Page 61 of Half Blind

Alita stopped passing out the gift boxes, looking at Helen with an intimidating stare. Helen gave it back to her in spades. “Young man, I am too old for you and am unavailable.”

“No disrespect, my lovely Señorita, but my age has nothing to do with my skillsets,” he said with a wink. He lowered his voice to a whisper so only she could hear him, “I can do what he can, better with more flexibility and longer. I have the stamina of a young thoroughbred coupled with unbridled determined focus. I am up at 5 am every morning, riding the fields, working the farm, before I do anything else during my 16-hour work day. I do not tire easily.”

It was then when Helen noticed a box was also given to Colette, who opened the package to find a set of earrings similar but not exactly like the pair given to Bria and Ayanna.Tears filled the blue eyes at the sight of such a lovely gift, she wasn’t certain why it was given to her.

Ayanna asked the question they were all wondering. “Hey, she wasn't here the last time you spent the night. How did you know she was here, Micah?”

“I know a great many things,” he said, turning to Jared. “Our craftsmen created that watch for you. I hope you like it.”

“Micah, we can't accept these gifts,” Jared said looking at the yellow emeralds in the time piece.

“You accept the gifts, or I shall have to ink you,” he said. “Currently, you are protected by the Bushmaster’s coiling around you. I can go one further and ink your hands with the Bushmaster’s scales, so everyone seeing the markings knows to not bring youthe troubles, but I don't do the flashy.”

Ayanna spoke up, “You can ink me wherever you want, Señor.”

Lemon's head snapped around to scowl at the brazen behavior. Ayanna muttered, “What? He can. I don't know why he's so fascinated with Cousin Helen. She's old. I'm young and teachable. I won't even complain if he hurts me a little.”

Jared pointed at her to hush. Micah continued as if he didn't hear Ayanna. He paused, titling his head as if he heard something no one else did. He nodded to Alita, who moved to stand closer to Jared, telling him to take a seat.

“I don't want to sit down,” Jared said as her hand went to his shoulder, pushing him to a seated position in the chair.

“Señorita Helen, take the point,” Micah said his head cocked at an angle.

She didn't know what he heard or knew, but Helen didn't question. At the back door, there was a bag on a hook. Helen reached inside to grab her 9 mm and seated a round from the clip. From the bag, she grabbed two knives which went into the pockets of her embroidered sweater. She also added the .380 to the pocket of the skirt she wore. An ink pen went into the loose hair, swirling it up on the crown of her head into a messy bun. She plastered a soft smile on her lips as the knock came to the front door.

Micah simply stared at her.

“I adore you,” he said softly for her ears only. “One entire night of passion in your arms, and I shall give you everything your heart desires. It is not our way, but I would defy my father to have you.”

“Child, if you don't cut it out...” she said, watching Lemon open the door.

The same woman, large and wide, from before, entered the home on this visit. She looked about the space, noticing Colette, Bria, and Ayanna, and her eyes ended on Jared. Briefly, she looked at Alita standing next to the man she came to kill, immediately dismissing the girl.

“I've been looking for you,” the woman said to Jared.

“You've found me,” he replied.

“I need you to come with me,” the woman said.

“No, thanks,” he answered.

“Then I will make you,” the woman said, trying to sound threatening.

Micah, who had been leaning against the doorjamb, spoke. “Constance Monroe, that is no way to enter a man's home and speak with such disrespect in front of his family. You should apologize for your rudeness,” he told her.

“And who the fuck are you?” Constance asked as a shadow loomed at the back door, which Helen carefully watched.

Micah took his time. He said nothing as he made eye contact with the woman. Slowly, he unbuttoned his shirt, one black button at a time until he reached the bottom. He flung open the shirt, circa Michael Jackson style, revealing the completed head of the Bushmaster snake, the fangs visible and dripping blood. The red eyes were centered on his nipples, giving the serpent an ominous appearance. A flash of Argentine blue showed in the scales above his navel. Colette's cheeks turned red. Ayanna damn near swooned, but Constance Monroe acted as if she'd seen the devil himself.

“Señor...I didn't...,” Constance began to say.

“Sh..sh...,” Micah said. “Today would be a day to ensure your affairs, as well as those of your crew, are in order.”

“Are you threatening me?” Constance said, puffing up her large chest.

“I have no need to threaten you,” Micah said. “My father has kept close tabs on your activities as well as the Conclave of Vipers. They all have a bone to pick with you.”

Her posture changed. The chest deflated. Humility transformed the tone of her voice, “With me?”

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