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Chapter 22-All Booked Up

Diana drove to the location where the boat races were usually held. She remembered halfway there that Tej wouldn't be home, but there on this particular morning. She burnt up the strip as she came to a screeching halt near the entrance. She saw Tej talking with some guys, probably setting up a race. They seemed to be booked today.

"TEJ!" she yelled. He swiftly turned around, the smile on his face fading when he saw her expression. He ran to the car.

"What's wrong baby girl?" he asked, sticking his head in the window.

"We need a place to stay," Diana said, feeling her heart race. The events of the morning were catching up to her.

"Everything with Jesse ok?" Tej asked, trying to read her face. For once, he saw complete fear in her eyes.

"I don't know. Can we get a boathouse here? Just to stay for-" Tej interrupted her.

"Shut up. You know you can. C'mon," Tej said, opening her car door.

He helped her unload baby Jessica and Cupcake out the car and into a nearby boathouse. He laid a sleeping Jessica on the futon in the shack. Diana stood at the window watching the ocean, worry clear on her face. Thoughts of Jesse ran threw her mind; will he be okay? Will she still have a husband to go home to? Will he settle everything with the UnderDawgs? She wasn't sure, but she hoped so.

"So what's going on?" Tej asked, rubbing his fingertips over Diana's shoulders, trying to comfort her. He didn't feel it, but a shiver bolted down her spine like a shockwave. What the fuck was that?

She turned to face Tej. He looked seriously concerned. She smiled inwardly at his bravery and concern.

"Jesse's in trouble with those guys. They won't let him out. This morning, they tossed a fucking brick through Jessi's window. I mean Tej, I don't know what to do anymore. I really don't," Diana said, struggling to stay on her feet. She was about to lose all the fight she had left.

"Hey, it's gonna be okay. I won't let anything happen to you. Or Danny. I won't let anything happen to any of you. Where's Jesse at now?"

"I dunno. I think he went to meet with them. Tej, please help him. I can't lose Jess. He's all we got," Diana said, finally crumbling to the floor. She was sobbing heavily. This was it, she kept saying to herself.

Tej's heart broke with each word she said. Stop being selfish and help her Tej Matthew Parker.

"Ok baby girl, stand up," he helped her up off the floor. He carried her to the bedroom that Jessica was sleeping in and laid her next to her daughter. "Everything will be okay. Jesse will be just fine. Get some rest, I'll handle it."

Tej left the shack and returned to the races. He ran his hands down his face. He wasn't exactly ready to get back in the life of crime he gave up during his teenage years, but he had to do something. He knew Di would never be the same if she lost Jesse. But he didn't know if he'd be able to live much longer without her. He loved her. He never loved a woman before. But he loved Diana. He was willing to do anything to make her happy. Even if it meant risking his life to save her husbands'.

"Yo Tej. What's up man?" a Hispanic man approached, wearing a bright smile.

"What's up Teddy?" Tej responded, greeting the slightly taller man. "Aye, I need a favor." Tej had an idea.

"Like what holmes?" Teddy asked, cocking an eyebrow at Tej.

"Gather up a few of ya vatos and meet me at the races tonight."

xxx

Jesse's POV

I was sitting in the back of the black Escalade between a guy who called himself 'Dingo' and Ronnie. They were about the size of Dominic...times two. When Ralph and Jeremy came to pick me up, boy did I get bitching. They warned me that if I ever pulled a stunt like that again, I wouldn't have a family to go home to. That changed my perspective of these guys. When I met them, they were just wannabe racer punks. But now, I know they are much worse than punks. They were killers. The guys didn't bother patting me down, so I was still packing my 9mm. There was a problem though; I wasn't a killer. If it came to, would I have to put a bullet in one of these men? My thoughts drifted to Dom. What would happen when he arrived? Would I still be alive by then? Before I could think of anything else, Dingo's fist connected with my right eye.

"I'm talking to you Stupid," Jeremy said, venom in his words. "I asked if your Jetta was any good for tonight?"

