Page 53

“They’re just here to do the legwork,” Rosier stated with pride as we began to leave the room.

“By the time they’ve done their job, the timer on the other cage will go off, releasing their cousins to feast on the dead corpses.

Trust me, I wanted you two to suffer more, but I have to go check on my mother and niece. ”

“Your death won’t be nearly as quick as your family's.” I smiled and winked at Gia as she hopped all over the floor with her bleeding foot, trying to avoid the rats as they circled around. “When you get to Hell, tell them I said, “Hello.”

Closing the basement door behind us, we listened as they squealed below.

To me, their death was too easy, but that is something I can live with as long as the job is done.

I was hoping Chandler would come back and find their bodies.

It would be the proof he needed to know his time was coming sooner than he thought.

“You good, man?” Rosier asked as we stepped outside the house and headed to the truck. “She’s your child's mother?—”

“Do you miss Ariana?” I asked, granting me the most sour look. “Exactly.”

Getting into the back of Noemi’s Porsche, I pulled my daughter into my lap and held her close.

I could have lost my girl, but God saw fit for me to have a little more time with her.

While I’m blessed and thankful to have her back, my job wasn’t done.

Until I watch Chandler take his last breath, I won’t be satisfied.

My havoc in this city has yet to begin.

“Hey, Big Bri. I’m Princess Gi or Gi Baby.” We all sat and laughed as Gianna introduced herself to Dre’s daughter, Briley. “You can be my cousin if you want. My daddy has tea parties with me, but it would be nice to have it with girls sometimes too.”

“Yeah, I know…” Bri chimed in as she combed her doll’s hair. “My daddy plays with me, too, when Mommy doesn’t. He draws the line at letting me paint his nails.” Looking over at Dre, she frowned in confusion. “Daddy, why don’t you let me paint your nails like Unctie Jerome?”

“Because Jerome is a sis?—”

“Okay, girls!” Denim placed her hand over Dre’s mouth as she came in from the kitchen. “I just made some fresh ice cream. Would you like to try it out?”

Jumping from the floor and abandoning their toys, they ran into the kitchen with RJ doing the same.

We decided to let the kids get to know each other because it was evident that we would be family soon.

From this simple interaction, I could tell they were going to be thick as thieves.

We’ve been staying on the compound with Noemi before going back to the Grove.

I did let Gianna FaceTime my family because they’ve been dying to lay eyes on her, especially her Uncle Wild.

I wasn’t in a rush to leave since Ma Ros had told us about Gianna being doped up, but the doctors had cleared her more than once, stating she was fine and would continue to be fine.

She’d been asking to sleep in the bed with Noemi and me for the past few nights, and I had no objections.

I would do anything to assure my baby that she was safe.

“Baby, lunch is ready if you’re hungry.” Mi came from the kitchen, looking as beautiful as ever. She had been quiet these past few days, and I didn’t like it. “You want me to fix you something?”

“Come here.” I waved her over, patting my lap, as her brothers looked on. Hesitantly, she looked from me to her brothers. “Noemi…”

Dropping her head, she complied. Confusion spread across her brothers’ faces as she timidly sat in my lap. Placing my finger under her chin, I lifted her gaze to meet mine. Tears pooled in her eyes, and as soon as one fell, Jules was on his feet in an instant.

“Man, what the hell is wrong with you, Noemi?” He came stomping over like he was ready to cast a spell. “Tell me right now, or I swear to you?—”

“You all hate me…” She covered her face and began to bawl. “All of this is my fault! Had I just stayed with Chandler, none of this would have happened. Mama was beaten… beaten! I’m so sorry!”

Wrapping my arms around her, I placed kisses all over her face, allowing her to get it all out. By now, all of the ladies, including her mother and the kids, had come running back into the living room. Her sobs were becoming unbearable, and I needed her to stop.

“Noemi, I need you to chill, baby,” I said, pleading with her. Pushing her back slightly, I waited until she moved her hands from her face to look at me. “No one is mad at you. Why would you think that?”

