"Danae," he said softly, "it would be my pleasure to make love to you, but I want you to be sure. I'm not offering a one and done. I want you." His gaze lowered to her parted, waiting lips.
"I want to be your man," he said.
Sunday Afternoon - Jamaica Time
There was a knock on her door, but she ignored it, thinking it was her annoying nephew coming around to beg money again. The knocking became more insistent, and Beverly felt like she was getting a drumming headache from the sound.
"Arite! Arite mi ah come! Jeffrey if ah money yah ask fah again mi nuh have it!" she said loudly. She swung the door open to see Snake peering in at her. Beverly's mouth dropped open.
"Oh ... oh, ahm ... Sn-Snake is you!" she said swallowing.
Snake stepped forward, leaning on the wall. He placed his hand on the door jam. "Yuh think mi was Jeff?" he said, giving her a knowing look.
Beverly laughed nervously. "Yes, that bwoy give too much trouble," she said, looking down at her feet in comfy slippers.
"So what brings Z's enforcer here? I haven't done anything wrong." She stared at the ground.
"Miss Bev, yuh good," Snake said, chuckling quietly. "I just need some info."
She looked up at him, her eyes bright with interest. "Okay, if I can help, I will."
Snake stepped back and motioned for her to follow him. She followed him as he moved to the side of her house. Dread settled in the pit of her stomach as she stared at his back. He was a tall man with long limbs and broad shoulders.
He was wearing a black leather jacket, and black jeans. Black and white sneakers that seemed new were on his feet. His gait was unhurried, but she knew he could move very quickly when he wanted to. He gestured for her to sit on a swing while he moved to sit on the other.
Beverly sat on one of her grandkids' swings, her heart pounding erratically. Oh Lawd a wah Z want wid mi now, she wondered. She cleared her throat. "How can I help the big boss?" she said, eyeing him.
Snake looked at her house. "You have a nice house, Miss Bev," he said quietly. He directed his gaze, fixing it on her. He had hazel eyes that were cold and expressionless. They looked almost a murky brown and as lifeless as sewer water.
Thick black lashes adorned his eyelids and almost gave him an endearing appearance if it weren't for the tattoo of a coiled viper visible on the left side of his neck. Her eyes traced his profile, moving down to his forearm, observing the skull inside a skull tattoo on his left arm. She swallowed, her mouth opening in dismay. The black ink was a striking contrast to his light brown skin.
He wasn't a bad looking young man, Beverly mused. Some would say he was quite handsome, if he didn't have all those ugly tattoos. She looked at the ground. But she knew his heart was black. Maybe the tattoos reflected what was on the inside, she mused.
Snake observed the way she was looking at him. He smiled wickedly and patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, as I said, I need info, nothing more."
He shifted in the swing, using his legs to push it forward and back. Beverly watched him. Chuckling softly, he took a cigarette box with only three cigs left from the inside of his jacket. He removed his lighter from his pants' pocket and placed a cigarette between his full, darkened lips. He lit it and took a long drag. Closing his eyes, he exhaled slowly.
"Z is looking for his niece. She left the mansion and is no where to be found. He asked me to look for her and bring her back." His shoulders slumped slightly. He sucked in more of his nicotine addiction and breathed out a puff of smokey air reflectively.
"Z's time has ended. His power is slipping away, but he doesn't realize it yet," Snake said softly. Beverly said nothing. She watched him instead. She knew what Snake was doing. He was baiting her. She would not allow him to trick her.
She shrugged her shoulders. "Eeh? Well, I don't know anything about that." She dangled her feet absentmindedly while sitting in the swing. "I didn't even know that Isabel was missing." She lied.
Snake rubbed his face then turned blood shot eyes to her. "Have you heard anything? Any rumblings from the streets?"
She was about to shake her head, when he turned fully to her and gave her a long hard stare. His pupils dilated as he looked at her. Flecks of yellow and grey materialized in the irises of his eyes. It was very unnerving. She opened her mouth, but closed it abruptly.
Just then, her youngest daughter, Kadian, walked towards them. Beverly had three girls. Kadian was by far the prettiest of all three. She came forward holding a plate in her hands. When she stood before them, she smiled at her mother, then extended her hands to Snake who looked at her strangely.
"Snake, here, I cooked. I didn't know you were coming by, but it's a good thing I normally cook a lot of food."
Snake looked at the plate of brown stewed chicken and white rice. He looked up at her face. She smiled broadly at him. He flicked off the ashes from his cigarette, dropped the butt on the ground and crushed it under his sneakers.
Reaching out to take the plate, a faint smile formed on his lips, but its warmth failed to soften his eyes. He used the fork to mix the gravy in the rice. Kadian watched him. He put a fork full of rice in his mouth and chewed.
He closed his eyes briefly then opened them to look at Beverly. The pupils of his eyes contracted.
What the hell? Beverly felt a cold shiver run up her spine.
"Snake, forgive my daughter she needs to learn manners. Mi a try teach her, but she suh stubborn!" She eyed her daughter trying to give her a sign to leave, but Kadian stared at Snake instead.
"Well?" Kadian asked impatiently, hands on her hips.
Snake looked at her. His eyes moving over her face, down her body to her exposed legs. She was wearing a white blouse, and blue cotton shorts that covered her mid-thigh. A rare smile graced his lips.
"Reminds me of my mom's cooking. I like it," he spoke softly. He dug the fork into the chicken breast and tore off a large piece. He stuffed it in his mouth and chewed while smiling. Quietly, he ate the plate of food until he finished everything. He handed the plate back to Kadian who beamed happily. She did a little bow and floated back to the house in a daze.
"What was that about?" Beverly asked.
"Your daughter seems to have a crush on me," Snake said, a hint of humour in his voice.
"Have you been encouraging her?" Beverly asked. I can't believe this!
"Kadian is just twenty-one," she said, her eyes wide.
"Yes, so she is not a child, is she?" Snake retorted.
Looking at Beverly's mortified stare, he genuinely laughed. "I have no interest in babysitting children or young girls, Miss Bev, especially the child of a woman I truly respect." He gave her a disarming grin. "It doesn't mean I can't indulge a little."
Beverly's eyes shot up. Snake chuckled as he looked at her. "I'm just kidding." He took out a small rag and wiped his hands and mouth. "Your daughter is a good cook though Miss Bev, make sure you protect her. You know how some of Z's guys are." And pretty too, he mused.
Beverly looked at him, her heart skipping beats rapidly.
"So can you help me?"
"Hmm?" Beverly muttered, feeling fear clutching her heart like a vice. She would have to warn her daughter very sternly.
"Z's niece?"
Beverly nodded emphatically. "Let me see if anybody knows anything and get back to you," she said quickly. Her hands, folding in on themselves, were trembling.
He nodded then stood up. "It was a pleasure, and I appreciated the hospitality." He smiled at her. He paused and looked back at the house. "And your daughter is a very pretty girl." He turned and walked away. Beverly didn't bother following him to the gate, he knew his way out. She sat in the swing, suddenly feeling weak.
Snake logged into his Instagram and searched for her. He remembered once she had dropped off food for him and the other men when they were tracking a target Z wanted monitored. They could not leave to buy food, so Miss Beverly sent Kadian to bring food to them. He remembered how seven months ago, Cash grabbed her, wanting to hold her down behind one of the trees nearby.
Snake had gone to check on something to come back and left Davian in charge. It was a good thing he returned in time to catch Cash dragging her into the dark corner. Meanwhile, the other men played look out, but Snake was never the type to retrace his tracks in the same way he left. He came back from a different direction and startled them. He never trusted Z's men completely.
When he returned to the location, she was fighting hard and tried to scream, but Cash tied up her mouth. He was in the process of ripping her blouse off, when Snake punched him in the gut and kicked him in the face so hard he knocked out a tooth.
Snake brought her home immediately afterwards and warned Miss Bev not to send her again. He told her from then on either he or Jack would come for any food she would offer them. He rebuked Davian for not stopping Cash, but never told Z what happened. Z would have surely killed Cash.
Cash was an orphan who grew up rough. Z had a soft spot for him, and Snake liked him also. He rarely spoke or cracked jokes like the other men did. He was always focused and stayed 'hungry'.
His only weakness was women. The rumors were that he had several baby mothers. At least one in every parish. Snake grimaced as the thought crossed his mind. He was the proverbial gyalis.
None of that mattered now: Cash, Jack and Davian were all dead. Isabel was missing and he had a sinking feeling in his gut.
A week ago Kadian visited the loft and asked for him. Snake was surprised when he saw her and dragged her outside, demanding what she was doing there. She told him she wanted to say thanks for helping her. She made him some cupcakes.
She was doing a culinary course and wanted to say thanks as well as use him as a taste tester for her new cupcake recipe. He had to admit that he enjoyed all five of them in one sitting, he couldn't save any for later.
They had a delicious creamy filling and the icing felt like it melted in his mouth. The pastries were rich with a decadent flavor. They had this interesting citrusy taste, but he couldn't quite tell what it was.
She slid a piece of paper into his hand, and told him if he wanted, he could follow her on Instagram. After tasting her delicious cooking an hour earlier, curiosity got the better of him. He typed in her username and found her. Her profile pic showed her in a sexy black dress with a graduation cap on her head. Thrown over her arm was a graduation gown.
A bright, youthful smile graced her lips. Her full eyes displayed her innocence and unabashed excitement. He found himself smiling as he looked at her picture. He would keep an eye on her for now. Not that he was interested in her, no. Just to make sure no one else tried to harm her. He did not follow, but he saved her page as a bookmark on his phone.
He scrolled through her pics down to a photo of her in a pink colored bathing suit. In the more recent pictures she wore mostly shorts and skirts, but the older pics of her showed her in jeans pants. The bathing suit pic was the only one that showed more skin. His gaze lingered on the picture. He clicked on it and looked at the date. His eyes narrowed as he read the caption:
"He comes to rescue me again. Saves me from the bad men and kisses me. He tells me I am safe and then holds me in his arms. But then I wake up and realize it was only a stupid dream. He will never notice me."
Snake shifted on the back of his motorcycle as he read the lines over and over. His eyebrows arching up as his eyes raked over her in the bathing suit more slowly.
Is she talking about me?
The picture was taken nine months ago. Judging from what he saw today, she had gained a few pounds. Her body was more rounder, more womanly. His lashes fluttered as his eyes traced every curve, comparing it to what he saw earlier. A tiny smile tugged at his lips.
"Baby girl, you're playing with fire," he said quietly. Biting his bottom lip, he closed his eyes and recalled the obvious swell of her bosom in the tight blouse she was wearing. He wondered if she wore it for his benefit. Clearing his throat, he opened his eyes. He had no time for complications. He took a last look at her picture then exited out of the app. He had work to do.
He lay back on his bed, opened his phone and scrolled to her picture in that modest but sexy bathing suit. He zoomed in on the image, his fingers touching the screen, tracing her curves of her face.
Snake closed his eyes and thought of her laying on his bed: her large, beautiful eyes staring up at him in adoration. He hadn't had a woman over to his house in awhile. He licked his lips as he thought of Kadian's ample bosom.
Opening his eyes, he swore softly. He respected Miss Bev and he actually liked her daughters. They were all very pretty young ladies: Lydia, the eldest, was a doctor, while Shanice was a teacher, he wasn't sure what Kadian wanted to do, but he figured maybe being a chef was her ambition. One thing's for sure she can cook.
He sat up and looked at himself in the mirror. Both muscled pecs were covered with tattoos. He never liked color in his tattoos. For him, black made an unmistakable statement.
What would he do if Kadian was here? He chuckled softly to himself. A lustful gleam appeared in his eyes. He knew what he would do. She was his type, just younger than he would usually go for.
He however respected Miss Bev enough to keep his distance. He wasn't looking for anything serious, and he didn't want to take advantage of her naivety. But as his reflection stared back at him, his mind went to Kadian, and the thought that maybe if things were different he could be with her, popped into his head. It lingered, causing a feeling of sexual excitement to grow in his loins. He took a deep breath and dismissed it. It wasn't worth the risk.
His phone rang and he answered.
"Hello," his deep raspy voice sounded like smoke and rough gravel over the line. It sent shivers down Kadian's spine. She swallowed and cleared her throat.
"H-Hello, uh, Mr Snake?"
Snake chuckled softly. The grit in his voice made her body ache with longing.
"Yes, little butterfly," he responded softly. He couldn't think of any other name to describe her.
A thrill ran down her spine and settled low in her belly. She sat down immediately, her legs feeling weak.
"Uhh ... My mom has some info for you. She's asking for your email please."
He took a deep breath. He couldn't believe the simple interaction earlier had rattled him. Hearing her voice now was turning him on. He cleared his throat. "Tell her I'll text it to her," he replied.
"Alrighty, thank you," Kadian said, while her heart fluttered.
"Alright pretty butterfly," he whispered.
"Uh ... Okay." Kadian hung up quickly. She felt flushed all over. She put her left hand to her forehead and took deep breaths.
Snake chuckled, shaking his head. He unbuckled his belt and pulled it off his pants. Unbuttoning his pants, he stepped out of it, leaving it in a pile on the floor.
