Chapter 16
Verse Sixteen
“When will he be back?” That was the third time Rell had asked her when Scooter would be coming by. He’d purchased a basketball hoop and two basketballs, so anytime he came over, he could hoop with the boys.
“Rell, please.” Kaleela pushed out a bout of air, rubbing her temple. She’d just received a call from X. There were no missing reports either, and she was at her wits' end. She needed them in school, so the next best option was her community resource center.
After sharing that she was temporarily caring for two boys with Mrs. Otto, she registered them under their first names with her last name. At least there, they could receive some hands-on instruction, be tested, and it would also give her some much-needed downtime.
It helped since she even found herself crowding them, not allowing them to leave her sight until Scooter intervened.
In fact, it was he who gave her the idea about the community resource center once she told him how they came to live with her.
His presence helped in more ways than one, and she missed him terribly, even though he’d just flown out to Atlanta earlier that morning.
“But…” He plopped on the sofa, pushing out his bottom lip. He needed a haircut, but since they agreed he could grow his hair out, they’d settled on just a tape.
“Rell, I’ll see if X or Ace can do it,” she conceded. His face lit up before he rushed her and threw his arms around her. “But not today. We have about an hour before we head to the center. Tell Travis, since he’s been in that room on that video game all morning.”
Rell took off running, even though she’d told them running was outdoor behavior.
Still, hearing his feet against the floor and their little chatter made her smile.
She was beginning to see her purpose, her way, and she realized she hadn’t thought about picking up a drink in weeks.
She glanced at her watch and saw she had about an hour or two before the community resource opened.
As she headed to her bedroom, there was a knock at the door. She paused and sat still, feeling for her heat. She told Scooter she’d do better with the boys around, but old habits died hard. She accessed her camera, and there was a delivery person with a huge box.
“Probably something Travis ordered,” she whispered to herself.
He’d gained access to her account, and although she’d told him to ask for permission before he ordered items, she figured it was him.
This time, though, she’d keep whatever it was he ordered and would change the password. “I’ll show his behind.”
“See you later.”
The delivery guy tossed up his hand and took off, acting like he was taking a picture. She hated when they did that, not wanting her home to be in some database.
“And it’s huge.” She huffed, then called Travis to help since she knew it was his and Rell’s anyway.
“Yes, Mama Kaleela?” He was out of breath, and his mouth was red. She grinned, but it didn’t work. He’d been in her pantry, where all the candy was stored.
“The box. Bring it inside, and not another piece of candy until tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” He pouted when she glared, daring him to challenge her. “Fine.”
He pulled it inside, and off he went. She frowned when she saw that the box was addressed to her.
She wondered if Shonasia had sent something she’d bought that she was hiding from X.
She never understood, since X knew she had a shopping addiction.
After she found a knife and lifted the lid, she gasped.
There it was—a huge assortment of coloring books, crayons, colored pens, sketch pads, and all.
A note rested on top of it, and she picked it up with shaky hands.
This is a “just because” gift. It ain’t much but I hope it brightens your day.
I meant to bring it up the other night but I forgot.
Each time you color some shit, think of me, Kee.
Maybe we can do one together and put it in the resource center.
I mean, I ain’t no Picasso. I’m just a nigga looking for the one to go on this ride with me.
No pressure,
Scooter
“Whew.” She fanned her misty eyes, taken completely aback. She couldn’t remember the last time someone other than her sister bought her something small but huge. “Scooter, I can’t stand you.” She sniffled and grinned, feeling a rush of excitement.
“And I don’t need a Picasso.” She needed him, so she fired off a text.
Kaleela: Thank you for seeing past the shit I carry. All of it. If it gets too heavy for the ride, I won’t drag you.
Scooter: Never that. My back is strong enough for all four of us.
She frowned, wondering who he meant until it hit her: the boys. With ease, he’d not only accepted her but the two additions that came with so many unknowns that came barreling down the hallway.
“Y’all ready?” She brushed the top of Travis’s head as Rell plopped in her lap. She’d gotten used to it, but Travis’s grunt meant he felt left out. She tapped her cheek and grinned before his lips swiftly landed there. “And no more running in here, both of you.”
“Yes, ma’am.
