All This Time

by Marie Wathen

  “I’ll get it,” she offers dropping down to her knees so she can pick at the ridiculous tie. “Angel?” she asks staring intently at the string. I wait for her question, but all she can do is open her mouth and then bite down on her lip. It’s like she can’t decide if she really wants to know the answer to her question. Odd. What could have chatty Natty all ‘cat’s got your tongue?’

  “I’m fine,” I offer confidently and she nods after glancing up at me.

  “He broke everything off with Lourdes on Christmas Eve.” The last night I saw him.

  Chapter Forty

  Keeping the details about my accident from Decks was impossible and I should have known better. He showed up at Natalie’s house the very next afternoon demanding that I return home with him. He says that he feels that my life is still in jeopardy and being with him will keep me safe. Something strange is happening to Decks. He’s becoming more excitable and weirdly more explosive. After leaving the Kingston’s, he insisted on taking me to dinner, but we avoided his normal hangouts in the downtown district. He brought me to a small, fancy Italian restaurant west of Atlanta and he has hardly spoken since I agreed to his earlier coercions, which is completely out of character for him.

  “How is business at the traps?” I ask, slicing my fork through a fluffy wedge of Tiramisu. Clearly he didn’t expect me to ask him about this because he stares at me for a few moments before responding.

  “It’s fine,” he answers flatly, placing his folded arms on the table and leaning in toward me. “Have you missed hanging out in the shitholes or are you ready to break probation and get high?” Stealing my fork, he smirks before scooping up a big bite of my dessert. He makes a big production out of licking my fork slowly and seductively before saying, “I’ll give you whatever you need. Just tell me your pleasure Angel.”

  Ignoring his ridiculous attempt at seduction, I tell him exactly what I want. “I will go mad sitting at your house all damn day long. Since I can’t work at the TatHouse until after my arm heals…” I pause, lower my voice to an octave that makes me sound all sultry and lusty, and then whisper, “Decks, I want you to take me.” Yeah, there’s no way he will resist this intentionally misleading request.

  “Angel,” his eyes zero in on my mouth where I hold my irresistible fake pout before cutting him off with a soft laugh and then correct myself.

  I smile sweetly. “I mean that I want you to take me with you and let me help. I promise not to get in your way. I just miss spending time with you.”

  “Really?” He shallows hard, pulling his chocolate brown eyes away from my lips and glancing up at me truly happy with my confession.

  I nod. “I think my accident woke me up. I’ve been careful for so long now that I sort of lost myself.” I shrug innocently while internally rolling my eyes at the bullshit I’m feeding him. “I feel like I’ve been given a second chance to live life how I want instead of how others expect.” His expression shifts abruptly to annoyed, and I wonder what caused that out of the ordinary reaction. I stare at him realizing he isn’t looking at me anymore. While focusing on something behind me the brown in his eyes turn a charcoal shade. I twist around slightly to get a look at what’s set him on edge, but he grips my arm and shakes his head, still completely distracted by whom or whatever it is.

  “Do not turn around,” he growls softly. Fury rolls off of him in waves and it has my curiosity going apeshit.

  “What’s wrong Decks?”

  “Get your purse and go to the ladies room beside the cash register. When you come out go straight to the car.” Clenching his jaw tightly, he pierces me with a determined glare and then hands me his keys before saying, “Do not look for me. Do not stop. And do not make eye contact with anyone. Do you understand?” Clearly, his orders are not to be disobeyed. I nod and follow his instructions exactly.

  After a while two large Hispanic men stroll out of the restaurant looking as furious as Decks did before I left him sitting at the table. The men climb into a black Mercedes, squalling their tires on the pavement as they streak passed me. Another minute later Decks steps out the door, glances around the area and makes his way to the car.

  “Are you alright?” he asks watching me intently. I nod plastering a fake smile. “Thank you for doing as I asked. It really means a lot to me that you followed my instructions without question or hesitation. I apologize if I freaked you out. I thought I had brought us to a remote place where we wouldn’t be found so easily. Clearly I was wrong, but I’ll not be so foolish in the future where you’re concerned. Now, I’m going to make your wish come true.” He holds my confused look for a moment before he reaches down, takes my hand in his and whispers, “You are not leaving my side for a second.”

