The Fold (The Fourth Book in the Redbone series)

by T. Styles

  Slade’s instincts said not to hand over the wheel but what could he do? He needed the break and Killa was good and terrible when it came to driving. For the moment Audio was the lesser of two bad drivers so he would have to take the bait.

  Five minutes later Audio had the wheel and surprisingly Slade and Killa felt comfortable enough with his driving flow to drift off to sleep. Low key the only reason Audio wanted to drive was because he who controlled the wheel regulated the music. And although loud, Slade and Killa didn’t mind what he was playing because the break was necessary for them both.

  ****

  Two hours later Slade woke up in the passenger seat and noticed Audio was on the highway rapping along to a Kendrick Lamar song. Confused, he wiped his eyes, snatched the sheet out of Audio’s lap and looked at his watch. “Hold up, you on the highway already?”

  Audio sighed deeply. “Come on, man, we fine. I done saved time and everything, plus nobody’s tailing us.”

  Slade’s nose flared as he looked around to be sure they weren’t being followed. “Get off on the exit.” His tone was calm but his expression said murder.

  “Why though? I still got some energy in me.”

  “Do what I fucking say!” Audio shrugged and did as he was told. When he parked Slade said, “Now get out.”

  “Fuck it, you drive then. I was just trying to do you a favor.” Audio said opening the door, easing out and moving toward the passenger side. But before Audio could ease back into the confines of the truck, Slade was right behind him to deliver a blow to the belly.

  Audio, never able to handle his big brother’s punches, dropped where he stood. One knee on the ground and a hand on his gut, Audio looked up at Slade barely able to talk let alone breathe. “Fuck you do that for?”

  “This why I didn’t want you to come!” Slade pointed at him. “You can’t take small instructions. What are you? Two years old?”

  “But I saved time!”

  “I’m not trying to save time.” He pointed at the ground. “I’m trying to save our lives.”

  Finally Audio rose, fingers still on his belly as he hoped the pain would subside. “You making more out of this than you should.”

  “Nah, you just don’t listen. After all this time, you still immature. That’s why I didn’t want you to come. And you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t the only one who knows where she lives.”

  Killa eased out the truck and rubbed his eyes. Looking at how angry Slade was he asked, “So the lil nigga took the highway anyway huh?”

  Silence.

  “Told you he would though,” Killa chuckled once.

  The joke was over when suddenly headlights pulled up behind the truck. When the brightness moved closer, they could see the grill of a black Impala and smoked out windows surrounding the vehicle. A tall light skin dude with splotchy hair stepped out and immediately Slade was disgusted with himself that he didn’t take his hammer out from up under the front seat. Glancing over at his brothers he could gauge by the looks on their faces that they were also strapless.

  “Yah country boys need help?” Splotch Face asked, with his friend Blue Baseball Cap and other friend Bald Head behind him offering muscle.

  “Nah, we good,” Slade said, nodding a few times.

  “I’m glad to hear that,” Splotch Face continued, taking one more step closer. “’Cause we hate for you to be bad out here, since we ‘bout to take everything you got.”

  With that Splotchy and his mob pulled out .45’s and pointed them at the Bakers. Slade was so angry he contemplated taking a bullet just to get his hands around Splotch Face’s neck. But although he held superhero tendencies in his mind, he couldn’t say the same for his brothers. And as a result the stick up boys relieved them of their money, truck and luggage.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  BONES

  “Isn’t it time now that we embrace who we are, even if it’s perceived as evil or violent?”

  The Shikar Room was crowded as all members of The Fold, along with some Givers, focused on Bones who was confirming what they already knew.

  That Dr. Weil was dead.

  A few of the Fold members gasped upon hearing the news but Mayoni, Carlton and Zashay already knew the deal. Some of the members, specifically the new ones inducted, cried.

  “Well, what happened?” Nicola asked Bones. “Because this can’t be good for us. Right?”

