Beware

by Shanora Williams

  Today didn’t go as planned. Actually, today turned out ten times worse than I thought. Jonah dead. His sister scared out of her fucking mind. And me… not sure what the hell to do about what just happened.

  To make matters worse, I get a call from Gerrick, one of my main men. “Yeah?” I answer.

  “Just got a call from Tye. Said that Pablo’s men back in Brazil saw what went down and are on their way.”

  “What?” I hiss. “How the fuck did they find out so fast? I got rid of all the bodies.”

  “You remember the guy Tye has inside?” he asks.

  “Yeah…”

  “Well he was there when they got the call. Someone was watching the whole thing go down on camera. Wes said they might’ve had them in the windows of the trucks as a safety precaution. They saw everything. Saw you kill Pablo, and now they’re coming for you. For Crow. If you don’t get outta there soon, they’ll follow you just to find you and the crew.”

  “Wow….” I drop my beer, sighing. “Alright. I’ll be back up by tomorrow.”

  “Another thing,” Gerrick says before I can end the call. “Tye said they saw a girl… a brunette. They got a picture of her. Might be coming for her, too. Know who that might be?”

  “Shit,” I hiss. “Jonah’s sister.”

  “Well, I’d warn her. Let her know she isn’t safe.”

  “Yeah,” I run my fingers through my hair. “Got it.”

  I end the call, sliding the phone into my front pocket. I know what I have to do; I just didn’t think I’d ever have to. I made a promise a while ago to Jonah. I never thought I’d have to go through with it, but here I am, in a fucked up situation just because I got rid of Pablo and his men. I can’t fucking believe this. This ruins everything I had planned.

  And bringing this girl throws everything off course.

  ***

  When I make it back to my hotel nearly drunk out of my damn mind, I take a quick shower then head to bed. It’s when I’m lying on my back that everything I remember comes at me like a whirlwind.

  Knowing that Jonah is dead means something.

  It means he left something behind.

  Something he didn’t want any of us to find and something I’m sure he never meant to bring up to me, but he did. He trusted me too much.

  I stare up as the ceiling spins above me. My mind is racing, but my intentions are clear. Bringing the girl upstate doesn’t throw anything off course. In fact, it’s a favor to me. Bringing her up means I get what I want in the end. I get what Jonah was only going to give to her.

  A mischievous smile that I can’t fight takes over my face.

  I know what I have to do. I have to win her over. I have to get her to trust me. I have to get her close, and when I’m close enough, I’ll be able to get what I want. I’ll get what I need, and she’ll be back on her way, doing whatever it is she wants to do.

  It’ll be tough getting her to listen, but if there’s one thing I know about myself, it’s that I can convince anyone into anything.

  Especially a woman.

  There’s banging on the door.

  Jolting, I hop out of bed and grab the knife off my nightstand. I creep out of my bedroom, edging slowly towards the front door where the banging continues.

  “God, Lonnie, open up!” Ver shouts on the other side. “I know you aren’t sleep. You never sleep in.”

  Relief swirls through me. I rush to the kitchen to put the knife away. I’m glad I picked up all the splintered pieces from the door last night. I won’t get any questions from her.

  Pulling the door open, I meet Ver’s bright blue eyes. Her hair is still curly from the day before, her makeup smeared but still there. I take it she didn’t go home last night.

  “I called you,” she says, stepping past me.

  “Sorry,” I apologize. “Had a long night. Why are you here so early?”

  She shrugs, placing her purse on the coffee table and sitting on the sofa. “I don’t know. I thought we could catch some breakfast and coffee somewhere. We didn’t get to hang graduation night or last night. I think we need to catch up.”

  “It’s only been two days, Ver.”

  “So!” she exclaims, picking at her nails. “That’s a whole forty-eight hours. And need I remind you, you missed the best damn graduation parties. Now, go get dressed. I’m starving… and you look like death.”

  Sighing, I turn on my heels and enter my bathroom. After starting the shower, I clutch the edge of the counter and stare into the mirror, disbelieving how horrid I look. Ver’s right. I look dead… or like I just watched someone die.

