When I pulled up to the address in my GPS, Kingston was standing out front wearing all black, toting an AK-47 like he didn’t give a fuck that he was standing outside, right on the side of the street. I jumped out of my Porsche, closed the door behind me and took a deep breath. In less than twenty-four hours, I had lost the love of my life and I was about to lose my best friend.
“I just want to say that I’m sorry about what happened. I loved Kaylen like she was my little sister,” Kingston said once I walked up to him.
I nodded my head, my eyes focused on the door of the building behind him.
“He’s in there,” Kingston informed me.
I started to walk towards the door. Before I could turn the knob to open it, the door swung open and Ty appeared with a solemn look on his face. His white tuxedo shirt was covered with blood. He backed away from the door and allowed me to enter.
When I walked in, I saw Salem sitting in a chair. He was strapped down, his arms folded in an awkward position behind him. His shirt and pants were covered in blood. His head was forward and his dreadlocks had fallen down over him, hiding his face. His legs were shackled to the legs of the chair.
“Salem,” I whispered raspily, my voice choked by grief and anger.
I heard movement behind me and the front door closed. I knew it was Kingston. Ty walked up and stood to my left, Kingston to my right.
“Salem!” I repeated, more forcefully.
Salem slowly raised his head. His face was swollen and covered with blood. He was almost unrecognizable. His breathing was labored and coarse. I watched him as his lips made a flicker of movement. I suppose he was trying to answer me but couldn’t. I decided to continue speaking.
“I’ve never been anything but a brother to you. Since we were younger, I was always protecting you. You made wrong decisions and I was always bailing you out. You try to credit yourself for what I’ve become but the truth is, you haven’t done shit for me but bring me down. I’ve always tried to get you out of shit. You got hooked on dope and I tried my hardest to save your life. I’ve never given up on you. Not ever.” I paused for a moment.
When I looked to my right, I saw Kingston calmly dropping bullets into his Glock as if it were nothing. Ty was on my left, sleeves rolled up ready and to bring more punishment if I only said the word. These were my real homies. I felt sad for the friend I’d lost, but I’d gained family.
“Time has come for me to forget about you. You fucked up when you messed with my heart. I gave you too many chances and now Kaylen is gone,” I continued.
Salem’s head snapped up and his mouth started moving, but no words came out. Only a smacking noise that echoed through the empty room.
“Kaylen is dead because of you. You sent Dom’s boys to kill me and they killed my wife. But that’s okay because I’m sending you to hell to pay for everything that you’ve done. And this time, I don’t give a shit that your fuck ass will be dead. I’ll bury your ass in a ditch on the side of the interstate my damn self and dance on your grave. Rot in hell, motherfucker,” I finished.
I nodded to Kingston and Ty and walked out of the building. Before I stepped into my car, I heard three shots and I knew it was done. A weight lifted off my back and I exhaled.
I sat down in my black Porsche and that’s when it hit me. Kaylen was gone. My partner in life was no more. I didn’t know what I would do without her. I broke down like I never had before. I didn’t want to live without my baby.