Charmed By A Steel City Hustler

Lois:

I had a splitting headache and the noises in the emergency department were not helping. The police officers standing in my face kept repeating the same damn questions over and over. I had no idea who those men were that abducted my sister and husband. Shit, I didn't even see their faces.

All I knew was they had heavy accents and were dangerous. This must be the part of Bash's business that was unspoken. Lola always talked about the street life being bad and that anyone could be touched.

The sound of the double doors flying open caught my attention. Caesar and Nise were together and Kalvon was behind them. I really hoped that the three of them could act accordingly.

The last time they were all in the same room hell broke loose. Nise ran over to me and pulled me into a hug. Caesar asked where the doctors were, and I pointed in the proper direction. "Lois, what did you tell the police?"

Kalvon asked as he sat down to my right in a low tone. Oh, shit was I not supposed to speak to them? I had no idea how this shit worked. In movies, they always say snitches get stitches or die. But this was not snitching because I didn't know anything.

"Hey, Lo, just relax, okay? I see your mind going a mile a minute. Just tell us what happened from beginning to end,"

Nise said squeezing my hands reassuringly.

I began to recount the story and Kalvon tightened his fists as I did. He muttered to himself about Kwame and another name that I was unfamiliar with. By the time I finished, Caesar was back through the doors with the doctor. "Mr. Malcom is awake and asking to see Kalvon and Lois."

The doctor stated and the look on Caesar's face was not a happy one. As we approached the room at the far end, there was a guard on watch outside of it. Given that I was still in Bash's shirt and sweats. I felt even more violated. Upon walking in we saw Bash with a bandage stretching from his shoulder, across his torso with his leg elevated and wrapped up.

"Sebastian, thank God you are okay!" I said and ran to his side, kissing his face and I threw my arms around his neck.

"Big dog, you had me worried, man. I was ready to make the streets bleed and-"

"Shh not so loud. That flat foot outside is ear hustling everything. I think this room is tapped fam. Lois, how are you? Babe did you sustain any injuries?"

Bash said speaking to us, but his eyes were on me alone. He was looking me over and I had no injuries other than mental trauma. A few therapy sessions would be needed in the future. Kalvon came to the other side of the bed and pulled up a chair and began to whisper.

"Fam, I don't know how those fools knew where to find you. This shit is all my fault, bringing this business your way."

"Von that doesn't matter now. Those muthafuckas kidnapped my wife and cousin. They will feel my fucking wrath. But first I need to get the fuck up out of here and away from the police's watchful eye." "Bash you are in no condition to be going anywhere."

"Say what now Lo? These are child's play wounds. Once I got that blood transfusion, I was golden. I been in here playing unconscious to see what all the pigs knew. They don't have any solid leads on shit and the weapons I had were registered to me. Far as they know this was an attempted robbery that turned into a home invasion and kidnapping, got it?"

"Bash those men knew who you were and Kalvon. The police can "

"No Lois, this shit is a street war. Do you understand that? The police will make matters way worse. Baby, if we cooperate with them Adonis and Lola will be murdered along with countless other people."

I went to speak but couldn't get any sound out. I just didn't understand all this secrecy and lying. My husband and sister were out there. God knows where, and I could not say anything about it.

What would my father say to all of this? Oh my god! I must call him! No sooner than the thought crossed my mind the door swung open, and in walked my father and Zeus, Adonis' father.

"Sebastian, you want to tell me why I received a call from some uneducated foreign idiot about ransom money for my son? Why the hell is Donnie caught up in your street bullshit? This is exactly why I kept him away from you as a child. Your influence and bad company have put his life at risk!"

"Uncle Z this is not the fucking place to be hashing shit out. Lower your goddamn voice with the cops right outside. Did it ever occur to you that your son is not so damn innocent?"

I just looked at the men and was blown by the conversation between my father-in-law and Bash. They were related and well acquainted I see. All this fucking time I had been sleeping with Adonis' cousin. Why didn't I know this? Why had no one spoke on this? Did Lola know and not tell me?

"Kalvon your presence here does not give me any comfort. Are you involved in this shit storm as well?"