He stepped into the shower and stripped off his underwear. Turning the shower knob, he sighed and closed his eyes as the cool water hit his face. Her soft lips on his body would be something he wanted to experience.
Leaning forward, he pressed both hands into the tiles. Feeling the refreshing water run down his back, he smiled. When he was feeling this way there was a woman he visited, but they had gotten on bad terms because she wanted more than he was willing to offer. He gave her money, he gave a good romp in bed, but he had no affection to give.
Taking a deep breath he soaped himself up and thought of that little butterfly who called earlier: her pretty smile, her soft voice, the way her small waist was accentuated by the wide flare of her hips.
He groaned her name softly. He moved his hand down and stroked himself. He needed to get rid of this feeling before it destroyed his focus.
As the water beat down on him, he tightened his grip around the shaft and massaged more aggressively. A groan escaped his lips as he thought of her. He wondered if she had a boyfriend.
Could I be her boyfriend?
He called her name feeling a little embarrassed that he was feeling this way.
"Kadian!" he whispered. His hand moved faster. He closed his eyes and gave in to his desire.
A sharp groan slipped from him as his body convulsed and he thought of how much he needed her. His grip tightened and he gasped as he felt his body jerk, his hips bucking forward. He pressed his right hand into the wall to steady himself and sighed.
Feeling a little relief, he showered himself, but took his time.
Would it be so bad to get to know her just a little bit?
He laughed at himself. He hadn't had a silly crush in years.
***
After reading the info Miss Bev sent him Snake dialed her number.
"Hello," Miss Bev answered.
He was disappointed that it wasn't his little butterfly, but Miss Bev who answered.
"Hello, Miss Bev, thank you for the info. Are you sure what you sent is accurate?" he asked. He listened intently to her background wishing he could pick up a hint of Kadian's voice.
No sounds.
"Yes, the info is correct I asked a friend of mine to ask around. He knows what is going on in the streets. The elders are meeting in Druz's territory. One big meeting a gwaan. Your boss is in trouble. They want him gone."
Snake said quietly, "Swear that man to secrecy. Tell him I will reward him myself if he doesn't tell anyone you told me."
"Will do," she answered.
"I want to speak to Kadian," he said.
"Uh?" Beverly couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Nothing major, but I want to talk to her," he said.
"Snake, I'm begging you, please," her voice was tinged with fear, "please don't hurt my baby."
He chuckled softly. "What sort of man do you think I am? There's something I want her to do for me. That's all."
"What's that?" Beverly asked.
"If she could cook more of those wonderful meals for me I wouldn't mind. You know the type of job I do. I don't always have time to cook or clean for myself."
"My daughter is not a maid, Snake!" Beverly said, feeling indignant.
"I never said she was, but you and your family swore allegiance to the Black Diamonds crew. I don't have to remind you of the consequences of betrayal or not doing your part to advance its wellbeing."
He took a deep breath. "The only person who can tell me she's not coming is Kadian herself. I want her to tell me she won't do it."
Beverly placed the phone on the coffee table and called her daughter. She grabbed her wrist and squeezed. Kadian winced in pain.
"Likkle gyal! Yuh see weh yuh cause?! Snake send fi yuh!" Beverly shouted angrily.
Kadian looked at her mother wide eyed. "W-What does he want?" Her voice trembled.
Her mother dragged her to the phone. "Find out for yourself!" she said, her chest heaving.
Kadian picked up her mother's cellphone, and said, "Hello?"
"Hello my little butterfly, how are you?" Snake said, speaking softly.
"I-I'm fine," she answered, looking at her mother's angry face.
"Did your mother tell you why I want to talk to you?" he asked.
N-No," she said nervously.
Snake noted the tone of her voice. He cleared his throat. "Kadian, I need your help with something. I'm usually very busy, you know, business stuff. I don't have time to cook meals or clean the house for myself.
"As you know my mom and siblings live abroad, so it's just me. I need someone to cook nourishing meals for me, and I would also pay the person to clean for me. I will pay you well if you agree. You can put it towards your university tuition."
Kadian's throat constricted as she saw her mother's murderous look.
"Am I on speaker?" he asked.
"No," she said.
"Put me on. I'm not hiding anything from your mommy."
Kadian moved the phone from her ear and turned on handsfree. "You're on loud speaker," she said, her voice trembling. She placed the phone on the coffee table.
He closed his eyes. "Neither you or your mother have anything to fear. I won't hurt you."
"What about what you said earlier?" Beverly hissed.
Snake laughed. "You were denying me something I want. I have to make sure I get what I want." His voice had a steely quality to it that made Kadian recoil. Her legs feeling weak, she sat on the couch.
"Snake, you're scaring my child. Please stop this," Beverly said pleading.
"I don't mean to," he said, softening his tone. He opened his eyes and stared at the floor. "Little butterfly," he said. "I won't hurt you, I promise. You gave me some of your food and I realized I haven't had good home cooking in a long time. I've lost weight." He chuckled. "I just want you to cook for me, and keep my place clean while I'm gone." He sighed.
"You'll only cook for me when I'm home, but when I need you to clean I'll leave." He thought of something to allay their fears. "I have a spare key. Kadian can come and go without me being around. She can cook my food and clean, and leave before I get home. How does that sound?"
"Mi nuh know," Beverly answered with a sigh.
"I usually get in by midnight or later. I rarely get back by 9."
"Where are you now?" Beverly asked.
"I'm home, but that's because I was waiting for your intel. Now that I've got it, I will be leaving. But I would like her to cook dinner for me so when I get back I'll have something nice and tasty to eat.
"I won't hurt her," he said. "I'll pay her."
"How much?" Kadian asked. She lowered her gaze as her mother glared at her.
"I'll pay you for the day you come by to clean $5000. You don't have to clean every day maybe once or twice a week, and I'll pay you $3000 to just cook me dinner, and $6000 if you do breakfast, lunch and dinner for me," he told her.
Kadian rose to her feet and picked up the phone from the table. "Okay," she said.
Beverly staggered to the couch and sat down. "You're going to kill me!" she said, wheezing in anger.
"I'll pick you up and take you to my place. Miss Bev, get ready so you can come with her. I'm not going to hide anything from you." He hung up.
Beverly rose to her feet and stood before her daughter. "You'll be the death of me," she said, seething with anger. She slapped her. Kadian held her cheek.
"No mommy," she replied quietly, her eyes sad. "I know how the gang works if you do not comply they kill you. I don't want to die. You should know this."
She walked away from her and went to her room, locking the door behind her. Beverly cursed multiple expletives and sat on the couch holding her head in her hands. She was right, to defy meant certain death.
By 4 o'clock Snake came for them and brought them to a nice, upscale community in the St. Andrew hills. As he drove, he looked at Kadian through the overhead rareview mirror. She looked very nervous. Her mother however had her hands clasped together, staring out the window.
When he drove up the driveway they turned their heads in front of them to look at the house. Beverly's eyes seemed to bulge from their sockets. She looked at him. He shut off the engine of his Pathfinder and turned around to smile at them. "We're here," he said quietly.
Beverly looked at him, a question in her gaze.
"What?" he asked.
"Working for Z can make you afford this?" she asked, her eyes narrowing as she looked at him.
He chuckled softly, then shook his head. "Not at all," he said, humour in his tone. He unlocked the doors and stepped outside. Leaning forward, he said. "You guys plan on staying in the car the whole time?"
Kadian opened the door and scrambled out quickly. Beverly reluctantly stepped outside. "I forgot you're a murderer for hire," she quipped.
"Among other things," he retorted sarcastically. He walked towards the house. Kadian followed behind him. Beverly huffed and went after them.
The outside of the house was painted in white and gold, but the inside walls were painted in cool shades of blue and green, while the high ceiling were an egg shell white. There was a staircase made from wrought iron and painted in black. The furniture were all of modern design with sleek lines; calming earth tone colors and beautiful but plain elegance.
He gave them a tour of the house by first leading them to the kitchen. There was a six burner stove that looked like it had barely been used since it was bought.
Kadian opened the huge stainless steel refrigerator and found mostly bottles of water. He smiled as she ran her fingers over the simple, utilitarian design of the doors.
"Before I came to pick you up I stopped at a supermarket and bought some food. There's some chicken in the freezer and two pounds of turkey breasts," he told her as she looked at him. "You know how to cook turkey meat, right?" he asked, his eyes glinting with something beyond humour--mischief.
Beverly watched him. Is he flirting with my daughter?
"Is that what you want to eat tonight, Mr Snake?" Kadian asked. Snake nodded. "Yes, I feel for turkey tonight."
His eyes examined her from the ponytail piled high on her head, to the baggy t-shirt she was wearing, down to the pair of snug jeans that hugged her hips. He glanced at her feet. She was wearing a pair of black slippers, and wore light blue nail polish on her toes. They looked very cute.
He lifted his gaze and saw her watching him, her breathing shallow. Beverly walked past them and opened the back door. In the back yard there were clothes on the laundry lines. He smiled. "I decided to do a little cleaning up before you got here. I want you to be comfortable."
Kadian looked at him then averted her eyes as he stared intensely.
"Is she expected to do your laundry?" Beverly asked.
"Never thought about that," Snake said, thinking. "I can pay for that too. What do you say?"
"Okay," Kadian said, nodding but didn't look at him.
He spoke softly, "Kadian?" She looked at him cautiously. She clasped her hands. "Thank you for doing this for me," he said.
She nodded. He smiled at her then went out back to retrieve the dried clothes. When he came back in he took the stairs, the clothes hamper over his right shoulder.
Kadian followed him up the stairs. Beverly followed her daughter.
There were two bedrooms, the larger one being Snake's room. He placed the hamper by the bed and turned around. "My room," he said smiling. "You don't have to enter when you clean." Unless you really want to, he thought.
He stepped closer to them. Beverly stepped in front of her child. Snake moved back, a wry smile on his lips. "You can do the laundry, pack it up and leave it by the back door. I'll leave dirty laundry by the back door."
Kadian nodded.
He smiled at her. "Good. Let's get downstairs." He moved forward. The two women followed behind him.
There was a small little nook between the kitchen and the back door. He led them to it. There was a curtain. He pulled it back to show them the washing machine and three wash basins.
"I'll set up the hose for you in the days I want you to wash for me. Got it?" he asked smiling.
Meanwhile Beverly looked all around her. Her eyes carefully observing every detail.
Kadian nodded. "Mhm," she mumbled.
He smiled gently at her. She's such a cutie, he thought.
"I don't need you here snooping around my business," he said, his voice calm but clipped. His eyes bored into her. "I give you my word I won't hurt her. Let's go." He walked to the door. Beverly looked at her daughter. "Call me if anything happens. If he--"
"Miss Bev." His voice held an unsaid warning.
She went to him.
He smiled. "Let's go," he said. He looked back at Kadian. "I'll try to get back early so I can take you home when I'm done eating."
"When?" Kadian asked, her heart beating fast.
"By 9 or 10."
She looked at him. He could see she was fearful. "Don't worry little butterfly, I won't touch you unless you want me to." His voice was deep, but smooth with just the right amount of grit to make Kadian shudder.
He grabbed Beverly's arm and dragged her out the door.
"Weh di bloo--"
"Watch your tone Miss Bev!" Snake said, his voice charged with anger. "Get in the car," he growled.
"I'm gonna tell Z!" she shouted. He swung the car door open for her. "I'm not going in there with you, you want to kill mi off."
Snake grabbed her arm and pushed her into his vehicle. He slammed her door then got into the driver's side.
"Look at me," he said, his voice low and dark. Beverly looked at him, her arms crossed over her chest.
"Who saved your daughter when Cash tried to rape her, hmm? Who made sure she got home safely? You owe me," he said.
"I thought you were doing a good thing?" she said, sarcasm in her tone.
"Good thing?" His hazel eyes perused her like she was an annoying thing in his way. "I'm not a charity. I don't do good deeds unless I'm getting, or expect to get something in return. You should know that." He adjusted himself in the car seat, pulling over the seat belt--securing it across his chest.
"Put your damn seat belt on!" he barked. Beverly jumped, and hurriedly strapped herself in.
Starting his vehicle, he backed away from the driveway carefully. He drove through the opened gate. He would be back later so he decided not to close it. It was a fairly safe community. Nobody would disturb his property. Beverly stared out the window on the passenger side. He drove off quickly. He didn't want to be near her any second longer than he needed.
Sunday Evening - Jamaica Time
"So weh yah tell mi seh: Is Marks daughter was Z's niece all along?" Crab asked, leaning forward. He was sipping a glass of cognac that Dominic poured for him. Druz nodded.
Out of the corner of his eye he saw King, Machine's bodyguard flex his shoulders. Druz eyes narrowed.
"What is he doing here?" Druz hissed.
Crab followed Druz's line of sight and smirked. "You expected us to come here without security?"
There were seven men standing behind them near the wall. They were well muscled bodyguards with concealed weapons hidden in double breasted jacket suits. Druz scowled, feeling annoyed.
"Mi ah talk 'bout the madman one of unnu carry come yah!" Druz glared.
"Who yuh have a problem wid?" Machine asked, eyes narrowing.
"Weh King ah duh yah?"
"Is me ask him to be mi bodyguard," Machine declared, a challenge in his tone.
Crab chuckled softly. "Dom," he said, gesturing to his host's son.
