Chapter 6
Two Hours Later
Ruger brought me to yet another fancy home and left me. It had been two hours, and my anxiety was through the roof. I didn't understand what was going on, but I knew it had something to do with the Blaze Burners. I couldn't understand how I went from cumming so hard that my head was spinning to being transported because we'd been spotted.
Before Ruger brought me to this fancy neighborhood, he made me turn off my locations. I didn't know why because only Ghana and Nani had my location. However, I wasn't clueless about Nani dating Murder, so there was a slight chance her gullible ass betrayed me. I didn't want to think it, but I truly believed that was the case. I wanted to call her to check her temperature, but Ruger told me not to and not to answer if she called me. As bad as I didn't want to listen, I knew doing so would lead to more trouble, so I blocked her.
I kept calling Ghana, but he still wasn't picking up, and that had me worried. I hated this shit. I was two seconds from going to find those ugly motherfuckas and killing them myself.
A noise came from the front of the house, so I grabbed the gun Ruger gave me and hid behind the wall. I'd never killed anyone before, but for my safety and protection, I'd do what I had to do.
Male voices could be heard as I peeked around the wall, seeing Ruger, Jaxson, Ghana, and a woman with two young girls enter the home. I dropped the gun and ran to my brother, hugging him tightly. He hugged me back as I cried on his shoulder. Yeah, I was turning into a big-ass crybaby, and I hated it.
"It was Nani, Kenz." I pulled away from him as I looked into his eyes for answers.
"What do you mean it was Nani?"
"Let's sit down," Ruger suggested.
"Sage, Sadè, go on upstairs for a bit," Jaxson instructed, kissing his daughters’ foreheads. They nodded and headed up the stairs.
A light smile adorned my face because they truly were beautiful and looked just like him. The woman, whom I assumed was Jaxson's wife, came over to me.
"Hi, sorry we have to meet under these circumstances. I'm Weslei, Jaxson's wife."
"Hi, I'm Kenzi. It's nice to meet you as well. Jaxson mentioned how beautiful you were." I smiled.
"Oh, you two have met before?"
"He made me breakfast this morning, per Ruger's request, and it was exquisite, by the way. He mentioned you and your beautiful girls."
"It's definitely how he got me." She giggled. I laughed as I sat down slowly because my ass still hurt. Ghana looked at me strangely.
"What's wrong with you? You straight?"
"Hemorrhoids," I lied, thinking quickly. My eyes went to Ruger, and his eyes were low. He didn't smile, but I could see the lust in his eyes.
Ghana still eyed me suspiciously but didn't probe further.
"Murder was using her to try to get you to tell them about our club. Since I never brought you around, they couldn't get anything out of you. That's why Niko came at you like he did that day because them pussy ass niggas were mad you didn't have any information for them."
"What is it that they want to know?" Ghana looked over at Ruger as he walked over to the ottoman that sat in front of the couch and took a seat in front of me.
"Six months ago, the Blaze Burners started dealing in our territory. When we got word that they were even trying to set up shop in Hamtramck, we seized their drugs and guns... exiling them. They have been doing little shit for months, even after our truce, but I never paid that shit no mind as long as they weren't doing what I forbade them to do. MCR doesn't run like that. We're all about bringing peace to the communities, bringing awareness to gun violence, and creating a drug-free environment for the safety of the tax-paying citizens who live here. Those niggas want to fuck it up, and I'm not having it."
"You're saying a lot, Ruger, but nothing at all. What does Nani have to do with all of this?"
"If you want to know who your brother is affiliated with, then you need to listen to the story, shorty. I'm getting to that."
I sighed. Something was telling me this was his way of discreetly letting me get to know the man I wanted to let do ungodly things to me. "Fine. Proceed."
"By me taking away their gun and drug supply, that's how the beef with us started. I let them have their money, but the drugs and guns were buried and burned. Apparently, that was their entire inventory, and they ain't had much luck in finding a new supplier, so they been on some bullshit with coming over here trying to flex. Enter ya girl. She's dating the nigga that just set my bike shop on fire. He's been using her. That's why she's been bringing you around. She told them you were Grue's sister, and since they can never get to us, they're doing anything to draw us out."
"But Nani has never shown me that she was trying to get information out of me."
"I'm sure she's been meaning to, Kenz, but I guess I would give her ass some credit for trying to stay loyal to you. Even still, you don't know shit to tell shit. I kept it that way for a reason... kept you out of the way for a reason," Ghana replied.
I rubbed my temples, trying to understand what the hell was happening. Even as they were explaining it to me, I still couldn't get the full story.
"So, what's about to happen now?" I asked.
"Got 'em." I heard Jaxson say behind me as Ghana and Ruger stood abruptly. They all moved toward the door.
"Wait!" I yelled but was ignored. I stood and hurried behind them, grabbing Ghana by his vest.
"Kenzi, I gotta go. I'll explain more when we come back."
