Family of Monsterz, page 14
Gene had gone inside knowing Amari would come behind him soon. Immediately after closing the door to the bathroom, Gene shut off the light going to the mirror and unscrewing all the light bulbs walked into the only stall with a toilet and taking the porcelain lid off the tank went back to the front of the bathroom and stood waiting behind the door. A big man Amari was both intimidating and friendly, a well-practiced killer he was never scared and rarely uncomfortable. As unthreatening as Gene was in appearance to Amari, he could tell something was up, but had no clue as to what. They’d always had enemies, but none dumb enough to come in his backyard so to speak, it was common knowledge in the streets that if discovered it would be a suicide mission.
His voice big and boisterous Gene could hear him approaching with a voice as big as his frame. The sound of laughter continued in the opposite direction as Amari began entering the bathroom. Flicking the light switch as he stepped inside the door allowing it to close freely behind him. Unbothered and unaware that Gene was directly behind him, now standing against the door Amari tried the light switch again to no avail. Amari began to pat and grab each of his pockets in search of a lighter, Gene stepped quietly away from the door. His eyes already fully adjusted to the dark, he’d been silently waiting for Amari in the dark long enough that he could see the shape of his head with ease. By the time Amari found the lighter Gene was already standing a little more than arm’s length in front of him. Standing around six foot three inches in height Gene’s arms were just long enough for where he was standing being borderline perfect.
Music playing in the distance growing louder, Amari found his lighter, in that very instant sparking a flame. Gene swung the lid to the toilet as though it were a Louisville slugger as soon as the light flickered. Connecting its porcelain with Amari’s face as though he’d spent years in little league practicing for just that moment. The thud of his face striking the porcelain and Amari’s body then hitting the ground were conveniently silenced by the music as the bride’s celebration with their family hadn’t yet ended.
Knowing that this was his only ever fading window of opportunity Gene snatched the pouch from his pocket, and quickly took out his syringes full of Verapamil, injecting each syringe one at a time into Amari’s Carotid artery ensuring death would find him before anyone currently partying would. Then locking the door as he exited, not one person present to witness Gene’s exit. Not really wanting to leave the premises without ensuring the death of the other targets. Forcing himself to exit anyway while he could do so undetected because he’d risk unnecessary exposure if he didn’t.
Unaware of what to expect, Frankie sat patiently at the end of the drive, as it had been exactly six hours. Knowing that the event would end soon he had placed his pistol in his lap expecting trouble. Instead to his surprise Gene appeared quietly at his window tapping as lightly as possible to get Frankie’s attention. Three days later the paper gave the murders front page press, no one had a clue as to who was responsible. Not a stitch of evidence had been left behind to be found, and not one of the men sought after had been left among the living to talk about it. By the end of the week the media had dubbed the triple homicide as the Balzan Murders. As promised Carmine made every move legally possible to ensure Box’s release. It was Carmine who had ordered Wild Bill to kill the woman claiming to have been a witness to the beating of Super.
Bill had not only played with powder sales; he also had a team of women working for him in clubs and selling pussy. A beautiful young mother he’d addicted to crack at an early age that he still cared for was who he’d instructed to snitch on Box and offer testimony. Terrified of Bill, Chyna complied, as she had learned years prior the reason that streets had dubbed him Wild Bill.
Korean and black, the woman’s genes had protected her face and body from all the damage she’d been doing to it with all the drugs combined with physical abuse endured at the hands of her pimp and occasionally her johns. So when Chyna sat staring down the barrel of his rarely used 439 Smith & Wesson revolver, having known somehow it would end like that, she managed not to shed a single tear until she saw her daughter Jade’s face peeking around the corner just as he pulled back the hammer and squeezed the trigger.
Terrified that she’d share her mother’s fate, Jade climbed out her window without him ever knowing she’d been there. The foster care system delivered her to the home of every abusive weirdo available in the tri-state area trying to place her after Chyna’s death. Until, after so many failures, they aided her in finding employment that would keep her near her mother’s memories for good. Which would end up helping facilitate Gene’s attempted use of her in Wild Bill’s murder. The universe clearly found it a little too poetic, however, still saw fit to guarantee his swift delivery to the gates of Hades. A place where his deeds had earned him permanent residency, like a scholarship so thorough it even covered hells demonic dorms.
By the time they’d finished eating Gene had given a piece of his story that no one in the room had. No one except Red had been aware of what had taken place at the event aside from Carmine and crew. Red had been in the room when his magnificence had been discussed. No less than three days after Gene having met Carmine’s demands, Box had been notified of his impending release from the confines of the state’s maximum-security university for the criminal minded.
The courts process took significantly longer than expected, though having put up a valiant fight the state had been unable to prevent his release. Coming home, Box’s ears had been impenetrable, no matter who Frankie used to speak with him he continued his own reckless path.
After two exaggerated situations that ended both very publicly and tragically, Carmine began to wonder if perhaps Frankie cared too greatly for Box to see his reign of terror for what it was. Carmine warned Frankie of the damages his relationship with the Italians was taking as he fought to save someone unwilling to save themselves.
