Keeping You: KJ Elite Inc. (28 page)

“Explains what, exactly?” Charlie asked.

“I thought I was losing my marbles. When they were making their hasty, well organized exit, it looked like the lead grabbed the pack of one of his guys. The one I hit. Bryant left us a little present. Let’s go unwrap it!”

Now Baby is giddy, bouncing in her chair like a kid on her birthday.

I scratched my chin, listening and thinking. Is it so far out of Bryant’s personality to sacrifice or surrender one of his guys? No. He doesn’t make stupid mistakes and he sure as hell doesn’t send guys into a slaughter. Bryant would rather take care of his own than have someone else police it for him. Okay, let’s go play Bryant’s game.

“Where’s Luke?” Mike asked.

“I sent him to get some sleep. He’s past his limit.”

“Good. He was laughing at the wall last time I checked in. Figured you’d be around soon so I left him alone.” Tom said laughing.

“Gee, thanks.”

“Alright, so this is good. I mean, not good but now we know where to go from here. Our main focus is finding where Bryant’s hiding and what his new boss goes by. He isn’t dumb enough to use his real name after such a close call. Clearly, he’s smart because he’s evaded this long and has built quite the empire it’s seeming like. Bryant must have demanded a ridiculous price for this service. Put out your feelers without making a wave.”

“Wait a minute though. Think this through. Are we going off of a hunch or does Luke have solid proof that’s who we are looking for?” Candace asked, laying her hands on the table.

“If this isn’t him, Jamie has the absolute worst luck in the world. Who else would go to so much trouble?” Baby remarked.

“It just seems so risky, not to mention, stupid. She’s a model – the model – for Christ’s sake. People are going to be looking for her.”

“How many times has a person been found, on purpose, after being sold?” Peyton reminded her.

“Could a person be so moronic and conceited to think they wouldn’t be found?”

“Yes. Jamie’s his obsession. For all he knows, he’s been documented as killed in that fire. No one has gotten close enough to tip him off or infiltrate his inner circle. That’s a guess, but an educated one. He would have made sure Jamie knew who he was when he wrote that email. No vague, leading message. He would have signed his name, phone number, home address, personal references and so on. He’s cocky enough to assume she’ll guess but not have proof enough to do anything. It’s obvious he doesn’t know well enough about us because he thinks he can get around us with Bryant and his guys. This is all a game to him, getting him off by terrifying her.”  I say.

Peyton, Mike and Tommy nod in agreement. Baby sighs; I know she’s hating this case. She’s never worked one similar but has heard all about them. Her only job is to study her target, line up the shot and pull the trigger but she’s my right hand so I want her in the thick of it.

Charlie cusses loudly. “If he comes to my town, he’ll never leave.”

I grunted in agreeance.

“So what about Bryant?”

“Time, or Luke, will tell. He’s our wild card.”

Baby shifts in her seat, buzzing with anger.

Under the table I reach over and cover her hand with mine again. This cannot be easy. At one time she thought she loved the S.O.B.

I did too, as a brother.

“Most importantly, what about Nolan? Where is he?
Who
is he?”

“That I cannot answer.”

“Can’t or won’t?” Matt asked from the doorway.

“Welcome to the party. Fashionably late, I see.” Mike snipped.

“Ignore him. He’s always grumpy on lockdown.” Peyton chuckled.

“Only on lockdown?” Candace joked.

“Don’t poke the bear.” Charlie grumbled.

“I bet-” I began.

“Shut up.” Mike barked.

Damn, I loved it like this.

Matt closed the door behind him as soundlessly as he opened it and took a seat beside Candace.

“Hey there, Candy.” He said and winked.

“Focus.” Growled the bear.

Matt grinned but turned back to me.

“Can’t. By the time Luke and I pieced it all together, he was past running on exhaust fumes. He was sucking them all in. There is very little info right now other than this.”

I held up three fingers and began ticking them off. “Jamie was abducted as an infant, they guy was raising her to sell at the main event in his burgeoning sex trafficking and child prostitution ring and he and Nolan are both still alive.”

When I finished, Matt’s eyes were saucers while his face remained otherwise emotionless.

“Let’s go pay Bryant’s guy a little visit; see if we can’t make him talk.”

After a very serious ten rounds of rock, paper, scissors and a handful of injuries later – Baby, Candace and I were left victorious. We’ve agreed to start fresh tomorrow. It’s a bit of tactical thinking, making him sit too long with no interaction and only water…in copious amounts. Oh, and he’s still bleeding.

