Open Your Heart

by Cheris Hodges

  Chase shone the light on him. “Danny, what in the hell are you doing?”

  Turning around, Danny held the shovel up as if it were a bat. “What the . . . Chase, what are you doing here?”

  “Stopping you from making another stupid-ass mistake! What’s out here?”

  “Her.”

  “Her?”

  “That bitch.”

  “You need to stop what you’re doing. You’re being watched. Danny, you’re slipping, you didn’t even know I was behind you.”

  “Who else is here?”

  Chase shrugged. “Not sure, but you need to put the shovel down and get the fuck out of here.”

  “You think I’m going to listen to your dumb ass when you couldn’t get one job done?” Danny snarled, then went back to digging. “The police are looking for Simone and I have to find her first.”

  “You stupid son of a bitch, you brought this on yourself. All you had to do was get rid of your ex in another town.”

  “Think about this: If they catch me, I’m not going down alone. I’ll take you and everyone who has ever taken bread from my plate with me. Jail ain’t for me.”

  “I should’ve known you’d crack once people caught on to what you really are. But I’ll be damned if I’m going down because you got fucking sloppy.”

  Danny dropped the shovel and rushed toward Chase. His unexpected move allowed him to bowl Chase over. But the skilled killer shook it off and kicked Danny in his midsection, making him roll off him.

  Chase pounced on his boss like a cat capturing a mouse. He grabbed his flashlight and bashed Danny across the face. Blood stained Chase’s face and his shirt. Danny’s body stopped moving and Chase rolled him into the hole Danny had been digging. Why would he be digging up his ex-wife when he still had that Richardson broad to worry about? And now she was all Chase’s problem. And he didn’t like problems.

  Before he could get to Yolanda, he had to find out who was in that car. Chase started walking up the hill toward where the car had been parked, just in time to see the driver speed away.

  Charleston, South Carolina

  Charles was used to early mornings. But since his nights these days involved holding on to Yolanda, he’d become a five-forty a.m. guy. Alex Richardson wasn’t about that life, though. At four-fifteen she was knocking on Yolanda’s door.

  “Go away,” Yolanda moaned as she snuggled closer to Charles.

  “Come on, we need to get on the road,” Alex said. “I’m not trying to get caught in rush-hour traffic.”

  “Didn’t I tell you,” Yolanda said through her yawn. “She’s nuts.”

  “I’m leaving in twenty minutes, with or without y’all,” Alex said.

  Yolanda yawned again. “Sometimes I just want to give her a high-five to the face.”

  “Stop it,” he said as he brushed his lips across her cheek. “Let’s get ready before she leaves us.” Charles sat up in the bed and Yolanda buried her face in a pillow.

  Charles stroked her back. “How are you going to explain being naked when she comes back, because no one is supposed to know how we spend our nights, right?”

  Yolanda sat up. “She has been known to use that master key that she has for the family rooms. Let’s shower and be ready when she comes back on that broom.”

  “Broom?” he asked.

  “You didn’t know Alex was part witch?” Yolanda quipped.

  “That’s mean.”

  “But true. You know we could save time if we showered together,” she said with a wink.

  Charles started to tell her that the two of them in the shower wouldn’t speed up the getting ready process at all. Then his phone rang, and he saw it was Madison. He held up his finger and answered the phone.

  “What’s up, Madison?”

  “Danny Branch is dead, and I don’t think that’s the end of your girl’s troubles.”

  “How do you know he’s dead?”

  “Because I was there, and I saw it happen. And the person who did it is a fucking monster.”

  Charles took a deep breath. “All right, Madison, start at the beginning. What do you mean you were there?”

  Madison expelled a sigh. “Last night, I followed Branch to a wooded area where I thought he had buried his ex-wife. And clearly, I was right, because he started digging. Then his alleged hit man showed up, and the next thing I know that man was climbing up the hill covered in blood. So, I drove off. Took my rental car back and now I’m trying to figure out what my next move needs to be. But if Chase is tied to Danny’s crimes, he’s going to eliminate anyone that could implicate him. Or anyone he considers a threat. This guy is dangerous and insane.”

