Page 33

Story: The Filth Kings

Thirty-Two

I got so tired of being without clothes today, I eyed my silk white sheet on top of the bed for minutes. Boredom really had gotten the best of me again. It had been two days since Maylee and I explored each other’s bodies. I turned down the tablet and now I hated myself for it. I was back to the same boring schedule with nothing to do and no one to talk to.

I snatched the sheet off the bed and started to rip it with purpose. I don’t know what the hell I was attempting to make but it kept my mind busy. I folded and twisted the sheet around with determination. Minutes later, I slid it over my head and jumped for joy. The fabric felt cool against my skin. I smoothed the front down and sighed. Big knots that I tied kept it together on my shoulders. I took a thin long piece of the sheet and wrapped it around my waist as a belt to keep it up on top of my wide hips.

I got back in the bed content. I pulled my knees to my chest then looked at nothing in particular. Just silence, I started to speculate what time it was and ended up frustrated with this entire situation. I didn’t want to swallow the reality of feeling like a rich prisoner. That was exactly who I currently was, though. Someone locked away but lucky enough to have a bed, and somewhere to shower with breakfast and dinner being served.

The hairs on my arms stood up as I heard the faintest sound of footsteps outside of my door. This time, I didn’t think it was a maid or Maylee. My stomach twisted in knots because I could feel that it was Detavio. He was finally here, and so many emotions ran through my mind because I didn’t know how to feel about him finally coming. I told myself that when he did finally come, I was going to beat his ass. Right now, I was willing to talk things out and beg for my damn freedom. That’s all I wanted right now.

The heavy door creaked open, the air in the room quickly shifted. He stepped in, his skin smooth and moisturized. His tailored white suit was crisp and sharp. Detavio looked like he was ripped straight out of a designer catalog. The normal predatory and cocky look he gave me was replaced by something that I couldn’t quite pinpoint. His shoulders looked tensed, his jaw was set and tight.

In his huge hands he held a bundle of clothes. My heart sped up as Detavio gazed over at me with a concerned look on his face. It almost looked like he regretted bringing me up here.

“De-Detavio, please…I will never report or blog on you or Impurity again. I just want all of this to be over. I want to go home, please.” I pleaded.

I got so emotional, I couldn’t stop the tears that fell from my eyes. They dropped; my bottom lip trembled. A painful lump traveled up my throat as my entire body started to shake. I never been in this type of position, I tried to make the best out of it. I just never been restricted of my freedom. I just wanted to get away from it all to clear my head.

He stepped further in the room and sat the bundle of clothes at the edge of my bed. I continued to beg him. I expected for him to ignore and offer me a dismissive look.

“You can go home, Angel,” he said, his voice a sharp bite.

“I’m so—” He cleared his throat and looked away for a couple of seconds.

I stayed still and remained quiet as I picked up on sorrow from him. I didn’t know what it all meant coming from Detavio. Him saying that I could go, sounded too easy. It was evident that something bothered him. He looked like he carried a heavy burden as he struggled with his next set of words. Detavio’s face balled into a series of different emotions before he gained control over them. He cleared his throat once more then spoke a little clearer.

“I’m sorry for kidnapping you…bringing you here against your will. You never have to forgive me, your forgiveness doesn’t matter to me either. One day I’ll forgive myself and then maybe I’ll become concerned with your forgiveness.” He murmured the last part of what he said to himself.

“You wanted so many answers just like I did…only difference is…I been wanting answers since a kid…since the day my mother left me with Impurity. I figured, since most of my questions been answered a couple of days ago, I’ll get your questions answered by the one person that owes those answers to you…” He narrowed his eyes at me, the corner of his mouth twitched into a painful sneer.

“I brought you new clothes and underwear. I’ll step outside the door to give you time to get dressed.” His shoulders dropped in defeat.

Detavio gave me his back and walked toward the door.

“All the cameras from your home have been removed, there’s also money that has been deposited in your account for your time served here,” he stated over his shoulder.

For a second, I almost wished that I could ask him what was wrong. I knew better than to try. I had an opportunity to go and right now, and it sounded too good to be true. I hurried off the bed and took off the sheet and went straight to the clothes he placed at the edge of the bed. I was surprised that he had all of my sizes correct, down to my boyshorts panties. I slid on the black Nike leggings, then put on a Nike long sleeved shirt. I never been so happy to see a pair of black Nike sandals in my life. I put them on the concrete then slid my flat fat feet inside of them.

