"Rhy, what? What are you doing?" she asked, feeling breathless as she watched his rippling arm and chest muscles being exposed. He had been wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans, a black belt with a silver buckle and dark blue slip-on shoes. He removed his shoes, loosened the belt and pulled it out of his pants. He laid the shirts and belt on the back of her chair, but kept on his jeans.
He looked up at her. "I'm giving you what you need," he said.
Wednesday
Lissa crawled out of bed and went to the bathroom. She flipped on the light, lifted the toilet cover and sat down to relieve herself. She made a sour face as she tried to push while feeling those weird cramps. When she was done, she exhaled. She probably needed more fibre.
She cleaned herself and stepped into the shower to wash up quickly. She had noticed there was blood on her underwear. The doctor said her regular heavy flow pads could suffice if there was bleeding. When she was done, she dried herself off, wrapped a grey towel around her body and entered her bedroom.
Pulling out the drawer on the middle left, she opened a new pack of heavy flow pads, and carefully attached one to thicker lined panties. She pushed the drawer to close it and pulled on the pad. She lay on her bed and looked up at the ceiling. The cramps weren't bad, but they annoyed her. She sighed.
She looked at her mini-clock on the night table. It was a gift from Derrick. She smiled as she looked at it. Those were great times, she mused. Anyway back to reality. She was only wearing panties, nothing else. She felt her breasts, but not for pleasure. They were hurting a little. She massaged them slowly while she closed her eyes. She hadn't heard her dad come back earlier. She wondered if he had come home when she was sleeping.
Sitting up she sighed. Jordan made her feel like she could just forget everything that happened the past few weeks. She shook her head. She was delusional. She got dressed in a pink maternity dress that was supposed to help you look slimmer. She snorted when she remembered that the sales girl had sold her the dress with the idea that it was slimming around her waist. "Silly," she said mumbling softly. As she looked at herself in the mirror, she wondered if Jordan was asleep. Maybe I can ask if I can stay with him until morning. We can put a pillow between us. She bit her lower lip. She just wanted to be held.
She opened her door and walked quietly to his room. As she approached she heard muffled sounds. She pressed her head to the door and tried to listen.
***
Jordan stretched. He had woken up in the night feeling uneasy. He got up, did 200 diamond push-ups then did abdominal crunches. He felt good so he did 150 lunges and 100 squats. When he was done he was tired but felt like reading a few Bible verses. He entered the app in his phone and read Romans chapter 12:
1. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
2. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
3. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.
He lay on the floor and thought about what he read. Closing his eyes, he prayed:
"Lord, you've never steered me wrong. You've never made me face a situation where you've never been there with me. Your Word says you are always with us. Help me now. It's been a while since I've felt so strongly for a woman. She's a good girl, but she doesn't know you, however I do. Lord, I pray that you give her the opportunity to experience your love and know you like I do. Help me to show your light in the way I treat her. Keep my mind focused on the task you've brought me here to do. I ask that you to protect her and keep her safe, but help me also to guard her as best as I can.
"Give me wisdom, give me insight and help me to have the courage in whatever situation that may come. More importantly help me to control myself when I'm around her. I like her, but I don't know if this is from you. Plus, she was dating my best friend. I need a clear mind to properly perform what is required of me. Lord, please work out your perfect will in this situation, but whatever happens help me to honor you with my mind and body. I pray in Christ's name. Amen."
He opened his eyes. He felt better. He stretched and got up from the floor. He headed to the shower, his heart feeling much lighter.
***
Lissa lifted her head from the hard mahogany surface and turned around. She walked back to her room. He was praying for me! She felt like crap now. Here she was thinking of cuddling up in his arms and maybe if he wanted, they could touch each other a little. She was willing to satisfy him, if it would be too uncomfortable for her. She wasn't a tease.
She opened her door and stepped inside her room. Closing the door behind her, she laughed bitterly. Her laugh wasn't loud. She didn't want to wake her dad or Branno up if any of them were home. Branno's room was just next door to hers.
At daybreak, bleary eyes blinked repeatedly as they tried to focus on the laptop screen. Lissa yawned quietly. She turned off the laptop and perched it on the top of the night table. Turning on her left side, she closed her eyes.
Jordan stood at her door and knocked. It was 10 am. She would usually be up by 8/8:30 on her days off. He knocked more insistently and heard a groan. He squeezed the door's handle and pushed it open. When he looked in on her she was still sleeping. Quietly, he moved towards the edge of the bed and stared at her.
Her beautiful face was marked by a frown. He wondered if she was dreaming, and if she was, what she was dreaming about. He wondered if he should wake her for breakfast or allow her to sleep. He decided to go with the latter. Maybe she had difficulty sleeping like I did, he thought. He left her room quietly, closing the door behind him.
He had fallen asleep an hour after he left her room, but it wasn't a deep, peaceful slumber. When he woke around 3 a.m. his mind was on her. He wanted to go to her room.
His arms yearned to hold her, to caress her curves and squeeze her close to him. Her soft body pressed on him excited him. It had been a while for him with a woman. He longed to kiss her lips, but he knew if he did there would be no question, he would fall deeply in love with her.
He dished her food in a small plastic container and washed the pots, pans and dishes. He decided to do some cleaning. He went for the mop and bucket and moved quickly across the kitchen and living room floors. He dry wiped the foyer.
When he was almost done, Lissa came downstairs, her eyes puffy and movements sluggish. She seemed to be in pain. She was looking at him quizzically. He placed the mop and bucket back in the laundry room and washed his hands thoroughly.
He found her in the kitchen sitting down looking sad. He cleared his throat, but she didn't look up at him. "I made you a good ole American breakfast," he said smiling.
He closed the distance between them and touched her shoulders. He felt her body quiver and saw her eyes close. "Are you okay? Are you feeling any pain?" He rubbed her shoulders. "I can help with that," he told her. Finally, she shifted her body to stare at him. She looked uncomfortable. Jordan felt the need to make her laugh. "It's just a little cramp," she answered.
"Okay," he said. "Eat something, then we'll see what we can do."
Her eyebrows raised, she looked at him. "We'll see what we can do?"
He nodded, smiling. He stretched out his hand to her and she took it. He bent his head and kissed her hand. Her heart fluttered. He released her hand and went to heat up her breakfast. After two minutes he presented scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes in a plate. She smiled up at him. "Thank you, this looks lovely," she said.
Jordan watched her carefully. She still looked tired, but her mood had improved. He brought her a fork and she started eating.
"Coffee?" he asked.
She nodded. "Thank you." While she ate, she took him in. "The eggs are delish."
He smiled at her. "Milk and butter," he replied simply. He poured her a cup of coffee and placed it before her. "Condensed milk and sugar?"
She nodded. "Be careful, I could get used to this type of treatment and never let you leave," she said biting into her pancakes. "Any kind of syrup?" she asked. He placed the sugar and milk jars before her.
"Oh ... I almost forgot," he answered with a grin on his face. He went into the fridge and took out a glass jar filled with a thick, dark brown liquid.
"What's that?"
He chuckled. "Honey lemon syrup. I thickened it with sugar and a little cornstarch."
Lissa was impressed. "Really? Have you made it before?"
"A few times. It's actually my dad's recipe. Sometimes we'd run out of Maple syrup so he would improvise." He slowly poured the syrupy liquid onto her pancakes then watched her taste it.
Lissa used her fork to slather the liquid across her pancakes. She looked up at him and he winked at her. Giggling softly, Lissa cut off a small piece of syrup soaked pancake with her fork, tucked it in her mouth and chewed. A burst of tangy-sweet flavor hit her taste buds and she groaned. Licking her lips, she smiled slightly. She swallowed and cut off another piece.
"Good?" he asked amused.
"More than good. It's great! Will you teach me how to do this?" she asked.
He nodded. "Okay, when you're feeling stronger I will," he told her.
"About the massage?" Jordan's eyes raked slowly over her body.
