Chapter Thirty-five
Rome made it to his destination in record-breaking time. He was still trying to put the pieces together. Somebody had caught him slipping, and he needed and wanted to know who. The more he played the tapes back and thought about it, the clearer it became. And then it dawned on him. His mind traveled back to the beginning of the incident, just before the shots rang out. He realized the clothes the shooters had worn were not your average, everyday urban wear, or even American wear.
That gotta be that African motherfucka peoples
, he thought. It began to come together for Rome. He scurried into the stash crib and rapidly scrolled through his call log for Jewels's number. Before he could hit CALL, an unknown number popped up on his home screen as a text message. Rome realized there was a video attached.
“What the . . .” He grimaced as he clicked on the text message.
His blood went from lukewarm to boiling hot in a matter of seconds. It was a video of Jewels, lying on the floor of an empty van, blindfolded, gagged, and hog-tied.
His fingers couldn't move quickly enough as he texted back, Who the fuck is this? Rome knew it had to be Kareem's peoples.
Who else could it be
? he thought.
I'ma kill all of them pussies if they fuckin' hurt her
, he concluded.
He got an instant reply. You tell me, bitch made nigga!
Frustrated would be an understatement for how Rome felt. Rome had no patience when it came to people playing games. Something about the text made Rome rethink who he believed was behind the attacks on him and now Jewels.
Before he could respond, another text came through. I'm the nigga you should've killed, not my two partners. And you must not have watched the video, nigga. LOL!
Rome thought quickly. In no time, he realized who the culprit was. How the fuck could I have let this happen? he cursed silently. He was all wrong. Even though the Africans were on to him, they were not the ones who had Jewels. He was sure of that. He clenched his fists and clenched his jaw. I knew I should've tracked this motherfucka down and killed his bitch ass, Rome thought with regret as he reread the text. He now knew he was to blame for Jewels's predicament.
He never got to reply to the last two texts before a third one came in. Another video was attached to it. My bad. You never got it. The upload failed. Enjoy, pussy! I did!
Tears of anger streamed down his face as he watched the video Buster had sent him of Jewels giving him head. He couldn't bear to watch it to the end. He was enraged by the fact that Jewels had to endure what she was going through.
In his next text, Buster had made it perfectly clear that it was only going to get worse, unless Rome met his demands. You thought shit was over, nigga! You and ya man, well, ya ex-man, and this bitch? Now look at her. She my bitch now! Once a ho always a ho. Right now she just sucking my dick. Next, it might be eating my shit. Depends on how long it take you to bring me a hundred bricks of that shit and a million dollars for this dirty-ass whore.
“Fuck!” Rome cried out.
Now he knew why he couldn't reach her and why he hadn't heard from Red. A million dollars and a hundred keys were nothing for him to sacrifice for Jewels's life, if in fact Buster played fair, thought Rome. She was worth that and then some to him, but he knew Buster was a snake. The fact that he had killed Red left no doubt in Rome's mind that he was capable of crossing him and killing both him and Jewels. Rome's mind raced a million miles a minute as he snatched up his .40 cal, shoved it in his waistband, then grabbed the keys to his truck and headed back out. He needed to confirm some things before he made his next move.
Chapter Thirty-six
Buster brought two loaded pistols upstairs, into the dirty and dingy apartment. He placed them in the sink by the window. The handgun and the shotgun were locked and loaded and ready to go. Buster was ready for another round of having his way with Jewels. He looked at her body and thought she had passed out from the sedative he'd given to her. As much as he was upset at Jewels for all the shit she had caused him, it did not change the fact that she was a bad bitch. Knocked out or awake, she looked good as hell.
Initially, when he'd carried Jewels into the abandoned apartment, he was going to kill her and dump her lifeless body in a garbage can and then wait for Rome, so he could do the same to him, but seeing her in her current state had made him desire her more, and now he was about self-satisfaction before he resumed his plan.
Who says I can't enjoy myself first
? Buster thought.
