Page 18 of Dope Boys: Most Wanted
“I have a feeling whoever you’re running from is going to tear the city up looking for you.”
Reign said nothing, just peeked out the back window to make sure no one was following them.
“Is it the mayor?” the woman asked.
Reign muttered, the pain along with the cold setting in. “The mayor is the least of my worries.”
“Your handler?”
Reign caught the woman’s eyes in the mirror.
“I can take you to a women’s shelter. There’s a few around the city. They’ll protect you.”
“They ask too many questions there. I just need a cheap hotel.”
“And clothes. You can’t get around Majestic Heights with no shoes. What size are you?”
“Seven.”
The woman nodded.
The ride falling silent until the car was stopped at a hotel in the lower east side of Lynnwood, The Lynnwood Grand.
“No one is going to bother you here, if they do, you call me and I’ll handle it,” the woman said before getting out and going to her trunk. She returned with a duffle bag. “You look like you’re a little smaller than me. Same shoe size. In this bag isclothes I haven’t worn yet. Just shit I wanted to blow money on. Take this.”
“I can’t take that from you,” Reign protested.
“You can and you will. And I put my card on the inside. Whatever you need, a ride, your hair done, whatever, you call me. If anyone bothers you, you call.”
Reign nodded. Kindness from a stranger was something she hadn’t experienced until today.
“Put those shoes on, I’m going to get you a room.”
“I can-”
“No. Keep whatever money you have. You’ll need it.”
The woman left Reign to don her cut feet with socks and shoes. Once she returned, Reign was outside of the car, hoodie pulled completely over her head and tied securely.
“Room 709. It’s paid up for a week. Get you some food and some rest okay?”
“Thank you. How do I pay you back?”
“You don’t. You just don’t go back.”
“I won’t,” Reign felt her voice crack.
“I’m Nia, by the way.”
Reign twisted her lips.
“You don’t have to tell me yet. Tell me when you trust me, okay?”
Reign nodded before nervously glancing down the street. Nia encouraged her inside.
“Go, I’ll be waiting on that call.”
Reign gave her a barely there smile before moving her sore body inside. When she reached her room, a flood of emotions hit her like a freight train. Back pressed against the door, Reign dropped her face into her hands and sobbed uncontrollably. She was free. At least for tonight, she was out of the web of darkness.
