If You Don't Know Me (23 page)

“W
here you going, big daddy?”

This young woman was going to give me a heart attack before I had a chance to enjoy my money. Mahogany was in the bed with her legs up in the air. We'd had sex for the past two hours.

“Why you like me?” I asked her.

“Why you keep asking? Get it right, big daddy. I love you.”

“Why?” Mahogany couldn't take anything I wasn't willing to give. She was no scammer. Never caught her going through my stuff. She never asked me for money or things.

“What's there not to love about you? You a big ol' sexy teddy bear. And you treat me better than any of the men I've been with,” she said. “I've told you that.”

Wow. Me? I guess Mama did raise me right. But she also said, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.” Guess my mama could be wrong this time.

“I love you too. Take another pregnancy test when you get up.” Buttoning up my shirt, I stepped into my cowboy boots. “Sindy wants me to meet her in the lobby,” I lied.

“Okay, big daddy, I'll be right here letting your seeds swim upstream.”

I'd never cheat on my wife. She made sure of that. I'd never had so much pussy in all my life. Three times a day. Hours at a time. Oral. Vaginal. Anal. Going in the back door on a regular was new. Felt different. Crazy good. But I'd never do that to a dude. The time I slipped inside of Madison's asshole was an accident. Mahogany started wanting to try anal sex out of curiosity. Found out she could cum harder, now I had to do that too. My wood was tired. I had to hurry up and get her knocked up so we could slow down.

Stepping off the elevator, I smelled the fresh scent of popcorn. I went to the concession room, got me a Sprite and some of that popcorn. The theater room was empty. Two guys were shooting pool. I'd watch but I really did have to meet Sindy. I chilled in the lobby waiting for her.

What was Sindy like in bed? Was she a freak, or conservative? I didn't want Sindy sexually but I was a man. What made Madison so crazy about Chicago? Was his dick bigger than mine? I doubted it.

Sindy had told me she was coming by to see me for something important. She'd asked me to stay inside my condo but if I'd done that, I'd be having sex again by now. Walking around the lobby, I needed to stretch all three of my legs. I was hoping she'd be with Chicago so I could apologize to that dude for what I'd done.

Sindy zipped up to valet in her Bentley like she was in a hurry so I met her outside. She had on a dress with orange, green, pink, blue, and yellow. Why so many colors? Her high heels were red. Those didn't match her outfit. Women.

“Where did I ask you to wait?” she hissed entering the building.

That was rude. No “Hello, Granville” or nothing. Following her, I hissed back. “I'm not a little boy.”

“I don't have time for this. Go to your condo right now. I'll be there in a moment,” she said waiting for me to walk away.

Chaz parked his BMW behind Sindy's car, then handed the valet the keys. The beautiful dark-skinned woman with the red afro got out of the passenger side. I remembered her being in the courtroom during my trial.

Sindy rolled her eyes at me, walked outside, and greeted them. I followed her.

“What the fuck you hanging around for?” Chaz said to me.

“Look, bro. I don't want your problems and you don't want my troubles. Tell your brother I'm sorry.”

Chaz swung at me. Shuffling backward, I dodged him, then threw up my fists. He was slow. Maybe he really didn't want to hit me. I dropped my hands. If I hit this dude in his head, I could kill him with one punch.

“What you sorry for?” Chaz asked. “That my brother didn't die or you're sorry you're not behind bars for shooting him? Stay the fuck away from my brother and me, dude!” He looked at Sindy. “How the fuck he move in here with his broke ass?”

Sindy rolled her eyes at me. I felt bad for not listening to her. Obviously, she was trying to protect me like she'd said.

Chaz didn't know she'd given me two million on top of the mil her dad gave me not to follow through with her father's request. I didn't care if he knew or not. I was happy I was off that hook. I was nobody's hit man. I was sad I'd messed up. Hope she didn't kick me out of the witness program.

The redhead said, “Baby, he's not worth it. We need to go upstairs.” She paused, turned her back to me, then whispered, “And give Sindy Chicago's things so she can leave.”

“What things?” I asked.

