Real Riders Never Die 3 (5 page)

Dressed in a pair of teal yoga pants and a white tank top, Taryn padded across the floor. Her hair was up in a wild ponytail on the top of her head, flowing down her back and around her shoulders. The footie socks she was wearing protected her feet from the bare floor as she made it to the door. Even though she didn’t want to leave her baby, she needed to try to find a phone.

If she could get in contact with someone from home, then she would be good. She pulled the large door open as quietly as she could and looked both ways to make sure no one was coming. When she didn’t see anyone, she tiptoed out of the room and walked down the hall. She looked at the pictures along the way. There were some beautiful paintings hanging around.

At the end of the hall, she noticed there was another hallway. She followed that one, quietly passing other bedrooms. She wanted to try the doors, but didn’t want to walk in on anyone, so she continued her search for the living room. It had to be one in there. The closer she got, the more nervous she was. She was almost positive there had to be some guards lurking around somewhere.

Once she finally made it to the living room, she looked around to make sure no one was in there, before walking as softly as her 6’0” tall frame would allow her. She looked around the tables and odd end cabinets that were in there, but saw nothing. She was about to give up until she noticed a pearly white phone lodged between two structures in the wall.

Taryn looked behind her before hopping across the floor to where it was. She picked it up and heard the dial tone. The only thing she could think to do was press the number one to call. She had no idea how to make an international call. She was disappointed to find out that pressing one didn’t work. She nearly threw a tantrum right there. She tried a few more times unsuccessfully before giving up and taking the long walk back to her room.

She looked at her feet and pouted the whole way back. When she recognized the hallway that her room was on she raised her head and sped up a little. She didn’t want to get caught out there. Finally reaching her room, Taryn went in and closed the door behind her. She didn’t even pay attention to the fact that the small lamp in her room was on, until she turned around.

“Oh my God!” She shrieked and grabbed her chest.

There was a young man sitting in the chair near her bed. He looked to be no older than she was. He was shirtless and had Ayo sitting on his lap. The small lamp illuminated the corner of the room where they sat.

“I found him in the hallway.”

Taryn stood flabbergasted with nothing to say. Her words had been caught in her mouth. They’d come up her throat, but she was unable to push them out any further. The long brown dreads hanging down around his shoulders, the light skin, and the hazel eyes had Taryn frozen in place. Her chest felt tight as she stood in the door with her hand over her chest.

The thick African accent mixed with the manly baritone was like music to her ears. Ayo lay sideways, asleep in his lap. His head was thrown back over his arm with his hair falling backward. The glow in the dark Ninja Turtles pajamas on his small body lit up in certain places. Taryn’s eyes scanned over her baby before going back to the boy in the chair.

“Are you okay?” He was looking straight at her.

Taryn nodded. “Who are you?”

“Uzoma.”

“You look just like my husband.” Taryn’s voice wasn’t loud because she was talking more to herself than anything.

“You and Demoto are married?” He looked confused.

Taryn’s gaze came up from the floor quickly. “You know him?”

Uzoma laughed softly. “He’s my cousin.”

Taryn felt dizzy. She tried to focus her eyes, but the room began to spin. Before she knew it, she had fallen and hit the floor. She didn’t know how long she had been out, but when she woke up she was in the bed beneath the covers. Ayo was beside her. Taryn looked around the room and rubbed her eyes. She scooted back slowly in the bed and grabbed her stomach with one of her hands.

“Another baby?” Taryn looked to the corner where the lamp was and there was Uzoma.

He was sitting still as a statue with his legs stretched straight out and his hands resting across his abs. His hair was still down, but it was now pushed back off of his face. She looked at him for a minute without saying anything because she wasn’t sure whether she was ready to tell anybody in Cameroon about the new addition to her and Demoto’s family.

“You scared?”

“Of what?”

He waved his hand around the room in reference to her current situation.

“Yes and no.”

“Why not? You’re a stranger here. You should be.”

Taryn rolled her eyes to the sky trying to think of a way she wanted to word what she was going to say next. There really was no way to put it other than to just say it, so she did.

“There’s no reason to be. Demoto will be here soon.” Her words were soft and reassuring like she believed them with every fiber of her being- because she did.

Uzoma didn’t say anything. He just continued looking at her. The same way Demoto did, the same way Ayo did, and the same way Ornella had been doing all day. Clearly, it was a Youngblood thing. The way they looked at people was crazy and it almost made her feel uncomfortable.

