by T. E. Woods
But to Hayden and Hadley, Allie was a fairy princess. A beautiful vision promising the moon and the stars.
“Let’s go downstairs, sweetie. We’ll see what Mom and Dad are up to, okay?”
She rolled off the bed and into his arms. Mort held her and rocked, promising her everything would be fine. When she pulled away and headed down the hall, Mort was relieved. He hadn’t had to lie. And he hadn’t had to tell the truth.
No, Hayden. Your aunt Allie doesn’t belong here with us.
Chapter 12
Seattle
“What the fuck?” D’Loco called out from the porch of the old three-story Victorian that served as the 97s’ clubhouse. “I know I only gave you twenty, but damn, son. Brother could fix hisself up with something better than…what the hell is that?”
Kashawn Meadows rolled up to the front of the house. He beamed a toothy grin at D’Loco and six other brothers relaxing in the day’s last rays of sunlight.
“It’s a Schwinn.” Kashawn got off his new bike and walked it up the stairs. “Just picked it up.” He pulled a large bag off the back.
“Where you get that at?” The brother Kashawn knew as Six Pack ran his beefy hand across the chrome handlebar. “Toys ‘R’ Us?”
“What kind of jelly you gonna grab with that?” Slow Time asked. “Boy, you ain’t seein’ no action ridin’ round on that thing.”
“I tole you I take you drivin’ first thing.” J-Fox shook his head. “You be ready for your license test in a week. Why you go get yourself a pedal pusher?”
Kashawn’s pride dropped away, replaced by shame. He painted over it with anger.
“I got a job.” He nodded toward D’Loco. “Been assigned my own work. I’ma take my ass to the DMV soon’s I can. Get my license and I’ma get my car. Till then I ain’t gonna be countin’ on any of you gooks get my ass to work.” He took a deep breath and puffed out his chest. “Anybody got a problem with that, come see me.”
The group answered with a chorus of catcalls and chuckles. Kashawn threw his shoulders back. He glared at his brothers, hoping more than anything no one would detect his humiliation.
D’Loco stepped toward him, pulling the bicycle away from Kashawn. “I ’member jonesin’ for one of these back in the ago. Wanted a red one, too. Like this one here.” Kashawn wanted to grab it back. He’d paid six hundred dollars for it. That was more than Kashawn had ever dreamed of paying for anything in his life. But it was D’Loco’s money he’d handed over to that bike shop owner. D’Loco owned everything the 97s had.
He stepped aside and watched his leader walk the bike back down the stairs and climb onto the seat. D’Loco wobbled with his first pump, but by the time he completed his first wide circle around the weed-choked front lawn, D’Loco was pedaling smooth as caramel candy.
“How’s this?” he called out to his men. “Hot damn. This shit is some fun right here.”
The 97s watched D’Loco ride away from the house. A few of them jogged out and stood in the middle of the street, calling out encouragement as their boss disappeared down the block. Kashawn stayed on the porch, wondering if D’Loco would let him keep the bike after he kicked him out of the club. That was one dumb move, he thought. I shoulda knowed better than bring a kiddie toy back to the crib.
D’Loco was back a few minutes later, laughing as he jumped the curb and braked to a stop at the bottom of the clubhouse stairs. He hopped off the bike and waved Kashawn to him.
“She ride good.” D’Loco handed the bike back to Kashawn, then turned his attention to the men gathered around him. “Green K here says any you motherfuckers got a problem with his bike you can take it to him. He wrong about that.”
Kashawn’s heart pounded in his chest. Here it comes. I’m gone.
“Anybody got a problem with Green K’s ride,” D’Loco continued, “you come see me. Brother got a job. He find a way get his ass to work each day. Green K don’t come to me wonderin’ ’bout how he gonna get to his corner. Don’t bother none of y’all with his transportation needs neither. Brother get hisself what he need to get the job done.” D’Loco turned back to Kashawn. “That was more fun I had in days, boy. I thank you for it.” Then D’Loco leaned in and whispered, “Now get with J-Fox and get yourself that license. And a car. You a 97 now. You gonna need four wheels what I have in mind for you.” D’Loco slapped the seat of the bicycle and called out to the rest of the men. “I’ma get me one of these. Damn, that stuff’s fun.”
—
Kashawn’s eyes shot open when he felt the slap to his feet.
