The Fold (The Fourth Book in the Redbone series)

by T. Styles

  “Well what about paper? ‘Cause you can’t be rolling broke.”

  “Like I said, I’ll think of something.” He sat on the edge of the bed. “I just gotta find Audio first.”

  Major sighed. “I don’t feel good about this.”

  Slade nodded. “How’s my kid?” He was trying to change the topic because at the end of the day he was going to do what he wanted. That part was clear.

  “Why? Do you even care about him?”

  Slade’s nostrils flared.

  “Sorry, man,” Major continued before Slade even answered. “That was half bitch on my part.” He sighed. “It’s just that I don’t want nothing happening to my brothers. Am I wrong for that?”

  “Nah.” Suddenly the door opened and Killa rushed inside. “But I’ma hit you back in a second.”

  “Don’t have me waiting long, man. I gotta know about Audio like yesterday.”

  “I said I got you.” Slade hung up and tossed the phone on the bed. “Any word on the streets?”

  “A homeless man said he saw Audio and that white broad getting into a cab not too long ago. Said somebody stole her truck from this shithole. He thinks they going to breakfast at a diner a few miles out. Something about Audio being hungry but he actually thought he was being thirsty.”

  Slade stood up and shook his head. “Let’s go find this nigga.”

  “How we gonna get there?”

  “A cab.”

  Killa frowned. “We ain’t got no money.”

  “And that’s gonna stop us how?” Slade tapped him on the shoulder and opened the door. “Let’s roll. Shit will work out.”

  ****

  The cab driver pulled in front of a dilapidated building with the words DINER sprawled across the front in neon red letters. The moment the vehicle stopped, Slade opened the car door and eased out.

  “Hold up, where my money?” The cab driver asked, frowning.

  “I be back with your shit, sit tight.” He paused. “Anyway my brother’s staying here so you gonna get your fucking money.” Slade slammed the door leaving Killa and the driver inside.

  Walking into the diner, it wasn’t hard to spot his younger brother. For one Audio was being extra loud as he sat in front of Lily at a table in the back of the restaurant. And secondly she was still wearing the same bikini top with jeans she pulled up on them the night before, looking like a slut in a public establishment.

  The broad hadn’t bothered to wipe her ass.

  Slade stomped toward the two, lifted Audio off his feet with one swipe and tossed him on the floor. Next he snatched Lily’s pink purse off the table, removed a hundred dollar bill and slammed it back into her lap. All while patrons looked on in horror.

  “Get up,” Slade told Audio. “We leaving.”

  Audio rose to his feet, dusted off the back of his pants and waited for the next word from his oldest brother. He knew the look in Slade’s eyes was serious and didn’t even bother talking back like he had in the past. He really valued life in that moment and wanted to live. They were about to walk away when Lily stood up and said, “Tell him about the money, Audio.”

  Slade stopped and turned around slowly to face her.

  She saw the hungry look in his eyes that said he needed cash like yesterday. “That’s right,” she continued moving closer to them. “I have a plan that will make you and your brothers close to one hundred thousand dollars. And if you got the time, I’d like to share it with you. That is if you’re interested.”

  ****

  Slade, Audio, Killa and Lily were sitting in their room going over the plans for the money come up that the Baker boys desperately needed. Lying across the bed behind them were several ripped up bed sheet ropes that Slade had torn.

  “So how I know this not a set up?” Slade asked Lily. “Seems awfully convenient you could land this amount of cash.”

  She laughed. “No disrespect, but set you up for what?” She paused. “You ain’t got no money remember? That’s why this will work.” She pointed at Slade. “But they do.”

  Killa sighed. “And you sure the payout gonna be that hefty?”

  “This card game don’t draw thousand-nares.” Her words were cynical and Slade hated her for it. “They pull millionaires.” She continued. “Not everybody gets invited and not everybody knows about them either. But I do.” She pointed to herself. “They play in a mobile trailer because they can control the address and players. Don’t like a location? They just drive somewhere else. This shit is very organized, trust me.” She moved closer to Slade. “You rob this party and you will get the biggest payout you’ve ever imagined.”

  Killa laughed and shook his head. “With all do respect, you don’t know the money we touched, little white Lily. A nigga might be on his dick now with no funds but let me check you right quick on your assumptions.”

  “Exactly,” Slade added.

  “My apologies.” She swallowed. “I did jump out there but that’s because I want this to work.” She looked at all of them. “But can I count on you or not? The last thing I want to do is waste my own time.”

  Slade sighed. “Let me talk to my brothers first. Alone.”

  Lily stood up. “Okay, but it has to be tonight. If we don’t hit them then the next game won’t be until five months from now.” She walked out of the room.

  Slade and his brothers stood up and faced one another. “So what we gonna do?” Audio asked excitedly rubbing his hands together. “I told you this broad was gonna give us a payout. See what I’m saying now? Ain’t you glad I convinced you to roll with her, Slade? You would’ve had us out a lot of paper.”

  Slade glared at Audio. “Shut the fuck up, lil nigga.” He pointed at him. “I’m still mad at how you been moving lately.”