“Look at my mother’s face…” She stood and pointed. Ma Ros bruises were healing, but they were still visible. “He put his hands on her as if she were filth! He should never have been able to do that! He wouldn’t have done that if it weren’t for me. Rosier won’t even talk to me?—”

“Hey, hey!” His eyes bulged as he walked over and pulled his sister into his arms. “I’ve been in my head, Mimi, but I promise you…

it has nothing to do with you. I’m the leader of this family, so all of this falls on me.

I should have never offered you to that nigga.

I should have killed him the day I saw the love you had in your eyes for Skip.

I knew then that you were never supposed to marry Chandler’s bitch ass.

” He kissed her forehead before looking into her eyes.

“You are my baby sister—my heart. I love you more than life, Noemi. That nigga shouldn’t have ever been able to get that close to my mama in the first place, and that’s on me. ”

“I made sure to off everyone who had a hand in helping him,” Dre chimed in. “I didn’t care if they were grocery shopping, picking their kids up from school, or leaving church. All them bitch-ass niggas and shiesty-ass hoes fell like flies.”

“Oh my gosh!” Denim groaned as she rounded up the kids. “I’m a federal agent; I don’t need to hear this. Come on, kids.”

“My daddy don’t play,” Bri spoke proudly, causing us all to laugh. “Come on, Gi Baby… let’s go beat RJ in a bike race.”

Grabbing her hand, they took off running to the side patio door. Upon reaching it, Gianna let her hand go and ran back to Noemi. Wrapping her arms around her legs, she looked up and gave her the brightest smile.

“I love you, Noemi, and I don’t want you to be sad. You and my Jordie saved me, and I want us to be together forever.”

Running back off, fresh tears ran down her face. “I almost made you lose her .”

“No, you helped save her,” Ma Ros stated before I could.

“That little girl sang your praises the entire time she was with me. She knew her mother helped the bad men get her, and she knew her best friend, Mimi, was going to save her.” She pulled her daughter into her arms. “Look, baby… this isn’t on anyone except for the people who did it.

From what I gathered, Gia and her man wanted money that wasn’t coming quickly enough.

They were plotting to hurt Jordan all along, and Chandler offered them an easier way.

I’m sure they’re looking up right now, regretting their choices in Hell. ”

“Mama!” Noemi gasped. “Since when do you talk like that?”

“Since they thought it was a good idea to fuck with me and my kids.” She winked and patted my cheeks.

Looking over at Rosier, she frowned. “I want you to stop blaming yourself too.” She pointed and chastised him.

“You’re a great leader when it comes to this family, and I know your father is proud—I sure as hell am.

” Glancing over at Jules and Dre, they were smiling from ear to ear.

“What the hell are y’all goofy asses grinning for?

” Their smiles dropped instantly. “Go wash up and come eat. The girls and I cooked all that food, and it ain’t going to waste. ”

Running to do what she said, we all chortled. Hugging me, she kissed my cheek and retreated to the kitchen. The three of us stood in silence for a moment before Noemi said, “I guess I was a little dramatic just now. I’m sorry.”

“Tell me something new.” Rosier rolled his eyes, grabbing his keys. Glancing over at me, he nodded. “You ready?”

“Yeah.” Peering down at my watch, it was a little after five in the evening, and we had to get going. I grabbed my suit jacket and turned to Noemi. “I’ll be back, baby.” I dropped a kiss on her lips, but I could tell she had questions. “I’m just going to handle a little business. I love you.”

“I love you more, Jordan.” She grabbed the sides of my shirt. “Please be careful.”

Getting into the car with Rosier, we left the compound on a mission. Chandler thought he was safe from my wrath, but he couldn’t be more wrong. When I said I wasn’t leaving this city until I got my hands on him, I meant that shit.

“You know you don’t have to do this, right?” I spoke and pulled from my blunt as Rosier drove us closer to the city. “You’re a very important man in this town—I’m not. I don’t give a fuck about the backlash that comes with what I do.”

“Your brother is the city official.” He glimpsed over at me as he pulled from his own blunt. “I don’t give a fuck about these niggas. I might have an image to uphold, but all that shit goes out of the window when it comes to my family. The muthafucka snatched my mother.”