“You sure about that?”

Taryn nodded.

“Very well. I can’t wait to see him.”

“You and him close?”

“Not so much anymore. I’ve been back in Cameroon for a while, so we don’t talk much. When I lived in Florida we spoke every day.”

The perfectly arched brows on Taryn’s face raised in surprise, “You lived in the United States before?”

A small smile tugged at his lips as he nodded. “Yes. From age five to age fourteen. My father sent me away, but after his death, I returned home.”

“Why though? You didn’t like it?”

He shrugged. “It was fine, but I love my home. I learned English and went to school, but my heart was here in Cameroon.”

“So that’s why you know English?” Though she hadn’t thought about it before, now it made sense. No one else other than Ornella and fat Chauncey had spoken English since she’d gotten there.

She’d almost gotten a headache while they were eating dinner. Some of her guards had come in and everyone was speaking French. It was driving her crazy. She thought she hated when Demoto and Ayo did that to her at home, being in a room full of strangers really pissed her off.

“You’re so light-skinned, and you speak so proper.” Taryn pulled her hair from her ponytail, allowing it to fall down on her shoulders and back. “If you didn’t talk, I would never know you were African.”

“You’re so dark-skinned and you speak so country. If you didn’t talk, I still wouldn’t know what you are because you don’t look like the other black people in the US.”

“I’m half Ethiopian.”

He nodded. “That explains a lot.”

“Is there a phone around here?” Taryn was desperate and she wanted to call Demoto so bad.

Uzoma’s face went solid. He was serious and his eyes looked away from her. “I can’t do that.”

Taryn wanted to act shocked, but she wasn’t. He was talking to her and being nice, but he was still one of them. She rolled her eyes at him and got up from the bed to go to the bathroom. The thin yoga pants had gathered between the thickest part of her thighs, so before walking off she pulled them down some.

She padded across the floor and into the bathroom large enough to be a one-bedroom apartment. Uzoma’s eyes followed her the entire way. One thing he had learned to appreciate while being in the United States was the way the women were built. Taryn was no different. When he’d first seen the baby wandering the halls it caught him off guard until he remembered that Ornella had told him that they were coming.

He was still a little leery of things with them because he didn’t quite agree with what his aunt was doing, but he didn’t speak on it. Instead, he remained quiet and went with the flow. His aunt Ornella had a terrible temper, and he didn’t want to be on the receiving end of it. She had no respect of person. Anyone who crossed her would die, and he loved his life a little too much to suffer that type of fate.

He could tell that Demoto’s lady was angry with him, but she would have to get over it. There was nothing he could do for her. He looked at the baby on the bed that was the spitting image of his cousin in a coat of chocolate skin. He was sprawled out on the bed without a care in the world. Uzoma smiled at the thought. He was so peaceful.

The room was quiet as he sat, lost in his own thoughts. He stretched his arms above his head and yawned as he heard the loud hurling sounds coming from the restroom. He looked in her direction then back at the door. He didn’t want to help her, but he couldn’t help himself. When he’d first learned that they were there, he wanted to come and see them.

He knew that it had to be scary being in a place you knew nothing about, with people you’d never met in your life. He tried to ignore the constant hurling until he couldn’t anymore. Uzoma stood up and walked into the bathroom. Demoto’s lady was on her knees leaning over the toilet. Practically her entire face was in it. Uzoma frowned at her at first until the hurling started again.

He walked over to her, quiet and smoothly. He grabbed the long black hair that lay on her back and held it in his hands. “When do you give birth?”

She wiped her mouth before leaning over on one side of the toilet and laying her face on her arm. Her eyes were closed as she tried to catch her breath.

“Four more months.”

“That’s cool. Do you need anything? You want some water?”

“I need to talk to Demoto.”

Uzoma looked at her and sighed. He felt sorry for her, but there was nothing he could do. Instead of responding to her, he walked out of the bathroom and into her bedroom. There was a small refrigerator in the corner. He grabbed a bottle of water and the plastic container of grapes. He placed the grapes on the bed and carried the bottle of water to her.

He removed the cap before giving it to her. Taryn drank practically the entire bottle before handing it back to him. She stayed on the floor for a little bit longer before standing to her feet and flushing the toilet. He stood back and watched as she washed her face. When she was finished, she walked slowly toward him and headed for the room. When she was in front of him she stopped and looked up at his face.

