Beware

by Shanora Williams

  “Why?” I ask, my eyes still wet. Damn it, Lonnie. Fight those tears, girl!

  “Just want to make sure you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine,” I murmur.

  “Lies.”

  I frown at his back and take a seat in the folding chair. He’s too blunt for his own good.

  “Look, I know you have other things to do, so go ahead. I can take care of things from here.” I stand again.

  “Want time alone?”

  “I do, actually.”

  Ace’s shoulders lift as he inhales then slump as he exhales. He then turns in my direction, lowering his sunglasses. His honey-brown eyes lock with mine as he steps toward me. When he takes his sunglasses off completely, he grabs my hands and looks at them. “There’s something you should know.”

  “What?” I ask.

  He swallows hard. “You’ll need someone to watch you for a while… it’s not safe for you anymore.”

  “What do you mean watch me?” I ask frantically. “How am I not safe?”

  He looks away, his throat working up and down.

  “Is… is someone after me?”

  “Not yet.” He looks into my eyes again.

  “I’m… confused.”

  He releases my hands and steps back. “Those men… they had cameras all over their SUVs. One on the back window, one on the windshield, and on the passenger windows. It’s a safety precaution they take. While one man drives, the other watches out for danger, cops, witnesses… shit like that. All on their laptops. They’re always in danger. It’s their lifestyle.” He sighs. “I went back for Jonah's body first, but the second time I went back the rest of the bodies were gone. Proves someone was watching… is still watching.” His eyes harden. “They saw me… and you, and now they’re trying to figure out who you are. I know for sure they saw me. I killed those men after they tried to go after you.”

  “Oh, God,” I groan. “What?”

  “Don’t worry. Just know you can’t stay in Atlanta anymore. You have no choice but to trust me right now, London.”

  “But… but I don’t trust you. At all.” Damn. This changes everything. Screw that plan of turning him in. My life is in danger.

  “You have to. I can provide a way for you. I can have someone watch over you. I have men. I know you don’t trust me, but I feel like the least I can do is protect you. After the way Jonah went down, I owe him. Way more than this. So… let me help you.”

  “W—what about my friends?” I stutter.

  Ace shakes his head. “Don’t tell them.”

  “But this is my life! You can’t just take me away! God, I knew it! This is all your fault!” I storm around him and rush through the cemetery. When I’m close to the parking lot, I unlock my car and hop in.

  Ace rushes toward my car, calling after me. I pull away from him and the cemetery, thick tears in my eyes. I swipe at them hard as I take the freeway to get home. My life will not be put in danger because of him. And he won’t take me away from the only people I have left in my life. My friends.

  No.

  He won’t. The shit he’s in has nothing to do with me. They’ll go after him before me anyway.

  ***

  It’s been two days, and surprisingly, I haven’t seen eye or hair of Ace. I figure he’s left to go back home… or dead. Either way, he can’t bother me.

  I took off work for five days, and now I’m back at it.

  Cuisine de Adele is slightly busy. Being a server here isn’t so bad. The people can be very needy, but they tip beyond every waiter’s expectations. Cleo, the restaurant manager, barges through the back doors just as I’m picking up a tray of entrees.

  “Up for a task today, Stallone?” Cleo asks, helping me steady the tray on my hands.

  “Yeah? What might that be?”

  “Got a party of six out there. All look like businessmen. Said they’re looking for someone careful, smart with the menu, patient, and someone that’s not an… eavesdropper...” she says, in more of a question than a statement. “I figured I’d holler at you. You tend to be the only one who keeps to yourself around here.” She smiles brightly, and I return the smile as she opens the door.

  “Sure thing. Put me down. Which table?”

  “Four. I’ll send Patrick to help with drinks and appetizers if you need it.” I nod and walk past her to the couple in the corner. When I give them their meals and tell them to enjoy, I take off to table four.

  The table is packed with men, all looking down at their menus. They look professional, but also like a load of jackasses. Pulling out my notepad, I start at the end of the table and introduce myself.

