“I’m not sure which makes my dick harder, the glare in your green eyes or the pout on your lips. Either way, I need you to stay put until I get back.” The plea in Righteous’s eyes should give me pause and provide me with the confirmation needed to do as I’m told, but being defiant comes natural, and I refuse to sit here wondering how things are going.
Nicole and I became friendly when I went to Sizzling and Grubbing, so I also need to know if she’s okay. Despite the fact that we’re no longer in communication and are distant, since Righteous and I have been together, I still care about what happens to her. So, as soon as I heard about Nicole being gone, I thought of one person’s name . Shawntella. Shawntella Kee andI went to college together. She’s an undercover hacker, which made her perfect for what Righteous and Baxtown Iron needed.
While we don’t communicate daily, I appreciate having her as a point of reference in certain situations. Despite what most believe, not everyone I interact with revolves around my mother or her politician friends. Mom doesn’t know anything about Shawntella, which works to my benefit. All I had to do was give Shawntella Nicole’s number, and she quickly located Nicole’s whereabouts.
“Jariyah,” Righteous calls.
Righteous’s heavy gaze peers into me like a hawk seeking its prey. Agreement is the only response necessary for Righteous, despite my plans to ignore his instructions.
“I understand.”
The thing is, I do understand. But Righteous doesn’t know that the same fear that he has right now is reciprocal. What if something happens to him and I have to learn of it from a third party? It’ll gut me, and I can’t afford that. Nevertheless, I’ll pretend to compromise for his benefit. Righteous pulls me into his hard body, and the slight tremble I feel confirms my need to put another plan in motion.
“As soon as I have Nicole, I’ll be back, Navae. I love you.”
I don’t have time to respond before Righteous connects our lips, and I lose my ability to breathe or think. In the kiss is promise and adoration. When he releases me from his hold, I see fear that shines like a full moon, and my chest tightens. I know my defiance could lead to our first argument, but I’m too invested to give in to his requests. I don’t know how I’m going to evade Nox, who’s responsible for keeping an eye on me.
The members of Baxtown Iron file out of the room like special agents in a flurry of activity that causes my head to spin. The thunderous roars let me know when the group leaves, and my chest tightens with fervor.
“Aye, Jariyah, I’m about to run to the bathroom real quick.” Nox’s statement sounds like Heaven’s response to prayer in this moment.
I simply nod without turning to acknowledge his words as I mentally pump my fist for my way out. Since Righteous has my keys, I know I won’t be able to drive my SUV, but that won’t stop me from my great escape. When Nox’s heavy footfalls become distant, I run toward the bedroom that Righteous occupies when he’s here. There are windows in the room that are just small enough to squeeze through. If I know my man, I know Trouble might be sitting at the front door just in case.
It takes me less than ten minutes of determination to squeeze through the window and tiptoe with the gait of a cheetah toward the front of the building. Sure enough, Trouble sits on the door with his head on a swivel. Every so often, his head shifts from left to right, his eyes rapt, intent on both directions. I guess this is why Nox felt comfortable enough to leave me unattended to go to the bathroom. But the joke is on him when I run behind the clubhouse toward the next street, like Tina when she left that hotel trying to get away from Ike.
When I reach a safe distance, I pull my phone from my pocket and dial my contact.
“Hey, girl. Did you give a man my number? He just called and demanded I give him updated information on that number you had me track.” Shawntella’s voice is a mask of uncertainty that causes my heart to jump out of sync.
Shit! Righteous.
“Oh yeah. That’s my man. Sorry for not giving you a heads-up. Can you see if that number has moved yet?” I say before ducking between two buildings so I’m not easily spotted.
“It’s cool, I guess. He didn’t leave room for me to deny him, so I was hoping you knew him. But hold on.” The sound of keys clicking tells me Shawntella is working her magic again. “Hm.Looks like it’s on the move but in the same vicinity,” Shawntella says before she gives me the new information.
My hands tremble when I request an Uber to my location, with Nicole's current location as the destination. I lose track of how long it takes the rideshare to arrive and get me to the area I’m going. Maybe I didn’t get enough whuppings as a child. Maybe I test Mom's patience more than I like. I don’t know, but I wasn’t about to stay at the clubhouse while Righteous and his club members went to get Nicole back. Tuh.
I’m sure Righteous will want to strangle me once he finds out that I got away from his minions. But I’ll deal with those consequences later. Shawntella’s information led me to an abandoned cabin surrounded by nothing but trees as far as the eye could see. I had to pay my Uber driver double to even bring me close. But it’s money well spent, so I didn’t blink at the cost or his scary tail dropping me off on the side of the road.
The motorcycles’ loudness prevented anyone from knowing of my arrival, which also worked to my benefit. I’m trying to quiet the drums of my heart that beat like an HBCU band in my ears. Righteous, Baxtown Iron, and Nicole’s captors are in a standoff as a guy holds Nicole in front of him at gunpoint. The balance between captor and Righteous is uneven, as there are only three men to the countless number of Baxtown Iron men.
“You’ve got five seconds to let her go, mothafucka,” Righteous barks.
“Or you can take her place, bitch. I don’t know who told y’all asses that you run these streets.” The male voice sends a shiver down my spine from its slight familiarity.
My eyes burn from how hard I watch the scene in front of me. The sound of crunching leaves nearly stops my heart. Thankfully, I’m lying on the ground and barely moving so as not to draw attention to myself. The sight of a lone figure with dark clothing creeps in front of me, oblivious to my presence. Theperson’s focus is on Righteous, and my heart rate spins and flips when a gun rises toward an unsuspecting Righteous.
Defend your man, Jariyah!
The statement rings in my mind like a mantra as I realize that my disobedience wasn’t a waste of effort. Moisture fills my mouth as my stomach flips and tightens before I retrieve the gun Righteous forgot to take from me after our lesson. I pull the trigger before doubt or hesitation can creep in.
Take the shot before he kills Righteous! Shoot, Jariyah!
*Pow*
“What the fuck?” someone shouts, and I’m unsure who as I’m lost in the confines of my mind when the figure drops.
Multiple gunshots sound, and I’m unable to move, react, or take cover as reality fades into the deep recesses of my mind. My mind is stuck on repeat as all I can hear is the pop from the gun. My vision is lost in translation from the continuous blood that dances before my eyes from whoever Ie shot. Time freezes as my body shakes uncontrollably.
