The Black Sheep, Part 2: Greed (The Seven Deadly Kins #4)

Chapter Nineteen

CHAPTER NINETEEN

Bite Off More Than You Can Chew

R oman tossed on his best smile as he shook hands, charming to the fullest of his potential, and acting modest when Genesis’ family members complimented him in some fashion. He ate it up but pretended to pay it no mind. As usual, he had to explain to a few people that his job was nothing like how the stock market was portrayed in movies such as ‘Trading Places,’ or ‘The Wolf of Wall Street.’

“Mama, Roman was the one that sent you and Daddy that gorgeous Bakersfield fruit basket yesterday,” Genesis announced as she led him into the kitchen that was decorated in black and white. Mrs. Caldwell wore a long green skirt, shimmery green blouse, and a sparkle in her dark eyes as she wiped her hands on a cotton tea towel with little embroidered doves on it.

“That was very thoughtful of you, Roman. I appreciate that, honey.” She walked up to him real slow and thoughtful-like, and wrapped her arms around him, squeezing. She smelled like vanilla and violets. When she let go, she looked into his eyes, her expression troubled. Tony and Genesis’ mother, having known him since he was nineteen, always seemed to recognize when something was off with him. He loved and hated that about her. He imagined her motherly instinct had kicked in regarding his worries, perhaps caused her to tap into his concerns surrounding his father. He broke eye contact.

“You’re more than welcome. I was afraid I’d be late comin’ here due to work obligations, but at the last minute, it all worked out. That’s why I sent the basket early. Just in case.”

“Yes, I’m sure they keep you busy in that office, Roman. Genesis here tells me that you’re always on call. Tony is too, just differently I suppose. She said sometimes you’re gettin’ calls at four in the morning, late into the night.”

“Yes ma’am, that’s true, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. No pun intended. I love my job.”

“I’m so pleased with you, Roman. You and Tony have both made me proud. I’ve seen you grow so much over the years. You are hard workers and care about your families. Genesis does too. She’s a smart cookie with a kind heart. That’s just one of many reasons I had no qualms with you now dating my daughter. You’ve been a second son to us.”

“Thank you. The feelin’ is mutual. I appreciate that.”

Mrs. Caldwell was still as graceful as she’d been when he’d met her many years ago. The middle-aged woman was quite attractive with dyed short ash blond hair that was buzzed and cropped close to her head, kind espresso eyes, and a long, elegant neck wrapped with a string of pearls. Genesis’ father entered the kitchen dressed in jeans and a green sweatshirt. He plucked a grape from the fruit basket, tossed it in his mouth, then opened the refrigerator to grab a beer. He turned to look Roman up and down, his face tight like a batter’s mitten.

“Who the hell are you? I’m callin’ the police.”

“Daddy!” Genesis laughed. “Stop it.”

“Roman!” Genesis’ father enveloped Roman in his arms and squeezed, just as her mother had done. “It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you!” The man stood back, patting his arms. “You and Tony used to be at our old house a lot!”

“Yeah, we were. We had—”

“Where in the world was I when all of these visits were takin’ place?” Genesis put her hand on her hip. “I don’t ever recall seein’ Roman around the old house.”

“Oh, Genesis,” her mother piped up. “You always had some after school stuff going on, and sometimes they’d be here when you were asleep or sleeping over one of your friends’ houses. Roman slept over a few times, too, but he may have been gone before you even saw him.”

“How in the world could this be?” Genesis looked genuinely confused.

“I saw you one time,” Roman offered. Everyone turned in his direction. “It was just the back of you, though. You were walkin’ into your bedroom.” She nodded, took her father’s beer from his hands and opened it for him before handing it back. “Speakin’ of Tony where is he?” he asked.

“He had to fly to Dayton, Ohio, of all places. Business.”

“That’s right. He told me a few days ago he may have to attend some convention,” Roman recalled. “I bet he—”

“Roman, let me get you somethin’ to drink, sweetie,” Genesis offered.

“Thank you, baby.”

He didn’t miss how everyone drew quiet when Penny entered the kitchen. Her long chestnut colored hair was tucked behind her ears, and she looked stern, a bit angry even. With arms crossed, she walked past and stood at a large table laden with sugar cookies, cheeses, and raw veggies. She selected a plate and began picking with the food. Genesis’ nieces and nephew came in, and the mood became instantly less cold as Tony and Genesis’ father started to play with and tickle them, while his wife jokingly chastised him about roughhousing in the kitchen.

