'Til Death Page 11

  "I was swimming a couple of weeks ago. I had the ear plugs in and doing laps in the pool one night. I didn’t know he came in there. I laid my head on the side of the pool to catch my breath. He came up behind me and . . . " Heaven took a long pause.

  "Go on," I said, while rubbing her back.

  "He wrapped his arm around my waist; I felt his . . . it was hard." Heaven stopped talking. I kept rubbing my temples, I felt a headache coming on and I also wanted to go kill Carl right then.

  "I jumped out of the pool and he said I never spend any time with him. I told him I was tired, and later. I ran to my room and locked my door."

  "Who put a lock on your door?"

  "Auntie Cynthia."

  I nodded my head. "Thank you for telling me." I kissed her forehead, and hugged her close to me silently thanking my sister.

  "I’m sorry for not telling you."

  "No, it’s ok. I’m not upset with you, but trust and believe things will change tomorrow," I said. I stood up and made my way to Boan’s room. I heard Heaven close and lock her door. After this, she would not be locking any more doors.

  Boan

  I woke up and reached for Ciara. She wasn’t beside me. I looked at the clock and I saw that it was noon. I got up and stretched and went into the bathroom. Ciara wasn’t in there either. I took my shower and brushed my teeth. I got out and threw on some basketball shorts and a t-shirt. I checked my phone and replied to Culprit and my mom’s texts. I made my way downstairs and smelled food. I looked at Ciara, who had this intense look on her face. I smiled at Heaven who was sitting next to Ciara. I sat on the other side of Ciara and stared at her. She looked over at me and I looked into her light brown eyes. I leaned over and kissed her. I wasn’t gonna lie about my feelings: Ciara got me wide open right then, and if we hadn’t been in front of her family, I would have been doing some damage.

  "Good afternoon, Barren, did you sleep well?" Mrs. Summers asked. I took a sip of some orange juice and looked at Ciara’s mom.

  "Yea, I did," I said. She nodded at me. Carl came walking out of the kitchen.

  "You up just in time for some brunch," Carl said. I smiled. Brunch? Really? I held back my laughter. I looked over at Ciara again. I ran my finger up her arm. She looked at me but didn’t say anything. I could tell something was heavy on her mind and heart.

  "How long have you two been married?" Cynthia asked.

  "Nine years," I replied.

  "Really? That long," Mrs. Summers said. I nodded my head. Carl came around and dumped food on our plates. Ciara looked up at him.

  "Hungry, little sister?" Carl asked Ciara. Ciara didn’t say anything. He shrugged his shoulders.

  "Guess extra for me and my niece," Carl said. Carl leaned down and kissed Heaven on her forehead while looking dead at Ciara. Heaven was stiff as a pole. It seemed like in a matter of seconds, all hell broke out. Ciara grabbed a knife from the table and leaped in the air toward Carl. I caught her midair and restrained her. Heaven was smart enough to duck to the other side of the room. Ciara threw the knife at Carl, but he ducked.

  "Ciara, get the hell out of my house!" Mrs. Summer screamed.

  "What the fuck did I tell you, Carl? You think I’m playing with you?" Ciara said.

  "You’re fucking crazy, Ciara!" Carl yelled.

  "Ciara, leave now!"

  "Mom, I’m not going anywhere without my daughter," Ciara said.

  "You’re not taking Heaven." Mrs. Summers was practically foaming at the mouth.

  "I’m not leaving her with this rapist." Ciara pointed at her brother outing him.

  "What?" I said, while looking at Ciara.

  "Shut up, Ciara," Carl snapped at my wife. I turned my body towards Ciara and looked at her, waiting for her to explain.

  "The real reason you were so quick to abandon me mother, was because you didn’t know if Tez was really the father. You knew it could have been Carl," Ciara put her mom on full blown blast.

  Mrs. Summers came around the table and slapped Ciara across her face. I felt like my world was slowing down. I looked at Heaven, who stood in the corner, crying. Cynthia stepped in between her mom and little sister.

  "She’s telling the truth, and you know it," Cynthia said, while shaking her head.

  "Heaven told me what you’ve been trying to do to her." Ciara was giving her brother a death stare, like she was ready to chop his head off.

  "That little bitch is lying, mom, I swear." Carl was trying to defend himself.

