Chapter 2 #2
“Not your worry, baby cakes. Your brother has kept you away from this life, and I plan to respect him by keeping it that way. You stay on the legal side of this.”
I snorted. “Do whatever Menace says, huh?”
He chuckled lowly, as he held my chin and his lips grazed my ears. “I can tell you got some good pum pum, eh?”
His eh had a slight accent to it which turned me on more than I cared to admit. My body was more than likely the same temperature as the sun. He completely ignored me trying to get under his skin about listening to Menace.
“Gera—”
“Answer me, Zoya,” he replied, not allowing me to get a word in.
I think this was the first time I had heard him use my actual name. Gerald called me Ms. Lawyer for the longest. “Wouldn’t you like to know.”
His lips kissed my ear. “I’ll know. Baby Cakes, I’m on you real bad. You ain’t never had a real nigga come and break down those walls. By the time I’m done with you, you gonna have those walls broken down with a stomach full of me, and a ring on that finger… have fun tonight, baby.”
He backed up, smirked, and then walked toward the beach, as I slowly walked back up to my girls.
The doorbell pulled me from a memory I visited way too often. Closing down my computer, I shuffled across the floor toward the front door. Bando’s nails tapped against the wooden floors as he followed closely behind me.
I checked through the peephole and saw Navy standing there. Opening the door, she and Mink pushed in like they normally did since I moved into the building.
“I got caught up and lost track of time. Bando was telling me, and I hadn’t even looked at the time to see that it was close to his walk time.”
Me and Navy walked both Mink and Bando together most days. If we both got busy, then we shared a dog walker who loved both dogs. Bando loved being with Mink. Since they were both big breeds, I didn’t play that dog park mess.
Nobody was gonna accuse my baby of being aggressive when he was a big teddy bear. I’d have a lawsuit with the city if someone ever tried me when it came to Bando Jerome Caselli.
“I was a little late myself,” she pulled her leggings up, and I noticed she was missing a damn eyelash.
“Where’s your eyelash, Navy?”
She shrugged with this silly grin on. “Your brother woke me up, so—” I held my hand up and cut her short by walking toward my bedroom.
“I don’t want to hear anything that you and Landon have going on… ugh.”
She snickered, as she went into the closet to grab Bando’s harness, favorite ball, and poop bags. “You asked why I was missing an eyelash.”
I stuck my head out my bedroom. “You could have lied.”
“I can never lie on that man,” she said dreamily, which made me vomit in my mouth. “Anyway, what are you doing today?”
“Nothing.” It was Friday and I had decided the moment I powered my computer off that I was going to take a personal day today.
I didn’t have court today, and I had spent all night going over files and other things pertaining to my most important case. All the attorneys at the firm used today to dress down, ordered catering, while bullshitting until the work day was over.
“It’s Labor Day weekend. We’re having a block party… you have to come, Zoya.”
I continued to rummage through my closet for my favorite hoodie, as I listened to Navy go on about this block party and Labor Day weekend.
Navy had been going on about Labor Day like it was Christmas.
She had been asking me what I was doing that weekend before I even knew what I had going on.
Avril had texted me earlier in the week to ask too.
Apparently, she had put in an application with the city to be granted access to shut her parents’ block down for a block party.
It was something that they did every year, and it was a tradition for Navy and her family. From how excited she was, I could tell this meant a lot to her. Navy was very family oriented, and it was so cute, because I could see that she was rubbing off on Don.
“I don’t know, Navy. Somebody always dying over Labor Day weekend. I actually got someone off last year for shooting at the parade.”
“Well, did he do it?”
I winked. “I’ll never tell.”
“Well, I attend every year and I’m still alive in the flesh. I remember one time me and Greene went to J’ouvert and got our asses handed to us by our moms. Our parents were so mad.” She went on ranting about the Labor Day festivities.
“Hmm.” I busied myself with putting Bando’s harness on, while she continued on with what the itinerary for the weekend would be.
I half listened as she opened the fridge and then stopped talking. “What the?”
“What?” I quickly turned, thinking she was in the middle of a stroke, and I would have to tell Don his fiancée died in my kitchen.