I stared at my brother with sadness and fear. "You better come back to me, Ghana." He pulled me into his arms and kissed my forehead.
"I'm always coming back to you, baby sis."
"Promise me."
"I promise." He kissed my forehead again, then followed Ruger and Jaxson. The roaring of the bikes coming alive could be heard as Ruger and I locked eyes. Mine silently pleaded with him to bring my brother back to me, and his conveyed reassurance.
Ruger peeled off first, then Jaxson, and Ghana followed. Once they turned the corner, more bikes began to follow them, and it looked like a soul train line as I watched almost twenty other bikes fall in line.
"They're going to be okay, Kenzi," I heard behind me.
I turned to see Weslei standing on the porch with her arms folded. While her face held a look of peace, mine was full of worry and concern.
"If my husband and brother-in-law say they're going to be good, trust me, they'll be good." I pulled air into my lungs and released it slowly. "Come on. Let's go take a couple of shots of his expensive liquor while I get to know my new sister-in-law."
I frowned in confusion. Where the hell did that come from?
"I highly doubt we're even remotely close to being there. It's only been two days," I countered, walking back up the steps.
"If you're here, it's for a reason, and not the reason you may think it is. Mekai had my husband cook for you and brought you to his home. I highly doubt you're just a conquest."
"I'm sure the only reason I'm here is because of everything that's going on. It's not because he wants me here."
Weslei laughed. "You have a lot to learn, beautiful."
I didn't reply as I walked inside the house. Ruger and I didn't even know each other. All I knew was that I was extremely sexually attracted to the man — a man who was about to go do God knows what to those men. I didn't know him enough to trust him. So far, he had proven to be a man of his word, but I couldn't rest until my brother returned to me unharmed.
"Kenz."
I stirred slightly but didn't open my eyes. I had no idea when I had fallen asleep. All I knew was that Weslei and I were throwing back shots of Clase Azul and talking about our favorite musical artists. I met her girls, and they were super sweet and so proper. Sadè reminded me so much of her uncle it was scary. Although sweet, her wordplay was something she had to have gotten from him. It could have been from her dad as well, but I hadn't had the pleasure of knowing that side of Jaxson. Weslei was super sweet and looked like Kim Porter's twin. While we were drinking and playing cards, we got to know each other and realized we had a lot in common.
All I remembered after doing a few line dances was lying on the couch counting the moles on my arms, and now I was being disturbed out of my already disturbed rest. Feeling a tug on my ear, I tried to roll over and ignore the person calling me.
"Kenzi, wake up." I opened my eyes and looked around the spacious living room until my eyes landed on my brother. I smiled, throwing my arms around his neck, feeling relieved.
"You came back."
"There was no question about it."
I released Ghana and looked into his eyes.
"Is it over now?"
He sighed. "We handled it, but Nino got away."
"What? How?"
"He slipped through our fingers, but since that nigga doesn't have a crew no more, he's going to be hiding. Ru is going to keep a detail on you so you can go back to school or anywhere else you need to go."
"And Niko?"
"He was first."
"Jesus, Ghana. I feel like I'm living the life of a damn crime boss's sister. I didn't even know you were into all of this stuff. I just thought that you enjoyed riding bikes and joined a crew that liked to do the same. Now, I have to have security with me while I try to get back to a normal life. How is this fair?"
"The Motor City Rebels took me in when I didn't have shit, Kenzi. Ruger is the reason I was able to keep a roof over our heads and food on the table."
"Mr. Trent and Ms. Betty helped, so don't go there."
"They did what they could. I won't take that away from them, but it was Ru who gave me a job so I could make my own money."
"So, what is this club about?"
"Our mission in the club is to bring positivity to the community and form a brotherhood for those who are lost and trying to find their way. We don't go around killing people for fun, Sis, but if trouble comes our way, we're gonna handle it. I do apologize that I wasn't thinking clearly and off my meds, but just know I'm gon' always keep you safe."
I swallowed, and I closed my eyes, trying to take all of this in. I was praying they got rid of that entire crew because they were highly disrespectful. However, with the knowledge that Nino was still on the loose, I knew I wouldn't be safe out here alone until he was caught.
"Just take me home, please," I requested, pushing the throw blanket off of me to stand.
"That's another thing. You can't go home."
I frowned. "Why the fuck not, Ghana? I've stayed here long enough. I want to go back to my apartment and away from this damn city!"
"Because we don't know how much that nigga knows. Your tacky-ass friend was the one to tell them where you were hiding."
"She didn't even kno?—"
"She had your location, Kenz!"
"H-how did you know that?"
"That's your best friend, right? You shared locations with her. That's why Ru made you turn that shit off before he brought you out here." My hand went to my head.
How could Nani betray me like that? We had been best friends for ten years, and I would have never thought she'd go against me for a nigga that didn't even like her for real. I promised that I was going to knock her head off her shoulders once I got my hands on her. Then again, I'd feel bad because she was too little for me to pound on.