  It takes me a while to blink, to process it all again.

  Jonah is dead. My only brother. My only family. Dead.

  I want to cry. I really do.

  A few tears escape me, but I fight against the rest. There’s no point in crying. Crying won’t provide any answers. It never has and it never will.

  After I take a quick shower, I dress in yoga pants and a pink T-shirt. Ver despises it, but her starvation allows her to overlook it. We decide to eat at a restaurant that serves the greasiest bacon known to man. I don’t mind the place. It’s well put together, and the service is nice. Ver hates it but eats here whenever she has a killer hangover. I guess this is one of those mornings.

  After she orders a bacon and sausage combo, and I an omelet that I know I’m not going to eat, Ver opens her purse and pulls out her cell phone. “I have to show you this guy,” she says.

  She slides the phone across the table, showing me some guy with dark-brown hair and green eyes. “Who is he?”

  “Guy I hooked up with last night. Isn’t he cute? His name’s Brock.”

  “Very cute,” I say, stirring the sugar in my coffee.

  “I met him at Paisley’s graduation party last night. He wants to hangout again soon.” She stares at the picture for a moment then shuts the screen off. “Why didn’t you come? Garrett tried calling you.”

  “Oh.” I swallow the foul taste in my mouth. “I got caught up with… Jonah.”

  “Oh. What all did you do?”

  “Just… our usual thing, you know? We hung out, caught some drinks. Talked.”

  “Oh. Now, that brother of yours is a guy I can see myself with. He is gorgeousss,” she sings.

  Yeah, well that’s just too bad. He’s dead.

  I stare down at my coffee, wanting so badly to get off the topic of him. I don’t want to cry in front of Ver. I don’t want her to ask me what’s wrong, and I definitely don’t want to explain. It’s still too big of a pill for me to swallow. I know she’ll definitely vomit if she hears the truth. There’s nothing I haven’t told Ver, but this is one thing I know I’ll have to keep to myself for a while.

  “Hey,” Ver says, snapping her fingers. I look up, but she’s not looking at me. She’s looking to her right, cutting her eyes at someone. “See that guy?”

  I take a glance to my left, but when I see the man I consider a monster, I tear my gaze away quickly. What the fuck? Is he following me?

  “Wasn’t he with your brother the other day?” Ver asks, twirling a strand of hair around her finger.

  “Yeah,” I murmur.

  She continues to stare, hoping to capture his attention.

  “Ver, please don’t stare at him. He’s not worth it.”

  “Oh?” She meets my eyes. “You must’ve tried. Did you try? Did he want you?”

  “No, I didn’t try. I mean he’s not worth it because he’s—”

  “Oh, don’t tell me he’s gay? Garrett’s type?”

  Surprisingly, I laugh. “No, Ver. Just… out of our league. I don’t think he’s interested in dating anyone.”

  “Oh, that can easily be changed, sweetie. Just have to show him what’s right.”

  “Ver, trust me. He’s not worth it. Just drop it.”

  She sighs, and then picks up her coffee to take a sip. “I know what you’re doing,” she mutters.

  I blink. “What do you mean?”

>   “You just want him to yourself. I get it. That’s all you had to say.”

  I scoff. “No. Trust me, I want nothing to do with that guy.”

  “Why? He’s so fucking hot.”

  “Forget about him,” I mutter.

  The waiter arrives with our food and places the plates in front of us. She tells us to enjoy, and I look back up at Ver who’s already dug into her bacon.

  “If I were you, I’d just sleep with him. See how good he is. I bet he knows what he’s doing in bed. I can tell.”

  “No thanks.”

  Ver stops talking to stuff her face with bacon and orange juice. I happen to take a look to my left again, where Ace is sitting. He’s already looking at me, eyes narrowed, eyebrows stitched. He looks pissed. I snatch my gaze away. Maybe he thinks I told Ver.

  Who gives a shit? I want him to know I’m onto him.

  I look over again, but he’s standing now. He places some cash on the table then starts walking in my direction. I gasp, and Ver looks up.

  “What’s wrong?” she asks.

