by KR Bankston
*****
Roderick wanted to be at the trial when they convicted Carlo. He wanted to see that smug arrogance wiped off his face when the judge sentenced him to life in prison. He couldn’t though. Today all he could think about was Faatin and the loss of his unborn son. Sighing deeply he walked into the den encountering the hostile demeanor of his oldest son.
“When are you leaving,” the young man asked, no attempt to hide is disdain at his father’s presence.
Technically he was his stepfather, but that had never mattered to Roderick.
“I don’t want to fight with you today,” Roderick replied calmly.
There was something off about the young man; something that went beyond simple grief over the loss of his mother. Roderick suspected he was using drugs but Faatin told him time and again he was wrong. Today, he was almost positive he wasn’t.
“You don’t have to fight with me ever,” the young man quickly replied. “Just go back wherever the hell it is you really disappear to every time you leave us alone.”
Roderick allowed the young man to vent, knowing he couldn’t really defend himself. His job as an undercover depended on his keeping that fact very well hidden.
“Hey dad,” his younger son greeted walking in on them.
“How are you doing son,” Roderick returned amiably.
This son was more like him in temperament. It took a lot to make Roderick really angry and he was patient and kind to a fault.
“I’m hanging in there,” the young man returned as his older brother scoffed.
Sighing deeply Roderick ignored the attitude telling them about the arrangements for their mother and sibling.
“Yeah, then he’s running out on us afterward,” Hasaan added, giving Roderick yet another evil look.
“Is that true,” Tariq asked calmly, looking into his father’s eyes.
Roderick sighed deeply telling them both they would talk about that later. He had to make some arrangements at least for his younger child. Tariq was only seventeen.
“Man, I don’t care, we don’t need him,” Hasaan began again as Roderick truly took him in.
His eyes were glassy and red, his breathing erratic and his movements spastic.
“What kind of dope are you on,” he threw out calmly as Tariq frowned slightly and waited for Hasaan to speak.
“I’m on that fake ass daddy wanna be,” he replied evenly as Roderick’s temper began to rise.
He couldn’t leave Tariq with Hasaan, it would be a disaster. Deciding he would talk to Emin after the services about taking Tariq in until he was legal, he ignored Hasaan and left the room.
*****
“Baby, mm,” Blue moaned as he made love to Lauren.
They talked a little while upon returning to his place and he saw how down she was after the visit to her old house. They began to kiss and he’d undressed her.
“Yes,” she breathed softly enjoying the things he was doing to her.
Lauren couldn’t lie. She was going to miss Blue and she was scared as hell going out into the world on her own, but what choice did she have. He returned to her lips chasing away any thoughts except him for now.
“Lauren, you’re so special,” he told her breathlessly as she came hard and called out his name.
Blue felt himself getting closer and held her tightly, kissing her again. Lauren knew he was almost past the breaking point when she pushed him gently.
“Blue, get up,” she told him urgently in his ear.
They were making love raw and she didn’t need to get pregnant before she ran.
“Lauren,” he said hoarsely right as he came and pulled out in the nick of time.
Blue was still breathing hard trying to gather himself. It had taken everything in him not to cum inside her.
“Thank you,” she told him sweetly as they kissed again and he held her close.
“I know we’re not ready for a baby yet,” he replied, kissing her forehead.
“Why don’t you come and stay with me,” he threw out as Lauren frowned slightly.
“You know that wouldn’t work Blue,” she replied, as her fear screamed that it wanted too.
“Why, I would never hurt you Lauren and I’d take good care of you,” he told her. “You do want to be with me right,” he asked, looking into her eyes now.
“Blue, you know I do,” she told him truthfully. “But you also know the police would be looking for me, everyone would be looking for me, and you’re already on probation,” she reminded him.
Blue sighed deeply knowing she was right, but not wanting to hear or admit it.
“I don’t want you at that house with him anymore,” he told her growing angry.
“Because if he touches you Lauren, I’m going to kill him,” Blue finished as Lauren gently stroked his face.
“I’m not going back,” she told him quietly.
He looked into her eyes trying to find the meaning behind her statement.
