by S. W. Frank
“Keep doing that and I won’t be able to control myself.”
“Really?” She said playfully and gyrated her hips.
“Ahhh,” he groaned.
She kissed his lips and boldly explored his mouth with her tongue.
Alfonzo responded eagerly then detached himself. “Selange I might not restrain myself this time, be warned.”
“And?”
He sat up holding her by the waist, “And don’t start a fire you can’t extinguish, mujer.” His instincts screamed to get up and take her home; cease and desist before someone got hurt emotionally but his body didn’t follow these commands. He tried to break the emotional hold, “Why me…por qué me mujer ?”
“What?”
“You were a virgin. Why me?”
Long lashes blinked in surprise, “Was it that obvious?”
“Um-hum. Answer the question.”
Her arms encircled his neck. He didn’t have an ounce of fat, only pure muscle. Her voice was demure almost wistful in tone, “I…”
His eyebrows drew together, “What?”
Selange’s eyes did not waver. He deserved the truth, albeit the corny protestations. “I trust you.”
He frowned. To trust him showed erroneous judgment.
For Selange trusting anyone was an emotional risk. Yet, Alfonzo compelled her to take a chance…to make the investment even if it meant getting hurt.
The ice blue eyes hid a gentle and tortured man. “You don’t know me.”
She shook her head in disagreement, “I do. You’re the voice on the other end of the line soothing me. You’re the guy who calls to see how my day is going. You’re the….” Her voice choked and he saw her eyes water but she pushed through it, “you’re the guy who holds a stranger when her world has crumpled and makes her feel safe. I do know you Alfonzo…and there’s no one in the world I want more than you!”
A tear fell on his chest and he rolled on top kissing her ardently. Yes, he should have stopped but he could not. Other women professed their desires for him and he felt nothing. Her confession lit a torch which consumed his flesh. Yes, he should have stopped it here, but his ardor was too great and he knew he could not at this point.
He pulled open her shirt exposing the splendor of her naked body and she moaned in ecstasy when he squeezed her breast within the folds of his mouth. Alfonzo caressed the inner portion of her thighs then gently massaged her clitoris. The intimate act caused her to clutch him wildly, demanding, encouraging and opening the doorway to his heart. He stood quickly, removed his shirt and trousers then crawled over her. With urgent desire he entered her fully and without reserve. All reasonable care fled as he made love to the woman who elicited thoughts of fidelity. She swiveled her hips to his erotic tempo matching the intensity of his flaming soul. He found his weakness, she was his Achilles Heel.
Perspiration lined his brow from the intensity of their copulation. He maneuvered her willing body, teaching and showing her the pleasures of the flesh, surging deeper into this wondrous discovery called Selange. He sought to purge the horrors, heal the pain and seek redemption for his black soul. He lift her legs higher over his shoulders and she rocked forward in response to his carnal demands. Selange called his name and he answered with dominant kisses. Forceful, unyielding, all-consuming and passionate ones. His mind screamed to withdraw, retreat from this woman, release her but impulse won. It seemed he’d warehoused his affections in a darkened prison and they burst free leaving him helpless as they wreaked havoc to his flesh. In one tiny frame of sanity he fought for control of his senses. A spark of clarity transitioned into logical reasoning. She trusts you. She’s mourning and wants comfort but she isn’t thinking. Don’t bring her into your life…she deserves better!
Alfonzo inhaled sharply then rest his damp forehead against her shoulder tormented by his conscience. The erratic palpitations pound excitedly against his ribcage. Her lips were on his neck sighing, “I need you…so much…Alfonzo!”
No…hold still…withdraw…oh shit!
His body moved of its own accord. Her pleas sealed his fate.
“I love you…yes…yes… Alfonzo…I love you.”
Their bodies fused in an orgasmic climax and he suckled hungrily on her breast as he exploded into a million fragments pouring his love into her cavernous flesh. Her bedroom confession broke him. When the euphoria subsided he flopped beside her lost on how to proceed. Selange awakened dormant emotions he sought to suppress. If he wanted her in his life he had let go of his secretive one. He fucked up and hadn’t used a condom. The prospect of impregnation in the forefront of his mind as she cuddled close and his pectoral muscle flexed involuntarily. There was no retreat because deep down inside he didn’t want to. Somewhere in the crazy haze he felt she was the one. Death was their introduction, yet love became their bond.
