Page 20

Today was the day we collected the girls, and I was ready to get this over with. Not only am I ready to get them home to their families, but I’m ready to go home as well. Milly Grove is cool and all, but South Florida is calling my name. The sooner I can put distance between Denim and me, the better.

“Y’all niggas ready to do this shit?” Jules asked from the passenger side of my Range. He, along with the rest of the crew, came into town last night and was just as anxious as I was. “You got everyone in place?”

“Everything is what it’s supposed to be,” I assured him as I headed to Grove’s Isles. Rebecca reached out and told us that we were to meet her tonight on the pier. I guess that it made sense to traffic the girls by water instead of land. It was easier to conceal the cargo; at least, that was the case for us with drugs. “I just hope everything goes according to plan because I’m not used to relinquishing control to someone other than family. I’m ready to get this shit over with so I can come home.”

The other night at the penthouse, it took everything in me not to fuck the shit out of Denim. I won’t lie and say the attraction and feelings are no longer there; it’s just hard dealing with her knowing she tried to play a nigga. I thought I would feel better after treating her like a rag doll for me to bust my nut on. In my mind, she wanted to be a hoe when she tried to entice me, so I figured I would treat her like one. In the end, I just made myself feel worse.

How is it that she’s the one that played me, and I’m the one that’s feeling bad?

“Trouble in paradise already?” Rosier asked as he chuckled from the backseat, followed by Luca. “They said the honeymoon phase doesn’t last long, but a month has to be a record.” I clenched my jaw as I eyed him in the rearview mirror. “Marriage is hard work, bro. It’s not just a sheet of paper.”

I tuned them out as they decided that my situation was what they needed to lighten the mood. After the night was over and I was settled back home, I needed to get with Jules to see what I could do to end this marriage. In my heart, I knew I wasn’t going to kill Denim—not because of what I felt for her, but because of Briley. She was already going to grow up without a father. There was the possibility of making her an orphan, but I wasn’t doing that to my Big Bri. The worst thing I could do was break her heart, and I was already planning to hurt it enough by disappearing on her after tonight.

For the remainder of the trip to the pier, I listened to the guys as they talked about their wives and how much their kids were growing. Jules was working double-time trying to convince Bridgette to have a baby, but she wasn’t going for it. He wasn’t tripping on it too much because he knew what all she’d been through. Not even that, the girls knew what was at stake tonight. Bunny’s mental wasn’t where it needed to be, and he respected it. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t keep trying, though. It was Jules; he was going to figure out something eventually.

“We’re here.” I cut down the radio as all talking ceased. “Y’all ready?

No one said anything as we parked near the dock. There were a few boats on the water, but nothing out of the ordinary. Spotting Rebecca at a nearby cargo ship, the guys and I exited our cars and headed her way.

“Welcome, gentlemen,” she greeted as we got closer, her eyes lingering on me. “You look exceptionally well tonight.”

“As do you.” I nodded at her floral dress. “My grandmother has that same one.”

The smile on her face dropped as the fellas behind me snickered. Turning around in a huff, she marched ahead of us. Leading us toward the nearby warehouse, I could feel my heart rate increasing. As I glanced around, nothing seemed suspicious, and I was thankful for that.

“I was expecting to be welcomed by Holmes since he is the one we’ve been in contact with,” Jules spoke as we approached the warehouse. I could kick that ignorant-ass nigga in the knees for bringing up that dead motherfucker. “Is he here?”

“Bryce is away on business.” She shrugged as if she didn’t have a care in the world. “He told me he was going out of town with his brat of a daughter in preparation for you.” She glanced over her shoulder as she placed her hand on the knob. “If you want someone more experienced, let me know. I’m more than willing to give you the time of your life.”

“Lady, you got one more time to throw that old-ass cat at me before I pull your spline out through that rancid-ass muthafucka.” She gasped in shock as I mugged her. “Open this muthafuckin’ door before you piss me off!”

Fumbling with the handle, I pushed her out of the way and opened the door myself. Stepping inside the dimly lit area, Rebecca zoomed past me to hurry and cut on the lights. Once on, my heart dropped to my stomach at the scene before me.