  I’m not allowed enough time to answer, or to tell her to get up and run with me and do whatever I say. Ace is already at the table, his fingers in his front pockets. I don’t look up, but Ver does. She’s ogling like an idiot. He doesn’t deserve the attention she gives. If she knew what he was involved in, she’d feel the same way I feel about him.

  “Enjoying your breakfast, London?” Ace asks, completely ignoring Ver.

  “I am,” I mutter.

  “Doesn’t seem like it. Haven’t taken a bite.”

  “Don’t worry about me.”

  Ace gives a dry laugh. Ver turns her gaze on me, confused.

  “May I have a minute?” he asks me.

  “No. I’m eating with my friend.”

  “Oh, I’m sure your friend won’t mind. Will you?” He finally looks at Ver.

  She shakes her head rapidly, eyes wide. “Oh, no! Take all the time you need!”

  God, no, Ver!

  “Thank you. London?” Ace stares down at me. I know he isn’t going to leave until we speak, so I push from the table angrily and storm around him, marching out the front door. I round the building where the dumpsters are and turn in his direction without hesitation.

  “Why the hell are you following me?”

  “Just a coincidence—us in the same place.” He shrugs.

  “Oh, please. You think I’m gonna say something, don’t you?”

  He shrugs. “I know you won’t.”

  “You don’t know shit,” I spit.

  He inhales, running a hand across his face. “Look, what can I do to put your mind at ease?”

  “Hmm… let’s see,” I say sarcastically, tapping my chin with my forefinger. “Maybe you can bring Jonah back to life? Or maybe you can tell me why he got killed? Or maybe you can tell me exactly what it is you dragged him into. Something!”

  “I can’t tell you more than you already know.”

  “Why not? You asked me what could put my mind at ease. An answer to all of those questions just might work.”

  “I can’t answer you, London. You just have to trust me.”

  “I don’t fucking trust you. Why would I trust someone like you?”

  He shrugs. “Look,” he sighs, “I have Jonah’s body. It’s with a mortician right now. I’ve arranged a proper burial for him. Bought the casket and everything. It’s up to you whether you want to tell people he’s dead or not. It’s up to you whether you want to have a funeral for him or not. Do what you think is best.”

  Hearing this makes my lips seal. He did all that… for Jonah, or me? I swallow to remove the dryness in my throat. I fidget before him, blinking rapidly. “What am I supposed to tell them?” I ask, voice soft.

  “Tell them he got shot.”

  “That’s too drastic!”

  “It’s the truth. He wouldn’t want to go down as a lie. You know that just as well as I do.”

  I shake my head. “People will ask questions… I won’t know what to tell them.”

  “Say it was an accident because, really, it was. Or just say nothing. They’ll understand why you don’t want to talk about it.”

  “I… I can’t. I mean… I don’t want people there. I’d rather it just be me. People will find out soon… somehow. There aren’t many people to invite anyway.”

  “If that’s what you want,” he murmurs. “I’ll get a date for you. Send it to you.”

  “When? How?”

  “Number?”

  I frown. “I’m not giving you my number.”

  “Well I’ll just look through Jonah’s cell phone for it,” he says, turning around.

  Ugh. He’s such an asshole. “Wait!” I call before he can get away.

  He turns, eyes smiling.

  “Give me your phone. I don’t want you touching any of Jonah’s stuff. Whatever he had with him, I’ll keep it. The car, too. Maybe I can sell it.” Nodding, Ace hands me his phone. I add my number to his list of contacts then hand it back. He starts to turn again, but I catch his arm and shake my head. “You can come to watch them bury him… but after that, I don’t wanna see you again, Ace. If I’m going to get over this – let him go the right way – you have to disappear. Seeing your face doesn’t help me. It just makes me blame you.”

  His face remains even. We stare at each other for a thick, uncomfortable moment, both unsure of what else to say. How do we end this? Seal the deal? Am I really going to let him walk away from this without so much as an answer to at least one of my questions?

  Hell no.

  I’m saying this to him now, but I know I’ll want answers. Maybe I’ll get them if he shows up to Jonah’s burial.

