“Now, I know you and Ms. Jones aren’t on the best of terms right now, but since you were once friends I hope you all can get along for the sake of the child.”
Skye took a deep breath. Just the mere mention of Asia’s name irritated her. She wanted to go off on Toni and tell her that she didn’t give a damn about Asia or the baby, but decided to hold her composure. Instead of responding, she just shook her head in disbelief and continued to listen.
“Also, I have more news. I just found out that Asia is locked up for child abandonment. Apparently she left her son alone in her hotel room. The baby is currently in the custody of Child Protective Services.”
Skye laughed out loud. “You’ve got to be kidding me. I knew that bitch couldn’t take care of a baby.”
“I’m not sure what Ms. Jones’ situation is in regards to her release, but since Sandino is the biological father he has the legal right to try and obtain custody of the child, especially now since he can prove that she’s an unfit mother. You and I both know that Sandino loves his kids more than anything and I don’t think he would treat this child any differently. He bragged to me all the time about how much of a good mother you were. I just think you need to put your personal feelings for Asia aside and think about the best interest of this child. Remember…you’re a mother also. I’m sure if something ever happened to you, God forbid, you would want your kids to be cared for by great parents in a good home. Besides this would be such good press for Sandino.”
Skye started stuttering. “So…what the fuck are you trying to say, Toni? Are you implying that I take care of Asia’s baby? Oh hell no…nope…not me… and Sandino damn sure can’t!”
“Skye, please calm down.”
“Hell no. I can’t believe you called me with that bullshit. Who gives a fuck about how good Sandino would look in the press. I don’t care about that! Besides, you telling me to get along with Asia is personal advice, not legal!”
“Skye, it’s obvious that I’ve upset you, so I’ll give you some time to think it over. I’ll call you later in the week.”
“Don’t even bother,” Skye said, hanging up in Toni’s face.
Rage took over Skye’s body all over again as all the bad things that happened to her at the hands of Sandino appeared in her mind. She turned around and ran back downstairs. When Skye hit the last few steps she tripped and tumbled down onto the floor. This pissed her off even more. Picking herself up, she stormed into Sandino’s room past Jordan and Payton. All she wanted to do was beat Sandino’s ass. It was almost as if Skye had an out of body experience as she started hitting Sandino in his face with several hard blows.
“Its official, you now have a third son, Sandino Jr.! For some crazy reason I thought it was a possibility that Asia could be making this shit up to try and get money. But I should’ve known two snakes would end up in the same fucking hole. I hate you, Sandino! It’s because of you that this family is broken! It’s because of you that Kareem didn’t want to come home. It’s because of you that he could possibly be missing!” she screamed with high-pitched intensity.
Jordan jumped up with Payton hanging onto him for dear life as Skye kept hitting Sandino with tears flowing down her face.
“Ma, stop it! All that stuff is in the past. I don’t know who you are anymore. How do you function carrying all that stuff around? All that hate… all that anger?”
Skye stopped and backed away crying uncontrollably. “You just don’t understand, Jordan. You haven’t been through what I have been through!”
“Ma, I been right there with you. I’ve seen it all. If I can forgive him, can’t you? We should’ve never come back here if you can’t forgive and move on. And what do you mean Kareem is missing?” Jordan questioned.
All of a sudden, Skye and Jordan saw Sandino struggling trying to say something. When he was finally able to get the words out he looked at Skye and said, “Sorryyyy, I love youuuu.”
He let out several loud grunts then started shaking and having convulsions as his eyes rolled back into his head. They could tell he was having another seizure.
“I told Quinn not to leave this house for a long time and the minute he does, look what the fuck happens,” Skye said to herself.
“Ma, look what you did. Are you trying to kill him?” Jordan yelled passing Payton to Skye and running to his father’s aide.
Sandino’s body started to slide down in his chair, making it easier for Jordan to get him to the floor. He pulled one of the plush decorative pillows from the bed and placed it under his head and shifted him onto his side. He’d watched Quinn do this numerous times to keep Sandino from choking.
“Do something, Ma!” Jordan held his father’s head as it shook uncontrollably and he foamed from the mouth.
Suddenly, the seizure stopped as quickly as it started. Skye just stood motionless watching. Moments later, Jordan panicked when he realized his father stopped breathing.
CHAPTER 26
Dre and Cruze rode in complete silence back to Felicia’s vacation house. Curiosity was killing Dre as he wondered how Cruze could double cross Sandino, who considered him his best friend, by stealing his wife. He decided to ask him about it mainly because he was tired of the silence and he was also getting sleepy. He hadn’t been to sleep in almost twenty-four hours.
“Cruze, I’ve heard a lot about you, how you used to be the man in the streets back in the day.”
Cruze looked at Dre wondering how he knew things about his past and why he was even trying to make conversation with him in the first place.
“Yeah man, Sandino and I were cell mates when he was locked up and he talked about you all time. He expected you to come visit him, but you never did. He considers you family,” Dre went on to say.
Cruze didn’t respond, but looked out the window instead.
“He really trusted you and probably never expected you to steal his damn wife. That’s some fucked up shit to do to the man knowin’ he’s down and out.” Dre shook his head like he was thinking about something. “But shitttt now that I think about it, Skye is fine as a muthafucka. When I saw her for the first time I almost lost my mind. She shoulda been in a beauty pageant or some shit like that. Plus, the bitch got a fat ass, too! Umm, umm, umm, I see why Sandino kept her on lock down for all those years.”
Cruze could feel his temperature rising as Dre talked about Skye.
He just bit down on his lip and continued to ignore him thinking about how much he loved Skye and once he got Kareem home safely he wasn’t leaving her side no matter what she said this time. He’d seen it in her eyes at the restaurant. He could tell how much she really wanted to take him back, but was still hurt and her pride wouldn’t allow it. He planned to prove to her that he was willing to do whatever it took to show her just how much he loved her… even if it meant killing for her again.
When they arrived at Felicia’s house several minutes later, Cruze suddenly had that sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach that he got every time something bad was about to happen. He wished he could call Skye but Dre had insisted that he turn off his phone before even agreeing to take him to Kareem.
Dre hit the button on the remote to activate the garage door. “Let me remind you not to try nothin’ stupid when we get in here. As soon as you see that nigga, I wanna know where my brother is.”
Agreeing to his demands, Cruze followed Dre’ inside the house. He could hear the T.V. playing in the livingroom area and wondered whose place it was since it looked like the owner had money. Felicia had fallen asleep on the couch after talking to Kareem but quickly woke up when she heard the garage door opening. She hoped Dre had gotten the information he needed from Cruze so they could let Kareem go and leave. She was ready for the whole thing to be over with.
Kareem immediately became nervous. “Felicia listen…if I don’t make it out of here alive. Promise me you’ll tell my mom I love her and that I’m sorry for giving her such a hard time,” he whispered.”