The Jetta. It was my only fate. If the Jetta wasn't working, I wouldn't have to race. Which meant no money. No money, no drugs. I'd be safe for tonight. But what about Ralph's car? That piece of shit can't run twice and win, no way. I had to think of something quick.

"It's temporarily down," I said, hoping they'd be happy with that.

"Really. How so?" Ralph asked, looking in the rearview mirror at me.

"Um, I blew the engine. Yeah, let some rookie drive it for a couple grand the other night, fucked it all up. Gotta build up a new one," that was the best you could come up with Jess? You're the Mad Scientist and all you came up with was a blown engine.

"Hmm," was all Jeremy said, turning back around in his seat.

After another fifteen minutes of driving, the car finally came to a hault. Fuck, we were at the races. The large crowd was preoccupied by other races to notice the Escalade pull up. We got out the car and approached Tej, who was mingling with some ladies. I thought for a second. The guys didn't know I associated with Tej outside of the races. Maybe I could get him to help me. But why would he? He's in love with my wife for Christ sakes.

"Tej. We need a race tonight," Ralph said, getting Tej's attention. Tej looked confident at me, as if to say everything was okay.

"All booked up Fuller. Come back next week dawg," Tej said, turning back to the crowd.

"I don't think you understand," Ralph swung Tej around to face him,"We need in a race. Tonight. Now," Ralph said sternly, stepping in Tej's face.

"I don't think YOU understand. I run the races here, not you. Now either you come back next week, or not at all. Get the hell out of my face," Tej growled, turning back to the slightly taller Hispanic man standing near him. I bent my head in frustration. If Ralph didn't get his way, he'd start trouble for sure.

"See my friend here," Ralph pulled out his glock, pointing it at Tej's head, "yeah, he says we race. Now." Tej smiled.

"Well," Tej pulled out his pistol from his waistband, along with several other men surrounding us, including the Hispanic man. "they say you don't. Now either you turn around and get out of my sight, or you can continue to cause problems. Make you're choice."

Ralph and Jeremy looked defeated as they stared at the many guns that were pointed at them. Ralph tucked his gun back in his pants and held his hands up. "Fine. I want a race next week. I'm not gonna be so lienient next time. Let's roll out," with that, we were making our way back to the car. I fought Ralph into letting me take a piss, only I needed to make a phone call.

"You're not booked are you Tej Parker?"

"Hell naw, we've only had two races so far." I smiled at that. Tej was in fact on my side.

"Thanks a lot back there man. How's Di and Jess?"

"They're good man. Look Jess, I gotcha back on this but don't do anything stupid man," Tej replied, convern in his voice.

"Don't worry bro, I won't. I just don't know what to do. I'm not a killer Tej. I can't just pop shots off here and walk away like it didn't happen."

"I know. You won't have to. I have a plan. Do you think you could get you're little buddies out of the house tomorrow?" I furrowed my eyes. What did he have up his sleeve?

"Maybe. Why? And for how long?" I was starting to become worried.

"Just a few hours. We're gonna do a little ... renovating," Tej said, a laugh following.

"Whatever man. Tej do me another favor. Call Dominic and tell him to get his ass here soon. I gotta go," I hung up my cell.

I ran back to the Escalade before they sent someone after me. When I made it there, Jeremy was standing outside the car, waiting. He slammed me up against the car, scolding at me. He jabbed me in my stomach, causing me to double over. I coughed some, the blow winding me. He slammed me back against the car, forcing me to face him.

"What took so long Jesse?" he asked, putting a hand above my head on the car.

"I was taking a piss," I replied, cradling my stomach.

"Don't fuck with me Jesse. You hear me? If you try to pull out again, I'll kill you myself. I am NOT one to be fucked with. NOT!" Jeremy yelled, slamming his hand onto the car. "Let's go," Jeremy slid in the passenger side of the car. I regained my composure and jumped in the Escalade.

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Sorry so short. Writers block is preventing me for thinking up more ideas. But read&review please.

-Kita