Gene now an accomplished member of Frankie’s team, one no one knew, as he was attending medical school. Unable to convince him to sit down, Frankie had begun using Box to handle Gene and continue to develop the violent DNA coursing through his veins. Accumulating enemies along the way, Box had become a big fish in an increasingly smaller and smaller pond almost overnight, after emerging from prison a fully developed man. But along with eating good came new and far more dangerous parasites.
fifteen
“Kendall, Amell Kendall!” She yelled at the top of her lungs. It wasn’t the first time she’d called that name since opening the cell block with her shift partner. Physically stronger than most women, she’d built her muscles on the pole of a strip club. She was still working on looking the correctional officer role, C.O. Samson stood to the side of her, looking just like his name. He’d been assigned to have her back, McBride easily the most attractive female officer on staff hands down.
Her smooth chocolate skin tone putting her bright white smile on full display. She’d been mid-sentence when Box strolled around the corner casually in his federal retreat clothing. Even in bright orange he could make a saint contemplate being a sinner. Locking eyes as he started to walk closer, Box had been careful not to give her any real acknowledgement.
Month after month of no women had rendered Box a younger man in a prison block full of men, fighting his body’s current insistence on an erection. Fortunately, he’d mastered the art of a quick adjustment in middle school, taking a quick turn walking past a few men as a distraction on his way over to the door.
Slowing but never stopping his stride, all while doing a quick waistband tuck to keep his reaction to himself. Instantaneously maintaining his stone face and cold stare became his occupation, previously it had been simply his demeanor. His pace consistent with his currently well-hidden erection, Box sauntered to the trail of inmates standing two paces behind the last of the men called previously. Cuffing and shackling each man one at a time Samson got the men ready for transport to the courthouse.
Being that she’d agreed to be the driver McBride got in the county’s transportation bus sat behind the wheel and began making sure she had all she needed. Just so happened Samson had placed Box in an aisle seat near the front of the bus which put him directly in her line of vision. Which she completely ignored; years of dancing had taught her the art of making eyes at someone while staying completely engaged in the conversation being had. Box could feel his pants tighten in the seat something he wouldn’t be able to simply adjust this time. Knowing him well when he hung his head directly above his waist, she knew exactly what he was pointing at, with a muted giggle she made light of how CO Samson had to be a descendant of Samson the biblical character.
A married man Samson blushed, bringing up his wife as his only defense mechanism before he’d start losing control of his body as well. Even sitting down Elite’s beautiful smile and amazing disposition was enough to make any man re-evaluate his ideas of love and who he was in it with. Before they could finish the laugh, they’d arrived. Samson immediately went to work unshackling prisoners, as Box stepped out first walking until he was within arm’s reach of McBride. Looking back noticing no one behind him yet he shook his head as began speaking.
“Damn Elite, I been imagining seeing yo ass but never like this.”
Trying not to blush she replied, “I’ll say this once, in here, I’m never to be called anything other than Officer McBride. I’ll never do time for you Box.”
But before he could reply Samson was on his way. As if being shackled in a group of men couldn’t get any worse, being in that group as a beautiful woman that you used to fuck walks y’all inside a courthouse was not the most bittersweet cherry on top. Upon walking in the first prisoners case called in the courtroom, for the first time was Eugene Kendall Jr. Box had been arrested again shortly after giving the instruction to end the man he condescendingly dubbed Wack Bill. While he expected to be locked up still when the police realized that their star witness was no more. However, seeing his little brother in this place with all its potential pitfalls was something he’d never allowed himself to imagine. He’d always considered Gene the smartest part of their shared DNA. He fought back a tear, Rose out there vulnerable, baby on the way and the woman they both loved sleeping nights alone had never been the plan. Suddenly Elite’s presence lost its sex appeal becoming more business than oats yet to be sewn.
As the judge entered the courtroom at the bailiff’s introduction every orange suit including Gene’s came to their feet. The only comfort being the presence of Red, Rose, Frankie and the same attorney who’d always made miracles of his cases. Like a teacher of two brothers, one a good student the other a troublemaker the judge sneered in Eugene’s direction. All Box heard was “first degree murder” and the words “how do you plea?” …to which Gene responded, looking like the picture of innocence they’d always raised him to be, “Not guilty your honor.” The only person missing from this horror flick was Niecy and while he couldn’t exactly place her absence, deserter was never a designation, he’d known better even while not knowing what to expect of her. Frankie would have instilled his policy in her just as he had them, “no matter what… you leave no man behind… no matter what!”
Though he’d been there hoping for updates on his case initially, praying for good news the D.A.’s delays now had no true significance. But made the rest of the day make sense, he now looked at Elite’s presence as a gift from a guardian angel. He’d watched as Gene had been re-shackled and lead from the room, he made no eye contact hoping to be able to create a scenario where they’d have time to talk.