  I whirled around and punched Carl right in his face. His nose instantly began to squirt blood. Carl fell on the glass table and it shattered under his weight. I jumped on him and punched him again. I punched him for Ciara and for Heaven. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up at Heaven.

  "Please stop." Heaven whispered. She was crying. I looked at Carl, who was bloody but still conscious. I grabbed Carl closer so he could hear me easily.

  "If I ever see you again, I will beat you until your last breath, and then I will tie you up and stick my .50 Caliber so far up your ass and empty the clip. Do you understand?"

  "Y . . . ye . . . yea man. I got it." Carl promised while stuttering. I pushed him away from me and stood up. Everybody looked at me.

  "Heaven, go take whatever you want out of your room; anything else we can buy. You’re leaving with us."

  "For real?" Heaven asked, while looking back and forth between me and Ciara.

  "Yes, of course," Ciara said. Heaven sprinted up the stairs.

  "I'm going to call the police." Mrs. Summers claimed.

  "Do it and I’ll tell them everything, from Carl to you abandoning me and taking my child," Ciara said. Mrs. Summers stopped walking and turned around. "I guess you finally won." Her voice was laced with disdain.

  Heaven came downstairs with her cell phone and a book bag. Ciara wrapped her arm around her daughter and walked out of the house.

  "I would say that it has been a pleasure meeting you, but that would be a lie," I said. I left and walked up to Ciara, who was standing outside of her Lexus truck.

  "Do you have any idea how much I love you right now?" Ciara said, while smiling at me. A tear slid down her cheek and I caught it.

  "I got another surprise up my sleeve," I said.

  "And what is that?"

  "Just follow me all the way. Even when you don’t recognize where we’re going, just follow me." I opened the car door and helped her in. I ran back to my Range and hopped in. I was ready to ride into the sunset. We drove all the way into Detroit, and Ciara followed me as I instructed her. I was excited about everything that was about to happen. I drove to India Village on the eastside of Detroit. I stopped in front of the house that looked like it was carved out of stone. It was a nice neighborhood, surrounded by huge homes; a place where I would want my family to be. I saw Culprit’s car, and my mom’s, and a U-Haul truck. I didn't see Tosh’s or Lo’s cars, which meant they still didn't know. Everything was in place. I got out and I waited for Ciara. Ciara got out and looked up at the home.

  "Before you start firing questions, just chill out." I told her, prepared for her rapid questions.

  Ciara smirked at me. I reached out my hand and she took it. I waved Heaven out of the car.

  "Come on," I was full of excitement. Heaven followed us inside the house.

  "SURPRISE!" Everybody screamed. Ciara started laughing. She still didn’t know exactly what the surprise was.

  "Boan, what the hell is going on?" Ciara turned towards me with the biggest smile on her face.

  I looked at everybody. I saw my nigga, Avery was there. Culprit followed everything I had told him to do. I turned to face Ciara. I looked down at Heaven, who looked confused also. They looked so much alike that it was crazy.

  "Our life has been many things. You and I together have been insane, chaotic, and mind-blowing that I can’t even understand what is going on half the time. And when we are down, we are in the deepest hole, but I wouldn’t want to be in a hole with anybody else but you. Y
ou are my sun and I’m your shade. Everything that has happened between us is worth it, because I know more than everyone that where we at right now and where we are going, I would die for. This house that we are standing in I bought for us. Your daughter is here with us, you're pregnant with my child, and I’m ready to be whatever you need me to be. I’m ready for a fresh start, and this ring that I have will prove it." I pulled out a Montana Sapphire ring. The blue, princess-cut diamond was dead center, and clear diamonds surrounded it. I heard Ciara gasp. I looked at her, and tears were coming down her face. Heaven was smiling so hard.

  "This ring represents a new us, and new promises. A new journey, and how everything in the past is exactly in the past. I want to renew our vows. And . . ." Ciara cut me off and started kissing me. I wrapped my arms around her waist and pulled her closer. Ciara broke the kiss and looked at me.

  "You talk too much. Just put the ring on my finger." Ciara couldn't stop smiling.

  I put the ring over her old ring.

  "I love the shit out of you." Ciara told me before kissing me.

