by D. Camille
Khalid studied his son. “You need to give us some details.”
Speaking quietly not to alarm Kyros, Khalil told them about his trip to New York. Before he was completely done, Assata had grabbed her coat and was putting on her boots. “Momma, what are you doing?”
“Where is she staying, Khalil?” Assata demanded.
“Momma, she’s trying to help me get to him,” Khalil explained.
She looked up at her son. “I’m going to help her…help you faster!” she snapped.
“Assata, not this time,” Khalid warned. “Let us take care of it.”
Khalil looked at his father in gratitude. The last thing he needed was for his mother and sister to pop off while he was already in that mode.
Khalid held his wife. “This is devastating to all of us, but we have to make sure that this doesn’t touch Kyros. He needs all of us here to protect him.”
Assata nodded slowly. “Now let’s have breakfast with our grandson, who is safe and taken care of right now. Then once he’s at school, work begins,” Khalid finished.
“If she is involved in any way, you won’t stop me.” Assata warned before she walked away.
Khalid turned to his son. “Is she?”
“She swears that she isn’t,” Khalil responded. “But at this point, I can’t trust Melody.”
“I don’t think you ever could, son.” Khalid replied.
Khalil rubbed his head. “You may be right, sir.”
Khalid put a hand on his shoulder. “Are you going to be able to handle this?”
“This is my son, and anyone who is a threat to him must be eradicated. This entire situation is disgusting and I want to destroy everyone involved in this.” Khalil said angrily.
“I understand because I feel the same way.” He cuffed his son’s neck from behind and kissed his head. “Let’s eat because we have threats to eliminate.”
As they finished breakfast, the doorbell rang and Khalil stood to his feet. “I’ll get it.”
He opened the door to his sister and Lance. Lance gave him a look that said, I couldn’t stop her so I had to come with her.
“Where’s that bitch at?” Khayla demanded livid.
“Khayla!” Both Lance and Khalil warned.
She raised a hand. “NO! I don’t care. Corvus told us what happened, now all I want to know is, where’s she at Khalil?”
Khayla looked between the two men. “You two can take care of his sick ass, but her…she’s mine. She’s had it coming for a long, long time!”
Khalil looked at Lance. “Get your wife.”
Lance shook his head. “Your twin.”
Assata appeared and saw her daughter. “Good, I’m glad you’re here. We have work to do.”
“That’s why I’m here Momma.” The two took off to another part of the house and Khalil looked at Lance.
“Take care of them, please. I have enough on my plate,” he told him. “I’m going to take my son to school.”
Khalil got Kyros ready and put him in the car. He glanced back and saw his handsome, little face underneath the hat and hood.
“Did you have a good time with Grandma and Granddaddy?” Khalil asked.
He nodded. “I dreamed about you.”
“Me?”
“Yes, I dreamed you took me on a plane.” Kyros told him.
Khalil smiled. “Well, I still have to take you to Africa.”
“Did you have fun on your plane ride?”
“Not really,” Khalil looked up at him. “But I’m glad to be back home with you. You know I always miss you.”
Kyros laughed. “I miss you too Daddy, but you need a Queen.”
Khalil joined him in laughter. “Yes, I’m going to work on that very soon.”
“I have a test today,” Kyros told him.
“I know, you got those synonyms down?”
Kyros smiled slyly. “I got this Daddy.”
“Okay son,” Khalil said with smile. “By the way, you remember your stranger tactics?”
Kyros nodded. “Yes, and all of my form. Granddaddy had me work on it yesterday.”
Khalil silently thanked his father.
“Is something wrong?” Kyros asked concerned.
“Green flag,” Khalil told him and Kyros nodded slowly.
“Uh, Okay Daddy.”
Khalil walked his son into the school and nodded at the guard in the hall, stationed there for Kyros’ safety. He walked back to his car and climbed inside. Kyros had been taught, just as Khalil had, that the red flag was to proceed with caution, a green flag was to attack without hesitation and a black flag was total annihilation.
