“Q,” Red said, changing her game plan, “it’ll be impossible to get a flight out today.”
Q scanned the flight monitors. “We’re both emotional. Let’s just find a place and sleep on it. We can talk about this tomorrow.” When he found nothing on the monitors, he angrily stalked away while Red followed quietly beside him.
As they passed through the airport, Red’s eyes grew as big as saucers when she realized how large the Cozumel International Airport really was. To her, it resembled an exclusive shopping mall. Everything a traveler could possibly want was within reach. She saw several overpriced stores selling everything from gourmet Mexican coffees to antiques to island attire. She even spotted a newspaper kiosk that had local and international newspapers, magazines, books and other items travelers might need.
Red’s eyes bucked when she saw Bitch Nigga, Snitch Nigga in full view. Slowing down by the display, she busied herself looking through magazines while Q bought a newspaper, a pack of gum and a bottle of Advil. Damn, it’s all the way down here? she questioned.
Red knew all about the buzz at home for the book but she had no idea that it was selling outside of the United States. She made a mental note to call Triple Crown when she arrived back in the states about her royalty check. Looks like Lisa Lennox is gonna get paid, she thought with a smirk on her face.
“What the hell you lookin’ at?” Red snarled when she made eye contact with a customer who was checking her out. She knew she looked a mess, but held strongly on to Q in all her blood, funk and filth as if nothing was wrong.
Chatter of all kind filled the air and it seemed to get louder to Red, because of her headache.
A group of local children ran in front of them hustling for money by helping travelers gather their luggage and escorting them to the ferry.
Red sat down on a bench outside of the Hertz car rental counter and held her head, trying to get rid of the images of the attack that played over and over again in her mind.
“Oh, God!” she remembered calling out. “B-B-B-Bacon . . .”
“Who the fuck else?”
“Please . . . please don’t hurt me.”
“Bitch, you thought you would get away with your bullshit. Here we are again, just like old times. Did you miss me, bitch?”
Red remembered Bacon’s hand going up in the air and after that, she couldn’t remember a thing.
“Come on,” Q called out, interrupting her thoughts. “Red, you hear me?”
She looked up through tired eyes and followed Q.
While they waited for their car to be pulled around, Q handed Red the courtesy tourist information he’d received. “Start looking through these for somewhere to stay,” he ordered.
Red immediately became incensed. She thought he was trying to dump her off again. “Are you that fuckin’ mad at me, Q, to where you would let me stay somewhere alone in a strange place?” She shoved the tourist information back into his hand.
“No, Red,” Q snapped. “Remember, I was getting away. Away from you, from everything. I was traveling alone. I could have slept anywhere.” He shoved the information back into her hands. “Ain’t shit leavin’ out tonight, so, if you don’t want to sleep in the car or a motel, I suggest you look through this stuff and see what you can find.”
Just then the porter drove up in a Chevy Malibu. She looked at Q and then back at the car and then back to Q again.
“We in a Chevy?” Red asked.
“Don’t even go there,” Q told her. He nodded toward the vehicle. Out of habit, he walked to the passenger’s side door, opened it and allowed Red to get in. After she climbed into the car, he got in the driver’s seat and drove off, merging off onto Boulevard International Airport heading toward downtown San Miguel de Cozumel.
Embarrassed and humiliated, Red rode in silence. She couldn’t believe that she went there with Q. Her vulnerability was beginning to show. She knew deep down Q didn’t want to treat her like he was, but under the circumstances, she couldn’t blame him.
Red studied Q out of the corner of her eye as he drove, wanting to apologize for her outburst. His tight lips warned her not to say anything so she decided to just sit back and watch the scenery go by. In the distance, she could view the ocean, with its regal cerulean waters, so calm and serene.
Q stopped the car, but Red didn’t look at him to see what he was doing. He turned the car off, got out and opened the door for her. They strolled along the Avenida Rafael Melgar, which provided a beautiful view of monuments and a striking view of the ocean. Along the street were many specialty shops that were inviting to anyone.
