Chapter 17
VONSHAE
Maja was heavily on my mind as I walked into the office Monday morning.
We’d spent all night talking, and I was sure to have flowers at her door before the sun rose.
Likewise, I was sure to send her a litany of text messages, letting her know just how much I enjoyed her company this weekend and how I couldn’t wait to see her again.
My footsteps never slowed as I headed to the elevators. I had an early meeting with Lieutenant Johnson, and I needed to grab some files before going to meet with him.
Inside my office, my eyes bounced off the many accolades I’d received while in service over the years.
I was a decorated detective with many grueling years under my belt.
I’d worked too many homicides to count. Coming to Pensacola was supposed to be a bit of a reprieve from the crazy streets of Atlanta.
While the homicide rate was down, summertime was knocking on the door and with it came a spike in violent crimes.
Grabbing the files containing my current case, I walked back out of my office and headed down the hall to the elevators. A short ride later, I was on the third floor and heading to Johnson’s office.
My pops stood by the door, and I hugged him as if we hadn’t just spent the weekend showing our asses at the camp. His final days as Chief of Police were swiftly approaching, and I was proud of him for all the work he’d put into the community.
“How’s Maja?” he questioned.
“You just saw her yesterday,” I stated.
“And the question is still valid. How is she?” he asked.
“She’s perfect,” I answered.
Pops tilted his head to the side and wore an expression filled with pride. “Has she opened up to you?”
“A little,” I replied. “I’m tryin’ to adhere to the advice you gave me.”
Pops chuckled. “Keep it that way. She’ll come around.”
Johnson’s office door swung open. He welcomed us inside, then offered us a seat.
“As you know, your father’s time as Chief of Police is almost done.” Johnson was never for small talk, so I wasn’t offended that he got right down to business. “He and I have been talking and wanted to get your thoughts on moving into a supervisory role here at the department. Lieutenant, in fact.”
Surprised, I said, “Oh, for sure. I’d…” My words trailed off as Maja’s smiling face flashed before me. “That’s something I’m willing to consider. How much time do I have to decide on it?”
Johnson grinned. “I thought you would’ve accepted without having to think on it.”
Chuckling, I replied, “I have someone I need to consult.”
Pops cleared his throat, then coughed on a laugh. “Can’t say that I’m surprised. We need an answer before I hang my hat up,” he explained.
Nodding, I said, “Cool. I’ll, uhm, get back to you before then.”
I excused myself from Johnson’s office and left the two men to consult amongst each other.
Meanwhile, I headed back to elevators feeling conflicted as hell.
On one hand, moving up in the ranks was every officer’s dream.
Here I was being handed a position, and I hesitated to accept it.
My work spoke for itself, and I was well qualified to assume the role.
On the other hand, Maja hadn’t fully accepted me as detective let alone a lieutenant.
I was sure she was the woman I wanted to wake up next to for the rest of my life.
Surely, I wanted her to accept everything about me just like I was willing to accept everything about her.
There were baby steps that had to be taken, though.
Maja was delicate, and I didn’t want to run her away.
I stepped off the elevator and headed to my office. Seeing Adir Bell standing inside my office, I wasn’t even surprised to see him here.
“You took longer than I expected,” I said when I entered my door. Adir bumped fists with me, and I added, “I thought Cooley would show up.”
“He’s out of the country,” he informed me to which I chuckled.
Adir slid his hands into his pockets and sized me up. The two of us were similar in height, but I had him by a few pounds. A nigga like me knew that didn’t mean shit. Plus, I fucked with Adir. There was no bad blood over here.
“What’s good?” I asked.
He smirked. “I understand you’re a single man and everything, but you gotta move like a married one fuckin’ wit’ my people.”
“It’s funny you say that because I saw Maja in the club the other night noticeably without security. She and Heir were open for any muhfucka to get at. What the fuck is that about?”
Adir’s smirk turned into a frown. “If you truly know Maja, you know she’s not one to easily sway into doing something she doesn’t want to do. With that being said, she’s the only one who refuses to have security.”
“So, make her,” I countered.
“You really think I don’t put eyes on my girl from time to time? If I do it too often, she’ll suspect some shit is up. And I don’t need her runnin’.”
