Page 7 of Dreaux: The Corporate Assassin

“Is your job stressing you out? You feel like your actions, duties, and obligations are putting you in a space that has you at war mentally and spiritually?” he continued as he looked directly at me. Walking over, he placed his hand on my shoulder. “Give it to God! Romans Chapter 3 Verse 23 says… we all have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory! Do you think just because your neighbor’s sin is greater in your eyes that your chances are better than theirs at getting into Heaven? Whether it’s adultery or murder, we all have been tainted one way or another by the ugliness of this world.”

I nodded my head as I gazed up at his piercing glare.

“I serve a God that sits high and looks low. He died so that we may have a chance at life. You will not get into Heaven judging the next man because of what he does. Jesus loves us as God loved Him.” He gave my shoulder a tight squeeze before he continued his quest and wrapped up his sermon. “I’m here today to tell you… it’s time to get your houses in order. Don’t let another day pass you by and you don’t know my Father for yourself. I can’t get you into Heaven. That praying grandmother can’t get you into Heaven. He is the way, the truth, and the life. All of the praises and glory go to Him!”

By now, the entire congregation was on their feet. Even I clapped and felt chills all over from the power of his words. I’m not a perfect man—I’ve sinned and taken many lives, but I love the Lord. I know what He has done for me and my life. I know when this life is over, I have to atone for the pain I’ve inflicted in this life. No matter how much of a demon I might be, I still have my faith.

“The doors of the church are open!” he panted as he wiped the sweat from his brow. “Choir, do your thing.”

It took no time for the benediction to wrap up, and church was over. My grandmother embraced me in her arms, as only she could, and told me how glad she was that I attended. One introduction to a few members turned into an entire meet and greet. While I was over it and ready to go, I would never tell Wanita that.

“You look good today, Sweets.” I grinned as she looped her arm in mine as I led her out to the churchyard. “You should let me take you out to dinner today.”

“And risk running into one of your little girlfriends…” She huffed as she squinted up at me. The sun was shining bright, and it was pretty warm outside today. “I’m feeling good from the pastor’s sermon, and I don’t want to have to put my religion down and whoop some tail.” We shared a laugh as I walked her over to her new Cadillac sedan that I’d purchased this past Christmas. “Besides… I’m cooking today, and I would love for my grandson to come by.”

I wanted to decline because I knew there was a chance my mother would be there. She and I haven’t had much of a relationship these past three years. We didn’t see eye to eye on the subject of my father, and it wasn’t up to me to convince her of the truth. That was her husband, and if she wanted to be loyal to him, even in death, based on the vows she took, that was on her. As for me, my loyalty died when I found out how much of a bastard he was.

“He won’t be able to go anywhere but the emergency room if he doesn’t unhand my wife.”

Chuckling, I glanced over my shoulder and locked eyes with Pastor Jones. My grandfather was a man of God, but many, including me, knew not to try him. He hasn’t always been in the church, and he was aware of some of my dealings. Between him and my grandmother, I need the closest connection with God I can get.

“Hey, Pop.” I extended my hand for him to shake, but he pulled me into a hug instead. “It’s good to see you.”

“You too, son.” He patted my back and looked me over once we detached. “It was good to see you in church this morning. I was going to call you tonight for prayer.”

“Sorry, I was late,” I said as I held the door open for my grandmother. “It’s hot out here, and I don’t want this sweet lady to melt.” I smirked as he frowned. “I’m going to follow you guys home.”

After helping her inside the car, I watched him get into the Cadillac truck that matched hers. One thing I’m going to do until one of us leaves this world is spoil them both. Most of the members were gone, while a few lingered and gathered in the lot. Watching my grandparents pull away from the church, I did the same and followed them the short distance to their home. Not even fifteen minutes later, they were pulling into their modest four-bedroom home. I’ve wanted to buy them a new house several times, but they always declined. There was nothing wrong with what they had; I just wanted them to have the best.

“So, how’s business with Boudreaux Enterprises?” my grandmother asked as she took her seat beside me at the table. Today, we were having a pot roast and collards, and I was full as hell already. I know for sure I’m going to take a nap before I go home. “Your cousins called me the other day and checked on us. I love them so much. That Jules is an angel.”

“A what?” I yelled a little louder than I expected. “We can’t be talking about the same Jules, Sweets.”

Earl and Wanita Jones are my mother’s parents, so they weren’t aware of Boudreaux Mafia or the Family. They knew I was the Vice President of Boudreaux Enterprises and that my line of business sometimes causes me to incorporate fatal punishments. They know I’ve taken lives, but they never ask questions about it. They don’t approve of my work beyond the office or my lifestyle, but they never judge me for my sins.

Sweets smiled as she sipped her tea. “He’s a sweet young man, and he’s respectful. I told him and his brother to bring those kids over here and let me see them—those wives of theirs too. If Jules can settle down and get engaged, I know there’s hope for you yet.”

I knew it wouldn’t be long before she started with me getting a woman. Looking over to my grandfather for help, all he did was shrug as he continued to eat. Thankfully, there was a knock on the door that pulled their attention from me.

“Mama, whose car is that in the yard?” I stiffened at the voice and the steps that came closer. “It’s nice and—oh… it’s him.”

“Hey to you too, Mama.” I nodded and looked over toward the entrance of the kitchen. The look of disgust on her face broke my heart. At the end of the day, it hurt knowing my mother hated me. “You look nice today.”

Dressed in a simple royal blue maxi dress and sandals, Mattie Boudreaux was beautiful. With her chocolate skin and high cheekbones, she looked like the younger version of my grandmother. She was a plus-sized woman who always carried herself with confidence. She and I had the absolute best relationship when I was a kid, but when I got older, things changed.

Taking over as an enforcer in Boudreaux Mafia, my father wasn’t happy about it. While he was the right hand to Rosier’s dad, he felt that we were the ones who truly ran things. I never felt that way, and eventually, he stopped speaking to me about the secret animosity. I guess that left room for him to confide in my mother about things she had no business knowing. She always felt she was better than Ma Ros and wanted the spotlight that came with being with the head Boudreaux in charge.

“Come on in and grab a seat, dear.” My father stood and hugged his daughter. “It’s been a while since we’ve sat and ate dinner as a family.”

“Who said we’re going to start back today?” She continued to frown at me as she set her purse on the counter. “How dare you come here and act as if it’s not because of you and thatfamilyof yours that my husband is dead?”

“Mattie… please don’t start this again, honey.” My grandmother sighed as she went over to the stove and began to fix my mother’s plate. “Claude died in a car accident that he caused when he decided to drive drunk. You need to accept the fact that?—”

“I’m not accepting a damn thing!” she shouted as she shot daggers my way. “Claude was next in line to take over as head of the Family, and Dre knows that! They killed him because they knew he would be better suited for mafia life and undo everything Samuel did as Boss! My husband should have been the one with the money and power.” She stepped to me, and I kept my face neutral. “How can you still work for them knowing what they did to him? Do you know all of the things those people have done? That damn mafia?—”

“Ma, you don’t know what you’re talking about, and it’s best you be quiet when speaking on matters you know nothing about either,” I stated as calmly as I could, causing her to pause. “Mafias haven’t been a thing for years. Even if it was, speaking on matters like that can get you and the ones you loved most killed.”

“Are you threatening me?” She gritted her jaw together as she clenched her fists. “Is that why they killed your father?”

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