“You didn’t hear me knockin’?” Big Cheeks grabbed both sides of Kashawn’s headphones and popped them against his ears. “Wha’choo got that volume set at, anyway? I coulda come in here, take anything I had a mind to. Gotta learn to take care yourself.”
Kashawn swung his legs off his bed and stood. He used the remote to click off the new sound system he’d carried home on his bike. He’d been so wrapped up in his newfound luck he hadn’t realized he’d been in his room for two hours, listening to his tunes and dreaming of LaTonya. What would she say if she knew he’d spent over a thousand dollars today? New bike, new sound, new headset. Spent that money without so much as a blink. Stopped for a turkey and Swiss at the Subway, too. What did he care about how much things cost? He was a 97 now. Had a bankroll handed to him by D’Loco himself. Had a job, too. When this money was gone, there’d be more to replace it.
He was set. Kashawn Meadows had taken his last dumpster dive. He was Green K now. 97 forever.
“D’Loco’s rollin’. Wants you there.” Big Cheeks walked to the window and looked down. “He standin’ at the car. I was you, I wouldn’t keep him waitin’.”
Kashawn reached for his shoes. He nodded toward the gun D’Loco had given him that morning. “I’ma need that?”
“You got a lot to learn, boy,” Big Cheeks said. “You keep your piece with you all times. ’Cept in the shower or you getting laid. Even then you keep it arm’s reach.”
Kashawn grabbed his gun and tucked it into his belt. “Where we goin’?”
Big Cheeks’s eyes narrowed. “I tole you. D’Loco’s rollin’. You don’t need more than that.”
Kashawn scrambled down the stairs and out to the Escalade.
“You ride shotgun tonight, Green K.” D’Loco opened the backseat door. “We off to pick someone up. I’ma need him backseat with me. You cool?”
Kashawn hoped he sounded tough and steady. “I’m cool with whatever.”
J-Fox pulled away from the clubhouse. Kashawn reached for his seatbelt. But he noticed neither J-Fox nor D’Loco wore theirs and stopped. He wondered what they did to get rid of that dinging sound the car made when belts aren’t fastened.
Man, there’s no rules when you’re a 97, he thought. D’Loco gonna find a way round every little thing.
Kashawn kept his mouth shut while J-Fox drove through the now-dark city streets. In the backseat, D’Loco was on his cell, directing product and assigning duties. Kashawn looked over to J-Fox. Brother looked like he was paying no mind to their leader’s conversation, so Kashawn didn’t either. He looked out the window and read the strip mall signs as they rolled past. But when D’Loco’s tone softened on one call, Kashawn couldn’t help but listen. He could tell D’Loco was talking to a woman, lining up something for later. Kashawn focused on the low, teasing rumble in his leader’s voice. Like a growl wrapped in soft fur. He’d learn to talk that way. He’d practice with the ladies who came by the house late at night looking to hang with any 97 who’d give them the time. He’d get good at it.
Then he’d try it on LaTonya.
J-Fox pulled to the curb in front of a twenty-four-hour convenience store. Kashawn put a hand on his gun, then reached for the door.
“No need, son.” D’Loco tucked his phone back in his pocket. “We not gettin’ out. We pickin’ up.”
Kashawn settled back, feeling ashamed at how relieved he was that he wouldn’t be expected to run point before D’
Loco exited the car. It was dark and he didn’t know this part of town. A man came out of the store and walked toward the car.
“There he is,” D’Loco said. “The Ax Man hisself.”
Kashawn was used to most men being bigger than he was. But the man who rapped on the Escalade’s window was in a category all by himself. Kashawn put him at least six six. Two hundred eighty pounds at least. Thighs like tree trunks wrapped in denim. Despite the chill of the October night, Ax Man wore a wifebeater T-shirt. Probably to show off them guns, Kashawn thought. And them tattoos.
D’Loco opened the back door.
“Ax Man! Get on in here.”
The man peered inside. He mumbled greetings to J-Fox before staring at Kashawn.
“Who’s this, now?”
D’Loco waved his guest inside. “That’s Green K. Newest member of the brotherhood. Brought us a Pico. You gonna like him. Green K here know how to make me smile.”
Ax grunted. Kashawn nodded in return. Once Ax was settled in the back with D’Loco, J-Fox steered the Escalade back into the street.
