AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Bryan.” He nods toward the approaching man.
Tall and slim, he strolls up to us with a natural swagger. “Damien, brother,” a thick, southern accent laces each of his words, “good to see you, man.” He reaches his hand out. As Damien grasps it in a strong shake, he wraps his other hand around his back and pulls him into a loose hug.
“It’s been too long.” Damien smiles, yet his features remain stern.
Bryan shrugs, adjusting his suit jacket. “I’ve been searching for my protégé in Georgia and reinforcing the pipeline. I’ve been busy, brother.”
“Still? It’s been two years.”
“I’m close to finding her. When I do, I’ll bring her here. I think you’re gonna want to meet this one. What’d y’all call me back here for, now?”
Damien looks around, his voice lowering. “We’re having some problems with . . . Product disappearing.”
Bryan scratches his thin chin. “I see. Now, that is a problem. Any leads?”
Before Damien can answer, the door opens and another man enters.
“Boss, sir,” He nods as he approaches Damien, “Mr. Williams is here about a property.”
Damien nods, then turns back to Bryan. “I have to take care of this. Get settled, then come find me in my office. I trust Hanale found you a room?”
“He set me up good. Don’t worry none about me, brother. We’ll get this situated.”
As Damien rushes out with the second man, I stare at my feet. I should go. Find a bottle of liquor and drown the darkness.
“How you know you gonna find dis girl?” Dorian’s voice calls from beside the ring.
A smile stretches across Bryan’s face. The same smile Dorian had a minute ago. “‘Cause, she’s mine.”
A chill races up my spine, freezing me in place.
“An’ how dat?”
“You want loyalty?” Dorian doesn’t answer as Bryan takes a few steps toward him. He pulls a little bag out of his inside, breast pocket. “It’s not hard to get.”
My pulse stops.
“You get dem hooked?”
“Nah.” Bryan flicks at the powder-filled bag with his other hand. “You get them addicted, it becomes their master. Not you. Then they’re willing to do anything for that hit. Too easy to betray. Nah, what you do, is find them young. Real young, before they know how the world works. Find someone else scratching for their next hit,” he shakes the bag, “and get them to pay your little toy a visit.” He holds his hands out, my eyes follow the bag. “Then you swoop in and save the day. Become their savior. Instant loyalty. The type that will last forever.”
His eyes catch mine. He follows my line of sight to his hand, then back to me. “You want this, baby girl?”
I take a step forward. Then another until I’m standing right in front of him. “I–” I lick my dry lips.
His smile grows. “Don’t worry, I won’t bite. But this,” he holds the bag out in front of me and shakes it once more, “this will cost you.” He glances down at his pants, then back at me. He raises an eyebrow.
One bag. An escape. Freedom.
Beside us, Dorian waves his hand to the guy still sitting in the ring. Clutching his head, he stands and hobbles out of the gym, a slow trickle of blood pouring from his nose, leaving bright-red drops on the floor.
Bryan flicks the bag in front of my face, again. With his other hand, he gestures to his pants. “What’s it gonna be, darlin’?”
The voices scream at me. The darkness swirls at the edges of my mind, forcing its way in. I close my eyes, willing the stabbing pain inside my head to disappear as easily. But like a volcano ready to erupt, it doesn’t listen to my silent plea. Instead, I fall to my knees.
“That’s it.” I can hear the smile in his thick, southern words.
This doesn’t count, I tell myself over and over. It’s a payment. Not pleasure. I’m not cheating. I’m not a bad person.