Mahogany ran to me, hugged me, then handed me a little stick. “We're pregnant, big daddy!” She smiled at Sindy. “We're going to have our own baby. Thank you for helping us out.”

Sindy shook her head then walked away. That was rude. I called out to her, “I'll see you upstairs.”

“Let's go inside and make another baby while we're waiting for her, big daddy,” Mahogany said waving the stick.

The frosted doors closed behind Sindy, the redhead, and Chaz. I was sad. I guess no matter how much money I had I'd never be in their circle.

I followed Mahogany back to our condo. She took off her clothes, removed her panties and bra, then pounced on the bed.

“All you can eat, big daddy! Save some for dessert though.”

The doorbell buzzed and I exhaled with relief. I guess our being pregnant was not going to slow my wife down. “Stay right there. I'll be back.”

Peeping through the hole, I saw it was Sindy. I should leave her out there. She buzzed again. I opened the door, looked down at her.

She waved something in my face. “You need to move out of this building by Christmas.”

“And go where?”

“You're free. I don't care where you go,” she said. “My father passed away today. He'll never make demands of you again. I don't want to see your face again. Take your money and your wife and your son Zach and move outside of Texas.”

I shook my head. “I love Texas.”

“Remember the gun you used to shoot Chicago. The one you hid in your mother's coffin. That's only part of what's on here. Watch this video. I'm sure you'll learn to love living in another state. Make your arrangements today. I'll bring you your son tomorrow.”

“How do you know for sure he's mine?”

“Your blood test was really a paternity test. Here are the results. He's yours. I'll bring Zach by at noon.”

I tore open the sealed package. Staring at my name, I said, “Why would Madison lie?” I was sad again.

“In case you misplaced the note I gave you when you first moved in,” she said handing me a piece of paper. “Here's Madison's cell number.” She took the paper back, tore it in half. “Don't call her until after you move.”

I still had the note. If Madison's number hadn't changed, I didn't need Sindy's permission.

Mahogany ran to the door jumping up and down. Sindy glanced at Mahogany's firm bouncing breasts and naked body, flipped me a thumb drive like she was tossing a coin, then walked away.

Sindy Singleton walked away from me the other day dragging her suitcase out of The Royalton. I knew where she was going. Roosevelt had never invited me to an away game. Maybe he had someone before Sindy. I couldn't worry about that. Sindy might've been done with me but I wasn't through with her ass yet.

My cell buzzed. I'd turned off the ringer so it wouldn't wake my baby. I answered, “Please stop calling me.”

“I want to see my son,” he said. “I've got proof he's mine,” Granville said.

It was pointless for me to explain “He's not yours” again. I ended the call. Why oh why had I opened my legs for that idiot?

Knowing my father had paid to alter the paternity, I had realized that Sindy, being an attorney, had possibly done the same. If I could prove she'd tampered with the test, I could have Vermont have her disbarred. And I'd forever be in Roosevelt's life.

Zach was face down across my lap. No parts of my son resembled Granville. At first, I thought, maybe. Now I was sure Zach was a DuBois. That was my truth, regardless of what Sindy had planted in Granville's mind.

The battle to keep my husband had become a fight I refused to lose. My determination to win had little to do with Roosevelt's feelings or desires. Intimidation was not going to work in Sindy's favor. She needed to focus on burying her father.

“Your daddy is Roosevelt ‘Chicago' DuBois and your mommy is never going to change our last name.” Well, if Zach's brain was a sponge, I was planting more seeds than the gardener had buried in my soil.

There wasn't anyone around to hear me, except my child. I was at my house. My dad and I weren't speaking. My mother came by once a day. We didn't discuss my father or the paternity. She believed my child was a Washington. Why?

Untying my halter dress, I sat in the living room on the sofa admiring my breasts. The implants made me sexier than before, and my standout nipples commanded attention from men and women. I refused to wear a bra ever again. I'd earned these twins by default. If cancer plagued my body again, I had to make certain my baby was with the right man. Maybe I should ask Granville to take a test to prove to him he was not the father.

Worst case, if he were, I'd end up divorced. Best situation, with these twins, it would take me less than twenty-four hours to start dating a new man with lots of money.