Khalil had given Kyros the green flag, and Khalid had given Khalil…the Black flag.
Chapter 14
The Negus met that afternoon at Khalil’s home. Also in attendance were Malachi, Mr. Shaw and Mr. Lewis. Gathered in his family room, the men occupied the couches and chairs.
“So this dude was really planning to hurt Kyros?” Rion asked angrily.
Khalil and Corvus nodded. “And there’s an entire group.” Khalil informed them. “I took a piece of stationery from his office and Danielle recognized what it stood for. Some shit about Man/Boy love.”
“The hell?” Lance yelled.
“It’s disgusting,” Khalil growled. “And when I get his ass, I have no sympathy.”
Malachi spoke up. “Well, his computer was filled with child pornography and young men. The bastard’s password was Kyros.”
Khalil jumped to his feet. “I need to find his ass now!”
“He’s planning something for the end of the week,” Corvus said and everyone looked at him.
“How do you know?” Mr. Shaw asked.
“When I was taking Melody to the hotel last night, he called. I made her put it on speaker phone so I heard everything he said. He knew she’d been to the house in New York. He must have something that alerts him to the code being used. She played it off real good though. She told him she’d flown there to get some stuff and he bought it,” Corvus relayed.
“What else did he say?” Mr. Shaw questioned his son.
“He wants her to set up a meeting to see Kyros at the end of this week so he can finish things.”
Khalil’s eyes narrowed. “Oh we’re finishing things.”
“Also, I think that Melody will help us with Spencer, but beyond that I wouldn’t trust her ass.” Corvus told Khalil.
“Why do you say that?” Khalil asked suspiciously.
Corvus looked at him. “I should tell you in private.”
Everyone turned to Corvus as Khalil frowned. “Look, this is about my son so if we can’t trust her, tell me now.” Khalil said hotly. “We don’t have any secrets.”
Corvus looked at him. “Last night, she said that she got pregnant with Kyros on purpose to keep you from coming back to Detroit.”
Khalil froze. “What?”
“That’s what she said. She wanted you to change your mind and she thought a baby would do it.” Corvus relayed.
Mr. Lewis frowned and shook his head. “Melody is surely a piece of work.”
“I don’t have time for Melody’s shit,” Khalil said taking his seat. “Kyros is mine and nothing else matters to me right now.”
“Melody can take her lying ass on somewhere, when I’m done with her.” Khalil finished.
Mr. Shaw nodded and looked at Corvus. “What does he mean finish things Corvus?”
“I guess he’s planning something. He’s already tried to take Khalil out so we have to assume he’ll stop at nothing.”
“Mackenzie has information on the shooting. The car was stolen and the shooter had no identification on him. He’s not in the system, and no one is looking for him. He’s a twenty-two-year-old, African American male and Mackenzie can’t seem to tie him to Spencer in any way,” Brandon informed them.
Malachi looked at Brandon. “Did he have any distinguishing marks?”
Brandon nodded. “Mac said he had a tattoo on his
chest.”
“Is it a pink flower?” Malachi questioned.
“Yes,” Brandon answered cautiously.
Malachi cursed. “Fuck! He was one of Spencer’s victims. The young men in the pictures on his computer all had the same tattoo.”
Khalil immediately pulled out his phone. When Melody answered, he questioned her without greeting.
“Does Spencer have a tattoo?”
Melody paused. “Yes, he has a pink flower on his chest. He told me it represented all the people he loved.”
“We need to talk,” Khalil told her firmly. “I’ll be in touch.”
Khalil hung up and looked around the room. “I can’t believe this!”
“He’s beyond anything we could’ve ever imagined!” Rion said harshly. “When I think of Kyros, then I think of my son, and these young boys and men. This shit just sickens me.”
“I’m with Rion,” Brandon added. “We can’t have this type of trash, freely roaming the streets, preying on young boys and men.”
