Redbone 3 Read online

  “You’ll have your day soon enough, Farah Cotton.” Spittle flew out of his mouth. “I’m sure of it.”

  She took a moment to observe his posture. “I know what this is about.” She pointed at him. “You regret killing your son and you hate me for it,” she smirked. “Well it’s too late for all that now.”

  He sighed. “You don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “The past is the past, Willie. Let the dead be. And stay away from me. That’s a warning. Speaking of the dead, how’s Eleanor?” Farah smirked while awaiting his reaction to hearing the name of the woman she chased around DC in an effort to conceal the secret of her murdering Knox Baker. She was also the woman that Willie kept shacked up in secret. She use to be Willie’s side chick before she got hooked on the dope that inevitably snatched her life.

  Willie stared daggers at Farah as if looks could annihilate.

  Zashay walked up to them and said, “Bones wants to know if everything’s okay, Farah?”

  She looked back at the van and then Willie. “Things are great. I was just leaving.”

  Farah switched off and Zashay noticed how Willie watched her the entire time. “What’s your story, old man?” She questioned.

  He calmed himself and laughed. “Let me guess, you hate Farah Cotton as much as the free world.”

  “I’ll just say she isn’t my favorite person.” She paused. “Now what do you know about her that I don’t?”

  “First, what of the character with the Dreads?” Willie asked. “I noticed his eyes stayed glued on her. Even as I talked to her and he watched from the van. But he doesn’t appear to be looking at me now that I’m talking to you.”

  Zashay was uncomfortable and crossed her arms over her breasts. “He cares about her. But I think you know that already.”

  Willie smiled. “And you love him?”

  Silence.

  He laughed. “Life is such when love is involved. Look, I have a meeting to hop to but you and I may have to connect at a later date.”

  “And why would I participate?”

  “Do you really want to go there?”

  “I want an answer.” She paused. “What makes you think I would be willing to help you? If you’re dumb enough to enter into business with a man who shouldn’t be nowhere near dope, I don’t think you’re very smart.”

  Willie frowned and tried to hide his irritation. “You’ll help me because you stood in the corner like a snake and watched my interaction with Farah. You’ll help because you waited patiently until I was done. And you’ll help because I may be the one person who isn’t afraid to kill Farah Cotton. Any more questions?”

  CHAPTER NINE

  AUDIO

  “All I Want Is Her Life.”

  Behind a thick plexi glass, within an outdated Maryland federal prison, Slade held a black handset clutched in his palm as he spoke to Audio. “I can’t believe this shit is finally over,” Audio said excitedly. “They said the case was televised everywhere, man. On one of them CNN channels too.”

  “I can’t believe it’s over either,” Slade uttered, his expression was glazed and response bland.

  Audio looked away and back at his brother after taking notice of the dry manner he used in his reply. “Why you don’t seem happy? We can finally put the shit behind us. Sheriff Cramer’s racist ass is in prison for all the stuff he did. All because of the info Knox had on his phone. We free!”

  Slade’s shoulders lowered. “We not free. You are, man.”

  “So this is not a major step forward? Because you act like you don’t care.”

  “I’m grateful, Audio. I am. But you’ll excuse me if I don’t match your excitement right now.” He gazed around. “Look at me. I’m in prison and it doesn’t look like I’m coming home no time soon.”

  “You know I ain’t mean it like that. I know you not trying to be in here.”

  “Listen…I’m glad Sherriff Cramer got what he deserved and them other cops too. Like you said he’s the reason we came out this mothafucka. And the reason our brother dead. But nothing you told me will bring Knox back.”

  Audio sighed and moved uneasily. “Sorry. You right.” He nodded.

  Slade sat back. “Any word on Farah?” His tone was flat.

  He sighed. “No, them niggas she rolls with playing her close.”

  One eyebrow rose. “How close?”

  “Real close.”