  “What does this Chase person look like?”

  “A nondescript white man.”

  Charles thought about what he had seen in Charlotte. Had that man actually been that close to his woman?

  “What’s your next move?” he asked.

  “I don’t know yet. But you need to watch your back and hers.”

  “Got it. So, I’m guessing that right now wouldn’t be the best time to go to the Richmond police about what she knows, huh?”

  “Not if you want her to keep breathing. When are you guys coming back to Richmond?”

  “Actually, we should be there in a few hours. One of her older sisters lives in Richmond and is going through a really nasty divorce. Something happened earlier and now Yolanda and Alex are heading that way.”

  “I guess you can’t talk her into staying put?” Madison asked.

  “You’ve never met the Richardson sisters. When one is in trouble, the others mount up like a Wild West posse.”

  “Then why did they need you?”

  “Because they aren’t about that life,” he said. “Look, I’m going to call you when I get in town and we can talk about it.”

  “How about I give you a call around two. I have to make sure that man doesn’t know who I am,” she said.

  “If you need me, I’ve got you.”

  “Your plate is full enough. I can take care of myself.”

  “I never said you couldn’t, but you’ve been taking care of me for a long time. I’m just trying to return the favor.”

  “Holding you to that when the need arises.”

  “You know I’m always here for you,” he said as he heard the water start running in the bathroom. “I’ll be waiting for your phone call.”

  “If you don’t hear from me in a couple of days, then there is a serious problem.” Madison ended the call and Charles wondered if things were going to get a lot worse before they got better.

  When he walked into the bathroom, Yolanda was stepping out of the shower and the last thing he wanted to do was go anywhere that required clothes. She caught his glance and shook her head. “You’d better get in the shower and get dressed. Alex is going to be knocking on the door or walking in shortly.” She grabbed a towel and wrapped it around her body. “Chop-chop, sir.”

  “But Alex is the control freak,” he quipped. “I think y’all are the same.”

  Yolanda frowned at him. “Take that back!”

  “Nope, I have to shower.”

  She shook her head as she walked out of the bathroom. Charles hopped in the shower and less than a minute later, he heard Alex and Yolanda arguing. Well, he thought, she knows her sister.

  * * *

  “Alex, you could’ve knocked,” Yolanda snapped.

  “And you could’ve been ready! Come on. It’s not as if you’re going to be driving.” Alex glanced at an open sketchbook. “Exhibit A, you’re going to sit in the backseat and draw.”

  “With my headphones on because I don’t want to listen to your driving play list or NPR. How long are we staying?” Yolanda took a deep breath. “There are a few things I need to handle in town, and I know how you are.”

  Alex shrugged. “I have about two days I can spare before I have to come back here and get prepared for the New Year’s Day promotions. Yolanda, this is the last time I’m asking. But what
kind of trouble are you in? I’m worried.”

  “Can I get dressed before he gets out of the shower?”

  Alex scoffed. “I’m supposed to believe he hasn’t seen you naked?”

  Yolanda stroked her throat. “Bye, Alex.”

  “Five minutes and I’m leaving,” she said as she walked out the door. Yolanda looked down at the towel covering her body. Really?

  Chuck walked out of the bathroom and Yolanda tried to figure out when he’d taken his clothes inside. He had on black joggers and a white tank top and there she was still in a towel.

  “You’re going to get left,” he said as he crossed over to her.

  “Whatever. Maybe you and Alex should stop distracting me.” Yolanda dashed over to the closet and grabbed a pair of leggings and an oversized sweatshirt. She dressed quickly, then threw some clothes and toiletries in a tote bag. “There, I’m ready.”

  Chuck, now wearing a gray and black sweatshirt, matching Nikes and carrying a small bag, looked as if he had been ready for hours. How did people do that?

  “Don’t forget that,” he said as he nodded toward her sketch pad.

