Page 1 of Walk Thru The Fire

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Chapter One

Jackson ‘Stacks’ DeLuca

The day Kasha left my house still plays in my mind. It’s been almost two months, and I still haven’t heard anything from her ass. No sign. No nothing. She even turned her location off and blocked my number. At first I thought she was snatched up, but when I found out Jace was with her, I knew she played me. All I could think about was her setting me up along with her bitch ass baby daddy. That alone is enough to make my lil’ homie Jace an orphan because that’s exactly what he’ll be once I get my hands on him raggedy ass mama and bitch ass daddy. As much as I cared about her ass, I wasn’t about to let her get me off of my square. That’s probably what they wanted in the first place,hoping to catch me slipping. I was on point though and I had something for the both of them.

I had a meeting with Stone to see if he found out some information for me. I needed any and everything I could get my hands on at this point. I knew Buck would be pissed about me moving without him, but when I had some solid shit, then I’d fill him in. He had a family to think about, and I wasn’t about to pull him into no shit just because.

I pulled up to the bike yard on my bike and rode it under the awning on the side and parked. When I took my helmet off, Stone was sitting at one of the tables talking to Don. It was a few more people here, but it always was. I approached Stone and Don, dapping the both of them up.

“What’s good?” I took my seat and gave Stone my undivided attention.

“We finally got eyes on that nigga’s mama. She’s been out-of-town visiting her sister, but she came back home on yesterday. I had Rock stay out there to keep an eye on things until you said how you wanted to move.” I nodded because this was the bit of information that I needed. Dumb niggas always slipped up and left their mamas out in the open.

“Aight, bet. Shoot me the address and I’ll go check it out.”

“You need me to go with you?” he offered.

“Nah. I’ll probably take Buck with me, so he won’t be bitching. I’ll let you know if that changes, though. Good looking out.” I slapped hands with Stone and headed inside to check on things.

The bike yard was more of a clubhouse where bikers came and hung out. We sponsored a few races and bike shows occasionally. I got into bikes when I was around seven. My first bike resembled a motorcycle, and I’ve been hooked ever since. I rode my bike every damn where unless an actual vehicle was needed. I had other vehicles, but my bike was my baby.

After checking on everything here, I left, but not before telling Stone I’d hit him up later. I got on my bike and headed to my next destination, which was Kasha’s parent’s house. I checked in on her mama a few times a week to see if she’d heard from her trifling ass daughter, and her answer was always the same. No. I could tell she wasn’t lying to cover for her either. Her face bore too much worry for her to be lying.

I pulled up to her parent’s house and parked my bike behind her pop’s truck. When I got to the door, I put my hands in the pocket of my sweats and waited for someone to come to it. After waiting a few seconds, I heard the locks turn and her mama was at the door.

“Hey, Jackson. Come in.” She stood off to the side to let me in. I waited until she closed the door before I pulled her into a hug and followed her into the living room. “How have you been?” she asked as she took a seat on the couch, and I sat opposite of her on the loveseat.

“I’m straight. How you holding up?” The look etched on her face let me know she wasn’t doing good at all. Mrs. Janice wasn’t old. She was only fifty-two, but the stress of worrying about her daughter and grandson had aged her at least ten years.

“I’m as good as I can be. I just can’t believe that Kasha would just leave like that, especially with her condition.” Kasha had diabetes and had to take medication every day. I picked up her last prescription, so it should be time for her to refill it.

“Have you checked in with her doctor?”

“I have and at first she was saying she couldn’t talk to me about her. Once I told her what was going on, she agreed to let me know if she sees or hears from her.” I nodded just as her pops, David came into the room.

“Hey, Jackson. How you doing, son?” I stood and shook his hand before sitting back down.

“I’m good. I just came to check on y’all to make sure things were straight.” He nodded.

“Have you heard anything?” He looked hopeful, just like his wife.

“I haven’t. I came to see if y’all have. I have people checking things out, though. As soon as I hear something, I’ll let y’all know.” They nodded.

I stayed a little while longer just to see if Kasha would call. She never did. I finally got ready to leave, but not before assuring Kasha’s parents that I would let them know if I heard anything and vice versa. I just pray for her sake that they hear from her before I do, or they’d be identifying her body.

***

When I left Kasha’s parent’s house, I hit Buck up to see if he wanted to take the ride with me to go holla at that nigga Gator’s mama. I should’ve known he wasn’t gone let me go in blind, so I was at his house now waiting for this slow ass nigga.

“Man, you could’ve called me when you finished that shit.” I frowned as that nigga came downstairs with that stupid ass grin on his face.

“Don’t get mad because I can still get pussy and yo’ bitch ghosted yo’ dumb ass.” He pushed my head as he walked over to me.

“Keep yo’ dick beaters off me, nigga.” I frowned.

“Hey, Stacks.” Nic came in the room with my nephew in her arms. This lil’ nigga looked just like his ugly ass daddy. I went to reach for him, and she handed him over.

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