Ebony Angel Page 9

  He could see they would go in circles on this issue until Bill Gates ran out of money. It was time for solutions. “I’ll give you the money for Meechie.”

  Her facial features softened, and she lowered her hands to her lap. “You’d do that for Meechie?”

  “I’m doing it because I love you, but I can’t afford to put all of Chicago into rehab. Maybe you can obtain grants, or find company sponsors to help pay for the good works you do.”

  “You’re the greatest.” She reached over and took his hand into hers. “Thank you for doing instead of just standing in judgment. I’ve tried for grants and to find a sponsor, but I think no one wants to give me funding because I don’t represent a non-profit organization.”

  “Well, for now you concentrate on Meechie, and I’ll worry about future funding. You’re not in this alone any more.” He prayed the gratitude and love in her eyes remained after they tackled the next subject.

  “You need to move out of the neighborhood. You can’t allow your pride to interfere with what’s best for you and your child. If you still think it’s too soon to move in with me, I’ll help you move somewhere else. I know Dan would help you out.”

  “I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but you don’t understand.”

  “Explain it to me.”

  “Mom made mistakes raising me, but I’m proud of her. I didn’t know Dan paid our bills. My parents had become dependent on him. After my father was murdered, Mom wanted nothing further to do with the drug world. Instead of taking money from Dan, she cleaned herself up, then worked two jobs to support me the best she could. She saved enough to put herself through beauty school and eventually bought her own shop. The flat we live in is hers.”

  She held her hands to her chest. “I’m proud of my mom, and I’ve learned from her mistakes. I’m not about to be dependent on anyone to provide for me and my child. I love Dan, but I needed him. Leaving the drugs alone wasn’t easy for Mom, and I know she banned him from coming around, but he should have done something. My aunt Genevieve should have done something. I don’t know.” She leaned against the backing of the chaise. “I guess that’s why I can’t stand by and do nothing when I see something is wrong. I graduate in a few months. Don’t worry. I’ll find a good job and be able to move shortly.”

  The sad tone of her voice alerted him to delve deeper. “Don’t you want to move?”

  “Of course I want to move. But, that doesn’t ease my guilt for abandoning people in need. The neighborhood needs good role models, like Mom and Dan, who have turned their lives around, but I choose saving my child over saving the neighborhood.”

  “I know you want what’s best for Crystal.” He hesitated, then said, “Trae isn’t best for Crystal. As long as Trae is in the picture…” Her explanations for why she allowed Trae to stay in her life always flowed so easily. As if she’d convinced herself these were the reasons, and was now just repeating them.

  “And what do you suggest I do? Are you so naive that you believe Trae will just walk out of our lives because I ask?”

  Holding in his frustration, he stated the obvious. “Ebony, he’s a drug dealer. Call the cops.”

  Ebony laughed. This certainly wasn’t what he expected.

  “And what do I tell them?” she asked after she calmed. “I have no evidence, no proof. All I have is what I see when I walk through the streets. The cops know more than I do, and haven’t been able to convict him of anything. I’m making the best of an impossible situation. Give me a viable solution, and I’m more than willing to jump at it.”

  She was right. There was no way Trae would allow her and Crystal to walk out of his life. Now that he understood where she was coming from, he needed time to find the viable solutions. “We’ll make it through together.” He caressed her face. “You look exhausted.”

  “I’m so tired of all of this. Will it ever end?” She lazily glanced toward the pillows lining the head of the bed.

  “Lie on the bed. It’s more comfortable.” He watched her switch places. “I’ll shower, then fix dinner.” He covered her with a light blanket. “Try to rest.” He kissed her gently on the lips. “I love you.”

  * * *

  Richard inhaled deeply. The scent of corned beef and potatoes had filled his condo. He took the steamer from the cabinet and placed it on the kitchen island.

  Crystal jumped rope in the dining room until she ran out of extra energy and found a video to watch.

  He took out the cutting board and a head of cabbage, setting them on the end of the island. The comfort he usually found in cooking seemed lost today. He couldn’t stand seeing Ebony so distraught.

