Chapter 3: Xy'LaijaI woke up the next morning unaware of my surroundings. Rubbing my eyes gently, I sat up and looked around. I smiled when I recognized the room I was in. Terrence walked out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around his waist, towel drying his hair.. "Morning, beautiful," he said flashing his million dollar smile. I chuckled and stretched before swinging my legs over the side of the bed. "And to what do I owe this surprise," I said walking past him to go to the bathroom. "You were out cold last night so I just decided no to wake you. Hope you don't mind," he answered gabbing me by the waist and pinning me against his broad chest and the wall.
He smelled so damn good and that mixed with the seductive look he was giving me sent all of my senses into overdrive. My breathing became shallow and I fidgeted, trying to get in a better position. "Hope you slept well," he whispered in my ear. Then, he kissed my neck before backing away. I tried to pull him back towards me but he was too quick.
Pouting, I stomped into the bathroom and closed the door.
Damn him and his self control I thought with a huff. As I began to strip down I realized that I had not heard from Braxton since the day before. "T, bring me my phone please," I yelled through the door after turning the shower on. I stepped into the steaming water and threw my head back. I loved Terrence's jet-stream shower. I hadn't heard the door open but when I looked up, I saw him leaning against the door frame, smirking. "I think you just wanted me in here," he spoke then dropped my phone on top of my dry off towel. "And that's why we don't pay you to think," I replied adding soap to my washrag.
"Let me help with that," he said lightly. He walked over to me as I eyed the bulge in his briefs. Smiling, I handed him the rag and turned around. Terrence took his time washing my body down and rinsing me off. He even washed my hair.
I stepped out of the shower and he wrapped the towel around me then handed me my phone. I had three text messages, a missed call and a voicemail. I checked the voicemail first. It was from Ricky asking did I get home safely; I deleted it. Next, I checked the text messages.
From: Face Double
Message: real glad u called me yo. Dnt 4get bout me and remember to hit me up wen u get up dis way. We got like mad shit to tlk about. ILY
That made me smile. I opened the second message.
From: B.J.
Message: aye Xy tell my popz to call me yo. Real important. Like on some dead serious type stuff. Thnx
I passed that message up but reminded myself to do it after I checked my last message.
From: B.J.
Message: Scratch that last txt. Popz been here all day. Ya'll got into it or something cause this nigga dnt never stay the night
I had to re-read that message. I clicked out of my messages and hit the number three on my keypad. I really felt some type of way about this. I had something for his ass.
Spending the night at his baby mom's house? Fuck he thought this was, a free for all? I waited for him to answer but he didn't' so I shot him a text.
To: Da Hubby
Message: So what's dis I hear bout ya car being in front of Ya-Ya house dis morning?? u leave me at home wondern wea da fuck u been at 4 almost 2 days & u at dis grimey bird house? Dis how we rockin' now? Fuck u Braxton
I sent the message and turned to see Terrence standing behind me with one eyebrow lifted. I brushed past him and threw my phone on the bed.
"Like I said, you got to be all in this game in order to pay it right. I have a character to uphold." He shrugged at my explanation and walked out of the room. I rolled my eyes and started getting dressed. This was all part of a job and I did't owe him anything.
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I didn't really do much the day everything went down. I decided that holding it down at the crib was my best option until I could sort through all this shit. I took the time to just chill with my kids, Kamyla {Kam-i(as in it)-Lah} and Braxton Jr.. We played board games, Madden11 on the PS3, and Wii Sports. I always enjoyed the time I got to spend with them.
I next morning, when they had both gone out to friends' houses, I was alone with Kadiya. She kept looking at me and I did my best to ignore her. Plus, I couldn't stop thinking about what I had waiting at home. I pulled out my white Galaxy S and tried to call Xy'Laija: it went straight to her voicemail. That was crazy because she always kept her phone on. I tried the house phone, twice, and neither call was answered. I threw the phone on the table and rubbed my face as I thought of about all the negative places she could be.. I shook those thoughts out of my head because I knew that my girl wouldn't do me like that.