"Nice to see you too Uncle Z. We were just getting ready to get Bash discharged. How about we all talk about this back at the house?"

The only person who had not spoken yet was my father. Leo was a calculating man and was careful with his words. I had been staring at him the past few minutes and his eyes never left me. I was afraid at what was going to come out of his mouth.

He cleared his, throat causing everyone to give him their undivided attention. Bash and Zeus had murder written all over their faces. I knew why Bash hated my dad so much, but why Zeus?

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"Lois why are you at this man's bed side holding his hand? Your sister and husband are missing, due to what I'm sure is his poor taste in business partners. What on god's green earth were you doing at his apartment in the motherfucking ghetto?"

I was stumped on every single question that my father had just asked. I was more concerned right now with Bash's life. The past few hours had been a blur and I hadn't had time to process anything. There was no one in this room that could protect me from him.

Kalvon started a coughing fit, probably because of the awkward silence. Zeus was also staring at me awaiting an answer. The smirk on his face told me that he knew already.

"Leo perhaps you and your daughter should step outside to discuss your concerns."

I went to get up and Bash tightened his grip on my hand. I had to explain everything to my father before he got a version that painted me in a bad light. I gently pulled my hand away and walked over to my father. He opened the door for me, and we stepped out into the corridor. Nise and Caesar were leaning up against the wall.

I shook my head no, so they would not speak. We walked down the hallway and got onto the elevator and my father was silent. I had no idea where we were going, probably the chapel confession booth. We got outside the main entrance, and a black SUV with tinted out windows was waiting for us with a driver standing with the back door open.

"Daddy, what is this? I can't leave Bash right now!"

"Lois, get into the vehicle. I will not tell you again."

The sternness in his voice had me feeling like a little girl again. I did as he instructed and fastened my seatbelt. My dad got in behind me and waited for the car to start moving before he began to speak.

"Lois, what exactly is your relationship with Sebastian?"

"Daddym what are you insinuating?"

"Please do not insult my intelligence, child of mine. I know what the fuck I saw. You are wearing clothing that does not belong to you or Donnie. You look terrified as if you just saw a ghost. On top of all that, you had a death grip on his hand. So, for the slow folks in the front seat, are you or are you not sleeping with your sister's husband?"

"Yes, but it is not that simple."

THUNK!

My dad drove his fist into the back of the driver's seat, causing the man to jerk forward. I had rarely seen him upset and it was always fierce.

"I have worked my entire life to provide a safe future for you and Lola. You were my golden child and followed suit with marrying an established man that would care for you. Lola has always been a rebellious spirit and she married that low life thug who has seduced you and put my other baby in danger."

"Dad it is not like that. Bash did not seduce me. We-"

"Lois! That is all I keep hearing out your damn mouth. His name! What the fuck about your sister?"

His voice vibrated through the small space, and I jumped slightly. I sighed and began to recount the day to my father. He shook his head and wrung his fists at the whole ordeal. Hearing the story come out of my mouth sounded outlandish. I felt like I had just shot scenes for a movie and was still in character.

Once I finished speaking, the truck came to a stop and my dad told me to get out. He said nothing else and that was shocking. I got out and his lawn was flooded with police and men dressed in black. I had never seen anything like this before. He ushered me toward the front door and instructed me to go upstairs and shower. I felt like a child being ordered around, but right now what else could I do? I felt my bra vibrate and almost forgot my cell phone was in it. "Hello?"

"Lo are you okay? Where the hell did you go?"

"Bash I'm fine, my father brought me to his house. There are police everywhere, are they looking for Lola and Adonis?"

"We can't speak about this on the phone. I need you to come to me."

"My father is not going to let me out of his sight. I told him everything about us and the men breaking in."

Bash sounded agitated and I heard jumbled voices in the background yelling. He told me to stay put and he would come to get me then hung up. I looked at the phone and a small tear dropped from my eyes. What had become of my life? I walked into the guest room and grabbed a rag and towel.

I needed a hot shower to wash away the day's events. I turned the knobs and tested the water temperature. Removing the clothing from my body, I stepped underneath the cascading water. The steam encased my body, and I exhaled a relaxed breath for the first time today.