Payback

would be happening. Shy didn’t want their fight to be the last thing they shared.

'Black’s not here because we had a fight last night,' Shy remembered telling Nick. He came to the island to see Black, who he hadn’t seen in years, and to meet Shy. 'He left the house and I haven’t seen him since. He may be in New York or he may be right here on this island. I don’t know.'

'What was the fight about?' Nick asked.

'You hit it dead center when you said I was bored. I miss New York and I want to go home. I really haven’t made any real friends down here.' Shy leaned forward and whispered, 'Probably because I can’t understand what they’re sayin’ half the time.' She laughed. 'And these women. . Oh God, why they all gotta fall all over my man? And it’s not just these island bitches. The tourists are worse. Why do they have to have their half-naked asses all up in his face, gigglin’ over every word he says, while I’m standin’ right there? I mean, Nick, I try to rise above that `cause I know he really ain’t like that anymore, but it’s hard. Bitches ain’t got no respect.'

'Sometimes gettin’ bitches’ respect is overrated. As long as Black shows you respect, fuck them bitches. You’re his wife.'

'I know that, Nick. And Michael shows me nothing but love and respect. And I love him so much for that. I know that’s just something I got to get past. I guess I’m just a jealous woman, and I’m tired of it, you know what I’m sayin’?'

Maybe Nick was right. As long her man showed her love and respect, she couldn’t be stressed over it. It was all about trusting him, and since she believed in her heart that he would never do anything to put their relationship in jeopardy, what was the point? Shy would take it all back now if she could, because that wasn’t her real issue. The real issue was her legal status. Shy was wanted for murder, but her lawyer, Wanda Moore, was able to get the murder and conspiracy to commit murder warrants dropped. Without the murder weapon or any witnesses to place Shy at the scene, they had no murder case.

Wanda Moore always wanted to be a lawyer and she was good at it. Wanda had gotten Mike and his associates out of more cases than she could remember. She was smart, careful, and just a bit ruthless. In addition to being their lawyer, Wanda managed the money, making a small fortune for her partners, while developing a reputation as an excellent entertainment lawyer. However, despite Wanda’s efforts, there was still a warrant out for Shy for conspiracy to distribute that to this point she hadn’t made any headway with.

'The fight was really about me wantin’ to go back to New York,' Shy told Nick.

'But you can’t, because of the conspiracy charge,' Nick said.

'Michael lost it when I told him that I would rather go home and do my time than stay down here. I don’t want to be on the run for the rest of my life, Nick. I want to be free.'

Sal pulled up at the dock and he looked back at Shy. 'Now listen, we’re gonna get out of this car and go to the boat. You’re gonna go quietly. Some people seem to think that you’ve got some value, so you get to stay alive for a little while. But if you try to get away or call for help, I’ll put a bullet in your brain. You understand?'

'I understand,' Shy said.

Sal got out of the car and pulled Shy out. He moved down the walkway quickly, practically dragging Shy along as he headed for the boat. Julio held his stomach and followed behind them as best he could.

As they made their way to the boat, Shy looked around the crowded dock and hoped that she saw someone she knew. You know, somebody who would question why this man was dragging her along, and do something to help or at least get word to Mike.

That’s when she saw him. Shy didn’t know what his name was, but she recognized him from the club. He’s practically a regular. Shy had seen him many times laughing and talking with Mike and Jamaica. But the only problem was he wasn’t looking in her direction.

Knowing that she would have to do something to get his attention, Shy pretended to stumble and fall. 'Ouch!' Shy screamed, acting as if she was in pain and grabbing her ankle. That got his attention, as well as a few other people.

'All right, sweet cheeks, get up,' Sal said as Julio caught up.

'I can’t! I hurt my leg.'

'I said get up,' Sal demanded, grabbing Shy by the arm and pulling her to her feet.

'Where are you taking me?' Shy asked as she struggled just enough to put on a good show, but not enough to get herself killed.

'We’re taking a little trip to Miami. Now, stop fuckin’ around and get on that boat,' he commanded and pointed at the boat. As they continued walking, Shy looked straight at the man and mouthed the words, Help me.

Chapter Two

Nick hung up the phone and lay across the king-sized bed at the Lucayan Beach Hotel. He looked out the sliding glass door at the Caribbean Sea and tried to clear his head. He got up, walked over to the mini-bar, and took out a bottle of Johnnie Walker Black. Nick felt bad, very bad about allowing Shy to be kidnapped. What else could I have done? What could I have done to save her? There was only one answer. He could never have never been there in the first place.

And what would he say to Black?

How would Nick explain to him that he was not only the reason the shooting started, but that he had a shot, but was too slow in taking it?

He went to the door and looked out. As Nick finished the small bottle of Johnnie Black, he gave some thought to the fact that he had hung out in New York the night before, caught an early flight, and had been up the better part of the day. He did close his eyes during the flight to the Bahamas, but now, he suddenly felt tired.

As Nick laid back across the bed, his head began to spin. He realized the he and Shy drank quite a bit that afternoon. He closed his eyes and began to think back over what had just happened.

'Excuse me a minute, Shy. I’ll be right back.' Nick got up and walked over to a man he thought he knew, sitting alone at a table by the door.

'Roman, Roman Patterson?' Nick asked.

The man didn’t answer at first. He looked at the door and then slowly at Nick. 'Nick Simmons?' he said quietly and looked back at the door. 'What are you doin’ here?'

'I’m visiting some old friends.' Nick said as he started to sit down.

'Get away from me, Nick. I’m waiting for somebody,' he said practically in a whisper.

'What?'

'I’m DEA, Nick. Get away from me.'

Nick turned quickly and walked away, just as Sal, Julio and Manuel entered the club and sat down at the table with Roman. Nick went back to the bar and sat down. Shy came over to him.

'What was up with that? You didn’t know him?' she asked.

'He’s DEA.' Nick saw the expression on Shy’s face. 'Calm down. He’s not here for you.'

Nick and Shy looked on as the four men talked and laughed like old friends, until Julio glanced in Nick’s direction. Julio stood up and looked directly at Nick, took out his gun and shot the DEA agent in the head, then turned and fired on Nick. Customers at Black’s club began running out the back door, turning over tables in their wake, while others dove on the floor.

'Get down!' Nick yelled at Shy.

Shy ducked down behind the bar while Nick fired wildly and took cover behind a table. Sal and Manuel broke out semi-automatic weapons and began firing at him. They had Nick pinned down as they moved toward the door.

Shy reached for the pump. 'Finally a little excitement on this rock.' She rose up, took aim, and fired at and dropped Manuel. Shy took cover as Sal and Julio began shooting at her. This time it was Nick that came up blasting. He hit Julio, and Julio went down.

Shy stayed low as she moved toward the end of the bar. She stood up and fired the pump just as Sal ran out the door. Nick came out from behind the table as Shy moved toward the door. With her back turned, she didn’t see