by D. Camille
“Hmmm…I guess I just assumed.”
“I think you’ve assumed a lot of things,”
“What time is the meeting?”
Melody looked at the phone. “The Center closes at nine. We’re going to meet there and if things go well, possibly go out for a little while after.”
“That’s all I need to know,” Spencer confirmed.
“What are you going to do?”
Spencer smiled. “Don’t worry love, we’ll all be together soon. Everything is working out fine.”
“I’m going to say this one last time Spencer. Don’t do anything stupid,” Melody warned.
“I’ll see you soon Melody.”
He disconnected the call and she shook her head. “Bye Spencer…for good.”
Melody finished with her suitcases and looked around the room. She wasn’t going to get caught up in this shit. She’d done her part and now she was out. Khalil and Spencer could fight it out and she knew Kyros would be safe. Hell, he was surrounded by military-like forces.
She, however, was on her own. Melody couldn’t risk Khalil turning on her and hurting her, despite helping him. She could tell he still held resentment for her over this situation and the past. She had to get out now, while she could.
Grabbing her bags, she headed out the door to the elevators. Inside, she pressed the button for the lobby. She reached the bottom and the doors opened. Looking into a pair of dark brown eyes, she froze. Those eyes glanced at her bags and turned angrier.
“Going somewhere girlfriend?” the angry voice asked.
“Khayla!”
Khayla shook her head and stepped inside the car. She pushed the button to another floor. “I don’t know where the hell you thought you were going, but change of plans.” She reached into her bag and produced her weapon.
“Now don’t make me use this,” Khayla warned. “Because I can and I want to.”
Melody took a step back against the wall. “What do you want?”
“You don’t want me to answer that.”
The elevator opened and Khayla motioned for Melody to exit. “Walk straight.” Melody sighed and pulled her luggage behind her. They walked to a door and Khayla gave a light knock. The door opened and Tauri stepped back for them to enter.
“Look who I found trying to skip out?” Khayla told her.
“Now why would you try to do something like that?” Tauri asked.
A few minutes later, there was another knock and Tauri opened the door for Mac. She entered and saw the woman standing near her luggage. “Sorry I’m late.”
Melody looked at the women, especially the one with a small pregnant belly and weapon on her hip. “Who are you?”
Khayla pointed at Mac. “She’s here to make sure I don’t get arrested.” Then she pointed to Tauri. “She’s here to make sure I don’t get prosecuted, if she has to arrest me.”
There was another knock at the door and Tauri opened it for Danielle.
Khayla smiled. “And she’s here, in case she arrests me…” She pointed at Mac, “And she prosecutes me…,” She pointed at Tauri. “To keep from being sentenced.”
“You’re the judge?” Melody said remembering Danielle.
Danielle nodded. “Not officially for two more weeks.”
“What do you want Khayla?” Melody demanded. “I’ve done all your brother asked.”
Khayla shook her head. “First thing, get that attitude out of your voice, because you deserve an ass whipping off rip, for what you’ve done to my brother and nephew.”
There was another knock and Tauri turned to the door again. When Assata entered, Melody’s heart dropped.
Khayla smiled. “And I’m here to make sure, she doesn’t put a bullet in you.” Khayla told her.
Assata walked over to Melody and looked at her bags. “You were leaving us so soon?”
“I recalled how you like to vanish, so we’ve been watching you. I knew you’d try something like this,” Assata told her disgusted.
“So you were just going to leave and not know what happened to your son? Or were you planning to meet this monster somewhere?” Assata questioned.
Melody began to sweat. “I’m not meeting anybody. I’m trying to save myself.”
“When do you ever think of anyone else?” Assata demanded. “Do you understand what this man wanted to do to Kyros?”
“I’ve done everything you’ve asked of me to help catch him. I don’t know what else you want from me!” Melody protested.
Danielle shook her head. She’d seen many parents in court, but few like Melody.
“If you run now,” Assata told her. “I guarantee my son will never let you see Kyros.”
Melody shrugged. “That’s a chance I have to take.”
“Why did you even have a child?” Danielle asked unable to stay silent.
“I wanted to keep Khalil. He had unlimited potential to be great, but he always wanted to settle,” Melody replied and Khayla grew angrier.
“I thought a baby would change his outlook, but it didn’t. Then I thought, he’d come after me and we’d be together, but he didn’t do that either,” Melody said heatedly. “He’ll be alone his whole life, because nobody can put up with Khalil’s selfish ways.”
The other women looked at Danielle. “Khalil Lewis is one of the most unselfish men I’ve ever met and if you didn’t see that, I feel sorry for you.”
Melody frowned at Danielle. “You saw him in a courtroom. I’ve been in his bed and I know more about him than anybody.”
The women turned to Danielle again awaiting a response. “You know the young man he once was; I know the grown man he now is.”
Tauri, Khayla and Mac nodded in appreciation. “I told you she’d be a good Nigist,” Khayla bragged.
“So Melody, you might as well make yourself comfortable here, because you’re not going anywhere until my son and grandson are safe,” Assata told her.
“You can’t keep me here!” Melody protested.
Mac stepped forward. “Actually, I can. You’re under house arrest and officers will be posted outside of your door twenty-four seven.”