Green, exotic palm trees were scattered about along with Hawaiian ti plants, daylilies, bougainvilleas, date and banana trees. Everywhere Red looked off in the distance, the azure water sparkled like a turquoise gem. The leaves of magenta, saffron and indigo surrounding them were a far cry from gray and brown Detroit.
“Q, isn’t this amazing?” Red asked as she stood in front of him. She attempted to put her arms around him while she enjoyed the view.
“Uh-uh,” Q protested, unclasping her arms from his waist.
“Uh-uh, what?”
“Don’t touch me.” He backed away. “You need some clothes and a shower.”
“What?” Red challenged. She looked down at herself and saw that she still looked like shit, but still, Q didn’t have to be so harsh. “Fuck you, Q.”
“I was just sayin’. Look at you.” Q turned his nose up in distaste.
Passersby began to watch the interchange between the two. “I ain’t gotta deal with this! You need some clothes and a shower,” Red repeated angrily. She stormed away, hobbling along the cobblestone away from him.
Q watched and shook his head while Red continued to walk. “Red, Red!” he called as he jogged toward her. “I wasn’t trying to upset you.”
“Whatever!”
Q reached out to grab her arm. Red flinched. It was the same arm that had the bruise on it. “What were you trying to do?” she asked roughly as she turned toward him. “You think I want to look like this? You think I planned this?!”
Q tried to suppress a smirk. Women, he thought. Red looked cute when she was upset.
“So now you think this shit is funny?” She raised her eyebrows, despite the pain it caused.
“All I was saying, Red, is I wanted to take you shopping. You tryin’ to tell me your spoiled ass is turning down a chance to get some new clothes?” Q was anxious to get somewhere to buy Red an outfit. He was tired of smelling the old pee—tired of her disheveled appearance, in general.
“I don’t give a damn. You got no right talkin’ to me like that. You don’t do it back home, and I’m damn sure you not about to start here, no matter what happened.”
“Look, I ain’t gonna argue with you about it. If you want some new clothes, I’ll be right up there.” Q pointed in the direction they were headed originally, then turned and walked away.
Red watched as Q ambled his way back up the strip and disappeared. A steady sea breeze blew and Red’s stench caught her off guard. Feeling defeated, she followed Q. Although she was grateful to get some new clothes, she still planned on having an attitude with Q.
• • •
Once inside L’Chic Boutique, Red tried to hide her excitement while she perused the fine clothing. Picking out a multitude of outfits, she hung them over her arm. He think he gon’ get away with sayin’ shit like that, Red said to herself, he got another thing comin’.
After modeling several outfits, which consisted of Roberto Cavelli, Chanel and Michael Kors, Red didn’t forget that her face was a mess. Before Q paid for her purchase, she grabbed a pair of oversize diamond-encrusted Gucci shades to complete her ensemble, but more so to cover her bruised eyes.
At the suggestion of customers, Q and the boutique owner, Red decided to wear one of her outfits out of the store. The owner pointed toward a restroom, where she was able to freshen up and change. The owner also gave Red a complimentary bottle of Island Ga
rdenia body spray. Red knew what they were doing. She wasn’t dumb, but, at the same time, she didn’t complain.
They left the boutique, Red wearing a new outfit, and Q out of about $1,200. Feeling like a million dollars, Red stepped along the dirt-paved street, her sense of confidence restored. Although her nose throbbed against the bridge of her shades, somehow the fact that the shades were the coldest on the market and provided her anonymity made them well worth the pain.
Red noticed a group of young children outside of a flower shop. One of the kids, a gorgeous little girl with waist-length, wavy hair and golden sun-kissed skin whose color was complemented by the yellow sundress she wore, watched them closely. Within a blink of an eye, she ran toward Red and Q. The little girl presented Red with the most beautiful and delicate Star Robellini. Red had never seen anything like it.
Red bent down to the child’s level and the little girl said, “Para usted, mujer bonita.” For you, beautiful lady. She placed the flower in Red’s hand and ran back to the shop. Red and Q looked at each other. She put the exotic flower to her nose and inhaled its beautiful fragrance. She had never smelled anything like it before; the aroma was indescribable. She held the flower for Q to smell.