I looked around the room one last time before I walked toward the door to let him know that I was ready.

“I don’t need any answers for anything. Some things are better left unsaid,” I stated softly.

“You need this particular conversation. I won’t sit in either.” He turned away from me coldly then led the way.

The air was thick and cool against my face. It was nothing like I expected it to be since his pit was underground. The stone walls were smooth and polished-looking. I swallowed down and took it all in. The tunnel stretched wide and long. Each step that we took echoed around me. I kept glancing at Detavio’s well-defined back and wondered what he was thinking.

He picked up a lantern off the ground and kept walking as the tunnel got darker. After what felt like ten minutes of walking, we made it to some steps. I gripped the edges of the narrow staircase. We reached the top, Detavio pushed on a metal door. Light! My eyes welled up and sagged from so many emotions that hit me all at once. It was like I was hit with a wave of disbelief because I thought I would never get out of the pit. I blinked as I stepped past the metal door. The room before me was nothing like the cold earthy tunnel.

The floors were polished and gleamed under a soft golden light that spilled from a crystal chandelier. Everything about this place screamed wealth and power. I took a hesitant step forward, my eyes scanning the room, trying to take it all in. There were tall columns that stretched to the high ceiling along with tall windows framed with gold velvet drapes. I glanced over to the far side of the room and noticed a grand staircase that spiraled upward.

His steps had lights on them like the stairway to heaven.

“You play the piano?” I asked, amazed as I slowly walked over to a grand piano that sat in the corner next to a floor to ceiling mirror.

“I taught myself years back,” he retorted from behind me.

This place felt like a kingdom that was owned by a man that didn’t play by anyone else’s rules except his own. Detavio was at my back, his presence made the big space that we stood in feel small. I turned to face him, at a loss for words. I didn’t need to thank him for shit, it was him that kept me against my will. It was also him that fucked me in a dirty ass deserted alley.

I squinted my eyes up at him and sighed.

“I guess this is your world.” My words came out low above a whisper.

He didn’t answer right away; instead, he stepped closer. His eyes blazed into mine as the air thickened around us.

“Yeah, I wish you could stay longer under different circumstances, of course.” He chuckled dryly.

“Come on, I’ll take you to the front of the house.” He stepped away.

It felt like I could breathe again when he turned to walk away. Damn, so this not the front of the house? I thought as I quickly followed behind him. The more we walked the more amazed I was by the small world he created in his house. Although everything was grand and elegant looking, it felt like a home. It smelled as good as it looked. This must have been one wing to his home. I wondered where the women slept; where was Maylee’s room?

“Angel!”

My knees got weak hearing my father’s voice. All of my emotions flooded back inside of me as I gawked around wildly to lay eyes on him. Soon as my eyes landed on my dad, I took off and ran up to him as if my life depended on it. I ignored the pungent smell that radiated off of him and hugged him tightly. I could barely think straight as I clutched on to the man that always made me feel safe.

“Pa!” My voice cracked over my pounding heart.

My body shook as I buried my face into his chest. I could hear his erratic heartbeat as he held me tight.

“You okay, baby? I got you now, I’m so sorry Angel.” His voice croaked.

I couldn’t stop crying through his apologies, I felt overwhelmed as relief hit me all at once. He pulled me away by the shoulders and looked me in the eyes sadly.

“Angel, let’s sit down and talk.” His hands remained on my shoulders, warm but tensed.

He clutched my shoulders tighter as if he was afraid to let go. He was just sad and relieved to see me but now his bushy brows furrowed. As his big eyes searched mine, he scanned my face.

“We can talk on the way home,” I told him.

I swirled around to see if Detavio was still in the room, he wasn’t.

“I can’t leave…” His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down his throat as he nervously looked away.

A chill crept down my spine. I looked up at him confused.

“I can’t leave until Impurity is dead. There are some things that I need to talk to you about…I just hope that you will find it in your heart to forgive me.” He shifted on his feet uncomfortably.

“Please, sit down, Angel.” He pointed toward a white leather sectional couch.

“You’re scaring me?—”

“Please, just listen to me with an open mind and heart.” He swallowed down, visibly paranoid.

“Have you been stuck here?” I squinted my eyes at him.

His clothes looked filthy from where I stood, a wrinkled shirt with dry stains all over it. My father was always dressed nicely and he smelled good anytime I was around him.

“Detavio brought me to his home two days ago from Arkville,” he stated.

