Chapter 8 #6
Pierce, the tall one with the intense eyes, kept them glued to me.
I was growing slightly uncomfortable with how he was taking me in, and shifted on my feet.
From the way he studied me, I felt exposed, under a fucking microscope.There were all kinds of theories around Knowledge and Frequency and what they did, but I never paid that shit any mind.
The longer my children were out there, the more I was sure to come unglued. It was only a matter of time.
“You should go with your partner. I have things to do,” I worded, lowering my eyes to the ground. “Thank you, Detective.”
My phone finally rang, and I scrambled to answer. Slowly my gaze fell on the screen as I gripped the device between both hands like my life depended on it. I didn’t recognize the number, but I didn’t care. I backed away from Pierce and hit the accept button.
“Hello.”
The sound of my babies whimpering in the background is what I heard first. My heart lurched. If either of them was hurt, that was going to be Kitana’s ass! I could feel Detective Pierce’s eyes all over me. I was doing everything to avoid further contact with him.
“Feeling the heat yet?” Her self-assured voice came over the phone, making my blood run cold.
“You delusional ass bitch!” I hissed. “Where the fuck are my kids!”
“That’s for you to know and me to tell you…
after you and your baby daddy do what I tell you.
You’ve got four hours to get me two million dollars.
I’ll call you then when it’s time to make the exchange.
Pass the message along. And if the police get involved, you can consider yourself a childless mother, are we clear?
” Kitana questioned with this sickening arrogance.
Clutching my stomach, which had for sure nearly fallen from my ass I stared at the phone screen when the called dropped.
Frequency
Hours had passed and I was growing more antsy as 9pm approached.
Glancing at the expensive presidential on my wrist, I saw that there were still a few minutes left.
I was usually a calm and collective type dude, but something about tonight left me rattled and waiting on the edge of my seat.
I kept looking around, and if I wasn’t doing that, I was checking my phone.
Ledge was supposed to already be here, and since he hadn’t hit me with any confirmation, I was getting concerned. I was ready for this shit to be done.
I reached for the phone to call this fool, but I still didn’t get an answer as bright headlights shined in my rearview.
Squinting at the brightness, I tried to make out the figures as they began emerging from their car.
My glock waited in my lap. I wasn’t shook because I still had mothafuckas in place around me.
I was more just ready to get this shit over with and get home to the ones I loved.
The last few months had been draining, and I was concerned about more than just Harbor and Ivy.
I was feeling the burdens of Kara and her shit as well as Celine, and hadn’t taken the time to deal with either.
Sending Slice off to deal with Kara was supposed to help me worry less about her.
He checked in regularly though and gave me updates on her progress.
She sounded like she was getting better, but she was still tight lipped about what she had been doing and who she had been doing it with.
Kutlass being out there free in the world was also enough to keep me preoccupied.
Harbor and Ivy had taken a front seat to it all though.
My daughter and I were getting quality time in, and I had a woman that had captured a nigga’s soul while managing to radiate while carrying my seed.
I couldn’t ask for much when it came to that.
I was starting to look ahead, and life didn’t look too bad at all.
There was a tap at the window of my car.
One of Arrow’s men waited outside my door for me.
Knowing I couldn’t wait any longer, I pushed open my car door and got out with my gun in hand.
“No weapons.” The big, burly ass nigga said to me.
“Fuck out of here. I don’t walk into a confessional without my shit, so you can forget that nonsense.”
A smirk filled his face as he backed off, looking me up and down.
“I heard you was the truth.” The henchman acknowledged.
“All facts this way.” I grilled the shit out of him as he tossed his hands up. “The fuck is going on?”
“I’m just the messenger, homie.”
“Where the fuck is Arrow?” I commanded, already fed up with the bullshit.
“Damn, patience ain’t one of your strong suits, is it?” The guard teased, only infuriating me more.
“I ain’t got time for this shit. He wanted to meet, and here the fuck I am. Tell him to stop being a fucking coward and show himself.” I ordered, both of my thick brows dipping above my eyes.
“First things first. Got someone else you might want to have some final words with.” The guard nodded to the car and I squinted through the darkness.
My father was being escorted from the back of the car.
His hands cuffed behind his back, he looked like someone had taken a couple of fists to him.
His mouth was also bound, stumbling toward me, agony filling his eyes.
Surprisingly, I felt nothing when looking at him.
Not a twinge or nothing. It was one thing to know what he did to Harbor’s mother, but he took it too fucking far with Ivana.
On top of that, I was still fresh off the truth with Celine.
I hadn’t spoken to him or my mother about it because I was that fucking pissed off.
If I vented to them, bullets would come flying with that shit, especially with Kutlass.
Karrin I could give a little wiggle room, but she wasn’t completely off the hook either.
They all were guilty of keeping the truth from me all my life.
Grabbing Kutlass by the shoulder, I watched Arrow’s man ease him downward to the dirt until he was on his knees in front of me. How’s that for the fucking irony? Crippled by trembling fear, he gaped at me with misting eyes. Here he was helpless and defenseless, and me toting a pistol in my hand.
“Shit’s really come full circle, hasn’t it?” I kept my tone even, a discontented glower on my face. He was trying to talk, but I couldn’t understand him through his gag in his mouth. Stepping forward, I removed it, and our eyes connected.
“Free, son—”
“Now I’m your son?” I countered, keeping cool. “What about all the times you were plotting on me, and taking away everything I fucking love? Now you care?’
“I’m sorry—”
“You are. One of the sorriest mothafuckas I ever knew.” I snarled.
“Don’t do this.” Kutlass pleaded.
“You did this, pop.” I concluded, bringing the barrel of the gun to his forehead.
Clearing my mind, I blocked out any second thoughts and went with my gut.
My finger squeezed the trigger. He tipped over, brains splattering behind him.
The only thing I felt was numb. There was no remorse, or regret for what I had done.
I always intended on ending things this way.
Ever since the day that I knew the truth, I knew that it would come down to me making this choice.
Your father was supposed to protect you, and be there for you.
All mine ever did was make me feel like I couldn’t trust a soul in this world.
My mistrust of people began with him, and that shit stemmed out into my adulthood.
I didn’t want it spilling over into my kids.
“Damn, cold man.” That striking, deep baritone hit the airwaves.
Looking up, Arrow emerged from the back of the car.
He was a very intimidating man, but he wasn’t big in size.
About a foot shorter than myself, with salt and pepper hair and a beard attached to his goatee he exuded power.
His eyes were like dark pools, begging to suck you in.
Lowering my weapon, I didn’t speak as he crossed both arms. He was dapper in a black suit with a white button up shirt, and no tie.
“Its’s been a long time, Free.” Arrow beamed like a proud father.
“Not long enough,” I declared, shaking my head.