"Wassup?" My heart immediately started looking for an escape route as Sage's name flashed onto the illuminated screen of my Galaxy S4.
"Is it done?" Once again his voice was stoic and all business, taking a deep breath I put on a fake smirk and responded,
"Of course, When have I ever been one to skip out on a job?" I asked with my arrogant attitude as usual.
"Good. Now, you know D-Mac is going to be out for your ass so why don't you stay low for a little while...consider it a vacation." My chest diminished as I released the breath I had no idea I was holding in.
"Don't have ta'tell me twice." With that I hung up before he could change his mind or worse; start asking questions. A vacation huh...gives me more time to keep Jewel hidden. Placing my phone down I went back to work on breakfast. Didn't think I could cook did you? Used to think it was for gay niggas, but aye bitches like a guy who can feed em'. Everything was pretty much done except for the bacon which was still frying up. I grabbed a few mugs out the cupboard for the coffee and the bottle of Patron from under the sink for mine. You have yo tactics to get the day goin' and I have mine.
"Little early to be drinking, isn't it?" A light, almost captivating, voice asked from behind me. I smirked.
"No. Grown men drink anytime of the day...you'd know that if you had any experience with a real man." I explained, she snorted scrunching her face up in disgust and about faced heading back to her room. Before she could get too far I had her by the wrist.
"Woah, woah, woah. I was just joking calm down, princess. You're not really gonna make me eat all this by myself, are you?" I asked giving her my killer smile. She ripped her arm from my grasp and shot me a dirty look. As she stepped back I took this time to take in the view. She was wearing one of my button-up shirts but it was tied and styled into a strapless dress, her hair was up in a stylishly messy bun and she looked beautiful. Though someone like her could make a trash bag look beautiful. I would've preferred if she kept the robe on. A grin formed on my face as the thought of what she was wearing under it came to mind. Don't remember stocking a bra and panties in her room...or any room for that matter.
"If you're done practically fucking me with your eyes the bacon is burning." She exclaimed crossing her arms with a smirk on her face. Took me a few seconds to actually comprehend what she just said as the burning pork odor invaded my nostrils.
"Shit!" I scrambled over to the stove snatched the pan off the eye and threw it in the sink. The corners of my lips curved downward into a scowl as her laughter bounced of the walls of the house.
"It's not funny." I growled glaring at her. She glanced at me and continued to laugh.
"I-I'm sorry it's-it's just-just so-," She couldn't even get the words out since she was too busy clutching her stomach in pain, "ok...ok I'm done."
"I could still kill you, you know." I mumbled turning off the stove and preparing my coffee as I took a seat across from her at the table. We sat in silence as we both filled our plates with eggs, pancakes, toast, what bacon was still edible and some hash browns. Watching her from under my lashes I smiled as she moaned in pleasure at her first bite. She blushed in embarrassment once she noticed I had caught on to that.
"This is really good." She admitted lowering her blue orbs in awkwardness.
"Wow, did you really just say something nice to me?" I asked in mock astonishment placing my hand over my heart. She rolled her eyes and went back to eating.
"Don't get used to it." We ate the rest of our meal in silence and once we both finished she was nice enough to grab both of our plates. Well look at that...actin' like the perfect housewife already. Finally getting tired of the awkward silence I decided to speak up.
"So what'chu doin' livin' wit a nigga like D-Mac anyway?" I asked fiddling with the toothpick in my mouth wedged firmly between my teeth.
"...being taken care of." She responded like it was the simplest thing in the world. I could tell she was lying by the tight tone in her voice. Funny I didn't know beating yo woman was taking care of her.
"You don' strike me as da gold diggin' housewife type, " Without thinking I strolled up behind her, placing my hands on both sides of her gripping the counter firmly. Slowly I leaned down to whisper in her ear, pushing my body closer to hers, "but if you want ta'be taken care of...den, maybe you should let a real nigga take care a'ya." A smirk formed on my lips as the whooshing sound of her breath hitching in her throat filled my ears. She pivoted so now we were face-to-face, pelvis-to-pelvis, lips barely an inch apart.