  As I provide my introduction, I take a look at each of them. It’s the professional, waitress-like thing to do. As I bounce over each pair of eyes and start to ask them what they’d like to drink, the last pair of eyes at the end of the table causes me to stutter.

  “W-we have one of the house’s f-favorite r-red wines…”

  My goodness.

  I can’t believe he’s here.

  And it’s just my luck that he responds to my statement. “And what might that be?” Ace asks, one eyebrow arched. He’s pretending to be intrigued. A smirk dwells on his lips. I really think he’s stalking me. Of all the restaurants in Atlanta…

  “Caymus Special Select. It’s very good.” I force a smile at him.

  “Great. Bring two bottles please.”

  I nod and rush from the table without another look back. Damn it, I thought he left! What the hell is he doing here?

  As I rush to the wine bar, I demand two bottles of the wine from Jennifer whose forehead creases beneath her cherry bangs.

  “I think the word is please,” she sasses me.

  “Sorry, Jen,” I sigh out.

  “Eh… it’s cool I guess.” She tosses her hair over her shoulder, pulling out one bottle of wine with her free hand. “What’s wrong?” she asks. “You look bothered.”

  “Well… that’s because I am.”

  “Do you mind me asking why?” she asks, her southern accent thick.

  I debate on my answer. Blowing out a breath, I tuck a lock of hair behind my ear and glance over my shoulder. “See that guy at table four? In the silver tie at the end of the table?”

  She peers over me, eyes squinted. As she spots Ace, her eyes expand. “Holy shit! What about him?”

  “We aren’t on good terms right now.”

  She looks at me quickly. “What, did you sleep with him?”

  “No!” I frown. “He’s a friend of my brother… but I don’t like him.”

  “Shit, Lonnie, what is there not to like?” She continues ogling him, her green eyes wide. “I mean, seriously, I’d put all the shit I have against him aside for one night. Look at him,” she says before drawing in a deep breath.

  “Oh, goodness. Just give me the last bottle please,” I say, laughing.

  She shrugs and hands me the second bottle. “Hey, Lonnie,” she calls before I can walk away.

  I turn in her direction.

  “Try and get his number for me? Point me out and tell him I’m interested, yeah?”

  I prevent myself from narrowing my eyes at her. “Sure thing, Jen.”

  A smile expands across her lips as she bounces on her toes like an eager child. I turn and continue my walk to the table. When I make it, I place a bottle on Ace’s end of the table and one the opposite end.

  “Here you go, fellas,” I say, just as I uncork the last one. “Are we all ready to order or will you be needing more time?”

  All the men turn their heads to look at Ace.

  He nods curtly, peering over his menu at me. “Sure,” he says.

  I gather all the men’s orders, taking my time with each one. I want so badly to avoid Ace, to just forget he even exists, but I know I have to go his way eventually.

  With each person, I can feel his gaze getting heavier on me.

  He’s doing it on purpose.

  When I finally get to him, he lowers his menu to
the table and grabs the bottle of wine. He pours himself a glass, his lips curled at the corners.

  “Good to see you, London,” he says.

  “You as well,” I mumble.

  “Haven’t heard from you in, what, two days?”

  “Precisely.”

  “Why’s that?”

  I huff, staring down at him. “Ace, why the hell are you here?”

  His shoulders shake in silent laughter. “To eat, of course. Is that a problem?”

  “I just find it odd that out of all restaurants you decide to come to this one… the one I work at.”

  “Oh, trust me, I didn’t choose the place. In fact, I never even heard about it until my man Gerrick down there mentioned it. He was born and raised here.” He points at a man sitting at the end of the table. He’s of African descent, like most of the men at this table. His dreadlocks are tied back, his edges lined up. He looks up at me, nodding.

  I sigh. “What would you like to eat?”

  “You…”

  My face catches on fire. He tilts his head to look up at me, a smirk playing on his lips. “W-what?”

  “You...” he says again. “What would you order?”

