Chapter 42
I pulled my ringing phone from my back pocket, heart leaping when I saw the number. "Ronnie!" I called out. "Hurry, it's Officer Mullins."
Ronnie dashed out the room just as I answered, placing the call on speaker. "Hi, Officer Mullins."
"Gianna, hi. How are you?" she asked conversationally.
"I've been better," I sighed.
"Well hopefully I can help. I was able to get some information on Bishop Taylor and got a hit on the partial. Would you and Veronica be able to stop by the station?"
I glanced over and Ronnie, who was already nodding. "Yeah. We can stop by. We'll head out now and be there shortly."
"Sounds good, see you soon." I hung up and slid the phone back in my pocket with deep breath.
I didn't even have to say anything; Ronnie could see the tension on my face. She pulled me into her arms and gave me a hug. "We're going to get through this together," sis."
Fighting back tears I just nodded into her shoulder.
We headed out ten minutes later and made it to the station quickly.
Mullins was waiting for us. She led us to her desk and me and Ronnie sat down.
I crossed my legs instantly, hands tucked between my thighs, trying to breathe through the anxiety I was doing my best to mask.
Sensing my anxiousness, Mullins didn't waste any time. She slid a manilla folder over, opened it and withdrew a sheet of paper placing it down in front of us. I stared down at it for a moment struck by how different he looked. Skinner. Clean shaven. Baby faced.
"Bishop Taylor," Mullins began. "Sentenced to ten years for breaking and entering when he was eighteen. Released almost five years ago."
"What the fuck?" Ronnie glared down at the mugshot and charges. "It was him then," she said adamantly. "It had to be him."
I couldn't breathe. Just stared at the picture taking short shallow breaths as my pulse raced in my ears.
"Gianna—" Mullins said gently.
I looked up from the paper, mouth parted.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
I let out a shaky breath and nodded silently.
She withdrew another sheet of paper handing it to me. "These are the names we pulled from the partial plate. No Bishop Taylor but take a look and see if you recognize any other names on there."
I scanned the paper with Ronnie's head right next to me. There were a few Avery's—
Michael Avery.
Thomas Avery.
Geneva Avery.
Lance Averson
But no Bishop Avery.
"No. I don’t recognize any of these names." I shook my head frowning
Mullins nodded once before taking the paper back. "Well, the partial didn’t give us much unfortunately, but if anything else occurs please reach out. If you see the truck again and are able to get the full license, we could have something to stick on him."
"So that's it?" Ronnie snapped. "Y'all can't do shit else?"
Mullins leaned back slightly in her chair. "Again—we can't directly connect him to the apartment right now. But I do think it's important you both remain cautious."
My eyes dropped back down to the mugshot. I couldn’t stop staring at it. He looked so different younger. Harder somehow, but still baby faced.
"That's fucking ridiculous," Ronnie shook her head. "You mean to tell me somebody picked our locks, stole her underwear and y'all still can't do shit?"
"Ronnie," I whispered weakly although I totally agreed. I just didn't want her to cause a scene that would get us both locked up.
Mullins remained calm. "I understand your frustration. But legally we need more than suspicion." Her gaze came back to me. "I'm sorry, Gianna. I wish there was more we could do."
"This is bullshit." Ronnie stood abruptly. "C'mon, GG."
She grabbed my hand, and without any protest I stood. We walked out. Ronnie was cussing up a storm as she practically dragged me out the station.
As we headed to my car…I saw it.
Purple wrapped in gold cellophane.
Roses.
My steps halted.
So did Ronnie's.
"No. There's no fucking way." I let go of her hand stalking towards my car with Ronnie right behind me. Snatching the roses off the car I stared at them in horror and disbelief. "There's no fucking way he followed us here."
"What the fuck? Are you deadass?!" Ronnie exclaimed her loud voice drawing attention. "No one saw who dropped these off?!" She looked around bewildered.
My hands started shaking around the bouquet. There was no card. I couldn't stop staring at them though. Purple roses. My favorite flowers. How the fuck did he know that? My stomach dropped so hard it physically hurt. "Oh my God…" I whispered.
"GG…" Ronnie grabbed my arm gently this time. "Get in the car."
But I couldn't move. My eyes scanned the parking lot frantically. Every truck. Every shadow. Every passing face suddenly felt threatening.
He was here.
Or had been.
Watching…
"Gianna?" Mullins voice called from behind us.
We both turned quickly. She noticed the flowers in my hands and her expression shifted. "Those weren't there before?" she asked carefully.
