Ebony Angel (21 page)

“Why doesn’t my son love me?”

“Stop this. He loves you, but now he needs to do things his way.” He released her. He loved his daughter, but she had always been self-centered. And Phillip…Well, he had no respect for people who stood by and watched a child be mistreated, especially their own child. “Put Richard’s needs first.”

“It’s that woman.”

Oh great, now you want to be protective.
He continued patting her back. The phone rang. Nonno answered, “Hello…Oh yes, Richard told me all about you, Skeet…Yes he’s here…” He tilted his head to the side. “Well, I was born and raised in Italy. I should have an Italian accent.”

He glanced at Stephanie. They didn’t move to the United States until she was fifteen, but she had lost her Italian accent. He frowned. She hadn’t lost it; she had worked to erase it. She wanted to sound like a real American. “Hold on a second.” He lowered the phone. “Do not go to his room, Steph. You hear me?”

“Yes, Papà.”

“I’ll be right back.” He walked into the kitchen to stir the gumbo and find out what the heck happened to his grandson.

* * *

Richard ran his hand along the fine oak arm of the rocking chair, thinking how much Ebony would love the chair. When Stephanie’s limo parked in front of Nonno’s house, he locked the bedroom door. The last thing he needed was a confrontation with his mother.

He saw an older couple step out of the ranch-style townhouse across the street. The older man took his wife’s hand and kissed it gently, then guided her along the walk. In forty years, that could be he and Ebony taking their evening stroll.

Trae threatened to take his life, but didn’t understand that by taking Ebony and Crystal away, he had already taken his life. He watched the couple as they ambled down the boulevard. No way would he allow a madman to take his family.

The smell of shrimp gumbo wafted through the vents, causing Richard’s mouth to water. He hadn’t eaten in two days, but wouldn’t leave the room until he was sure Stephanie was long gone.

He rubbed his belly. Gumbo was Richard’s favorite. He watched the limo, thinking it was too bad his mother had come along.

“Richard.” Stephanie tapped on the door.

“I don’t feel like talking, Mother. I’ll call you tomorrow.”

The doorknob creaked. “Unlock the door, darling.”

Richard lowered his head into his hands. “Mother, please…”

“Stephanie, get down here this instant!”

“Papà, I’m sorry. I was only…”

“Don’t make me repeat myself, young lady!”

A short time later, Richard saw Nonno escort Stephanie out of the house and nudge her toward the limo. His grandfather’s protective streak was the main reason he didn’t tell him what happened with Trae or what he had been up to the past few months.

He chuckled. He could imagine his eighty-year-old grandfather chartering a flight for Chicago to go after Trae.

As usual, Nonno’s face softened when he saw his daughter’s tears. As usual, he didn’t give in. Instead, he hugged Stephanie and handed her a large Tupperware bowl. Richard was amazed at how loving his mother was toward her father. Nonno could do no wrong, while Richard could do no right.

He crossed the room and unlocked the door. He already had more than enough on his mind. Figuring out his mother would have to wait for another day. He flopped onto the bed to calculate a move that wouldn’t end in his funeral.

* * *

Nonno tip-toed into the bedroom and set the serving tray on the nightstand. He sat on the edge of the bed and watched his grandson sleep.

“Something smells delicious,” Richard said, as he stretched awake.

“Something? Have I lost my touch?”

“What, are you kidding me? You’re still the best cook this side of the moon.”

Nonno handed Richard the tray, then watched him eat.

“Have some with me.”

“You know I can’t eat spices like I used to. What good is gumbo without spices? You enjoy.”

Richard tasted a spoonful. “Ummm.” He devoured the bowl of gumbo in record time.

“Want more?”

He rubbed his stomach. “I’m stuffed.” He set the tray on the nightstand, then drank his cola.

Nonno pulled the rocking chair around from the window to the bed. “We need to have a man-to-man talk.” He held up his hand to stop Richard from interrupting him. “I’m disappointed in you, but like Ebony, I’ll get over it. It’s time for you to go home and face the music.”

