Small Sensations

by Crystal V. Rhodes

  “Burton and Bernard Johnson are not that woman’s brothers, and you know it,” Katherine sniffed. “Anyway, I know people in high places, too.”

  “In the White House?” Justin mused. “As influential as you might be here in Atlanta, Mother, your contacts don’t reach the presidential office.”

  Katherine was fuming. She knew he was right, but she would never admit it.

  “I’ll tell you what, Mother. Davia and I are about to have dinner. Why don’t you pull out the white flag and say hello to her? She should be joining me shortly.” He looked toward the foyer, but didn’t see her.

  Katherine looked incredulous. “You must be kidding! I doubt if Ms. Maxwell and I have anything to say to each other.” She followed his gaze. “And from what I can see, it looks as if the woman has abandoned you.”

  * * *

  Outside the restaurant Davia leaned against the side of the building, fighting the nausea that had overcome her. Surely she had been mistaken about the man with Katherine. It couldn’t possibly be Money! A woman like her would never be seen with a man like him. Besides, the man was heavier. His hair was gray. His face was lined. He had to be a look-alike. There could be no other explanation.

  Having convinced herself that this was plausible, she regained her composure, straightened her shoulders and started around the building, determined to leave the vicinity immediately. She took two steps, bumped into a solid chest and plunged into a nightmare.

  “So, Ms. Maxwell. We finally meet.”

  Stepping back, Davia gasped. His voice chilled her to the bone. It was Money. There was no doubt. She steeled herself to look at him, gaining courage and resolve as she did. No fear. No fear. She would show no fear.

  Their eyes met. Neither pair wavered.

  “Yes, we do meet.” Davia’s eyes hardened. “Again.”

  A muscle in his cheek flickered, but he remained stoic. “Oh, have we met before?”

  “If we haven’t, how would you know me? So don’t play with me, Money. I’m no longer a child.”

  Calmly, Charles took a sterling silver case out of his jacket and withdrew a cigarette. He took his time as he lit it, then took a long draw. “I’m afraid that you have me mixed up with someone else, Ms. Maxwell.” He held out his hand. “I’m Charles Cash, a friend of Justin’s mother. She pointed you out to me.”

  Davia ignored his gesture and stared him down. Chuckling, he withdrew his hand and took another draw on his cigarette.

  “Katherine has told me all about you, Ms. Maxwell.”

  “Good, now you know who you’re up against.” Davia started backing out of the alley. She never planned on turning her back on this man again. Charles grabbed her roughly by her upper arm.

  “Are you crazy? Get your hands off me.” Angrily, she tried to wrestle from his grasp. His grip tightened.

  “I just wanted to express my concern, Ms. Maxwell. You should be careful standing out here in alleyways alone.” He gave her a crooked smile. “Anything can happen to you.”

  Davia snatched her arm away. “Take your best shot. But let me warn you that you had better not miss.”

  Backing away, she rounded the building. By the time she reached the restaurant entrance, Davia was livid. Justin was out front looking for her.

  Relief washed across his face at the sight of her. “Where have you been? You had me worried.” He noticed her angry demeanor. “Uh-oh. You saw my mother in the restaurant.”

  “Take me home.” Her tone left no room for argument.

  Charles watched as they drove away just as Katherine made an appearance outside the restaurant. He sauntered to her.

  “Where have you been? I’ve been looking for you.” Irritation and impatience laced her voice.

  “I came out here for a smoke. I saw your son leave with his young lady. Did you get to settle your little matter with her?”

  Katherine pointedly ignored his question. “We’re leaving.” She swept past him with her head high.

  Following her, Charles chuckled. Poor Nay Nay. She would have major mother-in-law problems…if he let her live.

  * * *

  The drive home from the restaurant was a quiet one. Davia was seething. Money had threatened her. She had been running from this man since she was fourteen years old, and the lowlife was still threatening her life.

