It’s never too late for you if you need me GD. I’ll shoot you a text when I’m on my way. Let’s talk in person.
Pleased with his response, I made the mental note to tell Wicked not to come over until after he heard from me. The last thing I needed was for them to run into each other.
One motorcycle turned into two, then twelve. Then so many I couldn’t count. At first, I thought I was just imagining things, but no. They were actually following me. We were so busy today my shift went by in a blur. When I first started the drive home, I was too deep in my car concert to notice I was being followed, but I couldn’t deny it now. I’d changed lanes three times, and every time, they followed me.
My heart raced as I considered what to do. I didn’t want to go straight home and have them follow me there. I didn’t want any of the Outlaws to know where I lived. There was no way in hell I’d be able to lose them. I called Wicked, then allowed the call to connect to Bluetooth. Just hearing his voice fill the speakers calmed me a little.
“Wassup, bae? You good?”
“They’re following me,” I rushed out.
He was silent for a few seconds before saying, “Where you at?”
“I was on my way home from work. I’m on the expressway.”
“I want you to come to my shop. It’s a few blocks away from the mall, on Bryer street. Do you know where A1 Car Wash is?”
“Yes, I’ve been there before,” I answered, glad he wasn’t too far away.
“Good. I’m right next door. You’ll see my sign. Pull up, but don’t get out. I’ll be waiting outside.”
“Okay. Can you stay on the phone with me?” I asked, merging into the middle lane.
“Of course, bae. I was going to do that anyway.” He paused before asking, “Did anyone approach you after I left?”
“No. They all left shortly after, so I thought it was over.”
“They have to have a clubhouse or meeting spot in that area, where they can watch what goes on. I’m going to look into that. If they do, that would explain why they feel like they can claim your mom’s spot as their territory.”
I thought about it briefly before saying, “There’s an arcade across the street. Well, it was an arcade until adults took over. Now, it’s basically like a bar and pool hall. No parents take their kids anymore. Maybe they go over there.”
“Yeah, more than likely. What’s the name of it?”
“It’s—uh—oh shit.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Some of them are getting in front of me and on the side of me. I got in the middle lane because my exit is coming up but . . . oh shit.”
“Don’t stop, Jelai. I don’t care if they hit the brakes. Hit their asses and keep going, but do not stop the fucking car.”
“I-I . . . oh shit! It’s so many of them. I can’t hit all of them!” Gripping the steering wheel, I abruptly hit the brake to avoid crashing into the four bikers that had hopped in front of me.
“Is it a lot of traffic? Can you signal anyone to help you?”
I could barely register his question as I watched them hop off their bikes and come in the direction of my car. Reaching into my center console, I grabbed my bear spray, fully prepared to spray them if I needed to. It wouldn’t kill them, but it was all I had.
“Jelai!” Wicked yelled as Hamilton beat against my window.
I rolled it down, lifting my bear spray. Hamilton smiled and took a step back.
“I just wanted to warn you, pretty girl. If you know what’s best for you, you’ll stay away from Wicked. He’s going to get you into more trouble than you can handle.”
“Why are you going after him?” I yelled, fear turning into anger as my leg shook. “I’m the reason your nephew is dead. Wicked was defending me.”
The call disconnected, and I wasn’t sure what the hell Wicked was about to do.
Hamilton’s head shook as he laughed. “You have no idea how deep this shit runs, pretty girl. What my nephew did was fucked up. To be honest, had he raped you, I might’ve tried to kill him myself. But blood is blood, and when Wicked spilled his, he became responsible for Mario’s soul.