Lissa's left eyebrow rose above the other. "Um ... I'll pass," she said.
"You sure?" Jordan asked, his eyes teasing her.
She nodded. "Yes, I'm sure," she answered.
A look of disappointment crossed his face. "Okay, whatever you say," he said.
"I don't think we should touch each other like we did yesterday," she told him.
"Understood. Hear you loud and clear," he replied. Lissa stared at the nerve ticking at his neck. He was in a brooding mood now. His eyebrows raised and soft lips pursed together were a distraction. His jaw clenched with that muscle sticking out, made him look more devastatingly handsome. She blushed and focused on her plate.
"Lissa, are you okay?" he asked. She looked up and caught the bobbing of his Adam's apple as he watched her. Lissa nodded nervously. His eyes seemed to darken as he stared at her. Lissa cleared her throat "Stop looking at me like that," she said, staring at her plate. "How am I looking at you?" he asked, coming closer.
He sat beside her, and leaned his head in so he could see her face. He touched her cheek and turned her head so he could see her eyes. "Like ... like that?" she said quietly. He was tempted to kiss her. He wanted to do it, but could he risk it? Lissa was in no emotional state for a relationship right now, plus Ryan wouldn't just give up on her like that. He chuckled and dropped his hand.
He stood up and stretched. "I'm going into town. Do you want anything?"
"Some chocolate would be nice. I'm craving it," she told him. He nodded. "Will do. Have any brand that you like?" He loosed the tie at the waist of his grey sweat pants, drew the string up and retied it.
Lissa nodded then told him. She watched what he was doing, her eyes stuck just below the waist of his pants.
"And it's the dark chocolate type?" he asked. Jordan noticed where she was looking and willed his body not to respond.
She smiled. "Yeah, that type."
He nodded. "I'll see what I can do." He squeezed her right shoulder. "Be back soon."
"Hey ..."
He turned around.
"Have you seen my dad?" She swiveled around on the chair to get a better look at him. Jordan shook his head. "No enuh. I know he said he had to meet with a client and it was an emergency. He hasn't called you?"
Lissa shook her head.
"Branno was here this morning but he left earlier. He said he and his girlfriend were going to do something together."
"Oh ..." she said.
"I could check your dad's room for you," Jordan said. He saw the concern on her face. He hadn't thought much about it. He knew Marcus was a busy man, but if her gut felt that something was wrong, he would work with it.
She nodded. "Please. Will you?"
He nodded. "Okay, sure." he said. He moved towards the stairwell and darted quickly up the steps. He knocked on Marcus's door then opened it. He wasn't in his room. Jordan closed the door then walked down to face Lissa. Her brow was knotted as she waited for his answer. Jordan sighed. "He's not in his room," he said.
"Can you get my cellphone?"
He nodded. "Sure," he said. He went quickly up to her room to retrieve it for her. When he brought it back she took it making sure her hand didn't touch his. Jordan noticed the move but did not say a word. She unlocked the screen and called her brother.
***
"No!" Laughter. "Stop!"
"I thought you said you like when I touch you?"
"Yes I do .. you ..." More raucous laughing. "Branno, you're making me hot too."
Brandon pressed his face on Zuri's tummy. "I want you to be, but maybe not right now," he teased. He loved hearing her laughter, and tickling her while having the opportunity to sneakily feel her supple skin was a delight for him.
He kissed her tummy then playfully used his mouth to blow on it. Zuzu guffawed, not being able to control herself. Branno laughed. "What was that? You sound like a drunk hyena!" He chuckled.
Zuzu slapped his arm. "Let me go! That was not funny!" She tried to push him off her, but Branno just circled his arms more tightly around her waist and pulled her down to his face. He looked into her eyes then kissed her passionately. At first, Zuzu tried to resist, but slowly she melted as he continued to tease her with his mouth.
"Ahh .. Branno!"
"Yes Zuzu, yes... ahh! My beautiful baby. I love you."
She wrapped her legs around his hips and squeezed. He gasped and thrusted on her. She moaned, closing her eyes. He kissed her neck, moving his head lower. "I want you. Oh god Zuzu, I'm trying to wait, but I can't any longer. I need you now." He buried his face in her bosom and suckled the delicate skin. He pressed his member into her pelvis and felt her body arch up to him. She was moaning his name.
"Branno, I need you. I want you. Please, let me feel you," she said, her voice raspy. He kissed her lips tenderly. He was about to ask her something very important when his phone rang. He looked over at it reluctantly. He reached for it and saw that it was his sister. He answered.
"Yes," he said sharply, feeling annoyed.
There was a pause then his sister's husky voice came on the line. It sounded a little trembly, uncertain. Brandon rolled away from Zuzu onto his back. He wondered if she was feeling ill. He sighed. "Yeah sis, you okay?" He softened his tone.
"Hey ... I-I didn't mean to disturb--"
"It's okay," he answered, looking over at Zuzu. She blew him a kiss and he smiled. "You're not disturbing. What do you need?"
"Dad said he would be seeing a client. I know that sometimes you help him prepare his files. Do you know who it was--the client he went to see yesterday?"
"Not really. All I know is its a new client named Miss Silver." Brandon chuckled. "I wondered about that name. It doesn't sound real. Even dad felt a bit suspicious."
"He did?"
Branno nodded though his sister couldn't see him. "Yeah, he however said his company was insisting that he meet with her before he left. He isn't back yet?"
"No, he isn't," Lissa replied. She was getting worried now.
Brandon was beginning to feel a little concerned. Their father would stay out till the next day, but only with their mother. "Hold on." he told Lissa. "Okay," she answered. He navigated to the location app on his phone. He searched for the page for his dad's phone, then put his sister on loud speaker. "Lissa, the last time the app picked up his location was around 12:30 a.m. at a bar and night club called The Temptation. It's sort of like a gentleman's club."
Lissa eyes flew open. "Can you text me the location?" she asked.
"What are you going to do?" Branno heard Jordan asked.
"I have to check," she said.
"Yeah, I was saying I could check to see if he's still there. Although, I don't know why. They have rooms for folks who want to spend the night, you know ... to do other activities."
"Not a good idea. It may be dangerous. I'm not risking either you or your sister's safety," Jordan said. His clipped reply came across clearly on the line.
"I can take care of myself," Branno said, feeling defensive.
"That may be true, but you aren't trained for this, I am," Jordan asserted.
"Can you pretend to be a player/pretty boy?" Branno asked.
Jordan chuckled. "Very well," he responded.
Lissa looked at him. He had his left eyebrow raised as he saw her assessing him. She cleared her throat. "Somehow I think you wouldn't be pretending."
Jordan chuckled. "That was a long time ago, but you never really forget how," he answered, his eyes teasing her. She looked away from him, feeling flustered. "Are you good at pretending? I mean ... last night." She stared at the floor as she spoke. Jordan came closer to her. He touched her arm and she looked up at him.
"It's because I wasn't pretending why I left," he said softly. "I'll never play games with you Lissa." His mouth curved into a sexy smile. "Well, only the games that make you feel good." Lissa's heart rate accelerated.
Branno listened to the wordplay between the bodyguard and his sister, and shook his head. Another one, he thought. He sighed. Zuzu came to cuddle up with him. He wrapped his arms around her and kissed her brow. "Okay," he said, "Jordan can go, but you know, be careful."
Jordan cleared his throat. While watching every move Lissa made, he answered, "I will. I intend on seeing my thirty-third birthday next month."
"August baby?" Lissa asked surprised.
He nodded. His lips opened to a cheeky grin. "I have plans for my birthday."
"I bet you do," Lissa replied, eyeing him suspiciously.
Jordan chuckled. "Plans with you Lissa," he said.
"Me?" she answered, shocked.
"Mhm," he said. He walked away from her.
She sat there flustered, staring dumbfoundedly at his back. Subconsciously, she noted that it was a nice, broad back. "I'm going into town. When I'm done I'll swing by that club. Do not try to find the place." He turned around. "I'll buy the chocolate for you then head over there." He smiled at her. "Trust me?"