  Leaning her head back against the headrest, she closed her eyes. As soon as she calmed down she would tell Justin about what occurred in the alley. Right now she was too wound up. It was hard to believe that this was happening.

  Money was in Atlanta! The man who had haunted her nightmares most of her life had stepped out of them to taunt her. Well, was he in for a surprise! Her running days were over. She was no longer easy prey.

  He had said that Katherine told him all about her. What did that mean? How much did he know? Did he know where she lived? Did he know about Gabby? Where she went to school?

  At the thought of that possibility, fear tried to replace reasoning. She fought it, and with that effort came clarity.

  A woman like Katherine would never become involved with someone like Money if she knew who and what he was. That being the case, Katherine must not know about Money’s unsavory past. This would mean that Davia would be the only one who did know about the real Charles Cash.

  Cash, was that a synonym for Money? Was Charles Cash his real name? How had he hooked up with Katherine? And why?

  Davia’s mind began racing. Whether Money was using an alias or not there was a reason that he was with Katherine. She definitely wasn’t his type. She was too close to his age. So what was he doing? Romancing her? Swindling her? Using her to get to her friends so that he could push dope? However, one thing was for certain, Money didn’t relish seeing her anymore than she did seeing him.

  No, Money didn’t want Shanay Wells to step out of his past and impede his present. She could ruin his plans. She could ruin him. Davia’s excitement grew as she thought about the advantage his situation put her in. It also put her in a dangerous position, as his threat indicated, but she could handle that. He was the one who had better watch out. Calm began to replace anxiety as it occurred to her how the balance of power had shifted.

  Davia opened her eyes, ready to share her revelation with Justin. She was surprised to find that she had arrived home. They were parked in her driveway. She looked up to find him looking at her with concern. With a gentle finger he wiped away a tear.

  “What’s really wrong, sweetheart? Why are you crying?”

  Davia touched her face. There was moisture on her cheeks. She had been weeping and didn’t know it. Were they tears of relief or of victory? She wasn’t sure.

  “What is it, baby? Was the session with the doctor more than you could handle?”

  Justin laid his forehead against her forehead as a surge of anger infused him. When would her pain come to an end? “Never mind, you don’t have to answer that, but I want you to know one thing. I swear to you, Davia, I swear on my father’s grave, if I ever find the man who did this to you, I’ll kill him.”

  Davia went cold. She remained silent as Justin took her lips in a kiss that sealed the promise of his fiery words.

  Later, from the window of her bedroom, she watched as he drove away. His fervent declaration to harm Money had frightened her. There was no doubt that Money deserved whatever he got, but she didn’t want Justin harmed in any way. She would have to figure out how to handle telling him about Money and keep him from carrying out his threat. Meanwhile, she planned on doing some handling of Money herself.

  Years ago she had been part of the streets that he had trolled. She had been a child then and hadn’t known the rules of the game he was playing, so he had won. She was no longer a child. Neither was she Shanay Wells. She had become Davia Maxwell, a woman of substance and financial means. She meant to use all of the power that came with that name, and she would use it with a vengeance. She had handled Katherine, and she would handle the man who called himself Charles Cash. This tim
e the playing field was different. This time Davia would win.

  CHAPTER 20

  Davia wasted no time gathering information on Charles “Money” Cash. Following Katherine’s lead she hired a private investigator to discreetly find out about him and offered a large bonus if the investigator had the information in her hands within forty-eight hours. It proved to be the perfect incentive. He was hired on Thursday morning. The information was in her hands by the end of the workday on Friday.

  The life that Charles led in Atlanta was an open book. She knew where he lived, worked, played, and even where and what he ate. She discovered that his name really was Charles Cash and that he was from a prominent Chicago family. That came as a surprise. What didn’t come as a surprise was that he had taken great care to cover up his life of crime in the Windy City. There was nothing about his stint as the notorious Money in the report.

  It did say that he had disappeared from the family fold for a period of twelve years. His whereabouts was no mystery to her. She knew the story all too well. Now he was in Atlanta unfolding a new chapter in his sordid life, but he had found an unexpected obstacle this time—Davia Maxwell.