Dominic came forward. "Yes elder?"
"Yuh have nothing fi drink? Some wine or something to wet the palette?"
"Yes elder," Dom answered, looking over to his dad. Druz turned to look at Crab and his son. "Give him a cognac," he said quietly.
Dominic went to fetch the alcoholic drink.
"Machine, mi nuh like King in my place," Druz said, eyeing the young man menacingly. King however ignored the older man's glares, staring ahead of him nonchalantly.
Machine looked at his bodyguard. "King, come here," he said.
King stepped forward. Machine looked up at him. "You and Druz have an issue?" he asked.
King cleared his throat. "Maybe two years back, but not now, not on my part." King answered, still staring ahead of him.
"The bwoy sex off mi last woman! Weh yuh mean not on your part."
Machine looked up at King, his eyebrows raised. "Is this true?"
King's eyes flickered, the only response from him. Machine stood up, took out his gun and put it to King's forehead. "Yuh betray an elder, yuh fi dead. Yuh lucky seh mi respeck yuh father."
King did not flinch. "What yuh want mi fi duh?" he asked.
"Move yuh blood claat from yah suh. Mi nuh want yuh to be my bodyguard again." Machine said angrily.
King turned his gaze on his now former boss. His dark eyes devoid of emotion. He would not beg or plead.
"Whatever you say," he quipped.
He stepped back, turned and left.
"Ungrateful wretch!" Druz said, seething with anger.
On his way out King bumped into N who was coming back from off the road. N eyed him, an amused look on his face. He observed King's sullen expression. "Up to no good again, King?"
The young man squinted his eyes at him. He was about to walk away when N reached out and stopped him by touching his shoulder. "Who did you come with?" N asked.
"Machine," King said, sounding bored.
"What happened?"
"He fired me because of Druz."
N's icy blue eyes assessed the young man carefully.
"You're done sleeping with dons' women, right?"
King nodded. "Been there, done that," he said softly. His showed no emotion, but the slight change in his voice.
"Want something to do?" N asked amused. "I'll pay you well."
"What do you have in mind?"
***
"... also Sentinel has found Goat's long lost grandson. He's also here. Gentlemen, the young blood is applying to become a part of our Syndicate. N has decided to be his sponsor," Druz said, his eyes gleaming with triumph. Lequan would be the tool they would use to finally destroy Z.
Crab, Machine and Stop Light looked at each other. Crab spoke up, "Bring the girl and the young blood come mek we see them."
Druz nodded, smiling. He bent his head in his son's direction. Dom came forward. He leaned his head to listen to his dad. "Go call her. She may be timid, but she needs to meet her elders, and tell Goat's grandson his presence is required."
Dom nodded and left the room. As he was about to enter the bedroom he shared with his woman, he heard voices so he listened.
"Did you know all of this?" He heard Izzie ask.
"No," Lequan said, "I swear to you, I didn't know. I'm just finding out ..." He paused.
"I didn't know," Lequan said. "Your boyfriend has been keeping secrets."
Izzie cleared her throat. "He says he was protecting me."
Lequan scoffed.
Dom pressed his face closer to the door. He knew that N was not in the room. He had gone to get some money to present to the elders as Lequan's sponsor. He heard silence then a slap.
"Don't do that again!" Izzie hissed.
Lequan chuckled. "You enjoyed that kiss."
"I didn't kiss you back!" Izzie said angrily.
"You didn't have to. You allowed me to get close to you and your body melted for me. Eventually, I'll have you."
"No, you won't," Izzie said defiantly.
"So confident," Lequan said, a soft chuckle came from him.
"Lequan," Izzie said with a sigh, "I may be pregnant."
"What?" Lequan's elevated tone came through clearly. Dom smiled to himself. N wasn't shooting blanks after all.
"Let go of me!" Izzie shouted.
Dom pressed his hand on the door handle but paused when he heard Izzie sigh and Lequan say, "It's okay, don't be angry. Talk to me."
"I have nothing further to say," Izzie said belligerently.
"If Z finds out he'll kill you," Lequan said, his voice on edge. "Izzie, this was very stupid of you. Getting pregnant for N is a disaster!"
"I love him, and it's none of your business."
"It is now," Lequan said, his voice deathly calm. "If Z knows he will surely kill N and you. He can't know."
"Like duh!" Izzie said, rolling her eyes.
Lequan spoke through gritted teeth. "You don't know who your fake uncle is, but I do. If he finds out about this he will force you to do an abortion. If you refuse he'll kill you. And if he ever knows he's not your real uncle it's over for you."
Izzie stuttered quietly. "I-I ..."
Dom heard Lequan's tone soften when he said, "I don't like it, but I won't let Z hurt you.
Izzie did not reply. Dom figured she was left speechless by what he said. He turned the door handle and entered the room. Both of them looked up at him, startled. Lequan had his hands on Izzie's face. He backed away from her.
"Druz has called you, Izzie," he said. He stretched out his hand to her. She went to him. Placing his hand on her lower back while guiding her through the door, he said, "Prince, the elders want to see you too." Lequan followed behind him, a feeling of foreboding in his gut.
As they entered, the conversation ended, and deathly quiet filled the room when the men called "The Elders" looked at Izzie and Lequan standing before them.
Machine stood up and walked towards them. Lequan moved closer to Izzie's side while Machine circled her. Izzie looked at her uncle Druz, her eyes pleading with him. Seeing her discomfort, Druz adjusted himself on his chair.
"Machine, yuh nuh done stare down mi niece yet? Come come man!" Druz said coldly.
Machine looked at him and smiled. "Pretty niece yuh have here Druz. She remind mi of yuh mom Esmeralda."
Druz grunted. "Relax yuh old bones bredda."
Machine chuckled and sat down. He focused his gazed on Lequan. His eyes squinting as he stared at him. "Him look like Bragga," he said, after a minute of staring.
Stop Light lit a cigarette and exhaled, the smoke swirling lazily from his lips. "He is his son, look at his eyes."
Crab leaned back, his eyes raking coldly over Lequan. "What do you have to say for yourself?" he asked sharply.
Flinching in fright, Izzie moved closer to Lequan, who instinctively linked her fingers in his--squeezing her hand tight.
"Braggard Prince aka Bragga is my father, yes," Lequan said quietly. Right now these old men had the upper hand. He needed them to help him protect Izzie and get back what Z stole from him. He would cooperate, but only for now. As soon as he could he would get rid of them too.
"My mother's name was Cheryl Raine Cross. My grandfather's alias was Wild Goat aka Mad Goat. I didn't get to know my father as I should. He was taken from me by a man I saw as a second father.
"Now that I know the truth I want revenge. I seek the elders permission to join your group to get revenge for my father's death and serve as an active member. I will be a loyal soldier for the Syndicate.
Stop Light blew out a puff of smoke. He looked at Druz. "Yuh test him?" he asked.
Druz laughed then nodded. "Of course," he replied, feeling amused.
"And?" Stop Light asked.
"He passed," Druz answered, chuckling.
Stop Light looked at Crab, who looked at Machine. They leaned towards each other on the couch and whispered. Machine lifted his head and looked at Lequan. He nodded. "Arite yute we ah give yuh a chance, but if yuh mess up yuh dead."
Lequan released a rushed breath and nodded. "I was loyal to Z, I will be loyal to you," he said quietly, bowing his head slightly.
"Good," Crab said, his eyes narrowing. He took another sip of his cognac. "Tell us about Z's operations."
Lequan nodded. Still holding on to Izzie's hand he spoke, his voice low, but confident about details of the Shop and Z's various businesses he was sharing.
Izzie stood silently beside him. He could feel her trembling. He squeezed her hand just a little to reassure her. Dom watched their interaction, and felt a type of way, but didn't say a word.
***
"The elders have accepted Lequan as Goat's legitimate grandson. You will pay the $50,000 as his sponsor," Druz said.
Nesbeth nodded his agreement. "I have the money right here," he said, patting a small duffle bag. He had gone back to his car an hour ago to retrieve it and brought it to Druz. Druz smiled and took the small bag from him. He opened the zipper and took the money out. Counting it slowly, he smiled.
"Okay, let's go back before those old bastards get restless and start a war we can't finish," he chuckled softly.
Izzie slept in a separate bedroom from Nesbeth out of respect for Druz, her uncle. Lequan slept in a separate room in the large building they now knew was called the Estate, while Nesbeth being an honorary guest slept in a separate building they called the Palace. It was an actual house that had been renovated by Dominic aka Bull Dog so that gangsters could stay over for the night while new deals were being made and alliances forged.
It had all the modern day amenities and there was actually a young woman who acted as a housekeeper to Nesbeth, fetching him whatever he requested, and cooking him dinner the night before and breakfast in the morning.
He followed Druz back to the conference room to face the grim faces of the leaders of the underworld. He sat beside Lequan who actually looked nervous.
***
Sunday Night - Jamaica Time
Masters, Schande and Baker all arrived in Master's SUV. N stood at the door to let them in with Bull Dog's permission. Tulloch had already arrived and was waiting in conference room B. Meanwhile Druz held court in conference room A, which was a much larger space.
The three men walked in and looked around the building. The ceiling was high, the rooms were large but there was very little light entering through the windows because the they were several feet off the ground and small.
Schande had a grim look on his face as he and the other men followed N into conference room B which N asked Dom to add a table and chairs for dining. Dark brown table cloth was laid over the large rectangular shaped table.
In the middle of the table sat Tulloch scrolling through his phone. When he heard them enter the room he looked up and gave a brief smile. Schande looked at the walls that had paint rolling off them in sheets. He stared at the floor. Surprisingly, though the walls looked unkempt, the floor looked clean. The place generally had a run down look but it was homely.
"Welcome to Druz's humble abode," N said smiling. "Have a seat gentlemen." He gestured towards the dining table. There were neatly organized cocktail sandwiches piled high in two large platters. Baker leaned forward, took up a sandwich and took a bite.
"Mhmm ..." he said. He nodded his approval.
N grinned at him. "Good?" he asked.
Baker stuffed the rest of the sandwich in his mouth and smiled. "Mad thing!" he answered.
N chuckled softly. "Okay gentlemen, you heard him, dig in. There's cheese, corned beef and tuna. Eat as much as you like." He pulled out a chair and sat down, reaching for a cheese sandwich.
Derron looked at Tulloch, who looked at Schande, who looked at Baker. Their gaze settled on Baker. A soft chuckle left Derron's lips.
Feeling their eyes on him, Baker looked up and scoffed. He rolled his eyes, pulled out a chair and sat down. "If unnu nuh hungry that a fi unnu business. I didn't get to eat my dinner, suh me hungry."
Tulloch, Schande and Masters pulled out chairs and sat down. Schande took up a napkin that was in a pile in a clear bag. "Y'all want a napkin?" he asked, his lips quirking up as he thought it was hilarious that five grown men were eating these little sandwiches.
Derron nodded then drew out a chair. Schande handed him the bag with the napkins and he took out two. Derron took a napkin and passed the small bag to Tulloch who took out two napkins, but slapped one onto Baker's chest. Baker grinned and took the paper napkin from his friend. Tulloch shook his head and smiled.
"Greedy f*cka yuh!" Tulloch said, laughing. Baker laughed, biting into a tuna sandwich in a dramatic way.
Derron smiled while watching them, but noted that N had a serious look on his face. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that Schande was also watching N's body language.
As if feeling Derron's gaze, Schande turned his head to look at Derron. Derron stared at him, his left eyebrow raised. Schande inclined his head slightly and smiled faintly at him. Derron nodded in response. He took a bite of the corned beef sandwich he had in his hand.
After they devoured the sandwiches in one platter. The men talked freely about their families. Schande's baby mom was five months pregnant so he was thinking of their future more than ever. Derron wanted to build a house for his mother, while Baker wanted to buy a house, and Tulloch was trying to keep up with the expenses of the private school his daughter was attending.
N smiled at them. Maybe Izzie was carrying his child. Though right now she was behaving as if she hated him, he knew she would come around. For now however, he was giving her space. He didn't like the fact that she was trying to spite him by using Lequan's attention. He wouldn't tell the men about that. He didn't want to appear weak before them.
Loyalty was very fragile and volatile among a den of criminals. He did however share that he wanted to retire his mother from working on the farm. But then Derron looked at him and asked, "How long have you been seeing Mr Z's niece?"
N's lips curled into a cold smile. "For a few months now. It was never supposed to happen, but it did."
"I hear she's very pretty. Is that true?" Derron asked, a smile on his lips, but no warmth was in his eyes.
"Yes, she is," N answered. He leaned back in his chair, his icy blues looking at him, while his mind calculated.
"You've gotten soft," Derron challenged, chuckling softly. Tulloch shifted in his chair. Schande looked at Baker.
Baker's hand froze midair. He was about to start on the sandwiches on the other platter. He looked at N's demeanor. Noticing Schande staring at him, he turned his head.
Schande's gaze bored into him. Baker noticed Schande's shoulder flex and looked down to where his hand was. Schande had a knife in his hand.
Baker mouthed, "Who?"
Schande mouthed back, "Right." Both N and Derron were across from him, but N was on the left while Derron was on the right. Baker placed the cheese sandwich in his mouth, chewed quickly then swallowed.