“He tried to kill my girl and my daughter.” I eyed him as he did the same. “I know you’re pissed and want revenge. You deserve to have that, but I want his blood on my hands for what he’s done.”

Pulling up to Gourneau Land and Harvesting Solutions, I appreciated the beautiful high-rise.

Too bad it was about to be under new management and construction.

Adjusting my jacket and Versace shades, I walked into the building just like the man I knew I was.

I could hear the whispers as people stopped and stared, but that shit meant nothing to me.

I was here for one reason and one reason only.

“Excuse me, but can I help you?” Some blonde and frail-looking bitch stepped near me when I stepped off the elevator. I’d gotten all the way to the top floor without security or anybody else asking me who the fuck I was.

“Look here, Becky…” I removed my Versace gold-lensed sunglasses, and whatever she saw in my eyes caused her to step the fuck back.

“Unless you want me to break you in half like the toothpick you look like, I advise you to get the fuck out of my way.” Looking around at the eyes that were peeping from over the cubicle walls, I nodded and smiled.

“Y’all nosey muthafuckas can get this work too. ”

Slamming back into their seats, the murmurs that could be heard moments ago were long gone.

Giving my attention back to the receptionist, who was now beet red, I stepped to her slowly.

“I’m going to ask you this question one time and one time only, Karen.

It will serve you well to answer wisely and honestly.

Okay?” She gulped slowly, dragging her eyes between Rosier and me before she nodded slowly. “Good. Where is Chandler?”

Tears flooded her eyes before she began to tremble. I was a patient man, so I crossed my hands in front of my waist and waited for her to speak.

“I-I don’t know,” she stammered. “He stayed at my house a few nights ago, and then, he just left. He’s a very busy man, and he’s under a lot of stress.”

“I assume busting in your mouth and on your face is how he relieves it,” Rosier spoke as he began to walk toward his office. “You don’t mind if I take a look inside, right?”

With me behind him, we entered Chandler’s office. The way it looked, you could tell no one had been here for a while. Going over to his computer, he powered it on and inserted the flash drive that Noemi sent to download his files.

“Hey! You can’t be on there.” I picked up the portrait of him and his family as another woman entered the office. “I’m going to have to ask you all to leave before I call security.”

“Does it look like I give a fuck about you or those mall cop-ass niggas.” I chuckled as I picked up a photo he had of Noemi. Removing it from the frame, I placed it in my pocket. “Tell me where your boss is, and I’ll leave.”

“He’s going through something personal,” she said as she entered the room. “His wife is— hey!” she called out to Rosier as he removed the drive. “You can’t do that! Give it to me!”

Aiming his Glock at her face, he nodded once she stopped moving. “The only thing I’m going to do is give your mother a closed-casket ceremony next week if you touch me.” Peering over at me, he nodded. “You ready?”

Nodding back at him, we calmly left the office. Chandler’s many employees scrambled to get out of our way. None of them dared to breathe or look our way. Back on the elevator, we were able to pop in and out without incident.

“Give me a second…” I tapped Rosier on the chest as we walked back to his truck. I eyed a familiar truck across the lot. “This won’t take long.”

Going our separate ways, I walked the pavement to my homie, Mayhem, exiting his Lambo. Pulling him into an embrace, I watched him as he leaned against his ride, scanning the area.

“You good?” he dapped me up as he pulled from his blunt that smelled exotic. “You still want to do this?”

“I wouldn’t have had you come to this muthafucka if I didn’t.” I smirked as I removed my Versace frames. “Show these niggas how we do it in the city.”

Looking around, I placed my shades back on as I walked back over to Rosier.

I had no worries about anything occurring because once we’re gone, it’ll be like we were never here.

As I opened the passenger door, a loud whistling could be heard cracking throughout the sky before Chandler’s building blew up and erupted in flames.

“Gah damn!” Rosier yelled as I slid inside. “What the fuck kind of shit y’all niggas on?”

“About Noemi and Gianna, I’m turning everything into a warzone.” I got comfortable in my seat as I watched the orange flames and black smoke fill the sky. “Take me back to my girls. That fuck nigga still ain’t seen the last of me.”