Murderville

FIFTEEN



A’SHAI REACHED OVER AND GRABBED LIBERTY’S HAND. His tires screeched against the stone driveway as he pulled off Baron’s property. He was torn and his disloyalty plagued him as he thought of how he was turning his back on the only family he knew. But as Liberty intertwined her fingers with his, he remembered that he was the only family she knew and he could never leave her out in the cold.

“I’m going to take you somewhere safe . . . we need to lay low for a few days until I can come up with a plan. I need some time to think,” A’shai said.

Liberty looked out of the window feeling truly free for the first time. She had not seen A’shai since they were kids, but being with him felt right. It was the only thing that had ever felt right in her entire life.

“Thank you,” she said sincerely as she turned towards him. “You don’t even know how you saved my life.”

A’shai pulled her hand up to his mouth and kissed the back of it gently.

“I’m sorry for pulling you into this mess with me,” Liberty whispered. “It seems like your life turned out okay . . . like maybe MURDERVILLE benefited one of us. I can tell you getting on that ship was the biggest mistake I have ever made in my life. But you . . . you were lucky. Things got better for you.”

A’shai could hear the sadness in her voice as she spoke, and he couldn’t help but feel guilty for the way things had ended up. He hadn’t seen the type of struggle that she had and he silently wondered about the things that she had been through over the years. Liberty had gotten the short end of the stick and despite the fact that they were both kids when they were taken, A’shai felt as if everything that had happened to her was his fault.

“Don’t apologize for anything. I owe you this. I didn’t protect you. All of those years ago, I should have just admitted that I didn’t have a plan. I was running scared just like you. Instead I led you right into hell. That’s what that ship was Liberty . . . it was hell and I took you there,” A’shai admitted.

“It wasn’t hell until they took me away from you,” Liberty replied under her breath. She didn’t think that A’shai had heard her, but his ears intercepted every word. He tightened his hold on her hand as he eased his Range Rover onto the interstate.

“Get some rest, Liberty. We will be driving for a while,” he said.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked.

“Up north. My family owns a winter home near Boyne Mountain. It’s secluded. You’ll be safe there,” he responded.

Liberty closed her eyes and the peace that settled over her was so foreign that she immediately popped them back open. She had never gone to sleep with a serene mind and heart. There was always a threat lingering in her life. She was used to being preyed upon by others who wanted to hurt her. With A’shai it was different. It was as if time had stood still for them because she still felt the same love for him that she had so many years ago. In his presence she felt safe. He noticed her hesitation and put his hand on her shoulder as he rubbed the tension out of her neck. “Relax. I got you,” he said. She closed her eyes and went to sleep without reservations.

The five-hour drive north gave A’shai time to clear his mind. He knew the risk that he was taking but felt that he didn’t have a choice. It was his obligation to protect Liberty . . . he had promised her and he had broken that promise once before . . . he couldn’t do it again. Baron had been calling his phone for hours, but he refused to answer. His father couldn’t understand the connection that A’shai and Liberty shared. He didn’t know their back story. All Baron saw was a girl who had been for sale. He was blinded by Liberty’s lifestyle, but he had no clue what had brought her to that point. A’shai gave his father the ‘f*ck you’ button, sending him to voicemail as he finally arrived at his destination.

He shook Liberty gently. “Wake up, we’re here,” he said as he reached over and unbuckled her seat belt.

She looked up at the beautiful winter log cabin that sat amongst the mountains. The 3500-square-foot home was impressive real estate and the two of them had it all to themselves. A’shai grabbed her hand and escorted her into the house.

“It’s late and everything is closed right now, but there’s a storm headed this way tomorrow. I’m going to have to go stock up on food and a few supplies to last us about a week,” A’shai told her.

Liberty nodded her head and sat down on the couch as she put her hands in her face, overwhelmed.

“I thought I was going to die in that mansion. This feels so good . . . just being free . . . you know? I have spent so much of my life being under someone else’s thumb. I’ve never had control of my own destiny,” she said. She was crying heavily but her tears were a direct result of mixed emotions. She was mourning her past and all that she had been through but also shedding tears of joy, considering that she had made it through. “Did you ever think of me?” she asked.

“Every day,” A’shai replied honestly. “I always hoped that you were okay.”

She smiled, slightly flattered that he had never forgotten about her.

“You’re far from the knock-kneed, bony little girl I used to know,” he commented.

“You have no idea,” she said as she shook her head in disgrace. “I don’t even remember that little girl.”