  Slade’s jaw twitched. He didn’t know if he was angrier that Farah moved on with Bones or that she was responsible for killing his brother. Either way he wanted to murder everybody, especially the redbone. The worst was that not a night passed where he didn’t think of her. In some of his dreams he was holding her in his arms while confessing his love but in others he was squeezing the life out of her flesh.

  The struggle.

  The pain.

  To love someone so deceitful plagued him nightly and he prayed that God would release his heart and yet it failed to happen.

  At the end of the day he adored her more than he ever had before.

  And he could never tell a soul.

  Audio noticed his brother’s tense disposition and said, “You still care don’t you?”

  Slade shuffled a little. “Care about what?”

  Audio frowned. “That bitch.”

  “You don’t know what you—”

  “You care about her even though she killed our brother,” he said through clenched teeth. “I can’t believe your disloyalty.”

  Slade gripped the phone so tightly Audio could see it fracturing under his grasp. “When I get my hands on her I will prove to you how I feel about her. You can tell me then if it’s love.”

  “I never said the word love, brother,” Audio said. “But you did.” He pointed at him.

  When a prisoner was being taken back after his visit ended, he purposely bumped into Slade, forcing his baldhead into the glass. Enveloped in fury he popped up and gripped the man by the back of the shirt as he was being escorted away. Stronger than most, Slade was successfully able to bring his large bicep at the pit of the man’s throat before squeezing air from his lungs.

  The prisoner now realized expressing jealousy that his visit was over was done on the wrong dude. Slowly his victim’s lips started changing shades of blue as it took two officers to pull Slade away just long enough for his victim to get one gasp of air. It was short lived because Slade was back pressing at the man’s throat within seconds.

  Audio could do nothing but stand at the glass and hope that his brother would make it out of the situation alive.

  Finally the two C.O.’s were able to pull Slade away and whisk him toward the back. “Get me the fuck out of here, Audio!” Slade yelled. “Get me out or I’m gonna kill somebody!”

  ****

  Audio slumped in the passenger seat in the prison’s parking lot with Killa rehashing Slade’s vows to commit murder. Since he was the only one allowed to see him, due to everyone else being felons, including Della, Audio was forced to take the brunt of Slade’s rage alone. “He can’t stay in there much longer, Killa. He not gonna make it.”

  Killa sighed. “I know, man, and that’s why I want us to divert our focus to getting him a lawyer. I got twenty for an attorney but he won’t start without five more. But the other day I had to pluck from it for expenses.” He moved a little in the driver’s seat so he could see his kid brother clearly. “I want Farah like the next man but war is expensive. Don’t forget we tagging at our savings by keeping Grant and Judge in town. At this rate we’ll never get Slade out.”

  “So send them niggas home! Plus Judge’s expenses been going up lately anyway. What’s he doing that’s so important?”

  “First off we can’t send them back right now.” he paused. “Especially after you escalated things by killing that nigga. We need all eyes now, man. The moment they find Lootz more heat will come down, which means more dough going out.” He exhaled. “And far as Judge’s expenses rising I noticed that too. Suddenly he needs mo
re money for food and other shit and I don’t know why. Major thinks he may be kicking out to his wife back home.”

  “So we adding his wife to payroll now?”

  “It’s just a thought, Audio. It hasn’t been proven yet.” He paused. “To tell you the truth I wouldn’t blame him if he did. We tell the man to leave his wife home to protect her and then we keep him up here for months on this caper. Which is even more reason for you to fall back.”

  “I don’t give a fuck,” Audio puffed. “Farah not about to get away with what she did to family.” He wiped his hand down his face. “All I want is her life and all of this will be over.”

  “Would it?” He paused. “Because it seems to me like you trying to prove something.”

  He frowned. “Prove something to who?”

  “Slade.” He paused. “I think you want him to believe you as hard as him and you not, Audio. Back up and let us handle things before Bakers start dropping in this war. Be smart, Audio.”

