"So this was just an experiment for you?" she demanded. "Playing with my feelings?" His new cologne, his body heat made her feel weak with desire.
"What feelings Lissa? You told me you no longer want me. You broke up with me, remember? I was the one left with raw emotions. You had already moved one." Shane stood up. He took a deep breath. "Look ... I'm sorry, maybe I should have explained, but I needed to know."
Thursday Afternoon
Nesbeth drove to Spanish Town, and met with a friend who he asked to take Marcus and Jordan to his family's farm in St. Ann. Roland Bailey, Nesbeth's friend, met them at his gate, and greeted them with cautious eyes. He agreed to take them, however, on the condition that he would be paid $50,000. Nesbeth agreed to pay him. Roland went back into his house to retrieve a gun and other supplies.
While he was gone, Nesbeth called Izzie's phone five more times until it finally picked up, but it wasn't her on the line. "Why are you calling my niece's phone N?" Z asked. N put the phone on the car's phone dashboard holder and turned on the loud speaker feature. "Put her on the phone Z," he said his tone quiet. Jordan felt a chill run up his spine as he listened. Z chuckled. "Why do you want to speak with her?"
"I called her, not you Zav. Put her on the phone," N said. There was a slight quiver in his voice as he thought about losing a love he had been searching for all his life. "And what did you want to say to her?" Z asked, his tone becoming more harsh. He was done with the games.
"Cut the f*cking games N and tell me what you want with my niece?!" Zavier was getting impatient now.
"Put her on the phone and you will find out," N spoke softly.
Marcus listened as there was a rustling and low whimpering sounds, then a young woman's voice came on the line. His gut clenched with fear and anger. If that was Lissa he would be willing to commit murder.
"Talk!" They heard Z bark in the background. N pursed his lips then spoke, "Izzie? Izzie honey?"
All three men heard her sobs, which evoked visceral responses from them. Marcus's jaw was set, while his teeth grinded together. Jordan's fists curled into tight balls and N closed his eyes, baring his teeth.
"Izzie, darling, did he hurt you?" N asked. His voice was almost a growl. His eyes were burning behind his closed eyelids.
Silence. Then muffled sounds. "Izzie, my beautiful angel, don't be afraid. Tell me if he hurt you," N said.
"Yes," she said between sobs. "He ... he hit me."
"Tell me where baby?" N asked, softening his tone for her.
"He slapped me across my face and he--"
"Enough!" They heard Z's harsh voice on the line and Izzie yelp in pain.
N swore. "So help me God, Zav, if you hurt her any further I will not show mercy!" He opened his eyes. His body was shaking with rage.
Izzie screamed.
N uttered a string of expletives. "Stop this! Whatever you're doing to her stop right now!" he roared.
They heard Z's cold laugh, then his voice more clearer on the line. "Have you been screwing my niece N?"
"Son of a bitch!" N shouted.
"No, no," was Z's cold reply, "my mother was a nurse. I'm not the product of an illegitimate relationship. My mother wasn't a whore!"
"Oh, so you think because you know that my mom slept with my dad when he was still married that makes you better than me?" N shot back.
"I am better than you Nes! Who has been supporting you and your pathetic family all these years, uh? Giving your dad loan after loan, hmm? I own you!"
"The f'*ck you don't! I have paid you back with my loyalty and bloody hands! I do your dirty work!" N shouted. "And you still insisted that my family pay you back every scent we borrowed. We don't owe you anything!"
"What about loyalty Nes? Answer me truthfully: have you been sleeping with my niece?"
Nesbeth paused. He would lie to protect her. "No," he said. He tried to calm down. "No Zav, I haven't."
"You liar! I came into Isabel's room to tell her to pack. We'll be going on that trip I told you about. We're leaving today. Imagine my surprise to see her in here--I won't say what she was doing--but she was in here doing things to herself and moaning your name. She had this device shaped like a flower ..." Z's voice trailed off in embarrassment.
Nes sighed. Izzie had an insatiable sexual appetite. He knew what she was doing. "Why did you hit her Zav? She's young. Young women fantasize all the time. There's no harm in that."
"You haven't touched her?"
"No!" N shouted out of frustration.
"Why were you calling her?"
"You told me she wasn't doing well in her studies. I was just calling to scold her," N lied.
There was a pause on Z's end then, "Davian told me you were kidnapped?"
N chuckled, feeling relieved that Z seemed satisfied with what he told him. "Yeah, but I took care of it. They're dead. As soon as I find an appropriate place to ditch the bodies I'll send you pictures. You leaving today?"
"Yes, few hours from now," Z replied. "You coming by?" he asked.
N grunted. "Yup. Do you still want me to watch Izzie?" he asked. His heart hoped Z would say yes. He heard Z sigh then swear quietly. "Yes. Yes, she can stay, but don't you dare--"
"I promise to take care of her Zav, okay?" N cut in.
"Okay," he said. "When we're about to leave I'll call you. You can stay here with her in the guest bedroom."
"Okay," N answered, his heart pounding.
"N, I'm warning you," Z's voice dipped low, tinged with something sinister.
Nesbeth released a soft breath. "I'll watch her like you asked me to," he said.
Z grunted his satisfaction then ended the call. Nesbeth leaned back in the car seat and closed his eyes. He took deep breaths, trying to steady his nerves. As soon as he had Izzie in his arms he would take her away to be with him. But he may have to kill one last time.
Marcus touched N's shoulder. His body tensed. "Are you okay?" Marcus asked. N relaxed. He turned his upper body to look at the two men in the back seats. Their faces were solemn. "I'm fine, but I'll be better as soon as I get Izzie away from that psycho," he answered.
"Anything I can do to help?" Marcus asked. N stared at the older man. He couldn't believe it. "I just held you hostage and now you want to help me?" He shook his head. "Why not? You're helping us," he said, glancing briefly at Jordan.
"You're trying to do something good in saving that girl. If it were my daughter I would want to know someone is looking out for her." He looked at Jordan again. "Speaking of which, I need to talk to Lissa," he said. Jordan nodded. He took out his phone and dialed her number.
"Jordan, hi. Are you okay?" Lissa answered the call quickly. She was on pins and needles waiting to hear from him. Jordan sighed. He briefly closed his eyes. Her voice. God can I have her? I'll treat her good, he mused to himself. He put the call on loud speaker. "Yeah, yeah I'm okay. Someone wants to talk to you," he said then gave the phone to Marcus.
"Baby, it's dad," Marcus said. He was so relieved to hear her voice. He wondered if he would ever speak to her again.
"Daddy!!" Lissa was ecstatic. She started to cry a little.
"Shh ... baby, it's okay. Daddy is fine, baby, no need to worry, okay? I made a good choice in hiring Mr Marx. Everything will be okay, Pumpkin."
"Okay daddy," Lissa replied between sniffles.
"Lissa, I need you to listen to me carefully, okay?"
"Okay," she said listening keenly.
"Okay daddy," Lissa answered.
"I know you and Ryan have broken up, but if you want to let him know what's happening, wait until after you're safe before you contact anyone. Okay?"
Lissa nodded. "Okay daddy," she replied.
"I have to get my motorcycle from Ryan." Lissa heard Jordan say.
"The less people know our business the better," Marcus said.
"Um ... daddy, Ryan ... Corporal Stewart and I ... He and I we're gonna try. We spoke today. I told him that you were missing and--"
"Well, that explains where the police came from," Nes interjected.
Marcus looked over at Nes and nodded. "True," he said.
"The police were at that place?" Lissa asked. She was very grateful to Ryan.
"Yeah, they swooped in after Jordan had the situation pretty much handled," Marcus answered.
A look of amusement crossed Nesbeth's face. Jordan saw his expression and chuckled softly.
"Honey, I don't have my phone. Mr Z has it as well as my briefcase. So if you get a call from my number, it's not me. I'll make contact using Jordan's phone for now," Marcus cautioned.
"Noted," Lissa replied.
"Let Brandon know what's happening. I think it would be best if he comes with us. Let him know that. I know he's very fond of the Wellingtons' especially their daughter."