“How tall are you?”

“Six foot seven.”

She nodded. “I thought so.”

“And you?”

“Six feet.” Taryn continued walking. “You’re my baby’s height.”

When Uzoma walked into the room, she was already in the bed and lying next to her baby. Uzoma looked at them for a few seconds before walking to the edge of the bed where she was lying.

“I’m in the room right down the hall, the last one on the left. You can let me know if you need anything.”

Taryn didn’t say anything. She just nodded her head and kept her eyes closed. Uzoma walked back to the corner and flipped the lamp off. He exited the room as silently as he had come in and headed back to his room.

As soon as Taryn heard the door close she opened her eyes. She looked around to make sure Uzoma was gone before turning back over. The only thing on her mind was Demoto and going back home to him. Seeing Uzoma and having him care for her while she was sick made her miss Demoto so much more.

She rubbed her barely bulging stomach and prayed. She needed God to help her right then, if not, she was going to lose her mind. She wiped the tears that began to roll down as she continued praying for the relief that she needed. Ornella had come into her life and flipped it upside down in a matter of hours. When she finished praying, she slid back down in bed and kissed Ayo’s face. Once she was comfortable on her side, she rubbed her stomach and prepared for a long, lonely night.

T
he blazing sun and dirt roads brought back memories of a time Demoto wasn’t in the mood to remember. Evening walks down the streets after dinner while feasting on some of the ripest fruits. Demoto could still hear his father yelling for him and Adisa to slow down and stop fighting as they walked their dinner off.

He looked around the land at the people walking and some driving; the children in the nearby field playing soccer or football as they called it in Cameroon. The place where they would be staying was near the airport but ducked off some away from a lot of constant activity. They had landed not even a full hour ago and Demoto was already ready to go on the hunt for Taryn.

He had sat still long enough. It was time to put in some work now. Jacko was on the bed next to his fidgeting with his laptop. They had sat their bags down without even touching them. They’d come right in, eaten, drank some water, and began setting up. Like Demoto had known, this was going to take some time.

There was no way around it. Everyone there knew his mother and respected her power. Even if he wanted to go directly to her, there was no possible way that could happen. He was more than positive that she had guards in every free spot she had. He would be asking for the death of him, Jacko, Taryn, and Ayo pulling a stunt like that. Jacko had wanted to get right down to work because that’s how they handled things in Georgia, but they had to wait.

“So you really think she’s going to call?”

Demoto turned around from the window and looked at Jacko. “I hope so.”

“What if she doesn’t?”

“If she doesn’t call before the day ends, then we’ll get shit popping. I just feel it in my bones. This bitch is up to something. She’s baiting me, and I have to continue waiting in order for her to feel like she’s in charge. Other than that, she’s going to chop our damn heads off.” Demoto laughed nonchalantly as he took a seat on the bed that he’d claimed as his for however long it took to get his family back.

“Chop our heads off? What the hell kind of bullshit is that?”

“Nigga, this is war, and that hoe is the truth.”

Jacko shook his head. “You talk about her like she ain’t your mama.”

“Shit, she ain’t. She don’t act like nobody’s damn mama, so I ain’t treating her like one.”

Jacko leaned back on his elbows. “So, she’ll really cut our heads off?”

“Hell yeah. Why you think I’m trying to feel her ass out? I ain’t got time for that shit.”

“Yeah, figure that shit out, cuz I ain’t trying to die over here. It’s too fucking hot for one, and Kia probably wouldn’t ever get my damn body back.”

The two of them shared a brief laugh before quieting down and wrapping themselves in their own thoughts.

“Jack, if I feel like shit is going to get out of hand or is getting too dangerous, I want you to stay here. This is my family and my problems. You and Kia got y’all lil baby on the way and shit, and I don’t want to be the reason you never see how it feels to be a daddy. You know what I’m saying?”

“I feel you and I appreciate it. You my nigga, though, so let’s think this shit through and handle it right.”

Demoto didn’t say anything, but he heard Jacko loud and clear. With his eyes closed and his mind clouded, Demoto massaged his temples. He was waiting for his mother to call and he was growing very impatient. He tried to think of the things he could do until then without being seen by any of her laborers, but he knew it was going to be far fetched.