"And who is that man...you?" She retorted. The tone in her voice was ambivalent, but her eyes gave her away. The look in her two-toned orbs was full of perplexity and yearning. She tried to hide it by looking away from me but it was too late. People say the eyes are a gate to the soul...and she had just left hers wide open.
"I-I should uhh go and-yea." She slithered from under me and headed for the confinement of her room, head down and arms crossed. When she turned around I raised an eyebrow at the tattoo of Chinese writing on the back of her neck. Gonna have to ask her about that.
"Jewel, wait-"
"I have a name." She snapped stopping in her tracks. I'm starting to think this girl is bi-polar.
"An'dat name is...?"
"Shantel." Without even giving me a chance to reply she fled to her room and closed the door. This living condition has proven to be harder than I thought.
'Unless you wanna stay holed up in this house for the rest of your life wearing my shirts and only my shirts I suggest you come on!" I yelled snatching the silver keys from the glass embroidered bowl on the counter. Her bedroom door flew open as she bolted out of her room and ran up to me like a kid on Christmas.
"WE'RE GOING SHOPPING?!" She exclaimed grinning so hard I thought her cheeks would burst.
"Correction, you're going shopping. With your money...but I'll be happy to accompany you. She rolled her eyes and headed for the door when suddenly something clicked in her mind as she froze.
"I can't go outside looking like this!" She barked throwing her hands up. Glancing her over once again I shrugged.
"I don't see why not...hell with that outfit you might get some stuff for free." I replied with a wink, she smacked my chest playfully and stalked back to her room.
"I'm not going anywhere dressed like this." She stated leaving no room for argument, I groaned.
"If I get you some clothes and...a comb would that be better?" I asked clearly irritated. She put on a sickly sweet smile and nodded.
"Fine." While she went back to her room I pulled out my phone and texted the only other person I could trust and had some clothes she could probably fit. Cindy.
I need u 2 do me a favor.-Reezy
U kno I'm gon start chargn u 4 these "favors"...wat is it?-C-Murph
Yea yea...bring sum clothes over 4 Shantel.-Reezy
U want me 2 bring u sum clothes 4 sum hoe u picked up off da street? Fr?-C-Murph. I rolled my eyes at that. Typical Cindy.
No. Shantel is Jewel, Jewel is Shantel.-Reezy
Oh...I'd rathr bring clothes 4 a hoe...bt same difference-C-Murph. Now that shocked me...what was her problem? Could Cindy McPhearson be jealous?
Are u jealous?-Reezy
McFearsome is neva jealous...fine I'll bring da hoe some damn clothes-C-Murph.
I'm starting to think I might have to watch out for Cindy...I still trust her, but she actin' a lil shady. A sudden barking brought me out of my thoughts...forgot about the dogs.
"What was that?" I turned around to see a skeptical Shantel peaking around the corner from her room.
"They're called dogs. You know woof woof, bark bark, shit everywhere...invented doggy style."
"No, shit Sherlock." She retorted taking a seat next to me on the far side of the couch.
"Well you asked..." I grumbled low enough for only my own ears to pick up. Getting up I walked over to the curtained prairie door and slid it open; Jack and Daniels immediately ran over to Shantel. Don't worry they're kid and people friendly...just sometimes a lil too friendly. I expected her to freak out and head for the nearest exit, but she just sat there and let them jump all over her.
"Awww they're so adorable!" She squealed petting and rubbing the two of them. She had this look in her eye that was so loving and gentle...I bet she'd be a great mother.
"Thanks...saved them from a pet mill." Ok, now that was a lie, but I've done my research and I know for a fact women love guys who love animals.
"Really...maybe you're not such a jackass after all." She said with a small smile glancing my way, I gave her a cheeky grin.
"Yea well...I try." I replied in my cocky attitude.
"But I still think you're an arrogant, womanizer who only cares about money." Should've expected that.