"Yeah, he really loves her," Lissa answered.
Marcus was surprised at that. His son rarely used the word love. "His words or yours?"
Lissa smiled. "His. He's in love," she replied.
"Well now, I never expected that," Marcus said smiling. He was glad to hear it. "I'll call him. If Kyle can accommodate him I'll let him stay with them." There was one more thing he needed to say, "Pumpkin, don't tell anyone that you'll be leaving, okay?"
"But my job?" Lissa said. Since this whole thing started she had been very inconsistent at her job. She feared she would be fired. "They'll probably fire me. Since I've been in the hospital Supe Dacres hasn't called or visited me."
Marcus sighed. "I'll call and speak to him, don't worry about it," he said trying to soothe her. "Okay, get to packing and keep the doors locked until Jordan gets there. Okay?"
"Okay daddy. Dad could you put Jordan on the phone for a little bit?" Lissa asked.
Marcus handed the phone to Jordan. "She wants to talk to you," he said.
Jordan took the phone off 'loud'. "Hello?" he answered.
"Jordan ... I-I wanna thank you for helping my dad," she told him. A tiny smile curved up his lips. "You're welcome, but it's my job to make sure all is well with you guys, especially you," he responded. He wanted to ask her about her and Ryan but it wasn't the right time or setting.
"Thank you. I appreciate you," she said. "I know it's your job, but still ..."
"Lissa, it's fine. I'm happy to be of service." In more ways than one, was his secret thought. He looked over at Marcus who was watching him, his expression neutral. "I gotta go, okay. I'll come for you later."
"Can we talk when you come for me?" she asked, her voice held a slight tremor.
"Sure," he answered, as if he was just asked to pick up a carton of milk, but inside his heart rate spiked. He chest rose and fell with a sigh. He ended the call.
Marcus's right eyebrow arched above the other as he looked at Jordan. Jordan noticed the look he was giving him and cleared his throat. "There's nothing going on between us, I assure you" he said.
Nesbeth had a smile on his face. He looked over at Marcus. Marcus caught his eye contact and looked back at him. He chuckled. "Mhm ..." he said. Nesbeth chuckled.
"Since it looks like Z believed what I told him and Izzie is okay for now, we'll resume our plans as originally agreed," said Nesbeth.
"Okay," Marcus said. "So you'll take us then?" he asked.
Nesbeth nodded. He sent his friend a text telling him he should lay low for a few days. But he would no longer need him to take the two men. He would do it. His friend texted, "Be careful."
"Always am," he replied. He tucked the phone in his shirt pocket, started the car and drove off.
Jordan unlocked his phone and sent Ryan a text.
***
Lissa lay back on her bed and thought of Jordan. She felt very conflicted. She should have been thinking about Ryan and be excited about rekindling their relationship, but it was Jordan who made her heart rate go up when she thought of him.
"This is wrong Lissa," she muttered softly.
She walked into the kitchen and prepared some food. She allowed it to cool. She made rice and peas, fricassee chicken, and even baked a Toto pudding. That was her dad's favorite traditional pastry.
She ate a small portion of everything, then stored the rest in the refrigerator in square plastic containers. She hoped Jordan would like the meal. She would take it wherever her, Jordan and her dad were going.
She called her brother and told him the good news: that their father was safe, and for now they could breathe sigh of relief. He was ecstatic. She however told him that she, their father and Jordan had to keep away from the house for awhile, and that he should do the same. He agreed. She blew her baby brother a kiss and hung up. She wished all of this would be over. "Oh God when?" she asked with a sigh.
Her thoughts ran back to Jordan. He was very brave. She remembered the way he touched her before he left that morning. She longed to see him. Maybe there could be nothing between them, but she still wanted to fill her eyes with the sight of him.
She remembered their discussion earlier on the phone. She liked him, but he was Ryan's friend. She cared for Rhy but at the same time, she still felt like she should let him go. Let him go and be with Jordan? her conscience asked. "No," she said. "No."
She bit her bottom lip. She wished she could talk to her grandma right now. Her mom would give her a disapproving stare and scold her hotly. But her grandma would listen and help her sort through her feelings. Right now she was confused.
There was something about the way Jordan touched her. It felt right. She wasn't sure why, but she was drawn to him. The funny thing was she wasn't scared. Somehow she knew she could trust him.
She stretched and went upstairs to her room. She needed to get some sleep, then wake up later to prepare to leave with him. She was anticipating the reunion.
***
Ryan rode Jordan's motorcycle over to his apartment as he requested in a text. He parked it in the building's underground garage and told the security guard who it belonged to. The guard, a middle aged man, smiled and told him he would give an eye on it for him. He thanked him and went towards the apartments.
Jordan's apartment key was in the backpack. He took it out pushed it in the door and turned. Ryan noticed a chocolate bar in the bag which he thought was strange. Jordan didn't fool around with chocolate. He hated the taste.
He shrugged off the curiosity he was feeling. His friend probably had a girl he was going to give it to. He chuckled. As he recalled Jordan was never short of female company.
He opened the door and stepped into the room. It was dark. He brushed his hand along the wall to his right until he felt a light switch. He flipped it on and a LED bulb in the centre of the ceiling lit up the room.
He walked further into the room, carrying the backpack in his left hand. He walked into the 'open plan' kitchen space and placed the bag on the modern design kitchen countertop. He looked around. It was a modest kitchen, but quite adequate for a bachelor. A faint smile formed on Ryan's lips. He was about to leave when something caught his peripheral vision. He turned to his right and walked towards a wall in the living room area.
On the wall was a framed photo of him and Jordan at their high school graduation. They were decked out in graduation gowns and caps. Their faces--much younger--were smiling broadly towards the camera. He smiled as he looked at the picture. "You're my oldest friend Jordie," he said, his voice soft.
He turned to the door and walked towards it. Jordan told him to leave his key with a nice, older woman named Mrs. Golden at apartment number 52. He knocked and introduced himself to her as Corporal Stewart, then handed her the key. She smiled at him, told him she would ensure Jordan got it, and closed the door.
Ryan rode the elevator down thinking about Lissa. He loved her. He wondered if what he did earlier was akin to coercion. He couldn't let her go like that or could he? He needed to talk to her. This time whatever she wanted he would give to her. He wanted her to love him, but only if her heart was in it.
He texted Jordan and told him he put his bag in the apartment and gave the key to his neighbour. Jordan sent a clasped hands emoji and "thank you." Ryan smiled. He replied with a 'thumbs up' emoji.
He had taken the day off to be with LIssa. Now, he had a report to file because of the operation he was a part of at Club Temptation. He however could take an hour to see her. He needed to talk to her--to hold her, even if it meant letting her go.
***
There was a knock on the door. Isabel's eyes were swollen from crying. On her right cheek was an angry red mark where her uncle slapped her twice. Uncle Zav slapped her so hard her head swung 'round then back in whiplash. The door knocking was more insistent. She silently got up from her bed and opened it. It was her aunt looking back at her.
Danae stepped into the room, not saying a word to her niece. She sat on the bed. Looking up at Isabel, Danae patted the space beside her. "Come sit down," she said. Without a word Isabel sat beside her. Danae cleared her throat. "I'm going to ask you something. This will be between us. I promise not to tell your uncle."
Isabel looked at her. Her eyes felt tired. She just wanted to sleep. Sleep and dream of Nes coming to take her away from all this mess. "Izzie," Danae began, "I love you and your uncle loves you, though he has a weird way of showing it, but I want you to trust me." Danae took Izzie's left hand from her lap and squeezed it. She took a deep breath. "Izzie, do you have boyfriend?" she asked.
Isabel shook her head. "I guess what I want to know is if you've been seeing someone. Your uncle told me you, um ... you were doing things to 'help yourself'. He wanted me to talk to you," Danae said averting her eyes.
"I have no one," Isabel said.
"He ... your uncle said you were calling a specific name, Nesbeth's name. Do you have a crush on uncle Nes?" Danae felt awkward to ask.
Isabel stalled. She stood up and stared out her window as she walked towards it. Oh Nes, come for me please! Heat rose up to Danae's cheeks.