  Yolanda grabbed it and a couple of charcoal pencils. “Thanks. Now, let’s go before she says I’m in here showing my naked body.”

  “Why do you say that as if it is a bad thing?”

  She rolled her eyes and headed for the door. Of course, Alex was out in the parking lot, her precious Mercedes running. “You really think she was going to leave us?” Chuck whispered.

  “Is today a day that ends in a y?”

  Alex popped the trunk. “It’s about time.”

  “Alex, why don’t you allow me to drive?” Chuck asked.

  She raised her right eyebrow at him and Yolanda expected to hear an explosion. Alex didn’t let anyone drive her car. She didn’t allow valets to park it. She drove it to the detail shop and pulled the car into an empty bay. She had cars towed when some unfortunate person parked in her assigned and marked parking spot at the bed-and-breakfast.

  Granted, it was a nice car, but it was just a car.

  “Thank you, Charles. The keys are already in it. So, you can drive and deal with the frustration of the rush-hour traffic that we’re going to hit since we’re leaving so late.”

  Yolanda glanced down at her watch. Late? My sister is insane. Yolanda fully expected Alex to sit up front and co-pilot Chuck while he drove. But she was surprised to see that her sister had gotten into the backseat. “You know Richmond better than I do,” Alex said with a yawn. “I’m going to take a nap.”

  “You set us up!”

  Alex shrugged as she grabbed her sorority throw and covered her legs with it. “Wow,” Yolanda said. “I didn’t know you had it in you. Well played.”

  The trip to Virginia was uneventful. Chuck and Yolanda fought over the music; Alex slept. Yolanda stroked Chuck’s thigh and he kept his hand in her lap; Alex pretended to be sleeping.

  They arrived at Robin’s town house in Petersburg, Virginia, shortly before nine a.m., because Chuck didn’t believe in stopping. Alex was pleased, but Yolanda had to use the bathroom. When they pulled into the driveway of the town house, Yolanda hopped out of the car and Chuck followed. “What’s wrong with you?” he asked.

  “Bathroom.”

  “You know we need to be careful, especially since we’re here.”

  “We’re in Petersburg,” she snapped before ringing the doorbell. Alex walked up to them.

  “Are you two fighting after all of that hand holding on the way here?”

  Yolanda started to tell Alex to shut up but Robin opened the door.

  “Well, good morning,” Robin said.

  “Please tell me you have coffee,” Yolanda groaned.

  “Wait,” Robin said. “Aren’t you going to officially introduce me to your friend?”

  Yolanda rolled her eyes and Alex stifled a laugh. The man extended his huge hand. “Charles, ma’am,” he said.

  Yolanda sucked her teeth. “She knows who you are. Are you going to invite us in or not?”

  “I have company and I don’t want to hear y’alls mouth. But I do have breakfast waiting.”

  “Who’s here?” Alex asked as she brushed past her sister and started toward the kitchen. Robin grabbed her arm.

  “Again, Alex, I don’t want to hear a word!”

  Yolanda was confused when she saw Logan standing in her sister’s kitchen. “Oh my fucking goodness,” Yolanda exclaimed. “What are you doing here? And where is your shirt? Robin, are you sleeping with this guy?”

  “You mean, my husband?” Robin said. “What kind of question is that?”

  “One that needs answering, because I swear you were just crying about this asshole less than twenty-four hours ago,” Alex said, then turned to Logan. “Can you put on a damned shirt?”

  Yolanda ran to the bathroom because she just couldn’t understand what was going on. Just a day ago, Robin was acting as if she was done with this cheating bastard and now here he was shirtless in the kitchen.

  After using the bathroom and washing her hands, Yolanda dashed back into the kitchen and asked Robin what was going on. And for once, Alex didn’t argue with her. They went back and forth about Robin taking Logan back until he came downstairs and jumped in the argument.

  “I never did what I was accused of,” Logan said as he returned to the kitchen with a shirt on.

