The Bryson Blood Wars (21 page)

              “What did he do?” Sharp asked already anticipating the worst.

              “He didn’t do anything, but it was something in his voice,” Clover said.

              “Something in his voice?”

              “Yes, his voice. It was threatening,” Clover described. “I’ve never seen that much hatred, rage and hostility from anyone. Well, other than Kayson and I don’t think Opal has either.”

              “He threatened you?” Sharp wanted to know everything. He wanted to know if he needed to kick some ass up in here.

              “Not really,” Clover answered.

              “What did he do? What did he say?”

              “He said I better back off or I’ll regret it,” Clover replied.

              “That sounds like a threat to me!” Sharp was fuming but let Clover continue.

              “I wasn’t frightened. I don’t think he’s crazy enough to try to physically assault me or anything like that.” Clover said, in order to keep Sharp from finding Wallace to teach him a lesson.

              “At least he has a little bit of fucking sense,” Sharp was still fuming but was calming down.

              “Listen, I’m fine. Wallace didn’t hurt me and I’m not afraid of him believe me, but his behavior had me wondering about his capabilities,” Clover said.

              “You’re worried about what he might be bold enough to do?” Sharp guessed.

              “Wallace’s erratic behavior has absolutely convinced me that we have to stop Opal from walking down the aisle,” Clover said.

              “I see what you mean and, don’t you worry, I’m here all the way,” Sharp said as he pulled Clover into his arms.

              “Thanks Sharp,” Clover said, and gave Sharp a kiss on the cheek. “Sharpie! Sharp!” Clover teased and started tickling him.

              “Girl, stop! You know I’m ticklish!” Sharp struggled to say while laughing hysterically. “Girl, stop! You know two can play this game!”

              Sharp caught Clover off guard, pinned her down and started tickling her. “Sharp! I can’t stand it!” Clover said as she laughed like a hyena.

              “Clover!” Laliyka called out as she busted in the sunroom.

              “Hey girl! What’s up?” Clover asked as she and Sharp regained their composure from their tickle fight and helped each other off the couch.

              “I found your phone on the charger. Your security alarm at the bakery went off.” Laliyka informed and gave the phone to Clover. Laliyka advised Clover to get the same security system she has for the salon. This particular system has a phone app that gives alerts if anything happens.

              “What?” Clover responded.

              “The police should be on their way right now,” Laliyka guessed.

              “Shit! I need to get down there!” Clover was in a panic.

              “I’ll drive you,” Sharp offered. “Laliyka, can you stay here and watch the kids?”

              “I got them. Go ahead!” Laliyka said and Clover and Sharp headed straight for the bakery to see what the hell happened.

Clover and Sharp arrived at the bakery in light speed and found the place up in flames. They couldn’t believe their eyes. The place was surrounded by firetrucks and police cars. Sharp helped Clover get out of the car and they slowly approached the fire chief.

              “No! What the fuck! No!” Clover screamed in horror and fell to her knees.

              “I’m so sorry baby,” Sharp said and lifted Clover off of the ground and held her tight to keep her steady.

              “Mrs. Bryson,” The fire chief greeted Clover.

              “Yes that’s me,” Clover said trying to keep her cool.

              “I’m her husband. What happened here?” Sharp asked.

              “Thanks to the security system we were able to arrive on the scene right away. No one was hurt. We were able to contain the fire. There’s an average of fifty percent of damage. It was a good thing the trophy case, safe and file cabinets were all fireproof,” The fire chief explained.

              “How did this happen?” Sharp asked.

              “We suspect arson,” The fire chief answered.

              “Arson? This shit was deliberate!” Clover yelled.

              “Yes, and there’s something else. We did a preliminary check and discovered that this bakery is uninsured,” The fire chief informed.

              “Uninsured! That’s fucking impossible!” Clover yelled in disbelief.

              “We checked three times to be sure. The bakery is not insured. That’s the main reason why we suspect arson,” The fire chief said.

              “Clover baby, do you know how your business insurance ended up cancelled?” Sharp asked.

              Clover took a deep breath and tried to think. “I don’t know but.....I got to call Opal to see what the fuck is going on.” Clover took her phone out and dialed Opal’s number. Opal picked up on the first ring. “Opal!”

              “Hey! What’s up?” Opal asked.

              “The bakery is on fire and they’re saying the bakery is not insured. I need you to come down here and straightened this shit out!” Clover said frantically.

              “Shit!” Opal cursed. “Clover, let me explain.”

              “Opal, there’s no time to explain,” Clover interrupted. “Get down here now!” She hung up before Opal could talk.

*****

              Opal arrived at the scene with the copy of the new insurance policy. The fire was almost completely out. She couldn’t believe what was going on. She approached Clover and Sharp and Clover was the first to speak. “Opal, they’re saying the bakery is not insured. Please straighten this out.”

              “It’s insured,” Opal insisted.

              “Okay now, why would they think it’s not insured?” Clover asked trying to stay calm.

              “Please listen to me; the bakery is under a new insurance company,” Opal confessed.