“You’re running,” he asked simply as she nodded. “You weren’t going to tell me were you,” he added, the upset in his voice.
“I didn’t want to hurt you anymore Blue,” Lauren replied honestly.
“So where you going,” he asked again, his mind working.
“I don’t know yet,” she told him.
“OK, so stay here with me until you figure it out,” Blue tried.
He didn’t want her to leave him ever, but right now he had to buy time.
Lauren continued to sit silently pondering the thing Blue asked. She supposed she could manage to stay out of harm’s way, but there was Kenny. He knew who Blue was and she had no doubt he would run to the police station to give them the information and make sure they arrested Blue. He returned to the room handing her a glass of juice and drinking the beer he’d grabbed.
“Blue, I can’t stay, but it’s not because I don’t want to,” Lauren began as he sat next to her and asked her to explain.
She told him the things she’d been thinking concerning Kenny as he cleared this throat and nodded thoughtfully.
“I can take care of that,” he said simply as she regarded him again.
“Blue don’t get in trouble, I can’t take you being locked up,” Lauren told him.
Blue kissed her gently and told her not to worry about that.
“If I can shut Kenny up, will you stay,” he probed, kissing her again.
Against her better judgment she told him yes, watching the smile illuminate his face.
“It’s going to work out baby, you’ll see,” Blue told her as he began kissing her neck and fondling her breasts.
Lauren once again surrendered to his touch as they began making love yet another time and she prayed everything would stay good for a change.
*****
Word spread quickly as the verdict and sentencing topped headlines on every major network. Cartier saw the press account of the proceedings from a chair inside the TV room at the prison. He knew it wouldn’t be long now before he and his partner were once again reunited. That was the only catch-22 in the whole case from the start; that both men, if and when convicted, would be mandated to Leavenworth. Of course none of them knew the reasoning behind it but Cartier did and once Carlo arrived they would begin to set their plans in motion. He sighed deeply hearing the accounts of his friend’s non remorseful attitude and a quick interpretation of the thing he’d said in court. What the hell is wrong with you Carlo, Cartier wondered internally. From the corner of his eye Cartier saw movement and turned slightly toward it. He saw Razor quickly scurrying away in the other direction having spotted him inside the room. Cartier smiled to himself knowing that situation would soon be rectified. He again had only been waiting for Carlo, wanting him to enjoy the man’s death as well.
Cartier thought about his sons, having gotten word they were flourishing in Alabama, setting up and running a small nightclub on the outskirts of town. Ian wouldn’t be eighteen for another few months, but obviously Ryan had found a way around tha
t. Cartier appreciated the fact that his eldest son looked out for his baby brother. What about Jalen, his mind threw at him. He sighed deeply. He’d learned from conversation with Ryan that he hated Ian’s twin. He felt very much betrayed by their mother sending them with Eason and keeping Jalen with her. Cartier knew she did it both out of revenge and remorse. Looking at Ian every day reminded her of him, knowing that while Jalen and Ian favored greatly, he’d taken more of Raven’s features, where Ian looked like Cartier spit him out, literally. Ryan had his dark personality which Cartier was sure had shown up early in his development. They’re going to be great though, he thought again, smiling at Ryan’s entrepreneurial spirit and Ian’s drive to learn and keep up with his brother. Thinking about his own children immediately brought his mind to Lauren again.
Ernie was doing as instructed, being privileged to more information working at Erlanger than the rest. He was close to finding out the name of the foster family that had taken her in. Cartier wanted to tell them to check the Catholic school Carlo enrolled her in, but knew without him financing it; she wouldn’t be able to attend. Sighing deeply he prayed Ernie came up with a hit and quick. Lauren had a birthday coming soon and Cartier desperately wanted to know where his goddaughter was and that she was all right. I also want some answers from Carlo when he gets here, he thought angrily the entire custody matter coming full blown. He took a deep breath and calmed himself, just as Meredith entered the room and said hello. Cartier returned her greeting, almost immediately ignoring her. He’d seen her giving him the once over on several occasions, but he wasn’t interested. Even with women and sex being almost non-existent he wasn’t attracted to her. There was another guard however, Lonette, that he found extremely sexy. He’d planned to feel her out and see if she was interested. He of course definitely hoped she was, especially considering the alternatives.