“I know you guys paid for what you wanted specifically, but I was thinking you could get something a little extra.” She walked over to a girl who looked as if she was barely ten years old. Reaching to stroke the little girl’s cheek, she flinched as tears streamed down her face. “Don’t you just love it when they cry?”

Stepping farther into the room, I looked around and counted at least twenty girls who were chained together and half-naked. Neither the guys nor I said anything as we surveyed their conditions. Everyone was barely dressed but seemed clean and sober. Some of them looked malnourished, and I was ready to blow this bitch’s brains out right now.

“Where’s everyone else?” I looked around in hopes of seeing the rest of the men who bid the other night. “Are they not coming?”

“Why?” She looked at me suspiciously as she stepped away from the girls. “What does it matter when you’re here for your purchase and yours only?”

“Chill, baby.” I grinned. Instantly, she melted. “I just wanted to make a little conversation. Fuck them niggas. More girls for me.”

No later than the words left my mouth, the door opened behind us, and more men were being escorted in. Looking them over, I saw that each man on my list was here tonight. Two senators, three governors, and several other politicians were being escorted by a dozen of her men. I looked on in disgust as their eyes lit up at the sight of the underage children.

“Great! Everyone is here!” Rebecca clapped as she eyed all the men. “On behalf of my husband and I, we want to thank you all for your purchase. The next shipment will be here in about three months, so you might want to double up now as it will be a small selection. The girls to the right are taken…” She pointed to the girls that we, as well as other men, had purchased before swinging her arm to the left side “While the ones on the left are free game. Let me say the one with the yellow dress on is sweeter than honey.” She winked at the girl as she cried. She was no older than seventeen. “Let’s get down to business.”

“Before we do that, there’s something I want to say.” I placed my hand in my slacks and stepped forward. Dragging my eyes from her to the other men in the room, I continued, “The Bible says he without sin shall cast the first stone. I ain’t perfect, and Lord knows I’ve sinned.” I shook my head, feeling the spirit of my grandparents over me. “But I’m judging every single one of you niggas right now.” I gestured to the fellas around the room as they looked on in confusion. “Drop to your knees and repent for the sins you’ve committed because you’re going to need His forgiveness sooner than you think.”

“I’m so sorry, gentlemen.” Rebecca placed her hand on my arm as she stepped aside. “Please excuse, Mr. Boudreaux. He’s?—”

“About to kill you in about five seconds if you don’t get those cum catchers off me.” She drew her hand back so fast that I knew she had sprained her wrist. Grimacing at her, I gave my attention back to the men. “As I was saying… y’all ain’t living right, but don’t worry. It’s judgment day, and the rapture is about to separate the righteous from the wicked. Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”

Nodding her head toward her head of security, they began to walk in my direction. Before they could mutter a word, two bullets whistled past me, splattering their brains all over the floor. Seeing the other men scramble and grab their guns, my brothers and I hurried gathered around the girls.

“We’re here to help you girls, but I need you girls to listen to me….” I eyed each of them as chaos ensued behind me. “I want you to go into that room over there, and as soon as I’m done here, I will come get you.”

“You promise?” the youngest of the bunch asked. My heart constricted because she was around Briley’s age. “I want to go home to my mommy.”

Crouching down in front of her, I placed my hands on her small shoulders and squeezed gently. “You have my word, pretty girl. I’m going to get you out of here. Now go!”

Running in the direction of the other girls, I pulled my Glock from my waist and began shooting at anything that looked strange. Skip and Wild were shooting above from the rafters, so her security didn’t know which way to shoot. Right as I took out a guy trying to sneak Jules, the room was swarmed with uniforms.

“FBI! Every drop your weapons and get down now!”

Stunned, the men who tried to shield themselves from the gunfire tried to run out of the building without being detained. There were more agents than I anticipated, so the men had nowhere to go. I watched as they were apprehended, as well as Rebecca’s team, who wasn’t leaking on the floor.

“Nooo! This can’t be happening!” Rebecca screamed from behind me. “I’m going to kill you!”