              “Excuse me? Why?” Clover asked with confusion.

              “I’ll handle this,” Sharp said to Clover. “Opal, do you have the new policy with you?” He asked her.

              “Yes I do,” Opal answered.

              “Great,” Sharp said and Opal walked over to the fire chief to give him the policy. “See Clover this whole mess will be cleared up in a few moments.” He assured her.

              “I don’t understand? How did this happen?” Clover asked.

              “Don’t worry baby. They’re going to catch the bastard who did this.” Sharp said.

              “I know, but why would Opal switch the policy without telling me?” Clover was puzzled about the situation.

              “I don’t know, but maybe she had a good reason,” Sharp said.

              The fire chief came back with Opal in tow looking like a little kid about to get a whooping. “Excuse me, this company doesn’t exist.” The fire chief informed.

              “What?” Clover and Sharp yelled simultaneously.

              “I don’t understand. Wallace set the whole policy up!” Opal blurted out.

              “Wallace!” Clover couldn’t believe her ears when his name came up. “What the fuck does Wallace have to do with any of this?”

              Opal tried to explain. “This is Wallace's company....”

              Clover didn’t need to hear anymore. She already drew the conclusions. Opal switched the business insurance with Wallace’s fake ass company and gave her payments to him and now she can’t be compensated for the repairs and other expenses because she has no insurance. Clover was officially thirty-eight hot. “You stupid bitch!” Clover yelled and lunged at Opal and slapped the shit out of her. “How the fuck could you do this to me! You dumb ass bitch! I hate you!” Clover kept slapping Opal with tears and fury in her eyes. It wasn’t easy but Sharp managed to pull her away.

              “Clover I’m sorry!” Opal said with regret. “You don’t understand! I didn’t know! I had no choice!

              “Opal Reese-Brown.” A police officer interrupted. “You’re under arrest.”

              “I’m being arrested? For what?” Opal asked as the police officer put the handcuffs on her and read her Miranda rights.

              “Insurance fraud. Theft by deception and accessory to arson,” The police officer listed the charges and led Opal to the police car.

              “Please Clover! Help me!” Opal desperately pleaded as she was being pulled into the backseat of the police car.

              “Fuck you bitch!” Clover lashed out. “I hope you fry! I hope you burn in fucking hell! I’ll never forgive you! You hear me! Never! I hate you! Dumb ass bitch!”

              Clover continued her hateful ranting towards Opal until Sharp managed to pull Cover in the passenger seat of the car. At that moment, the Reese sisters had one thing in common from a completely different perspective. They lost everything they held dear because of Wallace.

Laliyka and the kids were watching
The Incredibles
in the family room when they heard the front door open and close which meant that Clover and Sharp had returned. “Lil’Sharp and Ray, stay here and watch over Sami and Myk,” Laliyka instructed.

              “Yes momma,” Ray said.

              “Will do Aunt Laliyka,” Lil’Sharp said.

              Laliyka left the family room to check on Clover and Sharp. She went upstairs to their room and was about to knock on the door when Sharp came out and closed the door behind him.

              “What’s wrong Sharp? What happened?” Laliyka asked. She could tell by the look on Sharp’s face some real shit went down.

              “Everything is so fucked up, Laliyka,” Sharp replied with exhaustion.

              “Don’t keep me in suspense. What happened at the bakery?”

              “Long story short, somebody set the bakery on fire,” Sharp answered.

              “What?” Laliyka replied with shocking disbelief.

              “And that’s not the worst of it.”

              “What could be worse than setting the bakery on fire?” Laliyka wondered.

              Sharp shook his head and continued recapping the horrible events at the bakery. “The bakery wasn’t insured. Apparently, Opal switched Clover’s business insurance with Wallace’s company without telling her.”

              Laliyka’s eyes stretched with surprise when she heard what Sharp said to her. “She did what? Wait, don’t tell me. The company was fake and Opal didn’t know that and now Wallace is probably miles away with Clover’s payments,” She guessed.

              “You got it,” Sharp confirmed.

              “Where’s Opal now?”

              “In jail.”

              It didn’t take rocket science for Laliyka to draw the conclusions on how the insurance scam went down. “That nigga set this whole thing up, didn’t he?” Sharp nodded in agreement. “And Opal was a target. He used her as a patsy and now she’s going down because he manipulated her into having her fingerprints all over this shit. How’s Clover doing?” She asked with concern.

              “Pissed, hurt, devastated, angry and betrayed. Every negative emotion you could think of,” Sharp answered. “She was in tears the whole ride home.”

              “Let’s go,” Laliyka said, while she and Sharp entered the bedroom and found Clover sobbing uncontrollably on the bed in a fetal position. Laliyka sat beside Clover and pulled her into her arms. “Clover, girl come here.”

              “How the fuck could she do this to me Laliyka!” Clover cried. “All these years of her giving me the cold shoulder and I begged and begged her to believe me and take me back. All I did was love her and try to help her!” Clover turned to Sharp who was sitting on the other side of her and rhetorically asked him. “Why, baby, why?”