Page 35 of Dreaux: The Corporate Assassin

“Yeah, you ready?” he asked, smacking in my ear. “Or you decided to have a slumber party so you could cuddle and shit?”

Hanging up on him, I strolled out the door. The night air was brisk as fuck, and I was more than ready to get to the condo so I could shower and go to bed. Taking note of my surroundings, I liked how the streets had no form of life. It was almost three in the morning, and everyone was sound asleep.

“Damn, nigga! Those wings must be good as hell with the way you’re smacking?” I frowned as I blew into my hands to warm them up. “You could have at least asked a nigga if he wanted an order. I got money to pay.”

Pointing toward the backseat, I saw a to-go container with my name on it. The ride to my condo was on the other side of town, so we had a little way to go before we got there. Getting comfortable, I began to tear into my food. In the distance, I could see flashing lights. Sitting up, I closed my box as Skip was being flagged to stop by a uniformed officer.

“Mr. Mills, good evening.” The officer leaned onto the driver’s window and greeted Skip as we approached the scene. “I’m going to have to ask you to follow the detour signs to get to the other side of town. This ramp has been closed off.”

“Is everything okay?” Skip asked as he looked from the officer to the scene before us. “It looks pretty bad up there.”

“Car accident.” The officer shook his head as he peered ahead. “Single car that flipped and caught fire. Unfortunately, no survivors.”

Blowing a low whistle, I resumed eating my wings as the officer pointed out the route Skip needed to take. Getting a glance at the wreckage, I could see the smoke coming from the charred bodies as they lay out on the asphalt.

“Hope they made peace with God,” I mumbled with a mouth full of chicken. “Never know the day nor the hour, especially when you’re dealing with a nigga like me.”

The dinging of the penthouse elevator pulled me from thoughts of Denim’s cousins. She called me the next day in her feelings about the accident, and I gave her my condolences. She asked if I could come over and see her, and I did. I didn’t want to abandon her in her time of need, and although we were just casual, I didn’t mind comforting her. Those folks were her family, and it was natural for her to be in mourning. I’d just fucked the lining out of her pussy, so the least I could do was cuddle with her. Killing two more people in Milly Grove was not on my agenda, but I will never tolerate someone disrespecting or threatening me. I wasn’t going for it, and it was unfortunate that her cousin had to find out she was dealing with a real-life killer the way she had.

“My baby!” my grandmother sang and ran to me as soon as she stepped off the elevator. It’d been a few weeks since I’d seen my girl, and I was more than happy to have her come visit me. “You’ve grown so much!”

“Wanita, unhand him and let me love on my boy.” My grandfather ordered with a smile. It was always funny how they treated me as if I was ten years old. “You look well, son.” He pulled me into his embrace and patted my back. “How’s Milly Grove been treating you?”

Pop knew of a few things I’ve gotten into since I’ve been here, and while he’s not too happy about it, he’s still been my main source of prayer and guidance.

“Your sweet baby has been causing a ruckus in the city since he stepped foot here,” Wild’s stupid ass chimed in as he and Skip helped bring the bags in. I had a meeting with Uno today, so they did me a solid by picking up my grandparents from the airport. “The ladies love his ugly tail, for one.”

“You want to tell Sweets aboutyourrun-in with the ladies, or is this just about me?” I raised my brow at Wild, causing him to instantly shut his mouth. “That’s what I thought.”

Skip chuckled as he brought in the last bag. “Is there anything we can do for you, Mr. and Mrs. Jones? If not, Wild and I are going to get going and let you all get settled. Plus, we want you all to come back and visit us. If you stick around my brother too long, you may head for the hills early.”

As I turned to face and thank him, I noticed the figure standing behind him for the first time. My mother was standing, quiet as a lamb, looking around as if waiting for a coyote to attack. My grandmother told me there would be a chance that she’d come on this trip with them, but I didn’t think she would. She and I hadn’t spoken since the day at my grandparent’s house, so I didn’t know how to greet her.

“Hey, Mama…” I walked over, deciding to pull her into my arms. She stiffened before wrapping her arms around me. I won’t lie; it felt good to be embraced by her. Smiling at her, I added, “How are you doing? How was your flight?”

“I’m good, Andre.” She returned a small smile as she clutched the strap of her purse. “The flight was nice. Thank you for flying us first class, but it would have been nice to have been on the jet.”

The disdain in her voice caused my smile to drop suddenly and all chatter to cease. My mother had a way of ruining the simplest moment with her snide remarks and rude attitude. Taking a deep breath, I ignored her comment and turned to Skip to dap him up. After thanking him, he walked to hug my grandparents before he grabbed his brother and left.

“Now, Mattie! We agreed that we would enjoy this trip and try to mend our relationship as a family.” My mother frowned as she took a seat in the living room. “We’re not going to do this.”

“Do what?” my mother asked as she began to stroll around the living room. Her nose was turned up as she looked at the expensive decor. “How are we supposed to heal if I can’t speak my truth?”

Leaning against the wall, I crossed my arms and watched my mother as if it was my first time seeing her. I thought that because she showed up here, she was ready to have a civilized conversation with her baby boy, but I guess I was wrong. If only she knew how imperative it was for her to convince me she wasn’t a threat to the Family, maybe she would be singing a different tune.

“Mattie, have a seat,” my grandfather called out to her and pointed to the empty loveseat across from him and my grandmother. “We’re going to discuss this now because I’m not about to listen to this the entire week.”

I could tell my mother wanted to fight him on it, but she did as instructed and plopped down on the loveseat. Walking over to the kitchen, I grabbed three bottles of water before returning to the common space.

“Say whatever it is that’s on your chest, Mama.” I handed her one of the bottles as she mugged me. “I’m not one to ever do the back and forth, but I will make an exception one time and one time only. Speak your peace so we can move on.”

Taking a sip of the water, she eyed me before snickering. My parents and I looked at her as if she was crazy, but we let her have her moment.

“Move on?” she asked as she leaned forward and looked at each of us. “You hear that? Your grandson wants to move on and act as if he’s not the reason my husband—his father—is no longer here today. You killed him!”

I could feel my jaw tick as the blood in my veins began to chill. I was so tired of the same dance and song with this woman. It was time to give her a rude awakening.

“You wanna know the truth, Mother?” I reclined in my seat and got comfortable as I observed her. “Your husband wasn’t a good man.” She went to say something, but I held my hand up to stop her. “I let you talk, and now you will be quiet and let me.” Neither she nor my grandparents said anything as I continued, “Your husband… my father, as you keep reminding me, was a pervert. He bought and sold women against their will without a care in the world.”

---