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“Rondell always brag to my pops about how you were special and how he was going to make you his wife. You didn’t love him though. There’s no way that you could love someone and play with their minds. You might not have pulled the trigger, but his blood is on your hands.”

I shook my head, no and tears drained out my face. “That’s not true! I loved Rondell and I never cheated on him.”

“Bitch, don’t fucking lie to me! I’m not my brother and you can’t play with my emotions!” Antonio smacked me across the face and almost knocked me off the chair.

“Did you forget that Rondell’s last moments were all caught on video? Do you have any idea how much money I had to pay to get them to scrub that video of your hoodlum boy toy beating my son senseless! He trusted you with his heart, but you’re just like every other bitch. All you care about is what is in it for you. You didn’t even have enough decency to come to my son‘s funeral because you knew that you were guilty.” Grant vented from across the room.

“I never meant for any of that to happen. Solomon and I weren’t together when that incident happened. Rondell was jealous, but I swear I never cheated on him.” I tried to explain.

“I don’t believe you for one second, but it doesn’t matter because my son is gone and nothing you say can ever bring him back. I can only imagine how angry he would feel to watch you live your life and be happy with the very man that you swore he didn’t have to worry about. You disgust me and I can’t wait to make your family feel the way that I feel.”

Chills ran down my spine as Mr. Grant glared at me as if I was scum. His hatred for me ran deep. So deep that he didn’t even care about breaking the law or taking the life of an innocent person.

“I don’t have time for this, Antonio. When you came up with this plan, I thought it would be seamless and quite frankly I’m tired of waiting. I have grieved my son for far too long and it is time to put it into all of this.”

I sat there in the state of shock as the two of them went back-and-forth about what they wanted to do with me. Antonio wanted to hold me a few days and torture me while Grant wanted to put a bullet in my head and leave me for my family to find. Neither option was appealing to me, but I was at their mercy.

I had no idea how much time had passed, but I could tell by the windows in the back room that it was nighttime again. I knew by now my family was stressed with worry and was probably looking for me. There was no point in beating myself up for making such a grave error, but I desperately wished I had to used better judgment. Antonio seemed like a nice person. I would’ve never thought that he was the one who was behind all of this.

When he initially grabbed me, he drugged my body to a van outside and placed me in the back. I was in and out of consciousness, but I was alert enough to hear him tell someone that he was on the way. I was sure he had gotten rid of my phone, but I prayed that my family was able to at least get my last location from it.

After arguing for a few more moments, Mr. Grant left the room and went back upstairs. My heartbeat wildly in my chest as I thought about Antonio and what he wanted to do to me. His eyes were filled with a mixture of hatred and lust, and it terrified me.

“Well, it looks like it’s just you and me sweet pea. What do you think we should do next?” he chuckled as he stroked my cheek.

Silent tears fell, as I prayed for some type of miracle. I knew that my family was looking for me and I could only hope that they got here in time.

“It’s such a shame I have to kill you because you really are such a beautiful girl. I see why my half-brother fell in love with you the way that he did. You’re the type of bitch that could convince a man to empty out his bank account and give away all his worldly possessions just for a chance to be in your presence. Too bad I’m not a weak bitch like he was.

“In my father’s eyes Rondell was the golden child. He was the one who got the good grades and played on all the varsity teams. His mother was prettier, smarter, and more successful than mine and my father wasted, no time putting a ring on her finger.

“To the world, they were the perfect family and I was the wayward illegitimate son who couldn’t seem to stay out of trouble. It didn’t matter that I was born first, Rondell was the one my father put on a pedestal. He only acknowledged me when he needed me to do his dirty work for him. This is the prime example.

“When I got released from prison, he reached out to me and said that he wanted to rebuild our relationship. He even gave me some money and a place to stay until I got on my feet. Then, after a few months, he approached me with his plan for revenge. Truthfully, I don’t give a fuck about that nigga being dead, but avenging him benefits me, and I want everything that’s owed to me.

“Unfortunately, princess, you’re just a casualty of war. My father has money and power and those two things get you far in life. His health is declining and since he no longer has Rondell to take over and carry on his legacy, I’m the next one in line.

“I don’t tend to drag this out too long, but I figure if I’m going through all this trouble on behalf of my brother I might as well see if the pussy was worth dying for.”

Antonio stepped closer to me and my body froze. I got ready to plead my case, but then I heard loud banging sounds followed by what sounded like two gunshots. Antonio held his gun out and signaled for me to remain quiet. I didn’t want to give my hopes up, but in my mind, I knew my family had come for me.

I heard footsteps coming down the steps and I held my breath until I saw who it was. Messiah, Freedom and Solomon walked down the steps and I yelled out to warn them.

“He has a gun!”

I didn’t care if he killed me, but I didn’t want them to be ambushed. Antonio jogged back over to me and placed his gun to my temple. His laugh was haunting as he stood there with confidence.

“Damn, I guess I underestimated you all. I thought I would at least have time to fuck the bitch.”

“You’re outnumbered, so you might as well make this easy on yourself,” Messiah reasoned as he took a few steps closer. Antonio stood behind me and yanked my head back. My scalped burned and it felt like he had ripped some hair from the roots.

“You think I give a fuck about your little warning? Huh? I’ve been watching y’all for over a year and quite frankly, I’m not impressed. I could have taken her much sooner, but I honestly enjoyed making her go crazy. I can’t stand a manipulative bitch. If you ask me, a woman is only good for fucking and sucking. Rondell’s first mistake was trying to wife a ho and he paid the ultimate price. I’m fully prepared to die, but I plan to make sure you suffer too.”

Antonio kept the gun to my head, but he moved his body to stand on the side of me. He wasn’t worried about them taking a shot, because even if they shot him, they couldn’t guarantee he wouldn’t have time to pull the trigger.

“Let her go. I’m the one who beat your brothers ass and humiliated him. I’m the one who pursued Honesty. If you want someone to pay for what happened to your brother then you can take me.” Solomon offered.

“No! No, you’re not. I’m the one you really want. Don’t listen to him,” I yelled. I wasn’t strong enough to watch the love of my life die in front of me.