26. Deacon
It’s go time…
“Aye, Deacon. Are you good, bro? You seem like something is weighing heavy on your mind,” Dutch asks, causing me to turn in his direction.
Sons of Shadows and City Slickers are here partying with Baxtown Iron, yet it's hard for me to mask the inferno boiling within me. I’m walking this venue’s perimeter because I need a distraction. Thankfully, Squeak is being watched by Boston and Smoke, who told me they wouldn’t leave her unattended while she’s out of my presence.
“Got a lot on my mind,” I say without the presence of my eyes.
Am I gonna use the saw or machete first? Am I really gonna let Shadow get the final kill action? Damn, would it be wrong to fuck Squeak when I get home, knowing I’d been inflicting pain before my arrival?
“I understand. We’ve got some shit going on that I’ve been stewing on myself,” Dutch says, invading my thoughts and causing our eyes to connect.
“Hm,” I grunt noncommittally.
“Let me ask you a question, though.”
Giving Dutch my full attention, I dip my head, granting him room to ask whatever is on his mind.
“How hard was it for you to balance this shit with the woman who doesn’t fit into your world? Your woman has the perfect name because she looks like a fish out of water in the mix of our world.”
Warmth flows through my body at Dutch, mentioning Squeak because that woman is my world. After this cabaret ends, the impending mission will fill me with peace because it’s the first step toward giving her back her independence. Satan’s Cobras have been pains in Squeak’s side long enough. It's past time for my woman to move around this city however she sees fit.
“Honestly, it’s a lesson my ass almost didn’t learn. Being in the club for as long as I have had me about to forfeit the one person I know without a doubt I don’t deserve. Yet, I’m selfish as fuck where Squeak is concerned. Whether I had to wrestle with God like Jacob or throw water on Satan’s burning ass, I was gonna lock Squeak down.”
A low chuckle leaves Dutch’s mouth, and I join him despite being completely serious about what I said. Most people think I’m crazy, but I have never denied it or the fact that God continues to spare me. I have never been worthy of his grace, but I’m never short of my appreciation for being a recipient of it.
“Can you come in here and dance with me, Deacon? I feel left out since everyone else is with their partner. Oh, Dutch, Makari is looking for you,” Squeak says, causing my chest to tighten and release upon seeing the woman of the hour.
“I ain’t about to be slow dancing and shit, Squeak,” I say.
“Oh, you can sing raunchy songs for karaoke, but you draw the line at slow dancing. Hm. Whatever. Bring your ass, Deacon,” Squeak rolls her eyes and reenters the venue leaving me alone with Dutch again.
“I suggest you bring your ass or deal with the consequences because little ass Squeak didn’t look like she was playing with you, bro,” Dutch says, heading toward the entrance and smirking.
“Looks like I’m not the only brother with a woman he has to figure out how to lock down for life,” I say.
“You have no idea. Catch you on the next go-round, bro,” Dutch says.
The exchange between him and Makari is full of tension… sexual, stress, and relational, which instantly gives me a reason to take comfort in the relatable turmoil my brother is experiencing because it lets me know that I’m not the only one going through with the woman he loves.
“No wonder your ass hurried in the venue when Squeak said she was looking for you,” I say.
“Go to hell, Deacon,” Dutch grumbles, walking away toward Makari, who’s watching him intently.
Feminine voices pierces the air, and I turn to see Tinker Belle and Squeak, arm in arm, laughing at something only known to the two of them.
Damn, my bitch is bad!
“We’re about to head to Tinker Belle’s house. Are you sure you’re coming to get me, Deacon? I don’t want to force myself to stay awake if you’re not gonna show up,” Squeak asks with a cute pout
, transforming her features.
“Go to sleep if you need to, love. Even if I gotta pick the lock, your ass will be sleeping next to me by daybreak,” I say, pulling Squeak into me, nestling my face in her neck, and inhaling the scent she’s wearing. “I’m gonna have to buy you a few bottles of whatever this is you’re wearing, Squeak.” Kissing her neck, I smirk when a shiver rattles her body, taking pleasure in having an effect on my woman.
“De-mm-babe, please let me go while you still have time to do so,” Squeak says breathlessly.