  Yolanda lunged toward him but held back. “I swear, if I wouldn’t get put out of my sister’s house, I’d punch you in your face.”

  “Yolanda,” Alex said with a sigh. “Stop acting like . . . yourself.”

  Logan crossed over to Robin. “I’ve got to go. Sorry to leave you alone with all of this.”

  “I’ve been handling these two all my life. I’ve got this.” Robin leaned in and gave Logan a quick peck on the lips. Yolanda groaned.

  “What in the Twilight Zone have we stepped into?” she asked. “Where the hell is the coffee?”

  Robin poured her sister a cup of coffee and Yolanda headed into the living room, where Chuck was sitting on the sofa. She watched him as he seemed to be firing off text messages on his phone.

  “Chuck? You want . . . Is everything all right?”

  “I don’t know,” he said when he turned to face her. “Why don’t you go and check on your sisters?”

  “Are you dismissing me?”

  Chuck sighed. “Yolanda, this may be a family reunion trip for you, but keep in mind, I have to find out who’s trying to kill you.”

  She sucked her teeth as she headed back into the kitchen. She hated it when he did that.

  Chapter 30

  Charles hadn’t heard from Madison and he was getting worried. She hadn’t answered the ten text messages that he had sent her. He called her three times and still nothing. What if she’d been found out and was in trouble now? Despite knowing there weren’t many people whom Madison couldn’t beat with her bare hands, he knew she couldn’t stop a bullet.

  He crossed over to the window in Robin’s living room and looked at his phone again.

  “Charles?” Robin said from behind him. “I know my rude sister probably didn’t offer you anything to eat.”

  “Thanks, but I’m good.” He smiled at her just as his phone vibrated.

  “There’s coffee too. I know Alex woke y’all up way too early this morning,” she said with a laugh.

  “That’s true.” Charles looked down at the phone and saw two words: Madison Slim. He knew his friend was all right—at least for now. Following Robin into the kitchen, he saw that Yolanda wasn’t too happy to see him right now.

  “Excuse me,” she said as she walked out of the kitchen.

  Robin handed Charles a cup of coffee. “I’m assuming you have to follow her.”

  He nodded as he accepted the mug and followed Yolanda. Charles found her sitting near Robin’s bookshelf. That woman had a lot of books. “Yolanda,” he said, “what’s wrong?”

  “I don’t know, you tell me why you’re
being a complete asshole all of a sudden.”

  “That’s what you think?”

  “That’s precisely what I think.”

  “I found out some news that may have you in serious trouble, so I’m sorry if I can’t sneak kisses with you and pretend that your life isn’t in danger.”

  Her mouth dropped open, but no words came out. Charles crossed over to her and placed his hand on her shoulder. “I didn’t want you to be alarmed and . . . Yolanda, do you realize how much I love you and need you? There is no way in hell that I’m going to sit around here and forget why we were brought together in the first place.”

  “Is this still just a job to you?”

  “You know it isn’t.”

  She rubbed her hand across her face. “Can you tell me what’s going on then?”

  “I don’t really know. We’re going to have to wait to get an all clear from Madison, then go to the police. Do you think Alex will let us borrow her car?”

  Yolanda laughed as if he’d hit the perfect joke in a stand-up comedy routine. “No.”

  “You know, it might be a better idea to get a rental. We still don’t know for sure who’s watching us.”

  He noticed Yolanda shiver. She was scared again and that was the last thing he wanted to happen.

  Over the next couple of hours, the Richardson sisters prepared to head to Robin’s old house in Richmond.

  To say that Charles was on edge would be an understatement. He had hoped that they’d stay in Petersburg, where no one had any idea Yolanda would be. But whatever was happening with Robin and her husband was a big deal for her sisters to be involved with, and he already knew that asking either of them to mind their business was a mistake.

  Alex decided she was going to be the one driving her car, so when they went to the Whole Foods Market he and Yolanda sat in the backseat while Alex and Robin went inside. He held her hand and leaned against her ear. “I know this is scary, but are you okay?”