“Arrest?”
Tauri nodded. “For a possible accomplice to the endangerment of a minor.”
Melody freaked out. “I told you; I didn’t know anything about this!”
“Spencer may say differently and since we’ve already acknowledged that you’re a flight risk, this is where you will be,” Mac told her firmly.
Khayla looked at her. “Or I could just give you the paws and end this right now.”
Melody frowned. “Why are you doing this?”
“Because we all love Kyros like our own and we’re not letting one person off the hook!” Tauri told her. “Including you.”
“I should’ve known not to trust Khalil,” Melody said shaking her head in anger.
“Khalil has nothing to do with this,” Assata told her. “He tried to trust you…again.”
Khayla smirked. “That won’t happen again. Once you proven to Khalil that you can’t be trusted, he will never give you another chance.” She glared at Melody. “He never should have given you the first one.”
“You never liked me Khayla, so your opinion doesn’t really matter,” Melody snapped and Khayla took a step toward her.
Assata stepped in front of her daughter. “No, you have my grandbaby.”
Khayla shook her head. “Ooohhhh…you are so lucky.” She nodded slowly. “You’re right Melody. I NEVER liked you. You were fake and full of shit from the start!”
Assata turned to her. “Khayla!”
“It’s the hormones Momma,” Khayla explained and Assata gave her a look.
Danielle watched these women in amazement. When Khayla had told her about this plan to snag Melody, she had thought they were just talking. Now she saw they were actually very serious. Damn, they were official.
“Judge Baxter, Tauri has brought along the paperwork,” Assata told her.
Danielle nodded. �
�If I could look it over.”
Tauri reached into her briefcase and handed the papers to Danielle. “I think you will find everything in order.”
Reaching into her bag, Danielle removed her glasses and placed them on her face. She slowly perused the papers then nodded.
“This is excellent Counselor,” she told Tauri and handed the paperwork back to her before removing her glasses.
Tauri produced a pen and walked over to Melody. “You need to add your signature.”
Melody reared back. “To what?”
“To terminate your parental rights to Kyros Lewis,” Tauri explained.
“What?”
Danielle stepped in. “See, Khalil never had you terminate your rights. This is to protect him, so that you can never come back and disrupt his life or Kyros’ life again with your foolishness.”
“So you can go date all the pedophiles you want, but you’ll never give them access to my nephew,” Khayla added.
“You can’t make me sign that,” Melody insisted.
Assata agreed. “You’re right, but we can make you disappear. Dead bodies are found all over the city every day.”
Mac frowned at Assata. “No disrespect Chief, you do an excellent job,” Assata told her.
“Sign the damn paper Melody,” Tauri told her. “You don’t care about Kyros or Khalil. Let them be free of you for good.”
Danielle looked at Melody. “It’s the least you could do after putting them through this ordeal.”
“Would you give up your rights to your child?” Melody demanded of Danielle.
The women watched the cloud cover Danielle’s face. “If I was fortunate enough to have a child, I’d never be in this situation because I would never leave his side,” Danielle answered quietly. “I’d give my life for him.”
With all eyes on her, Melody snatched the pen from Tauri’s hand and hastily signed her name. “Now leave me the hell alone!”
Tauri looked at Danielle after she took the papers from Melody and began to place them back in her case. “I’ll file these today.”
“I’ll give the assigned judge a heads up to look for them,” Danielle told her.
Khayla walked over to Melody. “That was the first smart thing you’ve ever done.” She looked her over then walked to the door.
Mac looked at Melody. “I’m going to need your cell phone.”
“My cell phone?”
“Do you think you get to call for help?” Mac asked confused.
“What if Spencer needs to call me?”
Mac held out her hand. “The officer will come in and monitor all your calls.”
Slowly Melody turned over the device. “The phone on the table is wired, just so you know,” Mac informed her. “No tricks.”
“When this is over, you’ll be free to go if everything checks out for you,” Mac added.
All the women headed to join Khayla at the door. “Good riddance Melody!” Khayla shouted as she walked into the hall. Danielle glanced back at the woman who had inflicted such pain on two incredible people and felt sorry for her. She reflexively touched the wound on her stomach. Danielle would kill to have what this woman had walked away from. Shaking her head, she continued out into the hall where two officers were now stationed outside the door.
The women gathered in the elevator and went down to the lobby. “Lunch is on me ladies at Katydids.” Khayla announced and they all agreed to meet at her restaurant.
******
The Negus met to finalize their plan at Brandon’s office during lunch. They all looked at Khalil until he asked, “What the hell are you looking at?”
Rion smiled. “You seem…relaxed? It’s weird.”
“Shut up Rion and let’s get focused.”
Corvus and Lance shared a look then nodded in agreement.
Brandon brought them back to the point. “Everything is in place. Spencer will have the information about meeting at the Pride Center and from there it’s all you Khalil.”
Khalil nodded. “I’m ready.”
“We know,” Brandon agreed. “You always are.”
“I was born that way,” Khalil confirmed and they all gave a slight eye roll.
Corvus looked at Khalil. “What’s up with Melody?”