He inhaled. “Umm . . .” he said. “It smells as beautiful as you are.” The island’s splendor was beginning to soften his anger toward her. Red removed the flower and stepped a little closer to him in hopes for a kiss, but Q marched away at the same strident pace he’d started at the airport.
Gotdamn, why did I say that? Q asked himself. Shit!
The farther he moved up the street, the more his stomach began to growl. They came up on a small café, La Perlita, and wandered inside. The smell of seafood wafted through the air. After they were promptly greeted, they were escorted to a small, out-of-the-way booth.
After their order was taken Red excused herself to wash her hands. Q looked out of the window at nothing in particular while thoughts ran rampant in his head:
I need to find a hospital. I can’t let her walk around like this.
Fuck her, his lower self told him. She got you in this mess. You’re better off without her.
I can’t do that. He spoke to his conscience from his higher self.
Yes, you can. Get her out of your life now. She ain’t been nothin’ but trouble from day one.
Q turned and saw Red coming his way. I do want her gone, but she looks so pitiful. I can’t kick a dog while she’s down.
Sucker!
Red arrived at the table at the same time their meal did. Awkward silence filled the air as they ate. Nearing the end of the meal, Q finally broke it.
“Did you find a place yet?” Q knew this was a rhetorical question, knew full well she hadn’t.
“Oh, shit, that slipped my mind!” With all that had been going on, Red forgot about finding a place. She grabbed the brochures out of the bag Q purchased for her back at the boutique and began searching. She asked for his cell phone so she could call various resorts and hotels. After being told there was no availability at such short notice, she finally lucked up on an exclusive resort property. Suddenly it dawned on her that because there were no other hotels available, Q would have to stay with her. Good. Then I can work my mojo on him.
Leaving a tip, the two left in search of their home away from home.
While they drove, Q saw a sign pointing them toward General Hospital and drove toward it. “What are we doing here?”
Q was silent. He knew she would protest if he told her. Reluctantly, Red followed Q as he headed toward the entrance of the emergency room.
“We need help here,” Q said to a local girl who sat behind a counter. “My friend here, I think, has a broken nose.”
Red cut her eyes at him. Friend? I’ll show him friend.
“Here, sir,” she responded in English, as she handed Q a clipboard. “Fill this out and have a seat. Someone will be with you in a minute.”
Red grabbed the clipboard and sat down next to Q.
“Thanks, friend,” she said smartly, glancing up from the clipboard.
Q brought the paperwork back to the counter girl once Red was finished.
“Raven Gomez,” an unidentified voice called out within minutes.
Red got up and followed a woman in a white coat behind swinging doors.
After forty minutes, Red emerged with her nose set in a splint, looking worse than it did when she arrived at the hospital.
Yeah, look at his ass now, Red mumbled to herself when she saw Q’s reaction.
“Hey, baby,” she said in a nasal-sounding voice.
“Hey,” Q said, averting his eyes, unable to look at her. They left the hospital and headed toward the car. Red had an idea. She knew she always got to Q, and except for her face being messed up, she was looking good.
“Q,” she said when they got to the car, “I was thinking.” She grabbed his hands and put them on her waist. “When we get to the resort, we could . . . you know.” Red pulled him closer to her while she grinded her pelvis into his. She attempted a smile and it hurt like a muthafucka.
Q looked at Red and quickly removed his hands from around her waist, not falling for her trap. “Get in the car.”
She sat in silence as Q drove.
• • •
Q studied Red out of the corner of his eye. She thought she was slick, trying to get up on me, he thought. He smirked and tried to suppress a full-fledged grin.
Once they arrived at the Cozumel Palace, an all-inclusive resort, Q took care of the formalities, then located their living quarters.
“Q,” Red said excitedly, arms lifted skyward as she sauntered into their room, which had a breathtaking view of the ocean. “This is beautiful!”
Q grunted and brushed past her. He went back out to the car and began to lug in their purchases he had made earlier.
Red looked confused when Q took some bags to one room, and some bags to the other. I know she don’t think we sleeping in the same room, he said to himself as he noticed her watching him. She got another think coming.