  After spending Friday night reading the investigator’s report, she never wanted to hear Charles Cash’s name again. Yet, it would come up soon in a way that she would not have imagined.

  Saturday afternoon she and Justin took Gabby and Bianca to Stone Mountain Park on an outing. Reba had packed them a picnic lunch and the four of them spent the day exploring. Heading back home after a very long day, the two little girls fell asleep as soon as they were settled in the car. The adults were also exhausted, especially Davia.

  “Now don’t you fall asleep on me, too,” Justin admonished Davia, squeezing her bare thigh as she nodded off. “If you don’t stay awake and talk to me I might fall asleep at the wheel.”

  Davia sat up and shook her head to clear it. “Well, we don’t want that.” She yawned, then settled back to enjoy the jazz drifting from the CD player. She checked the backseat where the girls slept soundly. Their heads were touching. She smiled at the sight.

  “They sure did enjoy themselves, although Bianca did seem a little reserved today. I thought you said that she’s usually bubbly and full of life?”

  Justin sighed. “I think she’s still mad at me for being the neglectful uncle. I’ve told her that I’m sorry, and I’ve tried to make it up to her, but I think the little devil wants to bring me to my knees before she forgives me.”

  “I’m sure that she missed you, Justin. She’s not used to sharing you.”

  He nodded. “That’s true, and I’m not used to sharing her, either, but it looks like somebody else might have won a spot in my little pumpkin’s heart.”

  Davia stretched the kinks out of her body. “Who would that be?”

  “This guy named Charles Cash.” Justin wasn’t aware of the hint of resentment in his voice. “I think I might have mentioned him before, or maybe not.”

  Davia tried not to react as the alarm bells went off. Her pulse quickened. She was careful with her question. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean that I’m jealous. Vanessa told me that for a while Bianca was quite taken with Cash. He was bringing her little gifts, riding her on his shoulders. All of the things I used to do.”

  Davia told herself to breathe normally. She forced air through her lungs. Justin noticed the subtle change.

  “Are you okay?”

  She nodded, afraid that her voice might give her away. He didn’t look convinced, but much to her relief he didn’t pursue it. Except for the music, the car’s interior fell silent as Justin concentrated on the road ahead, leaving Davia to the myriad of thoughts tumbling through her head. They were frightening. She couldn’t give voice to them at the moment; she could only consider them, and they were devastating.

  She whispered a silent prayer that what she suspected was untrue. Not this time! Not again!

  She berated herself for having waited to reveal Money for what he was. She would wait no longer. There was too much at stake. She only hoped that it wasn’t too late.

  When they arrived at her house, she could barely wait for Justin to stop the car before unbuckling her seat belt. She darted out of the car and rushed to the backseat.

  “You take Gabby and I’ll get Bianca. We’re taking them both inside.” Her words weren’t a request but an order.

  Justin looked surprised. “What? Bianca and I…”

  “Bianca’s staying here tonight.” Taking the sleeping child into her arms, she hurried toward the house before Justin could question her. With heightened curiosity, he picked Gabby up and followed Davia.

  Inside, she directed Justin to take Gabby upstairs to her bedroom. “It’s the second room on the right. I’m taking Bianca to the family room.” She ignored his confused look as she made her exit.

  After settling Gabby in upstairs, Justin joined Davia. She had placed Bianca on one of the love seats and was pacing the room from one end to the other. He watched her for a moment, noting her state of agitation. His glance fell on his niece sleeping peacefully, then back to Davia. They were a study in contrast.

  “All right, what is this about? Why do you want Bianca here tonight? Vanessa is out of town on a business trip, and Bianca is supposed to spend the weekend with me. I didn’t clear anything else with her mother.” Justin was getting an uneasy feeling as he watched Davia pace.

  She stopped and turned to him. The look on her face was so filled with anguish that he crossed the room and held her at arm’s length.