The air was thick with tension. Derron, realizing that he may have gone too far, chuckled. "It was a joke guys!" he said. "Why look so serious?" He cleared his throat.
N stood up slowly. "In the past when I was a young man I killed men for lesser insults. You're lucky I have my temper under control, but make no mistake I will kill you if you ever pass your place again, especially where it concerns Izzie." His eyes looked as if they had frozen over.
Derron lifted his hands up, palms facing N. "I meant no disrespect. My apologies. It's just that I grew up hearing about your," he cleared his throat, "your exploits with the ladies. I didn't think you'd settle down."
A faint smile materialized on N's lips, though his face was still a mask of fury. "You're young and full of exuberance now. One day you'll understand that a man can have the world, but without a woman he's still nothing; has nothing."
Derron nodded. "Understood," he replied. He lowered his gaze to the table, took up another sandwich and ate.
Schande relaxed. He put his knife back in his pocket. Baker took up another sandwich and chewed on that. Meanwhile, Tulloch slouched back in his chair, trying to relax. He took out his phone and sent heart emojis to his wife.
When the mood became more relaxed, N told them his plan to bring down Z. There was something he wanted Derron Masters to do. He decided that he would give him more responsibility so he would be even more complicit in their plan.
While N instructed Derron on his role in the plot against Z, his eyes bored into him. His expression was stone faced, his voice clipped and cold. The other men looked down at the floor while N carefully went through what he wanted Masters to do.
"I'm expecting your call tonight," N said to Derron.
Derron nodded. "I will call you," he answered.
"Good," N said softly. "You can leave." Derron left the room. N dialed Dom's number and walked to the doorway to make sure Derron was not lingering behind to hear what he had to say next. N watched as Derron moved towards a large iron door that opened to the hallway that would take him out of the building. Dom picked up the call.
"Put a tail on Masters," N said. "He's leaving now. I need someone discreet to follow him. Yes, it can be a woman. Good, thank you." N hung up.
Tulloch stopped texting and put his phone down. "What now?" he asked.
N smiled. "Now we see what he'll do," he answered, a cold smile on his lips.
He turned to the other men. All eyes were on him. "Now here's what we're gonna do ..."
***
Druz placed the $50,000 on the table. N stood behind him quietly sizing up each bodyguard, just in case.
"Let it be noted that Nesbeth Grant, aka N aka Sentinel has vouched for Temar Prince, Wild Goat's grandson," Druz said.
The other men grunted their approval. Crab leaned forward, picked up the money and counted it. He smelled it and turned to Stop Light and Machine. "All there," he said, nodding.
Stop Light nodded and smiled broadly. He looked behind him and gestured his hand towards his bodyguard who came forward. "Give me a brown bag," he requested.
The mountain of a man dug into his pockets and retrieved a bag. Stop Light handed the money to him. "Make sure Beverly gets this," he said.
The man nodded. "Should I go now?"
Stop Light nodded. The bodyguard looked at the gathering, bowed his head and left.
***
He hadn't seen his son in two years. They spoke on the phone and they would call each other as often as possible. Now he was preparing to find him. He picked up his phone and dialed his older brother's number.
The phone was switched off, no answer. He grunted and threw his phone on the bed. He started packing.
He always tried to be close to his son. When Jordie told him he wanted to go into the Army he didn't object. He knew his son always had an interest in a regimented lifestyle. Even when he was in Jamaica, he joined the cadets at his school. He was proud of him. Jordie taught himself Spanish, and learned a little Korean while he was stationed in South Korea.
Though his son had a love for discipline and order, he also had a mischievous side. He knew Ryan, his best friend from high school, brought it out of him easily. Ryan was a good kid no matter the trouble they got in at times.
He took up his phone and scrolled through it. He looked at a picture his son had sent him a few months back after he gotten a new apartment. He scrolled through his Whatsapp feed and noticed a picture he hadn't seen before. He clicked on it and saw a caption.
"Your future daughter, my destiny," the note said. It was from Jordie. He didn't know how he missed it. It was a photo of Jordie's girlfriend sleeping. With eyebrows raised Jonathan stared at her face. She was a gorgeous young woman. One he himself would be smitten by.
If I were younger, oh my ...
It was a good thing she was his son's woman. He would encourage him not to let her slip from his hands. He chuckled to himself. Carol would like her. He thought about his ex-wife. He missed her, but nothing could be done to mend the rift between them. He sighed and exited from the message app.
He was about the put down his phone when it rang. A broad smile lightened his face, making him look younger. He answered: "Yuh ol' fart yuh. Mi ah wonda if yuh ah avoid mi!" he said.
A gravelly voice answered, "Yuh ol' crasses yuh, weh yuh want now?!" A raspy chuckle then a laugh.
"Marks weh yuh up to?" Druz asked.
Jonathan's grin turned into a lopsided smile. He sighed. "Big bruh, I'm calling to let you know I'll be coming down to spend a two weeks down there. I got some leave time. You'll see me tomorrow."
He had told Jordie's woman a week's time, but that was to ensure his return was a surprise. He liked how she sounded when he spoke to her on the phone, but he didn't know her. He wasn't sure he could trust her yet. But his brother he trusted with his life.
Druz laughed. "Eeh? Yah come down?! Dat nuh gud man. How long mi nuh see yuh?"
"Been a while," Jonathan mused. It was over twenty years when Jordie was a teen.
"And mi ah guh finally see mi niece, yeah?" Druz said, clearing his throat.
"Yuh asthma still bad Drew?" Jonathan asked.
Druz coughed. "Something like that," he said quietly.
Jonathan cleared his throat. "I need to tell you something," he said.
He paused as he heard someone with a British accent say something to his brother. It sounded like Roman, but that was impossible, Roman's been dead a couple years now.
He heard his brother say, "Arite yeah, mi will look 'bout it."
"Yeah mi bredda, weh yah seh now? We having a meeting, but we almost finish. Yuh rememba Roman Grant?"
Jonathan nodded. "Yeah, mi good friend," he replied.
"Well his son is here. Good news, him just bring Wild Goat grandson back into the fold," Druz's raspy voice held an air of excitement.
Jonathan's hand tightened around his phone. Goat was his mentor. "I'm glad," he replied, his tone hushed.
"Suh weh yuh wah tell me?" Druz asked.
Jonathan's Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed with some difficulty. "I almost lost my son, your nephew," he said.
"Weh yuh mean yuh almost lose yuh son, mi nephew? Jordie yah talk?"
"Yuh have nuh other nephew from mi?" Jonathan quipped, feeling irritated.
Druz sighed. "Calm down, bro. Tell me what happened."
"Mi nuh know the details fully, but my son is in a hospital somewhere. Someone tried to kill him. I'm coming down to look for him, but also to find out who would dare try to kill my seed."
Druz spoke an expletive. "Mi never know. Mi nuh hear nothing 'bout this." His eyebrows lifted.
He turned back and walked into the conference room. He put his brother on loud speaker.
"Gentlemen, and lady," he said, inclining his head to Isabel with a doting smile for her.
All persons present looked in his direction. Lequan was sitting close to Isabel. She was totally ignoring Nesbeth's glaring looks. Druz chuckled softly, but sobered when he remembered the urgent matter at hand.
"My brother Marx is on the phone. He just told me very troubling news. My nephew Jordie has been shot and apparently he was the target of some evil plan," Druz said. He coughed a little. "Say your piece Marx, the elders are here listening and our esteemed guests. I put you on loud speaker."
"Alright, thanks Druz. Someone dared to touch my son--to hurt him, and I want to know who," Jonathan's angry voice came through clearly. "I'll be coming down and God help that man or woman who did it because dem a guh dead!" he roared.
Dom sat up. He was on his phone texting his baby mom. She sent him a pic of herself completely naked on in their bed, only partially covered by pink satin sheets. When he realized it was his uncle on the line, he perked up. "Weh yuh seh 'bout mi cuz?" Alarm in his voice.
"Weren't you paying attention?!" Druz barked. "Someone shoot yuh favorite cousin!"
Dom stood to his feet. He then remembered that Jordie was supposed to come see him yesterday and bring his girl over to his little sister's house. If it weren't for this impromptu meeting he would have remembered.
"Mi talk to him on him birthday. Just Saturday gone mi talk to him," he said, his eyes wide.
"Dada him nah answer him phone!" Dom said, his voice slightly elevated.
"I got his woman earlier," Jonathan said. "She's at the University Hospital I believe. She has his phone."
"How come she have it?" Dom asked.
"What's your nephew's name?" Nesbeth asked, standing up. He looked over at Lequan, who was swinging his legs and staring at the floor.
"Jordan Marx," Druz said, his body shaking with rage.
"He works as a bodyguard from time to time?" Nesbeth asked, his eyes narrowing as he watched Lequan.
Feeling the weight of his stare. Lequan looked in his direction. His eyes were filled with fear. Nesbeth's cold stare burned into him.
"You know something, Nes?" Druz asked, looking at him.
Nesbeth turned to his old friend. "If he's who I suspect you are talking about then I know who tried to kill him and I know why," he answered. Lequan shifted in his chair.
Isabel looked at Lequan. She observed his nervous behaviour and Nesbeth's cold demeanor. Did Lequan try to kill someone? She stared at him, her eyes growing cold.
"Druz mi ah come off the phone now, y'ere?" Jonathan said.
"Yeh, yeah mi bro. Me mek Dom come pick yuh up."
"Thanks, mi have to go Jordie apartment before mi touch your side. I need to talk to my daughter."
"Suh she deh yah?" Druz was surprised. "Suh how shi nuh come look fi mi?"
"Remember seh shi nuh know yuh. From what I gather, Jordie was supposed to take her over there to meet yuh."
"He was supposed to come over to Kelly's house. I was planning to tell you so you could meet her and his woman over there," Dom interjected.
Druz looked over at his son and nodded. "Alright." He rubbed his forehead.
"Alright Marks nuh worry yuhself mi ah guh see if I can help fi find him," Druz said.
"Thanks bro. Mi a guh pack now and get ready. Flight a come in tomorrow afternoon," Jonathan said.
"Arite mi bredda, call as soon as yuh land. Dom will come for you and mi likkle niece."
"Will do." Jonathan hung up. He immediately called Sophia Aurora's phone.
Druz turned to Nesbeth. "Who try fi kill mi nephew?" he asked.
Nesbeth took a deep breath. "Z sent out the order," he answered.
"Why? Is it because of me?" Druz asked. He fidgeted in his chair. The other elders listened keenly.
Nesbeth shook his head. "Not because of you. I doubt he knows the young man is related to you. I didn't know."
"So what are you saying?" Druz asked, his brow furrowed.
Nesbeth sat down. He looked at his hands and stared up at the ceiling. All eyes were glued on him, except Lequan's who was staring at the floor. Izzie nudged him. He turned his face slightly in her direction, but did not look at her. "Do you have something to do with this?" she asked, whispering.
He turned his face away from her, his shoulders sagged. Izzie's lips pursed into a thin line.
"Z has a vendetta, a very strong case of revenge for this cop he believes killed his sister Marcia, although you're telling me it wasn't him." He looked up at Druz then stared at the stripping walls.
The cop's name is Sergeant Shane Crosby. Your nephew was hired to guard his former girlfriend. Her name is Melissa Dixon. Z on several occasions tried to kidnap her so he could get to Sergeant Crosby." He sighed. Ms Dixon works as a counseling psychologist for the police force."
Druz leaned forward. "Are you telling me the woman my brother spoke about is the one who is responsible for my nephews injury?"
"It's not like that," Nesbeth said. His eyes caught Izzie shifting in the chair she was sitting on. He briefly looked at her then turned his head away when her eyes met his. He saw judgement in her gaze.
"Z believes that Sergeant Crosby is responsible for Marcia's death so he sent men to kill him. Miss Dixon is a victim also. She was never involved in Marcia's death. She was a target because she was dating the cop. She was even pregnant for him, but the stress of the situation caused her to lose the babies."
"Babies?" Izzie asked. Then she looked around and saw that all eyes were on her and she shrunk down in her chair. "Uh ... I'm sorry. I didn't mean--"
"It's okay," Druz said. "You have every right to be here and participate in this meeting." He looked at Nesbeth. "Babies?" he asked.
Nesbeth nodded. "Yeah, she was carrying twins, but the stress of the situation made her lose them. Z attempted to kidnap her twice. The first attempt was stopped by her ex who was on the scene to help her, and the second time Jordan and his cop friend, Stewart I believe, is his name, intervened."
Druz nodded.
"Do you know where she is now?" Druz asked.
Nesbeth hesitated, looking over at Lequan. Izzie poked Lequan and whispered, "Why is Nesbeth looking at you like that?"
Lequan lifted his head to meet Nesbeth's gaze. He nodded his head, then looked away. Druz noticed the exchange between the two. "What is this?" he asked. "Wild Goat's grandson, do you know about this?" His eyes grew cold.
Nesbeth shifted in his chair. He was about to speak when Druz lifted his finger. "No," he barked. "I want young blood here to tell me what he knows." Druz's eyes bored into Lequan. Lequan lifted his head, his gaze remorseful.
"I was just following orders. I'm sorry, I-I didn't know. I swear I didn't know."