Typically, I would put Andy on his watch but Jamie seems to have a real soft spot for him after he saved our fish. If I let her, she’d probably latch on and kiss his cheek. I’ve tried explaining that they’re about five cents down at the pet shop but she won’t have any of it.

“Any living, breathing, creature holds immeasurable value,” she said.

A knock sounded at the door and I knew this meeting was over. I wouldn’t unload all of this on her with these assholes around.

Luke walked in with Jamie in tow.

“She caught me in the hallway and asked where to find you. I’ll just be going now.”

“Come find me when you’re up. We’ll catch up.” I said, standing.

Jamie stayed in the hall, surveying the occupants of the room.

Everyone else looked frustrated and pissed.

“Hey, babe.” Matt got up and kissed her cheek.

She smiled and whispered in his ear.

Matt nodded and beamed at her. “No problem. I’ll catch you later and we’ll chat.”

He joked, apparently poking fun at
my
sleeping bear.

“Find your own woman, Carver.”

“Hey, Jamie was mine first.”

“Well, she traded up.”

He laughed heartily and went back to his own chair.

“I’ll see yall at supper.”

This was going to be the second hardest job I’ve ever had. Bad news is never easy to give. Add in the fact that it’s going to the woman who you don’t know how you lived without her before – just kick me in the balls. It would be less painful and way easier.

To have to tell her the piece of shit who tortured her and rented out her body, stole the light from her eyes and the fire from her soul, her very essence; he’s alive and she hasn’t ever been safe from him. She’ll forget the fact that she’s here, with me, and surrounded by people who will fight to their last breaths for her. She’ll try and flee, no doubt.

It’s like God is testing me. Surely, I’ll fail. She’s finally opening up, rediscovering herself and not hyperventilating every ten seconds, or jumping at every little noise. Jamie is finally finding herself.

Fuck!

My grip on her waist tightens, making her suck in a breath.

“Sorry, sugar.”

“It’s okay.” She says sweetly.

This woman, my woman, couldn’t stand the thought of a man even looking at her and now just a few short months later, she’s given me her everything.

Maybe this is just my punishment and she’s being dragged along for loving me. I don’t deserve anything less but I won’t let her go, either.

“Have you eaten?” She asks me.

“Mmm, is that an invitation?”

She miss-stepped, catching herself on my arm.

I laugh at her reaction but let her be.

“I could go for some food, sug.”

Her shy smile is bright.

“Your mother made some sausage, biscuits and gravy.”

“Well why didn’t you say so? Hurry it up, woman. Before it all disappears.”

She eyed me skeptically; soon enough, she’ll lean that the Kane and Jameson men don’t mess around when it comes to food – especially good ole’ home cookin’.

Walking to the dining area, I thought on Paulie’s presence in the meeting. He sat there in silence, jaw-clenched, turning red. I then wondered who brought Paulie down to the family’s level meeting room. I’d have to ask around.

It’s been a week and I’ve only gotten grunts, flipped the bird in a variety of ways, and or Luke’s best mime impression.

Locked away in his dungeon office, as Taylor calls it, he is working like a madman trying to find Bryant, the bitch formerly known as Marcus, and Nolan.

I don’t envy my brother’s job but I’d gladly switch with him for the talk I’m about to have with Jamie. I’ve put her off for this week, miraculously, hoping Luke would have something more by now. I debated on having Taylor there but decided against it. If she’s going to hate the messenger, at least she’ll know she can run to her best friend.

It is bad enough Matt and I have known for a week – well, longer technically. That, and I really am afraid of Taylor. When she finds out, she’s going to be on a warpath. She’s fiercely loyal and protective of those she loves.

I’ll let Mike deal with her since he pretends he ain’t scared of her.

I checked on Luke one last time, fingers crossed, before seeking out Jamie.

This time, he actually turned around and spewed a few profanities I’m sure he picked up from Taylor then kicked the door shut in my face. I may be afraid of her, but I am not, however, afraid of him. I’ll deal with his ass later. Once we no longer need his hands to work. At least for a little while.

Jamie’s in our room, watching some monstrosity of a train wreck on t.v. with none other than my fireball sister in law.

“What in God’s name are yall watching?” I ask, dropping onto the couch and pulling Jamie onto my lap.

“America’s Next Top Model.” Taylor answers around a mouthful of popcorn.

“Classy, sis.”

“Hey, here’s an idea. Go out back, take a brick and high five yourself in the face for me. I’ve been meaning to do it, I’m just so busy all the time. It’s been on my to-do list since forever ago.”

“Is it that special time? Do you need a little…chocolate?”