"So, where am I supposed to go?"
"You have to stay here until we can find that bum."
"Why can't I just stay with you?"
"You're safer here, Kenz. Ruger is the safest place to be right now."
"And what about you? Are you staying here too?"
"Nah. Ain't no bitch nigga running me out of my hood. I'm actually hoping Nino's ass shows up on my doorstep."
"Fuck that. I'm not staying here if you're not! I can't stand the thought of losing you, Ghana."
"You won't lose me."
"You can't promise me that! And what about Nichelle? Isn't she pregnant with your baby? What if something happens to her?"
"I sent her to Memphis to be with her people until this is over. Why are you making such a big fucking deal out of this? I know you like that nigga. You just better not try to fuck him. I love Ru like a brother, but he's heartless. I don't want you falling in love and shit, and he breaks your heart. Then that's going to become a whole different problem, and that'll be the day I just might die."
I sucked my teeth. "Ain't nobody thinking about that man," I lied.
Ghana glared at me. "Yeah... a'ight. I gotta go. I promise I'll be back tomorrow to see you. You got class tomorrow?"
"No. My next class is Thursday."
"A'ight. I love you, Sis. I'll call you in the morning." We both stood as he hugged me and kissed the top of my head. I walked with him to the door just as Ruger was descending the stairs.
"You out, Grue?"
"Yeah, I'm gone. I'll come by tomorrow afternoon to check y'all."
"Type shit. Be careful, my G."
"Always." They did some handshake as Ghana walked out the door and I stood staring at it.
"Let me show you where you'll be sleeping," Ruger stated, breaking me out of the stare-down I had with the door.
"What time is it?"
"Almost three in the morning."
"Is your family still here?"
"Nah... You coming or what?"
"Can I get some water? I still feel a little buzzed from the drinks."
"Yeah. You and Wes owe me two hundred dollars, too, drinking up my good shit."
"Whatever. You won't miss it." I waved him off, following him into the kitchen.
Ruger grabbed a cup from the glass cabinet, then walked over to the sub-zero refrigerator, placing the glass under the water fountain. He leaned against the counter, staring at me.
I cleared my throat. "It's going to overflow."
"It's a smart fridge. It stops before it reaches the top." He took the glass and handed it to me. I guzzled it down while he continued to stare at me.
"Can you stop?"
"Stop what?" he asked.
I smirked. "Staring at me. I'm trying to honor my brother's wishes."
He chuckled. "Oh, so you do listen."
"Sometimes." I shrugged.
"I'm not fucking you."
"You keep saying that... I heard you when you lied the first time." I finished the water and handed him the glass. "Show me to my quarters, please."
Those smoldering eyes and slight smirk on Ruger's face made my insides tingle all over. If Ghana didn't want me to have sex with this man, then he needed to find me somewhere else to stay. There was no way I could stay in this house with him for however long and not eventually climb on that thick ass pole. It had been too long since I'd felt a dick slide in my insides, so if he touched me again, I was going to fuck his fine ass.
Ruger walked around me, leading me up the winding staircase, down a hall, to a door at the end. He opened it, turned on the light, and I inwardly nodded my approval. The room had a pillow-top queen-sized bed, which was very neat and in pristine condition. It had the typical bedroom furniture, an en suite bathroom, and a fifty-inch TV mounted over the dresser.
"Well, I once again had to leave my clothes and items behind. Do you mind giving me something to wear after my shower?"
"I got you. All of your things will be here by morning," he said, pulling out his ringing phone. He smirked slightly at the screen before silencing it and placing it back inside his pocket. "Be right back." Ruger walked out of the room, and a twinge of disappointment hit me. I knew it was another woman on the phone. I had no reason to be disappointed, but I was.
Brushing off my emotions, I went into the bathroom to start the shower. After making sure the water was at the right temperature, I noticed a sliding door and opened it. Inside, there were washcloths, towels, feminine and male body wash, razors, and deodorants. I grabbed what I needed before stepping into the shower. I didn't have to guess if Ruger had money. The loft downtown and this house alone were top-tier. If his bike shop made his properties look like this, I could only imagine what his bank account looked like.
"I'm about to step out for a minute. You gon' be straight?"
I stuck my head out of the curtain. "Why do you insist on leaving me alone in huge places?"
"You scared of big things, Mona?"
"All big things don't bring me pleasure, so yeah."
He laughed. "You are hell, girl. I won't be long, and four members of my crew live on this block, so you're good. See you in a minute."
"Whatever," I said, closing the curtain back with a slight attitude.
It was after three in the morning, so I knew he was going to fuck whoever called him. Girl, calm the fuck down. Acting thirsty after only two days of knowing this nigga. Just scroll through them contacts and find you somebody to knock down those walls ! The only problem was, I didn't think they would do me like Ruger would. The way he talked, walked, and looked at me had already solidified that he'd change my whole life.
Maybe Ghana was right. Fucking Ruger would only lead to heartbreak and jail time.