Page 29 of Dionysus
He nodded slowly. He reached into his pocket and all the guys whipped out and aimed their guns at him. He laughed again as he pulled out a card and handed it to Chevy. “Tonight, meet me, let’s talk.”
Chevy glanced down at the card. “What if we don’t want to talk?”
“Oh, ju do. Ju don’t have a choice,” he said as he backed out of the room.
I wanted to know if he had an answer to what happened to Dio, but I didn’t know what this muhfucka was up to. We just needed to stay ready.
TAMEKA
My driver pulled up to the house. A feeling of sadness washed over me to even be here because the last time I was at this house was when my baby decided she wanted to run away from me. I sat in the back seat as the driver opened the door. I was in a battle of regret and guilt, and my feet wouldn’t move.
“Ma’am, Mr. Valencia awaits.”
I didn’t understand why Sergio wanted to meet here. He could have met me at the brownstone, but he insisted that I come here. I finally got my legs to move as I stepped out of the car and went to the door. When I stepped inside, my eyes met the lit candles in the foyer, which led to the kitchen, and I was surprised.
Sergio hadn’t done something like this in years. My heels touched the floor as I followed the designated path. When I finally reached the kitchen, a table was set with the most delicious dishes, expensive champagne, and beautiful flower arrangements.
“My beautiful chocolate wife,” I heard Sergio enter behind me.
His voice was sweet, calm, and comforting. It reminded me of a time when he and I were first married. Sergio had always been smart, and something about this didn’tfeel right. I spun in his direction after mustering up a fake smile. I knew I wouldn’t leave here alive if I didn’t play my cards right.
He stepped forward, and I stepped backward. Sergio extended his arm, pushing a piece of my hair out of my face. “So beautiful,” he paused. “Tonight we will be having guests.”
“Guests?”
Who was he having over? Sergio never invited anyone without informing me. I was confused. It was as if theguestsheard him because there was a knock at the door. I thought Felicia would have answered, but I realized I didn’t see any of the maids. Sergio exited the kitchen and made his way toward the door. My eyes quickly scanned around, looking for an escape plan. I couldn’t go through the back because it was closed off. I would have to hop a fence. I couldn’t do that. My only option was to lie and say I needed to use the bathroom.
I began moving toward the kitchen exit when Sergio re-entered. When I saw who was behind him, I thought I felt piss leave me. If I could have fallen out, I would. “Thameka, meet, uh, jour names?” he asked them.
I didn’t want to know their goddamn names, I wanted them out of this house.
“Mr. Jackson,” one of them said.
The one I had run into multiple times came around and stood directly before me. “Clark Mercier.” He winked. He leaned forward and whispered. “The Devil is everywhere.”
My eyes landed on Sergio. “Can we talk for a second?”
He didn’t know who they were, so I wanted to tell him. He shook his head no and directed them to the table.Shit!Sergio was at the far end while the two men sat across from each other in the middle.
Sergio dived into the food like we were having a pleasant family dinner. “Thameka, these young men tell me our daughter was dating their, uh—”
“Brother,” Mr. Jackson gritted.
My nerves were getting the best of me. “Uh, yes, from what I heard.”
“Or what you knew,” Clark snapped.
My head shot his way as he picked up a carrot, biting down on it, glaring at me. I glanced back at Mr. Jackson, who looked like he couldn’t control his emotions. The way he rocked back and forth at the table became unnerving.
The way Sergio smacked on his food started to annoy me. I was panicking. I needed out. “I have to go to the bathroom.”
“No ju don’t jour nervous as ju should be. Tell me what happened,” Sergio said.
“I-I—”
He held up his hand, then brought it down so fast and slammed it on the table before he pointed at me. “Ju don’t get to tell another fucking lie.Tell me!” he roared.
I closed my eyes as I jumped from his voice. I knew this was the end for me. No matter how much I begged to leave, Sergio wouldn’t let me. The tears rolled down my face as I began to explain. “She—”
