Page 25

They had been practicing since school started in the fall for tonight.

We couldn't wait too to see her performance.

Timber had been working hard. I even had a room off the sunroom turned into a mini gym for her to work on her tumbling.

For a 7-year-old, she was as good as any teenager.

She had no fear and would never quit. No matter how many times she fell or didn't stick a landing she would always get back up and try again.

I was so proud of her and honored that she wanted me to be at her event.

We sat in the stands with the other parents and guests as the program started.

“Good evening ladies and gentlemen Walden Academy would like to thank you for attending our spring fling gymnastics event. We hope that you enjoy the show and without further ado we present our little tumblers,” the announcer said.

The show started and we watched the kids in Timberly’s class perform choreographed gymnastics routines individualized to their skill set.

And then Timber took her place in the spotlight with another little girl about the same age and the routine was flawless.

They were sticking everything perfectly.

I can tell that they practiced together often because they were so in sync. I was so proud of Timber.

Keeping my eyes on our surroundings I noticed a familiar face amongst the crowd.

A large man sat next to a curvy short woman and watched the performance intently.

Two big niggas sat at their backs doing the same.

I recognized him instantly, it was August Alexander.

I’m guessing the big niggas were Black and Blue Davenport.

August rarely went anywhere without them.

When gazes met he gave me a head nod and I did the same.

One of his kids must go to school with Timber.

The routine ended and everyone in attendance cheered and clapped for the girls.

“They were the best out of everyone, don’t you think?” Nova asked with a big smile.

“Yeah, Princess, but I was gon say that shit anyway. Ain’t nobody fuckin wit our girl.

” I chuckled. For what felt like the first time in my life.

I hadn’t had anything to laugh at in a long time or anyone to laugh with and the shit felt good.

Timber ran up to us holding the hand of the same little girl she’d done the routine with.

“Mommy, Crew-dad, this is my friend Tati. Can she come over this weekend?” she asked, giggling.

“Nice to meet you,” Nova and I said in unison.

“You girls did so well,” she said.

“Thank you for inviting me,” I said to Timber.

“Why wouldn’t I? You’re my dad,” Timber said with a straight face.

That shit almost broke me down in public. I could hear Nova’s super sensitive ass sniffling behind me.

“You’re right I am,” I said. “I kneeled down to her height and gave her a big hug. “Now about that playdate. We have to speak with Tati’s parents first.”

“My mommy and daddy are here. I’ll go get them,” she said before running off, taking Timber with her through the crowd.

A few minutes later they walked back over to us with none other than August, the same short woman and the twins behind them.

“Crew Sanderson, nice to finally meet you in person. August Alexander, and this is my wife Anesia,” he said, holding his hand out for me to accept. “I believe Black and Blue’s cousin Delema has been using their service to protect your newfound family.”

His wife smiled and waved to Nova in greeting.

“Yes, that’s right. Thanks, by the way,” I said, looking at Black and Blue. Good to meet all of you,” I said, shaking his hand. “This is my wife Nova, we appreciate the information and the upgraded security.”

Black and Blue hit me with a head nod before going back to scope the scene like this wasn’t a kids event. These niggas acted like a soccer mom about to come out the wood works and try to assassinate a nigga.

“You’ll get used to them. They’ll talk when they get to know you better.” August’s wife said. “They did me the same way when we met.” She laughed.

“It looks like our girls hit it off. Tati asked if she and your daughter could have a playdate at your house this weekend. I’ve done my research just like I’m sure you have as well.

You know what type of man I am, and I know what type you are.

I’m good with them spending time together as long as you protect mine like I will protect yours,” he said.

“Same here, how about Saturday at 2 o’clock sound? I asked.

“Sounds good. I’ll get your address from Del,” he said.

“Fine with me. We’ll see you this weekend,” I told them.

“Crew-dad we’re going to get dressed and then we’ll be right back. Okay? Timber said.

“Yeah, baby girl; we’ll be right here waiting,” I said as Timber and Tati took off to the dressing rooms.

We stood talking amongst ourselves while the girls changed.

August and I talked about the possibility of building a new facility in Brookview next quarter, as the ladies got to know each other.

Anesia invited Nova to a spa day reminding me of the last spa day she had.

After about 20 minutes we noticed the crowd was starting to thin out, but the girls hadn’t returned.

August and the twins must have been thinking the same thing because as we walked closer to the dressing rooms at the same time, we heard a woman scream.

We ran in the direction of the scream and would have laughed if I wasn’t so fucking worried for my child when we got around the corner.

Timber and Tati had Stephanie pinned to the ground.

She looked to be knocked out, and when I looked closer, Tati was holding a small pocket sized taser in her hand.

“Good work, Tati,” Black said, as we made it over to them.

“I helped too,” Timber said with a big proud smile.

“What the hell happened?” August asked.

“Crew-dad, this lady tried to kidnap me. She told me she was taking me to my daddy, but I told her that you were already in the gym waiting. Then she tried to grab me but I kicked her in the stomach and ran but she grabbed me by my hair. But that’s when Tati came out of her dressing room and shocked her in the back. ”

Damn, my baby hanging out with a little gangsta.

We damn sure about to get Timber in training.

I kneeled down and checked Timber over to make sure she wasn’t hurt then I told Tati ‘thank you’ for helping my daughter.

This shit was getting out of hand. Out of the corner of my eye I saw two of the men Black loaned me picking Stephanie off the ground and carrying her out of the room.

“Don’t worry about this,” he said, looking over to the limp body of my administrator. “We have somewhere to take her. Take your family home and I’ll send you an address to meet us,” he said, leaving behind the men.

“Come on girls, let's get back out here before your mothers start to worry,” August said.

