Page 60 of Dreaux: The Corporate Assassin

“Hang it up, Denim, and be thankful you’re still alive.”

That’s all she would say before hanging up the phone. The words rang out in my mind over and over. Dre could be back here at any minute to take not only my life but my daughter’s as well. He’s made it clear he’s not opposed to killing women and children, so I should probably be counting my lucky stars.

Another thing that’s played through my mind repeatedly is what he said about Bryce. Was he really who Dre made him out to be? He’s never shown me any signs to believe that he was sick, but what did I know? He hid an entire marriage and kids from me. For me to be a federal agent, how could I be so stupid?”

“Briley Boo, I need to ask you something?” I grabbed the remote and turned the television down before pulling her into my lap. “Mommy needs to talk to you about something very important, and I want you to be honest with me.” I gave her a soft, reassuring smile as she looked at me with bright and curious eyes. “Has your father ever done anything tohurtyou?”

“What you mean, Mommy?” she asked innocently. “Like spank me?”

“Yes… and no.” I rubbed her cheek. It was so hard for me to ask her these questions, but I needed to know. “Has he ever done things to you that feltwrong? Things that a daddy shouldn’t do?”

Tilting her head, she peered at me as if she were in deep thought. I never wanted my child to go through the ugliness of this world, especially at the hands of someone who was supposed to love and cherish her. If she told me he’d hurt her, I don’t know what I would do.

“Daddy’s never hurt me, Mommy. He played games with me, gave me lots of snacks, and gave me toys at bath time.” She smiled excitedly as she spoke of their time together. “He would look at me funny, but he never hurt me.”

“What about Rebecca or your brothers?” My heart beat rapidly in my chest as I awaited her answer. If she was truly helping her husband traffic kids, it was only a matter of time before she tried something with my daughter. Rebecca hated Bri, so I wouldn’t put anything past her.

“My brothers would just pull my hair and call me ugly.” Tears grew in her eyes, and I could hear the sadness in her voice. “Rebecca used to tell me that when I came to live with them, she was going to teach me how to be a good girl, but I was never bad, Mommy.”

“Hey, come here…” I pulled my daughter into my chest and held her as she cried. Angrily, I wiped my own tears as they began to fall. “You never have to worry about seeing Rebecca or your mean brothers ever again. Okay?” She nodded her head softly as she sniffled. “I’m never going to let anyone hurt you ever again.”

Right as I said that, there was a ding from the elevator. I held my baby close as the doors glided open. Fear washed over me as Andre stepped off, looking fine as ever. For him to be the devil, he was the sexiest sinner I’d ever seen. His lineup was always fresh, and even dressed down in sweats and a T-shirt, he displayed a boss-like aura that couldn’t be fucked with.

“Andreee!” Bri screeched as she jumped from my lap and padded toward him. The glare he gave me vanished when he scooped my daughter up in his arms. “I’ve missed you!”

“Well, damn, Bri! My feelings are hurt.”

Looking behind Dre, I spotted Jerome. Relief washed over me as I saw a familiar face. If I was living in my final days, I wanted Jerome to at least be able to get my daughter to my parents.

“I missed you, too, silly!” Bri giggled as Rome tickled her. She’d yet to let go of Dre, though. “I was going to ask Mommy if she could call you later, Dre. You told me you were going to take me to the mall and get my toes done.”

“How about you and me go downstairs to the bakery while Jerome and your Mommy talk?” Dre smiled as he hugged Bri. The way he was being with her was a complete contrast to the man who almost choked me to death nights ago. “Then maybe Jerome can take you to the mall tomorrow or something.”

“Yay!” She cheered as she looked over at me. “Can I go with Dre, Mommy? I promise to not each too much and bring you something back.”

“I really don’t want to let you out of my sight, Bri.” I fake pouted, although I was serious. Knowing what Bryce was potentially trying to do with her scared me. “How about we bake cookies instead?”

Pouting, Dre rubbed her back as he eyeballed me. There wasn’t hate in his eyes like nights before. Instead, there was nothing, and that scared me even more.

“How about this…” Dre placed Bri on her feet and crouched down in front of her. “We go in the kitchen and make a list of all the things you want to eat from the store, and I’ll go get it, and we can make it together. You think that’ll be better than going downstairs?”

“Can we do it on the balcony?” She pointed behind her. “I’m not scared, and I really want to sit outside.”

He chuckled as he grabbed her hand. “Yeah, come on. Let’s go in my office and find some paper.”

Stepping past me without another look, I watched as he and my daughter disappeared down the hall for a few minutes before coming back up the hall. I watched them slide the patio doors open, and he helped her into her seat as they began to talk like the best of friends.

“He loves Bri,” Rome said from behind me. Taking a seat next to him, I couldn’t help but place my head on his shoulder and wail. “Come on, Denim. You know I hate when you’re sad, bitch.”

“I messed up badly, Jerome, and I don’t know what to do.” I sobbed into his chest as he pulled me into his embrace. “He knows everything, and he hates me.”

Rome said nothing as he held me in his arms and allowed me to cry. I didn’t shed tears just for what could have been with Dre but for my daughter as well. I chose the worst possible father for her. I’d let my daughter down, and she deserved better from me.

“All right… get that shit out because you’re not crying over it again.” Jerome patted my shoulder as I calmed down. “We all make mistakes, sis, but the way we bounce back and learn from them is what matters. Are you done?”

“Yes…” I sniffed and whimpered as I dried my eyes. “I’m okay.”

“Good. Now, tell me why Andre called me and asked me if I wanted to come sit with you at his house instead of yours? I’ve been blowing you up for days. No one had heard from you, and if it wasn’t for Dre letting me know to tell your father that you were with him… they would have called the cops.”

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