"Your uncle Nes is a handsome guy. Quite handsome ... even now, though he's older than when we first met. And the thing with him, he doesn't look his age. Izzie, Nesbeth is forty-five, he'll be forty-six next year," Danae continued.
Izzie remained silent. She already knew that, but she didn't care. Danae rose up to stand a few inches behind her. "He's also a very gentle and attentive lover." Danae observed the slight movement of Izzie's shoulders when she mentioned Nes' gentleness in love making. "I know that for sure, but he's too old for you baby. He could be your father."
"But he isn't," Izzie said whirling around to stare at her. Something flickered across Danae's face and was gone in a split second. She looked into her niece's eyes. "Have you slept with him?" Danae asked.
Izzie bit her bottom lip. "I won't tell your uncle, Izzie I promise," Danae said.
Izzie sighed. She closed her eyes and nodded slowly. Danae sucked in air quickly. She staggered back, her legs suddenly feeling weak. She sat on the bed, staring at her niece. She assumed Nes would have other women after her, but she never expected her niece would be one of them.
If Z knew about Nes and Izzie he would be livid. He said Nes was his friend, but deep down there was a level of condescension and subtle superiority in how Zavier treated Nes and his family.
Danae looked at her hands then up at her niece's confused face. "Your uncle can't know," she said, her voice trembling. "And what I said to you about me and Nes remains between us. Okay?"
Izzie nodded nervously, although she already knew about her aunt and Nes. From the very beginning of their sexual relationship Nes was honest with her. Danae rose to her feet and lunged forward, grabbing her niece's hands. "Izzie, I would tell you to stop seeing him. It's dangerous for both you and Nesbeth's sake, but I know you won't listen to me. I will implore you to be more careful."
She touched her niece's face. "I love you. Your mother and I were really close," she said. Izzie wanted to ask Danae about what she overheard her and uncle Z talking about her mother. It was the same night she and Nes made love for the first time, but refrained from asking.
"I'm afraid the relationship between you two won't work. There are too many things that will hinder it. Obviously your uncle is the biggest hindrance," Danae said, while she affectionately cupped her niece's face. Izzie was such a beautiful girl.
"What about you?" Izzie asked.
"Me?" Danae asked surprised. She gazed at Izzie's face for awhile before answering. "What Nes and I had is water under the bridge. There's no going back for us," she said smiling ruefully.
"Don't you think he deserves to be happy?" Izzie asked.
Danae was stunned by that question. She really looked at her. "You think you can make him happy?" she asked.
"I want to try," Izzie said. Her eyes brimming with the love she had for Nes.
"Like my uncle did with you?"
Danae stepped back from her. She looked her up and down. "You certainly have your mother's bluntness," she retorted, shaking her head. She leaned forward and hugged her. "I can't tell you what to do. I can only warn you. Be careful of the choices you make, baby. That's all I've got to say." She stepped back and smiled at her.
Danae walked to the door then paused, her back turned to Izzie. She opened the door.
"Wait!" Izzie moved towards her. "What will you say to uncle?" Izzie asked in a whisper.
Danae bowed her head, but didn't look at her niece. She lifted her head and sighed. "I'll tell him that what he witnessed was just the naivety of a young girl's crush. That nothing is happening between you and Nes, and that it's just a phase. I pray to God this is just a phase for you Izzie. Nes can't give you the safety or stability you need."
She cleared her throat, then said, "If you continue the relationship and your uncle finds out I will pretend as though I know nothing about it." Danae walked through the door and closed it behind her.
Izzie sighed. Basically her aunt was saying she was on her own if she pursued a relationship with Nes. She didn't care. If she died because of her love for Nes then so be it. When she was with him was the only time she felt alive.
Her uncle had her phone. It was a good thing she always deleted her messages with Nes. No doubt he would put spyware on it to track her movements, but Nes was brilliant in that area as well. Matter of fact, Nes taught uncle Zavier everything he knew about hacking. Once she got her phone back she would let Nes 'clean' it for her.
***
Jordan called her. She answered after the fourth ring. They had reached their destination. Jordan stepped out of the car to stretch his legs while they waited for Nesbeth to produce some blood to help fake their deaths. He leaned on Nes's car as he spoke
"Lissa, hi," he said.
"Hi, are you okay?" she asked.
"Yeah, I am," he replied.
He took a deep breath. "Listen, Lissa, I want to apologize for my behavior the past few days. I let my attraction for you get the better of me. I told myself I touched you the way I did because I want to comfort you--and I did, I do, but there's more. I've never met a woman like you. I really like you. However, I want to say that will in no way affect my duty to protect you. From now on I promise to be professional. Matter-of-fact--"
"Jordan, I-I like you too, but you're Rhy's friend. I don't want to cause any trouble between you too," she said.
"Understood," he replied. He needed to know, "So you and he are back together?" He heard Lissa sigh. "Yes, we are," she said. "He loves me and I want to see if we can make it work."
"Do you love him?" he asked. He noticed she mentioned that Rhy loved her, but not that she loved him.
"I have told him I love him. I think I do," she confessed. Jordan sobered. He didn't want his friend's feelings hurt either. "Lissa, I may be passing my place by saying this, but Rhy is my best friend, my oldest friend. Mi bonafide friend, from when I was a scrawny kid in the seventh grade. If you love him I have no objections to that, and I promise not to interfere between you two, but if you're not sure, please let him go. He'll be hurt, but he will eventually move on."
Lissa sighed. "I tried. I broke up with him, remember?"
"But you're back with him now," Jordan reminded her.
"Yes, he came to see me earlier and we talked. Your friend can be very convincing," she said, a hitch in her voice.
Jordan heard her hesitation. "What do you mean?" he asked. He gripped the phone tighter. "Lissa, talk to me."
"He ... um ... he pinned me down under him and--"
Jordan released a rushed breath as if he had been punched in the gut. He swore softly. Startled by his response, Lissa stopped speaking.
"Did he do anything else?" Jordan asked. Silence. "Lissa?!"
Marcus turned around. He saw Jordan with the phone to his ear. Was he talking to Lissa? He walked towards him. He had been exploring the farm and was making his way back to Nesbeth's car when he heard Jordan calling his daughter's name.
Jordan took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. "Lissa," he said, softening his tone, "Did he force himself on you intimately?"
"No, not really," she answered. Her voice sounded distant.
"Lis, what did he do?"
"He pinned me down and kissed me. He lay on top of me that's all," she said.
Jordan closed his eyes. He heard footsteps approaching. He opened them to see it was Marcus coming towards him. He couldn't let the older man know what was happening.
"I'm coming to get you, okay? Don't let anyone into the house unless it's Branno. I'm coming for you." He didn't have his bike, but he would find a way if Nesbeth couldn't take him.
"Lis, I'm coming for you. I promise," he told her. His voice was filled with such determination, Marcus stared at him.
"Okay," she answered, her voice cracked. Jordan bit his tongue, holding back the expletive that nearly escaped his lips.
As soon as he was with her he would gather her in his arms and hold her. He was convinced now more than ever that he was supposed to be here with her, protecting her--maybe loving her. He didn't know what God had planned, but he would go with the flow from now on.
He ended the call. "Was that my daughter?" Marcus asked. Jordan nodded. "What's wrong?"
"She ... she's--"
"Don't bother to lie to me. I know you like my daughter, and I can sense despite the usual way you guard, you have an extra protective nature when it comes to her." Marcus's eyes bored into Jordan. "What happened?"
Jordan sighed. "Ryan, he visited her and he may have been a little exuberant in his quest to get her back."
"What does that mean?" Marcus asked stepping closer. Jordan looked at the grass under their shoes.
"Jordan, remember I hold your paycheck," Marcus said.
"He pinned her down on the bed. He, uh ... convinced her to get back with him."
"Her bed, her room? He was at my house today?"
"Yeah, this morning," Jordan confirmed. Marcus's jawline set like granite. "Did he ...?" He punched the words out with sharp breaths, but stopped short of what he was dreading.
Jordan shook his head. "She assured me he didn't," he said.
