Soul Ties, page 24
“It’s the weekend. They gotta hold us until Monday until we can go before a judge. Them motherfuckers trying to pin that shit the Feds found on the boat on us. I don’t want to say too much over the phone about it. You contacted my lawyer yet?” Irritation in Chance’s voice was evident.
“No, a lot of shit has been going on, but—”
Chance sighed heavily into the phone. “Damn, Nina, that should have been the first thing you done!”
Nina rolled her eyes, trying to hold back tears. She knew Chance wasn’t trying to upset her considering his circumstances, but he didn’t even know the type of night she’d had herself, the type of crippling grief she battled. “I know, Chance. It’s hard to explain.”
“Nah, explain it to me, Nina. Tell me what could be more important than getting me my freedom. First, you get to the ball late as hell. Now this. Who or what got your attention?”
Miami looked at Nina and shook her head no, already knowing what she was about to say.
“I have some bad news, and I can’t tell you this over the phone, baby. Please don’t make me say it.”
Chance was silent for a moment. Amid all the bullshit going on, he didn’t want to hear any more bad news. “A’ight, I hear you.” He sighed. “Contact my lawyer for me. Have him ready first thing Monday morning. I’m trying to be out this bitch asap.”
“We got you, Chance. Where’s my husband? He good?” Miami yelled in the speaker phone.
“He’s good, sis. He should be calling you soon. Nina, I love you. I’ll see you soon, baby.”
Nina expressed her love for Chance before ending the call. She desperately wished she could break into the jail herself and free her man, but that was not how the American justice system worked. As broken as it was, there were rules and regulations in place that had to be followed. Innocent until proven guilty; Nina was thankful for that decree, even though the media was running with the story and making Chance out to be a cartel leader. She would do whatever in her power to kill that narrative and ensure Chance’s freedom.
* * *
By Monday morning, Nina and Miami were up bright and early to meet with their lawyers. Chance and Cassidy would be going before a judge in less than one hour. They prayed the judge would grant bail. Both women carefully climbed the steps to the entrance of Harper and Stevens Law Firm. It housed two of Miami’s most cutthroat defense attorneys. Jay Harper and Austin Stevens were the only men with the balls to take this case. Chance had spoken highly of Jay Harper on numerous occasions, but Nina had never met him.
“Hello, ladies. How can I help you?” The blonde receptionist greeted them with a smile.
“Nina Singleton. Miami Santana. Mr. Harper is expecting us,” Nina answered while looking at the time on her iPhone.
“Of course. Right this way.” The thin beauty led Nina and Miami down a hallway until they reached Harper’s office. “He’s been expecting you.” The girl motioned for them to enter the immaculate office space. They found a middle-aged black man sitting at the desk. His goatee displayed hints of salt and pepper, and his head was bald. He was easy on the eyes for sure.
“Good morning, ladies. You must be Nina.” Mr. Harper stood up and shook Nina’s hand. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“Likewise.” Nina took a seat as she observed the award plaques hanging from the wall. “This is my girlfriend, Miami. Her husband is one of the men that was picked up with Chance. I know you and Chance are familiar from your past business transactions.”
“Chance worked with Stevens. He handles contractual business. I’m defense.” Harper sat down behind his desk and crossed his legs. “Nevertheless, you also know this will not be cheap?”
Nina nodded her head as she crossed her legs. “I’m well aware. Whatever it takes. We need someone like you, Mr. Harper.”
“Call me Jay,” he insisted with a gracious smile. “I’m confident we can bring your men home today and beat these charges. The only evidence the Feds have right now is a shitload of cocaine and a Colombian immigrant who illegally delivered it. He’s not talking, and the Colombian government requested he be tried in his own country. So, they’re back at square one,” Jay explained.
“Thank God!” Miami exclaimed as she squeezed Nina’s hand.
“Don’t rejoice just yet, love. The Feds will not give up after this. It’s an embarrassment. They will be coming after your men, your businesses, and your finances. The money you post for bail, make sure it is squeaky clean. They will be after anything that could link them to anything illegal. Is that clear?”
Both women nodded.
“All right. Let’s go get your men.”
