Chapter 27 Mekhi
I should’ve been heading downstairs, but something had me going back to her room, to look at her one more time.
She was knocked out, the result of our going three rounds until she tapped out on me.
I guess it was a lot for a virgin—well, an ex-virgin—to handle.
I still couldn’t believe that. On the other hand, part of me could imagine her bougie ass sitting on that good ass pussy for all these years.
It was a good thing she had, considering my dumb ass did something I never do and said fuck a rubber.
Sprawled across the bed, she had the covers around her waist, and she was naked.
That sight alone was almost enough to make me climb back in with her, but I had too much shit to take care of.
I moved closer to her, and I couldn’t help reaching out a hand and running my finger over a plump ass titty.
Her nipple hardened beneath my touch, and I had to fight the urge to bend down and kiss it.
She moved, stretching her pretty, thick body and I got still, not wanting to wake her.
She settled back down, and I walked out.
It occurred to me that I was ready to start my day because I had seen her, but I refused to consider that shit.
This girl had me too open, sharing everything from my thoughts to my bed.
I walked downstairs and into my dining room to find Seth already there with Texas and a few of the men who worked security for us.
Some shit had to change today. Not only was Farrah my responsibility, but my sister and mother would be back from Paris next week and I had to make sure they were covered, too.
That might mean hiring new people and I needed Tex to get started on some background checks.
I had no shame admitting that I was treading new ground.
When Seth and I were more heavily involved in the drug game, I’d seen the need for security and details up close.
But in my current line of business, I was more behind the scenes, dealing with money and the kinds of transactions that didn’t bring a lot of attention.
I kept a few guys around because I wasn’t stupid—someone would always be gunning for my position, and I did have considerable amounts of cash at some locations.
But I’d never needed security like this before.
“We all know the shit that happened with Farrah last night shouldn’t have happened,” I started.
Jarell shook his head, looking guilty. “Yeah, that shit was my fault—”
“Nah, after what happened to her in the convenience store, I should’ve realized it would take more than one person to keep an eye on her. This nigga is determined to get close to her, and I keep making it easy. That shit ends now.”
I ran down the details of how I wanted them to move until I took care of Trell’s bitch ass.
I was no longer playing with the safety of the women around me…
although one definitely had some explaining to do.
The meeting didn’t take long. My instructions were straightforward—keep their eyes open and their trigger fingers ready.
I repeated Farrah’s description of Trell, and Tex pulled up the picture we’d been able to get from the supermarket video.
It was like the nigga knew where the cameras were. There were no shots of his face.
“Y’all got any ques—”
“You in here talking to yourself… ohhh!”
Farrah appeared in the doorway and her voice stopped abruptly when she saw everyone in the room. She looked shocked in just one of the shirts she slept in and for once, I realized how short them bitches were. I frowned at her.
“I thought you were asleep.”
Reading my face, she glared at me as she tried to pull the hem of the shirt down. “I woke up. I didn’t know you had company.”
“Shit, it’s cool,” Will said, licking his lips as he looked at her.
Matter of fact, all of them weak ass niggas were looking at her half-dressed ass. For some reason, that pissed me off worse.
“The fuck y’all looking at?” I snapped before turning back to Farrah. “Go upstairs. I’m handling something.”
Her hand went to her hip, and the shirt rose up higher. She was ready to argue, but all I could see was how the niggas in my dining room were slobbing over her.
“Farrah, go. Now.”
I knew she heard the warning in my tone. She stood there a few seconds longer before making a noise and stomping off. The room was quiet, all eyes on me. I knew they’d never seen a chick act that way with me. I swear, her fucking attitude… Seth grinned suddenly.
“She be beating ya ass, don’t she?”
I refused to acknowledge that nigga or the low chuckles that met his statement. I wrapped up the meeting quickly, but, like I hoped, Tex needed to talk to me. Trell had already ditched the burner he used to text Farrah, but he had information on the man whose wallet Jarell had lifted.