  He chopped the cabbage into strips. Crystal and Ebony would be devastated if anything happened to Trae and Skeet, but Richard knew that when something happened was a more likely scenario. Ebony would blame herself for not being able to save them and Crystal would lose two people she loved dearly. He threw the cut cabbage into a colander and rinsed it.

  He understood Ebony’s anger and helplessness about the situation, but there had to be another way. Trae and Skeet were always so careful with what they said around Ebony and Crystal, but maybe if he could “befriend” them, he could find the evidence the police needed.

  He nervously chuckled. He was scared as hell, but someone had to stand up and do the right thing. He wouldn’t stop being the good “friend” until he found proof that would lead to a conviction.

  The entry buzzer sounded. He glanced at the monitor mounted in the back wall of the kitchen and buzzed Trae and Skeet in. “Come on up. The door’s unlocked.”

  He poured broth from the cooked corned beef into the steamer.

  Skeet’s tall, dark figure walked through the door. “Damn, Smoke, who stole your furniture?” He leapt off the foyer into the living room, disturbing the peace. “I own a furniture store. I can hook you up.” He tapped the lonely leather couch as he approached the kitchen.

  Trae stood in the doorway with his hands out. “What’s the deal, Smoke?” He closed the door. “You need some furniture.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know. Keep your voices down. Ebony and Crystal are asleep, and I don’t want to wake them before dinner is done in another fifteen minutes or so.” He finished preparing the cabbage. “So what happened? It’s been hours.” They all sat around the breakfast bar.

  “Short answer—harassment,” Trae replied. “This new gang task force thinks I’m colluding with my rivals. Makes them nervous.”

  “Are you?”

  “Of course we are,” Skeet answered. “Do you have a television?”

  Richard motioned toward the bedroom. “Make yourself at home. You can turn the channel, but do not wake the girls.” Skeet headed for the bedroom.

  Just as Richard thought. Trae and Skeet didn’t see him as a threat to their empire, so would speak more freely than if Ebony were around. But he also knew it would take time before they became comfortable enough to share any useful information.

  “I expect you to close those accounts your people opened, or I’ll drop them.”

  “It’s already in the works.”

  Richard intended on verifying the accounts were closed first thing Monday morning.

  They heard bedsprings squeaking.

  “Skeet!” Ebony yelled. “If you jump one mo’ gin, I’m gonna kill you.”

  Trae and Richard laughed. “Skeet is a big kid,” Richard said.

  “Smoke!” Crystal yelled. “Come get Skeet. He keeps poking me.”

  They heard a loud thud. “Don’t get back in this bed, or I’ll kick your tail. Now get out!” Ebony roared.

  The condo finally became quiet. “He must be finished. Why do you do this, Trae?”

  “Damn, man. I have to hear this shit from Ebony. Don’t you start, too.”

  “Just tell me why, and I’ll drop it.”

  “I guess you can say I’m addicted to the lifestyle.”

  Skeet walked into the room with a picture. “Check this out.” He handed the picture t
o Trae. “Why didn’t you tell us you’re passin’? Is that your father?”

  Sly grin on his face, Trae looked up from the photo. “Yeah, you should have told us you’re actually one of us. I knew a white boy couldn’t hang. I had a feeling.”

  Richard frowned. “Wait a second. Are you saying I’m all right with you now that you know I’m of mixed heritage?”

  “No. I’m saying you were saved by your drop of black blood.”

  Skeet took the framed photo from Trae. “Please don’t get him started. His daddy was a no good piece of white trash. Now he blames all white men for his jacked up childhood. As Ebony would say, ‘He has issues.’ Is dinner done? I’m starvin’.”

  “Seven more minutes. This is my grandfather. He’s only half-black. Am I black enough for you, Trae?”

  “No, not really, but you can hoop and know how to invest, so I’ll give you a pass for now.”

  All three men laughed.

  “You’re right, Skeet. He does have issues.”