I watched him tuck his hands in his pockets. His eyes roamed around uncomfortably. He shut his eyes and took in a deep breath.

“What were you doing in Arkville?” My stomach dropped down to my bowels.

“It’s hard to explain, so I’ll just start by saying that your mother is well aware of everything. I was there to end things for good, but it’s not that easy when a person is obsessed and deeply in love…”

“Who else is in love with you besides Mom? What the hell does Arkville have to do with that!” I snapped, feeling my temper rise high.

“Language, you will still respect me no matter what I tell you today.” He corrected his posture and stood up straight.

I looked over at the white leather couch and decided that it was best for me to have a seat and fold my hands in my lap to contain my anger. I was already on edge after all of what I had been through. I finally got the chance to freedom only to have my father standing in front of me with some bullshit getting ready to fall from his mouth.

“Impurity Decebal, I loved him deeply and still have a deep unfiltered love for him, but I love your mother more. She was and still is the one and only woman to capture my heart from so much mischief…” He dropped his head in defeat as I stumbled back and fell on the couch.

What the fuck is he trying to say…no…I know what he’s saying but…Oh my God!!! My eyes blinked rapidly as I tried to digest the words that he’d spoken.

“I came from a place where selling your soul was of importance to be somebody. I was a nobody, a man without purpose or direction. None of my upbringing I care to share…but I will say this…” He paused for what felt like an eternity.

I sat frozen in place and watched him, the man that raised me. He revealed himself in a way that I never imagined. I watched and listened to him closely. His eyes met mine with sorrow and regret.

“Love between two men was a stain back in my day. It wasn’t something you could just be open about like in today’s society. I embraced femininity, fell in love with it. I just regretted who I fell for. I saw a tormented soul in Impurity. I thought that I could change his dark ways but grew addicted to the money and power that came with him. So, I accepted and overlooked a lot, until I laid eyes on your mother. She was the first woman that I was attracted to and could see myself with as a disguise. Impurity told me and Mr. Herringbone that we should both find love interests. Mr. Herringbone refused to find someone to disguise his sexuality, but being the humble man that I am, I found someone but was not supposed to fall in love. I fell in love but was conflicted. If I left him, the money flow would stop. So, I continued until you were old enough to start wondering about certain things. You always been a curious little girl. You used to ask so many questions when I would leave home for days. It all became too hard to juggle so I decided to walk away. I was tired of Impurity controlling me. His abuse and the things he forced me to witness made it hard for me to sleep at night. When I finally left him alone, I was partially happy. I still thought about the women that he continued to kidnap in Arkville. He kidnapped them because he was always in denial about his sexuality. He hated it, there were times he would get super violent after sex. It’s like watching porn then becoming disgusted after you get out of it what you were watching it for…He hated that he couldn’t get an erection with women, so he’d blame them for not being attractive enough. A lot of it was his psychological being messed up. Jalissa was the only woman he could have an erection with, the only woman that made him feel straight. For a while, he left me alone and let me live but when he got rid of her, his urges grew stronger. He demanded for me to come back but I told him that I couldn’t be a part of all the disgusting things that he had going on?—”

“Why did you go back this time?” I asked through my own set of tears.

“You…I went back because I know Impurity. I knew that he would take desperate measures to get me back. My company took a hit, your mother’s coffee shops hasn’t brought in much revenue. As a man, I will provide for my family. I saw the determined look in your eyes and knew that you wouldn’t stop until you got answers. I knew that it would lead you right into the arms of Impurity. I would die before I let him get you, so I went back. I thought it was too late when I did go back because he had Jalissa chained to his bed. It wasn’t too late because he still wanted me. He wants me, him, and Jalissa to be together. He’s grown more deranged; he kidnaps men too. Human trafficking is at an all-time high as well because of Impurity. With all of his connections in higher places, no one will stop him. This is why I feel like it’s best for me to stay here at Detavio’s place until he’s dead.” He casted his eyes down at the plush carpet.

“None of it stopped you from spending the money that you had access to…Did you think about the innocent women then?” I gritted out.

He kept his eyes casted downward; he shook his head no as reality settled inside of me.

“Did Detavio know?—”

“He just found out the other day when he killed one of Impurity’s lovers. Mr. Herringbone served as Detavio’s assistant. He hated Jalissa since the very beginning. He offered millions for her to disappear. Impurity still doesn’t know that either. Before Jalissa gave birth to their first born, Herringbone was doing everything in his power to get Jalissa to disappear. He’s always been hateful and evil to anyone that Impurity took a strong liking to or fell in love with. He wanted to be number one. I never understood the dynamics of their relationship.” He shook his head.