Lissa sighed. She nodded. "You'll be careful?"
"I will," he said, looking at her eyes. He saw her fear. He wanted to kiss it away, but instead he winked. He grabbed a small bag he placed on the back of a chair and headed to the front door.
Lissa followed him. She stared at him. Jordan came to her and kissed her forehead. "I'll be fine," he told her. His gaze softened. He was flattered that she was concerned for his safety. He bent his head and brushed his lips on her neck. She groaned softly. He pulled her to him and pressed her body to his, molding every soft curve to him.
He closed his eyes and groaned her name. "Lissa!" he whispered passionately. She moaned. Her fingers gripped his arms. She felt light headed. The muscles flexing under her fingers weren't helping her feel grounded. She swayed slightly and he held her firm. "It's okay," he whispered. He brushed his hand on her flushed cheeks. "Take deep breaths."
She did as he instructed. He smiled at her. "I'll be okay. I can take care of myself ... Okay?" He looked at her sincerely. Lissa stared into his green eyes that seemed to have become a darker shade.
She nodded, "Okay," she answered.
He kissed the right corner of her lips, being tempted to feel her mouth on his. He looked at those soft lips, but stopped short of tasting them. He kissed her brow then let her go. He wanted a relationship with her but he wouldn't force it. Plus, he didn't want her to have any doubt.
"You said no more touching like this," he said, gently brushing his hand on her cheeks. "When I get back we'll go back to being as it was before--before you got sick--is that what you want?" His eyes searched her face. She seemed to be struggling with herself for an answer, but in the end she mustered up the resolve to say, "Yes, that's what I want."
Jordan nodded. He squared his shoulders and stepped back from her. With a curt nod, he said, "As you wish." He slipped through the door not looking back at her. He mounted his motorcycle, while fixing his helmet. He checked if it was in neutral, then pulled down on the clutch and started the engine. Carefully putting the bike in gear, he rode off slowly.
If he stayed any longer he would kiss her: a deep, long, sensual kiss that would rattle both of them. Maybe he would also pleasure her in some way. He'd been fantasizing about it since last night. No penetration, but he could touch her. He sighed then switched the bike smoothly into second gear. He knew he would try to convince her to give him a chance. No. She said what she wanted. He would respect her decision. She doesn't want anything to happen between us, I will back off.
Lissa walked to the kitchen and checked her phone. Branno was still on the line. "He's gone," she said, feeling forlorn.
"Who? Jordan?" Branno asked. His head was in Zuzu's lap. "Yeah," Lissa answered. Her voice was small and cracked. Branno felt a pang in his chest. He rubbed his girl's thighs. "Zuzu and I have plans to see a movie later. You wanna come?"
Lissa sighed. "Nah, I'm good. Go and have fun. Are you planning on sleeping over?'
"Yeh, I might." Branno cleared his throat. He was feeling a little guilty. Since his dad told him about Lissa's condition he couldn't face her. He felt partially to blame for everything. If he hadn't encouraged her to give Shane a chance, she wouldn't be in any of this mess now.
"What do you think about Jordan?" He heard Lissa ask. He sighed. He turned on his belly and kissed Zuzu's upper thighs. "What about the new police boyfriend? What about him?"
Lissa sat in a chair and took up the phone. "We broke up. He wants children. I can't give him any. So I-I ... I told him that it would be best if we didn't see each other anymore. He needs to be with someone who can give him what he needs. Plus, I don't deserve him."
"And he accepted that?"
"No, I haven't accepted it."
Lissa looked up to see Ryan walking towards her. Her hand clutched the phone. "Branno, I'll talk to you later."
"You okay?" he asked.
"Yes, I'm fine. I guess Ryan and I need to talk."
"I'll check on you later, okay?"
Lissa nodded. "Okay," she said. She ended the call.
***
Ryan walked up to her and touched her arm. "Lissa baby," he said, "Please hear me out. I--"
"Ryan, I can't--"
"Lissa! Just shut up and listen!" he shouted, feeling frustrated. Seeing her recoil from him. He sighed. "Lissa, baby, please ..." He leaned forward and touched her face with both hands. "Baby, I took off work today because we need to talk." He observed that she closed her eyes. When she opened them they were watery. He pulled her gently into his arms and held her close while she cried quietly. He squeezed her close to him and heard her sob.
In one quick movement he lifted her into his arms. He carried her carefully up the stairs and angled his body in such a way to shield her from being hit by the door. The door was ajar, so he pushed it open with his shoulders and back. Gently, he laid her on her bed then closed the door behind him. He turned to her and took off his shirt and undershirt.
"Rhy, what? What are you doing?" she asked, feeling breathless as she watched his rippling arm and chest muscles being exposed. He had been wearing a blue t-shirt, blue jeans, a black belt with a silver buckle and dark blue slip-on shoes. He removed his shoes, loosened the belt and pulled it out of his pants. He laid the shirts and belt on the back of her chair, but kept on his jeans.
He looked up at her. "I'm giving you what you need," he said.
"I-I can't have sex," she said her heart pounding. "The doctor said I shouldn't, and I'm feeling pain. I can't ..."
"Shhh ... Lissa. Just zip it!" he said angrily. Lissa watched as his honey brown eyes turned auburn looking. He approached her bed and she pulled up the covers over her shoulders. He dragged the covers off her body and came up on the bed towards her. He pinned her down.
Holding her wrists firmly in place, he kissed her. At first, his kiss was aggressive--demanding, and Lissa tried to struggle against him, but he was stronger than she was. She moved her head away from his lips and he kissed her neck. With a quiet sigh, he inhaled her scent. Ryan blew lightly in her ear and on her neck. She shivered and he released a rushed breath. "Sweet pea," he groaned softly.
Gently, he raked his teeth along a sensitive nerve on her neck. He kissed her collar bone and moved his lips further down to her cleavage and suckled them gently. Heat began coiling slowly in her loins.
Pressing her arms into the bed, he shifted his hands down to hold her elbows securely. He used his tongue to lick soft, voluptuous skin and heard her moan. Ryan grunted, then said, "Sweet pea, I want you." He pressed his groin into hers and grinded his hips slowly. "Hmm ... sweet pea. Oh god, I want to feel that tight ... ahhh!"
Lissa heard him groan. It was a sound so filled with yearning that it made her own body respond by arching up to him. "Lissa, baby, you're all I can think about. I love you. I want you." He lifted his head and looked up at her. "Look at me sweet pea," he said, his breath hot against her neck. Lissa looked at him. "I love you. I need you. I'm addicted to you. If you leave it would destroy me. I can't live without you," he said. Lissa sighed and yielded to him. He let her go and lay beside her. Gently, he cupped her face. "I want to see you. Take off this dress."
"I don't think that's a good idea," she told him.
"Why not?" he asked, his eyes boring into her. "You're beautiful."
"My body has stretch marks and my tummy is flabby now ..." She couldn't bring herself to say the words.
"Now that you've lost the babies?"
She nodded. She tried to turn her back to him, but he reached out his hand and rested it on her shoulder. "Baby, please don't shut me out. Let me in. Let me be there for you." She turned towards him and he pulled her in his embrace.
While she cried he reached his hand down and lifted her dress. He soothed her with his voice while his left hand held her close, and his right hand inched her dress up. When it reached up to her chest he used both hands to lift the dress over her head. He took it off her and laid it aside. He pulled her body on top of him and sighed. She was about to protest when, "Relax. I just want to feel you," he said.
His hands slowly caressed her soft body. Running his fingers up and down her back, he stretched his hand down to just above the curve of her hips and butt. He squeezed her soft flesh and groaned. "Sweet pea, I love you. You're beautiful." He turned on his side with her still in his arms. Laying her on her back, he moved his hand down and caressed her flattened tummy. The skin was a little loose but not the way she made it seem. He pressed his right hand on it and kissed her lips tenderly.