“She’s been cooperative up to this point, but I still don’t trust her ass,” Khalil supplied. “And never will again.”
“How’s the judge?” Rion asked.
“Fine.”
Corvus smiled. “Oh, yes she is.”
Khalil turned to him. “Don’t.”
Putting up his hands, Corvus laughed. “I’m just giving a compliment.”
“Not the time for your damn games,” Khalil told him firmly.
“Khayla said she saw her at the co-op yesterday,” Lance told Khalil.
Khalil nodded. “She told me about it.”
Lance nodded too. “They’re having lunch together today.”
Khalil lifted a brow. “Danielle’s having lunch with Khayla?”
“That’s what Khayla said,” Lance told him.
Rion frowned. “Tauri said she was having lunch with Khayla today, too.”
“Mackenzie as well,” Brandon added.
All the men stood. “Shit! The Nigist!” Rion said.
“You’d better check on Melody,” Corvus told Khalil. “She may be dead.”
Khalil pulled out his phone and dialed a number. When he got the voicemail, he dialed another number.
“Hey Khalil,” his father answered.
“Hey Daddy, where’s Momma?”
“She’s having lunch with Khayla today. Did you need something?”
Khalil put a hand to his head. “Do you know where they were meeting?”
“At Katydids,” his father supplied.
“Thanks,”
Khalil ended the call and looked around the room. “My mother’s with them too.” He dialed Melody’s number and waited.
“Hello,” she answered cautiously.
“Melody, are you okay?” Khalil asked.
She paused. “I’m fine Khalil. Everything’s all set with Spencer.”
Khalil nodded slowly at her tone. “Good. I’ll be in touch.”
“Bye.” She said and the call disconnected quickly.
“Is she okay?” Corvus asked.
Khalil frowned. “Let’s go find those women.”
When the Negus entered the restaurant, the women were laughing and enjoying their lunch. They smiled as the men joined them and Assata watched them closely.
“Hello Goddesses,” Rion greeted them looking at his wife.
“Hello Orion, and the rest of the Negus,” Tauri answered smiling at her husband.
Brandon looked at Mac. “What have you been up to today?”
Mac smiled and placed her hand on her stomach. “Just work.”
Lance sat next to Khayla. “What did you do?”
“I didn’t do anything, Lance.” She laid her head on his shoulder with a smile.
Khalil took Danielle’s hand. “Just tell me that there are no witnesses.”
She held his hand tightly. “Not one.”
Chapter 16
Melody prepared for what she hoped would be her last night in Detroit. She was meeting Khalil at the Center to see Kyros. She had no idea what Spencer was planning but she knew to be on guard. After being on lockdown in the hotel, she was glad to be setting foot outside again, even if it was in this city.
Downstairs, the taxi arrived and she slid inside. As she closed the door, the other side opened and a man slipped inside, to her surprise.
Startled, she reached for the door, but he grabbed her arm. “Sit back and enjoy the ride,” he warned.
“Are you taking me to my son?” she asked warily.
He shook his head as he showed her a weapon inside his coat. “Change in plans, Melody.”
Melody felt the vehicle begin to move and turned to the window. What the hell was going on?
******
Spe
ncer exited the plane at Detroit Metro and entered the private car. He was driven to the hotel, not the one where Melody was staying, but nearby. He didn’t want to see her before his plan was executed. She’d been a sweet woman in her own way and he’d enjoyed his time with her, but she was no longer needed or trusted.
Tonight would be the culmination of his long awaited desires. Yes, there would be casualties, but that went along with the territory. He looked out of the window as the car sped down the freeway. Khalil Lewis had become a thorn in his side, unlike his beautiful pink flowers that he loved and would do anything for him.
He’d been away setting up a new location for Kyros and the house in California was now complete, with a decorated room for the boy. His plan to live in New York had to be modified since he couldn’t be sure if Melody had talked to anyone. Her questioning and curiosity had raised a red flag with him. Also, her concern for Khalil, was another trouble spot with him. She acted as if she still loved the man.
The plan was for Melody to meet with Khalil and Kyros later tonight at his community center. Spencer smiled to himself, he had to at least give the man credit because the building was state of the art in the middle of this cesspool of a city. He must’ve have been eligible for lots of inner city government funding to build such an elaborate construction.
Melody was scheduled to arrive at the Center around nine pm, but she’d meet her demise long before she had the chance to get there. Khalil on the other hand, had to be dealt with strategically. The man had a lot of people behind him. Khalil had connections all over the city and friends in high places around here, so this time Spencer had hired trained professionals known to get the job done.
Once Khalil and Kyros were at the Center after hours, a robbery turned bad would end up with a dead father and a missing boy. A massive manhunt would occur throughout the city, but they’d be long gone. And even if they somehow connected him, they’d never find the retreat in the mountains.
Taking out his phone, he pulled up his favorite picture and smiled. “Tonight, my handsome boy.”
The car came to a stop and Spencer put his phone away and exited the vehicle. Checking in at the desk, he took his key then headed up to the room. Putting his bag on the bed, he felt the chill in the room. A movement caught his eye and he walked slowly over to the balcony door covered by a large curtain that flapped gently from the cold wind.