Buster removed his pants and boxers. His dick was standing at attention and now was completely exposed too. The hairs on his legs and arms stood erect, like his manhood. His fingers made their way from her cheek all the way to her pelvic bone. He fondled her ass cheeks and removed her panties, exposing her inner flesh. He then removed her bra. Her naked, heaving breasts came into view. Buster's dick throbbed as his eyes honed in on her long nipples. He noticed how the areolae were darker than her skin tone and how her waist and hips were slim. Buster placed his hands on hers and proceeded to stretch her fingers and pinch her nipples, hoping subconsciously that she would awaken and would partake in the activities. His fingers pinched her nipples some more, making them longer, more rigid.
The triangle of her pussy was perfectly shaved, almost bald, but inviting. Her messy curls covered her face, making her look angelic and peaceful, but something about her still made her sensual and desirable. He started kissing her body; at first his kisses were soft, and then the pace increased. He began to grind slowly against her body as his manhood grew harder. Her petite waist gave way to her curvy yet sexy hips. Her baby-soft skin made his dick harden with each touch, until it reached its full size. Each stroke against her skin made his manhood twinge in agony. He ground his teeth to try not to release himself before even entering her.
Electric shocks pulsated through his body as he ground against her, eagerly awaiting the moment when she suddenly opened her eyes and spread her legs so he could penetrate her totally. But she never did. She remained unconscious from the blow he had delivered to her head previously. Buster picked Jewels up and carried her over to where a sheetless mattress lay on the floor. The mattress bore stains that appeared to have been there for quite some time. He placed her on the filthy mattress. He let out a moan that could have awakened a bear in hibernation as he placed her hand on his manhood and proceeded to stroke himself. He closed his eyes and imagined it was her pretty little mouth wrapped around him, the way she had sucked him off earlier. This was turning him on more and more, and again he did not want to release until it was the right time. He quickly released her hand, and it dropped to her body. He then got between her legs and placed the tip of his hardness on her clit and began to flick it back and forth while gently fingering her pussy.
The sound of sex and the sweet smell of her juices mixed with Buster's musky smell filled the air. With his eyes closed once again, he pictured the two of them on a tropical island, with the sun shining. He imagined Jewels being full of life and into him. He fantasized about her mouth on his throbbing manhood. He could see her stroking and sucking it at the same time. Buster increases his pace as he envisioned her tongue brushing across his dick several times. He moaned as she ran her tongue across the tip, then pulled it hard into her mouth. The feeling was indescribable and almost surreal. The feeling of his flesh being attacked by Jewels's pretty lips seemed so real to Buster. He thrust his hips forcefully into Jewels.
Then the whole experience went from passionate and delightful to repulsive. Buster's eyes shot open. He was still between Jewels's lifeless legs, licking her pussy. Suddenly the sight and the smell disgusted him. It was like someone had flicked a switch, because he got up off the floor and looked at the body with disgust and pure rage.
“Your ass just wanna lay there, huh?” he spat. He pulled his boxers and pants up and zipped his zipper. His own guilt and shame over his actions caused him to lash out at her. But his words fell on deaf ears. That made Buster even madder. He slapped Jewels's face but got no reaction. He then gripped her nipples, squeezed them as hard as he could. He wanted to see if there would be any reaction. There wasn't.
Oh, this bitch think it's a game
. Buster was pissed. He pulled his dick out and turned Jewels's on her stomach. Without any notice or warning, he rammed his rock-hard cock inside of her asshole. The penetration brought a screaming Jewels back to consciousness. Her mind told her to fight back, but her body was too weak to obey its command.
Buster was so caught up in the act of fucking her ass that he was not aware that the wetness he was feeling on his dick was not Jewels's juices but blood. He was pumping her like he had never sexed anyone before in his life. With each stroke, he turned more and more into a madman. So many things raced through his head. Buster could feel himself reaching that point of no return. His speed increased. He gripped Jewels's hips tightly. Jewels had long ago stopped screaming and crying. She refused to give him the satisfaction. Instead, she sucked it up and took it like the thorough bitch she was. Right before he was due to ejaculate, Buster quickly pulled his dick from her ass, grabbed ahold of her face, and released without warning.
“Yeah, take that, you nasty bitch!”
He grabbed his gun and proceeded to force it angrily in between Jewels's inner thighs. Jewels nearly passed out from the excruciating pain. He alternated between her ass and her pussy. The sight of her blood turned him on. Buster released her and snatched her naked body up off the mattress.