Lissa moaned as his lips and tongue skillfully reminded her of his love. Rubbing her tummy slowly, he said, "Whether we have kids or not Lissa I'm here with you. Baby, I'm yours, and you're mine. I don't want anyone else. We can adopt. I can live without kids, but I don't want to live without you."
Lissa sighed. She never knew he could be like this. Her heart melted towards him. She sighed. "I-I ... I love you too, but I don't want to be a disappointment to you if we try and it doesn't work out, or maybe one day you cheat to have a child. Ryan, you love kids."
"I love kids, but I love you more," he said simply. Tears continued to roll down Lissa's cheeks. She sighed. "I love you too," she breathed. He kissed her brow. "As for cheating, never. I will never do that to you." He brushed away her tears and blew a kiss at her. I'll help her forget the pain, he thought.
He cupped her breasts. Lissa arched up and moaned softly. Ryan squeezed and massaged them gently. He bent his head and suckled each nipple. "I can't ... the doctor said I shouldn't have sex." she whispered, her voice raspy. She was feeling moist for him, but had to stop this from going further. He moved his hands and cupped her face. "Understood. What did he say about tasting you?" His stare made Lissa feel weak. She closed her eyes and chuckled. "No sexual activity," she answered.
Ryan sighed. "Okay, okay. Give me a hug then."
Lissa threw her arms around him and Ryan embraced her tenderly. "Marry me?"
Lissa giggled. "Yes, okay," she said. He hugged her, rubbing her back. "Promise me if something happens, whatever it is, you will talk to me. Please, don't shut me out. Okay?"
She nodded. "Okay, I promise I won't. Speaking of which, my dad, I haven't seen him since yesterday evening when he brought me home from the hospital."
***
An unpleasant, pungent smell passed near his nostrils repeatedly until he stirred and opened heavy, blurry eyes. He lifted his head and tried to move but realized that his arms were restricted. He moved them, rubbing them side to side to see how much flexibility he had. Not much apparently. His hands were bound. He looked at his feet. His feet were tied to the chair he was sitting on. He looked up and around him. To his right was a large, heavy-looking metal table. It was painted in black. Before him was an old, rusty, iron door.
He sighed. What was he doing here? One minute he was having a pleasant conversation with a beautiful young woman--a potential client. The next, he felt something over his face, then darkness.
It's probably locked, he told himself as he looked at the door. He wondered why he was in this place. One minute he was chatting to a beautiful young woman named Grace Silver, and now he was in a dark place that smelt of dog shit and blood. He tried to move with the chair but it was heavy. He looked at the feet closely. He hissed his teeth. It was bolted down.
He heard a scratching sound and footsteps coming closer. The door opened and a vaguely familiar face appeared before him. Crafty eyes, sitting behind purple rimmed spectacles observed him carefully.
"Mr Dixon, fancy seeing you here." A mocking grin.
"Mr Sterling. I would say the pleasure is all mine, but I don't think that will be the case," Marcus quipped.
Zavier laughed. He turned to N and smiled. "A smart guy, eh?" He walked slowly towards Marcus.
"What am I doing here?" asked Marcus. He noted the bulge at Zavier's hip just under his leather jacket. Probably a gun, he deduced. Zavier stopped in front of him. "You are a smart man Mr. Dixon, I bet you've already figured out who I am, but you don't know what I want. However, maybe you can help me with that." Zavier's face couldn't hide his amusement.
"What do you want?" Marcus asked, looking around the room. Nothing sharp to cut the ropes that bound his arms.
Zavier observed him. "There's no way to escape. I can hear the cogs in your head spinning," he said. Chuckling softly, he came closer. "You have a daughter and a son, right?"
Marcus nodded. "And?"
"And, their lives in exchange for that cop that has been dating your daughter," Zavier replied.
Marcus sighed. So it was all about Shane, nothing more?
"So it was all about Sergeant Crosby? Just him?"
"Why do you ask? Of course it's all about him. What are you referring to?" Z asked, eyebrows raised.
"You attacked my home like we owed you money," Marcus said, his sarcasm coming out.
Zavier looked at N who smiled slightly, but his eyes were guarded. Zavier smiled. Under other circumstances he would be happy to have a sharp witted man like Dixon on his team, but unfortunately, fate made them meet under different circumstances.
"The life of your children for the cop's life. It's a simple exchange," Zavier said.
"It's not that simple. I'm not a murderer, and I do have a moral compass," Marcus answered.
Zavier laughed heartily. N moved further into the room, he stood beside Marcus's left side. "Is that so?" Zavier said looking at N. N put out his hand and slapped Marcus hard across his face, causing a busted bottom lip.
Marcus flinched, anger flashing in his eyes. Zavier smiled. "Not scared of me?" he asked. He looked at N. N was wearing a double gun holster. He took out one of his guns and used the butt to hit Marcus across his left ear. Marcus gasped and doubled over in pain. He grimaced as the pain rocked through him. He tried to breathe in. His ear was ringing.
"If he continues you'll be a deaf man. you'll never hear your wife's voice again, and I'll still kill your children," Zavier said grinning.
Trying to keep a cool head, Marcus took deep breaths. "Why do you want him? What has he done?" He tried to ignore the pain.
"Oh, you want to know?" Zavier asked. He looked at N. N's expression was blank. He noted it. Something was up with him lately. Maybe his friend was feeling home sick for his family. He would address that later.
Zavier sighed. "Five years ago, your daughter's man killed my sister!" he said his voice rising an octave.
"He's not my daughter's man," Marcus snapped. "They broke up a while back." Zavier looked at N, his eyebrow raised. N shrugged. "It's possible," N said, "we haven't gotten any recent reports of the two of them being seen together."
Zavier turned to Marcus, "No matter. Isn't she carrying his child?"
Marcus shook his head and laughed bitterly. "She lost them a few days ago. She had a miscarriage."
"Lost them?" N interjected.
Marcus nodded looking up at him. "She was having twins. She heard about her mother's illness. It stressed her out and she lost them."
N saw Marcus's anguish and looked away. He stepped back from him. Zavier looked up at him, a question on his face.
"Let him go," N said quietly. "He's suffered enough."
"Are you frigging kidding me?!" Zavier said walking behind N. He grabbed his arm and spun him around.
"What the f*ck are you talking about?" he asked. He pressed his index finger into his friend's chest. "What's going on with you? You've been acting strange lately. Even if I would let him go he's figured out everything by now---"
"That you're Mr Z? I didn't know, but I wondered after I saw that ring," Marcus said, adding fuel to the fire. "You just gave away you're position by coming for me."
Zavier turned to him. He removed his gun from his waist. "Has anyone told you that you talk too much? You'll be a good informer." He clicked back the safety and aimed at him. He walked up to him and pressed the gun's muzzle to his forehead. "You can kill me if you want, but I won't help you take down Sergeant Crosby. I don't know him very well, but I doubt he would kill your sister."
Zavier laughed. It was a loud, vulgar sound. "You don't know shit!" he charged. "Your cop friend killed her. She was running an errand for me, and he and his colleagues did a raid at my warehouse and arrested her. They released her and then a week later he shot her!"
"And what did your warehouse store? Drugs? Guns?" Marcus asked.
"None of your business!" Zavier shouted. "Okay, you don't care about your children's lives. I'll kill your son first, then I'll torture your daughter, and then kill her. It's a pity you won't be around to see what I'll do to her. I hear she's a beautiful girl."
Behind Zavier, N's grip on his gun tightened. He couldn't allow Zav to kill anymore innocent people, but he didn't want things to blow up in his face. He had a lot at stake, especially the love of a beautiful woman he cared about. He was thinking what he could say to dissuade him.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. "Who is it?" Zavier barked.
Davian spoke up behind the door. "Boss, there's a guy out here asking about the guy you have tied up in there. Tall guy, muscular, doesn't look like a cop. He's got arm tatts."
Zavier sighed. He withdrew his gun from Marcus's head. "You have friends looking for you?" he asked. He switched his gun's safety mechanism on.