Nina couldn’t wait until the moment Chance was released. She had put on her best poker face the last few days, but all she could think about was Quan lying dead on a cold table. This unfathomable reality ate at Nina’s heart every second of the day. She’d experienced death before. Her beautiful mother, Jaslynn, was murdered when Nina was just a young girl. There were people she grew up with that had passed. Shit, her own father had tried to kill her and ended up dying at the hands of Yasin. Nina had been close enough to death to kiss it plenty of times. Death seemed to be a distant friend of hers. Yet, losing Quan was different. The pain seemed like it would never stop. Maybe it was because Nina was grieving for Chance, too. He would undoubtedly take the news the worst.
“You good, mami?” Miami asked as she noticed Nina staring out of the car window as they headed to the courthouse. She could sense the sadness pouring out of Nina. Miami knew she was trying to remain strong for the sake of their situation. It was all she knew, what all women who looked like them or related to their struggle knew: strength when life brings you to your lowest point. “We’re bringing them home.”
Nina nodded as she bit her bottom lip, trying to hold back tears. “My brother is never coming back. I have to live with that.” Her voice was barely audible as her bottom lip quivered. “I have to make this right.” All of the chaos in her life was a direct product of Yasmine’s treachery. Nina would make her suffer for her deeds, but first, she would bail her man out and bury her brother.
Chapter Eleven
Chance gritted his teeth as he struggled to walk with the tight, heavy shackles on his feet. Being chained up for the last two days had made him come to a realization. This would be his first and last time in chains. The American prison system claimed to rehabilitate criminals, but its sole intention, in Chance’s opinion, was to enslave the black man. It was a system that Chance had lost many homies and family members to. He refused to fall victim to this punishment again. Court would be held in the streets before Chance surrendered to prison.
“This way.” The guard pushed the four men chained together. He held a big wooden door open that led to the courtroom. The stocky white guard unchained Chance and Cassidy and led them to the table where Harper and Stevens sat. Nina and Miami sat in the row of seats directly behind their lawyers.
Cassidy turned around and planted a big kiss on his wife’s lips. “Looking good, baby.”
“No touching,” the guard warned harshly.
Nina gave Chance a hopeful smile and blew him a kiss. Just the presence of her man lifted her mood. All she wanted to do was collapse into his strong and soothing grasp. She needed him. She needed to hear him say that everything would be fine, even if it wasn’t.
“All rise,” the bailiff stated loudly. “The Honorable Judge Lopez.”
Chance gave a sigh of relief when he saw the judge walking up. Maria Lopez was Nikko’s distant cousin. She was well compensated for the confidential information she provided to Nikko and Chance on a monthly basis. He locked eyes with Nikko, who was seated across the room. Nikko nodded and gave him a smirk.
“You may be seated,” Judge Lopez declared as she sat down comfortably. “Chance McKnight, Cassidy Arrington, Nikko Ramirez, and Yasin Amos. Well, this is my first time seeing these names in my courtroom.” Judge Lopez flipped through the files as she tapped her finger impatiently against the stand. “Hmm, drug trafficking.”
Nina and Miami looked at each other with puzzled looks on their faces. This woman seemed so uninterested, not like she wanted to lock up four criminals.
“They better have her on payroll,” Miami murmured to Nina.
“Attorney Harper, Attorney Stevens, I will not be wasting anymore of your time today. The DEA has dropped all charges against the defendants. It seems there is no direct evidence linking these men to the shipment of cocaine found. On behalf of Dade County, I apologize to you four men. Next case.” Lopez banged her gravel and handed their files to the secretary sitting next to her.
Nina looked at Miami in surprise. It couldn’t have been that easy, right? This is only the beginning, she thought as Harper and Stevens shook her hand.
“At least we didn’t have to drop that million,” Miami whispered in Nina’s ear before walking over to hug Cassidy.
* * *
The minute Chance emerged from the entrance of the courthouse, Nina ran into his arms. She couldn’t contain the storm of emotions that had been brewing inside of her. With Chance, she could let everything out. Nina was content with the fact that he’d never judge her. Tears poured from her as Chance embraced her tightly, intertwining his fingers in her hair as he massaged her scalp carefully.