  With a soft, deep voice – one I never thought could belong to someone like him – Ace says, “I understand.” He turns around and places a pair of Ray-Ban sunglasses on. I watch him walk away and round the building. When I hear his car start and see him driving away from the restaurant, I blow out a deep breath and run my fingers through my damp hair.

  Something tells me Ace isn’t the one I should be worried about. In his eyes, I can tell he cared for Jonah. But if he cared, he would’ve stopped those men. He would’ve fought for Jonah. For all I know, those men could still be alive somewhere… looking for me.

  Looking for Ace.

  How the hell did he get away from those men anyway? He was outnumbered. He should’ve been killed.

  Damn.

  Perhaps this proves he was working with them… not against them.

  And that’s exactly why I don’t trust him.

  The burial ground is vacant.

  There’s only me and the men with shovels, waiting for my cue. The past two days have been rough. With memories of Jonah, me crying and waking up the next morning with puffy eyes, I don’t know what to do with myself anymore.

  Thinking about him not being here any longer brings out the same thing in me: the tears. My knees lock as I bring a hand to my mouth. I swipe my tears away with my free hand, staring down at the casket covered in begonias— the same kind of flowers he gave me on graduation day.

  Although I’ve been in deep pain over my loss, I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. And the plan I’ve come up with is rather idiotic, but I’m sure it’ll work. I see the way Ace looks at me. I see the way he tries not to touch me or get too close. He’s interested, and this is my chance to get him even more interested.

  He’ll be showing up any minute now, and I’ll try and make amends. I’ll try and get on his good side, or perhaps get him on mine. That’ll be easy. I know how to pretend. I’m good at pretending.

  I need answers, and I know he’s the only one that can provide them. From what I can tell, he’s a closed off person, but I’ll wriggle my way inside. I’ll work my way in. I’ll do it for Jonah. For my peace of mind.

  Then, I’ll have him locked away.

  Yes. Cuffed and locked up. Far away from my life and me. He doesn’t deserve to go free. I know he has something to do w
ith those men. I know he has something to do with Jonah’s death. I’m no idiot.

  As I swipe my tears, a hand touches my shoulder. Gasping, I look up at Ace who’s standing behind me, sunglasses over his eyes. I hate that he’s wearing them. I want to know how he feels—see into the windows of his soul.

  He’s wearing an all-black suit and a silky blue tie. His hair is slicked back, not the messy patch he wore a few days ago. His pink lips part, as if he’s going to say something, but he clamps them shut instantly.

  Retracting his hand, he digs into the inside pocket of his suit and pulls out a handkerchief. I stare at the blue handkerchief, debating on whether I should take it. I want nothing from him, but I have to remember my plan. I have to remember to… let him in.

  Damn, this is going to be hard.

  “Take it,” he whispers.

  I don’t hesitate. I take it out his hands and wipe my wet eyes. Once my eyes are close to dry, I draw in a deep breath and look down. Ace steps to my side, sighing as well.

  We stay silent, staring at the brown casket before us.

  “He would’ve liked a black one,” I say.

  “Black what?” Ace questions, eyes still forward.

  “Casket. Black’s his signature color. He loves it.”

  “Oh. I apologize. But at least he went down in a black suit. In style.” He smirks.

  I scoff. “Yeah.”

  Silence again.

  I know I can’t stand out here all day, so I look at the men with the shovels and nod my head. It hurts to do. In fact, it’s like a stab in the chest. I close my eyes as the men begin to lower the casket.

  I whisper, “I’m sorry, Jonah,” and hear Ace shift at my side.

  I open my eyes to look at him. His face is still hard. No emotion whatsoever. Of course. I don’t expect him to feel sorry. He’s only here to make himself look good. It’s not like he loved him as a friend. He probably only used him. Jonah did have good people skills. He had manners, something I’m sure Ace is shy of.

  As the men begin tossing dirt on Jonah’s casket, I back away and take a deep breath. “You can go,” I whisper to Ace.

  He’s motionless for a moment. When he finally reacts to my statement, he glances over his shoulder. “I will when you do.”