Malachi sat up. “So what’s the plan because I’m ready to do some serious damage.”
Khalil looked at his father. “Total extermination.”
******
Khayla saw the woman from behind the glass in her office. Lifting a brow, she stood and walked out onto the sales floor of the food co-op that she’d opened with the help of her husband Lance and the Negus.
She watched as the woman looked over the produce then walked over to her.
“Hello Judge Baxter,” Khayla greeted.
Danielle smiled, “Hello Khayla, please call me Danielle.”
Khayla returned her smile. “Okay, what brings you to the co-op?”
“Your brother told me I should check it out and I couldn’t sit around any longer worried about what’s going on with the situation about your nephew,” Danielle explained.
“Khalil has told you what’s going on?” Khayla asked and Danielle nodded.
Khayla lifted a brow. “And what are your thoughts on that?”
Danielle looked her in the eyes. “I told him to get that piece of garbage off the streets by any means necessary.”
Khayla placed a hand on Danielle’s arm. “Girl, come into my office. We need to talk.”
Danielle followed Khayla into an office that held a one-way window that overlooked the sales floor.
“This is a beautiful place,” Danielle commented, taking a seat.
Khayla smiled and took her own chair. “I couldn’t have done it without Lance, the Negus and the community. Now we have fresh produce, meats and groceries in our neighborhood and we all own it.”
“That’s amazing and what a great idea,” Danielle complimented.
“We’re planning on opening another one on the West side of the city very soon.”
Danielle nodded. “You and your husband are quite the entrepreneurs.”
“Lance owns businesses all over the city. He’s taught me a lot and I’m the one with a degree,” Khayla told her.
“Khalil told me that he’s going to be an uncle soon,” Danielle relayed.
Khayla lifted a brow again. “Khalil is very open with you. That’s not like my brother.” She studied Danielle. “He feels very comfortable.”
“There is no reason for him not to,” Danielle relayed.
“I’m very protective of my brother…and my nephew,” Khayla told her as they watched on another.
“He’s your twin and I know that he loves you very much…and his son.”
Khayla continued to study Danielle. “Melody left because she wanted Khalil to do more than run his community center,” she pointed out then waited.
Danielle smiled. “I’m not Melody, far from her and I’m extremely impressed and proud of what Khalil has accomplished.”
“Next to Kyros, the Pride Center is his priority. He spends a lot of time there,” Khayla laid it out.
“I’m not fighting for a pecking order in Khalil’s life. I have my own life, and I spend a lot of time doing my job. I also spend time with my niece, Kam. She’s the same age as Kyros, so I understand how much time children need,” Danielle answered and sat back in her seat to wait for the next response. “Next?”
Khayla shook her head. “Damn, you’re tough outside of the courtroom too?”
Danielle laughed. “I have to be.” She looked at Khayla. “So do I pass?”
“It wouldn’t matter what I say anyway,” Khayla told her. “Khalil has his own mind.”
“But?” Danielle questioned.
“But yes, I think I’m going to like you…a lot.” Khayla admitted. “My husband says you’re just what Khalil and Kyros need, and he may be right.”
“Your brother is the most amazing man I’ve ever met and so is his son. I’d be the luckiest woman alive to have them both in my life,” Danielle said quietly.
Khayla pouted. “Well after all that, I guess I have to share them.”
Danielle laughed. “Thank you Khayla.”
“Now let’s get down to real business…that heifer Melody,” Khayla said with a frown.
******
Malachi handed a file to Khalil, who opened it and looked it over while everyone waited. When he was finished, he looked up in anger.
“What I just gave Khalil is all the information I pulled up about this group and their activities. April 25th is deemed ‘Alice Day’. It’s allegedly a special day that they hunt more victims. The government nor authorities have issued any warnings about this day or this group, but we know the history of their cover-ups when it comes to this type of thing,” Malachi informed them. “However, I don’t believe that April is celebrated as National Child Abuse Prevention Month by coincidence.”
