Page 44 of Always Been You

Terror

T he way my foot hit the pedal, I thought my foot was going to fly out the bottom of this bitch like Fred Flintstone.

My eyes were on Jay since he was let out of the hospital a little over a week ago.

I was waiting on the right moment to pounce, but I also wanted enough distance between his stabbing so nothing could be traced back to Dyami.

Her mother, being an addict, worked in her favor for once.

From an insider, I heard that they were treating his stabbing like a drug binge gone bad.

The home was without utilities, so it wasn’t far-fetched that no one was living there.

It was time to make this nigga a memory.

No one would miss his ass, and I’m sure his wife would benefit from the insurance check that would come to her.

Not only did this nigga fuck around with kids, but he also could go to the police at any moment and change the trajectory of Dyami’s life.

I couldn’t let that happen. She was now my responsibility, and I would protect her.

I didn’t think she could handle the reality of what I was about to do, so I thought it was best if I left out the details for her.

I liked the way she saw me, and it was certain things that came along with my life that I knew she couldn’t quite digest. I could tell that by all the questions she asked me about my houses.

That was not only for her sanity but also for her safety.

I was sitting outside one of his properties that I saw him drive into less than an hour ago.

It was late, so I knew he was in for the evening.

He wasn’t at home with his wife and kids, so he was expecting company.

The thought that he felt like he could have my woman the way he wanted fueled my fire.

This shit was personal, and I was going to enjoy every second of it.

I was waiting for my boy Chris to tell me he had cut the power to his camera system. When I got a green light, I felt a surge course through me. I finished off the blunt I was puffing and put it out in the ashtray. I hopped out and tucked my nine in my waist before I stalked to the house.

I did this mission solo. I didn’t need any help to handle his ass. Loose lips sink ships, and most often the less people know the better. Every move I made was about protecting those I cared about.

I pushed the door open quietly and saw that he had a fireplace lit.

He had a few bottles of wine and what appeared to be a nice spread.

Too bad he had a date with death instead.

I needed to act fast, so I stormed into the back room and caught him just as he was stepping out, fists clenched and rage boiling over.

His eyes got wide at the sight of me. He quickly gathered himself and tried to hide his fear. I watched him closely.

“Look, man, I don’t have a problem with you. You over here trying to check me about that bitch? You young niggas kill me.” He had the nerve to throw a cocky laugh on the end of his statement. I was tired of hearing him talk, so I raised my gun, and the speed of his words picked up.

“Man, chill! If you want that bitch, you can have her!”

I cocked it, and he turned into a bitch before my eyes.

“Please! You won’t get away with this! I have cameras!”

“Had.” I corrected.

“Huh?” He asked, confused.

My only response was the bullets that pierced his skull. His body twitched and collapsed to the floor. I was tired of hearing him speak. I looked down on his lifeless body and sent two more through his skull for good measure.

Bitch ass nigga!

He could serve as a lesson to anybody thinking they could fuck with anything connected to me. I stalked back to the car and peeled off. As I caught a good speed on the highway, I spoke into my hands-free “Call Chris.” I commanded as the phone connected. He picked up on the second ring.

“What you got for me?” I asked, hopeful. I was tearing my hair out trying to find Kole. He was a ghost in every sense of the word. It was never a person I couldn’t touch. I even had to admit this nigga was testing my reach.

“Some interesting discoveries, but I may need a few more days to connect the dots. Does Marvin Bates ring a bell?”

My brows knitted together as I switched lanes. I searched my memory to think of a possible acquaintance, but came up empty. “No, it doesn’t, and what does that matter? I’m trying to find Kole. I need you to look him up. I pay you too much for you to be fucking around! It’s already been too long.”

“You do pay me well. I’m connecting dots. Give me twenty-four hours, and I’ll have you something concrete. Have I ever let you down?”

He hadn’t, but I had never had this much on the line either.

I spun into the parking lot and cut off my ignition before I responded.

“Twenty-four hours and that’s it.” I disconnected our call and lay my head back against the headrest. I checked out my peripheral, and I saw her pull up.

I snatched the blunt out of the ashtray and inhaled deeply.

It wasn’t enough weed in the world that could calm me.

Even when she knocked gently on the window, I still didn’t respond.

I needed a minute, and I was going to take it for both of us.

Finally, feeling like I had myself under control and focused, I got out and looked at Crystal.

She was dressed in sweats and a plain white T-shirt.

Her hair was pulled back into a ponytail, and I fixed my eyes on the bruise that was on the side of her face that was on its way to healing.

This was my first time seeing her without makeup and dressed like a runway model.

All I could think of was how much more beautiful Dyami was naturally.

Dyami didn’t need any of those things to keep my attention.

I could only guess where the bruise came from, but that was only speculation.

I didn’t know what the fuck she was into for sure, but I needed answers from her.

“Where is he?”

“You think I know? He is the one who did this to me,” she said quietly.

“I told you already. If that nigga shows up, you are to call me. You act like you don’t even want to fucking see your son again. You really on some bullshit.” I felt my temper rising, and I took a step back.

“You act like I wanted this nigga to beat my ass! He stayed there long enough to beat my ass and leave! I left as soon as the coast was clear. I haven’t seen him since that day. I booked another hotel and I've been laying low. I only come out if I need to.”

“Fuck it! I’ll take care of it on my end.” I was done with the conversation. She was just about as much help as I thought she would be. She was taking up my time.

“WAIT! Terror, please wait.” Hearing her call me put a mug on my face.

I didn’t understand why my name sounded so harsh on her lips, but I hated it.

I looked in her face, and her eyes were desperate.

She gripped my sleeve to prevent me from getting in the car and started pleading her case.

“I understand you probably hate me right now, but you can’t keep me away from Junior.

Please, Terror, I know he asks about me.

” That she was right about, he asks about his mother on a daily.

I didn’t know how I would be able to do shit going forward.

This situation was complicated as fuck. For now, MJ’s safety was my main priority.

“I told you as soon as I get Kole, we can work on that.”

“And when will that be? Kole is crazy as hell! He ain’t one of these niggas you used to.

He won’t be found unless he wants to be.

I know MJ misses me. I’m his mother. I am scared out of my mind, Terror.

I don’t know when or where he is hiding.

Just take me back with you. I will stay out of the way and tend to MJ.

I promise you won’t even notice I’m around. ”

“I ain’t got shit for you.”

That’s when the floodgates opened for her. She turned into a mere puddle of herself, snotting and crying. “Terror, I know you hate me, and you have every right to. But that is my son, too. I need to see him. I need to hug and kiss him. Please!”

“Aye, chill that shit! I’ll let you see him. Call my mom later this week, and y’all can organize something, but you go with my people with you.”

Feeling like I said enough, I left her there to sort out her own feelings. I had a woman to tend to, and the place between her thighs was calling my name.