I shook my head and had to laugh. “Never thought I’d see the day you’d be walkin’ on eggshells with somebody.”
He shrugged. “She’s delicate, so be easy with my shawty.
Just like I’m tellin’ you to move differently with her, I had to learn to do the same.
I hate that shit. However, I respect her mind.
I’m askin’ you to respect who the fuck she is and don’t make me have to break the bond our families have built with one another. ”
Chuckling, I said, “Since I know you don’t do threats, I’ll take that as a warning.”
“Please, do.”
“Now get the fuck outta my office, bruh. You drawin’ attention,” I told him.
After Adir left my office, I sat behind my desk and sighed heavily.
It figured that Maja was that damn guarded that she didn’t even allow the family who raised her to have a hold on her.
If she got Adir to bow to her demands, then I had one hell of a fight on my hands.
Whatever her father did to her, it was deep and unforgiveable. Her wounds were likely lifelong.
Picking up my phone, I called Maja. I needed to hear her voice.
“Hi, Von,” she answered on the second ring.
“You miss me?” I asked.
She chuckled. “Maybe. The flowers are beautiful.”
“You’re beautiful,” I stated.
“Thanks,” she mumbled. The smile in her voice was exactly what I wanted to hear.
“We’ll talk later, aight?”
“Okay,” she replied.
“Later, Maja.”
“Bye, Von.”
I hung up and reclined back in my chair. Yeah… I was going to fight for Maja. This feeling of acceptance in my heart belonged only to her.
Getting to work, I opened the case file that I was working on.
Several weeks ago, Delan Drees, was found murdered inside his home.
Evidence of a break-in was evident. His safes were emptied out and his walls nearly decimated.
Someone had been on the hunt for more than money.
Delan owned a few rental properties and a popular nightclub on the outskirts of the city.
I had a suspect in mind, and he’d been dodging me for weeks.
I’d made several attempts to sit down with him, but he kept stalling.
Jemell Franklin and his crew were too smooth to get caught up so easily.
However, he was my strongest suspect, and his crew would come tumbling down once I bagged him.
I called Jemell’s number for the hundredth time and was encountered by his voicemail. Chuckling, I hung up.
Minutes later, my office line chirped.
“Detective Gunner,” I answered.
“Yo’, quit harassing my brother, bruh.”
Leaning back in my chair, I grinned. Jerell Franklin was the older brother of Jemell. From what I learned about Jerell, he wasn’t someone to play with. He was once deep in the streets and even connected to the cartel. After his oldest brother died, he reformed his life. Now here he was on my line.
“Jemell needs to come in for a talk.”
“He don’t need to do shit! Find you some evidence and stay the fuck off his line, lil’ bitch.”
I pulled the phone away from my ear and chuckled. The man in me wanted to drive to 1110 Manchester Street and tell Jerell to call me a lil’ bitch to my face. That nigga couldn’t fuck with me with or without my badge. I’d slit his face to give him something to remember me by.
Count to ten, nigga. I had to. Jerell wasn’t the first nigga to disrespect me, and he wouldn’t be the last.
Later that evening, I craved hearing Maja’s voice again, so I quickly ran through my nighttime routine so that I could call her.
“Hello?” she answered.
“Red or pink?” I asked.
“Red,” she replied. That much I knew. “Blue or green?”
“Blue,” I responded.
She tittered. “Of course.”
“Green doesn’t look good on me,” I explained.
“Liar. I’m sure everything looks good on you. Mike or Lebron?” she asked, quickly switching the subject. However, I was smiling hard at her subtle compliment.
“That’s not even a fair question, baby.”
“Answer it anyway,” she softly demanded.
Her tone caused my dick to swell. “Bet. If it’s down to the wire, Mike. If I gotta battle some youngins, Lebron. Forehead kisses or diamonds?”
“Hmm… Diamonds can be lost. Forehead kisses can be tucked internally and pondered on for months. Rain or sunshine?”
“Rain,” I replied. “Like the sun, but water has its own way of healing, nurturing, and cleansing.” Those were things I wanted to bring to Maja’s life. I wanted to heal her, nurture her, and cleanse her past from controlling her future.