Druz had a murderous look. "Dom," he said, his chest heaving. Dom produced a gun in his hand and stalked over to Lequan. Izzie threw herself across Lequan's chest.
"No please, uncle! Please, he didn't know!"
Druz stood to his feet. He nearly fell with how quickly he stood, but Stop Light managed to hold him up.
"What are you sorry for?" Druz asked menacingly.
Lequan looked at N. N stood up. Stop Light snapped his fingers and immediately his bodyguard was at N's side. His gun muzzle poking into his waist.
"Young blood weh yuh sorry for?" Druz asked, his voice low.
Lequan looked down at Izzie her face which was a mask of fear. "I love you," he whispered. "Always have." He lifted her from his lap and tried to put her upright but she held on to his legs.
"I sent men to kill him under Z's orders. I did not know he was your nephew. I didn't even know I would be here, so there it is," he said resignedly.
"You must die!" Druz said, shaking with rage.
"Sorry cousin Izzie, but my father is right," Dominic said. He grabbed her arm and pulled her away from Lequan. The force with which he hauled her away from Lequan caused her to stumble backwards.
Nesbeth sprinted quickly over and caught her before she fell. "Be careful, she's pregnant!" he blurted out. The bodyguard who stood at his side was stunned at how quickly N moved. His composure rattled, he advanced towards him.
Stop Light raised his right hand to stop him. "Don't you see the girl right there!" he said sternly. The guard stepped back and observed quietly.
"Izzie, baby, you okay?" N asked frantically.
It seemed like time stopped as everyone froze and looked at them. Schande looked at N, then caught Baker's eyes. Tulloch shifted in his seat, his hand moving to slip into his jacket.
"Pregnant? Who is she pregnant for?" Druz asked.
"Me!" Nesbeth said quickly.
"Lequan!" Izzie shouted.
Nesbeth let her go. "What?!" His icy blue eyes darkened as he stared at her. Izzie clasped her fingers, twisting them absentmindedly.
"I'm sorry Nes. I'm sorry." Tears welled up in her eyes.
"When?!" he asked, his voice rising an octave.
"When you're not with me. Before you came to stay at uncle's house!"
Lequan pushed Dom away from him and put his arms around her. He took a deep breath. "Izzie, no!"
"Lequan, please." Her eyes pleaded with him.
He shook his head vehemently. "No." He straightened his back and looked at N, the elders, Druz and the men who came because of N. "The baby is yours N," he said. He touched Izzie's face. "She was just saying that to protect me, but I am not a coward." He turned his body to her and hugged her tightly.
"Izzie, you have to be strong for your baby. Whatever happens to me, promise me you will take care of yourself, okay?" Lequan kissed her forehead. N touched her arm. She flinched away from him. Lequan released his grip on her, but she held on to his arm.
"Lequan, no! Please!"
Lequan held her close, rubbing her back. "I wish I had gotten the chance to be with you. Maybe I would have tasted your cherry the way you always wanted," he whispered in her ear. "Now I wish I had." He smiled ruefully at her. He brushed his fingers on her face.
A sob tore from her chest, rocking her forward--her knees buckled. She gripped his shirt with trembling hands. "No! No! Noooo! Ahhh!"
"Shhh ... Izzie. Think about your baby. Be strong for him or her." Lequan pried her hands off him, and N grabbed her by the waist, lifting her from the floor.
"No! Let me go!" she screamed. N tightened his hold on her.
"No! No! Uncle please, don't kill him. Please!"
"No, my dear," Druz said coldly. "He must die!"
"But your nephew is okay. He's in hospital. Show mercy, please!"
"What do you want me to do? Forgive him after what he's done? No!"
He looked at his son. Dominic nodded. He grabbed Lequan's arm.
"Take him out back," Druz commanded.
"Izzie, I love you," Lequan shouted.
Izzie screamed his name. "Lequan!" Her body slumped to the floor as she cried.
Dom dragged him outside.
There was a deafening silence and then two minutes later they heard four gunshots, then the death cry of a man taking his last breath. Izzie's body convulsed from heavy sobs. N tried to hold her up, but she dug her fingers into his arms.
"I hate you," she said. "I hate all of you. I want to go home!"
"This is your home now," Druz said in a sharp tone.
She lifted her head and looked at Nesbeth. "I hate you. I wish I never met you."
Nesbeth staggered back from her as if she slapped him. His hands curled into fists, his shoulders sagged.
Dom walked into the room, his clothes bloodied.
"Murderer! Murderer!" Izzie yelled.
"What happened?" Druz asked.
"It's done," Dom said, then collapsed.
Machine went over to him and checked his pulse. "He's dead," he said, his voice sullen.
Izzie squeezed her eyes shut her body was shaking uncontrollably.
"Get her up!" Druz said sharply. N tried to touch her, but she slapped his hands away. He regretted everything. He didn't know what to do or say.
"Go check outside," Machine said, beckoning to his bodyguard Leo. Leo nodded and left.
When he returned his expression was grim. "Yeah," he said, "the other guy is dead."
Druz grunted.
"Maybe he was trying to get away," Leo said.
"Maybe," Druz said quietly.
He moved quickly to Machine's bodyguard's side, grabbed his gun and aimed it at N. "You brought this crasses into our house. Yuh fi dead!"
"No!" Izzie threw herself before N. "No more killing. No more please!" she wailed. "Please done now. If you kill him might as well kill me too. Please uncle, no more!"
N put his arms around her. Druz's eyes threw murderous darts at N. He sighed as he finally looked at his niece. "Okay, my niece. No more killing today." He took out his cellphone to call a number and a man answered. "Melvin? Yeah, I need you to do a disposal for me. Also, my son is dead. I need you to put him up at your family's funeral home. Yeah, thank you."
He called another number after he hung up and a tall very dark-skinned man entered the room with two men, who were smaller in size, but still formidable looking.
"Melvin is coming to pick up the body outside and my son," Druz told the men. "The body outside must be wrapped up properly. His face must not be visible. Make sure you do what I say."
The tall black man nodded. "Will do boss," he said. He turned to the other men who lifted Dom off the floor and took him away. The big black man walked behind them.
N cleared his throat. "I will take Izzie to her room now," he said. Druz looked at his niece. Her body was shaking, her eyes were red and eyelids puffy. He took a deep breath. A look of regret passed over his countenance then it was gone. Nodding, he said, "Fine, she's seen enough for today. Take her to her room."
Nesbeth nodded. He lifted her in his arms and took her away. She lay limply on his chest, not saying a word.
Tulloch grimaced. "I think they broke her. She will never be the same," he said. Schande and Baker looked over at him. They agreed though they dared not speak.
N laid Izzie on the bed. There was a commotion behind him. He turned around in time to see Christal coming at him with a knife. He gripped her wrist, and put pressure to the side of her neck. She went limp, the knife fell out of her hand. He held her and placed her on the bed beside Izzie.
Izzie screamed. "What have you done to her?" she shrieked.
"She'll be okay," N said, a light film of sweat on his brow.
Druz hearing the scream, walked in and saw what happened. "What's wrong with her?"
"Nothing--"
"He squeezed her neck! Oh my God! What have I done? What have I done? How can I not have seen it!" She turned on N. Her eyes were deep pools of despair. "My aunt was right," she said quietly. She lay on the bed and turned her body to the wall, her back to her uncle and N. N reached out to touch her, but she shrugged him off.
Druz sighed. "Will my daughter-in-law be okay?"
N nodded. "Yes, she'll be fine. It's temporary."
"I should kill you," Druz said, his eyes black and cold. "But I will spare your life for now for reuniting me with my niece. But make no mistake as soon as this thing with Z is sorted out I will kill you."
N nodded. "Understood." He looked at Izzie. "She may be pregnant," he said.
"So you were serious?" Druz asked.
"Yup, she told me a few days ago. She's not sure, but she missed her period and it hasn't come yet. We were supposed to get the home kit and find out."
Druz's eyes narrowed. He looked at his niece then back at Nesbeth. "I''ll ask one of the young women here to buy one for her."
"Thank you," N said quietly. "Druz ..." He paused, his eyes searching the older man's face.
"What are you asking?"
"Please take care of her. If she's pregnant promise me that you won't hurt the child or her," N said.
Druz took a long look at him and shook his head. "For the sake of your father, Roman, who saved my son's life once. I will spare your child. but not you."
N nodded his agreement. "I can live with that."
Druz grunted and walked away. He remembered his daughter-in-law and looked back. "Can you wake her up?" He pointed to Cristal. N nodded. "Yes I can."
"Do it then. You can't blame her for trying to kill you."
N grimaced. "True."
"I'll take her to the Palace when she wakes up." Druz said.
N lifted Cristal and brought her to her and Dom's bedroom. Druz followed behind. N laid her on the bed and took a small pillow flattening it with his hands. Carefully, he placed Cristal's head on the pillow and made sure she was laid straight out on her back.
He stood with his legs slightly apart, and took deep steadying breaths. He cleared his mind, breathing in slowly, quietly. Druz watched him, but did not want to disturb, so he walked away quietly and reentered his niece's room.
He walked in hearing her quiet sobs. He sat on the edge of the bed, but did not touch her. "Izzie," he began, his raspy voice mingled with emotion. "I'm sorry about what you had to see the past few hours, but this is the world you were born into."
She sobbed louder. He reached out to touch her but stopped short. His hand landed on the bed instead.
"Izzie," Druz sighed, "tomorrow your grandfather will come home." He took a deep breath. "He doesn't know you exist."
"If he's like you I don't want to meet him," she said bitterly.
"I'm sorry you feel this way," he answered. He looked at the walls reflectively. "I have wanted to get out of this business for awhile, maybe it's time. Dom should have taken over but," he sighed, "yeah it won't happen now."
"Uncle Z would never let me go through these things!" Izzie said between sobs.
Druz touched her shoulder. "Don't you get it? He only took care of you because he thought you were his niece, but you're not. If he knew he would have killed you or maybe sold you as a prostitute."
Izzie spun around, her eyes wild. "Uncle Z would never!" she hissed.
Druz shook his head. "You naive child." He clicked his tongue. "You have no idea."
Izzie looked at him, her body curled into itself.
He shook his head. "Your uncle Z," he said mockingly. "Your uncle Z isn't who you think he is, my dear. It's time you know the truth."
He took out his phone. "Trudy, come to bedroom 5. Hmm ... good."
"I'm gonna make you talk to someone who ran away from Z because her family owed him money and they sold her to him."
Izzie trembled. She gripped the bedsheets tightly. She looked up as the girl who had served her dinner and had helped her with small things, stood by the door. Trudy bowed her head to Druz.
"Come forward," Druz said. Trudy stepped into the room.
"Tell her what you told me. Tell her what Z did to your family and what he was going to do to you," Druz said, but his eyes were on his niece.
Trudy released a rushed breath. "My family owed Z money, money that no matter how much they gave, they couldn't finish paying it off. He said we were now his slaves. He said the only way he would forgive the debt is if they gave me to him. I volunteered to go. My mother has a heart problem ..."
Izzie felt like she was drowning. She couldn't listen anymore.
"Alright stop! Stop! Please! Okay? All of you are evil and deserve to go to hell!" Izzie screamed angrily.
Trudy paused. She looked at Druz who patted her arm. "Show her the scars on your arms. She lifted her blouse sleeves to show blotches and aging bruise marks.
Izzie's felt like she was going to faint. "Z did that to you?" she asked.
Trudy shook her head, her eyes sad. "No, he asked one of his men to do it."
"Did they touch you sexually?" Druz asked. Trudy nodded, squeezing her eyes shut.
Druz looked at his niece. "When I met her she was thin, malnourished and almost to death's door. She came here for protection and I gave it to her." He patted the young girl's head. "You can go back to your chores," he said smiling. Trudy smiled and left the room.
"What makes what you're doing to her any different? You treat her like a slave," Izzie charged.
Druz shook his head. "No, not a slave. When she came here and stayed with us, I took care of her like a daughter. She works because of gratitude. I took her family from the situation and hid them somewhere Z won't find them."
He touched her left thigh and patted it gently. "She works out of gratitude. She can leave anytime she wants. You've never suffered the wrath of Z because he thought you were his blood, but make no mistake, he will kill his own blood if he has to."
"Did he tell you who killed your mother?"
"No," Izzie answered.
Druz chuckled bitterly. "The answer isn't far from your reach."
They heard footsteps and looked up to see N carrying Cristal in his arms. "She's still weak," N said. He looked over at Izzie who averted her eyes away from him.
"Let her down," Druz said. Cristal ran into Druz's arms. He hugged her and rubbed her back. "Shhh ... my daughter. I'm hurting too." His voice broke into raw emotions. He sniffled and took a deep breath. "For the sake of your kids, you have to stay strong."
"I promise you all who have wronged us will be brought to justice," he said, looking at N. N saw his stare and looked at the floor.
"But for now my dear, You have to stay strong."
"What about him?" Cristal asked pointing at N.
"We need him for now, but his time will come, I promise you."
N's fists curled into tight balls. "I did not know these things would happen," he said through gritted teeth.
"That might be true," Druz said, "but you have to pay the price."
"My head hurts," Cristal cried softly.