“Nope, I already ate all yours. Oh, and your popcorn is gone. And your milk.”

“That it, ya vulture.”

“Well, I’m definitely not telling you anything else now. You’ll just have to really want it and be disappointed when it ain’t there. Just like when women look at your little baby sized carrot stick.” Tay wiggled her pinky, never taking her eyes off of the show.

She can run with the best of em’. We’ve taught her well. Jamie is sniggering, holding her water bottle up and away so she doesn’t spill as she tries to keep from spitting all her water out.

“You’re like an adorable little porcupine.”

“Eat a fat-” I cut her off, amused but impatient.

“So, America’s Next Top Model, huh?”

“You know it?” Jamie asked, surprised.

“I know
of
it.” I answer with my mouth against her shoulder. “Tay, can we have a minute?”

“No, you horn dog. Wait til’ it’s over, I want to see who gets eliminated.”

“Annie. It’s recorded. Please.”

I give her the look.

“Yeah, yeah.” She huffs, leaving.

“Is everything okay?”

Jamie shifts in my lap to straddle me. She is suddenly on high alert, and I wish I could erase her concern but I’m only going to make it worse.

“I’ve got some stuff I need to tell you and to be honest, you’re not going to like it.” I warn her.

Behind her eyes, I can see her mentally and physically prepare for my bomb.

“I don’t know where to start but they say the beginning is always the best. Be warned, there are a lot of holes. I still don’t have all the answers you’re going to want.”

She nods.

“Marcus Wright is not your father.”

“Was not.”

Don’t we both wish he was past tense?

“
Is
not.”

Fear, white hot and all-consuming flashes across her face as she catches my meaning; she flinches back.

“He is still alive, Jamie.”

I won’t call her sugar, and tarnish it by only using it to tell her shitty news. My grip on her hips tightens minutely, needing to keep her in place.

“He took you as an infant and was raising you for a nefarious purpose. Fortunately, his plan was ruined when Nolan came for you.”

“Nolan.” She whispered, fingers to her lips.

“He’s alive, too, sugar.”

If that doesn’t qualify as good enough news, I don’t know what would.

“The guy who came for you, Bryant, is working for Marcus. Except we think he came to warn us without giving himself away. He knew he’d never escape with you, didn’t bring a full team, allowed a guy to be taken, and he revealed himself purposely.”

Tears swam in her beautiful honey eyes.

“This whole ordeal has been orchestrated by Marcus except he isn’t Marcus anymore. Our best bet to find him is to find Bryant and Nolan.”

“Wasn’t Nolan CIA or FBI or something?” She stuttered.

“Something. Nolan is a cover. No last name, or first name, just ‘Nolan aka No’. He’s a ghost whose case file was written up by a ghost, which was approved and then filed by a ghost.”

Jamie’s fists are clenched, her nails digging into her palms. If she squeezes much harder, she’s going to draw blood so I grab hold to both of her hands and entwine our fingers.

“You’re safe here, I swear.” Our foreheads press together.

We sit here like this for God only knows how long before she speaks the words that tear my heart in two.

“I need Paulie.”

Without waiting for a response, she gets up, tugs out of my hold and leaves. Diesel ran after her barking and whining, but the door closed before he could make it out.

* * *

I need to find Paulie right now. I need to make sure this isn’t another nightmare. 11 years it took for me to quit expecting the news that he was still alive. When Dillon took me, I developed all new fears and nightmares. Now they’ve all collided and breathing is become too hard to do. I’ve looked everywhere to no avail so I head to the elevator when it dings and Paulie steps off.

He finds me mid-step and reaches me before my foot hits the floor.

The look on his face says it all. He knew I’d need him.

I ball my fists in the shirt at his back and begin sobbing. My tears and snot are soaking his shirt; I’m in full blown ugly cry mode.

Paulie manages to move us to an empty room and deposits us onto a leather sofa. I think. I’m a little preoccupied with my face in his chest, my eyes growing puffy.

“I know you’ve got plenty more tears to cry, so let me get this out.” He took a deep breath and dove in.

“Yes, it’s true, he’s alive. I know because I saw him with my own two eyes. When the fire started, I was coming up the back stairwell from the corner bodega. Ma was incapacitated from withdrawal after trying to detox at home with no help. I was picking up some water and eggs. I smelt the smoke and took off up the last flight of stairs. Marcus came down as I was only a few stairs from the landing and by a miracle I was running on adrenaline. He shoved me backwards but I had enough momentum to keep on my feet. Nolan was right behind Marcus but stopped and reached out for me to turn around. He started shouting something about the whole floor being gone already, he was sorry and I had to turn back to go down.