9
Roderick was trying to tie up the still loose ends of the Hangman case some two months later. He was seeing Hope tonight, unable to break it off with her as he knew he should. Roderick needed her right now as much as she needed him, feeling very much alone and empty without Faatin. Emin graciously took in Tariq as Hasaan decided to strike out on his own, getting an apartment in the Southwest side of the city. Roderick offered him financial help but he turned him down flat, dismissing him from his life permanently. Not feeling the fight any longer, Roderick allowed it and turned his attention to his youngest son. Tariq was graduating high school in the next few months he reflected, making a note to buy him his first car. Sighing deeply Roderick’s thoughts returned to Hope and how deep he was now. He could tell from the look in her eyes she was in love with him. He cared for her true enough, but Roderick couldn’t lie and call it love. They had great sex together, but he wasn’t caught up to the point of settling down with her. His phone rang and he walked over to the table to answer it, hoping it wasn’t yet another call about Hasaan and some trouble or other he’d gotten himself into.
“Hello,” Roderick answered amiably.
“We have a lead,” the caller told him as Roderick nodded and told them to elaborate.
“Good, I’m going over there now,” he told the party as they acknowledged his direction and disconnected.
Grabbing his keys and his coat, he headed out into the lightly falling dusk, encountering the beginnings of snow and cursing softly. This was yet another reason he wanted to hurriedly leave Chicago for his new assignment. The weather definitely promised to be a 180-degree turn. Driving, he eventually found his desired location in the hood, K Town, not far from Cisero. Roderick parked the car and got out deciding to walk the block a bit and get a feel of the atmosphere before directly approaching his target. He immediately began to get distrusting looks from the residents walking the block, taking him in. He supposed he did stand out, but Roderick wasn’t really concerned with that at the moment. He was on a mission with a deliberate goal in mind. His stomach reminded him he was hungry as he stopped in front of the Italian beef eatery and decided to go inside. Ordering his food, Roderick’s mind continued to race. His superior had given him just five more days to do his notes on the case and stamp it closed. The girl behind the counter called out that his order was ready and Roderick retrieved it, heading back to his car and getting inside. He enjoyed his dinner as he watched the entrance to the business he was headed for when he was done.
*****
Other than being locked in a cage nightly, Carlo was enjoying prison life just fine. He still got everything he requested from drugs to liquor; even sex was no problem for him as he quickly worked his magic and found a lover in Meredith Shale, a guard at the prison. She managed to get herself assigned to his cellblock on the regular and of course knew just where they could go to have sex. He’d also had to learn how to shoot his heroin instead of smoke it. That was one thing that bothered him also, the sharing of needles. They just couldn’t seem to smuggle in enough that he got a clean one each time. Carlo tried to be careful and make sure he sterilized it before each hit, using the vein between his toes to shoot up. It left no marks and no one would know what a junkie he’d become. He and Cartier were right next to each other and their circle of new Association members kept them well covered and protected. Carlo smiled thinking about Razor’s death the day of his arrival two months ago. They were in the eating area when Hank or Horse as he preferred to be called, slipped up next to him in line and stabbed him several times with the homemade shank. Because he was surrounded by others under Cartier and Carlo’s ranks, no one even knew he was stabbed or dying until everyone walked away and Razor collapsed onto the sandwich cart.
The cover had been equally well orchestrated with the payoff of two guards who they knew would be on duty that day. Meredith he took care of later in the evening for her role of disposing of the weapon, when he had sex with her. There was still the matter of his missing child however, and that kept Carlo on a constant downward spiral that only being high relieved. Cartier told him they’d found the foster family but Lauren had already run away and disappeared. Damn, I taught her too well, he brooded as he thought about his blood. He told Cartier to send men to Hope’s house and find out what she knew. They reported she was at a loss and still looking herself trying to locate the young woman.
“Hangman,” Cartier addressed, walking into the recreation room and sitting down beside his partner.
“What’s going on Socrates,” Carlo replied.
“I spoke with our contact today,” he began quietly making sure they weren’t overheard.