  He frowned. “Me?” He pointed to himself. “What I do ‘cept save the day?”

  “You acting like you never fucked a white broad in your life,” Killa added.

  “Hold up, is that what ya’ll think this is about?”

  Slade and Killa stared at him.

  “Well it ain’t about that.”

  “Then what is it about? Enlighten us.” Killa questioned. “’Cause we ain’t come out here for no pink slit. We all agreed on a plan and we want to stick to it for our brother.”

  Audio frowned. “So Slade gets to get some On The Run Pussy and I don’t?”

  Slade ran his hand down his face again. He was killing his mood with his immaturity. “You know what, me and Killa gonna make the move.” Slade walked to the bed. “And you gonna stay here.” Killa grabbed one of the ripped bed sheets and Slade grabbed another.

  Audio frowned, his hands extended in front of him. “Hold up, what’s that for anyway, man?” He looked at Slade.

  Slade tied the first sheet around his mouth while Killa used the other for his hands. When they were done Audio was mummy wrapped and connected to the bed, with nothing but his nostrils out for breath.

  Loving their work, Slade and Killa winked and walked out. Laughing all the way.

  CHAPTER FIFTEEN

  FARAH

  “Don’t refuse to do something because you’ve never done it. It’s a waste of living.”

  A red ceramic bowl with vanilla cake batter sat on the counter as Farah whipped slowly. Although it seemed she was being meticulous about the mixture being smooth, in actuality she was thinking about her life and Cutie was watching, trying desperately to read her mind.

  “I’m glad they let you out today.” She looked at Farah’s bruised face. “They locked me in that room while you were gone. I wanted to see you so badly.”

  Silence.

  “Did they hurt you?” Cutie asked. “When you were in there?”

  Farah smiled, not wanting to talk about being raped, or what they put her through. Truth was she knew why they were getting worse. They weren’t being taken care of. “Did you grease the pans?”

  “The pans?”

  “The cake pans I asked you to grease when I told you we were baking.”
>
  “Oh…uh yes.” She slid off the barstool and walked toward the blood colored Aga stove, grabbed the pans and moved them back to Farah. “Here they are.” She paused. “But, I don’t know why we baking. Shouldn’t we be trying to get out of this house?”

  “Nobody leaves unless Bones wants us too. Haven’t you got that point by now?” Farah stared out into the kitchen, thoughts of Gregory and Swanson running through her mind. “Now are they greased?”

  “Yes,” she pouted.

  “Good,” she stopped mixing. “Now come here.” Cutie stood in front of her and Farah stood behind her. “Pour the batter slowly.”

  Cutie looked back at her. “But I’ve never done this before.”

  “Don’t refuse to do something because you’ve never done it. It’s a waste of living.” Cutie nodded and under Farah’s watchful eyes she slowly poured the batter into the first and then the second pan. “You see…if you take your time…all things work out in the end.” Farah observed as the mixture lay smoothly before her.

  “Farah, your sister is here. Bones has approved your visit.” Eve, one of the members of The Fold said.

  Farah nodded. “I’m coming now.”

  ****

  “Look at your face, Farah,” Mia sighed. “And this is what you wanted? All to drink blood?”

  “You know that’s not the case.” She rubbed her own arms like she was on drugs. “Well blood is only one part of it but that’s not the only reason I’m staying.”

  “Then what do you want me to say?” Mia whispered as she stood next to Farah’s bed. “That I warned you these people were trouble? That I never wanted you involved with them in the first place? If so you’ve heard it all before.”

  “No but this is different.” Her breath increased. “He…he’s trying to break me.”

  “This is what you told me and Shadow you could handle. So what now? You telling me that you can’t? If that’s the case why not just leave?”

  Farah walked away and stood next to the door. “I can’t go because if I do…you know what’ll happen to you and Shadow.”

  Mia moved slowly toward her. “First off Shadow is deep in the streets these days. With grandma dead and pops locked up, can’t nothing stop him from fucking all these bitches and selling dope.” She exhaled. “So I’d be surprised if anybody would be able to find him, let alone Bones. And me, you know I’m good. Besides all that I’m ready to die for you. All you have to do is say the word.” She paused and moved closer to Farah. “Still got that phone I sneaked into you?”

  Farah nodded yes.

  “When you need me. When you’re ready to leave. Use it. It’s as simple as that.”

  Farah looked downward. “Ain’t no use. I’m trapped. Forever.”

  Mia grew annoyed because Farah was blowing her. She knew Bones had done a good job of breaking her spirit. “Do you remember when you first moved out the house? When you got that apartment and them fucked up roommates?”

  Farah smiled. “How can I forget?”

  “I was angry at first but what I saw in you was your strength. You been through a lot and that gives you experience, Farah. Use who you are to get what you want. Whatever that may be.” She placed her hand on Farah’s cheek. “Don’t let him beat you down to make himself feel better.” She moved her hand and pointed at her. “Unless it’s part of your plan. Think. Hard. You smarter than him. He just doesn’t know it.”

  ****

  Farah stood naked in front of the mirror. Age had made her body more curvaceous and her eyes more seductive. She couldn’t believe she allowed people and circumstances to make her forget who she really was.