“I was kicking and screaming, fighting the whole way, crying out for you and my mom. Nolan heard your name and slapped me across the face, yelling that you were safe and being taken to the hospital. That was what made me move my own feet down the stairs. We flew down the stairs as fast as we could but you and Marcus both were already gone. Later on, he briefed me telling me that I couldn’t see you and that I was going into protective custody. I wasn’t allowed to talk to anyone or look for you. When I argued he told me I could get you killed. That was all it took for me to shut up and look ahead. Since then I’ve only heard from Nolan a handful of times.”

I didn’t know what question to ask first. Looking at Paulie though, a blind man could tell he was carrying a heavy load on his shoulders. Guilt.

I cupped his cheek and looked him in the eyes.

“This isn’t your fault so please stop thinking that. Have we both suffered a lot? Heck yes. But I would rather you be alive than that…” normally I would have referred to him as the sperm donor. “Swine, killing you or Nolan letting you commit suicide.” I spat.

He nodded but the look in his eyes said it all.

“Nolan saved us both that day. He wasn’t physically present in my life, but I felt him. He sent someone to tutor me for my G.E.D. Guy just showed up one day and said he did volunteer tutoring. Then after I passed the test, a card showed up every day for a month; it was for a Marine Corps recruiter. Two weeks after the cards started, the recruiter started delivering them himself, asking for me by name. Nolan sent me birthday cards each year and a card on the anniversary of my mother’s death. Turns out the medical examiner determined she had died when I was at the store. She was already gone by the time the fire started so she didn’t suffer the death of burning alive like so many others had.

“After I enlisted, I left the protective custody but he didn’t stop. When I was in Fallujah, he sent me an untraceable email leading me to an NCO within my unit that I’d never met. Enter my connection with Mike and my employment with KJ Elite later on, when they were officially on line. I’ve been here from nearly the beginning. I owe it all to Nolan and I don’t even know his real name.”

Paulie closed his eyes and shook his head.

“You know, he told me about you. When you signed your first contract, he sent me a cutout of your first ad. A small note that said ‘Our girl made it and she’s fine. Stay away. –N’.”

“But if
he
could find me, why did you have to stay away?” I ask, confused and mildly hurt.

“I didn’t ask questions. Mostly because I had no way to reach him but also because I suspected he was tracking Marcus. No one wanted to jeopardize another take down.” He shrugged and shifted us around.

“But I wasn’t in protective custody.” I sniffled like a child.

“Yes, you were. He told me you didn’t speak to anyone for years so they weren’t afraid of you talking but you were briefed. Maybe you don’t remember or you blocked it out, but Nolan’s partner told you all about it. For safety reasons, obviously, Nolan and I couldn’t let Marcus know for sure that we were alive. You were always watched so if you were in a compromising situation it would be handled accordingly. Thankfully, our guess is, Marcus was too busy building his new name and becoming a kingpin in the trafficking world.”

That’s where I really lost it.

Hundreds of other girls and even boys were subjected to that waste of space and his cruel, vile hands. He had been trafficking children and I hadn’t even known it until just this second.

The dam broke and my wails rivaled that of a siren. Paulie held me to him and laid us down on the couch. Just like when we were children. I laid on top of him crying for hours, or at least it felt like it, while he stroked my hair until I cried myself to sleep.

Chapter 14

A door slammed shut and a loud, thunderous voice hollered, “What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Paulson?”

I was shoved down into the couch as Paulie’s body was ripped out from under me.

“Chill, Noah.”

“No, fuck you. I’m not gonna chill. Keep your hands off my woman.” Noah boomed.

I lifted my head, hair falling over my eyes. I spotted Noah before he slugged Paulie and then stormed out.

Now I’m torn between going after Noah and checking on Paulie. I love them both, though very differently. It is okay, James. Go to him. He needs you as much as you need him. I’m fine. It’s not the first time I’ve been hit and I’m sure it won’t be the last. Go!” He said, picking himself up off the floor and wiping the blood from his already swollen lip.

“I’m sorry, Paulie.”  I apologize, standing up.

“You have nothing to apologize for. We aren’t kids anymore; we have no business in that position anymore.”

I nodded, afraid he was saying he couldn’t be my friend any longer. My breathing started to grow shallow, again.

“Hey. I’ll always be here for you. Nothing can ever change that, okay? Not even a muscle head husband.” He put his arms around me for a quick hug and then pushed me to the door.

I left without looking back. I’ve got to make Noah understand.