"As soon as Nesbeth does what he does and sends the pictures to Z, I'm going back with you," Marcus replied. Jordan could tell the older man was furious.
"I can handle this by myself," Jordan asserted.
"I'm sure you can, but that is my daughter. My flesh and blood! Nuh likkle pissing tail bwoy nah guh mess with my pickney, and it just guh suh!" Marcus declared angrily. He couldn't believe at one point he favored Ryan over Shane. He regretted that now.
He walked menacingly towards Jordan. "And if yuh ever get the inkling fi try yuh luck wid mi daughtah mi will cut off yuh balls dem!"
Jordan swallowed hard. He stepped back. "I would never ... I would never force her. I'm here to protect her."
"Mek sure. As a matter of fact mi nuh want to see yuh look at her cross-eyed. Yuh hear mi?! And don't bother with the touchy-touchy thing you've been doing lately," Marcus warned.
Jordan straightened up fully to his 6'4" height. "I promise to protect her. Nothing more."
"Good!"
They heard the crunching of dirt under heavy boots and looked up to see Nesbeth approaching them. He was wearing dark blue coveralls with no shirt and discolored, heavy work boots. There was blood on his chest, his hands and sprinklings on his boots
"You guys ready to begin your acting career?" he asked them with a broad grin.
Marcus let out a small chuckle. He nodded. "Ready," he said. He turned his head to look at Jordan. His countenance darkened immediately. He gazed back at Nesbeth and managed a smile. He said, "Lead the way." He followed Nesbeth.
Jordan walked behind them slowly. Quietly, he prayed:
"Order my steps Lord. Show me what to do. Do not let me slip, or violate Lissa or her father's trust. Help me Jesus. Amen."
***
Zavier sat in his study drinking a half tumbler glass of Cognac. Danae stepped into the room. "What did she say?" he asked, but he did not raise his head to look at her. He was looking at a stack of papers on his desk. Forms he had to fill out to be compliant to join the private sector lobby group.
Danae cleared her throat. "She's just infatuated with him, that is all," she replied.
"That is all?" Zavier lifted his gaze. He scrutinized her face. She was so beautiful. He couldn't believe she had a drinking problem, and he had no clue she was keeping such a big secret from him. Were there other things she was hiding?
"You're not lying to me?" he asked. He rose to his feet and walked slowly towards her. Danae shook her head. This was the last time she would cover for her niece. The last time. She feigned a light hearted laugh.
"Zav, men aren't the only ones who crave sexual release. Women like sex too," she said, winking at him."Everybody's libido is different, but women do want it, just as much as men do."
Zavier stood in front of her. His eyes observed every small detail of her face. He once thought he could tell when she was lying to him. Now he wasn't so sure. He gently touched her right cheek.
"So you're saying my niece is lusting over a near geriatric, white man?" Zavier asked, his right eyebrow lifted above his left. Danae laughed genuinely this time. The imagery of Nes being geriatric was a little funny.
"Zav, she's young. This is just a phase. Maybe she likes him because he's older. He seems dangerous and exotic--he's white, she's black," she answered.
"That thing she was using--it was shaped like a rose or flower of some sort," he told her.
Danae chuckled. "It's a vibrator, you know, for female pleasure."
"What's wrong with just using fingers. That not enough these days?" Zavier asked. He looked quite uncomfortable to Danae. She laughed. "You shouldn't worry about that. As long as I'm not using that stuff you have nothing to be concerned about."
Zavier looked at her amused face, his right eyebrow rose above the other. "Should I be worried?" he asked her. She came closer. "Nope, you do me just the way I like it." she said, her eyes teasing him.
She reached out her left hand and touched his face. Zavier closed his eyes. Despite her treachery, her touch still meant a lot to him. "You don't have to worry about Izzie. It's natural for her to want to feel something. Cut her some slack, okay?" she said.
Zavier grunted. "But 'love'," Danae continued, "in future, it may be best to knock before you enter our kids' rooms," she said, her eyes teasing him.
He removed her hand. "You're telling me to walk on eggshells in my own home?" His eyes burned into her. Danae blinked. She sighed. "No, I'm telling you this to avoid what happened to me."
"What happened to you?" Zavier asked, frowning at her.
"I was preparing to do laundry, so I went up to Zahir's room to get his dirty clothes. I walked in on him 'pounding his meat', you could say. I mean, I heard some weird sounds and he was calling this girl's name, but I wasn't thinking. I don't think he realized how loud he was." Danae chuckled as she observed Zavier's shocked expression. She leaned forward on tiptoe and briefly kissed her husband's lips.
"Was it Zuzu's name he was calling?" Zav asked. He was curious.
Danae shook her head. "No, it sounded like he was saying Ava or something like that," she answered, feeling amused. "Our babies aren't babies anymore, Zav."
She placed her hand on his chest. "Do you remember how horny you were at their age?" she asked. Her eyes teased him. Zavier stepped back and sat on the edge of his desk. He inhaled slowly, then released the breath. He nodded his head, chuckling softly as her words transported him back over twenty years, to when they first met.
"I was crazy about you," he admitted. "Still am."
Danae went to him. He circled his arms around her. She leaned in and kissed him passionately. "Zav, you still make me very horny," she said. Zavier's eyes softened. She was his pretty, little liar, and he still loved her. He bent forward and squeezed her buttocks. Danae gasped and pressed her body into his.
Lifting her in his arms, he wrapped her legs around his hips. She circled her arms around his neck. Once she was secured, Zavier used his hands to push all the papers and folders off the table.
Danae laughed. "You sure about this? That's a lot of paperwork to refile and put together again?" she asked. She loved when he was like this.
"I don't care," he breathed. "I want you here, right now." He laid her on the cleared table. She closed her eyes as he began riding up the skirt of her dress. He pulled her panties down and she sucked on her bottom lip.
Zavier reached behind her and unzipped her dress. "Do you want me to take it off?" she asked. He shook his head. "No," he breathed, "just pull it down so I can see your breasts," he told her. Danae smiled and did what he wanted.
Her arms roamed his chest and shoulders. Hungrily, he unbuttoned his shirt, removing it and the marina underneath. Danae sat up and rubbed her hands on his chest paying extra attention to his flat nipples. She bent her head forward and suckled them. She heard him gasp and moan. She felt them getting perky in her mouth and groaned. She suckled them more fervently.
Zavier gripped her neck, pushed her head down on his chest, and moaned. It was a deep, almost primal sound. Danae felt her loins clench. Compared to Nesbeth's gentleness, Zav's roughness made her feel crazy.
She lifted her head and kissed him. She bit on his bottom lip. He pulled away from her and licked his lips. She hadn't drawn blood, but it still stung. It turned him on even further. He pulled her in by her neck and kissed her passionately. His lips moved down to her neck and chest, burning a fiery trail only he could quench.
He gently shoved her back on the table and she giggled. Smiling wickedly at her, he circled his hand around her neck and squeezed. He applied just a little bit of pressure and she moaned. He released her and she sighed. Danae was really wet for him. She wanted it a little rough, and she would do whatever he asked.
Bending forward, Zavier kissed the soft valley between her breasts, then rubbed his face into each twin peak. He kissed them and teased each nipple, his hands cupping them gently.
Danae arched her back and moaned for him. "Zav," she was breathless, her voice--airy and girlish, "I love you!" He squeezed and massaged them for her. "Do you like this?" he asked. "Hmm ... yes baby," she moaned.
She heard him pull down the zipper of his pants and the rustle of fabric brushing against skin. She felt his hard member and groaned, realizing that the tip was creamy-moist. "Oh Zav, you're wet like me," she exclaimed.
He groaned her name. "I love you Dan Dan, always." He pressed his member into her slowly, his body arching back as he moved. When he felt her warm, silky-heat envelope him, he moaned and began thrusting inside her.
Danae called his name. His thrusts were already making her body shiver with heightened sensations. She curled her legs around his hips and pulled him in deeper. Zav lifted her closer to the edge of the table, his hands holding her up as he moved faster inside her.
"Ohh Zav, harder baby, please. Harder for me. More!" she cried.