A’shai had so many questions for Liberty. He knew the expectations that were placed upon him simply by being Baron’s son. Liberty was not the type of chick that he was expected to be with. She had a stigma attached to her name. He knew that she had been with many men. He wanted to ask her how many had parted her thighs, but he knew that more than likely she had lost count. He did not want to embarrass her or make her feel badly. I can’t think about who she’s been with. She was forced to live that lifestyle. She was doing what she had to in order to survive. Any nigga that came before me doesn’t matter, he thought as he convinced himself that her past was irrelevant.

A’shai had always been mesmerized by Liberty and as he sat staring at her, enthralled by the changes he saw, he realized that his feelings toward her had not changed.

He sat down beside her and she leaned back, resting her head on his chest as she exhaled deeply.

“Relax . . . you’re safe now. Put all of your burdens on me. You don’t have to worry anymore, ma. I’ll take care of you,” he stated.

A’shai had left home so quickly that he only had the money that had been in his pocket. He knew that he would need big paper in order to stay off Samad’s radar. Nothing about him was afraid. He would war with any nigga that wanted to bring it to his doorstep, but with Liberty by his side he couldn’t afford to move reckless. He had to align his chess pieces and think strategically before he acted—the way that Baron had taught him. He needed the money out of his safe and knew that there was only one person he could ask to bring it to him. They hadn’t always seen eye-to-eye but Nico was the only person he trusted with his paper. He wasn’t the smartest man A’shai had ever met, but he wasn’t a broke nigga. A’shai knew that he wouldn’t have to worry about his paper coming up short if Nico brought it. Once Liberty was asleep he slid from beneath her and armed the alarm system to ensure that he wasn’t caught slipping. He went into the next room and picked up his cell to call Nico.

“Fam, what’s good baby? F*ck type of shit you on? I know you not running away with bitches now? Not you, kid,” Nico teased, letting A’shai know that he had spoken to Baron.

“It’s not like that. Look I’m not calling to rap with you, fam. I need a favor,” A’shai stated directly, not wanting to beat around the bush.

“Anything . . . just say the word. You need me, I’m there. I didn’t like that p-ssy ass mu’f*cka Samad anyway,” Nico stated, ready to pop off.

“Nah . . . nah. This isn’t your beef, family, and this isn’t just some broad. We go back,” A’shai stated. “Look, I need you to bring me my paper out of my safe.”

“No doubt, baby. Where you at?” Nico shot back without hesitation.

“I’m in Boyne,” A’shai stated.

“I’ll be up there in the morning. What’s the combo?” Nico asked. A’shai gave him the numbers to open his safe and with that the two ended the call. A’shai knew that Nico would come through and he felt relieved to know that some serious cash flow was headed his way. The thought of the $275K was enough to calm his spirit. A’shai removed his shirt and then sat on the floor next to the couch that Liberty slept on. He took his pistol out and clicked it off safety, placing it in his lap for easy access. As he listened to the soothing rhythm of Liberty’s breathing, it relaxed him. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep feeling as if the void in his life had been filled simply by being in Liberty’s presence once again.


A’shai was awakened by the sound of the doorbell chiming and he shot up out of his sleep, grabbing his pistol instinctively. Liberty didn’t even budge, and he stood as he walked cautiously over to the front door.

“It’s Nico . . . open up it’s colder than a mu’f*cka out here,” Nico said, his voice quivering from the winter hawk.

A’shai still looked through the peephole before opening the door and lowering his weapon. The two men embraced slightly, and Nico slid A’shai a duffel bag full of cash. A’shai didn’t feel the need to count it. Nico was fam and was getting major money. He had no reason to pull grimy on A’shai, so he took the duffel bag and put it in the front closet.

Nico moved further inside of the house, looking around until he spotted Liberty. Used to sleeping without clothing, she had stripped down to her bra and panties in the middle of the night, giving Nico a perfect view of her assets while she slept.

“Damn, that’s shorty?” Nico commented as he admired her body, but not really getting a good look at her face. He stared a little too long, irritating A’shai.

“Watch ya’ mouth, fam,” A’shai spat, seriously.

“No disrespect,” Nico replied. “You really ready to war over her? You know the position you putting us in?”

A’shai shook his head. “Nah . . . this is on me and only me. I don’t move sloppy. You know I wouldn’t have played it like this unless it was absolutely necessary. I couldn’t leave her there,” A’shai said.