“Shh, it’s okay, baby. I’m never leaving you again,” he whispered in her ear.
“It’s not okay. Everything has changed.” Nina cried as Chance nearly held her up as they walked to the Town Car. She slid in after he opened the door for her. “I wish I had good news for you, baby, but it’s all bad.” Nina shook her head, dreading being the bearer of bad news.
“Whatever it is, you can tell me, shorty. I beat this case. That’s all that matters.” Chance stroked her soft hand as they headed to their home. All he wanted to do right now was see his sons’ faces and lay up with his lady.
If you only knew, Nina thought with a lump forming in her throat. She cleared her throat and mustered the courage to speak the dreadful news. “I don’t even know how to say this—”
The ringing of Chance’s phone interrupted Nina’s words. Yasmine’s name appeared across the screen.
“Answer it,” she demanded. “Put her on speaker phone.”
Chance looked at Nina as if he were trying to figure out her angle. But from the tone of Nina’s voice, he knew she was serious. He slid his finger across the button just in time to catch the call before it forwarded Yasmine to voicemail.
“Yo.”
“Oh my God, it’s so great to hear your voice. I miss you, Chance. After seeing you get arrested this weekend, you’ve been on my mind nonstop.” Yasmine’s voice filled the car.
“Word?” Chance replied, playing it cool.
“Of course, baby. I just think it’s funny how shit starts going left for all of us when Nina arrives in town.”
Nina scoffed silently as she listened to Yasmine slander her name. The conniving bitch was trying to plant seeds in Chance’s mind that could possibly lead to him looking at Nina as if she were the cause of everything. She looked at Chance and raised an eyebrow.
The thought of Nina crossing him was ludicrous. “What you trying to get at, Yasmine? Because you can’t insinuate shit like that without Nina being here to defend herself.” Yasmine had become a slight annoyance to him since he and Nina got back together. He had tried shunning her politely, but his efforts didn’t stop Yasmine from pursuing him. It seemed as if Chance’s rejection only added fuel to Yasmine’s desire for him.
“I’m just saying. I know you’re real lowkey and shit when it comes to your business. Cops never been a problem for your operation. You run that shit like a monopoly. So, why is it a problem all of a sudden?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about, Yasmine.” Chance frowned. She was getting loose at the lips, and it was time to cancel her ass for good. “Have a good day, shorty.” He hung up before Yasmine could get another word out.
“What’s that about?” Chance turned to face Nina.
“That’s a discussion for later.” An unreadable expression came over her face. “Quan died.” She spit it out quickly. If she hadn’t said it now, she never would. Nina decided ripping the Band-Aid was the best route to go.
Chance laughed lightly as he cocked his head to the side like the words Nina spoke weren’t registering in his mind. “You said what?” It was as if time stopped for a second. He read Nina’s lips as she said what she said, but he couldn’t have possibly heard her correctly. “What did you say?” There was no way niggas got one up on Quan.
Nina looked into Chance’s eyes and recognized a dark look. It was the look of the devil that lived inside of Chance, a devil that only came out when his loved ones were harmed. “I said Quan died, baby. Jada called me . . . and told me.” Nina’s voice quivered as she slowly replied.
Chance pulled out his phone and dialed Quan’s number. It was the same reaction Nina had when she received the news. He angrily ended the call when the phone went straight to voicemail. Sweeping his hands over his face, Chance pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to maintain his composure. He was glad he was already sitting down because his knees gave out when he realized Nina was serious.
“I didn’t even get to tell him I was sorry.” Chance finally broke down when he remembered his last encounter with Quan. He had fought his brother and condemned him back to Charlotte. In his mind, he’d sentenced his brother to death by sending him back home. Chance knew how niggas were in Charlotte. When they saw the next man coming up in a major way, they would take his life to try to take what he built. He would never be able to forgive himself for this.
“My brother, man.” Chance placed his face in Nina’s lap as he cried like a baby. The last time he cried like this was when his Nana died, the only woman he knew truly loved him besides Nina.