  I glance nervously from him to the front of the restaurant before speaking, “Decks will you tell me what that was about?”

  Disappointed that I didn’t join him in his happiness, he huffs and releases my hand. He stays quiet for a minute, propping his arm on the window and pinching the bridge of his nose.

  “Angel, I don’t like when someone messes with what is mine. Not my business, not my family and damn sure not the woman I’m falling for.” Oh shit. He shifts in his seat, recapturing my hand again. His touch is gentler this time, holding me like he would a priceless treasure. Then he looks deeply into my eyes before adding, “They will never touch you again.”

  “Decks,” I whisper, feeling my heart drop into the pit of my stomach. “What did you do?” He has done something bad. I feel it like an elephant sitting on my chest and a dominating force inside of me is screaming wildly. Suddenly I’m not sure if I want to hear his response.

  “I made sure that the ones who put you in the hospital got the message that you are mine and no one will ever touch you again,” he growls so deeply it forces a shudder through my entire body and I fight back the gasp, lodging it in my throat. Although he hasn’t confessed to a crime I understand that because of me someone has died from his order.

  He runs his hand up the side of my face, tracing his thumb along the tip of my earlobe while pushing his fingers through my hair. I bite back the bile rising in my throat when he puts his hands on me. “I will do anything for you, Angel.”

  I do not take his words lightly. Decks isn’t the kind of man to mince words or make empty promises. He won’t just let my waiting game continue either. I’m running out of time. This assignment has become more than I ever expected and it needs to end now.

  “Let’s get you home,” he says, smiling at me while staring at my lips before pulling out of the parking lot.

  Thank god I’m injured. Otherwise he would be expecting more from me than he will ever get. If Decks was the last man on earth there is no way in hell that I would ever sleep with him. That’s a guarantee I’ll keep even if my life depends on it. He will never have me, ever!

  “On Sunday’s I have brunch at my uncle’s house. If you aren’t feeling up to it this weekend we can stay home.”

  “Hmm?” Finally, understanding his request and finding my voice I say, “No, I couldn’t ask you to do that for me. I’m sure I’ll feel better by then. Besides, I wouldn’t mind seeing your aunt again.” Driving down the highway, his lips stretch wide with a very contented smile.

  “That’s good to hear,” Decks chuckles. “Camille will be please to see you too. She asked about you the last time I was there.”

  “And your sister?” I know there is no way that bitch will be happy to see me.

  “Lourdes joining us again is likely since she isn’t with Blues now, but like I told you before she is not a concern for you. I’ve made myself perfectly clear with her on where you and I stand. Lourdes may be a total bitch, but she’s not stupid. She won’t go against me on this.” He has entirely too much faith in that wench.

  We pull into the garage of Decks’ house and he quickly walks around to open my door. Once inside he escorts me up to my room where he presses his lips to the side of my head and offers a soft spoken goodnight. This man�
��s behavior is truly becoming somewhat of a challenge to deal with. I must figure out a way to get him to give up the information on Nelson soon. What is it that would make a man like Decks roll over on his own family? There must be something that means more to him than the world of drugs and gangs. Once I find out what the damn thing is I won’t rest until he takes my offer.

  Removing my sling from my arm I undress and slip into the silk pajamas I bought a few weeks ago. This isn’t my home, but it’s nice to be back here after everything that has happened this past week. Realizing that I haven’t made contact with my family, or Kris since the accident I cross the room and lock my bedroom door before slipping my cell out of my backpack. There are ten missed calls from Russ, four from Marcus and one from Kris. I’m not sure what Marcus and Kris want, but I guarantee I can guess Russ’ reason for calling.

  Chapter Forty-One

  The remainder of this week has been hell. I’ve had to remind myself so many times about tolerating all of the bullshit that this fucked up world requires me to do and say things that make me want to vomit. I must stay focused and finish this job soon because I am getting sick of hearing my internal voice.