Nico glanced over at Liberty once more. He understood what A’shai saw in her physically. Her body was undeniable, but her track record was marred. Any man with a $100 bill could have had her. She was damaged goods, and Nico couldn’t understand why A’shai was putting it all on the line for this particular woman. A’shai was usually so selective in who he kept time with. If a chick had been smashed by too many niggas she wouldn’t get the time of day with him. Liberty on the other hand had sex with random men on the regular, yet he dismissed that indiscretion.

“I don’t understand this, fam, but it’s not for me to understand. You let me know if you need anything. It’s nothing. You know how we do. There is a storm coming your way so I can’t stay, but don’t hesitate to call me, bro,” Nico stated sincerely. Not many niggas would have taken the hard drive without receiving anything in return, and A’shai appreciated Nico’s loyalty.

“You haven’t talked to me,” A’shai reminded as his cousin walked out of the house.

“No doubt,” Nico answered.

A’shai watched Nico pull away and then went to awaken Liberty. He stood over her watching her sleep for a few minutes before getting on his knees in front of her to stroke her hair.

“Wake up for me baby girl,” he whispered in her ear.

She opened her eyes but felt so weak that she closed them right back.

“Get up, ma. We’ve got to go to the store. You need clothes and we need food,” he whispered.

“I can’t, Shai. I’m so tired,” she moaned. She was extremely fatigued, and she attributed it to all of her years of living the fast life. Now that she was able to slow down everything was catching up to her.

A’shai could tell that there was no rousing her so he decided to let her rest, figuring that she probably needed it after all that she had been through. “I’m going to go get what we need then, Lib. Don’t open the door for anyone but me . . . nobody!”

“I won’t,” she mumbled.


Willow wiped the tear that fell from her eye as she looked at a picture of herself with A’shai. He was the only son she knew. From the moment he came to her aid when he was merely a boy, she had loved him. It didn’t matter that their bond wasn’t formed by blood . . . it took more than the act of birthing a child to be a true mother. Her heart ached for her son as she thought of the wall that his back had been pushed against. She had never questioned her husband before and normally stuck by his side, always wanting them to appear as a united front, even when she didn’t agree with his ways, but this time Baron had taken things too far. He had excommunicated their son, and for that Willow would never forgive him. She was sick with worry because she knew the game. Although she rarely spoke, Willow often listened and she was well aware of the danger that A’shai had placed himself in. The fact that Baron was feeding him to the wolves further aggravated her anxious heart. Willow stared out of the second story bay window and watched as the snow fell outside. She closed her tired eyes as she felt another presence enter the room.

“I’m so mad at you right now, I can’t even look at you,” she said aloud, knowing that her husband was standing behind her. He wrapped his strong arms around her slim waist and buried his face in the nape of her neck. Her long fine hair was kept in dreadlocks that smelled of vanilla, and he inhaled her angelic scent.

“Shai is hard headed. That girl he’s with is no good for him. He is just like me. My blood doesn’t run through his veins but my mentality is cemented in his heart. You don’t start a war over p-ssy . . .”

Willow scoffed and looked at him incredulously. “Oh? How quickly we forget,” she commented sarcastically.

Baron chuckled and shook his head as his hand traveled to the jewel between her legs. “This p-ssy was worth it,” he whispered seductively as his deep baritone caused her panties to become soaked in anticipation. She squirmed out of his reach and turned to face him.

“Besides your p-ssy wasn’t for sale,” Baron stated, his tone heavy with judgment.

“You don’t know the first thing about this girl, Baron. She may be a good girl. If she came from where Shai came from she may not have had a choice in the matter. There is a difference between being a whore and being a victim,” Willow reasoned.

“Either way, she’s not good enough for him. You can’t turn a girl like that into a housewife,” Baron said. “And he’s going to have to learn that the hard way.”

“But Samad is dangerous Baron,” Willow stated.

“So is A’shai,” Baron replied confidently as he thought of the killer instincts that his son possessed. Coming from Sierra Leone, A’shai was ruthless simply because of his environment. Baron was more than positive that A’shai could hold his own. Samad would be in for a surprise if he thought that touching A’shai would be easy. He was young in years but nothing about A’shai was naïve. He was skilled with his hands and deadly with the gunplay. Not to mention he was superior by far when it came to rational reasoning. He was a thinker . . . a sharp young man who could think himself out of the stickiest of situations. “He’s your son so you don’t see the ruthlessness in him. He’s put in enough work to know how to handle himself just fine. A’shai is stubborn. I have to love him tough. It’s the only thing he can comprehend. He wants to be a man and do his own thing so I’m going to let him. Everything will be fine.”