Nina’s heart broke seeing Chance like this. She knew the magnitude of her pain couldn’t compare to the turmoil Chance was experiencing. He’d lost his best friend, his right hand, his brother. Nina rubbed his back as she sobbed along with him. They were the only people in this world who understood how world-shattering this news was.
“I can’t believe it either, baby. We have to go to Charlotte. I don’t think Jada will be able to handle funeral arrangements on her own.”
Chance sat up and wiped his face. The tears stopped, but the pain would be eternal. He would forever be tormented by his last encounter with Quan. “She doesn’t have to worry about anything. She’s carrying my little niece or nephew. She good forever.” The thought of having a part of Quan living on through his seed eased the pain a little.
“I never kept anything from you, Chance, and I don’t want to start now. I hate even having to tell you this with all the shit that’s going on, but you deserve to know,” Nina said as the Town Car pulled alongside the curb at the skyscraper where their condo rested. “Yasmine is a fucking Fed. That bitch is the cause of all this shit,” Nina whispered into his ear.
“A Fed?” Chance repeated. “I’on know, Nina. We need proof.” He knew he wasn’t slipping to the point he couldn’t point out an undercover agent or not.
“Look at me. We’ll figure it out.” Nina grabbed Chance’s face with her hands. “When we have proof, we’re going to make that bitch pay. But we got to play smart first. This is chess, baby. By the time we’re done with her, she’ll wish she never fucked with our family, and that’s on my brother,” Nina promised. She never made a promise she couldn’t keep. She kissed Chance before releasing his face.
“Your sons have been waiting for you. It’s been a long couple of days. Let me take care of you before we go to Charlotte,” she said as she dropped to her knees.
* * *
Nina and Chance had been in Charlotte for two days now. The majority of Nina’s time was spent planning a funeral. Chance wasn’t much help. Nina knew he was battling the guilt of fighting Quan on top of grieving his death. Like any good woman, Nina picked up the pieces when her man couldn’t.
It was the day of the wake. Nina dropped the boys off to Chance’s aunt, who lived right outside of Charlotte. She headed to meet Jade for the first time. Nina was going to make it her business to ensure Jade’s comfort before going back to Miami.
The GPS indicated Nina had arrived at her destination. She chuckled to herself when she pulled up to a modest brick home. Quan always stated he never wanted to live in a mansion. A nice three-bedroom, two-bathroom home was enough for him. I know he got that joint decked out inside, Nina thought. There was a BMW parked in the driveway and Nina assumed it was Jade’s.
Her YSL heels sank into the grass as she crossed the yard. Knocking lightly on the door, Nina observed the surroundings of the suburban neighborhood. A person had to be making at least six figures to reside on this side of Charlotte.
“Hi, Nina.” Jade and her baby bump greeted Nina. Jade’s cinnamon-colored skin was smooth and glowing flawlessly. She wore her hair in a short curly fro that was dyed an orange hue. The hoop nose ring resting in her small nose accentuated her beautiful face. Nina could tell Jade was a petite woman without the bump.
“Come on in.” Jade stepped aside and allowed Nina to enter the home.
“Hey, it’s nice to finally meet you.” Nina felt the urge to hug Jade. She held her tight and close because she knew she needed it. Three years ago, Nina had been in Jade’s shoes. The only difference was Chance didn’t really die. He faked his death, and Quan’s was all too real.
“How are you feeling?” Nina asked as she sat on the gray plush loveseat. Nina noted Jade’s resemblance to herself. She wondered if Quan had pursued her because she reminded him of Nina.
Jade exhaled as she took a seat on the couch across from Nina. “I’m trying to stay strong.” Jade smiled, but the shaking of her voice let Nina know she was hurting. “I feel like my time with him, my baby’s time, was stolen. It’s not fair.” Jade shook her head as she looked down at her bump.
Nina’s heart broke for the beautiful woman before her. That pain Jade was feeling would be felt every time she looked into her child’s face. “I can’t say I know how you feel, honey, but I almost do. It’s going to be hard. I’ll always be here for you and that baby. No matter what. We lost a real one.” Nina shook her head. She wanted to question God, but there would be no answer, except that everything happens for a reason.