Q brushed past her again to retrieve the last few bags. “Excuse me,” he announced when he returned, trying to avoid bumping into her.
Red closed the door behind him. “Why are you putting bags in different rooms?” she questioned.
Q turned and looked at her. “You’re kidding, right?”
Perplexed, Red looked at him.
“You really think you’re sleeping in the same room as me?” Q shook his head in disgust.
Red’s eyes scanned Q’s body from head to toe when he swaggered into his room. Red knew his weakness and she was prepared to break down his defense mechanisms. He’s putting up a good front, she thought. There was no way she was going to be on a beautiful island with a man as fine as Q and not get her way.
Q emerged from the bedroom and stopped in his tracks. Red had stripped down to the new set of black lace panties and bra he had purchased at L’Chic. “Gotdamn,” he mumbled as he looked at her.
Don’t give in, man! You’re stronger than this, his conscience reminded him. He knew Red was up to her old tricks again, trying to entice him with pussy; no matter how hard she tried or how hard he became, he hoped that he wouldn’t give in.
I knew I should have dropped her ass off at the LaQuinta close to the airport! Damn! Q was weak for Red’s body and she knew it. Although her face was fucked up, her pussy wasn’t.
Like a magnet, Q was drawn to Red and he slowly ambled over to her.
Don’t do it, man! his conscience screamed. Don’t do it!
Even though his conscience warned him, his manhood couldn’t resist.
Red stood on her toes and placed a warm kiss on Q’s lips. “Umm . . .” He allowed a small moan to escape his lips. Red’s kisses traveled to his neck. Next, Q felt her hand inside his pants, grabbing his throbbing penis.
Gotdamnit, I told you!
“You want this, don’t you?” he whispered, enjoying another one of Red’s kisses. Feeling confli
cted, for a moment, he didn’t know if he was strong enough to fight off her feminine wiles.
“Let me show you how much,” she said seductively and caressed the length of his manhood.
Just then, Q’s hand met hers. “Uh-uh,” he said seriously and removed her hand. Finally, the spell was broken. “This is off-limits.”
Red’s eyes bucked.
“See ya,” Q strained to say cheerfully, then patted Red on top of her head and left.
CHAPTER 5
Hours later, the dawning sun cast a ray of light into Bacon’s face. He stirred and blinked, relieved that he was no longer in prison. The last thing he remembered, he’d been in Foxy’s bed fucking the shit out of her, but now he was somewhere else. A feeling of euphoria washed over him. Suddenly he realized he was finally in his home—the home that he busted his ass for, the home that Red disrespected, the home that he was taking back.
Even after the talk with Foxy last night, he knew he still couldn’t allow Red to get away with everything she had done. He planned on getting revenge but knew it would just take time. Until then, he knew he had to get his shit together. Nothing more dangerous than a legit nigga, he said to himself. They’re the ones that get away with all the shit.
He had planned to work for hours to remove any trace of Red’s presence in the house. The first task was to remove the bloodstained carpet from the study, and the second would be to go through the boxes he peeped through earlier, but unfortunately, his stomach had its own agenda. The gumbo he’d eaten last night at Foxy’s decided to make an impromptu visit.
Bacon dashed to the bathroom, peeling off his clothes, just as the cramps began to kick in stronger. He barely missed the toilet seat when he sat down, completely naked, as his rectum began to involuntarily expel the contents of last night’s dinner. Sweat formed on his forehead. Since his bowels took longer to evacuate than he liked, he reached over and turned the shower on.
• • •
Maurice Clarence pulled up to the French Mediterranean–style home that he’d bought from Red and admired its elegance from outside. Maurice was blessed with the ability to ball like no other, which took him from the shady life of poverty to a life of unlimited income. At twenty-six years of age, Maurice had the life that most people wanted. His NBA contract alone was in the high seven figures, but that was nothing compared to the many endorsements he received. Maurice’s popularity was not one without scandal. He was one of the NBA’s most ghetto superstars: controversy surrounded him everywhere he went.
The Dirty Red Series Page 25