“Why is your fridge so perfect? Everything is color coordinated, even the labels on the drinks.” She rubbed the glass bottle of Saratoga sparkling water like it was a precious jewel.
“That’s how every fridge should look. Don’s fridge looks the same, I’m sure,” I waved her off and continued strapping my baby’s harness.
“No, Zoya... his fridge is very normal. We have takeout containers, and we put our drinks anywhere. I mean, when the housekeeper comes, she arranges it nicely, but not like this.”
“Navy, are you saying I’m a weird ass bitch or something?”
She never replied because she was so busy staring into the fridge. I closed it back, getting her attention again. “Actually, I am… you are too neat.”
I laughed and ignored her.
That wasn’t always the case. Some weeks I had things all over because I couldn’t bear to pick up a broom or pick up a blouse I had worn the week before. I had a housekeeper, but the reason my condo was tidy was because of me.
I popped my medicine and got out my depressive funk and cleaned. Sang my heart out while sweeping and mopping my floors. I organized my fridge while listening to audio books that Navy recommended.
Being neat and organized was something that was instilled into all of us. Menace was the neatest and most organized person I knew. He was never afraid of getting his hands dirty to assure that something was clean.
“You should be happy. Your future husband is actually normal.” I teased.
She smiled. “You are all normal in your own way… ready?”
I picked up Bando’s leash and we headed out.
As we were leaving out, the door to the vacant condo across the hall was wide open with a housekeeper cleaning the large windows.
When I moved in, it hadn’t gone onto the market and the owner wasn’t sure.
I wanted that condo because I knew the sun and view were ten times better than mine.
I had a decent view from my bedroom, but the best view was from my office.
“Looks like they finally put it on the market.” Navy shrugged as we continued toward the elevator, as Minks and Bando pulled us.
Bando and Minks decided to take us on a tour of central park, and since it was a beautiful brisk morning, I wasn’t mad about it. The warm sun, cool breeze and smell of leaves and nature was good for my mental.
We decided to take a break on the bench to rest and allow the dogs to hydrate and rest. I sat, watching people doing their morning run around the park, moms pushing their baby in the strollers, and dog owners, like us, walking their dogs.
Navy had crossed her legs and pulled her kindle out and was peacefully reading. When I told Kennedy that I was going to give my future sister-in-law a chance, I meant that. Navy meant a lot to Don, so she meant a lot to me.
Whenever we hung out, we never had to talk. The silence between us was comfortable and peaceful. Navy usually got lost in whatever book she was reading, and I got lost inside my head.
“Damn, I need to read this to Landon tonight,” she muttered, as she swiped her kindle to turn the page.
I looked at her. “Jesus.”
“Be calling for him too,” she added without taking her eyes from whatever she was reading.
My phone buzzed and I smiled when I saw Capri’s name come across my screen. “Hi, Mrs. Inferno,” I sang into the phone.
“Hi, Mrs. Wraithe,” she teased, and I rolled my eyes.
“What do you want?”
She snorted. “Don’t try and rush me off the phone now… what you doing today?”
“Brandon and the Gods are doing their back-to-school giveaway… come kick it with us,” I could hear Blair in the background.
“Your phone was right there… you could have called if you were gonna be screaming in my ear,” Capri laughed. “Anyway, I'm getting my flames today.”
I smiled, because Capri was officially becoming a Goddess, even though she was Lady Inferno. She had been waiting for this moment, and it was finally here.
“Sorry.” Blair laughed.
“I wouldn’t miss it for the world… but, um, where’s my girls?”
“Cherry is with her father downstairs, and Zayah is right here on her mama’s breast.” Capri replied.
“I’m going to a block party later with Navy, so I can swing by there before.”
Navy looked up from the kindle. “If you have plans, you don’t have to come… I promise I won’t be mad.”
“You’re coming with me… since you had all these plans today.”
“Oh, yay, we get to meet Don’s fiancée. Yes, bring her and I promise we won’t keep you both long,” Capri said.
“Alright, see you hoes later.”
Capri snickered. “It’s Big mama… don’t play.”
“Bye, Big mama and Michael.”