Willow sighed and whispered, “I hope so because if something happens to my baby, you and I are going to have some very serious issues.”

She gave him a stern look, her mouth set in disapproval, and her eyebrows arched in displeasure. He knew that her threat was real. Baron had been the man who held the key to Willow’s heart until they brought A’shai into their world. Now he was second place in her life, but Baron completely understood. A’shai was her son, and their bond was unbreakable. Baron loved how she mothered him. The last thing he intended was to tear their family apart, but there was no room for Liberty. She was a liability, one that he couldn’t afford to take on.


* * *



Willow just couldn’t sit still. She tossed and turned all night, her gut clenching painfully from the fear of the unknown. Her stomach was in knots and tears came to her eyes each time she thought of A’shai being outnumbered, overpowered, and outgunned. And despite what Baron told her, she could see in his eyes that the situation was bothering him more than he let on. He played tough, but she knew that he was broken up about his blow out with A’shai. She couldn’t numb her heart the way that Baron could. She constantly called A’shai’s phone, praying that he would answer but each time she got his voicemail. Fed up and in need of answers, she called Nico.

“What’s up, Auntie Will?” He answered on the first ring.

“Where is my son?” she asked, cutting to the chase.

“I don’t know. I haven’t heard from him in a couple days,” Nico replied.

Willow detected the lie as soon as it slipped off his tongue. “Boy, I’ve known you since you were running around pissing in diapers. You come out of your mouth with another lie and I’m going to knock your teeth down your throat the next time I see you. Now where is he?” she repeated.

Nico had never heard Willow so angry, but he knew that she was not one to f*ck with. She may have seemed gentle in nature, but he knew better and was well aware of her ruthlessness. She was a black widow who was capable of eating someone alive if she had to. She only played the back because she had a good man who was capable of handling the front.

“He’s up north at the house in Boyne,” Nico stated reluctantly. “But you shouldn’t drive up there for a few days. There’s a snowstorm coming in, and the roads will be rough going up. If you wait I’ll take you myself as soon as the weather clears. He’s hiding out, playing house with that bitch. . . .”

“Watch your mouth,” Willow said quickly before she hung up the phone.

She grabbed the keys to her E-550 and headed out of the door. The horrible intuition that she was experiencing was torturing her and would not allow her to wait until the storm passed. She felt that her son needed her, and her motherly instincts were seldom wrong.


Hours had passed and A’shai hadn’t returned, which gave Liberty time to become familiar with her new surroundings. She made herself at home and as she nosily went from room to room, she found herself becoming slightly jealous of how easy A’shai’s life had been during the years they were separated. He has no idea how lucky he is, she thought as she pulled out a photo album and made herself comfortable at the kitchen table. Just as she was about to flip it open she heard the front door open. Happy that A’shai had finally come back, she rushed into the living room.

“Hey, it took you long enough. Where did you . . . ?” Liberty stopped mid-sentence when she realized that it wasn’t A’shai.

“You must be the girl that has stolen my son’s heart away from me,” Willow said as she looked Liberty up and down.

Liberty’s mouth fell open to respond but she was at a loss for words.

Willow smiled slightly because she could see that Liberty was slightly intimidated to be in her presence. “You can start with your name sweetheart,” she said.

“Liberty,” she finally spoke. “My name is Liberty.”

Willow paused for a moment as she realized that she had heard the name before. “A’shai used to talk about you all the time when he first came to live with us. You’re the famous Liberty. He used to call you his wife,” Willow said with a chuckle. “He’s right: you are a very pretty girl.”

Liberty blushed slightly. “Thank you,” she replied.

“I’m Willow,” his mother said.

Willow noticed the photo album in Liberty’s hand, and Liberty handed it over, feeling intrusive. “I was just looking at your family.”

Willow stared at Liberty, slightly taken aback by her features. “You’re from Sierra Leone as well?” she asked.

Liberty nodded.

“You’re a long way from home,” Willow stated.

“I don’t even remember where home is. It feels like I never had one,” Liberty whispered to herself.

Willow’s heart immediately went out to Liberty. “I cannot imagine the things that your eyes have seen.”

Liberty teared up a bit, and she quickly began to wipe the tears away as she turned around in shame. “I’m sorry.”

Willow smiled sympathetically as she reached out and grabbed Liberty’s hand. “You have nothing to be sorry for. Come on. Let me catch you up on my son.”