“Been too long you come by the clubhouse,” D’Loco said. “Boys miss you, Ax.”
“Growin’ business. Takin’ care.” Ax kept his eyes straight ahead. “You tell me different, I’ma listen. But I figure you rather me out earnin’ the green. Let them other brothers stay back at the crib spendin’ it.”
D’Loco slapped his hand on his knee and laughed. “Green K, you hearin’ this? That’s why I want you ridin’ tonight. I want you meet Ax Man early on. Get to know his style.” D’Loco turned toward Ax. “Green K like you, Ax. Chasin’ the Benjamins. That’s why I put you two together.”
“Got no time for babysittin’,” Ax said.
“Not what I had in mind.” D’Loco’s tone was warm and relaxed. “Just wanted the two of you to meet. Maybe give the kid someone to model hisself after. ’Cept for the ladies, that is. You still pushin’ Loretta?”
“I am.”
“Man, you don’t get tired of that?” D’Loco asked. “Been what? Three years now?”
“Come Christmas Eve. Hear me, D’Loco. Someday you gonna meet a woman make you stop dead in your shoes. Woman make you want to work harder and be better than you ever thought you could do. That’s Loretta.”
“Ooohweee!” D’Loco leaned forward. “You hear that, J-Fox? You listenin’, Green K? There’s some jelly out there waitin’ to turn your asses into princes.”
Ax Man shifted his weight in the backseat. Kashawn felt the tension rise. He lowered the passenger seat’s visor and used the mirror to give him a view. If Ax took offense and made a move, Kashawn would be ready for him.
“Chill, man.” D’Loco laid a hand on Ax’s shoulder. “I know Loretta. She a good woman. A queen. Fact is, that’s why I wanted to catch you tonight. Got somethin’ special workin’.”
“What’s that?” Ax Man asked.
“You know them women talk. Beauty shops. Dress shops. Shoe shops. They always yakkin’. Drifts back to me Loretta’s looking at weddin’ dresses. That true?”
Ax lowered his head. When he raised it again, Kashawn saw a small smile on the tough guy’s lips.
“I’m thinkin’ ’bout proposin’ by some Christmas lights. Some grab like that.”
“No shit, man?” D’Loco reached for Ax and drew him into a hug. “Ax Man takin’ the knee! Man, that’s one bet I woulda lost.” He released him and leaned back. “Guess there’s no question who’s your best man.”
Ax shook his head. “None at all, D’Loco. You know that.”
D’Loco smiled. “I know lotta things. Don’t mean I don’t like to hear ’em straight from the horse.”
“Ain’t nobody else I want standin’ next to me when that marryin’ business goes down.” Ax looked out the window. “Where we headed?”
“Like I said, I heard there was wedding bells in the wind.” D’Loco tapped the back of J-Fox’s headrest. “You know the way, right?”
“I do,” J-Fox said. “Be there less than five.”
“Be where?” Ax Man asked.
“It’s all good, man,” D’Loco said. “I don’t know if you got your eyes set on a ring for the lovely Loretta, but even if you do, I promise you gonna forget all about it once you see what I have set up tonight.”
“What do you mean?”
“You been with me nine years now, that right?”
“Sound true,” Ax said. “Right after you took over from Willy Shimms. I knew you’d be boss a long time. Seemed like the time to make my move.”
“You were tryin’ to hold it together on them four little blocks south of Woolbridge Avenue. Remember that?”
Ax Man laughed. “I had me three of the skankiest hos this side of Tukwila. Cuttin’ my pot with grass. Real grass. Like from the front yard.”
“You makin’ money, though. I took one look at your shit-and-shoe-shine operation and figure any man who could get a payday runnin’ that sure could do great things, give him a quality product.”
“We been good together, D’Loco. Been a good ride.”
“Didn’t I tell you, on that first day you come to me, didn’t I tell you if you do right by me I’ma do right by you?”
“I remember that.”
“Nine years.” D’Loco shook his head and whistled. “Where’s time go? Now you gettin’ married. I can still count on you run your shop?”
“No doubt.”
“Maybe you even do a bit more, what with a wife to hold up. Maybe some little Axes comin’ soon.”
“Loretta got plans, that’s for sure.”
“So let me keep up my end. You do me, I pay you back ten times. Just like I said.”
