by T. Styles
Before she left, her orders were simple: bring back Eleanor McClendon. She was so close to getting her hands on her that she could smell the dirt in her hair, but nobody wanted to hear how she almost succeeded. It was about the results.
Farah’s mind went back to how she lost her. It was after she lied to the cops and said they were friends. Eleanor had looked into her deceitful eyes, turned back around to the cops, and asked, “Can you walk me home?” They obliged and the rest was history.
Farah smoothed the loose tentacles of her long hair, sighed, and opened the door. Immediately everyone rushed to her like a wave on a beach.
Della Baker led the pack, while everyone else stood behind her. “Where is she?” Her eyes peered over Farah’s shoulders and landed on the closed door. “You said you were bringing her back. So what happened?”
There were so many people crowding Farah that she couldn’t breathe. She searched the crowd for Slade. Where was he? She needed to see how much damage they’d done to his mind since she’d been gone, but she couldn’t see him. She would be able to tell if only she could see his eyes. “I went over there”—Farah held her head down—“and Eleanor wasn’t home.”
They sighed and walked away. Everyone except Della.
When the crowd broke, Farah could finally see Slade leaned against the wall. His face was as blank as a white piece of paper. Emotionless. Bland. Do you still love me? she wondered.
“What you mean she wasn’t home?” Della asked, breaking her stare. “Did you check around the neighborhood?”
Mia stepped next to Farah. “What you want my sister to do, pull the woman from her asshole? If she says she not there, it means she not there. Can’t you see she’s upset?”
“We all got emotions.” Della looked around the apartment. “Look at the faces of everyone here. Everybody present has feelings. What makes hers any different?”
“I don’t know what’s going on with this Eleanor person,” Elise said, pushing herself into the conversation, “but somebody better start telling me something.”
“Grandma, not right now,” Mia said softly.
“Yes, right now! What is going on in this apartment? And why is everyone deliberately holding things back from me?” Elise looked at Mia, Shadow, and Farah. “And where the fuck is Chloe? It’s after midnight!”
Shadow stepped up. “Grandma, come with me to Farah’s room. I want to put you up on some things. Okay?” When she didn’t move he said, “Grams, please.”
Reluctantly Elise disappeared with him, and Farah and Mia exhaled.
Focusing back on Della, Mia continued to take control. “My sister Chloe is gone and my mother just died. Not to mention no one has told my grandmother the details. The last thing we need right now is this shit.”
There was slight arguing among everyone when, through the crowd, Farah saw Coconut sitting on her sofa and going through her phone like shit was still sweet between them. Like Coconut didn’t come into her house with an archenemy yesterday to attend Rhonda’s baby shower. What was the traitor doing in her house? Half of Farah’s problems of the day were attributed to Coconut. Had Coconut never brought Shannon with her to the shower, resulting in Rhonda losing the baby, Knight would not have tried to take her life.
Mia, easily deciphering what caused Farah to turn a shade of blue, said, “Let me talk to my sister for a moment. In private.”
“Make it quick. We have things to talk about.” Della gave Farah one last look before slogging back over to the couch.
When Della walked away, Farah focused on her ex-friend sitting on her sofa. Even though Farah hated her guts, there was no denying that Coconut was strikingly beautiful. Her golden-streaked hair fell over her shoulders and her legs were crossed, as she looked up at everyone from the sofa. They seemed to be entranced by what Coconut was saying. Was she telling them any of her personal business? Was she trying to fuck Slade? Or maybe she was there for Shannon to get Slade back.
Farah observed Slade, the way he focused on Coconut as she spoke. In Farah’s opinion he was looking too hard at Coconut. Farah’s wild thoughts kicked up another level when she considered how flushed she probably looked. She’s prettier than me. Much prettier. He’s going to run off with her. Have a few babies. Maybe even buy a house and get married.
“You are a sexy bitch,” Slade said to Coconut. “I can’t wait to make you my wife.”