"Come my dear. Come, let's get you something for the pain." Wrapping his arms around her wais,t half supporting her weight, he guided her out of the room leaving N feeling regretful.
N turned to Isabel. "Izzie, I--"
"Mi nuh wah hear nothing from you Nes. Leave me alone."
Rubbing the palm of his hand on his face, he gave her a last look and walked out. Izzie lay on the bed as the tears continued to flow.
***
Seychelles - Monday morning
"What are you doing?" Mael walked in on Danae putting on a pair of flats. She was dressed in black jeans and a pink blouse.
She was packing her phone and a few small items such as a comb in a bag that Zaniv brought for her. "I'm going home," she said simply.
Mael's heart sank. He knew she would have to leave eventually, but so soon?
"I see," he said.
Danae stopped what she was doing and looked at him. "I can't stay here, and I do feel better. I have to go home." She saw the sadness in his eyes and went to him. She reached up and lightly brushed her right hand on his cheek. He closed his eyes upon feeling the contact.
"I enjoyed getting to know you, and thank you for all you have done to help me, but my life isn't here," she said softly. "I have to go home." Zaniv had already cleared her hospital bill. It was time she left Seychelles and got back to her real life.
Mael opened his eyes and the smoldering passion she saw in their depth made her open her mouth. She felt a stirring in her loins. Mael had succeeded in doing something no other man had ever done: he made her yearn for more--beyond her life with Z. Staring at him, she wished things were different. In his gaze she saw the possibilities and wanted more.
"If you ever need me bel damo, call me. I will come to you." He pulled her into his embrace, she did not resist him. Brushing his fingers lightly on her cheek, he bent his head and tentatively pressed his lips on her forehead. Rising on tip toe, Danae reached up, hungry to feel more of his touch.
Mael bent his head and gently tasted her lips. She groaned softly straining up to receive more from him. He sighed and wrapped his arms around her, crushing her soft curves passionately to his chest. He opened his mouth and kissed her like a man eating his last meal. Danae sagged against his frame and he squeezed her closer.
Lifting her in his arms, he brought her to the hospital bed and laid her down. She looked up at him, her eyes wide with shock at how strongly she felt for him. He locked the door and came back to her. She watched him walk slowly towards her.
Taking off his shirt, his gaze bored into her. Danae's eyes hungrily devoured him. He stood by the bed, a tiny smirk on his lips as he observed the way she was looking at him.
Danae's eyes roamed his upper body with curiousity. He was lean and muscular, his chest well defined. His abdominal muscles tensed as she reached out and touched them. Mael's eyes darkened as he watched her.
She swallowed. "I shouldn't," she said, her voice raspy. She pulled her hand back.
"True, but you want to," he said softly. He caught her hand and placed it on his ab muscles, His muscles tensed as he slowly moved her hands down to the waist of his pants. Danae snatched her hand away as if burned by hot lava.
"We shouldn't," she said weakly.
He bent forward and captured her lips, quieting every protest she had in her mouth. Slowly, she circled her arms around his neck and he came up on the bed, pressing himself on top of her. His hands roamed her body freely with a gentleness that heightened her yearning for his touch.
She sighed airily and he paused then, tenderly he brushed his lips on her forehead. Inhaling her scent, he groaned softly.
"I will miss you if you go," he said. "Stay one more day."
She looked up at him. He touched her face. His eyes showed an honesty and vulnerability she had never seen from Zavier. Her heart fluttered. She could live this fantasy for one day, couldn't she?
She touched his face and smiled. "Okay," she said. She would call Zaniv and let him know. Mael grinned happily at her. He reached for his shirt, putting it on quickly. He lifted her from the bed onto her feet. Taking up the small bag she was packing he took her hand and pulled her to the door.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked, half confused, half amused at his grinning face.
"Somewhere I can have you to myself," he said smiling. He saw her hesitation. He stopped and looked into her eyes.
"I won't do anything you don't want," he told her, his eyes sincere. Looking into his eyes she felt safe for the first time ever.
She nodded. "Okay," she said.
Mael saw her body relax and the calm look on her face. He nodded. He sobered quickly, the wide grin being replaced by a soft smile. He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it. He wanted her to trust him.
"You can trust me," he said, his voice deep, warm and reassuring.
She nodded. "I trust you."
Smiling at her, he led her out of the hospital room without another word.
***
Mael brought her to his apartment and upon reaching his door he unlocked it and lifted her across the threshold. She giggled and he smiled at her. He carried to his plush dark-grey couch and placed her to sit on it.
"Have you eaten anything?"
"No, I haven't," she said, smiling up at him.
"It's still early," he said, smiling back at her. "Would a cheesy omelette be okay?" he asked.
Danae lay down on the couch, her eyes teasing him. "Sounds great," she answered.
Seeing the way she looked at him, Mael came forward and sat on the couch with her. She sat up, looking into his eyes. Gently, he cupped her face with both hands and leaned forward to playfully rub her nose. He kissed it and she giggled lightly. Slowly, he planted soft kisses on her left cheek down to her neck. He suckled gently on her neck and Danae lay back, her body feeling weak.
She reached out for him, her eyes emitting a warm glow. Mael looked at her, then touched her face. He kissed her forehead then leaned back to look at her. He lifted her legs and wrapped them around his waist. She did not stop him. She began rubbing his forearms instead. She squeezed his hands and smiled at him. Her eyes told him what she wanted, what she needed from him.
Bending forward to cup her face, he took a deep breath. "Are you sure?" he asked.
She nodded, a faint smile on her lips. "Yes, I'm sure. I want you," she said.
"But earlier--"
She sat up and covered his mouth with her hand. Mael nipped gently at the flesh, awakening a storm of emotions inside her. She closed her eyes, her throat moving up and down as she swallowed multiple times.
"Please Mael, make me forget. I don't want to think of anything. Please let me forget."
He scooted closer and touched her face. The sadness in her eyes broke his last resolve. He pulled her towards him and gently kissed her lips. She responded with an urgent fierceness that took his breath away. He gathered her in his arms and lifted her to his chest.
While walking to the bedroom he kissed her lips passionately. Easing his head back to look at her, she noticed his eyes were a darker, hypnotic shade of brown. "I'll be gentle," he breathed.
Danae looked at him. All her time with Zavier she had never required him to be gentle. She never thought she deserved it. There were times when Zavier was gentle with her, but not often. Now as she looked at Mael, she decided that she needed some tenderness--that a little gentleness would do her good. She placed her head on his neck while he carried her.
He rested her on the edge of the bed and opened the single window in the room. "Let me go freshen up, okay?" he said in her ear.
A shiver ran up her spine when she felt a soft kiss behind her ear and his hot breath on her skin.
She swallowed hard and looked up at him. "Okay," she mumbled hoarsely. He smiled at her, touched her cheek and went to the bathroom to shower.
She lay back on the bed and closed her eyes. When Zaniv came yesterday to the hospital, she was in a sort of daze, but he held her until the dam inside her broke and she cried. Mael stood silently by her side while her son hugged her. He said nothing, but his presence was enough to comfort her.
At least he was there for me, she mused. Unlike my cheating husband. She sighed and opened her eyes, staring at the ceiling.
When Zaniv came to see her he sat on the edge of the bed and held her hand as he told her why Zavier said he was leaving. She suspected Midnight had something to do with it, but she didn't care. What she cared about was the fact that Zavier was potentially putting her baby, Zahir, in danger. She got a whiff of something rich and woodsy coming from the bathroom. She inhaled deeply.
A second later, Mael emerged from the bathroom a towel wrapped low on his hips. Danae looked at the hard muscles of his chest, arms and abs, and felt like the wind was knocked out of her. Z was a lean man but never this heavily muscled. A quivering breath escaped her lips.
She looked at his face. He had washed his hair. It was damp, the strands curling slightly. He sauntered over to her aware that her gaze never left him.
"Do you like what you see?" he asked, teasing her. She cleared her throat and nodded. He smiled at her, sat on the bed and touched her hair. His eyes searched her face.
"Danae," he said softly, "it would be my pleasure to make love to you, but I want you to be sure. I'm not offering a one and done. I want you." His gaze lowered to her parted, waiting lips.
"I want to be your man," he said.
Danae blinked. This was the first time Mael had called her by her first name. Her hand trembled as she brushed a wisp of hair from her face. "I want you too, to be honest," she bowed her head, "but I don't think I'm ready for a relationship right now."
"I understand," he said.
She lifted her head, saw disappointment on his face and wished she could tell him what he wanted to hear and mean it, but she couldn't.
"Do you only want me sexually?" he asked, his eyes darkened.
She shook her head while licking her lips. "No," she said, "I like you beyond that, but I need time to heal."
Mael bent his head forward and kissed her brow. "I want to help in that process."
She shook her head. "No, I don't want you wasting time on me."
"Bel damo, please let me help. I want to." Leaning forward he kissed her neck. After licking his lips, he moved them slowly down to the gentle curve of her right shoulder. Kissing her so tenderly, he also nipped the delicate skin and heard her gasp. Danae shivered and swooned, her body swaying towards him.
"Let me show you what my love can do," he whispered, his voice warm and sensual to her ears. She closed her eyes, leaning into him. He captured her lips, his tongue probing her mouth almost desperately. He placed his hands on her shoulders and pushed her back gently.
Danae lay back on the bed, her limbs feeling languid and heavy with desire. "Can I see you?" she breathed, her gaze dropped to the floor.
A sexy smile curved his lips. "Sure," he said softly. He stood up and pulled off the towel from around his hips, dropping it to the floor. Her eyes followed the descent of the towel, her cheeks burning. He stood before her: rippling muscle and sinews. His thighs looked powerfully strong, but she blushed when she saw his arousal proudly erect before her. Her heart rate spiked and her loins clenched as she looked at him. Slowly, she lifted her gaze to his face.
His Asian eyes narrowed, his lips pursed.
"Is it to your satisfaction?" he asked.
"Wh-What?" she stammered, her throat felt tight.
He looked down at himself then back at her. "Do you like it?"
Her eyes drifted down. Swallowing hard, Danae nodded. "Yes," she mumbled, "I like ... you look great. Your body is amazing."
A faint smile appeared on his lips and he seemed to relax before her. He smiled at her, his eyes brightening. "Glad you like what you see."
She smiled at him. "I do. You're really sexy." Her eyes roamed his body, her heart racing. She stared at his member, hard and thick before her. She bit her bottom lip. She could almost hear the blood rushing through her veins. She sat up, watching him.
Mael smirked and moved to sit beside her. He reached over to the night table and pulled out a drawer. He removed a condom pack and took out a packet. Placing the pack on the top of the table, he carefully tore the wrapper and carefully smoothed the latex rubber over his penis.
Danae watched him, her eyes transfixed as his member pulsed a little.
"What's wrong?" he asked.
She looked up at his face, her eyes wide. "I've never been with an Asian man before."
Mael smiled amusedly and touched her face. "Danae, I am just a man like any other man," he said, "with the same tools in my arsenal," he paused, "maybe more." He smiled cheekily.
"What do you mean?" Danae asked, her throat dry.
"Meaning, I never stop until I achieve my goal," he said, his voice gruff.
"What's your goal?" she asked, a shiver ran through her.
He reached his hand up and pulled off her headband. "Right now, it's to satisfy this beautiful, sexy, mysterious woman in my bedroom. To make her feel things she's never felt before," he said.
Danae closed her eyes briefly. When she opened them, he was staring intently at her. His chestnut-brown eyes were filled with affection. Gently, he raked his fingers through her hair.
"For now you ..." He sighed. "You legally belong to someone else, but that's your past. I want to be your future. Let me soothe your heart," he said seductively. Mesmerized by the look in his eyes, she gave in. Nodding, her mouth slightly open, she stared at him.
"Can I see you?" he asked, his voice low and sensual. Danae's heart skittered, then hammered against her ribcage. She looked into his eyes and bobbed her head. Capturing her mouth passionately, he suckled on her lips, nibbling on them.
His hands moved up and caressed her back, slipping under her blouse to rub on her soft skin. Danae lay back as he lifted her blouse past her waist over her head and laid it on the bed. He looked at her sweetheart cup bra and his eyes narrowed.
He snaked his hands behind her, unhooked her bra and pulled it off her. Danae covered her breasts, her eyes darting to the ceiling.
Mael lay beside her and tenderly kissed her neck, suckling on the sensitive skin. He moved closer and kissed her lips, pulling on them seductively. He kissed her collarbone, her chest and the soft swell of her breasts. He came over her and embraced her, circling his arms around her. He squeezed her body in his embrace and groaned her name.
"Relax for me bel damo, let me make you feel good," he whispered. He placed soft pecks on her cheeks, her eyelids and her neck. Danae whimpered softly, overcome by his tenderness. He lifted her arms away from her breasts and she gave in.
Mael gazed hungrily at her breasts. He looked up at her face, his eyes drinking her in. "Am I okay?" she asked, looking at the wall just in case his face was filled with disappointment.
With a ragged breath, he cupped her breasts and kneaded them slowly. Danae arched up, her eyes rolling inside her head. A soft moan escaped her lips.
"You're beautiful," he told her. He cupped her breasts and skimmed his tongue on her hardened buds. He suckled them and she gasped--her breathing unstable. He groaned deeply, suckling more intensely.