“Bitch!” I heard Blair squeal in the background before we all laughed, and I ended the call and looked over at Navy.
“I’m excited to meet your friends… they’re all going on your birthday trip, right?”
I nodded my head. “Yeah. I cannot wait; I need a break from everything going on.”
Navy rubbed my shoulder. “I feel you… I know planning this wedding is going to be a lot. I want to get the fun stuff out the way first.”
“Like?”
“Bachelorette and bachelor’s party. Bridal shower and all that shit… I want a beautiful wedding.”
“And Don will make sure of it,” I stood up, pulling her to her feet as we walked back to our building.
Alexa alerting me that Sigel was on the way scared the lights out of me. I quickly gathered everything up into the box and put it back where I found it. I paced the basement quickly and then ran upstairs to my phone.
Me: Hey can you stop and grab me some pads and Tylenol… all out.
Pig: no doubt.
Me: Oh, and fried fish from that spot in Harlem you took me to.
Pig: ??
Before I could even reply to his question marks, his name came across my name as he was calling.
“Fuck.” I jumped up and down, and then steadied my breathing.
Removing my emotions from my voice, I answered, sounding nonchalant, when a bitch was very much chalant right now.
“What’s up?”
“You want me to head all the way to Harlem when I’m about ten minutes from your crib, Zoya?”
“Oh, damn. It’s fine… I can go after you grab your stuff. See you in a bit,” I held my breath, hoping that my reverse psychology would work on his ass.
He heaved a sigh. “Fuck, I’ll go and get the shit.”
I wanted to squeal on the phone but held it together. “You sure?”
“Yeah… I got you.”
“Thanks, Marcus.”
“No problem.”
Soon as I ended the call, I ran to the front of the house and made sure my locks were secured and peeked out my curtains. Since finding out about Sigel’s real occupation, I couldn’t trust anything he had going on.
He could have been outside watching the house for all I knew. I quickly skimmed through my phone and pressed a contact, putting the phone to my ear.
“What’s going on, baby cakes?”
With my eyes peeled outside my window, I held the phone tightly against my ear. “Gerald, I need you.”
“I’m on my way to you,” he said, without a question or a second thought.
I could have been calling him because I dropped my spoon and was too lazy to pick it up, and he was on his way without any questions asked.
“Don’t you wanna know why I need you?”
“Nah. All I know is that you need me and I’m on my way… you home?”
“Yes.”
“On my way to you, Baby.”
I smiled, though panicked. Hearing Gerald’s voice was soothing. His voice and presence, even over the phone, brought me reassurance.
Me: Rain check on today?
I texted Kora, knowing she would still go and wouldn’t ask any questions. We both had careers in a field where anything could come up.
Kora: Sure.
I paced from the living room to the kitchen and back again, deep in my head. Sigel kept such late hours, and I always assumed it was because he was in the street. I remember one night he came home and was jumpy.
His spirit was unsettled. He tried to act the complete opposite, but I could see it in his eyes. Even when he climbed into the bed, he tossed and turned the entire night until he eventually gave up on sleep.
The doorbell caused me to jump. Before going to the door, I peeked at my cameras from my app and then rushed to open the door. “Where did you park?”
“Around the block… everything locked up on this block,” Gerald replied, taking up the doorway.
I grabbed his hand and pulled him, shutting the door and locking it behind us. “Anybody follow you?”
“Baby, the fuck is going on?” He walked closer to me, caressing the side of my face, while I looked up into his eyes.
“Sigel is the RedHook killer,” I blurted, unable to keep this secret to myself.
I didn’t want to keep this to myself.
Gerald stared down at me, never second guessing what was coming out of my mouth. I explained everything to him, grabbing his hand and bringing him down to the basement with me.
“And he’s on his way over here?” he questioned, pulling his gun from behind and cocking it back.
“No, remember what Forty said. We cannot touch him right now, we don’t know who is watching him.” I reminded him because he had this murderous look in his eyes.
He grabbed my chin, staring down into my eyes. It was a look I had never witnessed before. Gerald was always so chill, calm, and forever flirting with me. This wasn’t the Gerald I was used to, this was Goon.