22
RHYTHM BROOKS
Iwas scrambling through my condo fast, grabbing the last-minute things I kept forgetting. My print sleeves were on the kitchen counter. My makeup bag was open on the island because I had touched up my lip twice in the last ten minutes. I kept checking the time and getting irritated all over again.
“KJ!” I called out. “Hurry up and pack your bag! We need to leave in two minutes!”
“I’m ready!” he yelled back from his room.
Tonight was the Black Love Gallery After Dark event, and I wanted to get there early.
KJ came running down the hall with his bookbag dragging behind him. “See,” he said, breathless and proud. “I told you I was ready.”
“Thank you.” I sighed with relief. “Grab your sister’s bag off of the couch, please.”
I rushed back into my room and stood in front of the mirror for one last check. My black dress hugged my body and fell past my knees. It had a deep neckline and was accompanied with a cream cropped sweater up with a thick turtleneck framing myneck and giving the look that mix of sexy and classy that I needed tonight.
I adjusted my bag on my shoulder, smoothed the dress down, and nodded at my reflection because I looked good.
I grabbed my garment bag, portfolio, and the tote with my supplies. Then we rushed out of the condo and down to the lobby. We pushed through the front doors, and, thankfully, it wasn’t that cold because we were having this weird weather that had it fifty degrees in February.
I was so focused on getting to the car that I didn’t see Kodi until he was already in my space. Suddenly, he was right in front of me. His hand came around my waist, and something hard pressed into my side.
“Don’t scream,” he ordered into my ear.
My breath cut off. My fingers locked around my keys so hard it hurt. I didn’t look down. I didn’t want to confirm what I already knew. I stared straight ahead and forced my face to stay calm for the kids.
Before I could even process my next move, KJ squealed happily, “Daddy!”
Kinsley lifted her head when she heard KJ’s excitement. “Hi, Daddy!”
KJ hugged his father’s side, and Kinsley hugged his legs.
Kodi’s energy shifted for them. His shoulders loosened and his voice softened for them. “Hey,” he said, bending slightly so they could get close. “Come here.”
On the block, people were getting into their cars. Somebody was carrying groceries. Somebody else was walking their dog. A few heads turned toward us, then turned back. Chicago trained people early to mind their business and do not volunteer to be a witness.
“Kodi,” I whispered, barely moving my lips. “What are you doing?”
He pressed the gun harder into my side. “Shut the fuck up,” he gritted low enough that only I could hear him. “Go get in the car,” he told the kids.
KJ’s smile fell. “I thought we was going to Grandma Netta’s. Mama has an art show.”
When Kodi looked at me, the fake warmth dropped from his face. “Plans changed,” he told KJ. “Y’all coming with me instead.”
KJ hesitated, looking back at me for confirmation, but I couldn’t speak.
Kodi leaned down and spoke to KJ again, but firmer this time. “Go get in the car. Take your sister with you.”
KJ reached for Kinsley’s hand, and they walked toward Kodi’s car.
“Kodi, please,” I began begging. “What are you doing?”
His eyes stayed locked on mine. “Walk,” he said through gritted teeth.
He guided me toward his car with the gun still pressed into my side, and his body close enough to block the view from anybody watching. I followed his orders because I no longer knew what Kodi was capable of. I knew he was a goon in the streets, but he had never put his hands on me, before I broke up with him. Since, his anger had been building, and it had finally exploded into whatever this was.
He opened the passenger door and shoved me inside. I landed hard against the seat. When he slammed it, I reached for the door immediately, trying to push it back open and get out. The inside handle didn’t move the way it should have. The plastic felt loose and wrong under my fingers. I pulled again, harder. It shifted, then gave, and I felt it separate under my grip.
