White Lines III Page 5

  “Why not have a conversation with Angelle? Why not warn her that shit is heating up?”

  “Frankie, I’m not interested in warning anybody. Angelle is cut off. It’s too risky to keep doing business with her,” Gillian looked him in the eye. “Zion’s guy is reliable. He’s done business with him before, and there’s far less risk with him than with our usual way of doing things.”

  “I don’t think that’s smart,” Frankie said. “So what, she’s hot? Every member of this crew has been on the DA’s radar at some point. Why should we mess up a good thing?”

  “I just told you why.” Gillian held Frankie’s gaze, unflinchingly.

  “I’m saying … you making these kinds of decisions without even talking to me all of a sudden?” Frankie’s voice cracked. He was clearly hurt by being overlooked.

  Zion was sick of watching Frankie practically fall apart. “Gillian don’t have to consult with nobody,” he clarified. “At the end of the day, she’s in charge. She made an executive decision.” He sipped his Patrón, thinking Frankie was sounding like a little bitch.

  Frankie’s jaw clenched. If he didn’t get out of there fast, he would hit Zion. He balled up his napkin and tossed it in his plate. Tossing several twenties on the table, he rose abruptly. “Fuck it then. Since you two got it all figured out, ain’t no point in me sitting here.” He shot a glance at Gillian. “Let me know when you need me.” He turned and stormed out without looking back.

  Gillian shook her head as she watched Frankie take his tantrum on the road. At one time, Frankie had been the only man she wanted. They had shared an intense love affair that was all-consuming and taboo. Frankie’s marriage had been the only thing that stood in their way. In the end, however, their passion for one another was quelled by the realization that Frankie’s family drama was more than Gillian cared to tolerate. She walked away from him for good almost two years ago. Despite the passage of time, Frankie was still as salty about it now as he had been then.

  Gillian sighed, glad that she had ended their relationship. It hadn’t been easy. Frankie and Gillian had shared one last moment of passion, which had resulted in a pregnancy. Gillian had never told Frankie about it, knowing that if she had that he would have taken it as a sign that they were meant to be together. Instead, she had aborted his baby in secret. After witnessing his behavior today, she had no regrets. She couldn’t imagine being burdened with a kid by such an emotional wreck.

  Zion took a swig of his drink. “I guess Frankie don’t like change.”

  Gillian shrugged. “Change is good. Frankie can either get on board or get gone.”

  * * *

  Camille smiled as she stepped out of the car. Eli held open the door and held an umbrella above her head. The rain beat down nonstop, but neither of them seemed to mind. It only added to the romance of the night. Once they had stepped up on the curb, he took her by the hand. Together, they walked into Amy Ruth’s restaurant, Eli’s favorite. It was his birthday, so Camille had secured Misa as a babysitter for her daughter, Bria, and tonight she and Eli had some rare time to themselves.

  Camille watched him as he interacted with the servers. She couldn’t take her eyes off of him. Her relationship with Eli was completely opposite of what she had shared with Frankie. She was happy to trade in the grand public overtures like the outrageous parties Frankie used to throw for her in exchange for this more intimate and romantic celebration. While Frankie had been secretive and emotionally unavailable, Eli was honest, affectionate, and caring. Camille was in love.

  They sat at a table in the corner.

  “It feels weird being out without Bria,” Eli said.

  Camille beamed at the mention of her daughter. Bria was the light of her life. The past three years transitioning into the role of motherhood had been the most incredible years of her life so far. Shane, too, was a joy to behold. Her nephew had survived so much turmoil in his young life, but was still such a happy kid.

  “It is strange, right? She’s usually right here making a mess and saying ‘hi’ to all the people at the next table.” Camille’s smile was radiant. Eli loved to see her eyes light up that way at the mere mention of her child. He couldn’t wait to be a parent. But, in the meantime, being a significant figure in little Bria’s life was sufficient.

  Camille was grateful. Frankie had been nearly invisible in Bria’s life. Fatherhood had changed him in ways that weren’t necessarily positive. “I want to say how much I appreciate the way that you’ve been there. Not just for me. But for Bria, too. Having you around has been … it’s been really nice, Eli.” She reached across the table and gently stroked his hand.

