by Darrien Lee
“Don’t ‘sweetheart’ me. Why were you trying to pick a fight with my brothers last night? You know they can’t stand you.”
He plucked a piece of lint off the arm of his jacket and smiled. “If I remember correctly, Malachi was the one getting all hostile. I was cool. You know me.”
“You didn’t help matters, Keytone, and you know it.”
He leaned forward and touched her hand lovingly. “Well, at least I know one Chance sibling cares about me.”
Keilah pulled her hand away from him and lowered her head without responding. Keytone studied her body language for a few seconds before speaking. “When are you going to tell your brothers our little secret?”
A slight panic came over Keilah, and her head jerked upward.
“I don’t know, Keytone, but when I feel that bit of information needs to be shared with them, I’ll do it.”
Keytone raised his hands in defense. “I just asked, Keilah. Chill.”
“Listen, I asked you to meet me because I know you’re up on everything going on around here and on the streets. Have you heard anyone talking about making some type of deal with my brothers?”
“No, I haven’t. Why are you asking?”
Keilah sighed. “Something weird happened to me this morning.”
This got Keytone’s undivided attention. “What do you mean?”
She folded her arms and struggled with her words. “I got jumped by two guys in my hotel early this morning when I was in the fitness room.”
The smile on Keytone’s face was immediately replaced with a scowl. He sat up in his chair. “You mean to tell me that somebody put their hands on you?”
She cleared her throat and nodded.
Keytone leaned forward and angrily yelled, “Where was that so-called military man of yours when all of this was going on, and why is he letting you wander around town all by yourself now? I don’t even know why you’re with him if he can’t protect you or keep an eye on you. I need to put a bullet in his head for not being there for you. You could’ve been killed, Keilah. Damn.”
Keilah could see that Keytone was starting to draw attention over to their table, so she grabbed his hand and gave it a squeeze. “Keytone, lower your voice. I’m okay. Besides, Michael was in bed asleep when it happened so he didn’t even know I had left the room. I always get up early in the morning to work out. Yes, I let my guard down, but I never expected to get jumped in my hotel.”
He put his hands over his face and rocked back and forth in his chair, visibly shaken. Keilah could see he was about to explode again in anger, but he restrained himself. “So why is he letting you drive around by yourself now?”
Keilah smiled. “Letting me? I’m a bodyguard, Keytone, and I’m at home. I know this city better than Michael does. Besides, my guard is up now, and you know how stubborn I am. I told Michael I needed some air. He wanted to come with me, but I insisted he stay at the hotel until I got back. What could he do?”
“I guess you have a point. But if he were a real man he would’ve come with you regardless of what you said. Look, forget about dude. I want you to tell me exactly what happened and what those guys looked like,” he asked as calmly as he could.
“I was working out in the fitness room, and they threw a pillowcase over my head. I didn’t make it easy for them though. I was able to get it off and kick one of them in the groin. The other one caught a five-pound weight upside the head. They ran out when they heard the security guards coming down the hallway.”
Keilah could tell Keytone was struggling to hold his composure.
“So you got a look at them?” he asked.
“Yeah.”
Keytone stood and said, “Hold that thought. I need something to drink before I lose it up in here. What would you like to drink?”
“Whatever you get will be fine with me.”
Keytone walked up to the counter and ordered two cups of Colombia Nariño Supremo coffee. After returning to the table, he sat their cups down and took his seat.
“OK, Keilah, what else did they do or say?”
Keilah finished telling Keytone what happened in the fitness room and what her assailants looked like. When she was done, she could see Keytone taking mental notes. “So if you see them again you can point them out?”
“I’ll never forget those faces.”
He took her hand into his and held it there. “Did they hurt you?”
She looked into his eyes and saw a man enraged. “I have a few scratches and bruises, that’s all,” she said.
Keytone could clearly see the bruising on Keilah’s neck. He sat back down and let out a loud sigh. “You do know they’re dead once I find them?”
“See, that’s why I didn’t want to tell you. Don’t get crazy, Keytone. I just want you to see if you can find out who they are and what’s going on.”
Keytone sat there silently for several minutes in deep thought as he drank his coffee. He slowly scanned the room, which was full of patrons, before pulling out his .45 Magnum pistol. He checked the clip, and then quickly slid it back into place. All Keilah could do was sit there in shock. Trying not to draw any more attention, she whispered, “Keytone, please put that gun away before someone calls the police.”
He looked at her with glazed eyes and put the gun back inside his jacket. “Keilah, like I said, when I find out who put their hands on you, they’re dead. Do you hear me?”
Keilah’s eyes widened. “No, I don’t want you to do anything like that, just see if you can find out what’s going on. Besides, I haven’t even told my brothers yet.”
Keytone stared at her without blinking his eyes. “Girl, you’re crazy if you think I’m going to sit around and do nothing but interview people. We’re past that, sweetheart, and whoever did this to you will pay.”
Keilah didn’t know what else to say to Keytone. He was a man with a ruthless reputation and most people knew not to cross him. Keilah finished off her cup of coffee and stood. “I have to go. I shouldn’t have told you.”
