When I researched Royce Atkins, I wasn’t expecting to see the many pages google provided on him. The man was a billionaire cozied up on a compound that was worth millions with his family. He was solely enjoying the fruits of generational wealth. This mall Toneshia and I stood in was his along with the one across town. He had a few other businesses under his name, but Kinfolk Galleria was the most popular.
Royce was a handsome gentleman, and his family shared those same exquisite features. I completely understood why a man of his caliber wifed up a woman like Klarity. Two beautiful people deserved to share the same space. Them creating offspring only showed how much love they shared with one another.
“I did, and I don’t see anything crazy about that man. I did, however, see how fine that nigga was. Klarity lucked up finding him ‘cause the man is eye candy for sure,” I answered.
“Fine doesn’t matter when you belong in a mental institution. The man knocks people heads off for fun. Girl, have you not heard the rumors about him?”
“I’m never in the city, Nesh. When the heck would I hear the rumors? Let me know now if he’s going to bring problems to the company. I’ll drop his family before we even get started. I don’t need those kind of issues, especially when the agency was built for kids. I won’t put them in any kind of danger.”
“No, chill Che-Che. Don’t write his kids off because of some rumors. They’re innocent at the end of the day. Just keep inmind their pappy is known for making folk… disappear. Be cautious is all I’m saying,” she warned.
Nodding, I took in everything she said. His wife and kids seemed to be the sweetest. Canceling them after I fell in love with baby girl would hurt my little heart. If he was crazy, I could understand why. He had a beautiful family so if he had to show his ass, then so be it. I didn’t blame him for whatever measures he took to protect them. They were too precious.
We spent another few minutes in the store lolly gagging before gunshots rang out. Nesh and I hit the ground immediately. One thing I didn’t play about was guns. Bullets didn’t have a name. The entire mall was in an uproar with many folk screaming and running for the nearest exit. I looked to Nesh, and she gave me a nod.
Standing, we walked out the store hand in hand praying the shooter had beat us out the mall. While everyone else ran, we took our time. We witnessed people falling as well as getting trampled over. We weren’t trying to be in that number whatsoever.
She walked me to my car, then walked over to hers. We’d only parked a few spaces away from each other. The people were still frantic causing my anxiety to shoot through the fuckin’ roof. All I wanted to do was get the fuck away from this place and home to where I could breathe comfortably.
Opening the door, I climbed inside, tossing my bags to the passenger seat. I didn’t even bother placing them in the trunk. I was in a hurry to secure myself in a place of safety. Letting my head fall back to the headrest, I sighed heavily as my eyes closed.
My phone rang the same time cold steel was pressed against my right temple. I held onto the breath I inhaled and didn’t dare move. My focus shifted to my rear-view mirror immediately. Looking back at me was a less mature face with a tattoo across his right cheek that was unreadable. His eyes were cold, and Icould tell if I made one wrong move, that would be the end of me. I went to throw my hands up and he stopped me before they could reach their destination.
Dammit Cheyonne. How unlucky are you, and why don’t you ever lock your doors? He’s not supposed to be here. He just shot somebody and you’re next!
“Unt uhn!Put yo’ hands down and play it cool.” My phone was still ringing, and I thought it was the perfect opportunity to alert someone. “Answer the phone then crank this muthafucka like ain’t shit wrong.”
“I have money. You can take it all,” I said in a low quivering tone.
“Yeah, I’ll get to that later. Right now, crank this bitch the fuck up and answer that annoying ass phone.” He pressed the gun deeper in my temple as I followed his commands. My phone connected to the car with the ringing now coming through the speakers. I swiped my thumb across the screen to connect the call. “Play it safe,” he warned me in a whisper.
Swallowing my tears, I put on my white girl voice hoping Nesh caught on. “Hello, this is Cheyonne.”
“Bitch, are you okay? Now ain’t the time for jokes!” she shouted.
Cocking his pistol, my heart skipped a few beats. I took a deep breath and said, “I’m good, bestie. You waiting on me?” Voice was shaking like a stripper, yet her ass hadn’t acknowledged it once. She must’ve thought I was scared from the shots that were fired in the mall.
“Duh bitch. I’m not leaving until you do,” she chimed.
He tapped the mute button on my dash quick. “Drive this bitch like you got some sense and please don’t play with me. I’ll customize the seats in this muthafucka real fast.”
Nodding, I took a deep breath and did like he asked. Riding past Nesh, I allowed the tears I’d been holding to finally fall. Ifshe saw me in distress, she’d no doubt follow me to see if I was okay or even ask through the phone. If she sensed the fright in my voice, she’d for sure try to comfort me.
“Alright bestie. I’m going to the house. Call me if you need me.”
Jesus Christ, Toneshia. Out of all the times you’re in my business why not be in it now.
He tapped the button and nudged the gun that still sat on my temple. He wanted me to answer her. “Okay. I love you,” I replied.
“Love you, too.” She hung up not catching on to a bitch ass thing.
I sent her so many SOS signals and not one was acknowledged. We only said I love you if one of us was about to be off the grid for a while, and I only spoke in my call center voice if I felt uneasy. She really dropped the ball with me.
I got to the light and asked, “Where am I going?” barely above a whisper.
“Yo’ shit and abide by the law. One swerve and that’s yo’ ass.”
God, why is this happening to me?