  A woman.

  A killer

  A seductress.

  A Vamp.

  Never again would she play co-star in anybody else’s production, especially not Bones. Starting from that moment, she would turn the situation around to work for her and there would be nothing anyone could do to stop her.

  It was time for a bloody war.

  “Bones. Here I come.”

  ****

  ZASHAY

  Zashay rushed down the steps and up to the fireplace in the living room area of the basement. Looking behind herself every so often, to make sure no one was coming, she flipped the switch for the automatic fireplace and it turned on, glowing lightly. Afterwards she removed the book Mooney wrote from under her shirt and tossed it into the fire. She swiped it during their love making session and she was pleased with herself when Bones was so focused on fucking her that he didn’t even know it was missing.

  That was all she needed.

  A little time to sneak it away.

  When the pages crackled she felt some relief because the last thing she needed was Bones finding out anymore nonsense about her from its pages, especially after proposing. Nothing was going to stop her from being with him. From being his queen, including Mooney snitching from the grave. As she saw the journal light up in flames she realized she was definitely glad to be done with the book and it’s secrets.

  Once and for all.

  For a brief second she thought about the beginning.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  THE FOLD

  THE PAST

  “Trust me and I promise I will make it worth your wild.”

  They were all sitting on the floor of a vacant home that was up for sale. It belonged to Dr. Weil and was just one of the many properties he owned around the world. He had given them all cups of tea and blankets to warm them up but the thirteen were still concerned about what was to happen next.

  “So uh, I’m still confused,” Lewis said. “I mean why bring us here?” He looked around from where he sat.

  “Yeah, is this your spot?” Porter asked.

  “Yes…well…it’s one of them.” He paused. “I have so many that they’re hard to keep up with.” He smiled. “So I’m selling this one to clear up a little of my business.”

  “Now the nigga bragging,” Porter said shaking his head.

  “So what now?” Lewis continued. “We just hang in here and stare at each other like we crazy?”

  “Let me make things crystal. If we go back to Crescent, you will be killed and I will be arrested for taking you off the property. I can’t have that.” He scratched his head. “I need people to think when they see me out that I have no connection with you. And I need them to think you all have died.”

  They moved uncomfortably where they sat.

  “So what does that mean?” Giovanna asked.

  “I have some land in rural Maryland. It’s very isolated and there’s a house there too. It hasn’t been lived in for a while so it will need fixing up. A lot. But if you help me, I’ll provide you with a safe haven and food.”

  Porter jumped up. “I knew he was a faggy,” he paused. “He want us to move in so he can fuck us all whenever he get ready. I’m out of here.”

  “All or none,” Dr. Weil said in a low voice.

  Porter turned toward him but stayed near the door.

  “What you say?” Lewis asked.

  “I said all of you have to agree,” Dr. Weil clarified, nodding at Porter. “If he leaves I won’t help any of you. Because like I said they need to believe that every one of you died in that fire. So, we have to decide right now if the thirteen of you are going to trust me or not. The good thing is, that even though I didn’t get your medicine from the facility I can still help you.”

  “Wait, we have to go un-medicated too?” Courtney asked with raised brows. “Because, I’m not allowed to be without it for—”

  “I haven’t been totally honest.” Dr. Weil swallowed. “There’s another reason I wanted you all to come with me. I have created a medical plan that I believe will cure your illnesses in the short term but if repeated it will work for a lifetime. That is, if you trust me and give up the lives you all knew and can stand a little pain. Trust me and I promise I will make it worth your wild.”

  “So you want us to be guinea pigs?”

  “My plan will wor
k! It’s a new approach to medicine that the medical industry wasn’t ready for. I’m before my time but I always have been. Give me a chance and through me you will be able to live out your dreams.” He paused. “I’ll leave you to talk about it alone.” He disappeared into the house.

  Lewis stood up. “What we gonna do?” He looked at everyone.

  Porter moved closer. “I don’t know about y’all but I’m bouncing.”

  “And then what, man? Die in the cold? Maybe get up with some of your old friends who already got word that you crazy?” Lewis asked.

  “He’s right you know?” Laverne said. “As wild as Dr. Weil looks, right now he’s daddy.”

  “I don’t know about all that but I’m willing to see what he’s planning,” Morton, who had been mostly quiet said. “Ride this out with us, Porter. Right now, we all the family you got. Like it or not.”

  “Before you say anything I heard the good doctor has a fetish,” Laverne said to everyone. “For pain.” She shrugged. “Ain’t got a lot more info other than that. But you can bet whatever plan he has for us involves it.”

  “And that should make us scared?” Morton asked. “After everything we’ve been through at Crescent?”

  “Different things scare different men. I’m just giving you facts.”

  Dr. Weil walked back into the room and looked at all of them. Each one of them rose to their feet and nodded.

  “We’re with you,” Morton said. “But I think we should change our names. Part with the old ones to leave the past behind.”

  Dr. Weil smiled. “You don’t say much but when you do you speak volumes.” He clapped his hands together. “So let me hear what you’re gonna call yourselves.”