  “He had plans to do us like he did the others in Crescent Falls,” Bones lied. “Give us some medicine and kill us all. Luckily for all of us I found out about it ahead of time and took the nigga out.”

  More members gasped.

  “He didn’t respect us or what we stood for so I’m in charge now.” He looked at all of them individually. “And I know most of you are worried, especially the new inductees,” Bones continued with Mayoni to his right and Zashay to his left. “But you need to know that I have assisted Dr. Weil in all of his business interactions and we will be okay.”

  “He’s right,” Mayoni added. “Dr. Weil didn’t do a thing without him. This family is safe with Bones at the helm. Trust me.”

  “But what about the medicine?” Eve asked. “Or pain therapy?”

  “We don’t need it anymore!” Bones suggested. “I mean, how do you feel now? Do you feel like you need medication just to live? Just to survive? ‘Cause you look okay to me. Isn’t it time now that we embrace who we are, even if it’s perceived as evil or violent?”

  Some members agreed but Zashay, Denny and Wesley didn’t seem convinced.

  “This is good for us,” Bones continued. “Finally we will be able to live without being under the influence of drugs unless it’s recreational.” He paused. “And to show you that things are going to run smoothly, I am reinstituting Shikar.”

  Applause erupted in the room and Bones head rose higher as the Bartender walked around with a tray of blood red champagne. With Mayoni’s recommendation to bring back the hunt he was instantly a fan with The Fold and that easily he won them over. Although he knew how important medication and pain therapy was, he was certain he wouldn’t need any of it.

  At least he hoped.

  “I will be giving you all details on Shikar and when the next hunt will be,” Mayoni said. “Bones has left me in charge and it will prove to be a great event leading up to the ceremony.”

  “Who will get to go?” Zashay asked. “To the hunt?”

  “I’ll notify everyone soon so don’t worry,” Mayoni said, nodding at her. “I have it under control.” She felt so proud that Bones was now king.

  Bones placed a firm hand on Mayoni’s shoulder before accepting a glass from the Bartender. “Now. Let us toast. To The Fold.”

  Everyone raised their glasses. “To The Fold.”

  After they drank their champagne the music turned on and everyone celebrated. Slowly Zashay walked up to Bones, her arms folded across her chest. “Can I talk to you for a minute? In private?”

  Ten minutes later they were in Dr. Weil’s office, his body removed by outside services over an hour ago. And now Bones sat in the man’s chair as if it were his the whole time. Maybe in his mind it was. “What is it, Zashay?”

  She moved closer to the desk. “I’m afraid for Farah’s life.” She paused. “You know Gregory and Swanson have the potential to kill her!”

  He sighed. “Since when has this bitch meant more to you than me?”

  “It’s not that. It’s just—”

  “You know, I’ve been reading some of the book that little girl brought in here. And I saw a passage about you having sex with her on the outside of this mansion. With some bum ass nigga ya’ll killed after drinking blood from his dick. Without my authorization. Is that true?”

  She swallowed the lump in her throat because it was correct. But she didn’t want him knowing. “No, Bones. I just think she shouldn’t be—”

  “She told me not to trust you, you know.” He grinned.

  “No…no she didn’t.”

  He glared. “S
o you’re calling me a liar?”

  “No…of course not, but I don’t get why she would say that.” She paused. “We’re…we’re not really friends but we’re cool and it doesn’t make any sense.”

  His brows lowered. “She said you a conniving bitch,” he continued to lie. “And that all you want is to hurt me. You got me thinking maybe she’s right the way you acting.”

  Zashay flopped in the seat. “I don’t understand. Why…why would she say those things?” Her head hung low upon hearing the evil words.

  Bones stood up, walked around the front of his desk and sat on the edge. “Don’t look so hard. Farah is charming. That’s why I fell for her. But at the end of the day she is still a liar and she did tell me not to trust you.”

  “But I thought she—”

  “What? Was your friend?” He laughed. “She’s only concerned for herself.”

  She nodded yes.

