Chapter 5
Dru’s nerves settled the moment she took a puff of the blunt Vontae offered her.
They’d gone to high school together, and he was who she purchased her weed from when her mother didn’t have any.
While she wouldn’t call him her friend, he was always the connect when she needed something and couldn’t afford to get it out of the store.
This time, what she needed, she couldn’t get out of any store.
This time, she needed a man dead.
“Are you sure he’s okay with seeing me?” Dru asked, looking over at Vontae.
He’d picked her up from the grocery store and was going to take her back so she could head to the lounge.
“Yeah. I’m cashing in on a favor to get you this meeting, so you’re good.”
Dru’s breath came out shaky as she looked out of the window. She couldn’t believe it had come down to this, but to protect her sister, Dru was willing to do just about anything.
“How much is this shit going to cost, Vontae? I told you I only have ten stacks, and that’s literally every dime I had saved.”
“I know, I know. I don’t know what he charges, but I did tell him that was all you had, and he said you could come. If that wasn’t enough, he wouldn’t be meeting with you.”
Dru’s head shook as she took another pull of the blunt.
Something was telling her to just leave, but Quenton had to be handled.
They sat in the car until she was relaxed enough to meet with Galloway.
Rubbing small circles along the center of her chest, Dru pulled in a deep breath.
That breath didn’t keep her heart from racing as the weight of what she was about to do settled in.
She promised herself that she’d have peace once Quenton was taken care of, and that she wouldn’t lose a night of sleep over it.
It was clear Galloway didn’t want anyone to know where he ran his operation.
The compound was in the middle of nowhere.
There was no way Dru would remember how to get there if she ever had to come by herself.
Once they were patted down, they were led down a series of hallways before they arrived in front of a large burgundy door.
Vontae did a distinct knock, and within seconds, the door swung open.
Hesitantly, Dru followed Vontae inside. Her eyes took in her surroundings—bright, empty walls, large wooden desk, several men standing around, silent.
Who she assumed to be Galloway sat behind the desk, glasses low on his nose as he read over a document on the desk.
His head lifted, eyes shifting from Vontae to Dru.
At the sight of her, he smiled and removed his glasses.
“Have a seat,” Galloway directed.
Dru allowed her eyes to casually take him in, but she didn’t want to stare. He looked like he was in his mid-forties, and he favored Keenan Wayans, bald head and all.
“Vontae tells me you’re in need of my assistance,” Galloway continued, sitting back in his seat.
“Yes, but I wanted to make sure you heard him correctly,” Dru said. “I only have ten thousand dollars.”
Galloway smiled with one side of his mouth. “I usually don’t accept such a small amount for anyone on my team, but because Vontae asked for this favor, I agreed. Tell me what happened and why you want this man dead.”
“He raped my sister. I offered to handle it legally, but she’s too scared to name him.
So this is the only other way to make sure he won’t ever hurt her again.
Plus, I want her to trust that people will be punished if they hurt her, whether she’s afraid or not.
Whether that justice comes legally or not. ”
Galloway’s head bobbed. “I like that, and I respect it. My starting price is usually one hundred thousand dollars to put any of my men on a job.” Dru swallowed hard and gripped the cushion of her seat.
“But because of your acquaintanceship with Vontae and the circumstances, I’m willing to work with you. Give me what you have.”
Dru pulled the money out of her bag and slid it to him across the desk.
Only God knew how hard it was to part with that money.
It had taken her years to save it. That was supposed to be for emergencies, homecoming, and prom.
She knew it wouldn’t be enough for Dreya’s car or college expenses, but it was a start.
It was a nest. And now, Dru would be left with literally nothing.
For her sister’s peace of mind, though, Dru was willing to spend the dimes in the bottom of her purse.
The great thing about working at the bar was she’d have cash flowing in after every shift, and because of that, she couldn’t wait to leave and get to work.
Galloway waited until he was done counting the money to ask, “What information do you have on him?”
“His name and where he works.”
“Write it down,” he instructed, motioning toward a legal pad that was on the desk.
After doing what he asked, Galloway dismissed both her and Vontae.
It wasn’t until they left that she realized how hard it was to breathe in Galloway’s presence.
As calm as he appeared, there was something about him that sent off warning bells in her head.
If he was willing to handle Quenton on her behalf, she’d ignore the warning and let the chips fall where they may.
Three Days Later
When Dru was blindfolded and pushed into the back of a car, she certainly wasn’t expecting to be driven to Galloway’s compound.
Her heart raced and mind gave her one scenario after another, each ending with her death.
As nervous as she was during the ride, by the time they arrived, she’d accepted her fate.
While she wasn’t sure what she’d done to deserve death, Dru didn’t plan on fighting for her life.
She was in a room full of men with guns and only had her knife on her.
The only thing that cracked her heart was knowing she’d be leaving her sister to deal with their mother alone.
“I’m glad you could join me,” Galloway said, cutting a cigar.
“It’s not like I had a choice. The fuck is this about anyway?”
“Quenton is dead.” With one tilt of his head, Galloway ordered a man to put a picture of Quenton’s lifeless body in front of her face.
She stared at the picture for a few seconds before nodding and gently pushing the man’s hand away.
“Thank you,” she almost whispered, feeling a weight lift from her shoulders.
“You can thank me by paying me the rest of my money,” Galloway said, and that statement immediately filled Dru with confusion.
“I don’t understand. I gave you ten thousand dollars.”
“As a down payment,” he clarified, lighting the cigar. “You owe me ninety thousand more.”
Her heart skipped a beat . . . and not in a good way.
“No, that’s . . . that’s not right.” Dru released a nervous chuckle as she sat up in her seat and gripped the arms of the chair. “I told you I only had ten, and you said that was fine as a favor to Vontae.” She looked around the room, as if Vontae would magically appear.
“I don’t recall.” Galloway grinned with one side of his mouth. “You owe me ninety th—”
“I heard you the first time,” she interrupted him to say. “That doesn’t change the fact that I don’t have that kind of money.”
“Then you need to get it. I’ll give you thirty days.”
“Thirty days?” She shrieked, heart racing. Body warming. Head shaking. “I-I—there’s literally no way I can come up with that kind of money in that amount of time.”
“Either you come up with the money, or I’m going to kill you.” His head tilted as he eyed her frame. “Or I could sell you and your sister. Dreya, right? She’s a sophomore at Rose Valley High, isn’t she? Homeroom teacher is Mrs. Williams—”
“If you go anywhere near my sister, I’ll put a knife between your eyes.”
He grinned. “There’s that fire Vontae told me you had. I like it.”
“I don’t care what you like,” she told him, pointing her finger in his direction. “Stay the fuck away from my sister.”
“Then get me my money. You have thirty days.”
With another bob of his head, two men were lifting her out of the chair by her arms.
“Can you at least give me more time?” she pleaded as they all but dragged her toward the door. “Or let me pay in installments since you lied to me. You told me that was all I had to pay!”
The closer she got to the door, the more her fear was replaced with anger.
She should have known Galloway was up to no good.
Had Vontae been in on it too? There was no way he would have done her like that.
Then again, what reason did he have to be loyal to her beyond them going to school together?
Dru didn’t have time to think about that.
She had to figure out how to come up with almost six figures—soon.
In the back of the car, she was blindfolded yet again. Dru gently beat her head against the seat and laughed maniacally. There was no way this was her life.