Zav leaned into the table. He hoisted her buttocks higher and pulled her up so her legs were wrapped around him. He moved faster, dipping his hips in a scooping motion to increase the pleasure for both of them.
Danae cried out his name. She didn't care if the children heard her, and apparently neither did Zav. He too was moaning loudly.
As she neared her climax, she told him she loved him over and over again, and shivered as he squeezed her buttocks. She shook and jerked, her eyes rolling back. Zav followed soon afterwards. He shouted her name, then collapsed on top of her--breathing heavily.
When they had cooled off for fifteen minutes, Danae helped Zavier organize his files. She put each paper with it's appropriate sibling and then placed them in the right files. She noticed the ones about the private sector group and looked at him curiously. "You're applying to join the private sector lobby group?" she asked.
His head was bent as he carefully gathered and sorted through the papers in his hands. "Yeah, I will go fully legit, Dan Dan. I told you I would," he said looking at her, smiling. She came to him. He straightened up and stood before her.
"Really?" she asked, her eyes bright. He touched her face. "I always keep my word baby, you know this," he said, blowing her a kiss. She took the papers from his hands and set them down along with the ones she had on the table. She jumped into his lap and he caught her. "What?!" he said laughing.
"I want more Mr Sterling. Here's to you going legit, finally!" She grinned at him and gave him a light peck on his lips. He smiled at her. He was happy to see her smile. Her eyes were bright and beautiful.
"What can I get as my reward?"
"Whatever you want!" she said happily.
"I want you," he said. His gaze darkened as he looked at her.
"Take me to bed this time," she said
"Will do," he replied. He hoisted her over his shoulder. With her giggling softly, he opened his office door. They ran into Zaniv just coming downstairs. He averted his eyes and pretended to not see them. He entered the kitchen and closed the door behind him quietly.
"Who was that?" Danae asked cheekily.
"Our eldest," Zavier replied, his tone playful. "He looks very shocked." He chuckled. "How did he think he got here?" Danae quipped, smiling.
Zavier carried her up the stairs to their room. He threw her on the bed. She bounced once and started laughing. Zavier climbed on top of her, then said, "How do you want it madam?" His voice almost sounded British. Danae had a brief flashback of another time, another person, but suppressed it quickly. She smiled lovingly at her husband. "Give me all you've got Monsieur," she teased.
Zavier bent his head and captured her lips passionately.
***
Two hours later Zavier met with Lequan at the corner of his family's road. Danae had fallen asleep after their vigorous love making so he decided to take a brief nap.
When he woke, she was still sleeping. He kissed her pristine brow and decided he would cook dinner for the family. He was a good cook, but he just didn't like doing it, however on this occasion for her, he would make an exception. He wished whatever was causing her to drink she would talk to him about it. If she needed help, he would do whatever to help her. He loved her.
He didn't believe what she said about Izzie and Nes. Maybe she was lying to cover for her niece, or maybe Izzie was the one lying, he wasn't sure. But he was determined to know the truth. And when he did, if Nes was sleeping with his niece, he would pay.
He was sitting in Lequan's vehicle. After brief pleasantries, he handed Lequan $500,000. Lequan's eyes flew open. Mr Z had never given him so much money at one time. As he took it, his eyes were alert; body tense. This new task must be very important to his boss. He watched Mr Z's face closely.
"Izzie may be having an affair with N," he told Lequan. Lequan lowered his head. He had been showing Izzie he cared for her for quite some time, but she wouldn't budge. He couldn't believe she was involved with that old guy. He respected N. He was even a little afraid of him, but now jealousy stirred in his chest towards him.
"I know you like my niece, Lequan. To be honest, I wouldn't mind if you develop a relationship with her. But I suspect she's fooling around with N. Myself, the boys and wifey will be leaving tonight for vacation. We'll be back two weeks time. I want you to watch them. He'll be staying at my house to watch her while I'm gone.
"So, I want you to watch every move they make for me. You won't be able to enter my house, but don't worry I will get someone to install cameras while I'm gone. The work men will say it's to correct some electrical issue. When the cameras are up and running, I will send the link to you for you to monitor them on the inside. You and any of the other men of your choice can watch them while they are on the outside of the house. You can organize shifts if that is better for you."
Lequan listened carefully. He was now glad he decided to pursue the relationship with Keisha, the nurse who helped him. He still felt a pang of jealousy though, but he would do what Z asked.
"Understood?" Z asked.
"Understood," Lequan answered.
"Good. Be very discreet. They must not know they're being watched. Okay?"
Lequan nodded. "Okay," he affirmed.
Zavier patted Lequan on the shoulder and stepped out of his right-hand man's car. "See you when I get back," Zavier said
"Yes boss," Lequan replied. Z nodded at him. Lequan nodded, reversed and turned his car--heading back in the direction he came.
***
Lissa walked into her closet, went on tiptoe and retrieved the small grey bag her dad had taken to the hospital for her. She placed it on the bed and began looking through it. There were particularly lacey, red panties that she liked wearing. She was looking in the bag, but didn't find it. She was stumped. She hadn't seen it for a couple days.
She lay back on the bed and thought about it. Wait a minute I brought it with me to Prudence's house. I wonder if I left it there. Matter of fact the five black bras with the bows in the middle I haven't seen them either.
She sat up and reached for her phone on the night table and called Prudence, but she didn't answer. She decided to send her a text: "Pru, hun, are you aware if I left any clothes at your place--underwear in particular?"
She waited for a response. She didn't hear from her right away, so she continued to take out clothes from her drawers and closet, and lay them on the bed. In the corner, at the bottom right side of the closet, was a large plastic bag, tied at the top. That wasn't there before, she thought.
She pulled the bag towards her, untied the knot and looked into it. There was her red panties and six other undergarments. Her black bras with the bows in the middle were in it also, and all her clothes she brought back from Prudence's house. She wondered if Branno had unpacked the clothes for her or was it her dad.
She smelt them. Some of her clothing had been washed at Pru's, but others were sweaty. She told herself she would rewash everything when she got home. But as she dipped her head in the clothes all of them smelt freshly washed. She was puzzled at this.
Did I wash them? No, I don't think I did," she mused. She shook her head. "I definitely didn't," she answered herself. Maybe daddy washed them for me. She didn't have time to wash them. The day after she came back from Pru's was when she was admitted in the hospital. She stayed for a day and a half, and since she was back she was ill. She didn't get the opportunity to do laundry.
She heard a text come in. She checked her phone. It was Prudence. She was saying she saw her pack everything. Lissa told her "thanks" and put her phone down on the bed.
"Time to pack," she said aloud. She looked for the larger duffle bag and found it on the top shelf, nicely folded. "Must be daddy," she told herself. Marcus had a thing for folding clothes and any kind of fabric. Almost everything for that matter. She smiled. She would tell him thanks for doing her laundry when she saw him later.
Carefully, she sorted through what she wanted to bring with her and packed them neatly into the duffle bag. She packed underwear, casual wear: a few pair of jeans and a jeans skirt; two tank tops and some t-shirts. She also put her sundress in the bag and another casual dress. For sleep wear she folded and put in her thin chemise, and the pajama shorts sets she wore recently at Ryan's place.
In a small plastic bag, she placed four flip flops, two pairs of sneakers and a pair of flats. She would also take the sanitary pads with her, and the medication prescribed at the hospital. A bottle of expensive perfume, lotion and body cream; the lavender oil and water concoction, along with the undiluted oil was tucked in the left corner of the bag. She also took out a bar of soap from a pack--the gentle, homeopathic kind with a subtle, but noticeable fragrance. She looked at the clothes in the bag and on her bed.
Is there anything else I need? Oh shampoo and conditioner! Who knows how long I'll be gone. She packed those items as well as a hair moisturizing creme and detangler for natural hair, and a pack of disposable razors.
She tucked her comb and hair brush in a side compartment of the bag. She added some scrunchies, and black and brown claw clips on top, and zipped it up. She sighed. Looks about right, she thought. She tied the bag with her shoes and placed them on top of everything else she packed. She zipped up the larger section of the bag and sat beside it.
