TWENTY-TWO
Tunk
I observed the room full of women all talking, going over moves and steps for their opening scene of the pageant. Mrs. Steph was a little ways away from me, closer to the stage, studying Johnni’s movements. I was sure it was to run through a late night session privately. She wasn’t strict like the other coaches, but disciplined for sure, especially when it came to making sure Johnni was on point with everything.
My phone vibrating had me looking down at the unsaved number and reading the message.
107-418-1011: Here’s your heads up, going live in five.
I didn’t bother texting back because there was no need. I knew who it was and what it was about.
It took BK a day to get that information to me and I wasted no time sending it off to my source who would help carry out my plan. I trusted BK’s word that he had something worth telling that would crumble the Wilson castle.
Of course, I sent a small request to hold it until I could take her off the mainland and her pageant being two weeks later was perfect.
I scrolled through my call log, stopping at Jury’s number since I knew Judge had taken a personal day.
When I got no answer, I hung up and called again. This time the line didn’t even ring.
“Yo, I got Najee on the phone. He said he tried calling you but can’t get through.” Bone rushed toward me, sounding out of breath.
I took his phone.
“Ay, we got a situation down here. I happened to be dropping off Oakley when I noticed some suspicious traffic at the Wilsons. The police and ambulance are there. I can’t get close enough to see who’s down, but I can tell you Jury is fine. She’s talking to the police… Wait, oh shit, the press just got here.”
Damn, that was fast?
They wouldn’t be there for that. Najee said the ambulance is there.
“Can you see Wilson?” My heart pounded rapidly. Death was too easy for his ass.
“No. Just Jury.”
“Get closer and keep me posted. Someone needs to stay on Wilson.”
“Will do.” I hung up and passed Bone his phone.
“Get Mrs. Steph while I get Johnni. Unfortunately, we have to go. They got hit and might come looking for her.”
I wasn’t sure who his enemies were, but with a man like Quincey, he made them every day, meaning this could be a team effort attack and I wasn’t taking chances with mine.
I stood there trying to be patient until my dad’s words rang loudly in my head.
You ain’t got time to be patient when your family needs you now.
I got on the stage, cutting off the instructor, walking up to Lourdè whose face wore a mixed expression of shock in her wideeyes, confusion in her dipped brows, and anger in her pressed lips.
I leaned in toward her ear. “We have to go. Something hit the mainland and I’m not taking any chances.”
I locked my gaze on hers, letting her see I was serious.
She looked around and this time tears filled her eyes as she nodded. I hated this part. She’d worked so hard to be here and this muthafucka was ruining her moment.
“You’ll be back, I promise.” I kissed her hand as I guided her to exit the room.
We approached Mrs. Steph whose eyes bounced between Bone and me.
“Well, is anyone going to tell me what the hell is going on? Johnni needs to be up there. The pageant officially starts tomorrow; we can’t afford to skip rehearsals.”
