Total pages in book: 118
Estimated words: 109178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 109178 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 546(@200wpm)___ 437(@250wpm)___ 364(@300wpm)
CHAPTER TWENTY
A Big Shot with a Smoking Gun
The air clung to the thick odor of gun smoke as Young Guy’s, ‘Take Heed’ pumped through the speakers of Lennox’s parked truck. He stood in an abandoned Tom Thumb grocery store parking lot at 10:07 P.M., in the zone. Loading his TISAS 1911 Night Stalker Double Stack 9mm SF, he emptied the clip, turning one of the target silhouettes he’d set up into shreds.
He slowed down as he heard a car approaching. The music from the vehicle blended with his ‘Take Heed’, creating a strange mixed melody with ‘All There,’ by Jezzy, featuring Bankroll Fresh. Taking his keys out of his pocket, he turned his truck off remotely. At about the same time, Jezzy’s song cut off abruptly, too, ending the impromptu amalgamation of the two tunes.
Nadia’s car door slammed then she marched towards him wearing heels that clicked against the cement, sounding much like heavy raindrops smacking the hard gray surface. His gun boomed as he shot the target once again. Now the woman of his prayers stood beside him, though he didn’t look directly at her. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see her jostle her hands into the pockets of a shimmery red Starter jacket.
“Two inches above the ear.” He held up his gun, aimed, then fired, shooting directly in the area he’d declared. “So, let me get right into it, baby. I called you out here to have a discussion. We both have to be at work soon, and it won’t take long. Just listen.”
She cleared her throat, crossed her arms, and stared straight ahead at his target.
“I’ve killed many men.” Sucking his teeth, he reached for the bandana in his jeans pocket and swiped it across his forehead to collect his sweat. “Most were for hire.” He shoved the blue and white scarf back where it came from. “I told you about this, but I want to elaborate a little bit. For starters, I needed the money. The pay was good, but I was also angry. We had that in common.” She nodded in agreement. “I felt like killin’ somethin’ would make me feel more alive. It didn’t. I don’t enjoy killing people. In fact, I hated it, though I do understand that sometimes certain ones have to be wiped from the face of the earth.” He sighed. “I just always hope that I’m not ever put in a position again to be the one to have to do that. Play God, basically.
“Life and death coexist. They rely on one another. So, even though most of my activities, I’ll say,” he laughed dismally, “were for resources, there is an incident that doesn’t match this. I killed one man for playin’ in my face.” He shot at another target, this time landing the bullet right in the center of the chest. “My heart is not that of a killer, but when you come from my kind of family, and you live the life I’ve lived, it changes you. I’ve worked very hard to get away from that—to be a better person. I used to run from my past. Now, I accept it for what it is. Usually, I can resist any urge to take someone outta here that I believe is so evil, they need it. Some days though, it’s a struggle.”
All of us cousins have killed, actually, but that’s a different story for a different day.
Nadia coughed into the palm of her hand, but kept her eye on the target as he held up his gun once again. “Chin.” He shot and nailed the chin dead on. “Nadia, baby, listen. These are things I’m not proud of, and even though I’ve already discussed this with you, I wanted you to understand my mindset at the time, and why it happened in the first place.”
“Can I say something?”
He brought his arm down, resting the gun at his side.
“Yeah. What is it?”
“You told me why it happened. Actually, you explained yourself very well when you first confessed your sins, so to speak, to me. I think maybe you don’t trust my reaction… because I didn’t run for the hills and tell someone. I didn’t freak out. I know you’ve never admitted this to anyone before. Not to anyone you’ve dated anyway—but your secrets are safe with me.”
She reached for him and gently rested her fingers along his wrist. “I’ve been ’round killas my whole life, Lennox. Thieves. Liars. Rapists. The way you see me responding to you is how I am. It’s my authentic self. You have nothing to worry about. I am not gonna act differently and you explaining yourself for your past conduct is even more unnecessary. I already accept you for who you are, and know by nature that you’re not a violent person. You have to be pushed to it.”