  It all started when I returned Russ’ call.

  “Hey,” Russ says calmly answering his phone.

  “I’m not going to like this one bit am I?” I whisper rushing into my bathroom and turning on the shower to mute out my voice.

  “Are you okay?” he asks diverting the topic quickly. That usually means he is softening me up for a bad blow.

  I sigh, knowing that I might as well tell him what’s happened on my end first. “Not really, no. I had an incident.”

  “Yeah, the city worked the accident and one of the guys got word back to me. I’m really glad you weren’t hurt any worse than you are.” Pause. “Sam, I’m sorry that I couldn’t be at the hospital.” His voice is thick with emotion. As much shit as we give each other on the job and at home, I know that Russ cares deeply for me. If the situation was reversed I know I would have freaked the fuck out.

  “It wasn’t an accident,” I say, sitting on the edge of the tub. His quick intake of air tells me that he wasn’t expecting that bit of information.

  “Who?”he barks angrily. In the background it sounds like he just slammed his fist through the wall.

  “Russ,” I start. “Calm the fuck down before you beat the shit out of the house.”

  “Tell me what the hell you know because I’m going to kill the bastards…” he continues on for a while so I pull the phone away from my ear until I hear him calling my name.

  “Russ, if you’re finished I’ll tell you what’s going on.” He grunts his disdain and I explain. “I truly don’t know who did it, but I can tell you that the fucker forced me off the road. I remember that it was a newer white luxury SUV.” I scrub my hand along the spot at the back of my neck and rub away the chills that flash across my skin remembering the details of that night. “I’m not sure if they will see the inside of a jail cell any time soon. Apparently Decks believes it was a retaliation hit in order to pass a message along to him.”

  “Sam?” His tone is sharp and it makes me uneasy, adding to my stress. “There was a hit on Juan’s family. Someone caught his nephew after closing hours two nights ago. They put a bullet through the back of his head and left him hanging in the meat cooler inside the restaurant.”

  “Son of a bitch!” I say a little too loudly. “Shit hold on. Decks may have heard me yell.” I sit quietly waiting for him to pound on my door. After a minute the room remains quiet so I continue speaking.

  “Russ, it was Decks. Well, not him personally…I don’t think, but he ordered it. He all but confessed it to me earlier. Now we’re being watched by the Hijos de la Sangre.”

  “What game is he playing with them? He would never cross the sons before.”

  “I wish I knew. Decks has ordered me to stay at his side at all times, which means that I’m going to be joining him on these trips to the east coast soon. Hopefully I’ll discover just who is behind the manufacturing of Ryske. I’ve seen the effects this shit is having on some of the people here. It has to go…like now.” I growl. “If I get something interesting I’ll let you know.”

  We end our conversation soon after and because I’m so caught up in the gory details of the hit I forget to call back Kris and Marcus. A day later I get a text from Marcus reminding me that I need to call him, but I put it off again. Right now my focus must be on the X’kapz. Refereeing between my two brothers or offering Marcus advice just can’t be a priority right now. Nothing matters more at this moment than shutting down X‘kapz.

  At the end of the week, Decks takes me to a new trap house where they are making bank on weed and coke. Minder called Decks complaining about a customer so we make a special trip. If my week wasn’t already shitty with the guilt of someone’s life being vanquished because of me, seeing Chelsea, the young girl who I sent to the hospital after a Ryske trip, sitting on the front steps patiently waiting when we arrive fucking flushed all of that bullshit away.

  “Holy shit, Angel?” Chelsea gasps standing up and meeting me.

  I cut my eyes to Decks who has a frown tipping down his mouth. “We recently met at the TatHouse.” I explain.

  He climbs the steps, but turns around before entering the house. “Angel, you need to come with me,” he says in a kind voice. He isn’t throwing his weight around on this order so I invite Chelsea in with me.

  “What are you doing here?” I ask following behind Decks.

  “I’m here with my friend.” She says pointing inside the house. “He’s working with your guy.” She offers me a knowing wink and I give her my fake smile.