  “Soon you’ll realize something, Zashay.” He walked over to her and raised her chin. “The only one who truly cares about you in this world is me. Forever and always.”

  She rose up, walked across the room and stood in the corner. With her arms wrapped tightly around her own body she slowly looked into his eyes, wanting to believe him so desperately. But if anything time had showed her that Bones could be fickle and moody so she got over trying to be the only one he truly cared about. “You don’t give a fuck about me. And you know it.”

  He walked over to her, slipped his arms around her waist and stared at her for a moment. “Oh yeah? Well tell me why I want you to be my wife? Explain that shit to me.”

  Zashay’s legs buckled and she could barely stand. She felt like she was hearing things. “Your wife?”

  He smiled. “You gonna make me ask twice?”

  “But…you can’t stand me.”

  He chuckled. “That’s where you’re wrong. If I felt that way you wouldn’t be alive. I got the world now, Z. I’m leader of the most powerful secret organization. And do you know what that means? Nothing if I don’t have a rider at my side.” He nodded at her. “I want that to be you. The question is, are you worthy and ready?”

  She walked away and he followed. All of her life she wanted to hear those words but now, now they seemed unreal. Or was it her mind playing tricks on her already? Without Dr. Weil’s care anything was possible that was certain.

  “I’m waiting…”

  “I want this. You know I do.”

  He grinned and approached her again. “Then why don’t you seem happy?” He turned her around so they could face one another.

  “You have a way of giving me the world and then leaving me homeless, Bones. So I don’t want to be excited if this isn’t going to be real in the morning.”

  He laughed. “Be happy.”

  “Bones, I’m serious! I don’t want to fall in love with you again, only for you to let go.” She continued. “So if you’re playing games I beg you not to do this to me. I can’t take another…another heartbreak. Not without Dr. Weil’s care.”

  “Look, stop saying that nigga’s name. He’s dead and I’m in charge. Now I want you as my wife,” he paused. “The only thing you need to do now is say yes or no.”

  “Yes, Bones,” she smiled grabbing his face with both hands. “Of course I want to be your wife. You know I do. I’ve wanted nothing more for so long.”

  They kissed passionately before he turned her around. Removing his gold razor from his pocket, he nicked her on the shoulder and suckled the blood oozing from her skin. As she moaned he took off her shirt and pants and smiled.

  “Damn, you sexy,” he complimented. Zashay had always kept her body right and he was proud to see that this time was no different.

  Wanting to go to the next level, he took off her white bra and panty set before looking at her briefly once more. Then he lowered down, sliced into the flesh of her left butt cheek and ran his glistening wet tongue over the liquid and moaned. “Sweet.” Inhaling the delicious smell of her pussy he rose, removed his dick and stroked it once since it was already stiff. “Touch your toes, I wanna see that thing open wide.” She placed her fingers on her feet and bent forward as commanded. With her pussy spread he pressed into her and she bit into her bottom lip. “Damn, shawty,” he moaned.

  She juiced up even more when she heard how he responded to her. “Damn I miss you inside of me. You won’t make a mistake, Bones by choosing me. I promise.”

  “I know I didn’t. But now it’s gonna be forever,” he said, pumping a few more times before he came on top of her ass cheek, a clumpy white mess on her flesh, just that fast he was done with her. “That shit was official!” He grabbed the same towel Dr. Weil tossed in his face off the desk and said, “Clean up.”

  “Okay.”

  She grinned, wiped her ass and put back on her clothes. He walked up to her and said, “Now that we’ve made things official I need something from you.” He paused. “When Gregory and Swanson are done with Farah I want you to let her know that you are my new woman.”

  She nodded. “Of…of course, Bones.”

  “I mean physically. Basically I want you to beat her ass.”

  ****

  THE FOLD

  THE PAST

  Things were heating up as Lewis, the self-proclaimed leader tried to contemplate the perfect moment to charge Inmate O1. When he felt it was time he looked over at Morton and nodded.

  “Kill!” He yelled.

