Page 17 of Dreaux: The Corporate Assassin

Shrugging her shoulders, she went back to cooking. Before long, my father and daughter moseyed into the kitchen, complaining for an afternoon snack. I made a few chicken sliders and enjoyed spending time with them. I missed this quality time and was so happy to be back home to compensate for lost time.

Ding Dong!

“I got it!” I shouted as I reached the bottom of the stairs. I’d just put my baby down for a nap, and I was thinking of taking one myself. Pulling the front door open, I squealed and jumped into my cousin’s arms.

“Rome!” I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly. “I’ve missed you, cousin.”

Jerome and I have been thick as thieves our entire lives and were raised as siblings. At an early age, he knew he was different, and some of our family members didn’t fool with him. Being a gay black man wasn’t the easiest thing in the world to be, but as long as he had me, he would always have someone in his corner.

“Baby Dee!” He tittered as he squeezed me in his arms. “I’ve missed you, sis.”

Placing me back on the ground, I grabbed his hand and shut the door behind us. I dragged him into the den and pushed him onto the sofa with me sitting beside him. I was so giddy with excitement that I couldn’t contain it.

“I’m so glad you came over here today.” I turned to face him as I sat Indian style. “Mama told me she didn’t invite the rest of the family for dinner, and I’m thankful she didn’t. You know we would have torn this place up.”

Looking my cousin over, I couldn’t help but smile at him. Rome has never been one to care what others think about him, and it shows each and every time you’re graced by his presence. His feminine energy exuded from him, and you couldn’t help but gravitate toward him. He was always dressed in the most stylish clothes, his face was forever beaten to the gods, and the hairs on his head and face were never out of place. He was so tall that he could have easily played basketball, but a different set had his attention more. He was a bad bitch trapped in a man’s body but never wanted us to address him as a woman. He was simply Jerome. Gay, straight, or anything in between, he was my everything.

“Girl, I would have turned Unc’s house every which way but loose.” He rolled his eyes and smirked. “Every time I’m around your people, he has the law on standby.”

“That’s crazy. considering my daughter is a federal agent, and I’m a judge.” My father startled us as he walked into the room. He walked over to Rome and hugged him tightly. “How you doing, nephew?”

“I’m good now that my best girl is back in town!” He pulled me into another hug. “I’m going to let you get situated, but I’m not going for you being an old lady and sitting in the house all day. It’s time for you to go outside and shake what your mama gave you!”

Pulling me from the couch, he began twerking to whatever music was playing in his head. Before long, I was dancing with him. My father watched us and laughed before my mama came in to see what all the fuss was about. It didn’t take long before she turned the music on and joined in.

I was in heaven right now, laughing and turning up with my mother and cousin. By the time we’d finished, I was winded. Back seated on the couch, I listened to my father and mother talk about what’s been going on in the family, and my mind replayed what Jerome said about me going out and having a little fun. The more I thought about it, the more he was right. There was nothing wrong with me living a little. The time is now, and I’ll be damned if I continue to get in my own way.

* * *

“Special Agent Atkins.I wasn’t expecting to see you so soon.”

Looking up from my computer desk, I locked eyes with my supervisor. His beady eyes roamed my office as he stepped inside. I watched him as he placed his hands behind his back and took in all of my accolades plastered along the walls. The only thing I didn’t have hanging were photos of my family, especially my daughter. I never brought her into my work in any capacity. The more I watched him roam and assess my space, the more frustrated I became.

“Agent Roberts, is there something I can help you with?” I pushed my chair back slightly and stood from my desk. “I didn’t know there was a time frame that I needed to stay away. Am I under investigation or something?”

“What? No…” He frowned as he took a seat in one of the office chairs before my desk. He unbuttoned a few buttons on his suit jacket and got comfortable. “Have a seat, and let’s chat for a bit, agent.”

Sighing, I sat as he commanded. He and I didn’t have the best relationship, but I try to keep the lines of respect open. For a moment, we just sat there and eyed each other before he simpered lowly.

“You’ve always been straight to the point.” He shook his head and focused on the glass window in my office that viewed the office floor. Here, there were only a few agents stationed, and we all got along well. The majority stayed to themselves and did the job that was required of them, only engaged when necessary. It was a plus for me that my assigned location just happened to be a few hours from my hometown because I preferred not to engage at all.

“Well, I feel like if there is something that needs to be said, there’s no need to beat around the bush.” I adjusted my suit jacket and continued, “With that being said, I feel like there’s some underlying issues you have with me. Care to share?”

I looked on as his jaw ticked and knew immediately that I was right. Leaning forward in the chair, he observed me sternly and tried his best to intimidate me. I wasn’t easily rattled, though; he should’ve known that by now.

“While the higher-ups applaud you for the work you did bringing down Mr. Williams, I find it deplorable. The way you were dressed when we raided the dummy home?—”

“I was assigned to do a job, and I did that job, sir.” I returned his glare and cut him off. “I’ve been cleared, and nothing I did was unethical. If you have a personal issue, that’s just what it is… personal. The goal was to collect more evidence against him and place him under arrest in federal custody. Is that not where he is?”

It’s been two weeks since I’ve been home and a week since I’ve been back in the office. Upon arrival, the first thing I did was check the status of Nate’s case. He’s being held on federal gun and drug charges with no bond. I’m not sure why the murder charges are pending, but from what I can see, he won’t be coming home anytime soon.

“Be that it may, I still feel like you could have gone about it a different way. I do not believe we will ever agree on this matter. However, we can both agree that a level of professionalism is required as an agent in this bureau, Agent Atkins. If you plan to continue to rise in the ranks, it would be wise to take different routes to secure convictions.” He leaned back in his seat and eyed me before he continued, “Now, as you know… it’s common for audits to be done on agents’ computers to ensure the safety of the agency. We check to make sure no files have been downloaded and uploaded that carry potential threats and viruses.”

“Okay.” I gave him a confused look. “We learned that week one in the academy.”

“Care to share why you’re looking into the Boudreaux family?” He raised his brow at me and awaited my answer. “Is there an upcoming assignment I need to know about?”

As I returned his stare, I thought over how I needed to answer this question. Over the years, informants and officers have gone missing or died once they started giving us intel on the Boudreaux family and their illegal dealings.

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