J-Fox turned the Escalade down an alley running behind an abandoned office building on the south side of the airport. He parked where one lone bulb illuminated a steel back door.
“What’s this?” Ax Man asked.
“Jeweler man owes me a favor.” D’Loco opened his door and got out. “Details not important. Told him to bring his best. C’mon. Go pick a rock for Loretta. Somethin’ make her lady friends jealous. On me.”
“D’Loco, no. This is too much.” Ax Man popped his door open but stayed inside.
“I take care of mine. That still the deal. Now get your black ass out of my car and get your lady some bling.”
Kashawn was the last to get out of the car. He kept his eyes on J-Fox, ready to mirror his actions. He’d never been on a shopping spree with D’Loco before, but if the boss could lay twenty thousand on him just for making him smile, Kashawn couldn’t imagine what he’d do for someone who’d worked for him nine long years. D’Loco led the way into the darkened store with his arm around Ax Man’s shoulders. Then J-Fox. Kashawn brought up the rear. He was surprised when the steel door slid shut behind him. Kashawn heard the lock slam into place at the exact moment the overhead lights came on.
Seven of his new brothers stood in a circle in the empty, stripped-down lobby. Kashawn recognized most of them. Big Cheeks was there. So were Mouse, Slow Time, and Six Pack. Even Turk was there. Kashawn wondered who was running his turf while he was gone. He didn’t recognize the other two.
And he didn’t have a clue why there was a large blue tarp lying on the floor in the middle of their circle.
“What the fuck?” Ax Man growled. “What’s this—”
D’Loco kicked him so hard Ax Man was knocked off his feet. Big Cheeks and Six Pack picked him up and threw him in the middle of the circle.
“Smarter than me?” D’Loco roared. “You think I don’t know what’s going on in my world? Sixteen shipments a day into your zone. Each with twenty-five bags of rock. Each packet ten ounces. Only by the time they reach the streets them packets weigh nine ounces. Not so much you notice at first. But pretty soon buyers catch on. Know they got shorted. Word gets to me.”
“Listen, D’Loco.” Ax Man didn’t seem scary anymore. “I don’t know what you thinkin’, but—”
D’Loco nodded and Turk kicked Ax in the
mouth before he could finish his sentence. Ax went down, blood dripping as he spit out two teeth.
“But what, Ax?” D’Loco asked. “You gonna explain? Gimme a lie you cooked up for an occasion such as this? Maybe point fingers at your other brothers?”
D’Loco nodded again, this time to Six Pack, who leaped from where he stood in the circle and landed his full weight on Ax Man’s midsection. Six Pack fell to the ground beside his target. He grabbed a handful of Ax’s hair and slammed his head so hard Kashawn realized there was nothing but cold concrete underneath that tarp.
“So I watch,” D’Loco continued. “I don’t want to believe. Not Ax. We family. But I gotta know. I follow the trail. I see my product you been skimmin’ bein’ sold outside my area. Small operation, outskirts of Renton. Best I can tell it’s just three kids. Not a one of them older than fourteen.”
Ax struggled to bring himself to his hands and knees. Slow Time waited for D’Loco’s signal. When it was given, Slow Time kicked Ax in the throat. The big man crashed down again.
Kashawn stepped behind J-Fox, observing from his shadow.
“Thing about kids is they all pose and no steel.” D’Loco’s eyes showed no emotion. “Might be they think they cool running goods for the man. But kids don’t hold up, Ax. Get ’em away from their posse and they just scared little boys. Willin’ to say what you need to hear if you just promise they can run off home.”
D’Loco raised his right hand over his head. The two brothers Kashawn had never seen before wheeled a heavy rack out of the shadows and into the light where the 97s circled around Ax Man. Hanging from the rack were three long bags with zippers running down the fronts. The kind Kashawn had seen white guys carrying through airports in those car commercials.
D’Loco walked to the rack. He unzipped the first one.
Kashawn’s knees buckled. No one noticed his stumble. They were all looking at what D’Loco revealed.
“This guy here?” D’Loco pointed to a dead kid, bloody and bruised, hanging from a hook inside the zippered bag. “He tells me you told him he was working for me.” D’Loco opened the second bag. The kid inside was just as dead, just as bloody as the first. Kashawn’s legs held this time.