Accepting a beer bottle from Genesis, Roman took a swig and kissed her on the cheek, then the mouth. She smiled up at him, hugged him, and urged him for another. ‘Slide’, by Boney James, filled the home with jazzy rifts. Time passed and he made his way outside to the fire pit. Several others were out there sitting and laughing close to the tiki torches and string lights—golden balls of illumination. The sun had gone down a while ago, making the evening’s stars pop against the midnight sky.

Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted an African American woman dressed in a blue and white striped jumpsuit, holding a glass of white wine in her left hand, and supporting a small plate of green grapes and white cheese in her right. She was easy on the eye, appealing and brainy looking with her auburn hair that swept over her shoulders, and blue rimmed glasses that danced on the end of her narrow nose. But she had an air about her… as if she were scoping him out. Sizing him up. Seeing if he measured up. She didn’t appear mean, yet also not friendly. He could tell from her vibe that she had something important on her mind, and as Genesis came and went, laughing and playing co-host alongside her mother, he mingled with her family members all on his own.

Playing the role of dutiful boyfriend, he’d offered several times to assist her, but she kept shooing him away. In all of that time, the mystery woman who’d not yet been introduced flitted about. Eventually, she leaned against the house at the bottom of the deck steps, set her wine glass down on a table with stacks of napkins on it, and began to scroll her phone. ‘The Way You Sway,’ by Blake Aaron, was playing, and the smell of cigars, perfumes, barbecued meats, and citrus citronella mosquito candles filled the air. Genesis startled him when she practically fell into his lap. He grabbed her close, squeezed her, and planted a kiss on her cheek.

“You’re workin’ more than you’re having fun. Sit down and relax a while.”

“This is relaxing for me. Besides, Mama needs help finishing up the potato salad. Well,” she got back onto her feet and swiped a bit of something from her shirt, “it’s already finished—it’s just not in the correct serving bowl. Anyway, let me introduce you to Rosie.” She began looking around, apparently trying to spot her.

“Rosie, your best friend that you tell me so much about?”

“Mmm hmm.”

“She’s here?”

“Yeah. I just saw ’er like twenty minutes ago.”

Roman looked back over at the table covered in stacks of napkins. The woman he’d seen with the cagey way about her was face down, glaring into her phone, the light from the screen making a spotlight off the tip of her nose.

“Is that her?” He pointed across the way, certain now that it was.

Genesis quickly spun in the direction he was gesturing towards. “Yes, that’s her. Hey! Rosie!” She waved her arms about and yelled over the music—Raphael Saadiq’s, ‘Still Ray.’

Genesis walked away, leaving him there in a swirl of mist, happy faces, pouring liquor, and a thumping base. He unfastened a button on his shirt, allowing a bit of air to get to his chest, and flipped the pendant of his necklace over: A gold tree, the branches long and winding. A dark-skinned man looking dapper in a gray hat and matching tweed vest approached him.

“You need somethin’, man? Jay is almost finished on the grill. Hope you ain’t too hungry. We got snacks in the kitchen, though. Know you been here a minute.”

“Oh, no, I’m fine. Thank you, though. I appreciate the courtesy.”

“Yes, siiiiir!” They slapped hands, and then without asking, the man placed a cigar in his palm. Roman glanced over at Genesis who was standing with Rosie, both of them laughing their heads off. Seconds later, the cigar was lit, and the man in the tweed hat that smelled of heavy cologne was gone. Roman leaned back on the swing seat, puffing and relishing the night air. The entire vibe was right up his alley.

I could see being a part of this family… I mean, I already sort of was. Tony’s father always treated me like one of his kids. I’m glad Genesis got to grow up like this. I bet she’ll make a great mother. I bet her children will be able to trust her. Our children… As he fell into a bit of a daydream, he could sense someone else approaching.

“Roman, this is Rosie.” He scanned Genesis’ face, which was now dotted with sweat beads. She’d removed her braids the prior day, and her natural hair was set in a high bun, the thick, textured waves beautiful—like an ocean made of black yarn, felt and velvet. Roman got to his feet and extended his hand.

“Nice to meet you, Rosie.”

The woman smiled politely and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, too.”

“Genesis!” someone belted from across the way. “Come here, girl, and tell Trudy here about that gal you met from Bangladesh whose husband vanished into thin air! Didn’t she end up in the witness protection program or some jazz like dat?” Some older man chuckled. Genesis’ lips flattened as she rolled her eyes.

“Y’all, I’ll be right back. I see my Uncle Pooh is using me for entertainment again.” She grunted as she walked away.