Okay time to put everything else away, she thought. She stood up and smiled at herself as she put everything she wouldn't bring with her back in the closet and drawers. She needed to shower.
Ten minutes later, Lissa came out of the bathroom and was getting dressed, when she heard a sound coming from downstairs. Hurriedly, she put on a bra and panties and rubbed some deodorant under her arms. She squeezed her hips into an acid-wash jeans skirt and pulled on a comfy pink blouse. She pushed her feet into her house slippers and stepped into the corridor.
Lissa stood at the top of the stairs and listened. Quickly, she opened the side zipper which stored her comb and hair brush and put the deodorant on top, then closed that section. She exited her room again and listened.
There was a consistent knocking on the front door. She remembered Jordan's warning not to let anybody in, but it could be important. Lissa walked down the steps to see who it was. She wondered who it could be at this time of the day. It was 3 o'clock in the afternoon. She opened the door and was surprised to see Shane standing in front of her. He was wearing a pair of blue denim jeans, a white t-shirt with a blue jeans blazer, and blueish-grey crocs.
This was indeed a surprise for her, but not a bad one. She stepped back so he could enter the house. He followed her to the living room. They both sat down and she looked at him puzzled. "So what's up?" she asked. He smiled at her. "Just checking on you. How are you?"
Lissa was touched. She smiled at him. "I'm doing better. I feel cramps but it's not severe and I'm taking pain killers for that, so I'm good." He came closer. Lissa got a whiff of a new cologne he was wearing. She liked the fragrance. "Is that a new cologne?" she asked. It smelled really good on him. He nodded. "Yeah, trying something new," he answered.
"So you just wanted to check on me?" she asked amused. Shane chuckled softly. "Mhm ... yeah I guess so," he told her. She caught the way he was looking at her. She blushed. "How is Dana?" she asked. Shane leaned back. "She's good. I love her," he told her. Lissa's eyebrows shot up. She felt a pang of something she couldn't explain. "I'm happy for you," she said. Am I actually jealous? She was perplexed by these feelings that were surfacing. "So why are you here?" she asked.
"There's something I need to know," he said. His gaze burned into her. "What's that?" she asked. She was curious, but the way he looked at her was spiking her heart rate. He came to sit beside her.
Looking into her eyes, he cupped her face. "Um ... what? What are you doing?" she asked, her breathing shallow. "I need to know Lissa," he said, his voice dipping to a deep timbre. "Know what?" she asked. He pulled her towards him and looked at her. Breathing deeply, he stared at her: her brow, her cheeks, her eyes then her lips. He focused on her lips for a minute. Then he looked into her eyes.
There was a click of the lock and the sound of the front door closing, but neither of them noticed. Quiet footsteps approached the living room doorway. Honey-brown eyes watched the intimate scene unfold before them.
Shane could feel her body trembling. He touched her face with his right hand, lifted his head and kissed her brow. Lissa shivered. Tears slipped from her eyes. "Why?" she asked, her voice trembling.
Shane put some distance between them on the couch. "I'm sorry. I needed to know if I still felt the strong desire I had for you." Lissa blinked. She looked at him in disbelief. "What?!" she asked. She stood up and paced the floor. He sighed. "I love Dana. I'm planning on buying her an engagement ring," he replied.
Anger rose in her chest. She felt like her heart was shattering into a million pieces. "So what was that a while ago?" she asked. "I needed to know if I still have strong feelings for you. If being close to you caused me to have a strong reaction I wouldn't go through with buying her the ring, but if I didn't feel anything or barely anything I would buy it for her," he explained.
"So this was just an experiment for you?" she demanded. "Playing with my feelings?" His new cologne, his body heat made her feel weak with desire.
"What feelings Lissa? You told me you no longer want me. You broke up with me, remember? I was the one left with raw emotions. You had already moved one." Shane stood up. He took a deep breath. "Look ... I'm sorry, maybe I should have explained, but I needed to know."
"And?" she asked, staring at him. Her legs were shaking. "And, I'll be buying her that ring," he said quietly.
Lissa felt like someone punched the breath out of her. She sat down quickly. Her heart beating erratically. He looked at her. "You okay?" She shook her head.
Shane went into the kitchen and brought back a glass of water. She looked up at the water in his hand and started to cry. Dismayed, Shane put the glass on the table, sat down and pulled her to him. He held her for a little while, but did not speak.
"Is it too late?" she asked, her voice quivering. Shane closed his eyes. "I'm sorry. Lissa, you told me you wanted nothing to do with me."
He put her away from him so he could see her eyes. "What about Ryan?" he asked. He gently brushed his left hand on her face. She sighed. "I said I would give him a chance, but I'm having second thoughts, and now with this ... now I'm even more confused," she said looking at the floor.
"And his friend? What's going on there? He seems to be quite taken with you?" Shane asked. He got the answer he needed. She was an attractive woman, but the 'pull' between them had faded tremendously.
While he looked at her and observed her features, he found himself thinking of Dana and not wanting to hurt her. He was tempted to kiss Lissa, but it wasn't an overwhelming desire like before. He was relieved he could move on with his life.
Shane smiled at her. "I am a non-issue. You have already moved on with your life, whether you choose Ryan or his friend, or whomever, I won't stand in your way," he told her.
But Lissa now realized she may have been hasty to let him go. She touched his hand. "Maybe I was too hasty to break up. I still have feelings for you," she declared. "Shane, I felt something just now when you were looking at me."
He shook his head. "No, I'm sorry," he replied. "Besides, you just broke up with Ryan, and I'm with Dana. We need to refocus on the things and people in our lives now." He placed his hand on her chest. "Take the time to heal, remember?" he said softly.
"You're not doing that. You're seeing Dana. Are you sleeping with her?" she asked. She pushed his hand away from her. She felt a tightening in her chest as she looked at him. She squeezed her eyes shut. Her heart was aching. Why did he come now and stir up these feelings?
"No," he answered, "We're taking things slow. But yeah, I want to be with her, and I won't take long to make that happen." He put his hand in his lap.
Lissa opened her eyes and released a ragged breath. "I'm sorry about everything," she said quietly--resignedly. But he shook his head. "All is forgiven Lissa. I hold no ill will. Forgive me for this, I just needed to know," he said.
Lissa nodded. "I understand," she said. No she didn't, but she was tired. She just wanted to be held. Could she ask Jordan to hold her when he came for her later? Shane reached over and hugged her, but she stiffened in his embrace. His touch was no longer welcomed.
He released her, then said, "I'm sorry. I gotta go." His eyes were sad but resolute. Lissa could see he got what he needed. "Will you tell her what happened today with us?" she asked. He nodded. "I won't keep secrets from her. No doubt she will be a little upset, but I'll explain," he replied. She nodded.
"I think it's best we not see each other for a little while," she said, her voice coming out sharper than she intended. Shane stood and looked down at her. He nodded. "Understood," he said. He walked towards the doorway. "See you around," he said, a faint smile on his lips. She nodded, then smiled weakly. "See you," she whispered.
Shane stepped outside of the house and dialed his lover's number. He smiled when he heard Dana's voice. "Hey Sweetness, dinner at my place later. Pick you up at our usual rendezvous around 7:30? Okay, cool." He blew her a kiss. "Later baby." He ended the call.
***
"You're still in love with him."
Lissa looked up. Ryan was walking into the living room. "Ryan?" Her heart dropped in the pit of her stomach. "Rhy ... I."
"It's okay, I saw and heard what I needed to see and hear," Ryan said, his voice calm but cold.
"Ryan, I'm sorry. You ... he was experimenting to see if he still had feelings for me," she told him, her voice trembling.
"And he's planning to marry Dana. I heard it all," he answered. "But you asked to be back with him, knowing we made plans to start over." His honey-brown eyes seemed darker.
With his jaw clenched, he nodded, then said, "What I said about us getting back together, never mind. You were right. It's best we go no further. Ms Dixon, I wish you the best." With a curt nod he walked away from her.
"Rhy, I'm sorry," she said, moving towards him. She reached out and grabbed his hand, but he flashed her off and walked to the front door. She ran after him, but he opened the door and slammed it behind him. Lissa started crying. She sank to the floor, grief washing over her.