  Eli squeezed her hand in silent response, lifted it to his lips, and kissed it gently. “I love you,” he said. “I love Bria, too. She might as well be my baby. To be honest, sometimes I forget that she’s not. Frankie comes around only once in a blue moon.” Eli shook his head, but caught himself. He didn’t make a habit of speaking negatively about Camille’s ex-husband. “Oh, well,” he said. “He’s the one who’s missing out on watching his beautiful baby girl grow up.”

  Camille couldn’t agree more. “I remember a time when I would have given anything to save that marriage. Anything! But ever since Bria was born, I realize that all I ever really wanted was unconditional love. Frankie never gave me that. But I’ve found it in my daughter. And in you. I’m good now.”

  Eli smiled. His cell phone vibrated, and he excused himself briefly to answer it. Camille did not protest. Ever since being transferred to the Narcotics Division, Eli was more and more secretive during his phone conversations. Camille understood it, although she worried about his safety in such a notoriously deadly unit. Still, she had spent enough time on the other side of the drug war that she was fine with having no involvement in it at all these days.

  While Eli was away from the table, Camille checked her own messages, and was relieved to find that she had none. For once, things were calm and she was happy. After so much drama, she and her family had found peace at last, and she was grateful. Her sister Misa and little Shane were thriving with the second chance they’d been given. Camille’s mom had been instrumental in keeping the family united. She had once believed that she could never make it without Frankie. But, she was doing just fine.

  Eli returned and so did the waitress, bringing them water and silverware. “Are you ready to order?” she asked.

  Camille had only glanced at the menu, so Eli asked for another moment or two. While they decided what to order, Eli stroked her hand.

  “You want to go out after this?” Camille asked.

  Eli looked at her, though he seemed distracted. “What?”

  Camille sipped her water. “There’s a nice little spot on Fortieth Street. We could swing by there after dinner.”

  “Oh,” Eli said. He shook his head. “It’s my birthday, so I get to have it my way, right?” He smiled, and Camille melted.

  “Right.”

  “So, let’s just eat and go home and make the headboard knock.”

  Camille laughed.

  “Word,” Eli continued. “We can make as much noise as we want because Bria’s with your sister.”

  The waitress came back, and both of them placed their orders. As they waited for their meal, they looked forward to the night ahead and all of the fireworks that lay in store.

  * * *

  The kids were asleep. Misa lay across her bed, talking to Baron on the phone. She wished he was with her tonight. It was a rainy and romantic night, and right now his voice was like smooth, creamy chocolate melting all over her.

  “What you got on?” Baron asked. He sat on the edge of his bed. He was relaxed and comfortable at home after a long day grinding. Despite his previous misfortune in the game, he was still putting in a little work. Gillian kept him under her thumb, though. Still, he managed to carve out a good life for himself. As their father’s firstborn, Baron had inherited much. His mother, too, as Doug Nobles’ first wife, was a very wealthy woman. And
despite their wealth, Baron had a thing for the game. He had been raised in it for as long as he could remember, groomed to be his father’s heir apparent. After his shooting and all the time it took to recover, he had unwillingly relinquished control to his sister. Now, whenever he walked into a room—his leg injury had resulted in an odd limp that Baron somehow made cool—he still garnered respect, though not the kind he felt he truly deserved. Baron believed that he belonged on top.

  “The kids are here,” Misa reminded him, “so, I’m not wearing nothing sexy tonight. I’m in some shorts and a T-shirt.”

  “That’s sexy on you,” he said, flirting. “I miss you.” It was true. Baron had a thing for Misa.

  “I miss you, too. I’m coming over tomorrow.” She smiled at the thought of it. She needed a physical tune-up. Baron had gotten help for his anger-management problems. He was a changed man to Misa. Despite their past together, the pair were growing more serious as time went by.

  “Did you think about what I said?”