Roman took a long draw of his cigar. He could almost hear what should have been the old Western stand-off music playing from the cowboy movies as Rosie’s gaze hooked onto him and didn’t let go.

“The Good, the Bad and the Ugly main theme song by Ennio Morricone,” he announced as the name finally came to him. She gave him a quizzical look, then burst out laughing.

“Is that what you think? That I came over here to rumble with you?”

He shrugged coolly and slowly sat back down. She joined him, sitting a few feet away. “I don’t know. You’re looking at me like you’re worried about my presence here.”

Just then, Penny sauntered by. She slowed and looked at them. Rosie turned towards her. If looks could kill.

“What. Do. You. Want?” Rosie asked through gritted teeth.

“Rosie, you don’t scare nobody. I’m allowed to walk by without being interrogated by the likes of you.” Penny carried on past.

“Yeah, you knew to keep on walkin’. Ya cheap! Just like yo’ name!” Penny didn’t respond, but it was more than certain that she heard what Rosie said. “…Who gave you that cigar?”

“I’m not sure of his name. Do you and Penny always bump heads?”

“I’ve known her for years. We used to be friends. She said somethin’ offensive in the kitchen to Genesis’ mama a little bit ago, and that’s why I jumped in her ass just now. Ain’t nobody on her shit tonight. I wish Tony was here to watch her behind. She likes to keep shit goin’. She needs a damn babysitter.”

“I know Penny. What did she say?”

Rosie pretended to be interested in something on the ground. “Somethin’ about, ‘Black love is the only love that should happen.’ She said it as soon as Gen stepped out of the kitchen,” she mumbled. “She got some nerve. Her daddy is half White.”

“Hmm. I see. Anyway, the guy who gave me the cigar was wearin’ a gray hat.”

“Oh, that’s her cousin Leonard. He’s on the up and up.” She nodded in approval. “Not all family members mean folks well. You gotta be sure, because sometimes those things be laced with marijuana, or something much worse. You never know. I’m a nurse. I see things like that happen to gullible people all the time.”

“I’m not gullible.”

“Oh, that’s definitely a fact. Just statin’ that sometimes things happen that people don’t expect is all.”

“Well, I—”

“Let me cut to the chase. I don’t give a damn about how much money you make, how attractive you are, what kinda car you drive, where you work, and who you rub shoulders, elbows, knees and toes with. Do her right, and you’ll have a friend in me, too. Do her dirty, and you can consider me an enemy of the state, the city, the country, and you—right off the top, the middle, both sides, and the bottom. This ain’t a warning, it’s a guarantee with a big ass cherry on top. She really likes you, and unfortunately,” she said with a smirk, “I can see why.” She looked him up and down, as if she was disgusted yet impressed at the same time. That made him chuckle. “She loves you.”

“I know that. I love her, too.” He smiled at the woman, then took a drag of the cigar. Well, isn’t she a protective little thing? That’s cute. A female Tony…

“Genesis can fend for herself. I just feel the need to overstep my bounds, every now and again, and remind people that that is my sister they’re messin’ with. We ain’t blood. We’re closer than that.”

“If she can fend for herself, and she’s like a sister to you, then why would you have this conversation with me, in this manner, knowin’ that she wouldn’t approve?” he growled.

“Because I can’t help myself. I know it’s unbecoming of me, but I have to do it. I have to know that I said somethin’ before it started. Before the trouble started to brew. If she gets her heart broken, I’ll have to be there to pick up the pieces. When you pick up the pieces, Roman, your fingers get cut. It’s not a one-victim crime. When she hurts, I hurt. Point blank, period.”

The woman’s eyes glossed over with moisture—a fleeting thing, but he caught it. He extinguished his cigar in a cup of flat Sprite he’d used to down an Advil earlier, then set it aside. Taking both of her hands into his, he clasped them.

“That’s the most honest thing I’ve heard all night. You know shit happens in relationships that we sometimes can’t control though.”

“Yes, I know that. But I’m focused on the things that you can control. Like who your dick goes into if it ain’t her. If you got hands when you get mad at your ol’ lady. Like to slap a heffa up. Or maybe you’re a narcissist and enjoy playin’ mind games, love bombin’ bitches for sport, then destroying them over time like some psychopath.”

“Uh huh, I see. I’m none of those things. Now, technically, this is none of your business, but I respect where you’re comin’ from. Genesis is important to you.”

“She was. She is. And she will forever be.”