"No!" Ronnie snapped before I could even answer. "Hell no they weren't there before."
Mullins stepped closer. "Do not touch anything else."
Ronnie gently took the bouquet from my hands while Mullins ushered us back inside. Mullins led us toward a back office where another officer was. "We need to pull the footage in the parking lot," she stated.
He pulled up the parking lot footage for us "Alright…" the older officer muttered clicking through timestamps. "This is from about fifteen minutes ago."
The footage popped up on the screen.
Me and Ronnie leaned forward instantly.
A black sedan pulled into the parking lot. Not the black truck. The driver's side door opened, and a young white boy climbed out.
"What the fuck?" Ronnie frowned.
The boy looked around quickly before walking straight toward my car carrying the bouquet.
My chest tightened. He placed the flowers carefully on my windshield then jogged back to the car and pulled off.
"Rewind and pause it," Mullins instructed. He did, the footage froze on the side profile of the boy.
I stared at him blankly. "I don't know him," I whispered.
Ronnie shook her head too. "Never seen his ass a day in my life."
"Can you zoom in on the plate?" Mullins asked.
He did. "It's blurry. Can't get a clean read, almost like there's some kind of film covering it."
This was too much. "This is un-fucking-believable." I shook my head, adrenaline pumping now. "He's fucking everywhere!" I cried out, tears springing to my eyes.
"Gianna—" Mullins reached out.
"No. No." I held out my hands and turned, rushing out, tears blurring my vison.
Ronnie caught up to me right as I was about to open the door. "You're in no condition to drive, sis. Let me."
I didn't protest, just handed the keys to her and walked around to the passenger side.
She climbed in and started the car. "Want me to take you to Remy?" she asked gently.
"No. He has a health inspection today," I replied. "Take me to Siren House."
Her eyes widened. "Fill me in?"
"I need to talk to Madam."
"Say less." She pulled off.
The ride there was quiet. No music. Both of us lost in our thoughts as we drove through the desert while our eyes scanned everywhere.
We pulled up and Ronnie turned to me. "I'm on what you on," she said point blank.
"I need to talk to Madam," I said. "See what the fuck she knows. And then—" my eyes moved to the house. "I owe that bitch Monroe an ass whooping since I'm here. Let me know if you see her. I don't care if she’s riding a dick, I'ma pull that bitch off him."
"If you swinging, I'm swinging," Ronnie said.
"No." I shook my head. "Stay out of my way. I don't want you to miss out on your money. I got her."
"Bitch, if she touch you—" Ronnie's nostrils flared, lips set in a hard line.
"She won't get the chance," I replied.
"Bet."
We got out and went in. I had calmed down enough to keep my composure to not alert security. The hostess who always liked me let me know Madam was in her office. I strolled down the hallway knocking softly.
"Come in," Madam called out.
Opening the door, I stepped in. Madam took off her glasses and sat up straighter with a small smile. "Well look at what the wind blew in," she greeted me pleasantly. "Hello again, Gianna."
I didn't reply. Just closed the door. "Did you know?" I asked walking closer.
Madam's brow arched, the smile dropping from her face. "Did I know what?" she replied that edge leaking out on the last word.
"About Boss. About his criminal history. Did you know?" I stood in front of her desk.
She tilted her head slightly. "Is there as reason for this conversation, Gianna? I would appreciate a more direct approach."
“You want direct—fine." I stared hard at her. "That muthafucka is the reason I left Siren House. He showed up at a restaurant I was at and started hollering my name like a fucking maniac when I walked away from him.”
Madam looked genuinely stunned as I continued.
“I don't have proof, but I know he's been following me. Someone picked the lock on our apartment and stole all my fucking panties. Then today—at the police station somebody left flowers on my car.” My voice cracked with anger and disbelief. “This nigga is stalking me, Madam. And you knowingly had a man in here with a criminal history and didn’t tell me.” Hurt bled into my words.
“I thought you were supposed to protect us?”
Madam exhaled slowly. “Gianna…why didn’t you tell me any of this?”
“Because I figured once I left it wouldn’t matter anymore,” I huffed.
“I told you girls if anything ever made you uncomfortable to come to me.” Her tone softened slightly. Standing up she walked around the desk to stand in front of me. "Sit. Please." She touched my arm.
Reluctantly I did, leg bouncing up and down in agitation.
“Yes. I knew about his history,” she admitted evenly.