Farah was just about to step to them both when Mia grabbed Farah softly by her arm and whisked her into the kitchen. “What is up with you, Farah? You all bug-eyed and shit.”
“Did you hear that?” She looked at Slade. “He said he couldn’t wait to make her his wife.”
Mia frowned and looked over at them. She saw a totally different picture. Slade looked like he was verging on suicide, and Coconut was talking to Della. If Mia had to be the judge, the last thing on Slade’s mind was fucking with Coconut. “I don’t know what you thought you heard, Farah, but he definitely didn’t say none of that shit.”
“He like her, don’t he?” Her wild eyes rolled over them. “She’s cuter than me.” She looked at Mia. “Look at how clear her skin is.” She looked down at her hands. “I look a mess.”
“I don’t know what the fuck is going on in your head right now, but it’s the wrong time to be acting up. Keep your cool with this bitch, Farah.”
When Farah looked out into the living room again, Coconut smiled at her, but it was softer than the looks she’d given her in the past. Was she not mad at her anymore? She smelled a snake.
“I don’t like this shit,” Farah told her.
“Me either,” Mia admitted. “She got something up her sleeve, but I don’t know what just yet.”
“Well, why did y’all let her in? You know I can’t stand that bitch. Plus earlier tonight, Knight approached me outside because of what happened to Rhonda at her baby shower. The last thing I need is her running her mouth about me.”
Mia frowned. “What Knight wants with you?”
Farah sighed. “My life.” She shook her head. “Has anyone heard from Chloe?”
“Not yet,” she said softly. “And just so you know, I didn’t let that sneaky bitch in here. Your grandmother did. In her mind it’s once a friend, always a friend, no matter how hard they stab you in the face.”
“This is not good.” Farah shook her head. “She wants something.”
“Outside of what you believe her reason is, why do you say that?”
Farah looked into her sister’s eyes. There was something she didn’t hide from her, just neglected to say. When she was ready she whispered, “She knows I hit Knox, Mia. She doesn’t know his name, but she thinks I killed a man when I ran into him with my car. If it comes out today, I’m going to die. Did you see the look in that old bitch’s eyes?” When they looked at Della she was staring in their direction. “She won’t go away until she digs his body up from the grave.”
Mia shook her head. “I’m not even going to worry about all that. Shadow and I don’t make no mistake when it comes to hiding bodies.”
“Where do you put them?”
“The less you know the better,” Mia said. “Besides, I don’t want you writing about it in them books of yours.” She looked over her. “You are going to stop writing in journals, right?”
“Of course,” she told her, scratching her skin.
“Farah, I’m serious!” She pointed in her face. “If Killa would’ve found the journal instead of the phone, it could’ve gone worse. Your diary writing days are over.”
“I’m done, Mia. I promise.”
“Good. And don’t worry about them finding Knox. We’ve been burying mothafuckas since we were kids. If they find any bones, they won’t belong to him.”
“I hope you’re right, because somebody snapped a picture of me and Knox and handed it to me,” Farah murmured. “I didn’t tell you this, but I met him before he came over the day I killed him. I accidently hit him with my car.”
Mia’s eyebrows rose.
/> “I got scared because he was all bruised and bloodied, and I was texting. I didn’t want to go to jail,” Farah cried. “So I . . . so I tried to kill him by placing my hand over his nose. It didn’t work and he survived. My only problem is, I don’t know who took the picture.”
“You hit him with your car?” She gripped her by her arms and pulled her closer. “What the fuck are you talking about?”
“What’s the big deal?”
“Farah, if someone examines that car, his DNA will be all over it. It’s gonna lead right back to you.”
She shrugged her off. “Well, that’s not going to happen.”
“How the fuck do you know?” Mia sighed.
“I just know, but that’s not what I wanted to tell you. Earlier, when I left to find Eleanor and the kid handed me the picture, Della was behind me. She almost saw it.” She started trembling. “If she would’ve seen that shit, I wouldn’t be here right now!”
“That’s why she was acting so weird when she came back inside.” She looked at Farah’s hands. “Where is the picture now?”