  “I’m done playing smart. It’s time for action.”

  ****

  Rushing across the sky was a thick grey cloud that looked like smoke. Standing in her front lawn, Elise pressed the side of her hand against her forehead and stared upward. “Damn.” She placed her fists on her hips. “The time I get ready to mow a storm is coming.”

  She shook her head and turned the lawnmower on while humming her favorite gospel hymn. Sweat poured down her face and she was about to wipe it away when suddenly she felt someone menacing behind her. “You sure you want to do this, son?” She asked, without facing him. “Because it doesn’t have to be this way.”

  Audio placed the gun to the back of her head and bit his bottom lip. “I’m positive.” He paused. “Should’ve handed over Farah.”

  “You know I can’t—”

  Audio squeezed the trigger and watched her large body slam against the lawn mower, turning it off in the process. Blood, gut and gore everywhere.

  When she was down he shot her five more times collecting his second body.

  CHAPTER TEN

  FARAH

  “Fuck Bones.”

  Farah was seated at the bar within the mansion when Zashay walked in the doorway, shocked to see her alone. A few of the men of The Fold were out trying to find Lootz and she figured she’d gone with Bones because she virtually never saw Farah without him.

  For a moment she quietly observed her body trying to determine why Bones wanted her so badly. After stealing a few moments it became obvious. Just looking at her sleek physique made her sick because in her mind Zashay would never measure up.

  She was about to hit it back to her room when Farah turned around and saw her standing there…observing. Zashay quickly plastered a fake smile on her face and sauntered up to her.

  “Hey, girl you look like you’ve been through it all.” She placed a warm hand on Farah’s back. “Everything okay?”

  Of course not.

  Things were terrible in Farah’s world.

  First the love of her life was in prison. Second Shadow’s behavior had her worried that Bones would throw them out and lastly, she didn’t know what future trouble running into Willie would bring her way. “I’m fine, just thinking about shit that’s all.”

  “Are you sure?” She gently touched her back and caressed the area a little. “Because I’m a good listener. I mean, I know it doesn’t seem like it sometimes but I worry about you. A lot.”

  Farah smiled. “I’m not gonna lie. I wouldn’t have thought you’d notice. The only person you seem to see is Shadow.” She shook her head. “Careful, though, because I think my brother is crushing hard.”

  Zashay giggled because she was certain he could take or leave her. “You know how it is here, we all play well together and I’m just making him comfortable.” She smiled. “But back to you, girl, is there anything I can do to make things easier? Anything at all?”

  “Cut the games, Zashay. I don’t know the reason but I do know you don’t like me.” Farah blurted out. “Let’s be honest. After all, we’re family right?” Farah’s tone was firm and as fake as hers.

  Zashay’s cheeks flushed. “Who…who told you that?”

  “Nobody. As a matter of fact this is the first time I mentioned it out loud.” Farah sighed. “I believe in going to the source, which is why I’m bringing it to you. Besides the last thing I want to do is start trouble.”

  She was relieved that Bones hadn’t violated her confidence by telling Farah she hated her guts. “Farah, I don’t know why you feel that way. For real I love having you here. And if I didn’t you would know, trust me.”

  Farah nodded. “I guess with time all will be revealed.”

  Silence.

  Zashay moved uneasily. “Okay, let me say something to break the ice, maybe then you’ll trust me.” She paused. “The other day the old man back at George’s asked me to tell Bones about a hit on your head. Said you were in love with someone named Slade and that we should turn you over for cash. Guess what I told him?”

  Farah’s jaw dropped. “What?”

  “To get the fuck out my face.”

  “But…I…I don’t…”

  “I know you’re at a loss for words. Especially since you think I hate you but you’ll come to see that your impression of me is wrong. I’m many things but a hater is not one of them.”

  Farah gripped the beer in her hand. “Thank you for not saying anything. Especially to Bones.”