  “Hell, how you gonna say I have issues when it’s your octoroon ass who’s passin’ for white?”

  “I ain’t passing nothing but the time of day, Trae. I learned in college to be me. I’ve accepted all of who I am. Can you say the same?”

  “Damn. That’s some deep shit there,” Skeet interjected.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Richard had never seen so much purple in his life. Though he had final approval, he had allowed Crystal to design the bedroom he intended for her. The only saving grace in the room was the bamboo bedroom suit, and she had asked if they could paint it purple. She even covered the beautiful cherry wood floor with a hideous, splotched rug that was many shades of purple.

  He turned off the light and went into the living room to relax before his guest arrived. His investigation had been fruitless thus far, but he wouldn’t give up. But now he had conflicting feelings that were worrying him. He actually found himself wanting to save Trae and Skeet from themselves.

  He longed to tell Nonno everything, but feared his grandfather would ride in to save the day and be caught up in this mess. He pushed his misgivings aside. Soon Ebony would be moving out of the neighborhood, and that would relieve some of his stress.

  He thought Ebony did an excellent job on the rest of the condo. She lightened the forest and burgundy tones from the bedroom and used them throughout the living, dining and kitchen areas. He leaned back on the couch, recalling breaking it in. Unlike the leather couch he had bought, the soft suede was perfect to make love on.

  The security buzzer interrupted his train of thought. “Come on up; it’s unlocked.”

  Richard handed Trae a bottle of beer. Over the past six weeks, they’d spent a lot of time debating investment strategies, playing ball, arguing, entertaining his girls, laughing and growing mutual respect. Ebony was a mixture of intriguing contrasts, while Trae and Skeet were frustrating contradictions.

  He couldn’t believe how much his life had changed since he’d left Texas. Men he originally considered ruthless monsters had somehow worked their way into Richard’s heart and became human. People worth saving.

  Crystal’s father obviously loved and taught his daughter right from wrong. This man was worth saving. The men he hung out with in the basement of the beauty shop were worth saving. He chuckled lightly. If he could find a twelve-step program for drug dealers, life would be grand. If he could only separate the good from the bad, but he couldn’t. He felt as if he were betraying the male role models Crystal loved, but he had to continue. They were tainted. The love they gave was tainted.

  “You should have told Crystal no on the purple thing sooner.” Trae rested in the overstuffed chair. “Did the head honchos say anything else about you losing those accounts?” On Richard’s request, Trae had pulled out the accounts he had originally opened.

  “I thought I’d be fired for a while, but Dan’s connections have been extremely lucrative. Headquarters isn’t even complaining about the free investment classes we’ve started offering the community. This summer our west and north side offices open.” Richard picked at the label on his beer. Predicting Trae’s reactions where Ebony was involved proved virtually impossible.

  “Good. Now why did you call me here?”

  Richard set the beer on the coffee table. Like him, Trae didn’t beat around the bush. “Tonight I’m asking Ebony to marry me.”

  Trae snarled. “So what’s this? You asking my permission?”

  “I don’t need your permission,” Richard answered calmly. “I came to you out of respect and friendship. I know how you feel about Ebony.” He looked into the perplexed face of the man who loved his woman, and felt sorry for him. Trae picked a life of crime over Ebony, and just realized what he’d lost.

  Trae sighed, lowering his head into his hands. “I chose you.” He paused. “I’ve been trying to prepare myself for this but…” He thumped his fists on his thighs. “She’s getting married.”

  “What do you mean you chose me?”

  Trae took a swig of beer. “I had you checked out when Ebony first brought you around. Those first few weeks I kept testing you, and you kept passing. I want Ebony to have the life you can provide her. I just want to be the one to provide it.”

  “But you can’t.”

  “I know.” Trae paced the room. “I can’t believe I’m doing this.” He hit at the bookshelf. “I hurt Ebony once, and have been trying to make it up ever since.”

  Richard wanted to know what Trae had done, but didn’t ask. Other ground needed covering. “I love Ebony and Crystal. I’ll do right by them, and won’t interfere with your relationship. We can do this.”