Moving his hands down, he unfastened her belt, pulled the two buttons on her jeans and dragged the zipper down, while his lips moved down to her belly. Easing up and forward he pushed his thumbs between the waist of her jeans and skin to pull them down. She lifted her hips to help him. His eyes devoured her soft, brown skin.
He looked up at her face. "I promise, I'll make sure I take care of you," he said. Danae's breath caught, she nodded. Bending forward, he captured her lips, laying on top of her. He squeezed her upper body and breathed her in. Danae groaned as she felt his strong arms hold her possessively.
"Let me show you my love," he whispered. He lowered his head and kissed her passionately, his tongue teasing her to the point where she was wet and throbbing with need.
Tenderly, he slipped her panties off her and wrapped her right leg around his hip. Gently, his fingers rubbed her throbbing nub until she was whimpering softly. He slipped his finger inside her, taking his time to tease her. He pulled out his finger and brought it to his lips. He opened his mouth and slowly inserted his finger while she was watching.
"Hmm ... really sweet," he murmured. He sucked on it and groaned deeply.
Danae closed her eyes, a feeling of pleasure washing over her. Slowly, he slipped his finger inside her and moved it faster. She moaned, her head falling back as he fingered her.
Danae tentatively lifted her left leg and reached up to kiss his lips. He pulled on her bottom lip, adjusting himself fully over her. Danae moaned softly, his body heat feeling intoxicating to her senses. The smell of his freshly showered body made her weak with desire.
He kissed her brow as he slipped his finger out of her. He moved his right hand up to caress her left buttock, kneading gently. She licked her lips. Her yearning for him was becoming unbearable. With shallow breaths she shifted under him, moving her hips to indicate her need. She stared into his eyes. Mael looked at her beautiful eyes and smiled.
"Close your eyes, baby," he whispered.
Danae closed her eyes. She felt his hardness pressing against her centre and she shivered. "It's okay bel damo. It's okay. Relax. I'll take my time."
Danae took a deep breath. Gently, he pressed into her. She bit her lip and groaned as she felt him slipping inside. He rested half way in and lovingly kissed her, then moved back and forth with a slow rhythm.
"You feel so good," he breathed softly. Anchoring himself on his elbows he undulated his hips, rocking back and forth, gliding in and out as he sought to pleasure her. He groaned her name while licking his lips.
"Hmm ... Danae!"
Danae felt ripples of pleasure run through her. Groaning, her breath hitched and she whimpered softly.
"Ohh! Ohh!" she moaned. She grinded her hips as the rhythm of his thrusts produced a delectable sensation through her.
"Yes, Danae, just like that, let this feeling take over."
He increased the pace of his strokes and watched her body arch, her muscles tensing. He felt her tighten around him and moved faster. Kissing her eyelids, her cheeks, her now swollen lips, he groaned her name and sighed.
"Danae, you're so beautiful," he said.
Danae put her arms around her neck and looked at his face. His eyes were narrowed into tiny slits. His jaw clenched while his face was an image of concentration.
"Is it okay?" she asked shyly. "Am I okay?"
He chuckled softly, smiling at her. "You're more than okay. You feel so good." He rolled onto his back and made her straddle him. "Do what you want, baby. Ride me as hard as you want. Take as much as you want," he told her.
Danae pressed her palms into his ab muscles, delighting in feeling them flexing under her hands. Arching her head back, she closed her eyes and focused on this moment only, and the man who asked for nothing more than her trust.
Rolling her hips, she rocked back and forth. He feels so good. She moaned for him. "I love your dick. Hmm ... fills me up, so good," she groaned.
Mael gripped her hips and moved with her. "Glad you like it," he said breathlessly. She bounced on him, wanting to feel more. She wanted him to drive her insane. She rode him harder, her eyes closed and mouth open.
"Ohh! Ohh! Mael! Ohh! Yes! Ohhh!"
A hiss escaped Mael's lips. He thrusted up into her. She's so tight!
He bit his lower lip. His eyes fluttered closed, and he felt that sweet sensation building: that familiar ache, that tension growing in his loins.
No, I need to focus, he thought.
He opened his eyes and looked at her. Her eyes were closed. Her visage was an image of ecstasy. He was happy he could make her feel good, but needed to keep his eyes open. If he closed them he would go off and lose control. He didn't want to embarrass himself.
Danae smiled down at him. She adjusted herself coming up closer to his belly. Mael shifted his hips up, watching her. She began to move up and down slowly. Lifting her butt, she allowed the tip of his member to slip to the edge of her opening, then she slid down on it so his hardened shaft could fill her up again.
"Ohh! I love it! You're so hard!" she moaned. Mael grunted--squeezing and cupping her breasts. Pushing himself into her felt so good. His breath came out in short spurts.
She lifted herself, her wetness sliding up and down on his shaft again and again until Mael felt like he was about to climax, but he wasn't ready. He gripped her hips and began thrusting faster. He would focus on making her feel good before he thought of himself.
"Harder! Please, harder! Ohh Mael please!"
Groaning softly, he gripped her and began thrusting deeper and harder, while listening to her cry out his name
***
Sunday Night - Jamaica Time
Zavier placed a bowl of soup in front of his son, a towel slung casually over his shoulder. Zahir looked up at his father. His eyes were filled with a sadness that made Zavier feel frustrated. "You wanna call your mother?" he asked.
Zahir nodded happily. Zavier took a deep breath. "Go ahead," he said quietly. He missed hearing her voice also. His son got up and ran upstairs for his phone. He came down and dialed her number. It took a while for the call to connect, but when it started ringing Zahir looked up at his father, a wide grin on his face.
The phone rang and rang but there was no answer.
***
Monday Afternoon - Seyhelles Time
Mael gripped Danae's hair and pulled her head back, her body arching in front of him. He had her bent over on her hands and knees, moaning and breathing heavily. She climaxed once already, but he wasn't satisfied. He wanted to see her orgasm one more time before he took pleasure for himself. He stroked deep inside her, pulling her body back on him. His right hand was holding onto her hip.
"Hmm! Ohh! Oh god! Hmm!" Danae moaned loudly.
"You like this cock inside you?" Mael asked, his voice dropping to a deep register.
Ohh, yes ... hmmm! Yes, I love it!"
"Call me baby," he growled.
"Ohh, baby! Baby! Ohh!"
"Want more of this hard dick?"
"Yes! Please! Yes!"
He bent forward over her back, moving slower but thrusting as deep as he could go. Danae started to whoop and scream. Mael slapped her butt and she gasped--her breathing laboured.
They heard the vibration of her phone before they heard the ring. Her body stiffened when she heard the ring but continued to move. Mael slowed down. "No!" she said. "No, don't stop please. I can call them back."
"What if it's your son," he said. His hips grinding involuntarily.
"No, baby please," she pleaded, pushing herself back on him. "I-I'm almost there, please!" Her body jerked before him.
"Okay, baby. Okay, I won't stop," he crooned softly. He ran his hands over her back and lovingly caressed her shoulders and sides. He began building his pace inside her, telling her she was beautiful.
***
Jamaica Time - Sunday Night
The phone kept on ringing. Zahir frowned. The call went to voicemail. He redialed with the same result: he heard a click then his mother's voice on a pre-recorded massage. He hung up. Zavier patted his son's shoulder.
"She's probably sleeping. Call back in an hour," he told him. Zahir nodded, walking away to go upstairs. Zavier remembered the soup. "Your soup!" he called after his son. Zahir nodded and with an exasperated sigh, he took up his soup and carried it upstairs to his room.
Zavier was about to clean up the kitchen when his phone rang. He picked it up from the kitchen counter and realized that Snake was calling.
He answered, "You've got something for me?"
He heard Snake's chuckle. "Indeed I do. Word on the street is that the Syndicate elders are meeting in Druz's area to plan a takeover of your empire."
Z's hand tightened on the phone. "Is that so?"
"How do you want to handle it?" Snake asked.
"I have a spy in Druz's camp," Z said. "I'm going to see what she knows."
"Have you heard anything about Izzie?"
"Yes, apparently she might be there also. She was brought there by N," Snake revealed.
Z frowned. What was N up to? Why would he bring my niece there. Is he hoping that Druz would hide her from me? Ridiculous! Anger boiled inside him.
"Do you know if Midnight is there at this meeting?"
"Didn't get any intel on that?" Snake said.
"What do you want to do?" Snake asked.
"Round up the men. We're going to pay a visit to Druz's land. Been a long time since I have visited. By the way, where did you get this info?"
"Miss Bev," Snake answered.
Z smiled. He would reward her handsomely. "One hour," he said.
"Will do," Snake answered.
Z ended the call and went to fetch his son. He knocked on the door then entered.
Zahir looked up at him. "Finished eating?" Z asked. Zahir observed the fierce look on his father's face. He nodded. "Yeah, I'm done eating," he replied.
"Take your bowl downstairs and let's go," Z said, turning to the door.
"Where are we going?" Zahir asked, his heart pounding.
"Tonight you become a man," Z muttered and walked away.
As he headed down the stairs Z's phone rang. "Hello?"
"Big boss." It was Derron.
"Derron, how can I help you?" Z asked smiling.
"It's what I can do for you," Derron said.
"Okay, let me hear it."
"N, Tulloch, Baker and Schande are over in Druz's territory having a secret meeting."
Z's countenance darkened. "Is that so?" He looked behind when he heard his son approaching.
"Yeah," Derron answered.
Z looked at his son, covering the phone receiver. "Come with me," he said quietly. Zahir nodded.
"Where are you now?" Z asked, walking downstairs to his study, his son right behind him.
"I'm at home. I'm taking my mommy some place safe." Derron answered.
"Noted," Z replied. He typed in a four digit code for his safe, opened it and took out his Desert Eagle .44 stainless steel semi-automatic pistol. He removed five rounds from a leather bag and began loading several magazines. He snapped a magazine in place. Turning over his gun he admired it as the light hit the shiny metal, reflecting off it . Z smiled coldly.
Meanwhile, Zahir watched silently, a heavy feeling forming in his chest and sinking into his gut. Z put up the bag, closed his safe and spoke into the phone, while he locked in the pistol's safety. He noted that Derron sounded distracted and nervous.
"You alright?" Z asked, his eyes narrowing as he listened to the young man's response.
"Yeah, yeah, just can't believe they would do such a thing. You're the big boss, you know. What are they thinking?"
"Did N approach you too?" Z asked, breathing slowly through his mouth.
Derron cleared his throat. "Yeah, he did, but I told him I was not interested. I also advised him that he should not even think about it."
"What did he say?"
"Some sort of alliance and we'll make more money," Derron answered being evasive..
"Nothing else?" Z asked.
"No, nah he just said he would say more when we met today, but I didn't go. I decided to let you know."
"Okay, I appreciate it. Thank you," Z said hanging up. Z didn't believe him. He called Snake back.
"N wants me to go charging into Druz's territory. Tell the men to hold on."
"Okay, what's changed?" Snake asked.
"Derron called me," Z said simply.
"What did he say?" Snake asked, his interest peaked.
"That N is meeting with Tulloch, Schande and Baker to plan a takeover. I don't doubt that he's telling me the truth, but Derron loves money. He says that N offered to pay them more than I'm offering, which I don't doubt, but I feel he's hiding something. And why tell me now? He could have called me, or told Lequan to call me." He thought of something.
"Have you heard anything about Lequan?"
"No, no word," Snake answered.
Z was getting concerned now. Something is wrong. He wondered if N killed him. "Stay on the line."
Snake said, "Will do."
Z navigated to the homescreen and dialed his spy's number on Line 2 of his phone. The sultry voice of a young woman came on the line.
"Hello?"
"Honey, have you heard from Lequan?" Z asked.
"No Mr Z, I haven't. I was about to call you," she said. "He told me that he would watch the back of the yard while I monitored the front. I haven't heard from him."
Z grimaced. Honey knew that the home she was watching was his.
"Thank you, Honey. I'll make sure to send something extra to your account tomorrow."
"Thank you Mr Z," she answered enthusiastically.
"You're welcome. You can go home. I no longer need you to watch my place," he told her.
"Okay, yes, I know you're back."
"Yes, I am," he said smiling.
"But are you sure?" she asked. "I've seen that N guy and your niece leaving the house several times during the weeks I have been here, and him having his hands on her."
Z's body tensed. "What did you say?"
"I mean, to the uninterested eye it would look like an uncle or something like that guiding a younger niece, but no man touches a woman's lower back near her hips and it doesn't mean something intimate."
Z's hands gripped the phone tightly. "When was this?" he asked.
"Different times. Sometimes he leaves with her. Sometimes she goes to the market and comes back with food. Other times he leaves by himself and comes back. He doesn't touch her openly, but I have caught the brief touch on her lower back, um ... maybe twice or three times. So as I said someone just going about their business wouldn't see that as nothing, but I notice, that's my job."
"You are a good spy," Z said, smiling bitterly. "Thank you for this info Honey your job at this time is done. If I need you again I''ll be sure to call you, but for now go home, I'll reward you well."
"Okay Mr Z, will do."
"Yes big boss, I'm here," Snake answered.
"N has been messing with my niece!" Z said, breathing erratically. "It may be a trap, but we're going in. Tell the men to get ready!"