  She flashed a cold smile before trying to soften it a little. She despised other bitches saying Bones’ name out loud. “You don’t have to thank me for anything. I wasn’t about to hand you over to nobody. We’re family.”

  Farah sighed. “I’m sorry, Zashay, with everything going on I feel like there’s nobody I can trust.”

  “I get it but I want to say something else because it needs saying.” She paused. “Like I mentioned, Willie told me about the love of your life. It broke my heart that you two can’t be together and if I were you I’d go see him in prison.”

  “But Bones would—”

  “Bones would what?” she paused placing her hands on her hips. “Girl, you would be crazy to let Bones ruin your bond with your man.” She waved the air. “Plus based on The Fold rules he shouldn’t be trying to hem you up anyway. Only Mayoni and Carlton consummated their bond. The rest of us belong to The Fold.” She lied.

  “I didn’t know that was a rule.”

  “Well it is.” Zashay touched her hand. “Bones didn’t say ya’ll were in a relationship did he? Because he told me you were cool. I think he said he looked at you like a little sister.”

  Farah laughed because she was laying it one way thick. “Not sure if I can be his sister. Especially the way he fucks me.”

  “That’s because playtime is playtime but we leave it at that. And you sound confused about seeing your man but I’m not. You better go to him while you can, Farah.” She paused. “If he loves you anywhere near as much as Willie let on you’d better move now.”

  “Even if I wanted I could never get out of here. Bones keeps things tight and if I’m not with you guys I’m not allowed outside. So it would be—”

  “I gotta tell you, all I hear is excuses. If you want the man let nothing stop you.” Suddenly she grew excited. “I have an idea.”

  “What?”

  “All I’m going to say is trust me.”

  ****

  Sexy black men in well hung suits and bewitching women wearing elaborate gowns filled the dim, glittery ballroom. The power group, Young Black Real Estate Men & Friends were having a party to celebrate the new building they purchased in downtown Washington DC, the future home to hundreds of eminent 30 something year old people. Money was in the air and just being around the pack made others in their company feel worthy.

  Zashay, holding Farah’s hand, stood in the doorway and observed the swarm. “Beautiful isn’t it?” She said, eyes sparkling as she eyed the prospects. “I feel like a kid in a blood store.”

  Sh
e was wearing a tight blue dress that hid just enough of her ass cheeks while Farah sported a black tight dress that expanded all the way to her ankles, exposing most of her cleavage for the thirst trap.

  “What about Bones?” Farah asked. “And not hunting on the outside?”

  She looked into her eyes. “What did you think I told you to get fly for?”

  “I don’t know…I just…

  “Farah, this is about us tonight. So I want you to learn these words. Fuck Bones.” She paused. “Now say it.”

  “Z, I’m not saying that shit.”

  “Say it!”

  Farah shook her head and mumbled, “Fuck Bones.”

  “Good, so whenever I have an idea and you think about him I want you to remember our motto.” She paused. “Fuck Bones.”

  The duo waltzed into the party with their clutch purses filled with gold blades held closely to their sultry bodies. In the middle of the floor the two danced seductively together as they gained attention from potential Givers and Haters. Although they were using their moves as bait they appeared uninterested in anyone else.

  Their dances were highly inappropriate as they twirled and popped their hips. Not even five minutes passed before Antonio and Roman, members of the association and career dope dealers, approached the ladies from behind.

  Handsome and assertive Farah and Zashay approved of the gents. For the next five songs the quartet swayed on the floor each learning the others motions, necessary for the fuck session that would go down later.

  Dick rock hard, Antonio lowered his head and moved his lips close to Farah’s ear. “Come on, sexy. Let me get you out of here.”

  Out of sight of Antonio and Roman she smiled and Zashay winked back, each indicating that it was time for blood.

  ****

  A crazy thing happened at the club…Zashay and Farah realized they both desired Antonio and a plan was placed to ditch his friend.