  Lo

  They were having a barbecue at the new place. I didn't even know Boan bought a house when he and Ciara stopped talking after the kitchen incident. Ciara showed us her new ring, and told us the long story about everything. Tosh and I listened with our mouths hanging open. I had a new found admiration for Ciara, and would have never guessed she had been through all of that. I looked over to where Culprit was standing with Boan and some other guy that I didn’t know. Culprit looked at me, then looked away. I looked at Heaven, Ciara’s lovely daughter. The girl was a sweetheart, and so charming. She was sitting with Boan’s grandmother, getting to know her and giving us some time to catch up with Ciara.

  "Who the hell is that man over there with Boan and Culprit?" Tosh asked.

  "I don’t know," Ciara said, while looking over there.

  "Well, we need to find out, because he is the epitome of gorgeous," Tosh said. I looked at the man to whom Tosh was referring. She was right. He was light-skinned and had some nice lips that were surrounded by a trimmed goatee. He stood about 6’5 and was built. His black hair was arranged in perfect, untamed curls. He looked over at the table and pointed. Boan laughed and walked over to us.

  "YO!" Boan said, hugging us.

  "This is my boy. I met him in Alabama. He from New York, named Avery. Just call him Av though. This is my wife of course, Ciara, my sister and wife’s best friend, Lo, and other BFF, Tosh." Avery licked his lips and I could practically feel Tosh melt beside me.

  "What’s good ladies?" Avery said while shaking all of our hands. Culprit walked over and stood beside me.

  "Yo, son, I’m about to bounce. So tomorrow I’ll hit you up, all right?" Avery said to Boan. Boan nodded and dapped him up. Avery turned and did the same to Culprit. Avery looked at Tosh and threw on his snapback hat and walked out.

  "Boan, I don’t ask you for much, but that right there," Tosh said.

  "Man, I don’t know, Tosh. He might be too much for you," Boan said, while smiling.

  "What you mean?"

  "He not like the lame niggas you date. Avery thirty, and ready to settle down. He already ‘scoped you out and told me what he thinks of you."

  "He look so fucking good, I don’t care if he thinks I’m Medusa. I’m getting him," Tosh said. I just shook my head.

  "Lo, come here right quick," Culprit said. I stood up and followed Culprit into the house. I followed him upstairs, and we walked into an empty room. Culprit closed the door. I stood in the middle of the room looking at him. Culprit had on blue cargo shorts with a black wife-beater, and a Magic’s snapback, looking so fucking sexy.

  "I’m tired of pretending that I don’t want to be with you," Culprit said. I just looked at him. He walked up to me.

  "I’m tired of you acting like you don’t know who I am. You still act like I’m in the game, when I’m not. I’ve never hid anything from you about what I’ve sold and whom I’ve dealt with in the game. So why the change Lo?"

  "There is no change," I lied.

  "You’re fucking lying." He spotted my bullshit quick.

  "Don’t cuss at me."

  "Well, don’t make me." His deep voice sending a chill down my spine.

  "Sometimes it’s hard for me to come to grips that I’m in love with a murderer."

  "Is that what you see me as?" He asked amazed that I would even say that.

  "No." I didn’t see Culprit as a murderer. He was Culprit. He was mine. He was gentle and passionate and articulate and funny and so damn sexy, especially right then. Culprit’s hands touched the back of my neck. He bent down to kiss me. His lips were so soft. My hands went up his shirt and rubbed his six-pack. Our kiss grew deeper, and I felt his erection against me. Culprit unbuttoned my top and my shorts. I pulled his shirt off and planted soft kisses on his chest. Culprit pushed me against the wall and yanked my shorts down. His lips found mine again, and I sucked his lips into my mouth while I unbuttoned his pants. Culprit yanked my bra down and sucked on my nipples while he played with my valley. I was hoping that nobody would come up there, but if they did, I wouldn’t have been able to stop.

  Culprit made his way down, and I rubbed my fingers in his hair. He grabbed my thighs and lifted me up. I was sitting on his shoulders. I felt his breath first before I felt his tongue. His tongue dug its own path into my garden. I couldn’t stop the moans of pleasure that were escaping from my mouth. I was on the verge of cumming. My body started to shake, and Culprit held me tighter. He sucked, licked, and probed his way inside my core and savored my juices on his tongue. I pushed his head away because I was sensitive. Culprit picked me up, and I wrapped my legs around his waist. I kissed his juicy lips and kissed his neck. Culprit’s hard dick brushed up against my clit. I shuddered.