“And you’ve been through some things yourself, and you’re projecting a little bit… tryna protect her from wars you’ve already fought and lost.” Her dark eyes pierced the distance between them. “Before you accuse her of telling me your business, she didn’t. She mainly focused on how caring, funny, loving and supportive you are. How you two have been through thick and thin. I’m the new kid on the block.” He pointed at himself. “I know I’m going to be scrutinized. I’m also the only White person here, so I kind of stick out. That notwithstandin’, this family has known me a while. For many years.” She nodded in understanding. “This isn’t something I would take lightly even without that being a factor, but it is definitely an important aspect of this. That’s my best friend’s little sister, so I need you to grasp somethin’.”

“Alright.” She crossed her arms and lifted her head high. “What is it?”

“I love a good time with a deck of cards, but I ain’t here to play no games.” Her expression softened. “I’d destroy the bond with my best friend if I intentionally behaved without scruples. Good friends are hard to come by.”

“I want to ask you something, Roman.”

“What’s that?” He picked up his bottle of beer and took a final swig. It was now empty.

“How’d you know that I had been through something if Genesis didn’t tell you? I don’t believe you, by the way—she definitely said something, but I enjoy a good bullshit show all the same.” She chortled.

“I promise you that all she told me was that you’re divorced and have a beautiful daughter. She never said you were suffering or a bitter ex-wife. I figured that you were upset about your divorce because of the way you looked at me when I came in the backyard, and kept a focus on my hands, like a woman who is married and gets approached by married men often, so she looks for a wedding band on his hand. Or a woman whose husband didn’t respect the wedding vows, so she wants to see if he respects his . You do this without even knowing you’re doing it.” Her complexion deepened.

“You saw all of that in just my body language?”

“Yes, and also how you looked at people. You walked around here, smilin’ and being friendly to practically all of the women, but a couple that I could see. One of them was Penny. Most of the men, except for Genesis’ father, you were a little standoffish with. I can tell men aren’t your favorite people right now, and I attribute that to your divorce and other emotional mishaps and interactions with the opposite sex. Just like you were watching and observin’ me, I was doing the same.”

“Why? I’m not dating you or your friend?”

“Because I knew before the night was over, you were going to show your hand. I didn’t even know who you were at first, but there’s always a reason why people knowingly stare at others. You didn’t look at me as if you were attracted to me and wanted to mingle. You didn’t look at me like you recognized me from somewhere but couldn’t place it. It was a look of, ‘ I know your kind. I know you’re up to no good. ’”

“So, you wanted to set me straight?”

“Nope. You’re going to think whatever it is you’re going to think regardless of what I say, because it takes more than words to win someone like you over, but I was going to say my piece, all the same.”

“You’re smooth. A sneaky, sneaky bastard.” She chortled. “Mmm hmm… I need me a cigar laced with marijuana right about now, ’cause I see why you got my girl on cloud nine, feelin’ super high. You definitely know how to get out of a tight spot,” she teased. To that, he offered nothing but kind eyes. “And you’ve never been married, huh?”

“No, I haven’t.”

“Ever close?”

“Close to getting married?” She nodded. “To be honest with you, not really. Now? I would definitely consider it. I rarely saw healthy marriages growin’ up, so it wasn’t something I just felt I had to do or be a part of. Plus, I enjoyed being single more times than not. Genesis is different, and in saying so I’m not blowing smoke up your keister. There are some things about her that make it perfectly clear you don’t meet women like her but once in a lifetime. I have no intentions on blowing this. Funny how she was right under my nose this whole time, but I never saw her.”

They looked at each other for a long while. Smiling.

“That’s interesting how you put that. It is a little odd that all the times you came by their old house, y’all never spoke.”

“We spoke on the phone when she’d answer a few times, but nothin’ more. By the time I was out of the Marines, she was grown and moved out, too. I think, now that I take time to really concentrate on it, things were meant to happen just as they did.”

“I couldn’t agree more. It’s like y’all wasn’t supposed to lay eyes on each other until this year. Love ain’t no children’s’ story, though.” She shot him a withering glance. “Divorce is rough.” She sighed. “You come tellin’ me that I was wearing it like a badge. Here I was thinking I had a resting bitch face.”

He burst out laughing, and she followed suit.

“It’s human nature to feel upset after a divorce, no matter how amicable it may or may not have been. If kids are involved, they make it messier. My parents are divorced. I saw and continue to see how crazy it can get, and that was a long, long time ago. You’ll heal. You’ll meet someone new. Somebody who deserves you.”

A cynical but also a tad hopeful glint appeared in her eyes.

