hoping that lie would keep him at bay for now.
“But Diesel is my stepfather and he loves me.” He shot back quickly.
I drove away from the house quickly. “Listen, when we get back to the hotel, I will let you swim and I’ll call your father to see if he will meet us tomorrow… ok?” I peeked at him through the rearview mirror.
“Ok.” He sadly responded.
*****
Once we were settled back at the Ritz Carlton downtown, I took KJ down to the pool letting him wear himself out and play with a few other kids that were at the pool. I stared at the phone, nervous about making the phone call. Hell, he probably didn’t even have the same phone number, I thought to myself. I looked at KJ and seeing the smile on his face made it much easier for me to push the send button. I listened as the phone rang out to voicemail, it was only five o’clock in the evening, so I hit the button again and listened hoping this time he would pick up but I only got the voicemail. I quickly hung up feeling stupid for even coming back here. Feeling defeated I gave up for today and decided to try again tomorrow morning. Maybe I could catch him in little Havana by one of the businesses he owned.
“Come on KJ!” I hollered holding out one of the hotels towels to wrap him in and dry him off.
“Ma.” He looked up at me shivering from the cold air in the elevator. “Can I meet my dad now?” he asked with pleading eyes. KJ was the one kid I knew that remembered everything you promised him.
I looked down at him and lied once again, “Tomorrow, baby, you will meet him tomorrow.” I sighed before stepping off the elevator making our way to the room.
I ordered room service after we both got out of the shower and put on Karate Kid for KJ to watch until he fell asleep. I swear we couldn’t leave home without that DVD. I finished off my glass of red wine right before falling into a deep slumber, it had been a long exhausting day.
“Mmmmmmm.” I struggled trying to open my mouth but the heavy hand that covered it made it hard for me to scream let alone speak. The room was pitch black except for the small light that gleamed through the curtains over the window, so I couldn’t make out who was in my room. My heart raced as a million thoughts crossed my mind. If Diesel found us, I was sure to receive the ass whipping of a lifetime.
“I’m not going to hurt you.” The deep voice sounded familiar but I couldn’t make it out. “Promise me you won’t scream once I let you go,” the intruder said waiting for me to give him an answer. I nodded my head up and down letting him know I wouldn’t scream. He lifted his hands from my mouth and arms and clicked the button turning on the light on the nightstand next to my bed.
“Oh my god, Biggs!!!” I screeched adjusting my eyes to the light in the room.
“What the fuck Toi? I need answers and I need them now!” He barked visibly upset. “What the fuck you doing here? We gave you a memorial years ago.” He backed away from me, looking confused, taking a seat on the small chair that sat not too far from the bed.
I sat up trying to make sense of what the hell was going on. How the hell did Biggs know I was in town and furthermore, how the fuck was he standing in my hotel room? It was like he read my mind.
“You know you should always latch your hotel door at night. If you’re wondering how I found you, don’t look so surprised; it’s almost like you wanted to be found sitting outside of Khadi’s home, Toi. So, I’m here, I found you. Now give me some fucking answers.” He barked again and I jumped looking over to make sure he didn’t wake KJ.
“Biggs, he forced me…” I tried to stop the tears from falling from my eyes.
“Bullshit! Toi, what the fuck happened? You set Khadi up?” his dark, black eyes stared into mine.
“What??? Noooooooooo,” I answered immediately. “I didn’t set him up. Diesel was going to kill me until I told him I was pregnant.”
“Wait a minute. You telling me that nigga, Diesel, was behind this shit?” I nodded my head. Within the next twenty minutes, I broke down everything that happened from the kidnapping to the move and all about KJ.
“So you telling me this lil nigga for Khadi?” he asked excitedly walking around the bed to get a better look at him before taking a seat back in the chair. “Why now Toi? Why come back now? I mean Khadi has moved on; of course, he will do right by his son but he’s married now and no disrespect but she’s a perfect addition to him and our family.” He said cracking my heart in two pieces.
“I’m still family, Biggs.” My voice cracked as I tried to defend myself with tears welling up in my eyes. “It wasn’t my fault, I swear I was scared to come back thinking that Khadi would think I had something to do with it.” I wiped my tears away, “But to answer your question I came back because it’s time for KJ to meet his father.” I sighed.
“That’s it? No other motives?” he looked at me side eye.
I can’t lie that last question hurt. Khadi’s wife must really be special to everyone the way he was trying to make sure I wasn’t trying to fuck up his marriage. “That’s it.” I dropped my head feeling dumb that I even entertained the thought of Khadi dropping everything he had going on for me. No lie, my main motive was for KJ to meet his father but part of me thought that we would be able to reunite once he saw me. I mean, I thought there was no way another bitch could hold a candle to the bond he and I had but maybe I was wrong. The only way to find out was to talk to Khadi myself.
“Well, can you let him know that we are here and KJ would love to meet him like tomorrow, so we can head back home.” I asked hoping he would take my side on this one.
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“Home? Toi, you really think Khadi is going to let you leave out of Miami with his son once he finds out you are here?” he asked looking at me like I’d lost my damn mind.
“I mean he’s married and getting ready to start his own family if they don’t have kids already.” I threw that out there as bait trying to find out if they had any kids or not. “I tried reaching out to him twice earlier today and got nothing.” I got heated just thinking about the shit.
He sat back and took a deep breath. “Toi, Khadi’s locked up.” He answered disappointedly.
“Locked up?” I damn near lost my breath. “How? When? What happened?” I asked worriedly. Khadi was too smooth and had too many connections to be locked up.
“I don’t want to get into all that right now but I have to take Brooklyn to see him tomorrow, so I will make sure he knows about this.” He stood up sliding his cell phone into my hand. “Lock your phone number in here and I’ll get back with you.” I entered my cell number in it with my name attached and handed it back to him. “One more thing,” he asked before walking out the door, “How’d you know where Khadi’s new home was?”
I stared back at him, “He bought that property years ago while we were together. That is supposed to my dream home built on that property.”
Chapter 5
Brooklyn
“What in the world?” I asked Khali as I descended the stairs to head to visitation. She stood at the bottom of the steps with two calmly but vicious looking dogs. They both stood protectively on each side of Khali waiting on her every command.
“This is Remy and Rebel,” she said, introducing and patting the top of their tan and black heads as she introduced them to me. “They are Belgian Malinois and were trained by the best of the best, cost a pretty penny too. They will protect us while the boys are gone and when Biggs or Terrance can’t be here. Put your hand out so Rebel can lick your palm. Rebel is yours, it’s how he will recognize you as his owner.”