  “You were serious?” Misa sat up in bed. Baron had suggested that they pack up, move away, and start a family together. Misa wasn’t so sure she wanted the very thing she had once desired more than anything in the world.

  “Yeah,” he said. “You thought I was playing?”

  Misa laughed a little. “Yeah,” she said. “Baron, you’re not ready to leave your mother behind.”

  “She can come, too, if she wants. But I’m a grown man. I feel like as long as I stay around here, I’ll always be my father’s son. I’m living in his shadow. I feel like it’s time for me to get away from here and be my own man.”

  “What about Gillian?” Misa asked.

  “What about her?” Baron laid back across his bed. “My sister don’t need nobody but herself. She has everything under control. Let’s see if she can keep it going without me.”

  Misa wasn’t sure she believed him. Baron and his sister had a complicated relationship. They loved each other one minute, and hated each other the next. Still, Misa wondered if Baron was truly ready to walk away from the game and all the notoriety that came with it.

  “Okay, well … I’ll think about it some more and let you know tomorrow when I come over.” Misa clicked off the light and lay in the darkness.

  “Shane starts school soon,” Baron reminded her. Since Misa’s trial, he had bonded with the kid. “We could go somewhere with a good school district and all that. And then we can start working on a new baby.”

  Misa’s smile lit up the dark room. “I can’t believe this is you, Baron. You’re like a completely different guy since…” Misa’s voice trailed off, not knowing what to say.

  “Since I damn near died!” Baron said. “I feel different. I want to get out of here.” He closed his eyes and imagined the new life he wanted. “Call me tomorrow, and let me know what time you’re ready. I’ll pick you up.”

  Misa could hardly wait to see him. “Good night, baby.”

  “Good night.”

  5

  BLOWN

  Acapulco, Mexico

  Marisol’s heart sank as soon as she caught sight of her daughter. Sunny looked strung out for the first time in her life. Her face was drawn, and her already slim frame now looked gaunt and frail. Sunny avoided her mother’s gaze as she was led into the room. She felt sick to her stomach and fought back the bile rising in her throat.

  Marisol had arrived in Mexico that morning with her son Reuben in tow. They had met with the prison officials and paid the exorbitant price to free Sunny from prison. The exchange had been quick and easy, but the wait for Sunny’s release had been a long one. Marisol had paced nervously while the guards went to retrieve Sunny and her belongings. She told herself that she would hold it together when Sunny got there, that she would not cry or fall apart. But nothing had prepared her for seeing her daughter this way, clearly broken by her ordeal.

  Tears pooled in Marisol’s eyes and she cried out, “Mija!” Sunny ran to her mother, and the two women wept as they embraced.

  Reuben wiped tears from his own eyes as he stood to greet his sister. Sunny had clearly lost control. Reuben hugged her tightly, feeling her bones through her clothes. He held her face in his hands and shook his head. “You’re a mess.”

  Sunny nodded, tearfully. “I know.” She looked at him seriously and spoke over the lump in her throat. “Reuben, I have to get the fuck out of this country. Now!”

  He felt her urgency, and knew that there was probably more to the story than they already knew. He didn’t need to hear anything more. “Let’s go.”

  He grabbed her luggage, while Marisol grabbed Sunny’s hand. They hurried through the doors that the guards held open for them, Sunny’s heart racing the whole time. She said a silent prayer of thanks that she was finally free. But she wouldn’t feel relieved until her plane was in the air. She half expected someone to rush in at any moment and announce that they had discovered the dead body of the man she killed. As they rushed to the airport, she promised God that if He got her out of this mess, she would never get high again.

  * * *

  Frankie watched Angelle strolling toward him and couldn’t resist the urge to leer. Angelle had a body that wouldn’t quit. The two of them had known one another since they were kids and had gotten closer over the years. Frankie and his deceased brother had been cool with Angelle’s older brother, who was serving a lengthy federal prison sentence. In his absence, Angelle had stepped up and proven to be an asset to the team. That is, until now.