Method Man and Redman’s, ‘Da Rockwilder’ blasted through the speakers. Old heads began to sway and rap the lyrics.

“Food is reeeaaaady! Get in line!” someone yelled. Genesis came bustling through the crowd, oven mitts on her hands.

“No! Get! Let the elders in line now, Grandmama and Aunt Ruth are first, and so on and so forth, then the small children with their parents, then everyone else between the ages of thirteen and sixty!”

She was met with moans and groans but stood her ground. It was a beautiful, star-filled night. The kind that etched onto a memory bank, and didn’t let go. He was grateful for the calm before the storm. Soon, he was standing in line with Genesis in front of him, and Rosie behind him. Their mutual energy screamed strength. Femininity. Beauty. He heard a whisper in his left ear as they inched along, their paper plates in hand for ribs, grilled burgers with sautéed onions, barbecue chicken, and all the fixin’s.

“If you had a single brother, I’d probably want you to introduce us,” said a cool voice. “But I’m not ready to date. I’d just ruin him.”

He smiled at that. He glanced over his shoulder at Rosie. “My brothers are basket cases, and I ain’t far better, but I do have some cousins that are eligible bachelors. When you’re ready, you let me know, and I’ll see about arrangin’ a double date.”

“All right now. Don’t start no trouble.” They were both laughing now. He felt her draw near again. “Oh, and don’t think you’re slick, Roman. I know all about the Wildes in this town. Genesis ain’t know right away, but I found out, and now she does, too. She didn’t seem too concerned about how waaaay back y’all go, and how long that money is, either. All of this allure of yours is part natural, and part well-rehearsed. You’ve been snake charmin’ folks for years.”

“Have I now?” He smirked.

“Yes, indeed you have. I can’t put my finger on it, but you’re a little sneaky is all I can say. You played your part, but y’all Wildes can be feral as fuck.”

“Well, they call me the black sheep of the family. Allegedly, it left a smudge on the family name. Take that with a grain of salt, because I ain’t never seen big news stories of sheep attacks, little Rosie, and I ain’t never seen a feral sheep before, neither.” He snorted.

“Well, there’s a first for everything. In the bible, there’s a part where our Lord Jesus Christ says he’s going to separate believers from unbelievers when He returns to institute His millennial kingdom. He will place the believing sheep on His right, the domicile of approval and blessing. But the unbelieving goats will be put on the left, the place of disapprobation and dismissal.”

“That sounds like a story in my favor, don’t you think?”

“Not really. You’re just a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Ain’t no lavish business suit, perfectly combed hair, sparklin’ white teeth, or big-time job you got gonna change that. I still like you though, Roman, so I ain’t gonna judge you off your family name alone. I’m giving you a fighting chance.”

He grinned at that, inching closer in line. The food smelled so damn good. His stomach growled. He paused, faced her, and bent down to whisper in her ear now, too, careful to not be overheard.

“Normally, young lady, I’d take this kind of thing as intimidation. Fightin’ words. I don’t like being threatened, but I know you’re just setting up boundaries and concerned that I may believe I’ve hoodwinked or bamboozled you.”

“Sho’ you right.”

“Well, let me let you in on a little bit of information, too. You didn’t school her on shit .” They glared deep into each other’s eyes. “She knows all about me, includin’ my past, my family name, and more, and she still fell in love with me, this black sheep that I am, and invited me to this here family shindig. Now here you come… you spent half the time at this party mean-muggin’ me, and the other half laughin’ with me.”

“Can you blame me? I wanted to dislike you, but you proved that virtually impossible.”

“Yes, I can see that you’re obviously conflicted. I prefer the laughin’ part of you, but don’t give a shit either way because I’m still going to be your best friend’s man, and ain’t a damn thing you can do about it. Now, I think I like you too, veiled threats ’nd all, but my liking your personality is irrelevant. At the end of the day, it’s Genesis’ choice. That goes for both of us being in her life. What about you? Ceasefire and party, or square off and rumble?”

“I like to count sheep, but I like to party even more, you son of a bitch.”

“Say no more. Let’s moonwalk. Step ahead of me, please. Ladies first.”

The woman twirled around him to the beat of ‘Children’s Story,’ by Slick Rick. Now she was standing directly in front of him.

“…DAAAAVE, THE DOPE FIEND, SHOOTIN’ DOPE!” People started singing the well-known lyrics, including Genesis and Rosie.

His cell phone buzzed—a call from his cousin Phoenix. He made a mental note to call him back later. It was time for another round table Wilde family meeting. But first, BBQ!