“His name is Saquin Bayer. I already sent somebody to his house, but he’s not there. But he had a card for Rivercrest Manor Nursing and Rehabilitation. Did a little digging in their system and he’s listed as next of kin to Aline Bayer. She’s his grandmother,” Tex explained.
I smiled at him. “Good work. What about what Jarmon told us? You see any sign of Ramón Black yet?”
“Nah, nigga still ghost. I ain’t letting up though.”
I nodded, then thought about what he had just revealed. I suddenly knew where my first stop would be this morning.
Rivercrest Manor had the unpleasant, antiseptic smell of most hospitals and nursing homes.
I frowned as I followed Aline Bayer’s slow, careful walk to her room.
It was kind of sad–she was so eager for company that she had jumped at my half-assed explanation for being here.
I hoped I never had to put someone I loved in one of these facilities.
“Now, you say you went to school with my Quin?” she asked over her shoulder.
“Uh, yes, ma’am.”
“I don’t remember seeing you around the house—”
“I had one of those mamas who was real overprotective. Wouldn’t let me go nowhere,” I lied smoothly as I followed her into her room.
“I understand that. People act like these sick bastards won’t hurt little boys, too. ‘xcuse my language, baby.”
“Nah, you good. You telling the truth.”
I took her arm and helped her get settled in the recliner before I sat in the hard, little wooden chair near her.
“Now, what brings you by here? I’m always glad to have company, but I ain’t used to having such a handsome young man stop by,” she flirted, smiling.
She was a nice old lady. I hoped Saquin didn’t make me have to kill her.
“I couldn’t find him this morning, and I know he visits you every weekend. Thought I might catch him here.”
Tex had paid a couple of the employees here and found out more about Saquin and Aline Bayer. I knew that shit would come in handy.
“You right. He usually comes on Saturday mornings, but I haven’t heard from him this morning. Probably was out too late partying last night,” she fussed.
“Yes, ma’am,” I agreed politely.
“You tried calling him?”
I nodded. She frowned a little.
“I’on guess nothing wrong. Maybe I should call him. He never misses my calls.”
I bit back a smile. If the nigga wasn’t here, then letting him know I was with his grandmother was the next best thing.
“We can try that,” I said, not betraying my feelings.
She pointed at the nightstand where she had things arranged neatly. I saw the phone and grabbed it for her. I was surprised to see that it was an iPhone 16 Pro. My expression must have shown it because she smiled up at me.
“Old women like technology, too. Come on over here and let’s FaceTime him.”
I moved behind her and waited while she found his contact and selected it. Saquin answered almost immediately, a big smile on his face.
“Granny, I’m coming. Just got busy—”
“Good morning, how are you? Always speak first! I told you about being rude,” she scolded.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said meekly.
“Anyway, I called ’cause guess who stopped by?”
I was still positioned in a way that he couldn’t see me, but I could see the suddenly suspicious look on his face. Yeah, mothafucka.
“Who?”
She looked over her shoulder at me. “Baby, what’s your name again? Forgive this old mind.”
I had never given her my name, and I wasn’t about to now. “It’s okay, I got it,” I smiled as I took her phone. Looking into it, I smirked.
“Hey, Saquin. It’s me,” I greeted.
He swallowed hard as his eyes bucked.
“Look, my grandmother—”
“Is a beautiful woman. I’ve enjoyed my little time with her, but I was really hoping to meet up with you.”
“Yeah, yeah, of course. When?” he asked hurriedly.
“You got time in an hour.”
It wasn’t a question.
“Where?”
“I’ll send someone for you. I was thinking about asking if Ms. Aline could have a morning out and I’d bring her with me—”
“No, please. You and I can meet. She doesn’t need to come.”
My smile widened. “You right. I can always come back and see her.”
“I’d like that,” she whispered, grabbing my hand and patting it as the threat went over her head.
“Me, too,” I said. “Me, too.”