You're such a bitch Lissa! Why did you allow Shane to do that? Now Ryan is hurt!
You're such a loser! You don't deserve to be happy. You don't deserve love. You're worthless!
"Stop! Stop it!" she screamed.
Such a worthless bitch! Look what you did to Shane? You hurt him and now he'll be with someone else.
You don't deserve to be happy. Now look what you did to Ryan? Worthless bitch!
"No! Stop! Please stop! Please stop!" she sobbed.
You're such a fool No one will love you! Slut!
She ran upstairs and looked in a bag she hadn't used in a while. It was hidden in her closet. It contained her old bottle of antidepressants. She took out the bottle, opened it and popped two in her mouth.
She went to the bathroom sink and turned on the faucet. She cupped her right hand under the sink to fill with water and sipped it quickly, swallowing down the pills. Trying to ignore the bitter taste at the back of her tongue, she drank some more water. Lissa turned off the faucet and entered her bedroom.
She closed the bottle and put it back in the old bag. She put the bag on the floor beside her bed. She lay down and curled up in a ball. She began to rock herself slowly, back and forth until that anxious, accusatory voice was quiet.
Closing, her eyes she prayed, breathing unevenly: "Oh God, please hear me. Jesus, please hear me. I need you. Help me!" she sobbed quietly. "I can't take this pain. Take it from me, please. I lost my babies. I lost Shane, and now Ryan.
"God, please help me. I need you. Take this pain and give me your peace. I'll do it your way from now on. I'm sorry. Forgive me. Help me, please!" She closed her eyes. Stretching out her legs, she tried to make herself comfortable. Little by little, her body relaxed and she fell asleep.
***
Thursday Evening
Jordan entered Nesbeth's bedroom with a towel wrapped around his hips. They had taken the photos. He nearly threw up twice, but managed to play dead long enough for Nesbeth to take the pictures and send them to Zavier. Marcus had taken a shower first and then him. Nesbeth took a bath in the stand alone shower and bathroom structure that was a few feet away from the house. He was too messy to enter the house, and knew his mother would vehemently protest if he tried.
Marcus and Jordan hosed themselves down and left their boots at the front door before going inside, or they would have also met his mother's wrath. Nesbeth was generous enough to loan them both some clothes. Not his style, but Jordan was happy to wear anything that didn't smell like bovine blood. He looked at the black trousers and grey button-down shirt, and shook his head--a smirk on his lips.
Both Marcus and Nesbeth were downstairs. Jordan looked around the room at photos of Nesbeth and his brother, his mom and father. It was just his mother and a middle aged man Nesbeth called 'Priest' working on the farm. 'Priest' had already gone home.
Jordan smiled as he picked up the clothes Nesbeth laid on the bed for him. He put them on, then tracked bare feet downstairs. He was surprised to see his boots cleaned up and placed inside by the front door. Nesbeth had cleaned them off for him. He still had the damp cloth in his hands. While pushing his feet in them, Jordan said, "Thank you." Nesbeth nodded and walked into the kitchen to assist his mother.
While Jordan laced up his boots, a thought crossed his mind as he glanced at his watch: It's 4:30 p.m. Is she sleeping or taking a shower to get ready for our rendezvous, or is she eating dinner? He straightened up and worked his feet in to get more comfortable in the boots. He cared for Lissa and would protect her with his last breath, if necessary. He strode into the parlour to hear Marcus talking on the phone. He had made a few calls throughout the day.
Marcus informed his workplace that the deal with the young lady didn't go well. He told them that at the last minute the girl changed her mind about being represented by the firm. He did not tell them she was a decoy sent by Mr Z, and he was kidnapped.
He told them that somehow he had lost his cellphone, but he would get a new one soon. He however asked for time away from the office to deal with a family emergency, and also asked that his trip to Dubai be rescheduled to a later date.
The Internal Communications Rep, Angella MacGregor, who he spoke to, seemed to believe everything he told her, and said she would relay the information to the partners of the law firm.
He also called Superintendent Dacres and told him he had irrefutable proof of who was Mr Z. He made sure to tell him that he and his family, including Lissa were now in hiding, and he had faked his death. He would meet but only with him to explain what happened--at a time and place he would arrange.
Dacres asked if he was involved in the incident that Corporal Stewart and a few other officers had been deployed to at Club Temptation. Marcus told him yes and thanked the security forces for their quick response. He requested that Shane be a part of the plot to take down Z. Supe Dacres agreed. Marcus told him he would call him with the location to meet soon. Supe Dacres told him to be careful.
When Marcus asked about Lissa's position. The superintendent disclosed that it would be difficult to convince the Human Resources Department because of her "unusual absences" to give her leniency without them knowing what was happening.
"No, that can't happen," Marcus said. "I won't risk her safety. I must appear to be dead and her missing." To which Supe Dacres sighed and said, "I'm afraid the chips will have to fall where they may."
"Can't you vouch for her?" Marcus asked.
"I recommended her for the job," Supe Dacres told him. "I can't do anymore without looking biased."
The two men ended on a stalemate about the issue, but Supe Dacres confirmed he would meet him to discuss Mr Z as soon as Marcus was ready.
Marcus then called and explained to Kyle what was happening. He asked him to keep an eye on Branno for him. To which Kyle swore to him he would. Kyle was stunned that things had escalated this far. Secretly, he decided to keep a closer watch on Z. He couldn't risk his future business partner and father of his future son-in-law being killed.
When Marcus called Branno, he instructed him to stay at the Wellington's until things changed. He would let Lissa wire some money into his account for clothes and anything else he needed. Branno agreed. There was silence between the two for a few seconds then Branno said, "I love you daddy."
"I love you son. I'll see you soon," Marcus said hanging up. His heart was pounding. He resolved that when he got back to their house, he would search for the number of the hospital and ask his friend there to arrange to move Sandra to a private facility. He couldn't risk anyone harming her.
The next person Marcus called was Lissa. He called the phone four times, but it rang then went straight to voicemail. As Jordan sat quietly on a small sofa in the room, he looked over at him. His eyes narrowed slightly. "Change of plans," he said to Jordan. "We're going for her now."
Upon those last words, Nesbeth walked into the room. "You guys leaving now?" he asked. Marcus nodded emphatically. "Something is wrong I can feel it."
Jordan noted Marcus's facial expression. "Okay," he answered. He turned to Nesbeth. "I need you to drop me off at my apartment first before you drop off Mr Dixon. It's nearby." Nesbeth nodded. "Okay, let's eat something first."
"We need to leave now," Marcus replied, moving towards Nesbeth. Nesbeth directed his gaze to Marcus, his eyes becoming steely cold. "I'm not rushing off to anywhere," he said. "I am hungry. I know both of you are. My mother made dinner. We're all gonna sit down, enjoy it and then leave." He turned around and walked into the kitchen.
Jordan followed him. He wanted to help Lissa, but he agreed with Nesbeth. Rushing off blindly especially on fumes was not helping Lissa either. Nesbeth's mother, Elizabeth, smiled at all three men. Jordan nodded politely at her. Marcus smiled briefly. Nesbeth went to her side to help her serve the food.
Marcus sat down grudgingly at the table. Jordan sat beside him, but did not look at him. Marcus's rebuke of him still stung. He would never hurt Lissa. Never. They were serving healthy portions of lasagna, fried, sweet plantains, and freshly home baked corn bread.
Observing Jordan's body language, Marcus cleared his throat. "I'm sorry for my outburst earlier," he apologized. Jordan nodded. Nesbeth sat down after pulling out his mother's chair. "I love my daughter. She doesn't make the right choices, but I love her. And thank you for helping me back at the club."
"Just doing my job," Jordan replied stiffly.
"I--"
"Can you pass the salt, please?" Jordan addressed Nesbeth. With a faint smile, Nesbeth gave the salt bottle to Jordan. Jordan gently tapped some of the condiment on the lasagna. Placing the salt bottle in the middle of the table, he quietly whispered giving thanks for the food, then dug in.