“He says they’re asking for half a million apiece.”
Nodding his understanding, Carlo told him that wasn’t a problem. They had a couple million still stashed. Cartier grunted his agreement as they changed the subject, ensuring no one intruded on their conversation or plans.
“This place is hell personified,” Cartier remarked.
Carlo chuckled and agreed with his sentiment.
“We’ve been through worse,” he added as Cartier nodded.
“Heard they found Maxine dead in some alley, doped up, raped, cut up,” Cartier told him almost emotionless.
Carlo frowned slightly but didn’t speak. She’d been in and out of rehab and jail since her father, Dillinger, was dethroned and killed by one of his second lieutenants three years earlier. Cartier had broken up with her almost immediately after hearing the news.
“You heard from your boys,” Carlo asked instead.
Cartier brought him up to speed on Ryan and Ian as he nodded and remarked how well they seemed to be doing.
“Hey, you remember Cal,” Carlo remarked, chuckling now.
Cartier smiled as well recalling the man. “Yeah, he was such an asshole,” he replied as they both began to reminisce.
“What you two punks want,” Cal threw out cockily. He was linked to Dillinger and thought that made him just as powerful and untouchable. Carlo and Cartier were still in their early years, but they had far more power and money than even Dillinger was aware of yet. �
�We want your hoes,” Carlo replied calmly. The man was a known pimp and his stable was extremely profitable. Cal began to laugh before telling them both to kiss his ass. “Quita,” Cal called out as the shapely sexy cocoa brown sister immediately appeared, clad scantily, sticking out in all the right places. “I wanna show you a pair of jacks,” he told her laughing again as she returned a confused look. “See them two fools right there,” Cal began as Quita nodded silently. “Those are two jacks,” he paused for a moment. “Asses,” Cal finished, doubling over in laughter. Quita didn’t crack a smile seeing the deadly look on the two men’s faces.
Carlo was on him before Cal could recover from his laughter, hitting him in the face with the full bottle of scotch, breaking both the bottle and Cal’s jaw. Quita screamed shortly and jumped out of the way. “Go get the rest of the bitches and bring them in here,” Carlo barked. Quita didn’t hesitate, immediately calling out for the rest of the girls to come into the main room. Cartier walked over to Cal and looked him over distastefully. Cal was trying to talk and finding it extremely difficult. Finally in frustration he held the lower end of his jaw with his palm so he could form words. “You just bought a bullet,” he threatened Carlo who responded with a punch to his gut. “You’re not Dillinger stupid,” he told him calmly as Cal started getting the picture. Turning to the women, Cartier addressed them. “We’re about to kill Cal and become your new pimps,” he told them frankly. “Anyone has a problem with that, please speak up right now,” he added looking at each woman individually. His gaze fell upon the last girl in line as she bit her lip, eyes filled with lust as she slowly looked him over. Smiling slightly Cartier walked up to her.
“You want to fuck your new daddy,” he asked looking into the smoldering brown eyes. “Yeah daddy,” she replied without hesitation. “In a minute,” Cartier replied, kissing her cheek softly as he squeezed her butt, hand inside her underwear. The woman shuddered lightly as Cal cursed and called her a slut. “No dumbass, she’s a whore, there’s a difference,” Cartier told him calmly, finding his way back to both men. “Any last requests,” Carlo asked. “I’m telling you, you’re both going to die,” he tried again, forcing himself to sound confident. “You know,” Cartier began as Carlo gave him a look. He had that tone. “I’ve always wanted to know what makes a pimp tick,” he said as Carlo’s grin widened. “That’s a good question,” he replied, knowing where they were headed. “Bring me some of the handcuffs I know you hoes got,” Carlo barked as two of the women quickly ran into the back, returning seconds later with his request. Carlo snatched Cal out of the chair he sat in, literally throwing him onto the large kitchen table in the adjoining room. They cuffed Cal to the table spread eagle. “Drink,” Cartier asked politely addressing Carlo. “Yes please,” he replied as they both laughed again and turned the bottles they were holding up. The women were still watching quietly, terrified and intrigued with the two men present.