“You don’t understand.”

“I understand you humiliated the woman you love. I have a good mind to take a switch to you.” He shook his head. “I taught you better than that.”

“I’m sorry, Nonno. I just…” He shrugged. “I don’t know what came over me. I knew I had made a wrong turn, but kept down the road, anyway.”

“I’m not the one you should be apologizing to. Get on the next flight home. Show Ebony how you really feel. I’ll have your car sent to you.”

“I wish it were that simple.”

Nonno stared at Richard, knowing there was more to the story. Some part Skeet didn’t say. “What did you do?”

After a long hesitation, Richard told Nonno about Trae and Skeet’s drug ties, then reached into his jeans back pocket and pulled the driver’s licenses out. Richard had been withholding vital information from him, and Nonno didn’t appreciate it one bit. This man was obviously still a boy, and needed to be cared for.

“Oh, my God.” Nonno’s gray eyes slowly rose from the images of the young men to Richard. He felt sick to his stomach. “Why do you have these?” Richard had told him about the Collins boys stealing his car and their subsequent murders when it first happened.

“Trae killed them for my indiscretion with
his woman
. He’s decided he wants Ebony back. If I don’t stay out of the picture, I’ll meet the same fate with the same gun. I don’t know how to save Ebony.”

Overwhelmed by the new information, Nonno could barely manage, “He wouldn’t hurt Ebony or Crystal, would he? From everything you’ve told me, he’d die first.” But there had been so much Richard hadn’t told him, it scared him.

“Trae has lost his mind. She’s mad, but Ebony’s in love with me. What happens when she tells him? He’s a psycho. He may kill them all so they can be together forever.”

“Tell Ebony and Skeet.” Richard had always said Ebony and Skeet were close. Hopefully, Skeet would protect Ebony instead of siding with Trae.

“They haven’t seen his crazy side. Hell, I didn’t see it until Friday.” He stepped out of bed. “They’ll think I’m making things up as a distraction to turn the heat off me to him.” He hit at the dresser as he passed between the bed and the window.

“What about the police?”

“And tell them what?” Richard’s face took on a look of déjà vu.

Nonno held out the two licenses. “Last I checked, murder was illegal.”

“I don’t have any proof. If anything, the cops will think I killed them. I had a motive, not Trae. I’m the one without an alibi, not Trae. I’m the one with their licenses, not Trae. He’s a master of manipulation.”

Nonno rocked slowly in the chair. “Same fate, same gun. How do you know it’ll be the same gun?”

“That asshole pointed it at me.”

Nonno lifted his head. “What?”

Richard explained how he had been conducting his own investigation. Nonno wanted to strangle him for being so arrogant, and thinking he could ride in to save the day. This was no game. These were dangerous people. Richard also explained how Trae manipulated him into taking him to his condo.

“I feel like such an idiot. He played me.”

“Where does he keep the gun?”

“I’ve never seen him carrying, so I’m thinking his car.”

“We have to involve the police.”

Richard shook his head. “I know he has cops on the take. Going to the police would be suicide.”

“Listen, he has you scared, and rightly so, but not all police are crooked. I know some people. I’ll arrange things.” He tapped the licenses. “These will be found by ‘honest police’ in Trae’s car. If he’s moved the gun, they’ll still find evidence he can’t explain away.”

“You plan to have someone plant evidence?” Richard laughed. “You are too much. I can’t let you do this. I’ll think of another way.”

“We don’t have time to find another way. The authorities need to be brought in now.” Nonno was so disappointed in Richard he didn’t know what to do. Hanging out with these thugs had corrupted his grandson and had him thinking the police were the enemy. “Maybe I should visit my granddaughters. Both of your sisters live in Chicago now.”