I realized that Detavio looked different when he came down to the pit and acted different because he just found out about his father just like I’m finding out about mine. He was conflicted and didn’t know how to digest everything.

“So… Our lifestyle came from Impurity. The money and everything we have…” I gasped as my mind scattered all over the place.

“Where’s Mom?” Panic settled inside of me.

“She’s upstairs. I don’t want you to be upset with her,” he gritted out.

“Why would I be upset with her! I’m confused as fuck! I don’t understand why she would want to settle for a man that can’t love her fully?—”

“I do love her fully! This is all too complicated for me to get you to understand! You will not try to make her feel bad or ask her questions that don’t need to be answered anymore. I’m living in my truth, I just kept it hidden from you.”

“No, you kept it hidden from your peers, the employees that look up to you! You are just as guilty as Impurity. You know the sick things that he has done, you never got help or tried to do something?—”

“What the fuck could I do! Please tell me, and don’t mention the police when half of the government turns a blind eye because they profit and make a percentage off of half of the sick shit that he does! Down to the bodies that come up missing when they are shipped off to foreign countries as modern-day slavery! You know nothing! There’s nothing you can do! Nothing I can do but play along!”

“Why is Detavio okay with killing his father?—”

“He deserves to die.” Detavio retorted from behind me.

Chills crept up my spine, his footsteps grew louder with each step.

“The Decebal empire will crumble after its king is dead. The person that will kill him is none of your concern, Angel. Be a lady, and bow out gracefully.” Detavio spat with venom.

He tossed me my cellphone; it landed on the side of me. Next, he dropped my keys along with my clutch purse that I had when I left the club before being kidnapped by him.

“I—I can’t leave my mother here with either of you.” I looked away from my father.

“She doesn’t deserve to be mistreated or hurt.” I added.

“That’s my wife, I will always protect and make sure that she’s okay.” My father tried to reassure me.

“You can stay or go to my brother Monster’s house.” Detavio added.

“Why would I leave my mother here with you, when my father looks like he hasn’t showered in days!” I spat out with disgust laced in my tone.

“I have clothes, and so does your mother. I haven’t eaten or got any rest until I laid eyes on you, Angel. It took me two days to gather the courage to tell you about all of this. I didn’t want to see the look that you got on your face now. Your mother is fine, you can go up and see her whenever you like. Detavio has us inside of a master suite on the East wing.” My father confessed.

That made me feel a little better. I thought Detavio would have placed my parents in another pit underground.

“You were ashamed to face me because of the women and men that Impurity has harmed!” I accused.

I didn’t judge him for being gay at all; if my mom liked it, I loved it. I considered myself bisexual, so who was I to judge him for liking men. It was him being with a man like Impurity that made my skin crawl. It made me look at my father differently, but I still loved him, no matter what.

“I just need time to process everything. I’m not in control of your conscience and who you see when you look in the mirror. You have to live with knowing what was going on while you were receiving all of the money and dick that he filled you up with…Not me. I still love you, you are my father, nothing changes that. I just hope you get right with God.” I stood up and stretched.

“What time is it?” I asked Detavio.

This was some heavy shit and it hit me too hard. I just wanted to lay down and sleep for a couple of hours before I hit the road.

“It’s eleven p.m.,” Detavio said on the side of me.

“Can you give me a room other than the pit to sleep in?” I asked him sarcastically.

I ran my hand over the top of my gel slicked hair. I couldn’t wait to go to the hair salon to get a nice wash and blow out.

“All of my rooms are taken?—”

“You mean to tell me you got an east and west wing and don’t have any other bedrooms?” I frowned.

Detavio smirked mischievously; he licked his lips to coat his lies and nodded his head ‘yes’.

“Angel, you can come sleep on the east wing with me and your mom. The room is huge enough for the three of us,” my father suggested.

“No,” I said a little too quick. I could tell that it hurt his feelings.

I just needed time. I didn’t want to be around my father at all. All of what he just said could have been said weeks ago when Detavio left the newspaper and note. When I approached him about it, he pushed me away. Detavio gave him no choice but to tell me. If it weren’t for him, I’d never know.

“I’ll join Detavio and see you and mom in a couple of days,” I uttered.