Murderville Page 0,68

A’shai told her.

Liberty nodded her head and sat down on the couch as she put her hands in her face, overwhelmed.

“I thought I was going to die in that mansion. This feels so good . . . just being free . . . you know? I have spent so much of my life being under someone else’s thumb. I’ve never had control of my own destiny,” she said. She was crying heavily but her tears were a direct result of mixed emotions. She was mourning her past and all that she had been through but also shedding tears of joy, considering that she had made it through. “Did you ever think of me?” she asked.

“Every day,” A’shai replied honestly. “I always hoped that you were okay.”

She smiled, slightly flattered that he had never forgotten about her.

“You’re far from the knock-kneed, bony little girl I used to know,” he commented.

“You have no idea,” she said as she shook her head in disgrace. “I don’t even remember that little girl.”

A’shai had so many questions for Liberty. He knew the expectations that were placed upon him simply by being Baron’s son. Liberty was not the type of chick that he was expected to be with. She had a stigma attached to her name. He knew that she had been with many men. He wanted to ask her how many had parted her thighs, but he knew that more than likely she had lost count. He did not want to embarrass her or make her feel badly. I can’t think about who she’s been with. She was forced to live that lifestyle. She was doing what she had to in order to survive. Any nigga that came before me doesn’t matter, he thought as he convinced himself that her past was irrelevant.

A’shai had always been mesmerized by Liberty and as he sat staring at her, enthralled by the changes he saw, he realized that his feelings toward her had not changed.

He sat down beside her and she leaned back, resting her head on his chest as she exhaled deeply.

“Relax . . . you’re safe now. Put all of your burdens on me. You don’t have to worry anymore, ma. I’ll take care of you,” he stated.

A’shai had left home so quickly that he only had the money that had been in his pocket. He knew that he would need big paper in order to stay off Samad’s radar. Nothing about him was afraid. He would war with any nigga that wanted to bring it to his doorstep, but with Liberty by his side he couldn’t afford to move reckless. He had to align his chess pieces and think strategically before he acted—the way that Baron had taught him. He needed the money out of his safe and knew that there was only one person he could ask to bring it to him. They hadn’t always seen eye-to-eye but Nico was the only person he trusted with his paper. He wasn’t the smartest man A’shai had ever met, but he wasn’t a broke nigga. A’shai knew that he wouldn’t have to worry about his paper coming up short if Nico brought it. Once Liberty was asleep he slid from beneath her and armed the alarm system to ensure that he wasn’t caught slipping. He went into the next room and picked up his cell to call Nico.

“Fam, what’s good baby? Fuck type of shit you on? I know you not running away with bitches now? Not you, kid,” Nico teased, letting A’shai know that he had spoken to Baron.

“It’s not like that. Look I’m not calling to rap with you, fam. I need a favor,” A’shai stated directly, not wanting to beat around the bush.

“Anything . . . just say the word. You need me, I’m there. I didn’t like that pussy ass mu’fucka Samad anyway,” Nico stated, ready to pop off.

“Nah . . . nah. This isn’t your beef, family, and this isn’t just some broad. We go back,” A’shai stated. “Look, I need you to bring me my paper out of my safe.”

“No doubt, baby. Where you at?” Nico shot back without hesitation.

“I’m in Boyne,” A’shai stated.

“I’ll be up there in the morning. What’s the combo?” Nico asked. A’shai gave him the numbers to open his safe and with that the two ended the call. A’shai knew that Nico would come through and he felt relieved to know that some serious cash flow was headed his way. The thought of the $275K was