A car engine interrupts us, and I look back to the house once again. The music filters outside and I’m not surprised the neighbours aren’t complaining. They’re probably too scared to or they’re in the house partying themselves.
“Your ride’s here,” rose tattoo guy says and heads out onto the curb. He swings the back door open and sweeps his hand in front of him. “Get your ass inside or I’ll throw you in. You can call your friend in the morning.”
With one last glance at the house, I sigh, and step closer to the cab. Rose tattoo guy doesn’t give me much room to slip by him, but I swear I hear him inhale when we’re body to body. By the time my ass hits the seat, he’s slamming the door closed and leaning over to throw a bunch of bills through the open front window to the driver.
“Take her straight home, that should be more than enough to cover her fare.”
He stands and slaps the top of the car, and the driver pulls away from the curb. I turn in my seat and watch him drop his assdown onto the curb. We turn the corner and he disappears from my view. I dig out my phone and try calling Clare. It rings and rings and when I’m about to give up hope of her picking up, she answers.
“Clare? Can you hear me?” The music is loud, and I can barely hear her until the music abruptly stops and she breathes, “I can now. Where are you? I’m looking around but I can’t find you.”
“I’m in a cab, I don’t feel well,” I lie. “Do you want me to turn around and come get you?”
“Tariq said he’ll bring me back in the morning, don’t worry about me. I’m good.”
She’s talking far too fast, and I know it doesn’t matter what I say. If she doesn’t want to leave, she won’t.
“Make sure you call me in the morning, I want to know you get home okay.”
“Yes, Mom.”
She giggles down the line and then it goes dead. I note the time when I stare at the home screen and it’s four minutes past midnight.
“Happy eighteenth to me.”
2
Darius
Iopen one of the beers I brought out with me and take a long pull. The girl is on her way home, where she belongs. There is no place for her kind around here and there wasn’t a shadow of doubt she had to get her ass home when I stepped forward and took her from Jermaine. I’m no savior and the only reason I saved her from the Hell she could’ve found herself in tonight is because I haven’t got the time to deal with the repercussions she could and most probably would bring down on us. Rich girls are trouble. I’ve told Tariq numerous times not to entertain the girls from the rich side of the city. His girl, Clare, is nothing but an easy fuck in designer panties, just how he likes them. To me, bitches like Clare are too much effort and the reward is next to none. However, it was obvious her friend was only here because she was dragged. Jermaine called it bang on, she was a lost lamb, who hadn’t anticipated the savage dogs who’d eat her alive. Her naivety shone brighter than a cop’s torch in your eyes. It’s open season here every day and every night of the week, she really wouldn’t have lasted long before her shine dulled to darkness. Innocence never to be found again.
If it weren’t for me, she’d have one of the Dogs wrapped around her, inhaling her expensive scent, and peeling off the designer clothes hanging on her body.
She clearly didn’t fit in but her friend, the one Tariq’s banging, does. Girls like her latch on like leeches, sucking you dry while still acting like she’s better than you. Mark my words, she’s out to get what she wants, and she’ll trample on anyone to succeed. Which is why I’ll be keeping a close eye on her around Tariq. He thinks with his dick and goes where it leads him.
“Where is the lamb?”
Jermaine drops down beside me and swoops the second beer I brought out. He’s my oldest friend, since kindergarten old, and the only one I trust whole heartedly. He’s had my back so many times, it’s tough to keep track. Most people steer clear of him because of his size and the scar beside his eye. And they should fear him, he has zero patience and zero fucks regarding who he has to hurt or why. But he’s loyal to a fault and that’s the most important trait to have in these parts.
“I put her in a cab. I’m not in the mood to get myself in trouble over wealthy pussy. I certainly don’t need her daddy bringing his power down here if he hears where his daughter’s been or what she’s been doing.”
“Who’s her daddy?”
“Fuck knows, but he must be a someone, she lives on Gold Mile.”
“You’ve got more restraint than Tar, he’s locking down his girl.”
Sighing, I mutter, “Don’t remind me.”
“Seriously, Dar, she needs to go. I’ve got a bad feeling about her, and I don’t like feeling on edge around our own streets.”
“I hear ya, but for the moment, she’s making him happy. Have you seen him like this before over pussy?”
He begrudgingly shakes his head and tips the bottle to his lips. Tariq had to drag himself up, being fed by the do-gooders down at the local church. He bounced around so much, he can barely sit still these days. His mom was a crack head, and his dad was an asshole who disappeared in the wind.
“If we make it known we can’t stand her, he’ll dig his dick deeper into her. He’ll grow bored with her soon enough and it won’t be a problem.”
“You think her friend will come back?”