“Touch my husband, and a bullet to the head will be the first of your worries.” Denim crept up behind her and placed her gun to her head. “I dare you to breathe wrong, bitch, and I promise you, I’m sending you to hell with your man!”

Now might not be the time, but the way she was handling herself in this situation was turning me on something serious. Even her badge and uniform made me want to bend her thick ass over. Shaking myself of the thoughts, I got the head on my shoulders, not the one stirring in my slacks, back in the game.

“W-Where is Bryce?” Rebecca turned and faced Denim, not caring that a gun was now pointed at her forehead. “What the fuck did you do to my husband?”

Grabbing her phone, Denim smirked as she showed the displayed image. “From what I gather, he was just discovered in your basement. Too bad you killed him. Who would be responsible for handling the money from buying the girls? Those poor kids of yours won’t have a mother or father. Maybe they’ll have a chance at life after all.”

“You bitch!” she shouted and lunged at Denim. She didn’t make it far because Dee sent one to her left knee. “Oh my gosh! You shot me!”

Pow!

“Now, there’s one to your right one to match.” She gritted her teeth as she hovered over her. “I should kill you—right here, right now.”

“Do it,” Rebecca cried as she withered in pain. “I’d rather die than go to prison! You’ve ruined my fuckin’ life! From the moment you spread your legs for my husband to the moment you brought that little bitch home! You better be glad Dre is the one that outbid me.” She giggled uncontrollably as she eyeballed Denim with nothing but hate. “The things I would have done to her?—”

Whap!

Hitting her in the temple, Denim panted over her heavily as tears ran down her face. After a few moments, she wiped them aggressively before reaching behind her for her handcuffs. Spitting on her, she threw them on top of Rebecca’s unconscious body.

“You’re under arrest bitch.”

I stood there hard as bricks as I watched my wife switch into the room where the girls were located. Once the other agents came over and cuffed Rebecca before sending her to the paramedics, I followed the direction she’d gone. Inside the room, I watched as she eyed the girls with tears in her eyes. Walking over, I pulled her into my arms and kissed her temple.

“You did good,” I assured her as I tipped her chin and brought her eyes to mine. “I’m proud of you, Dee.”

Giving me a small smile, she pulled away and made her rounds, speaking to the girls. We had time ahead of us with getting the girls checked out and locating their families, but we were going to make it happen. As I gazed around, I found little mama from earlier. Winking at her, she gave me the brightest smile, and it made the stress of these past few weeks’ worth it. As the other agents made their way inside, I took one last look at Denim. Tonight was the end of many chapters, ours included. I love the girl, I admit that, but she and I will never be. The damage has been done, and we could never exist in each other’s world. I’m a criminal, and she’s a federal agent.

The life I live is one that can’t include love and family. I’ve lost both my parents to this mafia life, and I’ll be damned if I lose Denim—hell, even Briley to it too. I love them enough to let them go. I’ll deal with pain the only way I know how: killing niggas.

* * *

“So, brothers and sisters, I say to you today that the battle doesn’t belong to you; it’s the Lord. Don’t worry about the enemy! Don’t worry about the naysayers! We are covered by the blood of Jesus, and no weapon formed against us shall prosper! Psalm Chapter 23 Verse 5 says, Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anoints my head with oil; my cup runneth over! Don’t worry about tomorrow and what may come! Know that God has you covered! The doors of the church are open!”

Standing to my feet, I lifted my hands with a bowed head and thanked God for the message I received today. I finally arrived home two days ago, and my first stop was the church. My mind and heart had been heavy since I returned, and I needed prayer, guidance, and clarity.

“I’m so happy to have you back here, baby.” My grandmother wrapped me in her arms as soon as my grandfather closed us out with prayer. “I’ve missed you so much!”

“I’ve missed you too, Sweets.” I kissed her forehead. “It feels good to be home.”

As I let her go, my cousins came over and showed her love. When I called them and told them my plans for the day, they told me they would join me. Seeing all of her babies in the House of the Lord always made my grandmother’s day.

