CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Sierra
The right side of Sierra’s face stung. She’d experienced worse pain fighting her cousin as a child or after a strenuous day doing fieldwork.
The slap had dramatic effect but it wouldn’t win any fights.
Sierra looked over to gauge how Zeek reacted to Maribelle’s assault, but the woman’s brothers and cousin had formed a semi-circle around him, cornering him near their table as if to block him from coming to her rescue.
As if I need it, she thought.
With a foot of space separating them, Maribelle towered over Sierra. Zeek’s ex probably believed her height gave her an advantage.
“Don’t come to my city and try to humiliate me,” Maribelle snapped. “Until he comes to his senses and chooses me again, Zeek will remain single, puta. That slap was your only warning. Stay the hell away from Zeek or I will beat your ass.”
“You won’t beat my ass,” Sierra clarified. “You’re a bully. And I don’t negotiate my love life with bullies.”
When Mari swung, Sierra punched her forearm, interrupting its forward motion. With her other hand she chopped the woman in the throat. Maribelle dropped like a sack of rocks, gagging and clutching at her throat as she tried to remember how to breathe.
Sierra kneeled and leaned over, fisting Maribelle’s very soft hair.
I wonder what kind of hair products she uses.
Yanking Maribelle’s head back, Sierra whispered in her ear.
“If you want to stay pretty, you’ll leave me alone.
Not only do I know how to bring a big bitch down, I know how to make untraceable things that will make your hair and teeth fall out or make your toxic little heart stop beating forever.
I’m not a violent person. But I am not above responding to violence in kind, Maribelle. ”
“Zeek, hermano, we don’t want to fight you, but what can we do, eh? Maribelle wants you. You should see this as a good thing.”
Sierra stood and turned.
“You don’t want to fight me? Oh you sorry ass bitches knew a fight was coming the moment you got here,” he said, lifting his pants legs as if they were sagging when they weren’t.
He squared up. “When you ever pull up to a damn open mic night before tonight?” He nodded.
“You wanted a mother fuckin’ fight, now come get it. ”
Two of the men tried to protest but the third tried to punch Zeek in the face, his fist slammed into Zeek’s shoulder instead because Zeek was fast—like viper fast—striking all three men so fast his movements were a blur in the dim light.
One of Mari’s brothers landed a few punches to Zeek’s torso when he was preoccupied with stomping the shit out of the two men on the floor.
“I know you fucking lyin’!” a man said and sprinted toward the very contained battle—it was as if Zeek intuitively knew not to damage any of Destiny’s merchandise.
Zeek glared when the guy jumped into the fight, but he proceeded to kick one of the two men on the ground unconscious.
“I don’t need help, Tel,” Zeek shouted at the very attractive Black men who’d joined in. Mari’s brother curled up like a fetus and covered his head, no longer interested in fighting now that his brother was unconscious.
Zeek’s friend held Maribelle’s only standing relative in a head lock. When said relative went unconscious, the brown-skinned man let him fall to the ground. Now all three of the men in Maribelle’s family were scattered on the floor around her.
“Come on mane.” Montel slapped his hand against Zeek’s and pulled him into a side hug.
“I ain’t get off my couch, get showered and dressed, and drive all the way to town just to get here and watch you lay hands without me.
That ain’t cute, that ain’t fun. Especially when my hands are as equally anointed. ”
He pulled away from Zeek, lifted his arms, and gave jazz hands.
Stepping over Maribelle, Montel pulled Sierra in a hug.
“You must be the new lady working in my cousin’s department. You settling in okay, beautiful?”
“It’s been eventful.” She smiled.
“Oh I don’t know, move to town, stomp a bitch or two, that’s a normal day’s work by anybody’s standards around here.”
“I’m Sierra,” she said, shaking his hand. “The other tenant on Zeek’s land.”
“You’re more than that from what I hear. Let me buy y’all a drink.”
Zeek slung his drum over his back and handed Sierra her purse.
“We’re out,” he said, grabbing Sierra’s hand and pulling her toward the stairs.
“Leaving? I only just got here!”
“Late. You got here late, Montel. Like always,” Destiny said. “This place is closing in fifteen minutes.”
“Traffic was horrible, Des,” Montel said earnestly.
Destiny laughed. “Negro, please, it is almost eleven o’clock at night. There’s no traffic.” She waved at Sierra and Zeek. “See y’all later.”
Sierra and Zeek dipped and dodged through the remaining crowd of people, some of which continued to congratulate them on their performances, both on the stage and on the floor.
“It’s cold out here,” Sierra said, as they exited the building. Zeek pulled her into the circle of his arm and she wrapped her arm around his waist.
“So, was that the dook’em up your daddy taught you?” he asked, the edge of his mouth quirked up.
“Yes, but I could only hit her if she hit me first. I could then rightfully argue self-defense if the police were called. I don’t need to lose my freedom or my job the first week I move here.”
“Dook’em up...” he said shaking his ahead. “Anytime you see that bitch it’s dook’em up on sight,” he advised; then he frowned down at her. “Why’d you lie and say you weren’t violent.”
“I’m not!” she protested. “Not unless I have to be.”
“Uhm hmm.”
He lifted her into the passenger seat when they reached his truck. After securing his drum he climbed in and sat silently. When he finally reached for the steering wheel, he turned to her.
“I like how you sang to me.” He tapped his chest. “It struck me here and it’s still burrowing. That song is my new favorite song. And you, Sierra-dook’em up-Rowan...you’re my new favorite person.”
She leaned toward him and he met her halfway. Their kiss locked in who they would be to each other from this moment forward.
“I’ve never had a man fight one man for me, let alone three.” Sierra smiled as she pulled back. “I can’t tell you how that makes me feel, but I can show you. Take me home EZ, let me show you.”