  “Those are my girls. I’d die for them.”

  “Let’s be honest. I know you love them, but you have chosen a life of drugs and death over them. They’re number one in my life.”

  Trae spun around. “They’re my heart. They’re number one!”

  Richard countered Trae’s hostility with calm. “Why are you still in the game? Why do you continue to put them in harm’s way?” But his concerns now included Trae and Skeet. He wanted them to choose life over death; wanted them to see his way was exciting, fulfilling and challenging. He laughed at himself for falling into the same trap as Ebony.

  Sobering reality washed over him. You can’t save someone who refuses to be saved. He had said it a million times to Ebony; he needed to heed his own words.

  He knew Trae was forever battling his feelings for Ebony. Richard respected him for being man enough to step aside and allow her to be free. If circumstances were reversed, he knew he couldn’t do it. That was what separated him from Trae. He would never give Ebony up.

  “I protect them!”

  “From danger you put them in. I’ve learned the game. How long before one of your rivals goes after them?”

  “Shit.” He hit at the couch as he passed.

  “I’m not telling you anything you don’t already know. We need to get this out in the open. You thought I was a safe white boy you could manipulate.”

  “Thought is right.” Trae released a nervous laugh. “You’re as bad as me.” He blew out an exasperated breath. “I’ll never forgive myself for hurting Ebony. You make her happy and can keep her safe.”

  “She needs all of us, Trae,” he said to encourage him to choose life.

  “Humph, I can’t believe I’m letting someone marry Ebony. Have you bought the ring?”

  “I think she wants to pick it out herself. Can you stay with Crystal a few hours tomorrow?”

  “I’ll do you one better. I was supposed to go to St. Louis. Instead, I’ll take my baby girl to see her granny down in Florida. We’ll be back in three days.”

  “Your mother?”

  “Yeah. Her birthday’s Friday. She’s been clean for years, Smoke. And don’t worry, Crystal will call her Auntie.”

  “I’m sorry, but I’m wondering why you hate your father when your mother didn’t seem much better.”

  “She tried to raise me
for ten years before her drug addiction took over; he never claimed me. That is, until he needed money. She wouldn’t win any prizes, but she tried.”

  Richard shook his head, puzzled. “You know, Trae, I just don’t get it. I know what you do for a living. It doesn’t seem to match who you are as a person. Yeah, you’re rough around the edges, but I know you. This isn’t computing.”

  “What? Because I’m a drug dealer, I can’t love my child, my family? How can I thump heads one minute and take Crystal to the movies the next? This is a business. Not everyone has the stomach for it. Hell, think of me as a soldier.”

  “It’s not the same.”

  “What do you think they do with their M-16 rifles and tanks? I’m no longer in the infantry. I’ve worked my way up. I’m the commander-in-chief. I don’t have to pull the trigger anymore.”

  “It’s different.”

  “Why, because the blood on their hands is legal and the blood on mine is illegal? Blood is blood. Death is death. The only difference is I don’t stand on some platform pretending my shit don’t stink. I’m in this for the money.”

  “There are other ways for you to make money.”

  “And I will someday. That someday will come when Trae is ready. Not when Ebony or Smoke is ready.”

  Richard could see there was no breaking through to Trae. “Okay. I’ll back off.”

  “I need to make flight arrangements.” An awkward silence stood between them. Trae broke the silence, saying, “I’m not gonna lie and say I’m all for this marriage, but I know this is how it has to be. Keep Ebony happy and we’ll be cool.”

  “Then we’ll always be cool.”

  * * *

  Ebony’s eyes shifted from Jessica to Dan. “You’re not actually leaving me with her, are you? How could you desert me in my hour of need?”

  Dan pushed away from the dining room table. “Genevieve expected me an hour ago. You women are running me ragged,” he teased as he walked across the living room to the coat rack. “Don’t listen to Jessica. Smoke’s already saved me over two hundred grand. You better keep him.”