“In the trunk of my car,” Farah said. “I haven’t had a chance to get rid of it.” She used an even lower voice.
Mia felt her stomach swell. “Farah, don’t get me wrong. I understand you having to kill him when he showed up here, but why would you run into him and try to kill him when it was your fault?” She paused. “You got me worried about you.”
“Worried about me?” Farah laughed. “I’m the one who didn’t like violence, remember?” She pointed at herself. “I’m the one who wanted to live and love, but everybody in the house wouldn’t allow me to. If anything, I’m a product of the shit that went on with Brownie as our mother.”
Mia couldn’t say shit. Farah pulled her card and it was the ace of spades. “We were all kids back then.”
“I hear you, but worry about me after we get this bitch and everybody out of the house. Anyway, how long was she here?”
“She literally just got here before you did. She said something about wanting to talk to you, and when we said you weren’t home, Grams said she could wait for you inside.”
Farah looked at Coconut again and sighed. “Let me go see what this bitch wants.” She approached the group.
“Are you ready to tell us about what happened with Eleanor?” Della asked. “We’ve been waiting for a minute.”
“I thought I made myself clear. She wasn’t home,” Farah said. “Outside of that, there ain’t much else I can say.” She swallowed. “But give me some more time and I promise I’ll find out where she is.” Farah looked at Slade and then Coconut. “What are you doing here?”
“I have to talk to you about something, Farah. I didn’t know you had company and I tried to call, but you didn’t answer the phone, so I decided to come over.”
“We can do it in private.” Farah rushed toward the door and opened it. “Let’s talk in the hallway.”
Coconut grinned and stood up. “It was nice meeting everyone.” She followed her into the hallway.
When the door was closed Farah asked, “What are you doing here?”
“I can’t stop thinking about the baby shower yesterday, and I’m so sorry about everything that happened between us, Farah. I heard about Rhonda’s baby, and I know for a fact it wasn’t your fault. Not only that, word on the street is that somebody is holding Chloe for ransom. During times like these you need friends, and that’s why I’m here. To offer my support.”
Why is your skin so clear? Farah desired skin like hers. “Coconut, cut the shit. What do you really want?”
“I just told you. I know you’re dealing with a lot alone, and I don’t want you to go through it by yourself.” Coconut grabbed Farah’s hands. “I miss you. I really do.”
Farah knew something was off, but with everything going on, she couldn’t lie; having someone in her corner outside of her siblings didn’t sound like a bad idea.
“Let’s do this,” Coconut said. “Come over my house later on tonight so we can talk.”
“How I know you not here for Shannon? Or to get in my business? I know she wants Slade.” She stepped back. “For all I know, all of this shit could be a setup.” She looked down the empty hallway.
“You have to trust me, Farah. If you don’t want the friendship, I’ll understand.... A lot of shit has happened. Some of the things we did to each other can’t be taken back. But if you come over later and we speak about it, maybe we can work on it. It’s important enough for me to try. I hope it is for you too.”
Farah muttered, “Okay.”
Coconut pulled her toward her body and hugged her tightly. “I’m so happy you’re going to try.”
What do you really want, bitch? “Me too.”
“I’ll talk to you later.” Coconut waved, smiled, and strutted down the hallway.
Farah watched her until she disappeared into the elevator. She was about to go back inside and deal with the nonsense in her living room, when suddenly everyone rushed out.
“We just found out where Chloe and Audio are,” Shadow yelled, grabbing Farah’s arm. “Come on. We heading out there now.”
Chapter 6
An Hour Earlier
Audio Baker
“And every grimy thing I did in life I gotta answer for.”
Audio and Chloe lay inside of Slade’s truck in the bottom of a ditch. The freezing temperatures caused their toes and fingertips to burn, and they were in and out of consciousness. Blood covered everything visible, and both of them experienced unimaginable pain.
None of this would’ve happened had someone not clipped them from behind while Chloe was giving Audio a blowjob. Since they were certain no one knew where they were, in Audio’s mind it was just a matter of time before they died.
