The Concrete Dog

{A Wolf and Mouse Conversation}

Lauren watched Trace exit his black Ford Mustang and head towards her discussion with the security guard at the gate to her old apartment.

She lived in a beautiful area. The building had gated security and a pool. Unfortunately, Trace's home had none of these amenities. Lauren would quickly notice the difference in their economic prowess. He had only been working for a few months, but his living situation would change by the end of next week.

The security guard stared wide-eyed as Trace approached. Trace looked menacing as he approached the conversation with an air of supremacy the guard seemed to recognize. The guard was intimidated. The big man before him made no effort to conceal his prison tattoo on his massive left bicep. Here was the Concrete Dog glaring at him. The guard concluded that he did a lot of weightlifting in his spare time. What confused the guard most were the words of hate written on the ex-con's body and the fact that he was with a black woman. He could see why he wanted to be with the woman, but it was against the racist code, so he thought. Trace said nothing because he did not need to, and the guard opened the gate for them.

Lauren walked towards the doors of her building while Trace waited outside, standing beside the security guard. The guard watched the woman enter the building and turn back to the ex-con, staring him down. "They told me not to let her in her room. Did she and Mr. Kent break up or something?"

"They were never together. So why do you believe what that Clown says?"

The guard's brown eyes grew wide with fear, hearing the anger in the man's voice. "Look, I know you and don't want any trouble."

"How did her car get damaged if there is a gate here?"

"I don't work at night. Jon does." The guard said.

"Why didn't he say anything?"

"Jon is nearing eighty and can't see or hear too well. And Mr. Parker is sending people here to throw her out of the apartment. She has an hour before they get here."

Trace shook his head and walked back to his car.

Lauren quickly pulled all her clothing from her drawers and closet and stuffed them into a suitcase. Then, she walked into the bathroom as Trace called her name. "I'm in the bathroom,"

She heard his heavy footsteps approaching as she placed her supplies in the cosmetic bag. He stood in the doorway, letting the smell of lavender and jasmine fill his senses. Her bathing products provided her with the sultry scent he smelled at work. Trace could feel his body reacting to the proximity of her body when she reached into the shower to get her body wash and nearly touched him. His eyes drifted down her perfect body in the pink dress.

"He is sending some people here to clean out your apartment." He tried not to let his voice dip to sound seductive as he spoke. Trace did not want her to feel uncomfortable.

Lauren shook her head, not noticing the inflection in his voice. "I have food." 

Trace let his eyes linger on her body a while longer before looking at her profile. "Do you have bags?"

"Yes, in the drawer next to the fridge."

He left the doorway and headed for the kitchen.

The guard held the door for Lauren as she walked out with two suitcases and a bag. She placed them in the backseat and closed the door. Then, she stepped back inside to get her kitchen appliances.

Trace walked out of the door with three bags of food. The trunk opened, and he gently placed the bags inside, tucking the eggs into the corner. The guard returned to his small office and came out with his phone. Trace closed the trunk as the man approached him. He raised a dark eyebrow when the shorter blond man smiled. He showed Trace the images and watched for his reaction. They were of Jason right after their fight. They were gruesome and beautiful. "Barney, the weekend janitor, saw him when they wheeled him from the building. He took some screenshots."