Khalil looked at the file. “April 25th was the day circled on the calendar in his office. It’s also the day he was supposed to marry Melody.”
Malachi shook his head. “He wasn’t marrying Melody, Khalil. He was marrying Kyros.”
Khalil threw the file to the floor. “What the fuck! Why isn’t there more information about this type of shit going on?”
“Because there are a lot of people in very high places who participate in this,” Mr. Shaw said simply. “We have many instances of rampant pedophilia where eyes were closed and heads were turned because of the status of the people involved.”
“It said seventy percent of child sex offenders have between 1 and 9 victims?” Khalil said in disgust. “Where is the justice system for that?”
“I’ve seen our boys locked up for years over marijuana and small offenses. These monsters are attacking children and destroying their lives!” Khalil looked around the room. “And you see why I have problems with the ‘system’!”
Brandon stood. “We all have problems with parts of the system Khalil, that’s why we do what we do,” he said quietly. “And we’re going to make sure that Spencer won’t have any more victims.”
Khalil shook his head. “I can’t get that room out of my head. I pictured my son there, unable to protect himself from this monster and then having to live with that for the rest of his life.” He couldn’t speak anymore and sat with his head in his hands.
“Death is too good for that bastard,” he said hoarsely.
Rion moved over to his friend and placed a hand on his back. “You’re right, but Kyros is safe and no one is going to get to him. I know what you’re feeling, and he’s going to pay.”
Khalil blew out a breath and turned to Rion. “I’m just ready.”
Mr. Shaw looked to Malachi. “Do we have any idea where he is?”
“It seems that the group has headquarters listed in California and New York. No contact information or addresses though,” Malachi answered.
“I’m going to call Melody and set a meeting for Friday, that gives us three days to formulate a plan,” Khalil told them.
Khalid frowned. “You’re going to let her see Kyros?”
“Neither Melody nor Spencer is getting anywhere near my son.” Khalil clarified. “Spencer is
either going to make his move at this alleged meeting or sometime in the next three days, and I’m going to be ready.”
“Make sure you’re wearing your vest and carrying,” his father reminded him.
“Yes, sir. I’m ready.”
Khalid nodded. “Now our next problem…the Nigist.”
******
Khalil picked up Kyros from school and they’d returned home and had dinner. In the family room, they sat on the floor and both looked up as the doorbell rang. Khalil frowned, then got to his feet and looked down at the boy.
“Bedroom,” he told him and Kyros nodded before quickly retreating to his room.
Khalil grabbed his weapon from the bookcase, where it sat ready. Slowly, he walked to the door and looked out into the darkness. Opening the door, he looked at the woman all bundled up against the cold.
Quickly opening the door, he pulled her inside. “Get in here woman.”
When she was inside, Khalil closed and locked the door behind her. She turned to him with a smile, then saw the gun in his hand. “I guess I should have called first?”
“What are you doing here Queen?”
“I came to see my two favorite guys and I brought treats,” she told him.
Khalil shook his head. “Kyros, it’s okay!” he called to his son and the boy appeared a minute later. When he saw Danielle, he smiled.
“Hi Ms. Danielle!”
Danielle bent to hug him with the bag in her hand. “Hello Kyros.”
“Let me take your coat and your bag,” Khalil told her.
“I’m not staying, I just came to drop these off,” she responded.
Khalil gave her a look. “Oh, you’re staying. You’re not leaving here in the dark.”
“Khalil, I came here in the dark.”
“A poor decision on your part,” he said firmly. “Now let me take your coat, Queen.”
Kyros watched the pair in amusement.
Not wanting to argue in front of the child, Danielle submitted but planned to leave very soon. Khalil hung her coat in the closet while she held on to the bag. Removing her boots, she looked over at Kyros then went to bend down in front of him.
“So, I went to visit your Aunt’s co-op and I asked her what was your favorite thing there and you know what she told me?” Danielle asked him.