Audio’s mind wandered, but when he realized he hadn’t heard his girlfriend’s voice in a while, he grew worried. He turned his head slowly to the right, because his neck didn’t feel connected anymore.
“Chloe, you all right?” he asked softly as he looked over at her. “Get up, baby. You can’t go to sleep.” When she didn’t respond, with all the strength he could muster, he raised his arm and slapped her in the face. His hand slid off of Chloe’s nose and fell to his side. “Chloe, wake the fuck up!” When she didn’t budge an inch, his heart bubbled. “Don’t do this shit to me!” he demanded. “I need you, Chloe.” He looked out at the darkness before him. “You can’t do this!”
It seemed like an eternity, but finally she opened her eyes. A large piece of glass from the windshield pierced the flesh of her hip, and the torture reminded her that she was about to die. Blood ran down her sides and onto the floor at her feet. When she looked at his face, she wished he hadn’t wakened her from death. “I wasn’t in pain anymore. Why did you wake me?”
“You can’t do that again, Chloe. You gotta stay up.”
“We gonna die, aren’t we?” She cried softly. “I don’t want to die.”
“Then don’t say it again. You stronger than that shit, but you gotta stay up. Somebody gonna find us,” he said to himself, although he doubted it was true.
She laughed, even though nothing was funny at the moment. “Who gonna find us? Nobody knew where we went, Audio. We’ve been out here all night and day and we are still alone, so don’t tell me something just because it sounds good! I’m going to die, and you dying with me.”
“I know my people, and they gonna come looking for us. Plus, I prayed on it.”
Audio wasn’t a religious man. He moved how he wanted, said what was on his mind, and took whatever he wanted. All that said, if there was one thing Southerners believed in, no matter how they carried on in life, it was that God existed. Unfortunately for him, the bitch he chose to share his life with came from a family of vultures and believed in the opposite. Audio and his brothers participated in nonviolent crimes, but the household Chloe was raised in saw violence daily.
“Since when are you so religious?” she asked, trying to move around for com
fort. “We do a lot of stuff together, Audio, and I never heard you pray for anything but this pussy since I’ve known you.”
“I can’t believe you said pray and pussy in the same breath.” At that moment, there was a small spot of hate in his heart for her. “And for your information, I believed in prayer all my life. Just ’cause you grew up in a fucked-up house don’t mean I did. You gotta watch how you talk to me, Chloe. I’m a real nigga.”
Chloe laughed again. “Whatever the fuck. You still haven’t answered my question. How you gonna be religious when you smoke, drink, and get high all day? You no better than me.” She touched her side, and her heart rocked when she felt glass sticking out of it. It pricked the tips of her fingers. “Fuck!” she screamed in pain.
“You all right?” He looked over at her.
“I’m fine, and don’t try to skip the subject.”
He didn’t feel like discussing religion with her, since it was obvious she didn’t respect it, but if talking about it would keep her mind off of her situation, he would take one for the team. “I said I believe in God, Chloe, but I never said I was religious. Religion ain’t shit but a way of doing things. Going to church on Sundays. Praying every night . . . stuff like that. I don’t need to do all of that to have a relationship with God. I talk to Him like he’s one of my boys because He is.” He leaned his head back on to the headrest.
“You still a grimy nigga.”
Suddenly he wished Chloe would go silent. “And every grimy thing I did in life I gotta answer for. All my decisions are on me.”
Chloe heard his frustration and started crying. He was her first love and the first man who ever clasped her heart without letting go. She fucked niggas here and there before meeting Audio, but never fell in love with anyone prior to that moment. If they were going to make it out alive, they needed one another.
“I’m sorry, Audio. I really am. I just want to get out of here so bad. I want to see my sisters again and my brother. I want to hug my mother and my grandmother.” She was crying so heavily her chest rose and fell rapidly. “I don’t want to die like this. My family won’t be able to handle me not coming home.”