"Okay boss. When?"
"At midnight," Z replied, his body vibrating with rage. Then a thought came to mind. "Also, send your brother, King, to deal with Midnight and tell him to kill him. I was planning to kill him myself, but I need to get back my niece and end this treachery. No harm should come to his wife and children."
Snake said, "Half brother. You sure you want him? He's a loose cannon." He didn't want to talk about his younger brother like that, but it was true.
Z released a short breath. "Midnight knows you, he doesn't know your brother."
"But still--"
"Call him. I need this done today," Z demanded.
Silence then a heavy sigh. "Okay, I'll call him."
"Good," Z said and hung up. He turned to his son. "It's time I teach you how to use a sidearm."
Zahir's eyebrows shot up.
"Your brother knows how to use a gun. I never taught you how because you used to be squeamish at the site of blood, but now it's time for you to know how," Z said his eyes glinting with revenge. "Take!"
Swallowing hard, Zahir took the gun from him. Z smiled. "Come let's go to my private shooting range. I'll teach you now." Wide eyed, Zahir nodded. His hand shook as he held the weapon, but he dared not show any fear to his father. He knew how his dad could get. Taking a deep breath he nodded. "I'm ready," he said quietly.
Z smiled. "Good boy. Let's go, you have until midnight to learn the basics. I have another gun at the range, a much more simpler model than this one. If you can get this one, the other is a piece of cake. Let's go."
Z walked out of the study and into the living room to grab his car keys. Pressing the key fob the car alarm chirped, indicating that it was turned off. Z opened the front door and moved quickly towards his vehicle.
Zahir followed him. As he waked past the hallway mirror he saw his reflection. He didn't recognize himself. He looked pale--ghostly. He quickly turned his head away and walked out the front door.
***
N was in the dining room just staring at the walls. All that happened was his fault. But he only wanted Izzie safe, and he wanted Lequan to know the truth. Many years ago when he was a youngster Lequan's dad helped him and his family. Z had bogged them down with debt. They could barely scrape by, but Lequan's father intervened and spoke to Z, paid half of the debt himself, and when the time came convinced Z to give them back his father's farm. In return, N worked for Z as a loyal slave to ensure there would be retribution on his family.
When Z told him to kill Bragga, he refused. He couldn't and he wouldn't be disloyal to the man who had saved his family. He tried to warn Bragga that Z was no good, but he wouldn't believe his friend from primary school days would hurt him, but he did. Now, he didn't care what happened to him. Z had to die so the baby inside Izzie could live a normal life.
N's phone rang. He answered. "I told him what you wanted me to say," Derron said.
"Good," N replied. "Go home. Secure your family and wait for my call."
Derron released a sharp breath. "Okay," he said.
N ended the call. He headed into the conference room where both his gang leaders and the Elders were waiting.
His crew were on the left, the Elders on the right, the bodyguards to the back of the room. "Derron spoke to him."
Baker leaned forward. "On to the next phase then?"
N nodded. Baker got up and left the room to make a few calls.
"How do you know Derron did what you told him? How can you be sure he didn't betray us?" Schande asked. Crab leaned forward listening keenly.
N smiled. "Because just like you Schande, Derron has a weakness: money. He knows Z will never give him what I promised to give."
Just then, Druz walked into the room. There was a pause as the men waited for him to take his seat. He walked slowly to his chair and sat down. Crab cleared his throat and N looked in his direction.
"I hope you know what you're doing," Crab said.
N nodded, his face solemn. He felt out of sorts talking about these things--moving on like two lives hadn't been snuffed out, like they didn't matter. But for all their sakes, he needed to focus. He took a ragged breath. "I do, but if my esteemed elder has insight on this matter, please go ahead."
N's response pleased Crab very much. He stood to his feet. Stop Light and Machine looked at each other then at Crab.
"I know Z to an extent. He can be very cunning," Crab said, rubbing his beard. "If this Derron guy loves money as you say, he may ask Z to be the higher bidder for info, no?"
N shook his head. "No. Z can be generous, but not as generous as I have been. I am offering the opportunity to run his division without me breathing down his neck like Z would do. More profits for him, more autonomy to run it how he sees fit." He looked at his men. "That's why these men are here too," he said.
"You're quite generous," Stop Light quipped.
N frowned. "Something wrong?" he asked, looking directly at Stop Light.
"No offense to your men here, but one reason the underworld is so successful and stays organized is because of the cruelty of its leaders."
N's eyes gleamed with mischief. "These men are here because I can provide an opportunity to make something of themselves. Z is harsh--cruel, but here they are."
"Because they fear you," Machine chimed in. "Your reputation precedes you."
N chuckled. "I guess it does." He walked to the centre of the room.
Druz looked up from his phone and listened. He was sending out alerts asking anyone he knew: relatives, friends, and dons to look out for his nephew. He locked the phone screen.
"They may fear me but fear doesn't garner loyalty," N pointed out.
"Neither does money," Crab asserted.
N smiled. " I am aware of that."
Schande looked at Tulloch who scratched his head. Tulloch spoke up, "Yes, we want the money promised to us, but we trust N. We know he's good for what he's promised us. He was the real one running Z's operations anyway, he and Lequan."
At the mention of Lequan's name, a chill passed through the room. N cleared his throat. "I reward the men for their hard work." he said quietly, his countenance somber. He turned to his left and gave his men a smile. "Thank you for your confidence Tulloch."
"I agree also," Schande said.
"Me too," Baker added, walking into the room. "The men are ready," he said looking at N.
N nodded his acknowledgement of Baker's report. He smiled at his men. He looked back at Crab. "They know I'm good for what I promised," he said.
Crab smirked. "Okay, so maybe these men are loyal and maybe the Derron guy is also loyal, but Z is no fool. He's probably thinking this is a trap."
Just then, Stop Light's phone rang. He answered and listened. He stood up. He looked at the other Elders. "That was my bodyguard," he said. "Z knows we're here."
Machine stood up. He looked at Crab. "We're leaving," he said.
Druz moved to stand up. Machine put his hand out. "No need to try to convince us to stay. You know our bodyguards are no match for Z and his full army of men." He turned to Crab and Stop Light. They nodded.
Turning to the bodyguards, Stop Light said. "Let's go."
The guards looked at each other. Leo moved off first, the other men stood to the right and left their respective principals. Machine was short one bodyguard because he had dismissed King earlier. Crab looked at Druz, and said, "I pray you will make it out of this alive." He walked out of the room. Stop Light nodded to Druz then N; the other men present and left. Machine followed closely behind him with his bodyguard at his flank.
Druz looked troubled. "Who told Z that they were here?"
"Could Derron have said anything?" Schande asked.
"Could be," N said, chewing his bottom lip. He took out his phone and made a call.
***
The door clicked open and Snake walked in to the delicious aroma of turkey breast being cooked, and what smelt like steamed pak choi. He closed his door and walked into the kitchen.
Kadian was tending to dinner, moving from dutch pot to frying pan to rice pot. Snake leaned in the doorway watching her. The food smelt really good. Asking her to cook for him was a good idea.
"The food smells good."
Kadian jumped nervously and swung around to stare at him, her eyes wide and body tense. Snake caught the slight tremor of her hands. He moved closer and she backed away from him, almost bumping into the stove. Snake grabbed her before she made contact with the frying pan. She stared up at him. He looked past her at the stove.
"You have to be careful, little butterfly. I don't want you to get burned. How do I explain that to your mom?" He looked at her now, his pupils dilated. While she was in his arm he noted that her body felt soft and supple.
He could also feel her trembling. I won't hurt you. I would never hurt you, he thought. He looked into her eyes and gently brushed his fingers on the side of her face. Her left cheek looked oddly different from her right. Using his fingers, he lifted her chin to get a better look at her face in the light.
"Your face is swollen on one side," he said. "What happened?"
Feeling unnerved by the way his eyes looked, Kadian sought to step back from him. He released her and she turned away from him to the stove.
"Nothing," she said quickly. "It's nothing.
He spun her around again and touched the bruised cheek. His eyes narrowed as he noticed that the skin was a little darker than the rest of her face. "Did someone hit you?" he asked.
Fear flickered across her face, but she concealed it quickly. Shaking her head, she moved away from him.
"No," she answered. "No, I'm fine."
She opened the lid of the dutch pot and tended to the turkey breasts. "Next five minutes," she said.
"Okay, no prob," he said, still thinking about what he saw. He left her and went upstairs to his bedroom. Taking his phone from his jeans' pocket he dialed his brother's number.
He wondered if it was her mother who hit her or one of her older sisters, or a boyfriend. He sighed as he listened to the phone ringing. After the fifth ring his brother answered.
"Yes?"
"Good night to you too, little brother," Snake answered, annoyance bubbling up in his chest
"Mhm, so what yuh want?" King asked.
"Z has a job for you, an erasure," he said releasing an exasperated breath.
"Who?" King asked.
"Kyle Wellington aka Midnight," Snake revealed.
King sucked in a quick breath. "Him? Man like him ah legend. What if I refuse?"
"You know better than to cross Mr Z," Snake said softly. "And for our family's sake you will do what I am telling you."
"How much?"
"He didn't tell me but you can call him if you wish, but a job like this is usually 1 million dollars."
King scoffed. "Find out the actual price and get back to me. I'll see then if I'll do it. If I'm going to risk my life like that I might as well get paid good money."
Snake stared at the floor. "Okay. Will do." He ended the call.
He looked up to see a wide eyed Kadian standing by the door. She shrunk back and went downstairs. Tucking his phone in his pocket he followed her. He caught up with her at the foot of the stairs and grabbed her wrist.
"How much did you hear?" he asked.
She shook her head. "Nothing, I heard nothing," she said. But Snake noted that her body was shaking. He searched her face. He knew she was lying, but he didn't want to press the issue. She was already afraid of him. He wanted her to fear him a little so she would operate with caution around him and not be a busy body lurking in every corner. However, he didn't want her to be so fearful she couldn't function well to do her job.
"Whatever you see here or hear here, whatever is done here, stays here. Do you understand?" He tightened his hold on her thin wrist, squeezing it. Her body jolted because of the pain. She winced but did not make a sound.
"Understood?" he asked.
"Yes, yes I understand," she said.
"Good." He let her go.
"Why did you come upstairs?"
"T-To tell you di-dinner is ready," she stuttered.
"Okay, next time call from the bottom of the stairs. I can hear you from there," he instructed. She nodded, holding her head down.
He looked at the bruise on her face. "I have an ointment I can give you to put on it."
She looked up at him confused.
"The bruise on your face," he said.
She shook her head. "No, that is not necessary. I will take care of it," she said. He looked at her for a minute, then decided to let it go.
"Okay," he said softly, "lead the way."
She moved off and he followed her into the kitchen/dining area.
He sat at the table and watched as she plated the food carefully.
"One plate?" he asked, left eyebrow raised.
"Uh ..."
"Aren't you hungry?" he asked, a tiny smile on his lips.
"I ... It's fine. I can eat something at home," she said.
He chuckled. "How can I trust the food is safe if the chef won't eat it?"
He saw her shoulders slump. She reached for a smaller plate and began sharing a portion for herself. Snake smiled as he watched her rigid back.
***
They ate in silence. She had curried the turkey breasts. He had never tasted curried turkey breasts before. It had a rich flavor that was quite tasty. He would definitely eat it again.
The white rice was fluffy and enjoyable, and though he wasn't a big fan of vegetables, he enjoyed the serving of pak choi she gave him. He took furtive glances of her eating as he ate.
"I'm going to give you some money now. You are to go home and tell your mom she should not go anywhere near the Downtown area." he said. She looked up at him, his eyes bored into her. She nodded.
"Good," he said. He counted out five thousand dollars and tossed them on the table towards her. She took the five $1,000 notes without lifting her head. He chuckled in humour. He wished she would just look at him once. Stare directly into his eyes just once so he could hypnotize her with his eyes. Maybe that way she wouldn't be so nervous around him. He shook his head and continued eating.
When he was finished, he waited until she was done eating to wash the dishes. She offered to clean up, but he told her it was fine. When he was finished putting away the pot, pan and other cooking implements. He grabbed his car keys.
"I'm taking you home," he said. He looked at his watch. It was 9:30 p.m.
On his way to the car he called Z and told him what his brother said.
"Tell him 1 million," Z said with a huff.
"I told you he was a loose cannon," Snake replied.
"Yes," Z said with a faint sigh, "text me and let me know what he says."
"Will do," Snake said, then hung up. He glanced to his left to see Kadian hovering like a tiny shadow behind him. He unlocked the passenger side door and opened it for her.
"Get in," he said, his voice gruff. Her timidity was grating on him.
She hurried into the car and closed the door. He got in and closed his door. "Seat belt," he said.
She strapped it over her chest. Blinking rapidly, he cursed under his breath and started the engine. He backed out of the driveway. He stopped the vehicle then went to lock the gate. When he jumped into the SUV his gaze drifted to her, but she averted her eyes.
With a sardonic smile on his lips, he said, "Sometimes fantasies are best kept that way." Her head snapped around and she stared at him. Her face paled as realization dawned in her eyes. He chuckled softly.
He put his vehicle in 'drive' and maneuvered it down the road.
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