I opened my mouth instantly, but she raised her hand.
“Before you jump down my throat—fifteen years ago he was a teenager.
There's nothing else on his record since then.
No violent offenses. No sex crimes. Nothing that would've automatically barred him from being a client here.”
“Has he been here?” I asked tightly.
“Yes.” She nodded slowly. “Two days ago. He booked Monroe.”
This nigga was insane. Still fucking Monroe and stalking me in his free time.
“Had I known any of this beforehand—especially after the restaurant incident—I would've removed him immediately,” Madam continued. “This is exactly why I tell you girls to communicate with me.”
My phone vibrated in my jeans.
Bestie: Just saw her go into Suite 1.
I didn’t even hesitate. "Madam, I gotta go."
"Wait, Gianna—"
But I was already moving. I slowed my steps slightly as I stalked toward the suite, forcing myself not to run and alert security too soon. Music pulsed faintly through the door. My jaw clenched harder. I twisted the knob and flicked on the light.
Just like a bitch in heat, Monroe was already naked and on her knees in front of her client.
Her eyes widened.
"Surprise bitch!" Before she could even react, I charged. My fist cracked across her face so hard her whole body flew sideways with a scream. The client yelled in shock scrambling backwards off the bed while Monroe crashed to the floor.
I was on her instantly, straddling her. One hand wrapped around her throat while my other fist drove into her face repeatedly.
"Playing with me!" BAM.
"You weird ass bitch!" BAM.
"You thought this shit was funny?!" BAM.
Monroe screamed trying to shield herself, but I yanked her arm away and hit her again.
Blinded by rage, I barely registered the strong arms wrapping around me from behind trying to yank me off her. Before they could fully pull me away, I tangled my fingers deep into Monroe’s hair and dragged her down face first.
She shrieked.
As security pulled me back, I kept pulling her with me, kicking wildly wherever my feet connected with flesh.
"Let her GO, Gianna!" somebody shouted.
I wasn’t letting go.
I shook Monroe by her hair slinging that bitch every which way like she was a rag doll. Security struggled to pry my fingers loose. "I told you stop fucking with me, bitch!" I screamed damn near feral. "I’ll drag your ass through the desert, ho!"
"Beat that bitch ass, GG!" I heard Ronnie yell.
"LET ME GO!" Monroe screamed thrashing underneath me.
"You should've left me the fuck alone!" I roared yanking her head back by her hair before landing another punch across her mouth.
Blood splattered across the floor. That kicked security into overdrive.
Three of them grabbed me at once, dragging me backwards while Monroe curled onto her side coughing and crying.
I was still fighting though. Kicking and screaming trying to lunge back at her.
"MOVE!" Madam's sharp voice sliced through the chaos.
Everybody froze just enough for her to step between us. Her heels clicked across the floor as she looked from Monroe's bloodied face to me being restrained by security, chest heaving violently.
"What the fuck is going on?!" she demanded.
"She attacked me!" Monroe shrieked through tears clutching her face.
"Because you're a weird, hating ass BITCH!" I snapped trying to jerk free again.
"Gianna!" Madam snapped.
"Fuck this house and everybody in it!" I screamed, struggling against security. I pointed at Monroe. "Monroe, I swear to God if I catch you on the street I'ma snatch your fucking throat out!"
"Get her out of here!" Madam ordered.
"And fuck you too, Madam!" I hollered. "I oughta beat yo' ass too!"
"GG—come on!" Ronnie rushed over grabbing my face. "Come on, sis. Let’s go."
Snatching away from security I stomped down the stairs with Ronnie right behind me. She immediately moved to the driver's side. We got in and peeled out. My breathing was still heavy; my fists were throbbing.
It was dead silent.
Then Ronnie snickered…soft at first. Then harder.
I looked over at her brows pinched together in question.
"She attacked me!" she mocked throwing up one hand to shield her face.
Unexpected laughter bubbled up from my throat.
"GIRLLL...you beat that bitch's ass!" she cackled. "Tens across the muthafucking board!"
Flexing my fingers I laughed. "She lucky they stopped me. I wanted to kill her ass."
"Rightfully so! The fuck! Weird ass!" she co-signed. "Maybe now she'll learn to stop fucking with people."
"I doubt it." I rolled my eyes.
Ronnie slapped her hand softly on my thigh. "Where you want me to take you, boo?"
Letting out I heavy breath I dropped my head back on the headrest. "Take me to my man, sis."
Ronnie smiled. "Got you."