“Stupid girl,” he hissed.
“Forgive me but a man whose liver is wasting away because all he does is drink, my guess is, to forget the woman who I remind him of, shouldn’t be calling anyone stupid,” I countered. “And for what it’s worth, I care about Jack. It’s not about fixing him because what’s broken in Jack will never be fixed and the woman who gets his heart, whether it’s me or someone else needs to accept that and love him despite the broken parts of him,” I said. “Now if you would please tell me where Jack is, I will get out of your way and leave you to it,” I motioned, toward the extensive collection of liquor that lined the shelves behind the bar.
“He’s got demons,” he whispered.
“We all have demons,” I replied. It’s true, all of us have something that tears us down but I’m learning that those demons only win if we allow them too. Some people need a little help to fight them off, others are strong enough to ignore them on their own, but in the end we can’t let them win. I frowned as Blackie stared at the empty beer bottle and hoped one day someone would help him fight his own demons. “Jack’s lucky to have a brother in you,” I added. “Sometimes it’s not about the family you’re born into but the family you make for yourself. Seems he did a pretty good job picking you,” I continued. I don’t know what tore Blackie down, what broke him but the way he looked out for Jack was admirable, hinting that there was someone worth saving inside that shell of his.
The door opened to the compound and the young man who was infatuated with my pie stuck his head inside.
“Yo, we got company,” he announced.
“Who?”
“That crazy gangster with the gold teeth,” he told him.
Blackie moved off the stool and hurried behind the bar to grab a remote control. He powered on the television and changed the channel, security camera footage appearing on the screen. I squinted as I tried to make out the three men getting out of the Escalade parked in front of the building.
“What do you want me to do?” Riggs asked.
“Stall them,” he commanded, walking toward me. “Looks like you’re about to earn your title, sweetheart,” he grunted, as he moved closer to me. “Let your hair down,” he instructed. “Now,” he hollered.
Blackie went from being a man I pitied to a man I feared in ten seconds. I reached behind my head and unclasped the clip, letting my damp hair fall. Before I could question what was going on, he tugged the sleeve of his thermal down, take the fabric and wiping it across my mouth. I moved to lift my hand to my lips that felt bruised from the hasty way he swiped my lipstick off.
“You don’t say a word unless you’re spoken to and then you say minimal. Just follow my lead and if you’re lucky I’ll get you to Jack,” he ground out.
“You understand?” He hissed. I quickly nodded my agreement. He took one more glance over his shoulder before he looked back at me. “Get on your knees,” he ordered.
I felt my lip quiver and tears sting the backs of my eyes.
“I’m not looking to hurt you; I’m looking to save your ass. I know you don’t trust me, but Jack does, remember that, hang onto it and when this shit’s over I’ll take you to him,” he vowed.
I stared at him blankly, not sure what was about to happen. I was scared as hell, but I did as he asked. I dropped to my knees, Blackie’s hands fisted in my hair just as the door opened.
“Fuck,” he grunted, releasing my hair and pretending to pull his zipper up as he turned around.
“Sorry to interrupt,” one of the men said.
“What the fuck do you want?” Blackie asked.
“Is that any way to talk to a potential business partner? Tsk, tsk, now that’s not how one conducts business, my friend,” he chastised.
“Excuse me, but don’t recall giving you a time or place for a meeting and I don’t like being interrupted when I’m in the middle of getting my dick sucked,” Blackie replied, glancing down at me. “Get off the floor,” he grunted.
I slowly rose to my feet, licking my lips. Playing the part, I rolled my eyes and glanced at the men that entered. The first one was a man wearing a fur coat and an obscene amount of jewelry, the little skin he exposed covered in tattoos. He turned, staring at me like a vulture stalking its prey before he smiled creepily at me revealing two gold teeth.
“Maybe I am in the wrong division of organized crime, seems there are so many more benefits to being a part of your world than mine,” he marveled, taking a step closer, then another. I was going to be sick. “This pretty thing yours?” He questioned, running his hand down my arm.
“She’s the clubs, just having a go at her before Parrish comes back and goes another round with her,” Blackie said, eyes focusing on me. “Why don’t you get us a couple of beers and make yourself useful?”