“What’s wrong?” she asked, genuinely confused. “Do you know him? Let me know something, friend, because if he’s the opp, we can beat his ass in here.”
With a cocky grin on his face, he pulled one of his hands from his slacks as he came our way. Extending his hand to Stacy, she stared at him and waited for me to speak.
"Stacy, this is JJ’s friend, Marshall. You know, the one I was telling you about the day you picked me up from JJ’s house?” I gestured between the two of them. “Marshall, this is my best friend and assistant, Stacy.” Placing my bag on the mantel, I eyed him skeptically. “Why are we here?”
With a look of amusement, he lowered his hand as his eyes followed me. “You’re still mad at me, huh?”
“I don’t know you to be mad at you, Marshall.” I crossed my arms and glared at him. “Are you here to really look at this house, or do you want to taunt me about my brother? I think I’ve dealt with enough, and I’ve come to terms with our life and his karma. So, what are we doing?”
Angling his head at me, I saw the moment his demeanor changed. My heart rate increased as we continued to stare at each other. I didn’t know anything about him, and might’ve gone too far speaking to him that way. He gave me dangerous vibes, and just because he was Jaseon’s friend didn’t mean he wouldn’t snap my neck in half.
“Ok, let’s start over.” He nodded. “I want to apologize for our last encounter, but by no means do I owe you one. You’re his girl, not mine. I don’t tolerate disrespect or threats too well?—”
“I didn’t threaten you.” I dropped my arms by my side. “I merely said?—”
“Don’t cut me off.” He held up his hand, making me shut my mouth immediately. “You don’t think I noticed your homegirl pull that little-ass gun from her purse.” I shifted my attention to Stacy, whose eyes were wide in shock. “Yeah, shorty, I’m not some mark-ass nigga. Look…” He took a step toward me. “I don’t want to beef with you, baby. You’re my boy’s lady, and I don’t want to have to shoot that nigga. Can we start over?” He smirked, extending his hand once more. “I’m Marshall, and it’s nice to meet you.”
I mulled over what he said, and he was right. He didn’t owe me anything. My issue was with JJ, and this interaction was very unprofessional of me.
“Blossom.” I grinned, accepting his hand. “I apologize for my unprofessionalism, and I would love to show you this home if you're interested.”
“Y’all muthafuckas are nuts!” Stacy exasperated from behind us. “You go from that lame-ass cop to two fine-ass psychopaths in less than two months.” She walked up beside us and craned her neck up at Marshall. He, too, was a mountain of a man. “Good thing they’re all fine as hell. You're trying to move me into this house with you, big daddy?”
Throwing his head back in laughter, I watched as she looped her arm in with yet another one of my clients and led him through the house. I didn’t mean to snap at Marshall the way I did, but I didn’t know if he was here to play me. Seeing that he was serious about the home, I threw my best realtor hat on and pitched it as only I could. If all went well, I would have two things to celebrate with JJ: a new sale and a new baby.
Sleep didn’t comeeasy for me. I rested my eyes for a few minutes to remind myself what rest felt like, but I was too wired to actually have any peace to sleep soundly. I had to stay alert, moving from place to place in hopes of not getting caught. I used to be the one people feared, the reason they looked over their shoulder. In a matter of months, the tables had turned.
It’s now me that’s looking over my shoulder.
Lying in the bed of a seedy hotel, I was restless. I couldn’t help but jump at the sounds of the wet tires against the busy street, the flickering of the motel vacancy sign, or every knock and laugh outside of my door that wasn’t for me. Every second that went by, I wondered if it was my last as a free man—and even as a living man.
Sitting up, I swung my legs over the edge of the bed, dropping my shoulders with a deep sigh. I was so tired of running, but I couldn’t stop. I had to see Blossom first. I’d tried my hardest to get her to listen to me, but she refused. I knew she’d heard about the things the city and the police were saying I’d done. I knew she was angry even before the new allegations, but I also knew she loved me. She and I could fix what had happened between us. All she had to do was give me a chance.
“Fuck! I need a shower and food.” I groaned as I walked toward the other side of the room, rummaging through a small duffel bag of my things. “I’m out here living like a fuckin’ bum!”
Frowning, I peered around the room in disgust. It smelled of stale cigarettes and cheap liquor. I couldn’t be too picky about my living situation because it was better than the alternative, which was jail. I hadn’t been able to go home since killing Lisa, so I’d had to steal here and there to get by. Showers didn’t happen often, and neither did eating. Something had to give and quickly. I was losing weight, my mind, and the last bit of hope I had.
Padding over to the small bathroom, I ran the lukewarm water as I stared at my reflection. My eyes were once bright, holding so much possibility of what my future was set to be. Married to a politician’s daughter with a career that would have given me so much power and respect was once in the cards for me. Now all I could do was pray to make it another twenty-four hours without being thrown in a cage or gunned down.
Knock. Knock.
“James…” I jumped as I spat out the remnants of toothpaste. “Open up, James. It’s me.”
Peering over my shoulder, I wiped my mouth, shutting off the water as I slowly made my way back across the room. With each step I took, it felt as if my heart was going to jump from my chest. Placing my hand on the knob, I leaned forward, listeningfor any additional voices. I peered through the peephole to see if anything was out of the ordinary.
Nothing.
Taking a deep breath, I slowly pulled the door open, peeking to ensure it was safe.
“Sara?” I whispered, not wanting to be overheard. “What are you doing here?”
“I brought you something.” She smiled softly, holding up a bag of food and a small clothing bag. “I called your phone, but you didn’t answer. I wanted to stop by and see you. Please, let me in.”
Sara and I had met at a gas station the day I left town. I had just killed Sheena and shot up Karlie’s rehabilitation center, and I had to get out of dodge before the city of Milly Grove woke up. I knew as soon as word got out, the McKnights were going to come at me full force. Now, I was a wanted man, considered armed and dangerous. If I’m caught by anyone, they’re going to kill me on sight. I couldn’t let that happen before I saw Blossom and won her back.
“You can’t be here.” I pulled the door open wide enough to snatch her inside. “I appreciate you stopping by, but this isn’t safe.”
Sara was a green-ass white girl who didn’t have a clue. She wasn’t from Milly Grove or the surrounding cities. When I saw her that day at the store, I knew from the way she stared at me that she wanted me. The way her eyes lingered on the crotch of my sweats was a dead giveaway. She told me she had moved south to start a new life away from an abusive ex, and I told her I was a recovering addict who was in between jobs and had fallen on hard times. Her sucking my dick has awarded me all the money she’s saved, as well as her buying me a burner phone and motel room in her name. She had been popping up on me a few times since then, and I hated that shit.
