Trife Life To Lavish Part 2 Genesis & Genevieve...Am I My Brother's Keeper (6 page)

Delondo sat patiently reading the paper at his favorite
restaurant, Lacroix at the Rittenhouse. While reading, he
briefly thought back to how he almost put the place out of
business when he had his men shoot up this very restaurant
in his quest to take out Arnez for good. It still angered
Delondo that with all the bloodshed, Arnez managed to
walk away unscathed that faithful night. But that flaw hadn't
deterred him from seeking revenge. He knew it was only a
matter of time before he would bring his enemy down for
not only trying to destroy his business but for retaliation
for his cousin Tonya.

"I was beginning to think you forgot how to tell time,"
Delondo commented when his worker sat down.

"My fault but one of our spots had a minor problem
that I had to iron out."

"Has it been adjusted?"

"No doubt. You know I always stay on top of my shit.
Nothing for you to be concerned about, it's handled."

"That's what I like to hear. So what about my other
problem that has been causing a major toothache for way
too long?"

"I've been on it, but that nigga Arnez must be under a
rock. Nobody on the street has seen that cat."

"Trust, somebody has seen him, you just asking the
wrong people."

"I've asked everybody in my circle that I trust to keep
shit confidential."

"Then you need to expand your circle. Unless that
nigga show up dead, he's on the move able to be found."

"I feel you."

Delondo leaned slightly over the table, making intense
eye contact with his worker.

"Roscoe, I don't need you to feel me. I want you to
bring that motherfucker to me. He's enjoyed freedom way
too long and it's time for him to meet his maker."

Even though it was brick outside, Nichelle decided to
walk to the Blue Ribbon. Amanda, the lady who had done
her fitting told her Sullivan Street was only a few blocks
away so she decided to weather the cold air. She also figured
it would be quicker since a cab would get caught in traffic
and what should take five minutes, could easily turn into a twenty minute ride.

The sounds from the hustle and bustle of people
walking the streets and the cab drivers blowing their horns
filled the air with deafening noise. The always hectic action
one encountered being in New York City could make it
sometimes impossible to focus on what was going on
around you. It was easy to get caught slipping and Nichelle
got schooled to that the moment she turned the corner.

It wasn't until the solid grip of what felt like a man's
hand grab the back of her neck did she realize she was
in danger. She tried in vain to jerk her body forward to
break free but the grasp was so tight that instead of moving
away it brought her closer to her assailant. Nichelle couldn't
even let out a scream because the angle at which he had
grabbed her was practically cutting off her circulation.
With the night air and being on a less busy street, it seemed
as if everyone was unaware of the peril Nichelle was in.
Even as she dangled her feet, trying to get the attention of
some pedestrian who might be concerned for her safety,
she quickly felt hopeless when she eyed an awaiting dark
colored van from the corner of her eye.

Nichelle was no match for the strong goon who was
holding her as if she was a one pound rag doll. Right when
all optimism had faded and she was about to be tossed in
the van, Nichelle heard a car zoom up and then come to
a sudden halt. Then she could hear the vehicle speeding
up again as it drove closer to them then slowing down,
smashing in the back of her attacker's legs, causing him
to lose his clutch on Nichelle's neck as the impact brought
him to his knees.

Nichelle struggled to get up. She had fallen on top
of his body which had protected her from suffering more
serious injuries. He screamed out in pain but that wasn't
stopping him from trying to get Nichelle back in his grasp.

"Nichelle, are you okay?" Nichelle heard the familiar
voice scream out as he ran to her and lifted her off the
attacker. He seemed to be somewhat pinned down by the
car unable to completely move his body.

"Just get me out of here," Nichelle cried out, locking
eyes with her perpetrator before getting in the car. She had
never seen him before but by no means would she ever
forget his face.

"We should call the police."

"No! Drive and let's get out of here ...now!"