He heard her slow breaths as she dozed and frowned at his selfishness. He was the only man she slept with, but was it enough to keep her? Should he let her free to make certain a relationship with him is what she wanted or should he trust she knew her own mind and was not influenced by this new exciting sexual liberation?
His cell vibrated. He lift his torso and stretched his arm to retrieve it, holding on to Selange. He answered without checking the caller I.D. “Que paso?”
Antonia’s voice, “Que paso my ass…so that’s how you gonna’do me, eh ‘Fonzo?”
“I can’t talk right now I’m busy.”
She was pissed, “So that’s it, huh? You have a new bitch and…”
Alfonzo hung-up and dropped the thin device to the floor and repositioned Selange’s head to a more comfortable position atop his chest. He put one hand behind his head and closed his eyes.
A man saw a ball of gold in the sky…he reached for it…
CHAPTER TWENTY—THREE
Midnight Alfonzo’s car tailgated the Nissan Sentra driven by Selange.
Domingo called just as he merged onto the Long Island Expressway and he used the voice activated earpiece to converse as he focused on the road. Nassau County police were notorious for issuing summonses for a myriad of infractions.
“Yo, that chick Antonia is flippin.”
“Yeah, as long as she keeps her shit contained I’m not stressing.”
“Upgrade, that’s all you did. I’m not mad at you. Anyway, tomorrow cuz we gotta’ talk about something important.”
“I hope it’s not about Jay again or is it?”
“Think about it, he’s hanging with that girl Shanda and that’s too close.”
“Hablaremos más tarde, hasta luego.”
The Nissan signaled and moved to the right lane before exiting at New Hyde Park Road. His Mercedes followed closely then the Nissan spun left on New Hyde Road. Alfonzo got caught on the red. He saw the brakes of the Nissan as it pulled over to the shoulder. Finally the light turned green and he took off again.
A familiar ring tone sounded.
‘Damn, what the fuck? Antonia, again!’
He stayed with the Nissan as he navigated the dark main road as he spoke, “Antonia, why you keep blowing-up my phone?”
“You don’t know? I come to your party, you toss me out. Eso es jodido!”
Antonia’s attitude surprised him because he stayed upfront about their relationship. There wasn’t any! “What’s fucked up Antonia is you coming to my mom’s place trying to start shit. Eso es jodido chica!”
Her voice elevated, “What’s the matter you afraid your new puta gonna’ find out about me, eh Alfonzo?”
Alfonzo scoffed. Antonia tread dangerously close to getting tossed out on her ass, esta noche. “Cállate…shut-up you’re pissing me off right now!”
“You can fuck me but I can’t come to your party, cómo?”
Alfonzo wasn’t surprised she knew about Selange. In the street news circulated faster than a computer virus.
“Antonia you’re talking reckless. Tranquilo!” He warned then decided the chica had gone too far, “Vete, I want you
out Antonia. Treinta días, thirty days, that’s it…no mas, comprende?”
The Nissan turned into a cul-de-sac off the main roadway and passed manicured lawns then rolled onto a cobblestone driveway leading to a large colonial house. Modestly expensive, yet impressive. He visualized Uncle Al and Darlene living there. Melancholy blanketed him.
Antonia ‘humphed’ but didn’t utter a word. Alfonzo never issued a threat unless he executed it. A rent free apartment in one of his buildings was a cushy deal. She tried to apologize, “Alfonzo, mira…pero…”
“Vete en treinta dias, no mas!” He severed the call as Selange approached. Antonia pissed him off, maybe he should pay her ass a visit, en la noche!
“You coming in or are you going to stay in your car?”
He stepped out scowling.
“What’s wrong?”
She read him well, too well.
He cheered-up, “Nothing. Do I get the personal tour?”