The two ladies sat down at the kitchen table and flipped through the large photo album as Willow told Liberty the story of A’shai’s upbringing. She explained each photograph, allowing Liberty to share in A’shai’s rejuvenated past.

“You gave him such a good life,” Liberty commented.

“We tried to. He was and will always be our world,” Willow replied.

“Mine too,” Liberty answered as she looked Willow in the eye.

Willow was usually a jealous woman who liked to have the love of her son and husband to herself, but Liberty’s devotion to her son was admirable. They had spent more time apart than they had together, but fate had still brought them back to one another. Willow could tell from the starry gaze in Liberty’s eyes that she was genuine. She loves him, Willow thought. As much as she didn’t want to like Liberty she couldn’t help but see what A’shai had raved about when he was younger. Her spirit was so gentle, and although she was rough around the edges from years of being misused and abused, Willow could see through the stained glass to the beautiful soul that lay within Liberty.

“I didn’t mean for things to get so out of hand,” Liberty said. “I wasn’t trying to come into Shai’s life and ruin everything that he’s worked so hard for. He was lucky. He got out of the system. He broke free. But me? I’m trapped. I sold my soul to the devil a long time ago. I barely remember where I came from. The only time I remember love is when I think of Shai. I think that’s why he means so much to me. He’s always taken my pain away.”

Willow fell hard for Liberty and liked her in that very moment. The only thing that a mother could want for her son is for him to find a woman who sincerely loves him. A’shai had found that woman and although their circumstance was unconventional, Willow was a firm believer in happy endings. She was rooting for them, and she now fully understood why A’shai had chosen to remain loyal to Liberty despite Baron’s wishes.

“You know the two of you being together has started a war? Samad . . .”

Liberty cringed at the mere mention of his name.

“You’re afraid of him?” Willow noticed picking up on the way that Liberty’s body tensed up.

“He was going to kill me. He was crazy over me . . . over anything that he thought was his. He treated me like I was a possession,” Liberty said with emotion.

“No man should have that much power over you, Liberty . . . not even my son. The moment you start to feel like an object is the moment you leave out the door. You have to know your own self-worth. Coming from where you come from, I know that’s easier said than done . . . but you don’t belong to anyone anymore sweetheart. The past doesn’t define your future. Be the woman that GOD designed you to be. Trust me, with beauty like yours HE didn’t make you simply to decorate some man’s arm. You’re special . . . that’s why Samad wanted you for himself. He saw it . . . A’shai has always seen it. Now that I’ve met you, I can see it. Now all you have to do is open your eyes,” Willow schooled as she touched Liberty’s chin and gave her a smile. “You take good care of my son. He is putting himself at risk by being with you. I know him, and he wouldn’t do that for just anyone. You be good to him.”

“Always,” Liberty replied.

A’shai stood in the living room listening to their conversation. He had noticed his mother’s car as soon as he pulled up and had rushed into the house expecting to interrupt a confrontation between the two most important women in his life. He already knew how she had found him. Nico was the only person who knew where to find him. A’shai was pleasantly surprised to find his two ladies getting to know one another. He could tell from the tone of Willow’s voice that she was smitten with Liberty, and it pleased him to know that she supported him. He knew that Liberty had a checkered past and that by being with her, he was adopting her problems with Samad but it was all worth it to him. He would lay any man down in order to protect her. He had no problem rocking a nigga to sleep, and if Samad wanted to go night night A’shai would gladly oblige him. As he stood in the doorway he thought that he was looking at the two most beautiful women in the world. He cleared his throat to announce his presence and interrupted their bonding moment.

They turned around, and Willow stood to her feet to embrace him. “I’m glad you’re okay, Shai. I was worried about you. Things are going to get very bad,” Willow stated.

“I can handle any beef that comes my way. You don’t have to lose no sleep, ma,” he stated surely as he kissed her cheek. “What you doing driving all this way? It’s bad out there. I know your little Benz was sliding all over the road.”

“It was hell getting up here but a woman does what she has to do to protect her family. You didn’t answer my calls. I needed to come and see with my own eyes that you were okay. Samad isn’t to be underestimated, A’shai,” Willow warned as she took his face between her hands and kissed his forehead.

He nodded his head, choosing not to respond with words. That bitch ass nigga got mu’f*ckas thinking he don’t bleed, he thought as he clenched his jaw.