He was sure some of his father’s friends should still be lurking in the shadows somewhere, but he just didn’t know where, Paki, being the main one. He had been his father’s right hand man and the only other person his father allowed them around. After him and Adisa’s abrupt departure to Georgia, Paki had been the only person who called and checked on them from time to time. Then one day, as did his father’s, Paki’s calls stopped coming.

The only thing that worried Demoto was the fact that just as he knew how loyal Paki was to his father, so did his mother. He wouldn’t be surprised if she’d had him killed right alongside his father. Demoto could go out looking for Paki; he was sure to draw attention to himself by doing that. Feeling the need to be doing something, Demoto got up and picked up the floorplan to his mother’s house.

He’d gotten it from Buck before leaving, along with the schedules of her guards changing. He needed to memorize the floor plan the best he could before going there. He didn’t want to go there and get caught slipping because he didn’t know where to go. She no longer lived in the house that he’d grown up in. She had moved to some big, extravagant estate that he knew nothing about.

“Are we doing anything today?” Jacko asked.

“Maybe. Like I said, if she calls then I’m going to her front door, but if not we may wait until it gets dark to make some moves.”

“Well, come show me how to call Kia. I already know her ass is about to go crazy.”

Demoto stood from the bed he was lying on and went to Jacko. They sat on his bed together for at least fifteen minutes trying to figure out what they had to do in order to place a call. When all else failed, Jacko sent her a message on Facebook. He probably didn’t need to talk to her anyway. For the task at hand he needed to be focused, and talking to Kia would surely get him off of that.

KNOCK! KNOCK! KNOCK!

Jacko and Demoto both turned to look at the door. Neither of them knew who it could be, so they didn’t move. Wide-eyed and alarmed, they sat on the bed looking from each other back to the door. Jacko bucked his eyes at Demoto as if asking for directions on what to do next. Demoto shrugged and looked back at the door just as two more knocks came.

Demoto stood, about to head to the door when his red phone began to ring. Right now wasn’t the time, so he didn’t answer, but when Jacko’s red phone began to ring he knew it had to be something. Although they didn’t want the person on the outside of the door to hear them in there, if Double O was calling them back-to-back then there had to be something to it.

“Jack,” Jacko answered and was quiet. Demoto watched him, waiting to see what was being said. “Confirmed.”

Jacko hung his phone up and looked up at Demoto. “Answer the door. It’s Double O.”

Demoto moved with the quickness to twist the knob. When the small rickety door swung open, in walked a white man. He was a dark pink color with a brownish hue to his skin. His eyes were a dark brown, and he was much shorter than Demoto, and only about an inch short of Jacko. He was dressed casually in a green and yellow short set with stripes on the pants.

The sneakers he wore looked run over, and his dirty blonde hair was wild around his head. He stepped in with his backpack on his back and closed the door behind him.

“Hello brothers,” he spoke to them both.

“What’s up?” Jacko spoke while Demoto gave a simple nod.

“I spoke with Bradley yesterday. My orders were to meet you all here and show you the land. I’m from the South African office.” He extended his hand toward Jacko then Demoto. “I’m Alias.”

“What did Bradley tell you?”

“Only that you two will need my help. I’m to help you two to get closer to the house without raising red flags. I’ve done business with the queen on numerous occasions, so this shouldn’t be hard.”

“What kind of business?” Demoto looked at him.

“I’m a weapons distributor. I provide and discard thousands of weapons a week.” He smirked. “Let’s just say she uses me quite often.”

“So how soon can we get this going?”

“Tonight, if you want. I have a meeting with her. She’s ordered quite a few things. I’m thinking in anticipation of your arrival.”

Jacko stepped closer to them. “So, she doesn’t know that you work for Double O?”

Alias crossed his arms over his chest. “Not one idea. See my brother, I’ve been working with her for years. Years that surpass my life span actually. You see, I’m not much older than you two, but my father has been in Cameroon for years. Serving not only her, but her army as well. I’m more of a trustee, if you will.” He smirked and pushed some of his wild hair from his face.

“So should we go with you or you going by yourself? Because I’m not really for getting my damn head chopped off and shit.”

Alias looked from Jacko to Demoto before laughing. “You will accompany me, but you will do so from a distance. There’s a small spot that we normally meet. It’s a playground in the valley. You two will be able to see us, but she won’t see you. That’s if she comes. Normally, she sends someone in her place.”

