Page 32 of Entranced With the Hellhound

“Blue, please try to calm down. Bishop is coming,” Tiny pleads.

I don’t even turn to look at her as I continue beating on the door and yelling for someone to let me out. I can’t think rationally, but I know Tiny is right that I need to calm down, but the scream that I heard…

“Whoever was shootin’ is definitely gonna know where we are with all that racket you're making,” Cherry snidely comments.

“Shut up, hoe, this room is soundproof.”

“Then what the fuck is she doin’ all that hollerin’ for?”

“Cause it’s cameras in here; somebody knows she wants out.”

“Oh.”

“Yeah, oh. Now, shut yo ass up.”

I can always count on Dee to have my back even though I’m acting like a complete mental patient right now. To be fair, I forgot about the soundproofing. But Dee is right, one of the prospects will see me. Hopefully, whatever was going on is under control, and it won’t take long to get me out of here.

Only the lord knows what happened because it’s always something going on around here. But I don’t have time to be on lockdown. Mama needs me.

When the door finally opens, I run full speed into Bishop’s arms. I’m glad to see there isn’t a scratch on him, and he’s not hurt. I wouldn’t have had the brain capacity to process him being shot or something.

“I have to get to my mama. She called screaming about Chauncey. I thought he was still in jail. I need to go to her,” I hurriedly rush out in one breath.

“It’s okay, baby. I’ll go check on your mama. You stay here where…”

“Absolutely fucking not! I’m not stayin’ here while you go play hero. Who the fuck do you think I am? That’s my mama, hollerin’ for me!” I yell forcefully.

“Fuck! I knew this was gonna be like pullin’ teeth,” Bishop mumbles, running his hand through his beard.

“Well, you better pretend to be a dentist because I ain’t stayin’ here. Let’s go,” I say, moving in the direction of the stairs.

Bishop grabs my arm. “Stop. Look at me,” Bishop says, making me look at him.

Those hazel eyes are two flames full of anger. Bishop always has the demeanor of a clergyman: serious, resolute, and unmovable in his beliefs, but this feels different. I can see that I’m dealing with Bishop, the Vice President of the Hellhounds.

“We can’t go off the rails. I need that cool, calm, collected Blue. I know she’s in there.” Bishop searches my face.

I take a deep breath and calm down considerably because he’s right. I need to think rationally. I can’t go charging in to save Mama without knowing what’s going on. With Chauncey involved, there’s no telling what’s happening.

“Okay. You’re right,” I answer finally, giving a solemn nod.

Bishop nods, pulling me in for a kiss. “You still got the piece I gave you?”

“Of course,” I respond, showing him the gun I had tucked into the back of my shorts.

“Good, you’ll need to protect yourself. But we ain’t goin’ into Carol Anne’s guns blazing. I need to find out exactly what we’re walking into…”

I go to interrupt, but Bishop cuts me off. He shakes his head, holding up his large hand. I huff, but I stay quiet.

“I ain’t losing nobody goin’ in blind. Especially when your little ass is insisting on goin’. We’re gonna head to Carol Anne’s place, but we ain’t goin’ inside until I hear from my boys. So, before we even leave here, promise me you’ll do what I say when I say it. If you can’t… you ain’t goin’.”

“You can’t tell me that I can’t go…”

“I’m your fuckin’ man! I will tell you! This is not the time to be hardheaded, Blue. It’s too much at stake. We don’t have time to stand here arguing. Either you will follow my lead or stay your ass here.”

“Fine. I’ll follow your lead,” I acquiesce.

“I swear to God. Stubborn as the day is long.” Bishop shakes his head, taking my hand in his and leading me up the stairs.