Chapter 13
THIRTEEN
Twenty-two thousand four hundred and eighty-six dollars.
My nostrils flared as I gazed at the number on the screen. Aubrey’s innocence was worth far more than it was being sold for. It was priceless. There wasn’t a tag on it. A number on it.
There was only time. A desire to release it. And the liberation that followed. Aubrey hadn’t been given the opportunity to shed her skin and transform into the curious, adventurous young adult who willingly exposed herself to someone she loved or cared deeply for.
Instead, her father had sold her images. Prematurely. Selfishly. Maliciously. Secretly. Greedily. Grossly. And would pay the ultimate price for it. I’d kill him thirty more times and wouldn’t break a sweat. Victory wasn’t mine yet, but I could feel the relief as the seconds passed.
Ding.
Dong.
The bell sounded in the background. I exited the screen and grabbed the chilled Hennessy. My loafers made a ruckus as I headed for the door. I turned the locks and wasn’t at all surprised to see Ant on the other side of the door.
“What we drinking, my brother?”
Not your fucking brother. I thought, welcoming him inside my home, hidden in the middle of nowhere. Neighbors weren’t available for miles and miles.
“You know I have your favorite, chilled and ready.”
I closed the door behind him.
“This is a nice piece of land here, man. You have access to the lake at the back?”
“The lake is mine,” I informed him.
“Oh shit. Have to bring Aubrey up here to fish.”
You’re never seeing Aubrey again, homie.
“Yeah. She’d love that shit. Little nature baby.”
We entered the kitchen. I stopped in front of the bar. Carefully, I poured chilled Vodka on top of a single cube of ice. It filled the entire glass, nearly.
“She is.”
I gripped the glass in my free hand and turned toward Anthony.
“Here you go.”
“Appreciate that.” He took the drink and placed the glass up to his lips. “Goddamn, man. This motherfucker nice. How much you pay for this? A cool six hundred?”
“Nine-eighty.”
“Nine-eighty?”
His expression changed as he took another sip.
“It was going for one point twelve. Gave them a cash offer they couldn’t refuse.”
“Nigga, how do you have a million dollars just sitting around waiting to purchase property you don’t need?” He chuckled.
His words slurred. His features began to droop.
Bingo.
“Shit,” he groaned.
“When you spend wisely, invest, mind your business, and keep building, you can have whatever the fuck you want.”
Anthony rubbed his temple.
“That’s– that’s what I want to talk to you about, man.”
“Your phone?”
“At the office as promised.”
Anthony pulled out a chair at the bar. I sipped from my glass as I watched him attempt to sit. He struggled to get his right leg on the cushion.
“Shit.”
“My computer and printer were giving me trouble the other day at the office. Your computer was my last resort. I logged in after an attempt or two. Can’t quite remember.”
“Wh– what– is– Jos–”
Disgusted by Anthony’s presence, I set my glass on the counter. I stepped closer, watching him struggle to sit. His efforts were in vain.
WHAM.
I drew back and then pushed forward with a closed fist. It landed between Anthony’s mouth and nose. Blood gushed from them both instantly. His body crashed to the ground like a sack of bricks.
“The– the fuck man?”
The concoction in his drink had weakened him. His limbs were useless. So was his life, in my opinion.
“Imagine my surprise once I clicked on the folders named after my fucking niece,” I gritted.
“Josiah. This is me. It’s– Man, it’s me.”
“Nigga, it could be God and he’ll still get it behind that one.”
“I can–” he slurred, hands in the air, “explain.”
“Ain’t shit you can tell me that’ll make this shit right. Ain’t shit you can tell me that’ll save your life.”
“I’m in debt.” He revealed. “Big debt.”
“What the fuck does that have to do with my niece?”
“I wouldn’t– I’d never– I love her. I just– I owe people.”
“Your problem. Not hers.”
“It’s not that sim– simple.”
“It’s always that simple, motherfucker.”
My loafer crashed into his face, causing further damage.
“Urgh. Fuck!”
“Did Janeese know?”
“What?” He groaned, tears cascading down his eyes.
I didn’t give a fuck. He wouldn’t be in pain for much longer. Soon, he wouldn’t feel a thing. And, as much as I wanted to put a bullet in his head and end his suffering, I considered how much suffering and discomfort Aubrey had experienced.
“Did she fucking know?”
“No!” He belted. “No. She’d– She’d hate me.”
“She’s going to hate you anyway, nigga. I’m going to make sure of it.”
“Please– I love my family. I would never hurt Aubrey. I– I’m– I.”
WHAM!
Another foot to the face made him curl into a ball, pain soaring through his body.
I leaned down, grabbing him by the collar.
His body slid across the floor like a sack of cement.
Blood smeared on my newly renovated floors.
I didn’t bother to care. Tonight, nothing mattered but justice for the little girl I loved more than anything in the world and the rest of the little girls who had monsters living in their homes and in the bed with their mothers.
“Shit.”
I massaged my forehead. The pain from colliding with the metal of the top bunk was vicious.
Darkness surrounded me. I tossed my legs over the bed and placed my elbows on my knees. Warmth had overcome me. I was drenched in sweat.
I peeled off my shirt and hung it on the top bunk. Morning had yet to come. I wasn’t sure how much time had passed since I’d fallen asleep. Neither was I sure when I’d fallen asleep. The days felt like months in here. The hours felt like days. The minutes felt like hours.
But I was awake now, and there was only one thing on my mind.
Freedom.
I retrieve the cell I’d been concealing. Upon powering it on, I was bombarded with text messages. I bypassed those from Fahaad, my mother, and an unknown number. It wasn’t until I opened Range’s message that my heart settled a bit.
The beating slowed. The heat didn’t feel unbearable. Neither did the reality of my situation.
Happy Birthday, handsome.
Underneath the message was an image. Range, at the counter I’d customized, with a cake in her hand and candles with fiery tips on top. She was wearing a gold cap shaped like a cone. A birthday horn protruded from her mouth. Balloons surrounded her.
Celebrating another year under the circumstances felt pointless. However, Range was proving otherwise. Underneath the text and image was a video. I pressed the volume button before tapping the middle of the screen. It was imperative that there was little to no sound.
On top of the comforter, I hoped felt like a cloud underneath her, was Range in a cream gown. The silk glided across her skin with each movement. I watched intently as she slid it down her legs. It pooled around her waist.
I hardened watching as she propped the camera in front of her. FaceTime with Range’s pussy felt more like a gift than another year of life. Her parted legs showcased her sweet spot. She ran a finger up her slit, exposing the pinkness that hid within her folds.
I lifted my ass, shoving my briefs down my body as I planted my back on the bed. Even in the worst situation, Range had a way of making it feel worthwhile. I was locking her down once I touched ground. There was no doubt in my mind. Baby was a winner.