“Oh, I'm just getting started, bitch.” The most insane look ever known to mankind appeared on his face.
With what ounce of strength Jewels had left, she focused her attention on Buster.
Her eyes widened when she saw what Buster pulled out after he popped open a black briefcase.
Chapter Thirty-seven
When Rome arrived, everything was confirmed. He saw that the crime scene around their neighborhood had been taped off with yellow police tape. He parked a few blocks away and walked over to mix in with the crowd. There was no need to ask who the victim was, because the body hadn't been removed yet. Looking straight through the open barbershop door, Rome couldn't believe his eyes. When he saw the familiar watch on the arm that stuck out from under the white sheet and the burgundy Tims on the feet of the dead man, he knew exactly who had been murdered. He had given Red that watch for his birthday last year.
“Motherfucka!” Rome cursed.
He inched in as close as he could get without being noticed. He was wearing a baseball cap pulled so far down, it damn near covered his eyes. He raised the brim a little to see who he could pull away from the scene and get information from. “Yo. Come holla at me,” he said quietly to a fat, freckle-faced man, then proceeded to walk away.
“Is that you, Rome?” the fat, freckle-faced man asked.
“Nigga, shut ya mouth and come holla at me.”
Freckle Face followed Rome back to his car.
“What the hell happened in there?” Rome quizzed.
“I don't know. I heard somebody ran up in the shop and blew Red's brains out. They don't know who it was, because he was covered up.”
Rome already thought Buster was the culprit, but he refused to admit it to the man he was talking to. “I know they saying more than that. Give me the lowdown, nigga.”
“Dawg, that's all I heard. They was up in there, watching a flick, and dude came out of nowhere, blasting. He never said a word. He came in, did what he had to do, and was out.”
“Is that what you heard, or was your monkey ass up in there when it happened?”
The guy thought about lying for a moment but decided against it. “Yeah, man. I was up in there. That's how I know wasn't nothing said. But my ass ran to the back when I heard the first shot, so I ain't see nothing,” he admitted.
“Yeah, whatever, nigga. What else happened?” Rome needed to know.
“I heard somebody say that some dude named Buster was around here.”
“Buster? Been around here? Today?” Rome couldn't believe his ears.
“Earlier. That's what somebody said.” Freckle Face's hands and nose began to sweat. The sound of Buster's name made him nervous. “You know him?” he then asked.
“Nigga, I'm asking the motherfuckin' questions!” Rome snapped.
“My bad.” Freckle Face threw his hands up in a submissive manner.
“How long was he out here?”
Why the hell he got to be questioning me? I do not want these niggas to even think I know more than I need to know
, the freckled-faced man thought before responding. “You know what? I couldn't even tell you, 'cause I bounced after I came up a couple of dollars in the crap game.”
“Oh, yeah?” Rome said slyly. Before the dude knew what was happening, Rome gripped his arm and had his. 40 cal up against his temple. “How about now?” he asked.
“Yo, I'm on your side, bruh.” The freckle-faced dude threw his hands up. He had known Rome all his life.
Rome released him. “My bad. Shit serious right now, bruh,” Rome said, apologizing. “Yo, hit me if you see that nigga anywhere.” He knew it was a long shot, but he was desperate.
Rome climbed into his car and sat there meditating for a moment. He called Buster's cell several times but didn't get an answer.
“Where the fuck this dude at?” he barked aloud to no one in particular. Then he sped out of the lot. He knew he was running out of time.
There is no telling what he doing to Jewels
, thought Rome.
“Fuuuck!” he yelled at the top of his lungs and banged his fists against the steering wheel.
He had no clue where to begin looking for Buster. He hated being in limbo. As it stood, he would just have to wait for Buster to return his callâif he ever did.
I gotta find this mothefucka
, he told himself.
Where the fuck could he be
? he questioned.
Rome thought back to the info provided to him when he was trying to track Los down. He thought back to all the places he and Red had combed and staked out while they were trying to catch Los slipping. The more he thought, the more he envisioned all the ground they hadn't covered when they were on the hunt for Los, because they had gotten the drop on him quick.
Out of nowhere, a smile appeared on Rome's face.
I got your bitch ass
! he exclaimed as he did a doughnut in the middle of the street and headed toward the interstate.