I didn’t even wait for him to respond; I walked in and as soon as I did and two females were just leaving from fixing their makeup in the mirror. They didn’t bother to question me or frown. I gave them that look and nodded my head toward the door only speaking with my eyes telling them to get the fuck out and they did just that.
I could hear Navy having a whole conversation. “I don’t know Tasha,” she whispered. “I think I fucked up, or maybe it’s just my conscious. I’m telling you, the cousin is crazy and it’s like we were talking but he was reading me like a book. I’m done fucking drinking after tonight. On top of that Rome keeps calling and I want him to leave me the fuck alone. Wow, maybe I should’ve just stayed home tonight. You think Lev read into my words enough to know?”
I stood with my back causally against the wall listening to her sounding stressed and defeated while whoever she was talking to must’ve been trying to calm her down. A few minutes later she hung up and the restroom stall that she was in finally opened and she stepped out with her purse hanging from one shoulder, with her attention on fixing the clasp as she secured it shut. It wasn’t until she lifted her head that she noticed me.
She wore a puzzled look on her face as she grabbed her chest. “You okay?” she asked. “I thought everybody was still at the table.”
“I needed a minute.”
“So did I.” She laughed softly, running her hand down her hair. “That music got loud out there.”
People continued passing between us and the entrance to the club, but neither one of us moved. Navy searched my face like she was trying to figure out why something suddenly felt different. “What is it?” she finally asked.
I continued to glare into her eyes emotionless. “I got a couple questions.” I told her watching her breathing change although she tried to keep it cool.”
The easy, fake smile she’d been wearing disappeared almost instantly. “About what?”
“About that month you just told me about.”
She frowned, allowing the fake confusion to settle deeper across her face as the sounds from the club pulsed through the hallway behind us. “I don’t understand.”
“No, I think you do.”
The color drained from her expression just enough for me to notice. The darkness she saw in my eyes made her realize this conversation wasn’t about to go where she thought it was. I removed my Glock from my back side and in one swift motion, I placed it under her chin while slowly walking towards her forcing her back against the wall as tears welled up in her eyes.
She gasped and closed her eyes. “Wait!” She yelled.
I pressed the gun harder now. “You bet not fucking scream.” I growled. “I could’ve blown your muhfuckin’ head off right now if I wanted to. Tell me more about where this money came from to sponsor your new life nurse.”
The pace in her breathing was so rapid, it was almost as if she was having a panic attack as the tears ran. I could tell in her eyes she was busted and wasn’t no need in continuing to lie to a man like me. Her chest heaved up and down almost looking as if her breast were about to involuntarily pop out and run for their lives. She was much shorter than me, but I was so close to her when I glared down at her, she could smell the liquor on my breath.
“I’m… I’m so sorry.” She started pleading. “I was just trying to get away from my abusive husband after he took all of my money.”
“And what the fuck that mean?” I growled. “Take from me bitch? Take from my family?” I added more pressure underneath her chin. I could tell this was the first time she ever had a gun pulled out on her. However, her situation didn’t have shit to do with me. If it was one thing I couldn’t stand, it was a fucking thief.
Navy was so shaken up; she was damn near shaking like a stripper. “I’m so sorry Lev, I swear I’ll pay every dollar of it back. I… just don’t kill me. Please, I’m begging.”
I slowly licked my lips and nodded my head with my eyes dropped low. “Oh, I know you will, every fucking dollar. You using my fucking cousin? You know how grimy that look to steal his shit while he was on his death bed and then accept a date?”
She rapidly nodded her head up and down as the liner underneath her eyes began to smear. I didn’t think she was sorry, because when you’re trying to survive, you’d do anything. However, she was sorry for getting caught just like any other criminal. “No! I swear I’m not using him. Marv and I… we’re just casual. I didn’t expect to bond with him.” She sighed. “Just please don’t hurt me. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
She was now crying so hard, snot was running down her nose and that shit didn’t move me at all. “Give me your phone,” I growled between clenched teeth.
She didn’t hesitate hand it to me since it was already in her hand. “Unlock it,” I told her without taking my eyes or the gun off of her.
She immediately tapped the numbers on the screen to unlock it and practically shoved it in my face without asking questions. “Here,” she cried.
I used my free hand and put my number in her phone before shoving it back in her hand. I then went into my pocket and pulled out a business card before placing it in the crease of her breast. “I’ll tell you what, since I’m a gentleman, and I’d like to think I’m courteous. Since eleven is also my favorite number, I’m giving you eleven fucking days to come up with every fucking dollar.”
Her eyes got as wide as flying saucers but that didn’t stop the tears from coming. “Eleven days?” She asked as her bottom lip trembled. She nodded her head letting me know she understood what I was saying.
I slowly backed away and pointed at her. “Eleven days… I’ll be in touch.”
“I’m so sorry,” she said again still breaking down.
“Yeah, me too. I’m not even going to tell Marv about this shit, because if I do, you won’t make it out of here tonight.” I winked before casually opening the door like nothing happened. “Oh, you might want to freshen up before coming back out here too. You too fine for that liner to be having you looking like a racoon.”
Next, I secured my gun and walked out back into the vibe of the place. I found Marv back at the table with three females surrounding him.
