Astray (See No Evil Book Two)

Chapter Sixteen

I didn't want the moments between Kane and I to end. He gave me more than I could have ever asked for in just two days. I completely forgot about the shitty life I was living. I forgot that he was the son of the one man who changed me in ways that will forever affect me. I forgot that I was a lone girl in this cold world, where nothing is what it seems. For the first time, I was happy. And I wanted to keep that forever. The smell of the fresh linen of the hotel will forever be a memory to me. Every Earth shattering orgasm Kane gave me, I will never forget. Every smile, every kiss, every touch. Kane gave me so many raw feelings that I didn't know what to do with. So, when he told me our trip had to end and we had to head back South, the familiar gray cloud I had over my head returned.

Kane pulled up to Jaivon's place and killed the engine. I tried to tell my legs to move and get out the truck, but they wouldn't budge. It was like I was walking back into my own personal hell. And what bitch in their right mind would want to do that.

"Everything okay?", Kane asked me.

"Just hard making myself go back in there".

"Simone ... you don't have to go back".

"Why don't I?"

"You can get out of here! If it's money you need, I'll give it to you. Just take the shit you have now and leave".

"And leave Essence to that monster? He'll probably take his anger of me leaving out on her. Or worse, he could kill her. Or maybe he'll find me and kill me. All the possible outcomes seem pretty shitty".

"Simone-"

"Look Kane, I appreciate everything you've done for me these past couple days. You've made me feel alive. But I can't just up and leave".

He opened his mouth to say more, but I got out the car before he had a chance to. It would be a fairy tale for me to just take the help Kane is giving me and make a run for it. Hell, just the thought tempts me more than anything ever has. But despite Essence's cold shoulder, I can't bring myself to leave her in the eye of my messy storm. I still see her as the little girl who would cry, wondering why her mother didn't want her. The little girl who used to keep a bag of animal crackers just in case somebody else got hungry. I know Essence still has that purity inside of her. And I'm not going to let Jaivon or anybody else rob her of that.

I opened the front door, shocked that the house was still somewhat quiet. Then Chavonne stood over the banister at the top of the staircase and my moment of serenity was gone.

"Welcome home, hoe".

"Oh, now I'm the hoe huh?"

"Weren't you always? Especially skipping out of town with my nephew".

"I don't know what the fuck you're talking about".

"Let's not play dumb".

She slithered like a serpent down the rest of the stairs and stood in front of me. She grabbed the end of my hair that escaped from my messy bun and tucked it back in. She touched my face and I quickly moved my face from her disgusting touch.

"Can't say I blame you", she said with a smile. "He is the most handsome man I ever saw".

"This is your nephew you're talking about. You know that, right?"

"Still doesn't change the facts".

"Okay, I'm done with this conversation".

I moved around her and headed towards the stairs. The best thing for me right now is hide in my room and bury myself in my plush pillows, thinking about all the shit I could be doing other than being stuck here. Like letting Kane rub my clit until I explode all over his hand.

"Great, you're home!"

Jaivon joined us in the front room, smiling like always. I didn't even know he was home or knew I was gone. Either way, something has got him in a good mood. And I typically don't benefit from his good moods.

"What's up?", I asked.

"Listen Simone, I know being here has had its ups and downs, but you stuck through it and I appreciate that".

"I wouldn't really call it sticking through it".

"Anyways, I've been doing different types of business for a long time now, and I need to retire from everything. I always said that when I sat down, I would give my empire to somebody who deserves it. I'm giving it to you".

"Why me? Why not Kane? He is your son".

"Kane has other things to worry about, he doesn't need this burden".

Jaivon reached out and grabbed my hand caressing it with his thumb. I looked behind him and saw the expression on Chavonne's face was nothing close to happy. Guess she wasn't put on to game of Jaivon passing his legacy to me, even though I want nothing to do with it. I barely wanted to work for him, why would I take over for him?

"For all of us to keep living this lavish life, money has to keep flowing in here. I just can't keep up anymore. But you would bring some young flavor into the game. What do you say?"

I opened my mouth to give him a great, fat hell no, when Essence walked in the house. She looked tired, as if she had been out all night. I remembered quickly why I was still in this hell hole. I took a deep breath and turned back to Jaivon.

"Sure", I answered.

"Good! I'll fill you in on the details of tomorrow's business in the morning".

I wasn't paying attention to anything else he had to say. I went up to my room and turned my speaker on and started playing some 90s R&B. Some Jodeci and some peace and quiet would do me some justice.

I hadn't realized I was sleep until a soft knock was at my door. I turned down my music and opened the door to see the panicked expression of Kane.

"Can I come in?", he asked.

"Sure".

I opened the door wider for him and he stepped inside, sitting on the edge of my bed. I sat next to him, yearning for him to touch me.

"What's wrong?", I asked.

"I have to leave".

"Leave where?"

"Here".

"But why?"

"My mother ... she's dying. I need to be there".

"But what about us?"

"Simone, I love being around you-"

"But you can't stay right? It was just a weekend thing, right? Just some pussy?"

"You are not just some pussy to me!"

He took a deep breath then got on his knees in front of me. He rubbed on my thighs and placed a kiss on my knee.

"Come with me".

"W-what?"

"We can slip right out, he won't even know you're with me. I know people that can keep you safe".

"Kane, as much as I want to, I just can't".

"Why? Is it Essence? We can bring her too".

"I can't risk her life like that. Your father is a dangerous man".

"Yeah? So am I".

He got up off the floor end exited my room. For some reason, I felt like this was the last time I'd be seeing Kane.