Page 6 of Dreaux: The Corporate Assassin

“I am.” I stood from the bed and stretched. With my jobs, both legal and illegal, it was rare that I ever had time off for myself. Today was Sunday, and while I wanted nothing more than to sleep the day away, my heart was telling me that I needed to be in church. “I need to get going so I can make Sunday Service.” I bent over and picked up my joggers from the floor. “Sweets would kill me if she knew I had the day off and didn’t make it into the Lord’s house.”

As I continued to get dressed, I couldn’t help but chuckle as I thought about how damaged I was. Those closest to me often joke about how I should burst into flames as soon as I step on church grounds. How can I be a hired killer and still find time to praise and worship my creator? I have no clue. What I do know is I’m a child of God, and although I’m not perfect and will have to answer for the sins of this life, he loves me anyway.

“Well, if you wait for me, I can go with you.” Sandra entered her bathroom, and I could feel my dick twitch. She was so pretty to me with her coffee skin tone, expressive brown eyes, and an ass that sat up higher than two bunk beds. “I would love to see your grandmother again.”

Over the years, there have been times I had functions to attend, and I would have Sandra accompany me. She works for one of the vendors we use at Boudreaux Enterprises and made it known every time she came into the office that she wanted me. I’ve never been one to mix business with pleasure, but since she didn’t work with me directly, I saw no harm. She’s met my grandmother a time or two, but she’s never been known as anything other than a friend.

“Maybe some other time.” I locked eyes with her in the mirror as I washed my face. “You know how Sweets is… she will start thinking we’re a couple and?—”

“Is that a bad thing?” She stepped closer to me and allowed her naked breasts to rest on my torso. “We’ve been doing this same song and dance for a few years now, and I would like to put a label on things. I love you, Dre, and I want to be with you. Why is it so hard for you to be with me?”

Looking into her sad eyes, I felt bad for how things have gone. I know she loves me, and I have love for her too. The love I have is on the friend tip, though. It just so happens that she’s a friend I’m fucking.

I lifted her chin and brought her eyes to mine. “You know I can’t do that, baby. I have love for you, and I want to see you happy. I tell you all the time that the man you’re meant to be with isn’t me. You said you understood…”

“I do.” Tears welled in her eyes, and I sighed heavily. “I know we can be good together, Andre, and you know it too.”

“I gotta go, baby.” I kissed her forehead, gave her a quick hug, and let her go. Side-stepping her, I made my way back into her bedroom and grabbed my keys from the dresser. “Come lock up, and I will talk to you later.”

Hearing her sniffles behind me didn’t make me want to reconsider my words. I never wanted to hurt Sandra, and I felt like shit for doing it, but she knows what this is with us. I’ve given her outs on several occasions, and she’s always made her way back into my bed. She even knows about the other women and has stated that as long as she gets her time, she's not worried. I thought we knew what this was, but now it may be time to cut ties. Andre Boudreaux isn’t a man who does relationships. The expensive suits, tattoos, and deep pockets are what draw the ladies in. The charm and sense of humor I possess are nothing compared to the darkness and demons within me. Still, I wouldn’t change a thing about my life.

Sandra lived in the heart of the city, so it was going to take me well over an hour to get back to the compound. Looking at the dashboard, I decided to make a quick stop at Waffle House for breakfast.

“Shit… looks like I came just in time,” I muttered to myself.

Looking up from his phone, I locked eyes with Jules. The place was fairly empty since it was so early in the morning. The club crowd was gone, and soon, patrons who were attending early morning services would be filing in.

“What’s up, bro?” I reached across the table and gave him a fist bump as he cut into his waffle. “What are you doing out this time of morning?” Giving me a slow smirk, I chuckled at his subtle answer. “You know what? Nevermind. How about you come to church with me this morning? Seems to me… I’m not the only one that needs a little bit of prayer.”

“Is that right?” Jules replied as the waitress came over and took my order. “Make sure you add my stuff to his ticket, beautiful. This nigga is loaded.”

Shaking my head at his antics, I ordered my All-Star breakfast and made idle chit-chat before my food was presented to me. Blessing it quickly, I dived straight in.

“So, which one of those fast-ass hussies were you booed up with last night?” he asked, causing me to choke on my juice. “I might as well beat Sweets to the punch because you know she is going to ask.”

“I was with Sandra, and I think it was the last time.” I shook my head as I chewed my bacon. “She told me she knew what this was with us, but every time I look up, she crying and talking about how much she loves a nigga. I don’t want to hurt her any more than I already have, so I’m going to just cut her off.”

“Why are you so opposed to settling down, Andre?” He wiped his mouth and eyed me intently. “You’re crazy as hell, and you’re good nigga. Do you not want a family? A warm body to go home to every night?”

Continuing to eat, I mulled over what he said in my mind. Yeah, it would be nice to have a family and someone to love, but that’s not in the cards for me. My life consists of Boudreaux Enterprises and the Family. There’s no room for anything else.

“My father loved the ground my mother walked on before he died. The love they had for each other was borderline insanity.” I scoffed as I thought about all the times they tried to kill each other over money and infidelity. “I saw what work, women, and money did to him. I don’t want that for me.” I wiped my mouth and eyed my watch. I still had another forty-minute drive before I even got to the family compound. “I’m good on all that, bro.” I stood from my seat and pulled a couple of hundreds from my pockets. “I gotta head out. Kiss Bunny for me.”

“I’ll turn you into a snail right now, nigga.” He mugged me, and the smile I was sporting dropped. “Talking about kissing my damn girl for you like I won't ruin your fuckin’ day. Have you ever wondered what it was like to be a beetle, bitch?”

“Aight, I’m gonna head out.”

I threw up the deuces and got my ass out of there quicker than I came. I know that my sin is no greater or lesser than the next man, but Boko is by far the craziest and scariest nigga I’ve ever met. I thank God daily that he’s my boy because I would hate to have to deal with that witch shit. Looking at my watch once more, I knew I would be pushing it by heading home first to shower and change while trying to make it to church on time. However, a piece of the word is better than none at all. Late or not, the house of God would be seeing me.

* * *

“Too many times,we focus on things that can go wrong. We sit back and wonder how we’re going to make it out of our storm. I’m here to tell you today… that I serve a God that can calm the most raging sea! No matter how much it seems you are drowning, My Father can step in, scoop you up in his arms, and dry you off with the flick of his wrist!” Pastor Jones shouted from the top of the pulpit.

“I’m here to tell you today to not let your fears consume you! Don’t let the ‘what ifs’ cripple you! God sees all and knows all and will make it alright!” He stepped from the podium and made his way toward the congregation. “God wanted me to tell you that no matter what’s bothering you, come to Him. Are those kids stressing you out? Give it to God! That man can’t stop cheating and wants out of the marriage? Give it to God! That woman is no longer in love with you and found comfort in another? Give it to God!”

Like I knew I would be, I was late getting to church. The reverend sounded as if he was on the tail end of his sermon, and I hate I missed it. The members of the congregation were shouting and on their feet. Stepping inside, I glanced around and found Sweets on the front pew. It wasn’t hard to miss her because she always wore the biggest hat, knowing the people behind her couldn’t see.

“Take your time, Pastor!” my grandmother waved and shouted. She stood to her feet right as I slid in beside her. Smiling at me, she turned her attention back to the reverend. “Let him use you!”

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