“You’re not superman, boy. You may be a grown man, but you’ll always be my baby boy. You took his woman. That’s a grudge that doesn’t die. Just promise me you will be careful,” she said.

“I promise, ma. You don’t have to worry about Samad,” he assured. Willow hugged him, and A’shai held her tightly as he winked his eye at Liberty, who was still seated at the table. “I love you,” he mouthed.

She smiled and blew him an air kiss.

“I’m going to get out of here. I know your father is wondering where I am,” Willow stated. “I just couldn’t resist driving up here to check on you.”

“You can’t drive back home tonight. Your car won’t make it down the block in that snow,” A’shai argued. “Call pop and tell him you’ll be home tomorrow.”

Willow shook her head and replied, “No, I need to get back. You have really ruffled your father’s feathers. I need to be there for him right now. Maybe I can convince him to give the two of you a chance. I know once he meets Liberty he would approve.”

A’shai went into his pocket to retrieve his car keys. “You can take my car. It’ll get you through the snow better,” A’shai said.

“Walk an old woman out?” Willow asked.

“If there was an old woman in the room I surely would,” he replied smoothly, flattering Willow. She was in her late 40s and far from being an old head. She still had it and they both knew it, but it felt good to hear her son say it. Liberty stood to hug Willow.

“Thank you for accepting me,” Liberty whispered in her ear.

Willow hugged her tightly and Liberty could feel the sincerity radiating from the kind woman.

“I’ll see you soon. You remember what I said, beautiful girl,” Willow complimented.

Liberty went to the window as A’shai walked his mother to the car. He opened her door for her and said, “Tell pops I’m sorry. This is something that I have to do.”

“I know Shai and now that I’ve met her, I understand why. I believe in love and that girl in that house is your soul mate, Shai. She looks at you the way that I look at Baron. She’s good for you. She softens you. You be a good man to her, and you both stay safe. If you need anything just call my cell phone. I will never turn my back on you, Shai. You have made my life so much better over the years. I know you have a pretty young thing in your life now, but don’t you forget about your old lady,” Willow said with misty eyes. She shivered slightly as her tears hit the cold wind, and she pulled the mink shawl she wore tighter around her neck.

“Never,” A’shai said as he kissed her cheek and pulled her coat tighter around her. “Get out of this cold weather, ma. Call me when you make it home just to let me know you made it. I’ll answer.”

He hit the top of the hood once she was inside and turned to walk away. As he stepped onto the porch he heard her blow her horn. He turned and saw her smiling face as she gave him a wave. He waved back and then remembered that the duffel bag full of money was in his backseat. He held up one finger to signal for her to wait and just as he took a step toward the car, he watched her turn over the ignition . . .

BOOM!

A’shai was thrown to the ground as his car exploded before his very eyes, sending burning $100 bills flying into the sky along with a cloud of black smoke. “Nooo!!!!” he shouted as he scrambled to get to his feet, crawling and slipping through the snow covered ground towards the blaze. Liberty ran from the house and grabbed A’shai, but he threw her off him as he went to rescue Willow.

“Noo!” he cried as he bent over and punched at the snow as the fiery steel burned slowly in front of him, crackling sinisterly as if it were taunting A’shai. He knew that Willow was dead. There was no way she could have survived. He knew that this was the work of Samad and that the bomb had been intended for him. He stood and stormed over to Liberty. He gripped her by her arm and pulled her into the house.

“Oww, Shai, you’re hurting me,” she cried as her tears mixed with the snot that ran from her nose. She was frantic and felt extremely guilty because she knew that Willow had just died because of her.

“What’s his number?” A’shai asked as he picked up the house phone. “Dial it!”

Liberty dialed Samad’s digits and as soon as A’shai heard Samad’s voice he spazzed.

“I’mma dead you, you bitch ass nigga. You don’t know how I get down, but I’mma teach you, homeboy. On my dead mother, I’m going to make you wish you never crossed me,” A’shai shouted before hanging up the phone. He picked up the entire base and ripped it out of the wall as he tossed it across the room. A’shai didn’t normally lose his cool, but this was a blow that was so unexpected he reacted without thinking. His legs gave up on him, and A’shai collapsed onto the couch as he buried his head in his hands while sobbing.

Liberty knelt before him and pulled him into her arms as she stroked his head soothingly.

“I’m so sorry A’shai,” Liberty whispered. She was the sole reason his world was being turned inside out. He was too good of a man to ever admit it, but they both knew it was an unspoken truth. “I’m sorry.”