Nichelle's hands were shaking uncontrollably as the
tires screeched while backing up, freeing her attacker. She
saw him still lying on the ground as their car drove off.
She put her head down as she tried to fight back the tears.
Before she even had time to process what had just taken
place her cell phone began ringing. She reached in her coat
pocket and answered the phone.

"What happened to you? I've been waiting for twenty
minutes."

"You don't know," Nichelle said, in a snappish voice.

"Know what? Nichelle, what are you talking about?"

"So you're not responsible for that piece of shit trying
to drag me into his van."

"Hell No! Why would I do that?"

"I haven't heard shit from you in forever and all of
sudden you call out the blue wanting to see me. Then while I'm on my way to meet you somebody grabs me. That's a
major fuckin' coincidence!"

"Nichelle, I swear it wasn't me."

"Why should I believe you?"

"Because I know who's responsible."

"Who?"

"My cousin."

"Arnez."

"Yes."

"After all this time, Arnez is still after me, why? What
the fuck does he want from me?"

"That's why I need to see you, so I can explain
everything that has been going on."

"Does this have anything to do with my brother? Do you
know where he is?" Nichelle screamed into the phone.

"I need you to calm down. Where are you? I need to
see you.

"I can't see you right now"

Then when, are you okay?"

"I'm fine." As Nichelle began regaining her composure she remembered she wasn't in the car alone. Her fear
and anger had her running off at the mouth without thinking of who was in her presence.

"Then when can I see you?"

"I can't talk right now"

"Tell me when I should call you back."

"Later on tonight."

"Okay, make sure you answer."

"I will."

"And Nichelle..."

"Yes."

"Be careful." When the call ended all Nichelle could
do was shake her head.

"Now are you going to tell me what's going on?"
Nichelle looked over at Akil feeling torn.

"How did you find me?"

"When I was on the phone with you earlier, you didn't
seem yourself. I decided to come to the store and give you
a ride home. When I got there, Amanda told me you had
left a few minutes ago walking to Blue Ribbon. Luckily
I observe everything and that van parked the way it was
seemed mad suspicious to me. It wasn't until I turned the
corner and got closer that I peeped your coat, since I gave
it to you and only five of them exist."

"Lucky is right. I don't even want to think about what
would've happened to me if you hadn't showed up."

"So what happened? I thought you were going home.
Who were you meeting at the Blue Ribbon? I never knew
you had a brother."

"I can't deal with your questions right now. Can you
please take me home and we can discuss this at another
time."

"Is it even safe for you to go home? Nichelle, you need to
tell me something. I have a lot of time and money invested in
you. And let's not forget, you're about to sign a lucrative deal
for T-Roc's perfume line. You're obviously in some sort of
danger and I need to take the necessary precautions to protect
you.

"Akil, I'm thankful for you saving me a little while ago
but right now I'm exhausted and I need some time to soak in what went down."

"Fine, but I don't feel comfortable taking you back to
your apartment. You can stay with me tonight."

"I don't want to stay with you. I need my own space
right now"

"Then I'm putting you in a hotel for the night and first
thing tomorrow, I'm hiring a bodyguard to be with you at all
times."

"I don't want a bodyguard."

"You don't have a choice."

Nichelle closed her eyes and knew under the circumstances having a bodyguard would be for the best. If Arnez
had tried once to snatch her up, she reasoned he would no
doubt try again.

As Precious loaded the final present in the car, she was so
looking forward to Aaliyah's birthday party. It seemed like
only yesterday she was holding her daughter in the hospital,
thanking God for blessing her with such a beautiful baby
girl. Now her daughter was walking and talking with a mind
of her own. Precious often wondered where did all the
time go, but it seemed a great deal of it was spent apart
from Aaliyah and the person she blamed for that was Maya.

Maya had single handedly brought her down, only for
Precious to turnaround and return the favor. Precious took
great pleasure in knowing that vile snake was sitting exactly
where she belonged-in a jail cell.