  Frankie had called her and asked her to meet him at the corner of Fifty-Seventh Street and Fifth Avenue so that they could discuss the crew’s recent decision to sever ties with Angelle and the doctors she worked for. Even in the sea of people out shopping and sightseeing on the busy stretch of Midtown Manhattan, Angelle was easy to spot. She smiled when she saw him and greeted Frankie with a hug and a quick kiss on the cheek.

  “What’s up, Frankie B?”

  “Nah, the question is, what’s up with you?” Frankie frowned slightly. “Why do I have to hear from other people that your office is under investigation? Why didn’t I hear that directly from you?”

  Angelle shook her head. “Cuz I ain’t even know about it, that’s why.” She gestured animatedly with her hands as she spoke. “Dr. Tatum got greedy. Instead of being happy with all the money we’ve been making off prescriptions with your crew, he decided to get involved with steroids and all that type of shit. He had been doing that for a while with no problems. But he fucked around and gave steroids and HGH to a bodybuilder who had a heart transplant … it was a mess. The guy died. I had no clue about any of this until Zion called to tell me that y’all wasn’t dealing with us anymore. He said that Grant let him know about the investigation.”

  Frankie frowned at her. “Zion called you? Since when do you talk to him?” Frankie had always been the middleman in the business Angelle did with the crew.

  Angelle nodded. “Yeah, he called me yesterday. He was on some real bullshit. But that shit with Dr. Tatum and the steroids … that shouldn’t matter. Nobody knows nothing about the prescription pills we’ve been moving. I work with the brother-in-law directly on that, and he’s not on nobody’s radar.”

  “The whole damn office is under investigation, Angelle. You can’t be sure that they don’t know about the pills, too.”

  She shrugged. “I hear you, Frankie. I know you’re in a tough position. But to tell you the truth, it’s been all good even without y’all. It’s not like the operation shut down just cuz Gillian said so. I’m still making money. Good money. So it is what it is.”

  Frankie looked at her sidelong. He knew that Gillian had overreacted. It sounded like Angelle’s situation may have been overblown. “Come walk with me to Niketown.” Frankie nodded toward the flagship sneaker store. “Let’s talk and see if we can figure something out.”

  Angelle adjusted her Louis bag on her shoulder and walked alongside Frankie gladly.

  * * *

  Born felt
like he was experiencing a bad case of déjà vu. Years ago, he had done the same thing that he was doing now—attempting to assuage his longing for Jada by spending time with Anisa. This time, though, he intended to be up front about what was going on. He sat on a stool in Anisa’s kitchen, as she packed a lunch for Ethan to take to school. Their son was upstairs getting dressed, and Born seized the opportunity to clear the air.

  “I want to talk to you,” he said.

  Anisa paused and looked at him. “About what?”

  “Us. What we’re doing.” Born searched for the right way to begin.

  Anisa saved him the trouble. “You mean you want to let me know that we’re not back together.” She shrugged. “I know that, Born. I’m not dumb.”

  He was caught off guard. He hadn’t expected that. “I never called you dumb.”

  She retrieved a juice box from the refrigerator and stuck it in Ethan’s lunch bag. “It would be dumb to think that you and I can just snap our fingers and go back to being a couple. I know that you’re still not over Jada.”

  Born stared at her, speechless. He didn’t know what to make of her matter-of-factness.

  Anisa continued. “We don’t have to label this … thing that’s happening between us. It is what it is. I’m not the young girl you knocked up years ago.”

  Born laughed at that depiction, and Anisa chuckled, too.

  “I see the situation clearly. So don’t worry.” She turned to place the cutting board in the sink. He checked her out from behind. Anisa always looked good. There had never been any doubt about that. But, she was a handful. Not that Jada wasn’t, too. The difference was that Jada had stolen his heart long before Anisa sauntered on the scene.

  Still, Born had to admit that Anisa was beautiful, even after all these years. She had grown out her hair, rocking it in its naturally curly state, and her hair looked like a glorious crown on her head. It was wild, full, and free-flowing, and Born thought it looked so sexy. Anisa caught him staring.

  “What you looking at?” she demanded, suppressing a smile.