After she’d dropped off the boys, taken a stroll through the center, and spoken to the staff, she realized she hadn’t eaten lunch. Mrs. Otto tried to reel her in to eat with the children, but she knew Rell and Travis. They’d be all over her, and they wouldn’t share her with the other children.
She also needed to pay an old friend a visit.
She’d been contemplating it for some time, but with no new information about Rell and Travis’s family, she had to tap into her resources…
the street way. She made her way through the neighborhood, admiring the scenery.
Chello had done very well for himself. She smiled since it seemed like he lived on a compound once security let her through.
He was the only one from The Crew, to her knowledge, that was still heavily in the game. He was also the wisest. Many underestimated Chello, but never Kaleela and Shonasia. He was more than a friend; he was a fatherly figure, one who promised they’d always be under his protection.
“Shonasia knows you’re here?” Chello probed as he smoked his blunt.
She’d interrupted his afternoon routine just before his daughter came home, which consisted of him fucking his wife, showering, and preparing dinner.
His wife, Mulan, couldn’t cook for shit, and she didn’t have to.
All he needed from her was to assume the position, take care of their daughter, and protect her family by keeping him and anyone affiliated with him off the DEA’s radar.
She also refused to allow any woman to cook or clean for her man. The last three ended up on disability because, despite his age, Chello could pull the attention of any woman.
“Pfft. I’m grown. Not that scrawny fifteen-year-old y’all met.”
She swiped her nose and looked around, impressed with how he was living.
It mirrored what she’d wanted someday if she had a huge family.
Her eyes crinkled, matching her smile, when she saw the large toy bin filled with toys in the corner and the large movie theater screen where Hilda played in the background.
“Hilda?” she asked, tittering.
“I have to catch up. Tiana will be on my ass if she comes home and I can’t tell her about Hilda’s most recent adventure. Have me locked in like some playmate while she makes tea from her fake ass teapot.”
Kaleela wouldn’t lie. Marriage and fatherhood suited him. What started out as an arranged relationship—as a favor to a friend, Shyne, another DEA agent—turned into him meeting not only the love of his life, but his entire heart in human form.
“Not Chello scared of a four-year-old.”
“Hey, I don’t want no smoke.” He lifted both hands and chuckled, waving his wife over, who stood nearby with the hugest grin on her face. She grew emotional at the sight of Kaleela. She missed them more than she knew until she saw her.
“Baby, why you letting her bring this shit to our front door? You know, if she’s here, some shit is about to get fucked up. She only got through the gate because you authorized it. She broke up with us.” Kaleela knew he was joking. “They are in bed with the law.”
“It doesn’t matter. Her trouble is our trouble,” Mulan relayed, eager to get her hands dirty.
She was always up for a fight and would, without a second thought.
Her DEA training had done more than create one of the most dangerous agents, but one who was happily married to a drug kingpin she would die for in a heartbeat.
“She’ll always be family.” She eased into her husband’s lap, gazing into his eyes as if she’d just fallen in love. “Besides, if her other people could’ve handled the job, they would have by now. So,” she spoke, looking at Kaleela. “Who do we need to fuck up?”
“There she goes.” He laughed, then pecked her shoulder. “Always ready to go. What if she killed a motherfucker?”
“Then we clean it up or put it on someone else. Not hard at all. Find any footage within a fifty-mile radius, tap into their systems, wipe it clean, and then find our target. You know…”—she shrugged—“some bitch that deserves to be put down.”
“So, you’re just riding to ride?”
“Precisely.” She winked and smiled at her girl.
“Sexy ass.”
He rubbed her skin, starting with her thigh, before he cupped her ass.
Her chocolate skin was smooth like shea butter, and she smelled like it, too.
She was nothing but a fucking tease as she wore no panties underneath his large T-shirt.
Her long, natural hair hung over one shoulder as she batted her coffee-colored orbs.
Her lips instantly crashed against his. Before she pulled away, he whispered against her mouth. Her jaw tightened, but whatever he spoke, she surrendered as she sighed.
“Give me the room, baby.” He patted her ass. “Let me catch up with Trouble.” He shot her a broad smile, and Kaleela smirked.
“Fine,” she muttered and stood. “Don’t be a stranger, and stop by my office before you leave.”