We went back out to the gym to find the ladies still talking to each other about who knows what.

In a way I’m glad they didn’t notice because I didn’t want Nova to worry but I had to tell her what happened when we got home.

We said our goodbyes and headed to the house.

I needed to fill Nova in what just happened and get to the address Black just sent to my phone.

Timber skipped into the house like she hadn’t almost got taken by a stranger. From the look on her face, she was so proud of herself for what her and her friend had done to Stephanie.

“Timber, run upstairs and get ready for dinner. I need to talk to your mom about what happened tonight after your performance.”

“Okay, Crew-dad,” she said, hugging us both before bouncing up the stairs.

Nova’s face balled up as she looked between me and Timber.

“What happened after the show?” She asked, concern etched in her beautiful face. “Did I miss something?”

“Stephanie tried to kidnap Timber at the event.”

“What, when, where the fuck is she?”

“Take it easy, Princess. Timber and Tati handled it.”

“What do you mean two 7-year-olds handled a grown woman trying to kidnap our daughter?”

I wanted to stop and go into the fact that she said our daughter, but I would get back to that later.

“Exactly what I said. Timber fought her off and when Tati heard the commotion she ran into the stall and tased Stephanie. When we got into the dressing room they had her pinned to the floor,” I told her with a smile on my face.

“What are you smiling about? They could have been hurt. What happened to Stephanie?”

“This could have ended badly if the girls didn’t fight back. I’m proud of them and you should be too. Just know Timber will be getting more self-defense and weapons training. She has to be able to fight until we can get to her.”

“Why do you think she did it?”

“I’m about to find out. Give me a few hours and I’ll be back.” I kissed her cheek, happy that she didn’t argue about me leaving. I changed into something a little more comfortable and headed to the location that was sent.

Stephanie was tied up to a chair in the middle of a warehouse in between Brookview and Timberline. The warehouse looked well used and had a collection of torture devices that would make the craziest psychopath smile. Each man in the room stood around dressed in all black and ready for anything.

“Please, it wasn’t my idea. Kennedy told me I had to bring her to her and her brother. I wasn’t going to hurt her. I was just taking her to her father.”

“Nah, bitch you wasn’t. Cause I’m her father. I warned you what would happen!” I barked.

“I’m sorry. I-I don’t know where to find them. I was supposed to call them when I had her.” She screamed.

“I didn’t ask you shit. Remember, Stephanie, no questions. Plus, I don’t believe you. I think you’re lying to me.”

“No, I promise I don’t know.”

“Stephanie, you know who I am right?

“Y-Yes Mr. Sanderson.”

“What about the men with me? Do you know them?”

“Yes.”

“Then you know no lie you tell is gon get you out of this. Now tell us everything you think is the truth or I swear on my dead parents that I will break every bone in your body and then these two,” I said, pointing to Black and Blue.

“Will bury you alive before we go and find your old ass parents and do the same to them.” Black handed me a hammer from the wall of tools behind Stephanie and I walked closer to her as she screamed and tried to free herself from her restraints.

“My parents work for the Harris’s. They paid for me to go to college and helped me get this job.

I owe them so when the Harris’s paid me to watch Nova and report back to them about her every move, I couldn’t refuse.

They said they wanted Nova and Timberly back.

But then when Kennedy moved here my assignment changed.

Kennedy said she wanted to ruin her before her brother came back to get her.

She hates Nova not just because of what she did to her brother but mostly because of you. ”

“Why would she hate Nova because of me? I don’t know that bitch.”

“Yes you do. She said you picked her up at a club one night a year ago and never called her again after.”

I thought back for a moment to the few women I’ve slept with since Sabrina.

But most we’re a blank none of them ever last more than a few months since I wasn’t interested in more than a fuck or some head.

They were all cool with the arrangement.

But there was one that seemed more desperate for the dick than all the others.

I remember I let the bit give me head in my car before I kicked her out.

I don’t even remember her face. Fuck maybe that was her because I don’t remember fucking with Kennedy’s delusional ass.

“Fuck that. I don’t give a fuck about her delusional ass reasons. Where the fuck is Kennedy and her brother?”

“I don’t know exactly. But I do know that they are both still here in town. They were waiting for my call, I swear. That’s all I know, please. I told you everything I know.”

“Right, thanks for that. Make it quick,” I said, looking over to the guard standing at the back of the room.

“Please, I didn’t hurt her.” She screamed before the pop of a gun silenced her cries.

I turned my back to the scene and stood, waiting to hear what else the twins had for me.

"I ran everything we got from Stephanie on Kyle Harris and his people again.

Clean on paper, but underneath?" Blue said, turning his laptop toward us.

"Dirty money, quit a few private settlements.

They have some judges in their pocket as well as some shell companies tied to some very old, very southern money. "

"And he’s not just dangerous. He's connected. If we hit him wrong, we’ll look like the aggressors." Black said looking at the connection he and his parents had.

"I don’t care about optics. I care about outcomes. That mutherfucka and his fucked up family not only threatened my wife but tried to take my daughter. I need to know who’s on his payroll, what back doors he’s using, and how close he is to this city."

"I agree. Which is why I’m bringing in backup,” he said.

"I already got a team…" I started.

"Not like this. Two of my best men, ex-navy seals, will be on Nova and Timberly’s personal detail until we find out what we're up against and how they're coming.”

“I appreciate the support. I can feel a war is coming my way behind my family and I can never have too many soldiers on my side,” I told the twins.

"I already called them. They’ll be posted on your property within the hour. Go home to your family. The team will clean this up. Blue’s setting up an encrypted data spider through all Harris’s shell companies now. We should have everything we need to know soon,” Black said.