Marcus shrugged.
Zavier chuckled. "Yuh think yuh smart, don't it?"
Zavier walked to the door. "Make an excuse and bring him in here," he said, addressing Davian.
"Let's see who your friend is." He turned to Marcus.
They heard Davian agree and footsteps moving away from the door.
Zavier looked back at N and realized he was holding his gun's butt in a tight grip. His eyes narrowed at him. "I'll deal with you later," he muttered.
N did not respond, nor show emotion. Zavier felt the hairs on the back of his neck stand up. A smiling N was always a good thing. N when he was quiet and showed no emotion was an N that was getting ready to kill someone. He wondered if he was the target.
***
Two days ago
"Nes, do you love me?"
Nes rolled onto his side to face her. "Izzie, you're very beautiful, and I am very fond of you," he answered.
"Nes, I may be young but I'm not a child. I know that you want me." Isabel reached her hand down and gently massaged his placid phallus. He had given her pleasure earlier, but now she wanted his heart. "But I think you also love me. I know things Nes. I know what my uncle asks you to do."
"What do you know? You're like a sheltered princess in a guarded castle. You're unreachable, untainted by the real world. You don't even have a clue about life." N retorted sitting up. Maybe starting this affair with her wasn't a good idea.
Isabel sat up and ran her fingers across N's bare chest. She reveled in feeling his curly chest hairs. "Nes," she said with a sigh, "I-I love you." She heard his exasperated sigh but continued: "I've loved you since I was sixteen years old and you saved me from my boyfriend, that night he tried to force himself on me. I still wonder how you knew where I was, but you did and you helped me.
"And I loved you even more on my twenty-fourth birthday when you went out and bought me the book I was dying to read. When everyone else gave me clothes, makeup and fancy things you listened to me when I said what I wanted the most, and you got the limited edition copy for me."
She touched his face. "You can love me Nes. You can love me as hard as you want to. I'm twenty-five. I'm not a child anymore." She chuckled. "You partially helped with that," she said winking at him. Nes lay back and grimaced.
"When you took my virginity it was the most beautiful experience of my life. You were so gentle with me, still are." She lay back and turned herself to him. "But I don't want you to hold back. I--"
"What you're asking for cannot be done," he said quietly. She touched his face. "Yes baby, it can. You can trust me," she said adamantly.
She stood up, went into his closet and removed his gun. She pointed it to herself. The safety was on, but Nes knew, she knew how to use one. He taught her. He sat up slowly.
"Izzie, what are you doing?!" he asked. She clicked off the safety. "If we can't be together it doesn't make sense I continue living."
He swore loudly. "Izzie, put that thing down! Your uncle would kill me if I let anything happen to you. And I would never forgive myself."
Izzie started to cry. She pressed the gun to the middle of her chest. "When we make love you tell me you love me, but you can't say it when we're not having sex. I love you Nes!"
Nesbeth got up from the bed. He sighed. He spoke softly, "Izzie, in my own way I do love you. But you have to understand this wouldn't work. You're much younger than me. You should be with a guy who's your age, someone who doesn't have a big chip on his shoulder--"
"Like you do?" she interrupted.
"Someone who's soul isn't black and there's hope for," he said. Izzie dropped the gun to her side. She came to him. He took the gun from her and switched on safety. He walked passed her and placed his gun back in its space, then locked the closet door. He needed to find a different hiding place for it. He turned and looked at her. He sighed. "Okay, I do love you, but you're not supposed to fall for me, nor I for you. This was supposed to be a one time thing."
She chuckled. "Well, after that one time I was hooked," she teased. "And I think you feel the same way. Nes, you keep coming back."
Nes swore under his breath. He strode over to her and grabbed her up. "You're like a drug!" he growled.
Izzie gasped. She looked up at him, her mouth agape, her body shivering with excitement. "So why don't you take your fill?" she said, her breath coming in short spurts. "Take me Nes," she whispered.
"I've already had you," he said looking into her eyes.
"But?" she asked, heart pounding against her ribcage.
He groaned then buried his face in her neck. "I can't get enough," he said softly.
"Make love to me Nes, for real this time. Make me feel you love me," she whispered. Nes looked at her face. Isabel looked into his eyes. Her dark brown eyes challenged his icy blues. He sighed. "You're nothing like her. You're different. Special." He chuckled as he smiled at her. Izzie smiled. "My aunt never loved you Nes, but I do."
She saw something flicker in his gaze. He lifted her in his arms and brought her back to his bed. "Make me feel you love me Nes, please," she begged him.
He saw the vulnerability in her eyes and heard the shaking in her voice. She was trembling slightly. He kissed her forehead and eyelids. This was a woman that in every way showed her love for him. He realized he would be a fool to let her go.
He breathed her in. She smelled so good. She smelt of their love making. He kissed her slowly, savoring the softness of her lips. He groaned, "Izzie, I love you," he admitted in a soft whisper. He touched her face, "I love you," saying it louder.
Nesbeth reached for the pack of condoms on the night stand. He took one out and carefully tore off its wrapper. Izzie lay back looking at him. She stared at his throbbing member, biting her lip. She closed her eyes and spread her legs so he could see her. He grunted. "You temptress," he said in a raspy tone. She opened her eyes and giggled.
As he carefully slipped the condom on, she blew little love kisses. He chuckled and came towards her. He kissed her lips playfully. "I love you Nes, but especially here," she said, smiling. She reached down and massaged him. He groaned and squeezed her head against his chest. "My love," he said quietly. Izzie kissed his chest, making sloppy sounds as her lips traveled down to his abdominal muscles. He closed his eyes. His heart rate spiked as her lips inched lower to his right hip, then stopped. "One day you should let me taste you Nes," she told him
"I don't want to treat you like other girls," he replied. He could hardly concentrate.
She straightened up and looked at him. "Nes, I love you, whatever you want or like, I want to give to you. If you like it, I want to give it to you."
"But I use it to take the edge off," he said. His blue eyes seemed to be a deeper hue. She was making him feel things he had forgotten how to feel. She touched his face. "You don't have to do that anymore, and I want to. I'll make sure I take care of you from now on," she replied. He sighed, allowing her words to seep into his heart. He felt a stirring in his chest and took a deep breath.
Nesbeth brushed his fingers through her braids. He cupped her cheeks and looked at her. He observed every detail of her face. The way the corner of her eyes curved up while she smiled at him. Her full, soft lips that he adored so much. Her cute little chin and the curves of her cheekbones and jawline. She had stolen his heart months ago. From the time he bought her that book and she baked him a cake to say thanks on his birthday. When he was sick she came over with chicken soup. His gaze softened as he looked at her.
Seeing the look in his eyes, Izzie lay back, her heart pulsing with anticipation. He came on top of her and lifted her legs to wrap around him. Slowly, as he kissed her lips, he gently penetrated her. Nes sighed airily as he felt his erect shaft slide into her delicate folds. She was his perfect fit: Tight and always slippery-wet for him.
"Baby, I love you. I love you," he moaned. Izzie closed her eyes and whispered his name. She circled her hands around his neck and caressed his hair. Dark brown tresses felt so soft to touch. She pulled on them a little and arched her back as he stroked gently inside her. He was calling her name and telling her that he loved her: "Ohh Izzie, darling, you're so sweet. I love you ... Oh Izzie ... Izzie, I love you."
She knew he was telling her the truth this time. She sighed happily. All she wanted was him.
He bent his head, burying his head between her breasts. They were beautiful, full, soft but firm. He held onto a nipple and suckled slowly. He watched her as he did this. Her head was back, her body arched; eyes closed. She licked her lips and opened her mouth. She whispered his name.
Bracing on the bed, he increased his pace inside her, making sure he undulated his hips, wanting her to feel good. He wanted to see her climax: her eyes roll back and her body shivering for him. Her first before he took any pleasure for himself.