  “Oh really? I had no idea. I haven’t been around much lately,” I say holding up my cast covered arm and continue, “I couldn’t tell you who all is working here now.”

  “He doesn’t work here exactly. The way he explained it to me is Decks offered him some type of subcontracting gig.” She shrugs and I’m just as confused thinking about how you get a gig like that here.

  We walk down the hallway leading toward a back room in the house. Passing through the doorway, my feet stumble when I look up and see Mad Hatter watching me with Chelsea. The look he flashes is total disgust. I don’t know what this guy’s problem is with me, but from the looks he continues to give me I believe that he hates me almost as much as I hate him.

  “Chels, come,” he snaps and she obeys without hesitation. He wraps her in his arms possessively and that’s when it hits me. Mark Hatfield is Chelsea’s boyfriend and her Ryske supplier. Motherfucker!

  Minder’s voice is unusually loud for someone always so laid back. “He comes in here making demands on me, throwing your name around and telling me that my ass is on the line if I don’t do as he instructs. What the hell Decks? Is this crazy fuck in charge of the house now?” He points directly at Mad.

  “No, but he is to be treated as a guest when he visits and our guests get to sample some of the goods. If that’s all that he wants just give it to him Minder.”

  “I don’t give two shits about him sampling, but I’ll be damned if his sick ass will come up in here tossing out threats to me. Now, either he goes or I go.” He gestures toward Decks. “Your call boss, I’m square with either way you want to play it.” Minder’s jaw ticks as he glares at Mad Hatter. It makes me wonder what the hell Minder knows about the creep besides his history of child labor.

  “Alright,” Decks says calmly spinning around toward Mad Hatter. “When I told you to come by and help yourself to the goodies I didn’t expect you to uproot my whole organization.” He insists before flashing a cute smile toward me.

  “Ah fuck him and his whiny shit,” Mad Hatter laughs with an obnoxious tone. He is truly repulsive. I hate watching his nearly black eyes slithering like a reptile in the swamp as they scan over Chelsea and then toward me. “He’s acting like one of these bitches, maybe he needs to pull his panties out of his ass and chill.”

 
Decks charges at him like a raging bull taunted by a red cloak. “I’m in no fucking mood to play your psycho bullshit games.” He grabs Mad Hatter’s collar and pulls him close to his face when he snarls, “If you ever talk about Angel that way again I will fucking rip your sack off and shove it up your shithole personally. Now get the fuck out of my house.”

  Mad Hatter’s glare is venomous. When he walks passed me I can practically see the wheels turning with something nasty to say, but surprisingly he keeps his ideas to himself. Chelsea tells him that she’s going to catch a ride back later and he nearly losses his shit on the spot. I can’t believe that she actually let him leave in that mood. It makes me nervous about what she is going to go back home to after her public defiance. She tells me that she was moving out tomorrow anyway and she doesn’t care what he has to say about it. Even though I know we haven’t heard the last of him it is still the best damn way to end a shitty week.

  Chapter Forty-Two

  “You look better. How are you feeling?” Natalie asks pouring me a tall glass of sweet tea and dropping a thin wedge of lemon on the rim.

  “Thank you honey,” I take a sip. “I feel much better, but I am ready to get this itchy ass thing off.” I rap my knuckles on the plaster.

  “Ugh, I bet. It would drive me nuts to be so restricted.” She sips her tea and slides the plate of toasted pound cake toward me. I shake my head, refusing the offer. “Your loss,” She shrugs her shoulder, takes a piece and pops it in her mouth. “Tell me what’s new. Where are the little Princess and the Minion?” I crane my neck. I’ve really grown to like Natalie and Wise’s two children Dean and Simone. I just can’t let her know it.

  “They’re over at a neighbor’s house. They have two children their ages. Boy, it can be a lifesaver having another family in the neighborhood.”

  “Cool,” I say not really sure what else to say to her statement. Chewing on another piece of cake, Natalie watches me suspiciously. I look down thinking there may be something on my shirt and then sweep my hand across my face. “Why are you staring at me?” She shrugs like it’s nothing, but her eyes tell a different story. “Natalie, just say it.”