Most people their first time in jail would be in a minimum-security facility, but due to the nature of his charges Gene would be in the only maximum-security facility in the state. The same facility Box was already in just on a different cell block. McBride made it her responsibility to know exactly where and befriend a few CO’s assigned to it, she even went so far as to pick up some overtime in that area. Keeping Gene safe wasn’t hard. Not only was Gene naive to who Box was within those walls but he was extremely naive when it came to know who would come to bat for him outside those walls.
As involved as Gene was in the family business, he’d had no idea who McBride was or had been to Box. A private woman, even as a stripper, only a few people were aware she and Box had begun sleeping with one another. She preferred it that way, Box not only had a heavy street presence, but he also had a messy flock of broads eager to meet his needs.
Her body was her temple despite her job description, and she treated it as such. She’s been smart about her money and keeping her house a home, but she’d been unable to keep her heart from latching on to every ounce of him. Even the parts that were undesirable, while Box was every bit of the man your mother warned you about, he treated her like a lady. One he respected and that’s why she couldn’t shake her interest in him.
sixteen
Detraction had become a strong suit for Brandy, a skill she mastered in high school to keep from being thrown into the spotlight for passing her pussy around the way she had. When she and Niecy became close, she put effort into keeping some of her reckless behavior to herself. Frankie was no plaything when it came to his child and her reputation. It was a wonder he’d allowed them to be close, but he’d never interfered in their friendship. Brandy rarely went to Frankie directly for anything, but this time her desperation was getting the best of her. Frankie would know exactly how to reach Box; Gene would be her last resort and if it all played out as planned, she would have a man not just some company when he was released.
“Hey Pops!” She practically sang into his phone.
Thinking to himself she had something up her sleeve, Frankie simply played along. “What’s up chocolate twin!” He responded dryly.
A man of few words Brandy knew she had to strike while the iron was hot. “Pops I need some help, I can’t tell you how I got the information but I got some news from a reliable source about Niecy’s guy’s case and the witness. Got it from a guy I work with, so you understand why I don’t want to just go to anybody with this… Can you point me in the direction of the person I need to see to talk to them?”
Frankie sat silently for a moment; he’d been in the game long enough to spot bullshit from miles away. The bullshit was thick in the air from the moment he’d answered her call but what he didn’t know was Brandy’s aim, so he played along while calculating his every response. “Absolutely baby, but you know the best solution is to tell Niecy… Gene is her fiancé my baby is capable of handling anything thrown her way. She’ll know what to do.”
“With her pregnant I just wanted to step in and handle it for sis. She doesn’t need the stress and you know Box likes to be hands on, so…” she answered.
Years of experience with people equally as scandalous allowed Frankie to read Brandie like a book. He didn’t need to know exactly what she had going on to know that it wasn’t good. He recognized early on that he couldn’t choose her friends for Niecy, so he’d stepped to the side years ago. But he wanted to set Brandie up to hang herself in front of Niecy once and for all. What he wouldn’t know until faced with it would be her response. This time he’d let the chips fall where they may. He gave her Box’s prison address and attorney information so that she could get on his visitation list. Unaware that reaching Gene was a part of the plan at all.
Quickly Brandie began reaching out, she waited until both men responded to start planning her attack. She wanted the opportunity to cast a shadow over Niecy’s reputation one dark enough to make her less of the whoremonger Brandie was. She knew she’d have to play this just right, the morning of visitation she’d been rehearsing what to say to whom, and how so that this bombshell wouldn’t explode in her lap. Box was first, after all he was the aim to begin with. She’d spent so many years telling herself she was a major player in the game because of Niecy’s family connections that she went into this too cocky.
McBride entered the lobby where all the visitors were waiting and began calling names. Before she could even finish saying Brandie’s first name, she was alert and was standing at the front of the line. What she didn’t know was that Box hadn’t any desire to accept her visitation request. She’d only been welcomed as a favor to Frankie because in Box’s mind she was some pussy to pass around, she was not an Elite or Niecy.
The look of irritation on Box’s face probably should have said it all, instead she missed the hint in his snarl. As he entered the room the lack of excitement allowed his body to drop into the chair across from her without so much as a word.
As if she’d been oblivious to his lack of enthusiasm Brandie greeted him, “Hey baby! I miss you.” To which he immediately replied, “the fuck you doin here. Make this worth my time…” raising his eyebrow.
“I’ve got some news for you n Gene, I know he’s here too. So why didn’t you tell me you were Niecy’s one-night stand?” She asked tilting her head and raising her brow, his look going quickly from irritation to indignation. To which she snickered, “I came to put you in front of the wave. I can either help or hinder but only you can decide the outcome of this conversation.” Before she could inhale and continue, he stood signaling to McBride that he was done.
“Bitch” he said voice full of his true opinions of her presence.
Cutting him off she continued, “have it your way…” voice barely concealing a snicker trying to creep out. “I came to tell you that not only are you soon to be a new daddy, not your brother, but more importantly I who the new witness is that knows Gene killed that man,” she feigned ignorance, shrugging she stood just as McBride opened the door to remove him from the table.