“Sure.”
He took her hand, “I want the full Triple X tour.”
She smiled and the transient sadness dissipated as they walked hand in hand to the house. Inside Selange excused herself to change clothes.
“Make yourself at home, I’ll be back in a few minutes.”
He nodded and watched her ascend the stairs and walked into the living room. Nice. He took a seat on the sofa and rest his arms on the back of the soft fabric looking around. Noticing touches of her. Paintings of dancers, feminine and delicate vases. Soft women things.
The telephone rang as Selange changed out of the evening dress and slipped on a casual set of clothes. It stopped then rang again and she grabbed the phone up from the bed. Shanda’s father greeted her on the opposite end.
“Hi Selange, I’ve been calling all day. I’m glad I caught you, is Shanda around?”
“I just came home Mr. Johnson, let me check.”
She carried the phone around the house checked Shanda’s bedroom, nothing except a heap of clothes on the bed. The other rooms were empty, too. “No, she’s not here.”
“Did she tell you her plans?”
“She was waiting for Jay when I went out yesterday, why, is something wrong?”
Detective Johnson sighed, “Not necessarily, usually she calls. We haven’t heard from her since yesterday. If she comes in tell her to call me or her mom, okay?”
“I will.”
“Thanks.”
She hung-up then immediately dialed Shanda’s cell phone and got her voice-mail. Selange began to worry. She checked the caller ID to see if Shanda called at all. Last night at 8:52 Jay’s home number appeared, she remembered answering the telephone as her friend dressed. She hit redial and an older woman answered.
The raspy high-pitched voice shouted, “Yeah, who’s this?”
“Hi I’m calling to speak to Jay.”
“That boy ‘aint here,” the woman said irritably. She screamed at someone in the background then said, “I wish you fast girl’s stopped calling here all hours of the night. Call his damn cell phone wil’ya!”
“Can I have the number, please.”
She barked out several digits then slammed the telephone down.
Selange dialed Jay’s number. It rang several times, not even the voice mail. Where the hell were they?
She returned downstairs, Alfonzo sat on the floral sofa looking at a pictures of her with her mom and dad in happier days. She sat next to him, “It’s strange, y’know my friend’s father called. He hasn’t talked to Shanda since yesterday. It’s weird. Shanda always speaks to her parents.”
Alfonzo returned the picture to its place on the coffee table.
“It’s Saturday night, she’s probably still hanging out.” He said reassuringly.
“ I don’t know, she’s not answering her cell phone, nothing.”
Alfonzo recalled hearing music from a cell phone from the kitchen area. He sat forward. “Was she hanging with Jay?”
“When I left she was waiting for him.”
“Do you have Jay‘s number?”
“Yes, I tried calling and he’s not answering.”
Alfonzo didn’t like the sound of this. He exhaled sharply, he hoped Domingo hadn’t prematurely taken care of Jay. He got out his cell and contacted him to find out.
Domingo’s voice was calm. Relaxed. “Wassup cuz?”
Selange was staring at him anxiously. He spoke in rapid Spanish, “Jay’s missing you know anything about it?”
“Nah, really, what you mean missing?”
“I’m at the house. He and Shanda aren’t here and the family is getting worried. So, talk to me cuz.”
Domingo’s voice sobered. The high wore off. “On my word cuz, I got nothing to do with that!”
Alfonzo breathed heavily. Whenever, Domingo gave his word he was usually telling the truth. Besides his cousin wouldn’t lie to him about something this important. “Alright, keep your eyes and ears out. Feel me?”
“Yeah…yeah…I feel you.”
Alfonzo disconnected and Selange asked, “Has he seen him?”
“No, I just told him to keep his eyes out for Jay.”
Her chin fell, “Oh.”
Thank goodness she wasn’t fluent in Spanish.
Selange jumped at the sound of a ring-tone, “What the hell, that’s Shanda’s parents calling...that’s Shanda’s cell. She always takes it with her!”