  Inmate O1 was so caught off guard at the group of mad men charging him that he fumbled with the gun. Not being able to regain control, Lewis knocked it out of his hand and all thirteen beat him senseless. Once on the ground the patients kicked, bit and scratched his body causing him extreme pain from every pore of his skin. But it was the boot to the head by Porter that caused his brain to knock against his skull and kill him instantly.

  Just then the back door came flying open and with it a stronger odor of smoke. Dr. Weil’s honey brown face was wet with sweat as he looked frantically at the bunch, while orange flames blasting from behind let all know that the building was engulfed in flames.

  Next, glancing down at the other bodies of patients he was angry that he hadn’t come sooner. The door slammed shut. They were about to kill him too until he yelled, “Stop!” His palms in their direction.

  “Why should we not kill you too?” Lewis yelled, heaving breaths as they contemplated pummeling him.

  “Yeah!” Porter added. “’Cause we ain’t letting nobody off us like they did them.” He looked at the bodies in the grass.

  “Because I got the keys to that truck,” he dangled them and nodded toward the eighteen-wheeler. “And I’m also the one who set this place on fire. Not only can you trust me you need to know I’m on your team.”

  ****

  The thirteen sat on a pile of uniforms in the back of the trailer, Dr. Weil, a part of them. Although they trusted him somewhat for the moment, they still didn’t know what he wanted from them. After all, why was he so kind?

  One of Dr. Weil’s friends drove the 18-wheeler away from the flaming institution as they spoke in the back.

  Dr. Weil cleared his throat. “I am—”

  “We know who you are,” Lewis said, interrupting him. “What we don’t know is what you want from us. We ain’t got shit.”

  “Nothing.” Dr. Weil said. “I mean…all I want is to help you.”

  They snickered. “You mean by raping us?” Courtney asked. “Like everyone else did back in that place!”

  Have I ever touched you inappropriately?” Dr. Weil questioned. “Just once, Courtney?”

  She looked away, surprised he knew her name.

  “That ain’t the fucking point.” Lewis said. “Everybody in Crescent been grimy!” He yelled. “Why should you be any different?”

  Dr. Weil looked downward. “The institution wasn’t supposed to be like that. Crescent Falls used to be a good place, which is why I wanted to work for them. I could’ve gone anywhere but I chose to work there, thinking I cou
ld help.”

  “We already know you’re rich, doctor,” Laverne grinned. “Done already told them you don’t need the money.”

  Embarrassed, he cleared his throat again. “Thank…thank you, Laverne. Like I was saying it used to be a good place. And then they let in prisoners on a work release program for a few construction and clean up projects when they were adding a new wing. Things were fine until Amanda, the director’s secretary, didn’t check the records of one inmate who happened to be a level 3-sex offender. Because they were getting work for cheap. And then he raped—”

  “Me,” Courtney interrupted. “He fucking raped me!”

  “Yes, and I’m so sorry about that.” Dr. Weil nodded. “For some reason he got away with it which only encouraged a few others with bad motives to take advantage of the situation. I mean, not all the orderlies were like that. In fact, some inmates left who were not like the others but a few stayed and continued on with their evil ways.” He paused. “After awhile things grew worse and a few men were also sexually assaulted.”

  Porter moved uneasily, having been the victim of one such act.

  “I tried to bring it to a few of the director’s attention but no one cared. It wasn’t until I helped a patient escape recently and she filed a lawsuit that they woke up to what was happening. But instead of facing it, they decided it would be best to get rid of everyone. With a bullet to the head. And thinking I would be off work, they decided to do it on Christmas.”

  “So how were they going to explain all of us being dead?” Lewis asked.

  “I heard it was going to be mass suicide. Put off on one of the patients.” He paused. “But I learned about it and put some of the patients to permanent sleep via IV and you—well, I believe there is a future.”

  “I still don’t trust you.” Morton said.

  “And I understand why you shouldn’t.” Dr. Weil said. “Except this one thing.”

  “And what’s that?” Morton said.