“No!” He covered his mouth, apologizing for raising his voice. “I can’t risk you getting hurt. Make the arrangements, but that’s it. I’m heading back to get Ebony. As soon as Trae is taken in for questioning and, hopefully, arrested, I’m getting her and Crystal out of there. Promise me you’ll stay down here.”

“I’m not promising a damn thing.”

“Nonno!”

His face tightened and voice hardened. “What? You honestly expect me to stand by while this hoodlum tries to kill you?” He crossed his arms over his chest. “Not in this lifetime.”

“You’re giving me an ulcer.” He knelt at his grandfather’s feet. “You’ve always protected me, but I need to fight this battle on my own. This is my family.”

Trae ran through the rain to the lookout standing across the street from Ebony’s flat. “Did she leave yet?” He drew his hood tighter.

“No movement.” The wind caught in Meechie’s umbrella, turning it inside out. He threw the umbrella to the side. “I’m worried about her. If that white mutha comes around here, I’ll kick his ass ma damn self.”

“You’ll get your skinny ass kicked, you mean. Everyone is to leave Smoke alone unless I say otherwise.” He checked his watch. “It’s almost seven. What time is her first class?”

“Nine, I think.”

He handed Meechie a hundred bucks. “Run along and get yourself a new umbrella.” He pulled out his key as he skipped up the steps to Ebony’s flat.

Dan had taken Crystal and Marissa to his place to give Ebony space. Trae did a quick scan of the dark flat. All the curtains were drawn and lights were off. He went into her bedroom. The nightlight provided the only light.

“Ebony.” He touched her side. “Time to get ready for school.”

“Go away.” She rolled onto her belly and hugged her pillow.

He turned on the light in the closet. “What do you want to wear today?”

“Go away!”

“Something simple, she says.” He selected her favorite Tigger T-shirt and a pair of jeans. “Now for the good part.” He searched through her drawers for a clean pair of underclothes. “I’d kill to see you in these.” He held up a pair of red thongs.

She looked up briefly. “You can have them if you leave.”

“Nice try. Now are we doing this the hard or easy way?”

“Go away!” She threw her pillow at him.

“The hard way. Okay.” He left, then returned a few seconds later. “Shower time.” He pulled her out of bed. She fought him, grabbing onto the spread, the doorway, dragging the kitchen table, grasping at anything within her reach. He pushed her into the bathroom and slammed the door closed. “Why must you make everything so damn difficult?”

She folded her arms over her chest. “I hate you.”

Wide-eyed, he made spooky fingers. “Oooooo, da big bad Ebony said she hates me. I’m wounded. Now get your ass in the shower.” He blocked the door.

She looked over her shoulder at the running water. “You can’t make me shower if I don’t want to. Go away and let me die in peace.”

His eyes roamed from her wild hair to her angry yet enchanting face; down her cotton nightshirt to her bare legs and her perfectly pedicured toes. He could use a cold shower himself. Allowing his hormones to rule was the reason they weren’t a couple now. This time, he planned to be patient. “Wanna bet?” He took his jacket off and tossed to the side.

“What are you doing?”

He pulled off his jersey but left on his T-shirt. “Undressing.” He unsnapped his pants.

“Not in here.”

“This is the bathroom. Where else should I undress?”

“Your bathroom. Get out, or I’m telling Mom.”

Now in his underclothes, he moved so quickly Ebony didn’t stand a chance. He pushed her into the shower, turning his body so he’d receive the majority of the impact. His back hurt like hell.
No more of this movie shit.

“Trae! You make me sick! This water’s freezing.”

He stared at the outline of her hard nipples poking through the shirt. “So I see.” He held onto her wrist and helped her stand. He needed to escape before she saw what part of him had hardened.

“You have lost your mind. Let me go.”

“Since you’re all wet, put a little soap on your body.” He handed her the soap, stepped out of the tub and grabbed a towel. “You have thirty minutes before we leave.” He walked out with his clothes and a towel.

* * *