Kadiya plopped down on the couch next to me, placing her feet on my lap. "Yo, the fuck is you doing?" I pushed her feet off of me. She smacked her teeth and put her feet back on my lap.
"Ya-Ya, imma fucking punch you in your throat. I ain't da floor mat," I growled and grabbed her ankle in a death grip before pushing her legs back on the floor. She gave me a pained, scared look and inched to the other end of the couch. "Change the channel, Scooter," she said in a baby voice, calling my by my childhood nickname. That softened my heart and I smiled a little. We sat there watching
Baby Boy in silence when I felt her inching towards me. After only ten minutes of her cuddling under me and mouthing every word of the movie I had had enough.
I turned the TV off and heard her smack her lips. One deadly look and she quickly readjusted her attitude. "Look ma, I know we did what we did last night but I hope you know that it ain't mean shit over this way. Like it was just sex, Ya-Ya. I know where home at and you ain't it yo," I said looking dead at her. It looked like she was about to cry but the next thing I know the bitch was rolling around on the floor laughing.
"Fuck outta here with that shit.Man you got me dead bent, Braxton. Don't nobody want your dogish ass! I was trying to get your attention because I wanted some more dick," he laughed, wiping tears from her eyes as she went. I could have smacked the laugh out her throat. I hopped up and stuffed my feet inside my Gucci loafers, grabbing my jacket on the way out the door. I heard her laughter ringing through the air as I slammed the door behind me.
When I got to my car my hip vibrated. I had a text from my wifey. I clicked open the message and instantly lost my cool. Who the fuck was watching me this much? I punched the steering wheel and started the car. I had to head home and get ready for my three o'clock meeting. i'd deal with this shit later.
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That afternoon I sat in front of the head boss with my poker face on. "Listen, Xy'Laija, I believe you, I really do. But rules are rules. Once a case becomes personal to or for an agent it is in the best interest of the team, that agent, and the case that the agent be reassigned," he said with a look of sympathy on his face. I hated when people looked at me with that look and today everyone had been doing it.
I took a deep breath to steady my heartbeat before I said my piece.
"Duncan, I know the rules and you of all people know that I rarely ever break them unless there is need to. I live by them but all i'm asking is for this one chance."
He looked at me for a long while, making me uncomfortable, and it seemed as if a cold hand was squeezing my heart. He would say no and that he was sorry but I had to come off the case. I couldn't let that happen.
"Mr. Masters, I know this is a tough decision but if I may add one more thing," I asked looking at him in the eyes. He leaned back in his chair, arms folded, and nodded his head. "I know my brother, sir. He will tell me everything if he feels that he can trust me. When he finds out that I am Johnson's girl he will respect and confide in me as such. I can break this case, sir. All I ask it to stay on it," I pleaded. Duncan Masters drew in a long breath and blew it out hard, thinking over what I had said. He was tired and frustrated. We were all tired and frustrated.
This case had been dragged on for two years now and we had lost an agent in the process. Braxton Johnson, suspected king pin of a drug smuggling ring, famous music producer, my man. It seemed as if God and time were both on his side. This made it harder for us each day but we were slowly coming along. We almost had enough evidence to bring down his whole operation and those affiliated with it. I cringed when I thought of my brother.
"Four months, Morgan," Duncan said in a low voice," you have four months to close this case and then you are off. No questions asked." Before I knew it I had leaped out of the chair and over his desk,hugging his neck tightly. The door of hsi office opened and we both heard someone clear their throat. I let go of his neck and stood straight, fixing my blazer as he fixed his tie.
"Four months," he spoke again.
"Yes, sir. Thank you," I quipped before rushing out of his office in deep thought, almost knocking down the receptionist.
On hundred twenty days. Two thousand eight hundred-eighty hours. One hundred seventy-two thousand eight hundred minutes. Ten million three hundred sixty-eight thousand seconds. It didn't matter how I chose to look at it, I only had four short months to bring down Braxton and save my brother's ass, again.