He also stood. “But you did tell me, and the situation will be dealt with one way or another. Keilah, you came to me for help, now let me help you.”
She couldn’t hold back her frustration any longer. “Have you been listening to anything I’ve said? I came to you to see if you could find out information, that’s it.”
He stared at her with seriousness and then he laughed. “You know me, Keilah, which means you know I don’t operate like that. I love you, and if I sit back and do nothing, what does that say about me?”
“I only came to you because I thought you might know something or could help me find out some information.”
“Keilah, you came to me because you know I can help you. If those guys had killed you it would’ve broken my heart. I got this. OK?”
She looked up at him and saw sincerity. She knew her brothers hated Keytone, but she saw something in him her brothers didn’t—a soft side. And once they found out the truth behind their relationship, they would go ballistic.
“Look, you can check into things, but don’t do anything crazy,” she pleaded.
He smiled mischievously. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I never do anything to someone that they don’t deserve. But I will tell you: When I find the bastards who put their hands on you, they’re history.”
Seeing that her pleas were falling on deaf ears, Keilah grabbed her purse and placed it upon her shoulder. “Whatever, Keytone. I don’t have the strength to argue with you anymore.”
Keytone pulled her into his arms and gave her a tender kiss on the cheek. “OK, I’m not going to promise you anything, but I’ll try to stay in control. Are you happy now?”
Keilah smiled and before walking off she said, “Yes. Now be careful.”
“I will, and you watch your back until we know what’s going on.”
Keytone watched as Keilah walked out to her car and drove off. As soon as she was out of sight, he pulled out his cell phone. “Yo, it’s me. Get everyone together and
meet me at the pit. We have work to do.”
Keilah’s meeting with Keytone was exhausting, but not as tiring as the one with her brothers would be. To try and regroup, she called Michael on her way over to Luke’s house. Hearing his voice calmed her and brought her blood pressure back down. As expected, he was worried about her driving around Dennison alone, but she reassured him she was fine. After all, it was her hometown.
It took Keilah about thirty minutes to drive to Luke’s subdivision. She didn’t call ahead to let him know she was coming, not that she ever did. His house was always the central location of the family and seemed to have a revolving door for family and close friends. When she pulled into his driveway she noticed Genesis’ car already there. Luke’s wife, Sabrinia, was an excellent chef, and since her brothers were always looking for a tasty but nutritious meal, they always seemed to find their way over.
Keilah exited the vehicle and made her way around to the back of the house where she found Luke and Genesis eating a hearty breakfast beside the pool. They both stood when they saw her walking in their direction.
“Well, well, well, I didn’t expect to see you up so early this morning, sis,” Luke announced as he gave her a brotherly hug.
Genesis gave her a kiss on the cheek and then stuffed a croissant inside his mouth. Keilah sat down at the table and shook her head as she looked at all the food on their plates.
“I get up early every morning to work out, and it seems like you guys need to join me sometimes.”
“Whatever,” Luke replied as he sat back down to his meal, which consisted of strawberry pancakes, sausage links, croissants, eggs Benedict and more.
“Are you hungry?” Genesis asked as he buttered his croissant.
“Not really,” she answered as she looked toward the house. “Where is everybody?”
“The kids are at school and Sabrinia just left for work. Where’s Michael?” Luke asked.
Keilah picked up a fork and stole one of Genesis’ sausage links. She took a bite of it before answering. “He’s at the hotel.”
Luke and Genesis looked at each other curiously. “What’s going on with you? I don’t like the vibe you’re giving off,” Luke said.
“Did you and Michael have a fight or something?” Genesis asked.
Keilah turned to him and asked, “Why would you think we had a fight?”
“I just thought he would be with you, that’s all.”
Keilah finished off the sausage and sat the fork down. “He’s still a little tired from last night, so I told him to stay at the hotel and rest.”
Luke nodded and he raised his glass of orange juice to his mouth. “I see.”
Genesis noticed Keilah staring at his plate. “Dang, Keilah. Let me fix you a plate before you eat up all my food. I know you’re hungry.”
She smiled and stood up. “Thanks, but I can get it myself. Do you guys need anything while I’m in the kitchen?”
“I’m good,” Luke said.
“I could use more sausage, thanks to you,” Genesis teased her.
Keilah flicked out her tongue at him just like she’d done when she was a little girl. Her brothers couldn’t do anything but laugh.
Once inside the kitchen, Keilah saw that Sabrinia had brunch laid out like a restaurant, making it easier for self-serving. Once she had a couple of pancakes, several pieces of sausage, and some fruit, she rejoined Luke and Genesis poolside.
When she sat down, Luke looked over at her curiously. “What’s that mark on your neck?”
Keilah put her hand up to her neck and lowered her head. “That’s why I came over here.”
“Did Michael do that to you?” Luke asked as he stood and balled up his fists.
“Sit down, Luke, and let me explain.” She motioned for them to sit down.
“Explain what?” he yelled. “Genesis, let’s go. I’m going to kill him.”
Keilah knew that if she didn’t hurry up and explain to her brothers what happened they would kill Michael and not give it a second thought.
Keilah’s throat was dry, so she took a sip of orange juice before speaking. “OK, you two. There is something I need to tell you, but you have to promise you won’t get all crazy on me.”