My doorbell chimed. It was Tisha. Picking up Zach, I let her in.

Tisha took him from me immediately. “Came by to check on you guys. Had to make sure you haven't done anything irrational.”

Me? Irrational? “I could use a friend and a drink,” I said. “Take him in the family room.”

Pouring two glasses of champagne, I joined my one remaining girlfriend. I placed her flute on the end table near her, then sat in the white leather rocking chair she'd bought me.

“Your breasts look amazing. After feeding both of my boys”—she jiggled her titties—“I'm considering having mine done. What do you think?”

I couldn't tell her not to. Hers looked perfect to me but most of the bras these days had built-in padding. I automatically deducted a half bra size for any woman wearing one.

“I absolutely love mine. Take your time and decide if it's what you really want. Consult with several doctors. I'll give you the information for my surgeon. I have to admit,” I said lowering my halter, “I'm happier with these.”

Tisha stared. “Dang, girl. That's hot. You know I'm not gay but seeing those tits got me aroused. That's how I want men to feel about me.”

“Why do we care so much about what men think about us? You think they care more about our feelings or theirs?” I asked her.

“Good question,” she said holding Zach. “I definitely believe men are self-centered. Women move on. Men move up. My first husband replaced me with a younger, prettier wife. Bought her a pink diamond from Austria. Decreased my child support from twenty grand a month to fifteen. Hell, if I hadn't divorced Darryl, I would've gotten less money all because Lance didn't like the fact that Darryl didn't have a job.”

I couldn't disagree on that. Tisha knew I didn't care for Darryl's leeching ass. Tying my dress, I admitted, “My dad told me he had the paternity test fixed. That's how my mom found out Zach might not be Roosevelt's son. But I swear, I believe he is.”

Tisha kissed my son. “Regardless, this little fella is going to be loved.” She held him close. “Figure it out before he's old enough to understand,” she said, then asked, “Does Roosevelt know?”

“No,” I said, shaking my head.

“Don't tell him anything until you're sure. Men are unforgiving. Are you willing to have Granville take a test?”

I shook my head again. Didn't want to tell her I'd thought about doing that. It didn't feel right. Regardless of the results, I knew Granville would find a way to tell my husband.

“Well, it's your choice. But I think you should have an independent test done with Granville, Zach, and you before the hearing. Go to a different place. That way, it won't matter what your dad did, you'll know for sure. If the baby isn't for Roosevelt, tell him the truth. Either way, you need to grant Roosevelt the divorce. He's moved on, Madison. You need to do the same.”

Tisha was right. It was time for me to start dating again. Tears streamed down my face. I did not want the results to be in Granville's favor. I'd rather believe my son was my husband's baby.

My cell buzzed. It was my attorney. Drying my eyes, I answered, “Give me some good news.”

“We got her served,” he said. “Get ready for your stellar performance when I put you on the stand.”

“Thanks. Will do,” I said ending the call.

My cell buzzed again. I answered, “Was there something else?” “Madison, it's me. Granville.”

I showed Tisha the caller ID. She raised her brows and mouthed, “Ask him.”

Exhaling, I said, “I'll let you do a test. If it's your baby, I'll let you see him.”

Granville laughed. What in the hell was funny? I wanted to hang up on him.

“I already had a test. I can show you the papers. I can prove he's mine.”

My heart thumped against my chest. “You can't be serious. When did you take a test?” I asked. “How?”

The first person who came to mind was Loretta but she hadn't shared time with my son. The second person was Papa. Was he trying to make things right between us? Tisha stared at me.

“Sindy had me take one,” he said.

“Sindy Singleton had you take a paternity test for
my
son?”

“Yep. I can bring the papers with,” he paused, then said, “I forgot. I can't come near your house. I'm not going back to jail. Can you meet me?”

Things were making more sense. Helen was behind this.

“No. No, I can't meet you because those results you have are false.”

“Prove it,” he said sounding the way he had when he'd represented himself in court.

“There will be no test. He's not your son. Don't call me anymore. Good-bye.” I ended the call and blocked his number.