  Oh… well… “The stuffed mushrooms are really good… the oysters, too. Preferably, I’d go with the shrimp fettuccini. I’m not hard to please. A simple meal is fine.”

  “Not hard to please?” he snips, raising an uncertain eyebrow. “That’s a damn lie.”

  Ignore him, Lonnie. “Is that what you’d like?”

  “Sure. Put it down.”

  I scribble the shrimp fettuccini down then back away. Before I can get too far, Ace catches my arm and tugs me back down with gentle force. Flustered, I peer up, but all the men at his table are busy chatting over their drinks. Ace’s lips near my ear. My heart beats a mile a minute, my palms even clammier now.

  “Stop. Please,” I whisper.

  “I need you to come with me this weekend, London. Actually, I want you to. I won’t ask again.” I turn his way, frowning at him. Our lips are almost touching. I can feel the heat of them, but I ignore it.

  “What makes you think you can tell me what to do?” I snap in a hiss.

  “If you want to live to see twenty-five, I suggest you do. You aren’t stupid. You know just as well as I do that you’re in danger. And you know the only person that’ll keep you safe is me… and the men at this table.”

  My mouth parts as I turn and look at each man at the table. I didn’t realize it before – well, besides the fact that they all look like jackasses – that they were all well-statured. Well suited. Professional, just like Ace. All of them have muscles too big for their suits. All of them look like they’re ready to face a fight when necessary.

  “Th-these are the men you were talking about?”

  “Came down here for me after I told them what happened. And they know about you. I can guarantee you they’ll keep you safe.”

  “Ace…” I pause, and then pull my arm out of his. “I appreciate what you’re doing, but I can’t—I can’t just leave home. I can’t leave my job. I need money. I need a steady income. I need to search for a career, build my life.”

  “I can help you with all of that. And you won’t need a job. I got you covered.”

  My eyes narrow. He isn’t joking. I can see in his eyes how serious he is, how much he really wants me out of this place. “You don’t understand,” I murmur.

  “You think I don’t, but I do. More than anyone. I know how it feels to be torn away from the life you once had. I’m in the same boat as you. That’s why I gave you a few days to think about it.” He straightens his back. “I know you thought about it.”

  He’s right. I did, but I hated thinking about it.

  I look away.

  “Look, I need you to think about it a little more. I won’t leave unless you’re leaving with me. I feel like it’s my obligation now that Jonah is dead. I wasn’t supposed to tell you, but… it’s what he wanted. Me to take care of you if anything ever happened to him. I’m the only man he trusted.”

  My eyes are wide now, astonished. I don’t know what to say to that.

  “You can understand now, right? Why I want to… help you?” His eyes are filled with inquisitiveness.

  “I-I guess…” I whisper.

  “Good. Now, while you place our orders and work through this shift—hell, even when you get home—I want you to think about it. Think about what Jonah would want… for you. He’s a smart dude. He wouldn’t put you in the hands of someone he didn’t trust. And if you don’t believe me, I can prove it… but only if you come to New York with me. That’s where the proof is.” He pauses, licking his lips slowly. When he looks back up, he says, “I won’t bother you anymore tonight. I guarantee it. Just give it some thought. You have to trust me, London. Your brother did. More than you think. When you come to a decision, call me from his cell as soon as it’s delivered to you.”

  I stare at him for a long period of time. His face is rock hard. Not a trace of doubt is in his eyes. All the men at his table look in our direction, eyes curious. I look at each of them thoroughly and then Ace.

  Finally, I say, “I’ll think about it,” then turn on my heels in a flash to get to the kitchen.

  ***

  Ace obviously dropped off Jonah’s things while I was finishing my shift. I pick up the box of his belongings and open my door to get inside. In the box, I find Jonah’s car keys, a pack of gum, and his cellphone.

  I slowly pull out the cellphone and slide my finger across the screen. Glad there isn’t a code to enter, I make my way to his list of contacts. Ace’s name is the first I see. My heart catches speed as I stare it.

