Page 36 of Invisible Bars
Chi stopped mid-chew and replied, “Yeah, nigga… that she’s scared out her damn mind.”
I glanced back at the security monitor.
“That too.” I cracked my knuckles. “But scared people are either quiet or calculated. She hasn’t asked any questions since she’s been here. She didn’t even ask to leave. I think she’s tired, not stupid.”
“Bro, you dragged that girl out of her comfort zone, stuffed her in a black SUV with two armed strangers, put her in some fancy-ass jail suite, and now you think silence means she trusts you? That girl is probably crying on the inside, talking to God, and trying to figure out if she’s dead already!”
I didn’t respond right away, because Chi wasn’t wrong, but he wasn’t right either.
“I think if I explain the terms, she might agree.”
Chi leaned forward, pointing at me. “Nigga, you’re not slick. That ain’t just strategy talk; you’ve been watching her like she’s your favorite soap opera. Yo’ ass is emotionally invested.”
“I’m making sure she doesn’t pass out, fool.”
“Aww. That’s sweet… in a psycho kind of way.”
I put my focus back on Naji.
The longer I stared at the monitor, the more uncomfortable I got. Naji, even though she wasn’t locked up, shewasstill stuck, and that part didn’t sit right with me.
Chi, as always, didn’t let silence linger too long.
“I’m being serious. You sure you’re not lowkey catching feelings? Like… hostage syndrome in reverse?”
I looked at him. “She ain’t a hostage, though.”
He scoffed.“You’re right… this is a kidnapping with a luxury twist. No zip ties. You’re not hovering over her with a weapon.You’re not starving her or force-feeding her no prison food through a doggie door. She’s not getting beaten daily.She’s not locked in some mildew-smelling basement with rats braiding her hair at night. She’s got a private roomandbathroom. She’s got clean, high thread count sheets on a bed she refuses to sleep in, free Wi-Fi, AC, lavender linen spray, fresh, and the best food made by one of the best chefs. Hell, she even has options!
I ain’t never seen a hostage get to choose between salmon or lamb chops. Sure, she got all this luxury shit—marble floors, a chef, probably heated toilet seats—but let’s not act like she ain’t still trapped. The girl can’t call nobody. She has no access to communicate with the outside world. Hell, she can’t even get Uber Eats if she wanted to without your permission.
So you’re right, she’s not a hostage and this isn’t a kidnapping; this is Airbnb with trauma. And honestly, I don’tknow if that’s worse or better. Adding to that, you got damn retina scanners on the gate! This place might as well beAlcatrazwith room service!”
“You done?”I asked dryly.
Chi leaned back like he’d made a valid point.
“Yeah, but just know, if I ever get kidnapped, I want yo’ ass to do it. At least then I’d be laid up in a plush ass room, watching Netflix, eating cinnamon rolls off silver trays while I ‘fear for my life’ in designer socks.”
I exhaled through my nose, not amused but too tired to argue.
“On some real shit, though,nigga,Giselle gon’ tear yo’ ass a new hole if you bring a kidnapped bride to her house… one with Tourette’s at that. You know she already think everybody under six figures got fleas.”
I shrugged. "I don’t care. She’ll live.”
“You don’t care? Bro, the girl threw a tic so hard yesterday she yelled ‘Pancake Jesus’! What the hell you think she gon’ say in front of yo’ folks? The board of investors? What if she tic out mid-event and start shouting Bible verses at the ribbon-cutting? ‘In the name of Leviticus, let there be condos!’ You think that's gon' help yo’ stock price?”
“I’ll have her back,” I replied a little too fast for my liking that I almost cursed myself.
“You?Imanio Kors will have her back? Man, get the hell out of here! You don’t even text back! You return calls like they come with a fee. You and Glitchy gon’ be a whole gospel duo at a grand opening. ‘Imanio & Glitchy: The Deliverance Tour.’ Or would you prefer ‘Gatez & Glitchy’? Yeah, that sounds better.” Chi chuckled. “But yo… you deadass, huh? You really thinkin’ ’bout putting a ring on Glitchy McTeacup just to keep her quiet?”
“For thatexactreason.”
Chi leaned back. “Nah, you can’t make me believe you’re going to this extreme to just keep her mouth shut when you usually resort to just killing a muthafucka.”
I paused from looking at the screen to address him.
“Have I ever killed awoman, though?”