“Oh my word! I’m so happy to see all of you.” She reached up and pinched Rosier’s cheeks, causing us all to simper. “Now, I have to go home and see what I’m going to cook for you. I wish you all had told me; I would have been better prepared.”

“You don’t have to do that, Ma.” Jules smiled as he kissed her cheek. “How about we take you out to eat today? Wherever you want to go…”

“You know there isn’t a kitchen in this city that’s better than mine.” We all smiled and nodded. One thing about my grandmother was that she could throw down, and we all knew it. “Let me go and grab Earl. He will sit over there and talk to those deacons all day.”

Listening to Jules speak about all the food he was going to eat, I glanced around the congregation at all the smiling faces. Even though it felt good to be back surrounded by family, something was missing—or should I say someone?

After the warehouse was raided, Rebecca and the other traffickers were arrested. I kept my distance from Denim once the deed was done. We communicated on the strength of making sure the girls were reunited with their families, but that’s about it. She wanted me to attend press conferences with her to ensure I got recognition, but that wasn’t my thing. I also had to let her know that I didn’t want my family’s name attached to what was going on in any capacity. She understood and kept it moving.

Once I sent the final email with lingering information I had that may connect the sex trafficking ring in Milly Grove to other cities and states, I packed my shit and hit the road to South Florida. I had the front desk send a peace lily to Denim with a note that said, “Sorry for your feelings, but not for my actions.” I was hoping she understood that it was my way of wanting mutual understanding about her cousins. I didn’t regret anything I did because all of my actions were mere reactions to shit other people had done to me. But if there was one thing I did regret, it was not saying goodbye to Briley. I love that little girl, and I hate to think I disappointed her in some way.

“You aight, bro? You have been quiet all day.”

Seated in my grandmother’s living room, the fellas and I decided to watch a college ball game while the ladies cooked. Sweets had enough food to feed a small army when we got here, but she decided it wasn’t enough, so she enlisted Gabby and Bridgette to help. Mimi was only here for moral support. Sweets even told us to call and invite Luca, Trench, and Nicky. Not only that, but she insisted that I send a jet for Skip, Uno, and Wild. Jumping at the chance to have Sunday dinner with us, they were on the way and set to arrive in two hours.

“Just some shit on my mind, man.” I rubbed my hand over my face as I responded to Rosier. “Got some shit I need to sort is all.”

“Like your wife?” Jules asked as he came into the living room, pulling a chicken wing out of his pocket. “Don’t look at me like that, nigga. You know Sweets won’t let us snack on shit until she’s completely done.”

“Any-fuckin-way.” I mugged him as I gave my attention back to Zoo. “The casino is coming along well, and I’ve been thinking about the other businesses Uno’s associates wanted us to oversee.” I shrugged as if it wasn’t a big deal. His eyes were still trained on me, so I dropped my shoulders and threw my head back. “And I’m thinking about Denim. I fell in love with the fuckin’ enemy.”

“Stop cursing in my damn house, boy!” I jumped slightly when my grandfather came into the room. “Plus, you just left the church.”

“I apologize, Pop,” I stated honestly as he took his seat in his recliner. “I didn’t mean to disrespect you or your home.”

“I know, son.” He gave me a small smile as he sipped his sweet tea. “Tell me about this girl you like. I never thought I’d see the day.”

“You thought my boy was gay or something?” Jules asked as he smacked on the hot chicken. “Dang, Dre! You out here doing bad.”

Grunting, my grandfather turned his head toward the kitchen. “Sweets, the hoodoo boy stole some of your bird!”

With eyes wide, Jules stood from the couch and took off running toward the back patio when Sweets came from the kitchen with her rolling pin. We all laughed with tears in our eyes as she waved it and chased him through the yard.

“That boy ain’t got the good sense God blessed him with.” Pop chuckled before his eyes landed on me. “I’m listening.”

“Denim is hands down the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. The way she loves her family, most importantly her daughter, is the sexiest thing to me. She’s smart, funny, and has her stuff together.”

“What’s the problem?” He eyed me in confusion. “You ain’t said nothing wrong.”