  I go back and forth, debating on whether I should call or not, until, finally, I slam the phone down and rush to my room. I start the shower immediately, and instead of a hot one, I take a cold one. I need to snap out of this. I need to get it together. I need to think straight, but it seems like everything revolving around Ace is wrong. Something is telling me not to do it, while something is telling me I’m probably better off with him than here, where I can be hurt or killed.

  After my shower, I dry off and slip into some pajamas.

  I enter the living room again with gradual steps, staring at Jonah’s phone.

  I think about what Jonah would’ve wanted. I remember Ace saying Jonah wanted him to be the one to take care of me… to protect me. But why him? Why Ace? Why did he trust him?

  Sighing, I pick up the phone and just go with it. Placing the phone to my ear, my heart beating a mile a minute, the phone rings, and I wait until the third ring for him to answer.

  “Knew you’d call,” Ace says, voice cool.

  “How long will I have to stay with you?” I ask, ignoring him.

  “I’d say about three or four months… just until shit cools down here.”

  “Make it three,” I murmur.

  “Fine,” he says. “Three.”

  “What time will you be picking me up? I wanna make sure I have enough time to pack and say goodbye.”

  “Goodbye to who, exactly? Your friend that you had breakfast with?”

  “Her and another,” I snip.

  “You can’t say goodbye, London. You can’t lead them on. The best thing to do is leave unannounced.”

  “But they’re my friends. I have to tell them what’s going on. I don’t want them worried about me.”

  “You want to come back and see your friends’ names on tombstones?” he questions.

  “W-what?”

  “Because that’s what you’ll see if you tell them what’s going on and what’s happening. They’ll be dead. You try to keep in contact with them and Pablo’s men will trace your calls. They’ll be long gone … and they’ll also know where you are. Where I am.”

  “But… I have to.”

  He sighs heavily. “Keep your friends out of it. I’ll pick you up tomorrow at eight. And make sure you get rid of your cellphone, along with Jonah’s, before you meet m
e.” He hangs up before I can respond.

  I stare down at Jonah’s phone, baffled. My mouth is agape, my eyes watery. I can’t just leave. I can’t without telling them something.

  I drop his phone, running my fingers through my damp hair. I can’t believe I’m even in this situation. I’m ready for it all to be over. I need it to be done with.

  My life was already fucked up before, but with Ace in the picture, it’s completely fallen apart.

  “Shit,” I whisper. I swallow thickly, stand from the couch, and head to my bedroom. I pack a ton of shit I’ll need while I’m there, but during it all, my tears never stop flowing.

  I hate crying. I feel so weak right now, but what else is there to do?

  I’m not a quitter. I don’t give up.

  And the last thing I’ll ever do is give up on my life when there’s a possibility to save it.

  Although this possibility frightens me, it’s better than being attacked by men that would kill me on the spot. I just hope I’m not making a mistake. And I hope Jonah’s right about Ace.

  I got the call from her last night. I knew she wasn’t going to stay here. She’s too smart to act stupid.

  A silent chuckle escapes me as I watch her storm down her complex stairs. She’s pissed, but I find it funny. She’s always pissed when it comes to me. I think it’s cute, but I’m sure she can’t stand me. This’ll be a long three months for her.

  As she takes the last step down and peers my way, I give a light wave. She scowls, slowly making her way to my car. I watch as she struggles to bring her suitcase across the lot, so I hop out and start her way.

  “I got it,” she grunts as the suitcase hits her thigh.

  “You don’t. Give it to me.”

  Before she can respond, I take it out of her hands. She sighs as I turn and make my way to the trunk. After I stuff it in, she stands on the passenger side, arms folded.

  “Gonna get in, or what?”

  “I still think this is a terrible idea,” she mutters.

  “Then why’d you agree? Why’d you call? There was obviously some part of you that thought this was the right thing to do.”

  She grimaces at my statement. I wait for her to get inside, but after ten seconds of standing, I roll my eyes and climb back in the driver’s seat. “Flight leaves in half an hour,” I say then shut my door.