“I’m not promising you anything. Now what’s going on?” Luke asked with a strained tone.
She had to be delicate with her news. If she told Luke and Genesis the wrong way, they would turn the city upside down. Keytone was already on the rampage and having her brothers doing the same would be like throwing gasoline on a fire. Keilah got up from her chair and paced back and forth across the pool deck.
“OK, I’ll tell you, but you have to wait until I’m finished before you say anything.”
Luke folded his arms across his chest. “Get on with it, sis. We don’t have all day.”
“Will you two please sit down?” she asked before continuing.
Genesis sat down and picked up his glass of orange juice. He leaned back in his chair and waited for her explanation. Luke also sat down and stared at her.
“Well?” Genesis asked. “What’s going on?”
“You guys know how I’m sort of a fanatic when it comes to working out, right? Well, I got up at five to work out in the fitness room at the hotel. When I got there, I wasn’t alone like I thought I was.”
She paused because she knew the rest of her statement was going to set it off. Genesis prodded her by asking, “Who else was there? Michael?”
Keilah nervously played with her hair. “No, he was still in our room asleep.”
“Then who was it, Keilah?” Luke asked impatiently.
“Two men were there, and they jumped me from behind by throwing a pillowcase over my head.”
Luke and Genesis sat there frozen, as if they were waiting for a punch line.
“What did you say?” Genesis asked as he slowly stood.
“I said I was roughed up by two men who jumped me from behind.”
Luke was still frozen in his chair. He couldn’t move or speak at first. When he did move, he wiped his mouth with his napkin and also stood. He walked over to Keilah and cupped her face so he could look into her eyes and inspect the bruising on her neck.
“Were you raped?” Luke asked.
Tears fell from her eyes. “No, I just got this bruise on my neck from the pillowcase and a few more scratches and bruises. I was able to fight them off, and I actually left one of them with a limp. I’m sorry I let my guard down.”
Luke looked over at Genesis, who seemed to be trembling with anger. Luke led Keilah back over to the table and sat her down in the chair. He pulled his chair closer to her and held her hands.
“You have nothing to be sorry for, Keilah. We’re the ones who let our guard down. Did you call the police? Why didn’t you call me?”
“The police said they would review the surveillance tapes and get back to me as soon as they knew something.”
“Did you get a look at them?” Genesis asked.
“Yes, after I got the pillowcase off of my head.”
Luke ran his hands over his face. “Get your things and check out of that hotel right away. You’re staying here,” Luke demanded.
Keilah picked up a strawberry and took a bite. “Thanks, but no thanks. You and Sabrinia already have a full house with the kids, and so do Genesis and Roman. We’ll just check into another hotel.”
Genesis intervened by waving her off. “No more hotels, Keilah. I’m sure you guys can bunk with Malachi. It’s just him in that big house, and I’m sure he would love to have you over anyway.”
Keilah laughed. “I don’t think so. You know we don’t always see eye to eye.”
“Malachi will be fine,” Genesis said.
“I’ll think about it, and I don’t want you guys blaming Michael for me getting attacked, because he didn’t even know I had left the room. He feels terrible about what happened and is already blaming himself.”
“He should feel bad,” Luke replied. “What did those guys look like?
”
“Look, before I get to that, there’s more to what happened.”
He paused for a moment. “What do you mean—more?”
“The guys who jumped me told me to tell my brothers if they know what’s good for them they’d better take the deal. What deal are they talking about? Are you guys mixed up in something?”
Luke frowned. “I don’t have a clue, Keilah, but we’ll get to the bottom of it. You just get your things and get out of that hotel.”
“I don’t want you guys to get into any trouble over this,” she pleaded.
Genesis held her hand and looked into her eyes. “They touched you, and that’s all that matters to me. Luke, I’m out. Hit me up on my cell if you need me.”
Luke nodded and said, “Call Malachi and Roman, and fill them in on what happened.”
“Done,” Genesis responded. “Keilah, do what Luke said and get out of that hotel right away. I’ll call Malachi and set everything up.”
She released his hand and said, “OK. I’ll catch up with you later.”
Luke started clearing off the table. “Hold up, Keilah. Help me put this food away and I’ll ride with you.”
Chapter Sixteen
Xavier’s right-hand man, Romeo, pulled the midnight-blue Escalade into a parking spot at the front entrance of the East-Side Park. As they sat there in silence, the park quickly filled up with people.
“Yo, X, why did you want to come here?”
“I need to think,” Xavier informed him. “Momma used to bring me here when I was a kid. She always said it was the perfect place to hear your thoughts, and she was right.”
Romeo nodded in agreement with Xavier. “What are you going to do if the Chances don’t take you up on your offer?”
Xavier lowered his sunglasses and stared at Romeo. “If they know what’s good for them, they’ll take my offer. Besides, I won’t take no for an answer. This deal is non-negotiable.”
Romeo laughed. “You know those guys are not going to let you just walk up in there and take over their casinos.”
“They won’t have a choice, and if they don’t want to cooperate, then I’m sure that fine-ass sister of theirs can help persuade them to.”