As he slowly built up the tempo of his thrusts inside her, she began moaning. She moved her hands down to his arms and dug her nails into his skin. "Nes ohh, I love you, I love you Nes. Only you can satisfy me!"
Her words made him feel giddy. He thrusted harder, rocking his hips back and forth. She felt so good. Telling himself, her before him, he tried to control his reaction to her. He captured her lips and made sure she felt his tongue in her mouth.
He moved faster and faster, listening to her ragged breathing and told her he loved her. She screamed his name. Nes sighed with satisfaction. "Yes baby," he said tenderly. "I love you. I won't let you go." She opened her eyes, her brain acknowledging what he said to her as her body was in the throes of orgasmic pleasure. She closed her eyes and bit her bottom lip. "Love you always," she whispered.
Afterwards, she told him she knew what he did for her uncle, but she didn't care. She however wanted him to stop. He promised her he would, then Zavier called. He was about to take her a third time. Now that he could admit his feelings for her. It made the sex between them more electrifying. He wanted more of her. He even wondered if while making love to her, he could penetrate her without a condom. Would she want that? Would she be willing to have children with him? As he'd gotten older he thought about having offspring, but always pushed the thought aside. Now, he wondered if he could.
He wondered if their kids would be blue eyed, light skinned babies or would they have dark mysterious eyes like their mother. His fantasizing was short lived when he answered the phone and heard the tension in Z's voice. Zavier said he had something he needed help with. He agreed.
Isabel insisted, so they took a shower together. Nesbeth loved rubbing the soap on her body and they managed to get a quickie in. Consciously, he refrained from using a condom, and she did not object. As she wrapped her legs around his hips and he pressed her into the wall, she gripped his neck and told him she loved him. He was a little rough because of the need to hurry but she loved it. She bit into the flesh of his left shoulder, and that made him go harder.
Being 'bare back' was a new experience for him. He almost lost his mind as he thrusted inside her. He called her name and gritted his teeth as the sensations took him over. When they were done, her legs were weak and he was exhausted, but they were happy.
He brought her home a half hour later than usual, but he knew no one would suspect anything because he had always picked her up from classes. Before she exited his car, she looked him squarely in his eyes and said, "I'm willing to run away with you, if you want me to. I love my family and I do appreciate all they have provided for me but, I don't want to live here knowing innocent people are hurt to maintain my lifestyle. I'd rather be homeless with you than live in that mansion without you." Hearing what she said, he kissed her passionately. That was when he realized he needed to find a way out.
When Nesbeth entered Zavier's office, he observed that he was smoking his favorite cigar. Zavier opened the small wooden box and offered him one but he shook his head, declining. Zavier was a little surprised. N always enjoyed a cigar or two with him. He cleared his throat and closed the box. He placed it in his desk drawer.
"Yuh good?" Z asked.
N nodded. He moved closer to his friend. "Yeah, just trying to be more healthy. I'm not a young bird anymore," he said.
"Don't you go to the gym in the early mornings, almost five days a week?" Zavier said with a small chuckle. N's lips curled up slightly. He nodded. "Yeah, sometimes six which is why I said I'm trying to be more healthy. I'll be forty-six soon."
Zavier nodded. Right, Nesbeth will be forty-six next January. He needed to do a surprise birthday party for him.
"Have any plans for your birthday?" Zavier asked. N smiled. Now he did. He would see how best he could sneak away with Izzie. He would put his plan into action for the rest of this year, but he also needed to settle some things first before he disappeared with her.
"You needed my help with something?" N asked. Zavier stood up and walked to a large window. "I need you to watch Izzie for me. I got a call from her professor. She won't be able to go away on vacation with us. Apparently she hasn't been doing well in a key course she has to take for her degree. It's being offered as a crash course in August so she has to stay to redo and pass. I know teenage girls annoy you, but if you can make an exception, I would make it worth your while."
N chuckled. "Isabel is twenty-five Zav. She can take care of herself," he said. Z smiled ruefully. "I'm sorry for pushing this on you last minute but she needs to pass. I don't want my money to go to waste," Z replied. N sighed with effect. He enjoyed spending time with Izzie, but he didn't want Z to know that. N nodded. "Okay. Okay I will watch her. On one condition." he asserted.
"What?"
"I get a week off before my birthday," N answered.
Z chuckled. "Okay, I'll make sure you get it. Izzie isn't so bad. Is she?"
N grunted. Zavier laughed. N smiled but in his heart, he thought: No she isn't bad at all. She's a beautiful soul.
"Anything else?" N asked. "You sounded tense on the phone."
Zavier nodded, watching him. There was something about the way he was behaving that was different. He couldn't put his finger on it. "I think we should get to the cop through the lawyer guy who's supposed to be doing my audit. I just found out he'll be away in Dubai for two weeks. It's the perfect opportunity to snatch him and get him to lure that cop in our net."
N nodded though his mind was calculating. He remained quiet which gave him away. Z sat on the edge of his work desk and watched him. N was forty minutes late for their meeting. Z was curious. "Is everything okay with you?"
N looked up, nodding. "I'm fine," he responded.
"How's your mom and brother?" N's dad had died two years ago--a tragic car accident. His wife, Elizabeth--N's mom--was the one now managing the farm. Z looked at N clothes. The same as usual. He looked the same but something was different. "You seeing someone?" Z's lips curled into a mischievous grin. N chuckled. "No, you know my policy," he lied.
"Yeah, I do. Don't you get lonely?" Z asked. "I know Beverly wants to set you up on her daughter." He laughed when he saw the look of shock on N's face. "Was that what she was doing?" N asked. He was shaking his head. "I thought she was trying to chat me up for herself."
Z laughed harder, then said, "I ran into her while doing some shopping Downtown. She showed me a picture of her daughter. A very gorgeous girl. A doctor at that."
N shook his head. "No thanks," he replied.
"So what do you do to relieve your tension?" Zavier asked, amused but also curious.
N's cheeks turned pink. "I'm good Zav, you don't need to worry about that."
"You're good? I can give you a number to call if you're tired of using your hands," Zavier said chuckling. N grimaced. He sat in the only other chair in the room. "What do you want us to do about the lawyer?" he asked, his tone sharper than usual.
Zavier paused to look at him. N did not lower his gaze. He saw something flicker across Z's face. He sat up and straightened his shoulders. Z's eyes bored into his friend, assessing him. Something was definitely off with him. Times passed N would have laughed it off, knowing Z was just joking. N's eyes met his gaze, unwavering. Z dropped his eyes and sat in his chair. What was that about? Z wondered. It was just innocent fun. Was Kyle right? He may have to watch N more closely.
"We have a decoy going in to flush him out. They should meet at our gentleman's lounge a few days from now. Lequan will grab him, drug him and we'll take it from there."
"You plan on hurting him?" N asked. Zavier's eyes narrowed as he watched N sitting in the chair. "If he cooperates I won't have to," he said matter-of-factly.
N nodded. "Okay, whenever you're ready," he answered. Z nodded. "Okay," he said.
***
Now
Jordan parked his motorcycle a block down the road from where the nightclub/bar was located. He was wearing a black and white shirt with short sleeves, black fitted jeans and black sneakers. He wanted his time at this place to be an in and out encounter for him. It didn't look sleazy, but he felt uneasy as he looked at the outside. He whispered a short prayer and walked casually towards the building.
He pretended as if he would walk past it, then turned back and looked inside through the glass. He looked across the road then walked back to where a local pastry shop was. He looked again at the building, observing the three CCTV cameras at the front and the one on its left side. There would obviously be at least another camera on the right, and maybe more around the back.
Walking slowly towards the establishment, he put a smile on his face. Jordan grasped the door's handle and pulled it open. He stepped inside and looked around him. He realized that he had stepped into a restaurant space, but there was a mini bar to the right side of the room. If there was supposed to be a night club here, he wondered where to find it. Walking casually towards the bar area, he decided to change his gait to someone who was a little tipsy. He rehearsed in his mind what he would say to the female bartender.