"You'd be surprised." I mumbled, this time she heard me and I saw her brows furrow in confusion, but before she could question the doorbell rang. Without another word I went to the door to let Cindy in who looked pretty pissed.
"Here." She spat shoving a bag of clothes in my arms refusing to so much as look at me and directed her attention back to the car. We are going to seriously have a talk later. Locking the door I handed the bag over to Shantel then shoved the dogs into the kitchen so they could eat and be happy. Great it's already 12:30...by the time she's done it'll be 3:00.
"Oh well...might as well use this as chill time...and I should prolly change."
"C'mon let's go! Get your lazy ass up!" Oh great she's done. Peeking through my heavy lids and glancing down at my Rolex I saw it was 2:30...close enough. Looking over she had on this red crop top showing off her flat, toned stomach and pierced belly button which now had two diamond studs in it, ripped jeans, black Dr. Martens which I know for a fact Cindy was happy to get rid of, grey snapback with the Superman symbol on it and a gold chain. Good choice. Stretching my aching muscles I swung both my legs over the couch and to the best of my ability walked over, once again, to the front door. This time grabbing some shades along with my keys.
"Hope you have a big truck." She hinted snickering. We hopped in my jet black 2013 Nissan Juke and headed for the mall. She turned on the radio, but I payed no attention to what she was listening to. My mind was elsewhere...what if Sage finds out? Will he kill Shantel? And not to mention my ass is also on the line if either of them find her...can I still trust Cindy? Will D-Mac actually come after us? So many questions filled my mind on account of this current situation. How can I possibly hide her for...the rest of her life. D-Mac is going to be pissed and I know he won't give up just because she's "dead"...Sage has started a war and this time I don't think I can side with him on it. We need to leave and we need to leave now before this all blows up.
"You ok?" My thoughts were interrupted by Shantel's voice and her hand resting on mine which was gripping the wheel rather tightly. I softened my grip at the sight of my white knuckles.
"Yea...I'm fine." I murmured never taking my eyes off the road.
"You know...I'd like to know the name of my...'savior'." She confessed putting air quotes around savior.
"Riley...Riley Freeman." Finally pulling up to the mall I parked in my usual spot up close to the entrance, but not in handicap. Welcome to hell. Every man who has a girlfriend, wife, mother, whatever and has taken them shopping knows the struggle I am about to go through.
"Hey...what's that tattoo on the back of your neck mean?" I asked voicing what had been hanging around in the back of my mind all day. Her hand flew to the back of her head as if I had just revealed a secret that was never meant to be spoken.
"It means uh...beautiful wreck." (A/N: Tattoo is 美麗的殘骸 but you know...going vertically). Beautiful wreck, huh? Well maybe the Jewel isn't as flawless as it appears.
"Oh...nice" The closer we got to the entrance I started to stuff my hands in my pockets when her hand flying into mine stopped me. My brow rose as I shot her a, 'Is there a problem?, look. She rolled her eyes and tried to look calm and keep it cool, but of course could still not hide the heat in her cheeks.
"Don't get too happy, ok? I'm playing a part. That's it, that's all." Then again...maybe a little FWB won't be so bad.
Wooaahhh looks like things are heating up (not really lol). Don't worry they aren't about to hook up in the next chapter or anytime soon since Jewel is waaayy too stubborn (even though she has a lot of "my mind's telling me no but my body's telling me yes" moments, but let's face it...Riley is sexy lol. Just take a look at the cover image) and we all know Riley isn't the one woman type...but he is a huge flirt. And just so you guy's know there's now a pic of Huey and Jazmine's kids on my profile; Trinity and Riley, no they're not twins obviously, but use your imagination lol. Hope you guys are satisfied with the story so far. Some questions to think about:
-Will Jewel give it up to Riley?
-Is D-Mac seeking revenge?
-Will Cindy keep her mouth shut?
-Will Riley and Jewel actually escape Woodcrest before it all blows?
-Is anyone safe?
-Would Jewel and Riley actually make a cute couple?
Happy reading and until next time...
~xXBrokenThoughtsXx