  "What you shaking for?" Culprit whispered in my ear. He took my ear lobe in his mouth and moved his way to my neck. He sucked on my neck. He grabbed my neck with his other hand. He turned my face and kissed me so hard I was dizzy from it. I felt him enter me and fill me up. His rhythm was intense. He interlocked his fingers with mine, and bit my bottom lip. He grabbed my ass and pulled me into each powerful thrust. My fingernails dug into his skin. I bit his shoulder so I wouldn’t cry out.

  "Do you not know how much I love you?" Culprit asked. I didn’t say anything. I couldn’t say anything. I was beginning to shake and my toes started to curl.

  "Do you know now?"

  "Yeeessss . . ." I moaned. I was beginning to cum.

  "That’s right. Cum for me Lorean." I felt tears in my eyes and I began to shake all over. Culprit’s knees buckled, and I knew he came too. Culprit shook against me. There was a knock on the door.

  "Hold on," Culprit yelled. He pulled out of me and stuffed himself back into his pants. He picked up his beater off the floor, along with his hat. I slid to the floor and just sat there. I was still feeling the aftermath of it, and I needed some time. Culprit cracked the door and I heard Tosh’s and Ciara’s voices. Culprit looked back at me and smiled.

  "We cumming," Culprit said.

  "Obviously," Tosh and Ciara said in unison.

  Culprit

  I was in Avery's truck riding with him. Boan and Heaven were going to the mall. We were taking Heaven shopping, because Ciara was sick due to her pregnancy. I had to get me a tux so I could go with Lo to her black-tie event. I didn't know if Lo and I were good or not. Every time I asked her, I always got one word answers. I was doing this shit last minute, because the event was that night. We had been out early Saturday morning. Boan was eager to get Heaven whatever she wanted. Boan was a good dude though. I didn't know what I would have done if I had been in his shoes. I knew I wouldn’t be so ready to accept my wife's illegitimate child though, even though Heaven was a sweetheart. She was mature, and even humble for her age. When we got to the mall, everybody went their separate ways and agreed to meet up later. I just needed to grab a tux. I already knew my measurements, so shit wouldn’t be difficult.
After I grabbed my tux, I went to get some shoes. I walked into the store and saw the ol' girl I cheated with when I was with Lo. Her name was Camille. She looked up at me and just stared. I gave her a head-nod. She put her shoe down and walked over to me.

  "Long time no speak, huh Culprit." Camille said.

  "How you been?"

  "Good, still don't have a kid." I just shook my head.

  "You sound disappointed." I said while looking at her.

  "What about you? Got any kids yet?" She asked me, but I knew she was being sarcastic.

  "Camille, you know I've never been the father type." I shook my head at her.

  "Well what if I told you that I never got that abortion," Camille said, while smirking. My heart began to beat hard in my chest. I took off my hat and looked at her.

  My heart started pounding so hard in my chest I thought it was going to jump out but I played it cool. "You either did, or didn't."

  "Calm down Culprit; I did. I figured you weren’t going to be there anyway. I always knew my role as the side-piece. I know how to play the part. Plus, you ain't shit anyway." Camille placed her glasses on and turned on her heel.

  I watched her walk away and I paid for my shoes. Maybe she was right. Maybe I wasn't shit.

  Boan

  I was at the shoe store with Heaven. She was picking out shoes, but she didn't really know what she wanted. She didn't know how many she should get. I kept telling her to get everything and anything she wanted, but I could tell she was still being shy about it. I stood aside while she talked to a clerk. I felt somebody tap me on my shoulder. I turned around and looked down at Sky. Sky had on some tight-ass shorts and a top, looking thick as hell. She licked her juicy lips and I saw her tongue ring. I remembered what she could do with that mouth and I just shook my head.

  "What's up with you?" Sky asked.

  "Shit."

  "Damn, so I guess you don't fuck with me anymore." Sky had her hand on her chest like she was seriously hurt.

  "I don't have a way to reach you, remember?" Sky grabbed my iPhone off the clip that was attached to my hip. She put her number in it, then called herself. Fuck.