“She’s a federal agent.” I sighed heavily as I stood from the couch and walked to the living room window. I could feel everyone’s eyes following me and hanging on to my every word. “But more importantly, Denim’s an agent that was out for the Boudreaux’s. She even went as far as speaking with Mattie in hopes of finding something on us. I knew about her and her undercover attempt to accuse me and my cousins of some unsolved crimes, but that didn’t stop me from investing my time into her and her daughter.” I chuckled humorlessly. “I just can’t reason with myself why I would get in bed with someone who would be considered an enemy. The whole time… she thought she had the one up on me, but I’d already known who she was… and I still entertained her. I still got in bed with the enemy, and I can’t for the life of me understand why I did that shit because now… Lil’ Mama is a constant thought.”

Telling my grandfather everything that had happened over the last three to four months, I was amazed at how idiotic my situation sounded. From meeting her at the club to killing her baby’s father, it all was something from a BET black drama. By the time I was done talking, everyone was quiet.

“Somebody say something…” I looked at him and Rosier in hopes of advice on what to do. “Don’t leave me hanging.”

“So, you’re married?” is the first thing my grandfather asked as he sipped his drink. “Sweets is going to kill you.”

“Pop…” I groaned as I took my seat. “A nigga is lost out here.”

“I’m not privy to everything you do, but I know that you married this girl after finding out who she was to cover your own ass if it came down to it. You’re not slick, son; I see right through you. You didn’t have to enter that union. You didn’t even have to keep her alive. You did it because you cared about her. You care about her child.”

“I do.” I nodded and admitted as I took my seat back on the sofa. “There’s no sense in hiding it. I love them both. Even if she wasn’t an agent, we could never be together, though. My life is too dangerous and?—”

“Stop…” Rosier finally spoke as he leaned up in his seat. “What you do is no more dangerous than the rest of us. Yes, you may go the extra mile with some of your methods, but even with that, you are better equipped to take care of yourself more than any of us. Add a family into the equation, and I know they’ll be protected.”

“She’s a federal agent, Zoo. I can’t trust her.” That was my biggest fear with Denim. I know she said that she was done trying to investigate us, but how could I be sure? Lying next to someone I’d put a bullet in a heartbeat doesn’t equate to a healthy marriage.

“She’s your wife, and you love her.” He stood from his seat and moved toward where I was on the couch. “You’re going to figure out where you want her, and you’re going to put her there. No matter how it happened, she’s your wife. She’s part of this family until you say she isn’t. You don’t need it, but you have the Family’s blessing with whatever you decide to do. You’re my right hand, Dre. I don’t doubt you, nor will I ever second guess a choice you make.”

Extending his hand to me, I looked from it to him before I stood from my seat and pulled him into my embrace. Hearing him say that felt as if Uncle Samuel was also approving of my role and contribution. Knowing he trusted my judgment in every aspect meant a lot to me. I would never do anything to jeopardize the organization, and I was happy Rosier believed that too.

“I have one request of you.” My grandfather stood and walked over to us. “I know Mattie isn’t on some type of self-help journey. All I ask of you is that we can have a proper ceremony to say goodbye if it comes to it.”

Looking over at Rosier, I said nothing because I didn’t know where she was. I don’t even know if my mother is dead or alive. Looking my grandfather in the eyes, I extended my hand to him.

“You have my word, Pop.”

Two hours passed, and we were finally eating. The Mills clan really came into town with empty stomachs, and I eyed them all in disgust as they ate up the homecooked food.

“You mean to tell me you really flew all the way here just for dinner.” I dug into my oxtails and shook my head. “Don’t make this a habit.”

“Shut up, Andre, and stop being a hater,” Wild spoke with a mouth full of cabbages. “If Sweets wasn’t already married to Pop?—”

“Say it, lil’ nigga.” My grandfather walked over behind the China cabinet and grabbed his twelve-gage shotgun. “I dare you to say it.”

We all went silent before the room erupted in laughter. This is what I missed the most after spending time in Milly Grove. As we continued to eat, we fell back into conversation as the doorbell rang.