“Cool. What do I need to bring?”

“Nothing. There will be nothing to do tonight as this is just a meeting.” He looked at his watch. “I’ll be back in two hours. You two should be ready by then.” Alias nodded his head once and left.

After locking the door and securing that no one else would be coming in Demoto took a seat on the bed and closed his eyes. He was getting closer, and he needed to get his mind together. He needed to be relaxed in order to get this done. There was a large problem that he had when it came to his temper.

After he’d lost his cool, there was no turning back. Minutes turned into hours as they chilled around the room, waiting to for Alias to return. They had both eaten, taken a shower, and gotten dressed. With their locks pulled back into ponytails, it was easier to put their hoodies over their heads. They were standing up, sticking their phones in their pockets, when they heard knocking on the door.

“You ready?” Jacko looked at Demoto.

“Hell yeah. You?”

“Shid, as ready as I’mma be.”

Jacko walked to the door and opened it. Alias stepped in with a child. She resembled him as she clung to his neck. Her clothes and hair were just as wild as his. She looked from Demoto to Jacko before laying her head down on Alias’ shoulder and closing her eyes.

“You boys ready?”

“You taking a baby?” Demoto had to ask.

Alias looked down at her and pressed his lips to her forehead. “Yes. She’s my younger sister and I always take her. Being that the discussion goes on at a park, it just makes sense. It throws everything off, but also makes it run smoothly.”

Demoto didn’t say anything because he could understand the reasoning, but he still didn’t agree with it. Why take a child to see a murderer? That was just asking for trouble.

“I have a few weapons for the both of you, a gun and a machete. Who wants what?”

Jacko held his hand out. “Give me the gun. I’ll leave that knife shit to y’all Africans.”

Demoto and Alias both laughed as he sat the little girl down on the bed. He pulled his backpack off and handed them their weapons of choice before replacing it and leading them out. They followed him to the topless jeep and got in, Jacko in the front, and Demoto in the back with the little girl. He was the most noticeable, so he needed the most covering.

The ride to the park was peaceful and quick. Demoto was almost surprised when he felt the car coming to a stop. He looked around trying to see where they were. He recognized the park immediately. His father used to walk him and Adisa there almost every day after school. He looked around, trying to see where his mother was, but saw nothing.

“Where’s the queen?”

“The meeting is not for another thirty minutes. I just wanted to arrive early so that it’s less attention on my ride here. I’ll be leaving you two in the car. The cloth roof can be easily spread over the top. When I get out in a moment, I’m going to cover the jeep up. You two can watch from here. It will be a little strenuous on your eyes because the park is a little distance away, but I’m sure you can manage.” Alias got out and grabbed the top for his truck.

Once it was spread over the entire jeep, he reached in and grabbed his sister. He and she walked to the park and began to play. Demoto was slouched down in the seat looking around. He could see every inch of the park. The sun was beginning to set and his mother still hadn’t arrived.

“Damn, you think that’s her?” Jacko nodded his head toward the black Lincoln creeping down the dirt road.

“Yeah, that’s her extra ass.”

The Lincoln came to a stop on the other end of the park. A very large man got out first and went to open the door. He stood to the side, and out stepped a tall dread head that he would know anywhere. Uzoma. He looked from side to side before looking off into the distance. He looked at the park and saw Alias and his daughter on the swings.

Demoto watched his cousin as he leaned back down into the car. He looked to be speaking to someone. He was bent over, looking into the car for another few moments before he leaned completely in. When he emerged back out Demoto’s heart raced. The rapid breathing and sweating palms assured him that this was no dream.

“You see this shit Moto?” Jacko was clearly just as shocked.

However, Demoto couldn’t speak at the moment. Right then, all he wanted to do was count to ten in his head over and over again. He needed something to keep him from hopping out and grabbing his son out of his cousin’s arms. Ayo was sitting in the crook of Uzoma’s arm the same way he sat in his. He was sitting straight up with all of his hair down.

He watched Uzoma point toward the park and say something to him. Ayo looked and nodded before looking back toward the car. Before then, Demoto hadn’t allowed himself to think. All he was focused on was what he could see. Not realizing that Taryn might have been with them. He looked toward the door, waiting for her to emerge but she didn’t. Instead, it was his mother.