He feigned a yawn. "Hmm ... babes, weh yuh have pon di special. Mi feel dry." He did another fake yawn. The bar girl chuckled softly. "But yuh nuh look like yuh wake up good yet," she answered, amused. Jordan flashed her his best grin and she dipped her gaze shyly. "How mi cyan help you now?" she asked smiling.
"Gimme one 'Sex on the beach'. Mi feel frisky," Jordan said winking at her. She giggled, then said, "Sure." He watched her as she moved off to make it. His eyes quickly scanned his surroundings. He hadn't brought his gun with him. He felt it would be better for the role he was playing. Besides, he was more than capable of defending himself without a lethal weapon.
There was an elevator a few feet away from where he was, and stairs that led to another floor above them. When she brought the beverage, he winked at her and began sipping. It was a good thing he got his alcohol tolerance from his dad. She smiled at him, her eyes looking him up and down. He knew when a woman was into him. Unfortunately, for her he had other business at this place and his body 'burned' for someone else.
"Tell me something," he said looking leerily at the young bar girl, "a long time yuh work here?" She finished serving another customer and came towards him. "Been working here for a year. Why yuh ask?" she answered.
"Just curious about a gorgeous girl like you working here. Nuff man supposed to look a cute girl like you." She giggled and blushed a little. "Well one and two say hi, but that's it," she replied. She rested her arms on the counter as she stared at him. "I like your tattoos," she told him. She reached out and touched the ones on his right arm. Jordan felt a rippling sensation run up his arm, across his chest and settle in his loins. He felt his nipples harden. He smiled at her. She was a pretty girl. If circumstances were different, maybe. But she couldn't work here if she was with him.
"What's your name?" he asked.
"Alicia," she said with a shy grin.
"Nice to meet you Alicia, I'm Adrian," Jordan said softly. He leaned forward and she bent her torso towards him. He touched her hand with his right hand, while reaching his left hand in his pocket to take out a $500 bill. He flipped the palm of her hand over with his right hand then tucked the money in it with his left. He squeezed her hand into a fist, then released it. She glanced briefly at what he gave and her face lit up.
"Thank you," she said while whispering, "I hardly get tips at this place. The folks that come here are mean."
Jordan chuckled softly. "Don't worry about it," he replied.
"How much for the drink?" he asked. She told him. He gave her what he owed her. "The folks here, you say they're mean?"
Alicia nodded emphatically. "Yeh man, dem nuh like give tips or nothing. Not even likkle prayer dem will give away!" She tucked her money in her jeans, but placed his payment for the drink in the cash register. She tore the receipt from the cash register and extended it to him. He reached for it and deliberately allowed his hand to touch hers. He saw her eyes widen, then she looked away from him. He sighed inwardly. He was too good for this game. He was beginning to regret chatting her up like this, but he needed info. "Do you get lawyers and doctors coming here?"
"Yeah, we do, even politicians," she answered quietly. She took out a square piece of paper from under the counter and wrote numbers on the blank side. "My phone number," she said shyly, pushing the paper towards him. Jordan took it up off the counter and hid it in his pocket. He was flattered. He patted it down and winked at her. She smiled. A customer came to the bar and she went to serve them. He waited on her. When she came back he reached for her hand and squeezed.
"I need to ask you something," he said.
Her face brightened. "Okay?"
"Firstly, would you go out with me?" Jordan genuinely wanted to know. She was a cutie. He wasn't sure where this would go, but he did find her attractive. If they did go out he would tell her his real name. Alicia beamed. "Yes!" She quieted down and looked around her. "Sure. I'll go out with you."
"Also, I need some advice," he said leaning forward. She bent her head towards him. "I'm looking for a friend. My best friend's dad has been cheating on his wife. She checked her dad's location and he was here last night. I'm wondering if there is a place where he can sleep over?"
"A place here?" she asked to clarify.
He nodded. "Yes," he answered. She straightened up then nodded. "Yeah, the second floor. There are a few rooms. There's also a little lounge where folks go to chill. But that's all mi know." She smiled at him.
"Do you think he might still be here?'
She shrugged. "What does he look like?" she asked.
Alicia frowned then her face formed a smile. "Yeah, I think I remember someone like that. He came in with a pretty girl at the beginning of my shift. He was totally into her. She was touching his arm, and laughing and flirty with him. But then ..." Her voice trailed off. Behind her one of the club's bouncers approached them. "I-I'm sorry ..." she said. She stared behind him, her eyes filled with fear.
"I'm actually looking for a friend. He was here last night with a pretty girl. He's been cheating on my best friend's mom. I just came here to see if he's here. He didn't go home last night."
A dark look crossed the man's face. "What is his name?" Big guy asked.
"He's tall about 6'3"--not as tall as you," Jordan quipped. "Dark skinned, wears glasses and was sporting a formal work suit. Lawyer type."
"Name?" the man asked, his tone gravelly.
"Marcus Dixon."
Recognition showed in the man's eyes. "Wait here," he said. He walked away, moving faster than he came towards him. Jordan knew by his movements that something was up. Marcus was probably here after all, and maybe in trouble.
He needed to move quickly. He stood up and walked slowly towards the guard by the elevator. "The big guy told me if I need to get a 'good ride' for the night I should talk to you," he said, changing his tone to a man with a serious hard-on.
The guard looked him up and down, then chuckled. He pressed the elevator button, the door opened. He gestured for Jordan to step inside. "Select the second floor and when it stops go to the yellow door and knock. Ask for Michelle," the guard said half chuckling. Jordan laughed quietly. "Thanks," he replied. He stepped inside and touched the button for the second floor.
***
Davian returned to the locked door. "Um ... boss the guy, he ... he's gone. Probably got scared and left," he announced. He heard the pulling of the heavy latch. Davian came face to face with an angry looking Z.
"You dumb ass! Where did he go?" Z's eyes were black and cold.
"I-I ..."
"Go and find out!" Z shouted, then slammed the door shut.
Davian sighed and went downstairs.
Z looked at Marcus. "Who is it that's looking for you?"
Marcus shrugged. "I don't know," he said.
"Oh? You don't know any tatted up men? Not a part of your clientele?" Z asked, his voice rising in frustration.
"I'm not that type of lawyer," Marcus shot back.
Z slapped him across his face with his gun muzzle. N flinched. Z saw the tiny movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned and aimed the gun at him. "Maybe you and I should negotiate on better terms, eh Dixon? I hear you used to be a top guard at your old security job. I may need a new enforcer and clean up guy." N stood up. He felt bitterness rise from the pit of his stomach. Saliva pooled in his mouth. He spat it out.
Marcus watched them. How in the hell am I gonna get out of this? he wondered. His right cheekbone hurt. It also felt like it was bleeding.
"You planning on killing me, old friend?" N asked, his voice low and emotionless.
Z chuckled. "What's wrong with you N? Why are you acting strange, hmm?"
N shook his head. "You're paranoid," N answered calmly.
"Paranoid that you've been f*cking my wife?" Z shouted.
N's eyes blinked quickly, but he did not move. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said.
"Ever since the time I asked you to check on her two weeks ago, you've been acting strange, and so has she," Z asserted.
N shook his head. "I did not touch her," he answered. He paused. Should I say it? Heck! Why not? Let's see how far I can go. N thought. I need him rattled so I can help this Dixon guy. Maybe this is the opportunity I've been looking for to get out.
"But maybe you should watch your wife," N said inching closer to his frenemy.
Isabel told N where her aunt stashed the vodka. When he entered Danae's bedroom she was fast asleep. He searched for the liquor where Izzie said it was and took it out. He read the name of the brand then returned it to its place.
Afterwards, he went to Izzie's room to comfort her, and made love to her to soothe her. It wasn't supposed to happen, but he didn't regret it. She was a virgin, and now she was his love. He was done. Done! He was tired of serving this dysfunctional family.
Z lowered the gun a little. "Why didn't you tell me?" he asked.
