Through the depths

Chapter 6

Darien

"Honestly Jaz I don't think he sells, Khalil is different. He doesn't want that life," Darius said . He watched Jasmine visibly relaxed, but her eyes still looked haunted. She's been crying, he could tell. She had bags under her beautiful eyes, she sat with her arms around herself, something she's been doing since he knew her whenever she was upset. Darien came home early from his shift, and to his surprise, Jasmine was on his couch pretending to be watching T.V. For a split second, watching her lay there comfortably on the couch reminded him of the future he could've had. Having her wait for him to come home, possibly with a couple of younger versions of themselves running around. She shifted on the couch when she heard him come in, assuming it was his mother coming back.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Ms. Wanda left a few hours ago. I thought it was her coming," she'd said, She stood to leave, but Darien stopped her, sensing something was off. Later on, she let him know of her worry for Khalil watching him hand drugs to Candace. Darien could feel that Jasmine somehow blamed herself for what Khalil was going through. It may make him seem like a dick but he was glad she felt guilty. She needed to know what became of the people she left behind, even if it hurt. But he had to admit hearing that there was a possibility that Khalil sell did bring a tightness to Darien's chest. Khalil had always been the little brother he never had. If it was true that Khalil was selling, there was no doubt where he was getting it from. Unless you were a customer, there was only one other way Khalil would have drugs in his possession. For Jasmine sake, Darien hoped Khalil got it from his friend Tate, who, from what Darien heard, got jumped into the upcoming gang. He referred to it as upcoming because everyone knew that Trevor was not the top dog of the city, but he was trying to be. He was quickly gaining success and winning over small but important corners to sell. Darien could foresee a war coming and he prayed that Khalil was smart enough to stay far away from it.

Now as he sat at his mother's kitchen table with Jasmine, all he wanted to do was envelope her into his arms and promise to fix all her worries. She wiped her eyes once more, and Darien watched. He really wished he could reach over and wipe the tears off her face. To kiss her small lips, and feel her smooth skin. He stopped his thought. Damn it. His mother had been right, he was too vulnerable around this woman. She can easily move past his defense walls, she was the only one that could do that. He stood and stretched his legs.

"Seriously though Jaz, he keeps some companies I nor Yaz were ever so fond of, but he is a good kid," he continued as he searched his cabinet. For anything and nothing. He just needed to distract his mind.

"He still hangs out with Tate? I know his bother used to sell weed," her soft voice came through his mind. Darien sighed. Guess it was time to fill her in.

"Trevor doesn't stand and sell anymore. He has people to do that for him. It's not just weed now, Jaz, he is putting some serious shit out," Darien said. Jasmine closed her eyes and sucked in a breath.

"How did that happen, where is Lonzo?" she whispered ask, her eyes wide with wonder. Lonzo had been top-notch in CrowBury before she left.

"There was a cleanup three years ago. The F.E.D came in and cleaned out that house. Lonzo's gone. Soon after that, Trevor moved in, working fast to make a name for himself. He was recruiting boys as young as thirteen. He was the only one until about a year ago, and this new supplier can get the stuff faster than him, so Trevor lost corners and customers," he replied honestly.

"And they can't get him too?" she wondered.

"I don't know Jaz."

"What do you mean you don't know? You're a cop, Darien, and this is your city, shouldn't you be working with them to finally clean out CrowBury for good?"