answer. His father couldn’t understand the connection that A’shai and Liberty shared. He didn’t know their back story. All Baron saw was a girl who had been for sale. He was blinded by Liberty’s lifestyle, but he had no clue what had brought her to that point. A’shai gave his father the ‘fuck you’ button, sending him to voicemail as he finally arrived at his destination.
He shook Liberty gently. “Wake up, we’re here,” he said as he reached over and unbuckled her seat belt.
She looked up at the beautiful winter log cabin that sat amongst the mountains. The 3500-square-foot home was impressive real estate and the two of them had it all to themselves. A’shai grabbed her hand and escorted her into the house.
“It’s late and everything is closed right now, but there’s a storm headed this way tomorrow. I’m going to have to go stock up on food and a few supplies to last us about a week,” 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.
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 enough to calm his spirit. A’shai removed his shirt and then sat on the floor next to the couch that Liberty slept on. He took his pistol out and clicked it off safety, placing it in his lap for easy access. As he listened to the soothing rhythm of Liberty’s breathing, it relaxed him. He closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep feeling as if the void in his life had been filled simply by being in Liberty’s presence once again.
A’shai was awakened by the sound of the doorbell chiming and he shot up out of his sleep, grabbing his pistol instinctively. Liberty didn’t even budge, and he stood as he walked cautiously over to the front door.
“It’s Nico… open up it’s colder than a mu’fucka out here,” Nico said, his voice quivering from the winter hawk.
A’shai still looked through the peephole before opening the door and lowering his weapon. The two men embraced slightly, and Nico slid A’shai a duffel bag full of cash. A’shai didn’t feel the need to count it. Nico was fam and was getting major money. He had no reason to pull grimy on A’shai, so he took the duffel bag and put it in the front closet.
Nico moved further inside of the house, looking around until he spotted Liberty. Used to sleeping without clothing, she had stripped down to her bra and panties in the middle of the night, giving Nico a perfect view of her assets while she slept.
“Damn, that’s shorty?” Nico commented as he admired her body, but not really getting a good look at her face. He stared a little too long, irritating A’shai.
“Watch ya’ mouth, fam,” A’shai spat, seriously.
“No disrespect,” Nico replied. “You really ready to war over her? You know the position you putting us in?”
A’shai shook his head. “Nah… this is on me and only me. I don’t move sloppy. You know I wouldn’t have played it like this unless it was absolutely necessary. I couldn’t leave her there,” A’shai said.
Nico glanced over at Liberty once more. He understood what A’shai saw in her physically. Her body was undeniable, but her track record was marred. Any man with a $100 bill could have had her. She was damaged goods, and Nico couldn’t understand why A’shai was putting it all on the line for this particular woman. A’shai was usually so selective in who he kept time with. If a chick had been smashed by too many niggas she wouldn’t get the time of day with him. Liberty on the other hand had sex with random men on the regular, yet he dismissed that indiscretion.
“I don’t understand this, fam, but it’s not for me to understand. You let me know if you need anything. It’s nothing. You know how we do. There is a storm coming your way so I can’t stay, but don’t hesitate to call me, bro,” Nico stated sincerely. Not many niggas would have taken the hard drive without receiving anything in return, and A’shai appreciated Nico’s loyalty.
“You haven’t talked to me,” A’shai reminded as his cousin walked out of the house.
“No doubt,” Nico answered.
A’shai watched Nico pull away and then went to awaken Liberty. He stood over her watching her sleep for a few minutes before getting on his knees in front of her to stroke her hair.
“Wake up for me baby girl,” he whispered in her ear.
She opened her eyes but felt so weak that she closed them right back.
“Get up, ma. We’ve got to go to the store. You need clothes and we need food,” he whispered.
“I can’t, Shai. I’m so tired,” she moaned. She was extremely fatigued, and she attributed it to all of her years of living the fast life. Now that she was able to slow down everything was catching up to her.
A’shai could tell that there was no rousing her so he decided to let her rest, figuring that she probably needed it after all that she had been through. “I’m going to go get what we need then, Lib. Don’t open the door for anyone but me… nobody!”
“I won’t,” she mumbled.
