Murderville Page 0,64

the urns . . . the other girls . . . he killed them,” she rambled.

A’shai looked over his shoulder and then turned to her, holding her face in the palms of his hands. “Shhh . . . shhh. Nothing’s going to happen to you. I’m here now. I won’t let it,” he assured.

“Take me with you, Shai. Please . . . get me out of here,” she sobbed, clasping her hands together as if he could walk on water.

She was too frantic, and A’shai knew that they didn’t have time for a lengthy conversation.

“Calm down, ma. He’ll hear you. You have to give me a few days to get things in order. I have to leave but . . .”

Liberty cringed, her knees buckling slightly as she bounced up and down desperately begging him. “Shai, please noooo,” she cried. “Don’t leave me here. Take me with you . . . noooo. Please, Shai, please.”

A’shai could see the fear in her and instantly grew hot. “Does he hit you? Has he hurt you?” he asked, slightly raising his voice as he reached for his pistol.

“No . . . but he will do a lot worse if you don’t save me,” she said solemnly. “If you leave here without me, you won’t come back.”

“I’mma always come back for you Liberty. That’s my word, ma,” he said. He kissed the top of her head and looked into her face as the seconds ticked by. Knowing that he couldn’t remain with her for much longer without arousing suspicion he said, “I’m coming for you. I promise. When does he leave the house?” he asked urgently as he gripped her shoulders.

“He doesn’t . . . he never leaves. He watches me like a hawk,” she explained. She was so emotional that she could barely speak without yelling.

“Shhh . . . calm down, ma. Think. Is there ever a moment when he doesn’t have you under a scope?” A’shai asked.

“He runs . . . every morning he goes for a jog,” Liberty said.

“How long?” A’shai shot back.

“Half hour . . . an hour at the most,” she said.

“I’mma come back for you. Just be patient. I won’t leave L.A. without you,” he said. He kissed her cheek and then walked out of the room.

Liberty’s lips trembled so badly it appeared as though she had the shivers. When he disappeared from her sight she broke down. Her knees hit the floor, and she bent over in grief. She needed A’shai to come back for her this time . . . she needed to be rescued more than she needed the air in her lungs. He was her only way out.

A’shai sat down the block from Samad’s estate and watched as Samad exited his gates in full running gear. He waited until Samad was out of sight and then instructed the driver to pull the limo onto Samad’s grounds. He hopped out of the car and rang the doorbell. He was greeted by one of Samad’s many service workers. The maid stood before him.

“Samad is expecting me. I’m A’shai . . . his business partner from Detroit,” he announced.

“Mr. Sadat isn’t here, but if you are expected you can wait for him inside,” the woman replied.

A’shai followed her to the sitting room, and she motioned for him to have a seat. “He will be back shortly,” she stated. “I have many chores to do, but, please, if you need anything just call me. My name is Sarah.”

A’shai nodded and watched her leave the room. As soon as she was gone he slowly snuck up the stairs and headed for the bedroom that Liberty shared with Samad. He opened the door and found Liberty staring blankly out of the window. She was uncovered and in normal street clothes.

“Liberty,” he said, making her aware of his presence.

As if her ears were playing tricks on her she snapped her head to the right as she looked at him in disbelief.

“You came back,” she whispered as she rushed to him. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him sensually as he hugged her, lifting her slightly from the floor.

“Get your things. Let’s go,” A’shai instructed.

Liberty rushed to the closet and grabbed the few pieces of clothes that she had that weren’t of Muslim heritage. She threw them into a small suitcase and A’shai grabbed it from her hands. He put his hand on the small of her back and led her out of the house. They smoothly re-entered the car.