N sighed. "She begged me not to," he replied. "She's afraid of you. And I saw the bruises on her neck." N cocked his head slightly to the right. Z lowered his gaze. "It's not what you think," he said.
"So she told me," N responded, his voice neutral.
"She's afraid of me?" Z asked, his voice thick with emotion.
N nodded. "I told her I would ask you to come home early because she wasn't feeling well and was drunk. The look I saw in her eyes. I'll never forget it."
"Um .. you should let me go, and go home to attend to your wife," Marcus interjected, humor in his tone.
Z closed his eyes. He was about to turn around and aim his gun when N stepped in front of him and held the gun. "No! Not here!" N hissed, his steely gaze boring into Z. "Let me take care of him. He's at least right about something."
Z lifted his eyes to him, but didn't say a word. "Go home and talk to your wife," N said.
"How will you take care of him?" Z asked.
"A bullet to his head, but not here for prying ears to hear."
Z nodded. "Okay," he said. He felt tired. The realization of his wife's situation made him feel hurt, but maybe it was his fault. He would take the vacation earlier. They could move up the time to this weekend. While in the Seychelles he would patiently confront her about her addiction.
Z patted N's shoulder, but before he left he leaned in and punched Marcus in the gut. "You talk too much!" he roared. He walked to the door.
Marcus coughed. Trying to catch his breath, he wheezed. "My gift of gab is what makes me a great lawyer," he answered, his voice hoarse. Z turned. N stepped in front of him. "Go," he said. Z opened the door and stepped outside.
Marcus looked up at N. "What now?" he asked. This guy was the one he was really afraid of. N smiled coldly. "Now you disappear," he answered. He aimed his gun at him.
Just then, the door flew open and Jordan rushed in. He tackled N to the floor and knocked the gun out of his hand. N turned to his left, rolling into a ball away from Jordan. He kicked out and hit Jordan in the face. Jordan flew back a little stunned, hitting against the table behind them. His phone dropped out of his jeans' pocket. He heard it fall but couldn't focus on that. He also ignored the throbbing pain in his back and face. Mustering up the courage, he moved towards N. N stood up. Crouching, he ran towards Jordan. Barreling himself into him, N pushed Jordan back into the sharp edge of the table.
Jordan groaned. Trying to get out of N's grip, he used his right elbow to repeatedly hit him in the head. He dug his fingers into his eyes and heard N gasp and scream. N rammed Jordan into the table's edge. Jordan cried out in pain and lifted his knees to slam hard into N's belly. N doubled over. Jordan pushed him off and punched him in the face. He did a roundhouse kick that launched N a few feet away. While N lay on the floor, Jordan rushed to pick up the gun. He aimed it at N's head. "I will bumbo claat kill yuh! Don't move!" he growled.
N chuckled. "I don't doubt you would. U.S. Army or Navy?"
Jordan looked at him quizzically.
"I noticed your tattoo with the American flag and the word 'hooah' underneath."
Jordan hissed his teeth and shook his head. "You have time to notice that?"
N smiled. "It's quite obvious," he quipped. "I wasn't planning on killing him." He gestured his head towards Marcus. "I was going to inflict a flesh wound so I could show it to my ex-boss. Maybe a wound to the shoulder and tell him he tried to get away then I would get some blood from a pig or something. and splash it on his clothes and put a red mark and some blood in the middle of his forehead. Take pictures and send them to Z." He sat up.
"Ex-boss?" Marcus asked. He was surprised to say the least.
N nodded looking warily at Jordan. "I'm Nesbeth by the way, but I'm known as N around here."
Marcus stared at him in disbelief. "You're supposed to be the accounting wiz slash business manager for Mr Sterling aka Mr Z?" Marcus asked.
N nodded. "That's me," he said smiling, "I'm not just a pretty face."
"Hardly," Jordan chimed in. Marcus snorted. N laughed softly.
Jordan lowered the gun, but his body was still alert. "Where would the blood come from?" Jordan asked. N stood up. "I have access to a farm," he said quietly.
Jordan nodded. "Okay." Keeping the gun ready, he squatted down and reached under the table for his phone. He checked the screen, pressing the power button. It seemed to be working fine. He placed it in his pocket.
N stepped towards Marcus. Jordan aimed at him. N bent forward, pushed his hand up his pants and took out a knife strapped to his right leg. While Jordan watched him, he sliced the ropes off Marcus's hands and feet. "I'm watching you," Jordan said. N chuckled. "I expect that," he answered.
"You had that knife all along?" Jordan asked.
N looked at him and smiled. It dawned on Jordan that maybe N allowed him to beat him. N walked to the door and opened it. "Let's go through the back exit." He moved off quickly and they followed.
***
As they were walking briskly towards the back side of the parking lot, they heard footsteps. They increased their pace but heard: "Don't move!" N stopped abruptly. Jordan still held on to N's gun. He turned to see the big, burly guy with a gun on them. He lifted N's gun and aimed it at him. "N, what is going on here? I came back to tell you the boss says you should come by the house for drinks later. What is this?" Davian asked, genuinely confused.
"You idiot!" N shouted. "Look at him! Look at the gun in his hands. Don't you see that he disarmed me and they're holding me hostage!"
Davian stepped back. He was about to press his trigger when there was a commotion coming from inside the building. Lequan looked out a window and shouted, "The police! Police are here!" He disappeared. Jordan turned to N and hit him across his face. "Move!" he said. N ran then he and Marcus followed. Davian watched them for a few seconds then ran to hide from the advancing blue wall. He didn't want to tell his boss that the lawyer and his friend captured N. He would let Lequan tell him.
The three men ran to N's car. "You didn't have to hit me so hard," N complained, flexing his jaw. He felt the little knick on his left cheek.
Jordan chuckled. "I'm your kidnapper aren't I? I have to make it look real," Jordan said smiling slightly. N hissed his teeth. He pressed a button and the driver's side door opened. He pulled it wider and slipped inside. He unlocked the doors for Marcus and Jordan, and they slid in quickly. He started the engine and drove off, tires screeching, dust rising in their wake.
Crack! Boom!
Marcus ducked. Jordan fidgeting around. "The police are firing at us!" he shouted. He saw Ryan running up behind another police officer and pushing that cop's gun down. Ryan looked at them then turned his head as he spoke to his fellow officer.
Jordan sighed. Having a police friend was a definite necessity in this country. He checked if Marcus was shot. He saw no gun shot wounds and was relieved. "Where are you taking us?" he asked. N glanced at them through the rearview mirror. "Some place safe," N replied. He dialed Izzie's phone number. She didn't answer.
Jordan remembered his motorcycle was still parked where he left it. He took out his phone and sent Ryan a text asking him to secure his bike and the bag he had on it. He included where his friend would find it. He pressed send and waited for a reply.
Ryan texted back, "You okay? Is Marcus okay? Lissa is worried."
"Marcus is fine. Just a few bruises, but he's fine," he replied. "I'll call soon. Remember my bike."
Ryan texted, "Will do."
"Who were you talking to?" Marcus asked.
"Corporal Stewart," Jordan answered.
"Is Lissa okay?" Marcus asked.
Jordan nodded.
Marcus felt his pockets for his phone, but it wasn't on him. He also just remembered that he no longer had his briefcase with him. He swore.
"What? What is it?" Jordan asked.
"I don't have my phone!" Marcus replied, eyes wide. "Or my briefcase."
"Z has your phone and your briefcase. Don't worry I'll get them back for you, but first you have to play dead," N said. He was a little worried. Izzie wasn't answering her phone. He dialed her number again. She answered, her voice trembling. "Nes, please don't ... don't come for me. He's making me, Zaniv and Zahir pack our things. He says he's going to kill you!"
Before he could speak, N heard a shuffling sound, then Izzie screaming and the line went dead. "Change of plans," he said to the two men looking at him. "I'm going to drop you off at a friend's house. He will take you to where you'll be safe."
"What about you?" Marcus asked.
"I have a dragon to slay," N said.
Comments
Post a Comment