“You look nice,” I finally spoke, glancing over at her quickly.
“Thank you, so do you. I can’t lie. I’m a bit nervous. This is unlike any job I’ve ever had.”
“Just think of it as a business dinner. All you have to do is say hi and be pleasant, but most of all, pay attention. I’ll do the rest.”
Saniyah nodded her head and sat back in the seat as I continued to drive. We pulled up to a huge gate about twenty minutes later, with two guards standing out front. I didn’t recognize the guards, so I knew they didn’t work for Blackline. However, I didn’t think twice about it as I figured the client wanted his own men at the gate. Rolling down my window, one of the men stepped up, and I gave him my name, while the other looked over the guest list. Once he found my name, the gate opened, and I drove through.
I continued down the curved driveway toward the massive estate. The mansion was huge with cream colored stone exterior, tall windows, and a valet standing outside ready to park your car. This screamed money, and I was starting to understand more and more why this client needed our services. I placed my truck in park and watched as the valet approached.
Sliding down my window halfway, I let him know that I was going to self-park. Nodding his head, he pointed to a parking space, and I pulled into it effortlessly. I never trusted the valet service when I was on a job. I stayed ready so that I never had to get ready. So, in the event that I would ever need to leave quickly, I would keep my keys. Opening my door, I stepped out before walking around to the passenger’s side and opening Saniyah’s door. I scanned the area before locking arms with Saniyah and walking up the steps toward the wide double doors.
We walked in and were immediately greeted by a tall white woman with long blonde hair that she had brushed back into a low ponytail. She wore the same black slacks and black button up shirt as every other worker there. Crystal chandeliers were hanging overhead, the light bouncing off the marble flooring.The woman showed us to the grand ballroom, where the other guests had gathered. The moment we stepped inside, we were both handed a glass of champagne from one of the several servers walking around, carrying trays.
“Relax, you have to walk the room like you belong here,” I whispered to her, noticing her nervousness.
She looked up at me and smiled shyly before nodding her head. We walked farther into the room, and I noticed three of my men walking around with trays of hors d’oeuvres. There were dozens of guests talking and sipping from glasses as I scanned the room. The guests were all dressed in tailored suits and designer dresses, and Saniyah and I fit right in. I kept my eyes on everything, not knowing where the real threat was coming from. About fifteen minutes later, we were being shown to the dining room for dinner.
CHAPTER 5
Saniyah
Istayed close to Crue as we walked over to the table and took a seat. Just this dining room was bigger than my entire apartment. Inside, I was nervous as hell, more so about it being Crue that I was with than anything. Crue intimidated me; however, when he told me that I would be paid double to come with him tonight, there was no way that I could pass that up. But the moment we pulled up to the mansion, I felt out of place. We didn’t have shit like this in the hood, nor had I ever been around such luxury. However, for tonight, I would pretend to fit in.
The long black table stretched down the center of the room, decorated with candles, crystal glasses, and white floral arrangements, everything glowing under the chandeliers overhead. Crue sat beside me, relaxed and alert at the same time. The staff moved around the room, placing something they called an amuse-bouche in front of us.
“What’s an amuse- bouche?” I whispered discreetly to Crue.
“It’s just a starter meant to awaken the palate. This is caviar on a blini. It’s good.”
I nodded then took a bite. I had never had caviar before, but Crue was right. It was delicious. Next, they brought out a soupthat was equally delicious as well. Next came an all green salad that looked like it didn’t have a lick of dressing on it.
Picking up my fork, I picked through the salad, hoping that mixing it around a bit would help bring out some flavor. When they brought out a mint sorbet, I was confused. Crue must have seen my confusion because he leaned over and whispered to me, letting me know that it was only a palate cleanser before the main course. All these different courses and names for food was too rich for me. Hell, you could give me a meat and two sides and I was good.
The main course was brought out, which was grilled salmon and vegetables on a bed of cream sauce. When the servers removed our dinner plates and placed a plate of cheese and grapes in front of me, I knew I was way out of my element.Why the fuck is it so much food being served? How much do they think one person can eat?I thought to myself. I had to use the bathroom, and if I sat here any longer, my bladder was going to give out.
“I have to use the ladies’ room,” I whispered to Crue.
He nodded his head and motioned one of the servers over to him. She was a tall, dark-skinned woman with long braids that she had placed in a ponytail. I instantly recognized her from Blackline; however, I didn’t know her name. Crue asked her if she would show me to the bathroom, pretending not to know exactly who she was. I stood from my seat and followed her out the dining room and down a long hallway.
“I’ll stand outside the door and wait on you to come out,” she informed.
“Thank you. I’ll only be a minute,” I replied as I walked into the bathroom.
The half bathroom I walked into was just as elegant as the rest of the house, decorated in gold and cream. Once I was done using the bathroom, I walked over to the sink and washed myhands before drying them on a paper towel. I walked out the bathroom, and just as she said, she was standing right outside the door.
“You ready?” she asked.
I nodded, and we began walking back down the hallway.
“I’m sorry, but I don’t know your name. What is it?”
She chuckled a bit before answering. “It’s Destiny.”
“I’m Saniyah,” I replied.
“I know who you are, Saniyah.” She smiled as we continued to walk.
Before I could say another word, a loud pop echoed through the mansion. My body froze instantly as another one followed. I had grown up in the hood all my life, so I knew exactly what that sound was. For half a second, my brain seemed to stop working then popped back in, scanning the hallway for a way out. Destiny pulled a gun from her waistline with one hand and grabbed me with the other. Shots continued to ring out as glass shattered, and people screamed.