  “What’s going on?”

  Davia looked him in the eye. “I’ll tell you, but before I do, I want you to promise me something.”

  He hesitated. He didn’t want to make a promise that he might not be able to keep.

  “I want you to promise me…no, swear to me that you will sit down and listen to what I’m going to tell you and to think before you react. I don’t want you to frighten Bianca.”

  He looked at his niece, then back at Davia. His anxiety increased. “I just want to know what’s happening.”

  “No, not until you swear that you’ll listen and try not to react.”

  Justin’s mouth went dry. Fear gripped him. Whatever she had to tell him, it wasn’t good, and it had something to do with Bianca. He nodded. “All right, I swear that I’ll try my best.”

  Davia looked at him steadily. She could see the panic in his eyes and felt bad that she had put it there. She knew that he had made a vow that might be difficult to keep, but it was better than nothing. She beckoned. “Let’s go to the kitchen.”

  He followed obediently. She motioned for him to sit down at the table in the nook. Taking a seat across from him, she took both of his hands in hers. Justin looked at their joined hands, then back at her. “What’s wrong, Davia?”

  She got straight to the point. “The other day in the restaurant, I did see your mother, and I saw the man sitting with her.’

  “That was Charles Cash.”

  “He’s also the man that I know as Money.”

  Justin uttered an expletive as he shot out of the chair. He didn’t question her statement. She would know the man who tried to rape her anywhere. Justin was like a raging bull.

  Davia grabbed his arm in an effort to restrain him. “Listen to me. Listen to me! This is important.”

  Snatching away from her, he headed toward the family room to Bianca, his fury mounting with each step. “If that animal touched her—”

  Davia jumped in front of him so suddenly that he nearly tumbled over her. Grabbing her by the forearms, he steadied them both.

  “Lower your voice,” she whispered harshly. “You’ll wake her up! Just stop and think.”

  “Think about what?” Justin hissed. “How I’m going to kill him? Because he’s a dead man, that’s for sure.”

  “I want to question Bianca.”

  “Oh, God!” Justin’s cry was strangled. He stumbled backward, unable to comprehend the horror that mi
ght have occurred to his niece. “First you and now her! I know where he lives. I’m going over there!”

  He stormed toward the entranceway. Davia hurried after him, trying to restrain him. Justin kept walking, dragging her unhindered.

  “Maybe nothing happened.” She prayed silently that her words were true. “Let me wake her up and talk to her. You go on back to the kitchen. Let me see what she says. It might be me being paranoid.”

  Justin stopped abruptly, grabbing at any straw she could give him. He ran his hand over his face in despair at the well of emotion threatening to overflow. “God, I hope you’re right.”

  “Promise me you’ll stay here. Don’t leave the house. Bianca might need you.” She looked at him apprehensively. “Will you stay?”

  Justin was trembling with rage. His head was throbbing and breathing normally was impossible. Money! Charles Cash was Money! This monster had put his hands on Davia and now—

  He nodded in agreement. He wouldn’t go after Charles—yet. He headed back to the kitchen. Davia went into the family room.

  Justin fell onto a stool, his legs unable to hold him any longer. He fought for calm. He had to think positively. Maybe Davia was right. Maybe nothing had happened to Bianca. She was too young. She was only four years old! If only he had been there. If he hadn’t been selfish and inattentive, his niece wouldn’t have turned to someone else.

  For the next hour Justin sat in a trance, waiting for Davia to return from questioning Bianca. He couldn’t go in there. He didn’t want to hear what his precious niece had to say. He didn’t want to see the unbearable pain on her little face that had been etched on Davia’s. He prayed. Please, God, don’t let it have happened. Silent tears fell.

  Justin didn’t move when Davia entered the room. Only the flicker of his eyes meeting hers indicated that he was still among the living. She went to him and cupped his cheek in the palm of her hand. His eyes searched her eyes. She delivered the news quietly.