Shanda programmed ring-tones to identify callers and she never went anywhere without the device. To Shanda it was a connection to the world. Alfonzo stood and followed the sound and stopped at the entranceway to the kitchen in the direction the sound emanated. There were bloodstains on the floor and he put his arm out to prevent Selange from walking forward. The droplets of blood ran from the sink, it trailed to a door leading to the garage.
He turned around suddenly when Selange pushed his arm attempting to gain entry. He blocked her with his body, forcing her to face him as he gripped her arms.
Not again, I can’t let her go through that again!
“Stay right here, you understand me. Do not move from this spot Selange. I’ll check it out.”
She held his arm, “What’s going on. Is my entire life a nightmare Alfonzo. Am I going crazy. What’s happening?”
The fear on her face tore at his heart. He wrapped her in his arms, “It’s okay, you’re far from crazy. I’ll check it out. Please just stay here and call the police.”
She nodded, “Okay, okay honey.”
Did she say honey? The endearment caused him to squeeze tighter before releasing her.
She went to get the telephone and he followed the bloodstains leading to the door. Through the glass panes he saw Selange’s Mercedes but everything else was dark. He opened the door slowly and traced his fingers along the wall and flicked on the lights. There was nothing except gardening tools lined neatly against the wall and the car. With cautious steps he moved toward the car and as he neared saw the large pools of blood staining the dark ground.
What the hell is going on?
He avoided contaminating any evidence as he reached the car and peered through the side window. Oh shit!
A body lay prone on the backseat with its’ legs tucked sideways. He could not see the face but it was a male judging by the physique. A designer purse lay across the front seat along with a silver cell phone. Shanda’s undoubtedly. A small red light flashed steadily warning of a low battery. He glanced around, where was Shanda?
He circled the car, then squatted to look underneath before rising and using the edge of his shirt to open the driver’s door, reach inside and pop the trunk. He checked there, nothing except automotive equipment. Alfonzo shut the trunk then spun around searching with his eyes. Thinking. Analyzing. Concocting theories. Trying to find a plausible explanation for this mayhem and finding none except one. The killer was striking at his heart. Sending a message, taunting him and he scowled with impotent rage. He cursed himself for not parting ways with Selange or breaking the emotional attachment bef
ore it grew into what it is now, love. Yes, he should have walked away but he didn’t and she was in danger. The killer was out to destroy him!
Certain nothing else was amiss he returned to Selange who stood at the entranceway clutching the telephone. “Tell me, is Shanda dead, is that her blood…tell me?”
He led her back to the living-room, “Did you call the police?”
“Yes,” she said, “did you find Shanda?”
“No,” He answered in a whisper.
Her breathing became rapid.
“Selange…relax…breathe slower…take deep breaths,” he instructed.
The panic stricken face relaxed and her breathing regulated.
Did she suffer from asthma or panic attacks?
Alfonzo hugged her, “I’m here…I’m here bonita.”
She dug her face in his chest crying, “What’s going on Alfonzo, what’s happening?”
He didn’t know, however he was determined to find out! First he needed to ensure she was fine then call Detective Winoski for some answers. The police knew something and they were going to tell him! “Do you need a doctor?”
“No…no…I’m good just scared.”
“Don’t be, I’m here.” He hugged tighter, “Does your friend have a brown and gold purse?”
Her head jerked back up, “Um-hum.”
“Her bag is out in the car and the cell phone.”
“Shanda takes her cell phone everywhere.”
He tried to think of a way to tell her the bad news and settled on the straightforward approach. He could hear sirens and if he didn’t tell her now she’d find out when the police arrived. His lips moved, “Jay’s dead.”
“What…where?”
“In the garage, but there’s no sign of your friend.”
“Oh my God!”
The sirens blared in the distance getting louder as it neared.
“We should call her dad.”
This suggestion gave her a new direction. Her mind was temporarily diverted as she dialed the number and spoke to Detective Johnson. The conversation was brief, he supposed Shanda’s father was on his way. His jaw clicked from the tension of being held firmly closed and he relaxed his face although the tension in his body remained. This entire situation, the murders, his assault and Shanda’s disappearance was not a coincidence. Who did he anger?