Marcus looked over at Nesbeth. "We'll need your phone number," he said. Nesbeth nodded. "Okay," he said. They both looked at Jordan. He grunted and took out his phone from the trousers' pocket. He unlocked the screen and went into 'Contacts'. "Your number?" he asked. Nesbeth told him the digits slowly.
Elizabeth sipped her drink and watched every move each man made. While she was washing the dishes after dinner, she called Nesbth to her. He stood by the sink and listened. "You're helping these men?" she asked quietly. Marcus and Jordan were still not speaking to each other. Marcus was sitting in the parlour, while Jordan was upstairs in Nesbeth's room.
Nesbeth nodded. "Yeah."
"Does this have anything to do with our friend Z?" she asked, sarcasm in her voice.
"Z kidnapped Dixon and the other guy--Jordan--came to rescue him. I'm helping them as much as I can," Nesbeth replied.
"They seem like good men. Try to help them, but be careful," she said. She turned and looked at him, her piercing blue eyes fixed on him. Nesbeth leaned forward and kissed her silver-grey hair. "I promise."
***
Thursday Night
Zavier opened his phone and saw a message come in from N. He tapped on it and saw a few pics. He clicked on each and looked through ten pictures sent to him from N's iPhone. He smirked. Good, that's one less problem to worry about, he thought. He wouldn't have wanted things to go that way, but if Dixon wouldn't cooperate he may as well be dead.
"Who is the other guy?" he asked in a text.
"Apparently his daughter's bodyguard," N answered.
"Okay. I'll be leaving by 8 to make my 11 o'clock flight," he texted.
"No problem. See you soon. Will bring a few things over."
Z's eyebrows shot up. "Moving in so quickly," he muttered to himself.
He sent N a thumbs up emoji and closed the app. He placed the phone on his office desk. He managed to reorganize his papers after dinner. Danae was upstairs packing both their suitcases. The boys claimed they were packed and ready. It was 7:22 p.m. They had a flight for 11:00 p.m. He was curious why Nesbeth wasn't back yet. He wondered where he had disposed of the bodies.
He chuckled softly. "Bastard," he said affectionately. In spite of everything he was fond of Nesbeth. Zavier hoped he wasn't dealing with his niece. He would hate to kill or cripple him. He was one of his closest friends, along with Kyle aka Midnight. Though, these days, Kyle grated on his nerves. He leaned back in his chair and looked at the ceiling. The egg-shell white surface's clean, sterile look somehow calmed him.
He got up and climbed the stairs to his niece's room. He was about to squeeze the door handle and push, when he hesitated. Remembering what his wife said, he knocked.
After a brief moment Izzie appeared at the doorway. Zavier smiled at her. "Can I come in?" He took her phone out of his pants' pocket and showed it to her. Izzie sighed, walked back to her bed and sat down.
Zavier entered the room slowly. He placed her phone on the night table. He sat beside her and stared at the floor. He put his right arm around her and squeezed her to his side. He took a deep breath and said, "You are the only thing I have left of your mother. I love you very much. I don't want to see you hurt." He leaned forward and kissed the side of head. "Izzie, you're not like my niece, you're like my daughter. I just want the best for you, okay?"
Izzie looked at the bedroom tiles. She wished he would just leave already! Zavier sighed. "I can't choose who you love, but I am begging you not to put your feelings towards Nes. He's too old. He's not a good man. He's dangerous. He's my friend, but friends can become enemies. I can't risk him using you for leverage to get to me."
"If he's so dangerous, why have him around?" Izzie asked her eyes wide. Right now, it wasn't Nes she was afraid of.
"Because he suits the purpose I use him for," Zavier answered. "Baby-girl some people are only good for one thing. It may not be a nice thing, but they are good at it. That's your uncle Nes. He's good for one thing only, and I pay him to do it because he does it very well."
"What are you--"
"You need not know anything further." He cut her off.
"Anyhoo, he will be here to guard you the two weeks I, your aunt and cousins will be gone," Zavier told her. "Please be a good girl and don't give uncle Nes any trouble, or he may have to bear the consequences of your actions." He squeezed her arm tightly. Izzie felt uncomfortable. She tried to loosen his hold by wriggling her shoulders and shrinking away, but he tightened his grip. She squirmed. "Do I make myself clear?" he asked. His voice had a cold edge to it that made her shiver.
Izzie nodded, her heart pounding. "Good," he said. "Make sure you do well in those studies you're flunking. Your mother was a bright young woman. I know you have it in you," he said. He used his free hand to hold her chin between thumb and index finger. He turned her head to look at him.
"Nothing crazy while I'm gone," he said, his eyes boring into her. Izzie swallowed. She could almost taste fear rising at the back of her throat. She swallowed again. "Chrystal clear?" he asked.
She nodded. "Yes uncle," she answered. He observed that her hands were clasped tightly together.
"Good. By the way, a team of electricians will be here tomorrow to fix the wiring of the house. I'm not getting enough power flowing into the sockets in my office, and your aunt has been complaining about the fluctuations affecting the fridge. They'll be here by about 8:30 a.m. You have class at 10 o'clock tomorrow. Make sure you or Nes let them in to do their checks and whatever else they need to do."
He got up from the bed and walked out quietly, leaving the door open. Izzie got up and closed the door. She launched herself on the bed and started to cry.
***
Thursday Night
Nesbeth stopped at Jordan's apartment and waited for him to collect his motorcycle and the bag he had with some clothes, other items and Lissa's chocolate bar. He drove Marcus to his home while Jordan rode along on his bike. When they approached the house it was pitch black. No lights were visible on the front porch or inside the house.
Against his better judgement, Nesbeth decided to stick around to find out what was happening. Marcus exited the car while Jordan parked his bike. He still had his house key. Marcus fished in his pockets and took it out. He pushed the key in and opened the door to see blackness. The house was quiet. "Lissa?!" he called loudly.
Nesbeth walked in after Marcus, while Jordan came in behind them. Jordan listened but didn't hear anything. He moved past them and ran upstairs. He called her name but heard no answer. He flipped on her room's light switch.
Lissa was sprawled on the bed on her back. He rushed to her and touched her cheeks. Her skin was still warm. He went to the top of the stairs. "She's in her room, but something's wrong!" he yelled. Nesbeth watched as Marcus took two steps at a time to get up to her room.
Marcus knelt down beside her. He placed his hand on her nose and felt light air on his fingers. He sighed. She was still breathing. He noted the large, black duffle bag on the bed beside her.
Jordan's right foot hit something as he came closer. He looked down and saw a bag. He took it up and opened the zipper. He pushed his hand inside and felt something hard and round--a bottle of some sort. He took it out and saw a prescription bottle. He touched Marcus's arm and showed it to him. The older man swore quietly and sat on the bed. He looked at his daughter. His eyes were bright with unshed tears.
Nesbeth stood behind them at the doorway. "I have to leave now or I'll raise suspicion. I'm sorry," he said. He looked at his watch. It was 7:46 p.m. He had fourteen minutes to get to Z's house. Marcus looked at him. He nodded. "Understood. This is nothing I can't handle," he said. Nesbeth noted the tiredness in the older man's demeanor. Looking back at his daughter, Marcus said, "I'll be in touch."
Nesbeth nodded. "Okay," he said. He looked at Jordan and gave a nod. The bodyguard inclined his head, his face grim. Nesbeth moved away from the door. He raced downstairs, out the door and into his vehicle. He drove off. He felt sorry for Dixon but he had his own problems.
Marcus lifted his daughter and brought her to the bathroom. Jordan moved to stand at the bathroom door. Marcus closed the door on him and stripped his daughter naked. He placed her in the bathtub and turned on the faucet. The cold water shot out, moving quickly past her ankles, up to her legs.
Jordan heard the sound of gushing water and started knocking on the door. "What's happening?" he asked. His senses sharpened and panic flared in his chest as he listened. He started banging on the door.
"Hey?! What are you doing?!" he called, but heard no response from Marcus. He moved back a few feet then launched himself at the door, ramming his left shoulder into it.
"Lissa! Lissa!" Jordan called her name. "Mr Dixon open the door!"
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