“Come on, girl. You’ll see your man soon. Let him wrap up his business with the guys. I don’t know why they insist on meeting after we party, but—” Tinker Belle thankfully stops talking while pulling Squeak away from me before giving me a quick wink.
While Squeak is none the wiser about what’s about to happen, Smoke’s pillow-talking ass told Tinker Belle what we have going on. Tapping my chest, I watch until Squeak and Tinker Belle leave the parking lot.
“Let’s go snatch a nigga’s breath,” Gunz says, walking up beside me.
“Maybe we should have discussed how we were gonna kill this nigga. What the hell am I looking at right now?” Shadow asks.
“My girls were hungry, so I’m giving them a treat. You might want to step back because their asses can sometimes get tunnel vision while they’re enjoying their freebies,” Boston says, smiling like a proud father.
“Treat? Nigga, who the fuck has rats for pets?” Shadow asks, outraged.
“Shh. Loki and Shoogieboogie might hear you and set their sights on you instead of that nigga,” Boston whispers looking at Shadow, who has a vexed expression.
Pure, unadulterated joy flows through my veins at seeing the two rats taking large bites out of Too Sweet.
“Fuuckkk. Di-Diesel, man. Please, what did I do?” Too Sweet cries in a high-pitched tone, and a sinister smirk twists my mouth.
Stepping forward, I decide to enlighten Too Sweet of his reason for becoming a delicacy for Boston’s pets.
“Once upon a time, there was a nigga who?—”
“Nursery rhymes, Deacon? Be fucking for real,” Gunz says, laughing.
“Hasn’t your mom ever told you not to interrupt while she’s reading your bedtime story, bro?” I ask Gunz, who laughs harder while Shadow shakes his head, and I continue. “Where was I… oh, let me cut to the chase since Gunz's impatient ass made me lose my train of thought. You… Mr. No Longer Sweet, are here on the brink of death for not only entering Baxtown Iron under false pretense but also for letting Daxx fuck you into the dummy mission you were on with Squeak.”
“Loo-look, it was all Daxx’s idea. He t—fuck. Get these fucking rats off me, man,” Too Sweet pleads with his breathing becoming labored.
“This nigga sounds like ole dude on social media with those four dogs, doesn’t he?” Can’t Get Right asks, laughing.
“Oh shit,” Smoke co-signs, entering the conversation after watching the scene before us without saying a word.
“Wa—oww. Pl—Please. I-it-it was—” Too Sweet pleads before screaming when Loki bites a hole in his stomach.
“That’s right, Daddy’s baby get your fill,” Boston coaches sweetly.
“It’s crazy how niggas will deflate like a nigga incapable of an erection when they get caught on some bullshit,” Smoke says, shaking his head.
I stare intently at Too Sweet’s squirming body while he becomes rat food, and an ultra-awake feeling rejuvenated by adrenaline surges throughout my body. Thanks to the hidden and woodsy private property owned by Baxtown Iron, no one but the devil himself can hear Too Sweet’s cries that become faint when the seconds continue ticking.
“Man, I’m about to lose my—you know what? I ain’t got this to do,” Shadow says before pulling his nine from his back and aiming it at Too Sweet.
*pop, pop*
“What the fuck, Shadow? You didn’t give my girls time to enjoy his ass or anything,” Boston says in an angry tone.
“Not to mention that you didn’t let me get my hands dirty. You’re a selfish mothafucka, you know that,” I say, staring daggers at Shadow.
“Throw his ass in the fire, Can’t Get Right. I’m taking my black ass home. You niggas play too damn much,” Shadow says, walking off in the direction of his iron.
“I agree with Shadow. All that damn talking was starting to give me a headache,” Diesel says, entering the conversation before following Shadow.
“Next time, we might have to leave their crybaby asses at home,” Can’t Get Right says while slipping on some gloves.
Boston grabs Loki and Shoogieboogie, who are squirming wildly in protest, causing him to head toward his vehicle while apologizing.
“Well, I guess I’m pulling up on Squeak earlier than planned,” I say, shrugging.
“One down, one pussy to go,” Gunz says when the two of us head toward our iron.
“Facts, and you niggas will only be allowed to watch. Daxx’s ass is mine,” I say.