“I’ll get it,” Mimi said as she stood up. Skip grabbed her wrist and caused us to look at them both in confusion. “What’s wrong, Jordyn?”

“We don’t let ladies open doors.”

“That nigga don’t talk much, but when he does… it makes sense.” Jules simpered as he stood. “Mimi, you know we don’t go for that either. Sit down.”

Kissing her teeth, she did as she was told, but the way she smirked at Skip wasn’t missed by me. I wasn’t one to get in anyone’s business, especially with my own shit going on, but I made a mental note for later.

“Hey, Dae Dae! That crazy chick out there again!” We heard Jules yell and laugh from the front door. “She’s looking a little hostile, and I ain’t letting her in here. You better come get her, Dre, because if she puts her hands on me again, I’m turning her into the moose she looks like.”

Pushing my chair from the table, I walked to the front door to see what this nigga was talking about. Once I got there, I was pissed to see Sandra.

“So, Dre… you come back in town and don’t call me?” she shouted as soon as I stepped behind Jules. “You can’t run from me and this baby!”

“Look, Sandra. I don’t know what the hell is wrong with you, but you gone have to get from around my people’s house with this foolishness. You know I don’t even play like that.”

“Plus, he’s married.” Jules’ ass chimed in. “His wife doesn’t play, either. I saw her knock a bitch out after shooting her kneecaps off.”

Chuckling, I stepped out onto the porch so I could defuse this situation. I was already mentally tired from trying to figure out what to do about Denim, and now this girl was popping up with nonsense. While Jules was threatening to turn her into a moose, I was going to turn her into ashes is she didn’t get the fuck on.

She was in my face the second both of my feet hit the porch concrete. “What does he mean you’re married? How could you do this to me?” she cried as she hit me in my chest while her hand held he protruding belly. “I’m about to be the mother of your child and?—”

Psss!

Hearing what sounded like air leaving a balloon, we both looked down to see Sandra’s once protruding stomach deflating. Beside us was Bridgette with a steak knife. I had no plans to touch her stomach because I knew whatever was inside wasn’t related to Andre Boudreaux. No one had come close to bearing my children—no one except Denim Atkins.

Before I could address the obvious, Bridgette dropped the knife and stepped toward Sandra, slightly shoving me out of the way. “I saw this girl at the club last week, throwing back Patron shots like water—game over, hoe. Leave my brother alone, and I’m not going to tell you again. Next time, we gonna make you a flying playmate for Jules’ ex. Now, you’ve come over here disturbing our meal, plus you touched my man. You’re about to get these hands, hoe. Come here!”

In the blink of an eye, Bridgette had Sandra on the ground and was beating the shit out of her. Stunned, I let her get off a few hits before I called for help. “Y’all come out here and help me!” I shouted toward the house. “Bridgette, you strong as fuck girl. Shit!”

Grunting, I tried to get her off the ground, but it was useless. Seeing Jules run from the porch, I sighed in relief until I realized he wasn’t coming to make it any better.

“Beat her ass, baby! Beat them lying demons right on up out of her.” Dousing oil all over the girls, this nigga was commanding the spirits of whore-ism to loosen its bind on Sandra. I tried my best to break it up plus stop him, but I gave up.

“I know that ain’t my damn good oil!” my grandfather hollered as he pulled his belt from his waist. “Jules, I’m about to beat your ass, boy!”

Hearing my grandfather and seeing him with a belt, Jules took off running through the front yard. Not only him, but Bridgette, too, as she tried to save her man.

“Andre—”

“Sandra, get up and go, man.” I chuckled as I looked down at her. She was bloody and greasy as fuck. “Stay away from me and my people. Next time, I’m chopping you into little pieces and spreading them in your mama’s yard. Bye.”

Leaving her with what I said, I returned to the porch. Everyone was entertained by the chaos. As I made my way to the door, Sweets and Wild were standing off to the side, with their plates still in hand.

“Your family is ghetto, Sweets,” Wild mumbled as he bit into his cornbread. “I love it here.”

“Me, too, baby.” She winked at me as I shook my head at them both. “Me too.”