Chapter 26

MOMENTS EARLIER

“Why is this line so long?” I complained, trying to count the number of people in front of us.

I’d consumed quite a number of drinks and all that dancing I did had my bladder about to explode.

“Do you see how many people are in this building? It’s probably packed in there. Your man’s people know how to throw an event.”

“Your man, too.”

She rolled her eyes. “Maceo isn’t my man.”

“Oh, my God. How long are we going to play this game of denial? That man invited you here… here! To a charity event with his family who he introduced you to. He paid for your dress, shoes, and hair. Not to mention the way he looked at you when he saw you at my place. That man likes you and you like him. Why can’t y’all just be together?”

She sighed. “I do like him. I’ve told you that. I just… I don’t know how to tell him I want more of a commitment.”

I giggled. “Tell him the same thing his brother told me. You’re gonna be with me. I’m gonna be with you. Or we’re gonna be with each other.”

She laughed. “No, that man did not tell you that!”

“Yes, he did. I guess I’m stuck with him.”

“Well, it’s not like you want to be anywhere else.”

“This is true.” I looked back at the unwavering line. “Come on. There has to be an available bathroom somewhere. I look too good to piss on myself.”

I grabbed Shar’s hand and led her down the hall to the elevator. The building we were in was six stories high. We headed for the third floor and found it vacant. Quickly, we located a bathroom so I could relieve myself.

“My bladder was about to explode!” I declared as I washed my hands. I caught a glimpse of my reflection in the mirror and cringed. “Look at my edges. Good thing I brought my wax stick and brush.”

While Shar disappeared into a stall, I pulled the miniature items from my clutch and got to work. I was so focused that I didn’t look up when I heard the door open. I didn’t think anything of it. It was probably just other women looking to relieve their bladder.

It wasn’t until a tall, dark figure appeared in my peripheral did I realize it wasn’t a woman at all. I dropped the brush and wax stick. Just as I went to yell for Shar, a gloved hand covered my mouth and nose with a rag.

The smell filled my nostrils, instantly making me dizzy. I tried my hardest to fight them off, but I could feel my body weakening as I swung my arms.

“Salima…” Shar called. “You good girl?”

I couldn’t answer her. My eyelids were so heavy and my arms felt like they weighed a tone each. I tried to grab ahold of something to brace myself, only to knock my clutch to the floor.

“Salima?”

Shar’s voice was the last thing I heard before it all faded to black.

P resently

M y eyes slowly opened as I finally came to. My blurry vision slowly began to clear up, and I looked around. I tried to move, but quickly realized that I was bound to a bed. Frantically, I pulled at the handcuffs, but all that did was hurt my wrists. They were so tight that they were cutting into my skin.

“Help! Somebody help me, please!”

I looked around the unfamiliar room. It was cold and damp, and it smelled horrible. The only light from the room came from an old oil lamp. The old windows were covered with newspaper. The bed I was handcuffed to was rusted, and the mattress had seen better days. The room looked like an office that someone doubled as sleeping quarters. Old take out bags and soda cans were all over the place.

The sound of the door opening caused my heart to race. Slowly it crept open, in walked a tall, shadowy figure. As they came into the light, I saw that it was Mirron Hayes. He smirked as he closed the door and pulled up a chair and took a seat in front of me.

“We meet again, Ms. Navarro.”

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing!”

“Gaining leverage.”

“You really think you’ll get away with taking me and there be no consequences? You clearly didn’t think this through.”

“I have, actually. I wouldn’t come here alone or empty handed. I gave Deuce way too many chances to see things my way. What kind of fucking criminal had a conscience? His family is out here throwing charity events, and feeding the homeless and shit while being a bunch of murders and drug dealers. That’s fucking crazy.”

He looked at me and shook his head.

“Your daddy must be rolling over in his grave.”

“Don’t you talk about my father!”

“I knew Iman very well. The saddest thing he ever did was let a piece of pussy take him out of the game. I mean I get it. Your mama was fine as hell back in the day. Shit, she’s still fine now. Your daddy was a fool to let a bitch fuck up his money.”

“Bitch? Didn’t you get pushed out? From what I heard, Mr. Blake made you sit down. How did you allow another grown man to bitch you out like that, Mirron?”

His anger roared as he yelled, “Nobody bitched me!”

“I watched my man bitch you out in a parking lot. I watched him bitch your son out, too. I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. There’s no way a muthafucka that bleeds just like me would ever put their hands on me and I just stood there taking it.”

It probably wasn’t wise to poke the bear, but I refused to show him fear.

Mirron chuckled. “You have a mouth on you. I’m sure those pretty ass lips are good for more than talking shit. I think I’ll keep you for a few days. See if we can’t give you a change in attitude. We’ll see if your boyfriend really loves you or if you’re just another piece of pussy to him.”

His eyes trailed my frame on the bed. His gaze was lustful. When he stood and stepped closer to me, I tried to move out of his reach.

“You’re such a pretty young thing,” he said, running his hand up the split in my dress.

I wanted to throw up as he caressed my thigh.

“Maybe I should have a little fun with you and see why Deuce is so possessive over you.”

“Get your fucking hands off of me!” I screamed.

He laughed. “I like ‘em feisty.”

“Don’t you fucking touch me!”

I brought my foot up and kicked him in the stomach. He doubled over in pain for a moment before pouncing on me and pinning me down.

“Bitch, I will kill you right now and leave your body for that nigga to find!”

I spit in his face and was instantly met with a slap to mine. He hit me so hard that my ears were ringing.

“You wanna spit, bitch? I’ll give you something to spit on.”

He straddled my chest and unzipped his pants. Just as he was about to push them down, the door swung open, and there stood the man from the pictures Jaeda showed us.

Eduardo Castro.

He frowned when he caught sight of Mirron on top of me.

“What the fuck are you doing?” he asked in a thick Spanish accent as he snatched Mirron up.

“This bitch spit in my face!”

“Get the fuck outta here.”

He drug Mirron over to the door and shoved him out, before closing it behind him. Turning back to me, he claimed the seat once occupied by Mirron. I glared at him, waiting to see what he would do.

“I apologize for that,” he said, placing a hand over his heart. “I don’t condone violence against women.”

I scoffed. “Look at me handcuffed to this bed and say that again.”

“You were not part of the plan. I wasn’t aware you were here until this very moment.”

“Then let me go. Please! My boyfriend is gonna come looking for me. You don’t want that.”

“That’s exactly what I want. When Mirron told me he was having a problem getting his hands on a particular waterfront property, I thought I could be of some assistance… maybe offer a little persuasion.”

“What does that have to do with me? You think he’s going to just hand it over and you walk out of here with your life!”

He chuckled. “I would never come here alone. I’m protected everywhere I go. We’ll see how much your boyfriend loves you. How much do you think you’re worth to him?”

I was quiet.

If it came down to it, how much was I worth to Deuce? This wasn’t some nigga grabbing on me in the club. This was a Colombian king pin. While I knew he wasn’t afraid, he would be playing with his life. Could I really expect him to die behind me?

“Get out,” I said quietly.

I turned away from him as best as I could.

I heard the chair scrape against the floor as he stood. A few seconds later, the door opened, then closed. I broke into tears. How the fuck did I end up here? I didn’t even know where I was. One moment I was dancing and having a good time and the next I was being knocked out.

This wasn’t how I imagined my night going. I imagined going to the charity event, having a good time, and them going back to my place where my man would devour my drunk ass. Instead, I found myself kidnapped.

All I wanted to was to be home in the comfort of my bed. I felt like I was right back in that room with those children, only this time, I was the one who needed saving.