3

BIG KAI

HOURS EARLIER

I grabbed my worn Draco from the desk, slid a bullet in, and slung it over my shoulder. The cigar hit my lips as I turned to face my fifteen kneeling staff, trembling and drenched in sweat. Black and white, broken, pathetic—most barely clinging to life after I'd begun.

I drew on the cigar, walking slowly past them. Some of my men were stationed nearby, guns trained on the kneelers, watching. On the side, my sister Imani stood stiffly, silent.

"Now. I'mma repeat myself one last time." I puffed out smoke.

They shuddered.

"Where. The. Hell. Is my son?" I demanded. Silence, only shudders.

I cocked the gun, unloaded a burst of bullets into the kneeling fools. Screams filled the hall. When I finally paused, maybe one or two remained.

"You three—talk, or join your colleagues," I said, cigar smoke curling.

The lone woman stammered, "W-we... we don't know, sir..."

I shot her. The men screamed. One begged. I shot him too. The last male panicked, sprinting for the exit. My men raised their guns, but I whistled—stopping them. I aimed, fired, and he collapsed, chest pierced.

"Tyrell," I called.

"Yes, boss?"

"Take as many men as you can to the hood. Khalifa and his boys are suspects. Force the truth. My son comes home, alive."

"Yes, boss," he replied, heading out.

"Clean this up," Imani ordered.

"Yes, ma'am," one of the remaining men answered, moving towards the blood-filled bodies, with a few men.

Imani professional stance, the skirt hugging her curves—whatever. My eyes moved to the girl behind her.

"I still think your baby mama, Isadora, is responsible for Jamal's disappearance," Imani said. "I have always told you that Hispanic hoe is worthless."

"She's the one," Imani said.

I didn't say a word but kept staring at the suspicious little bitch behind her who seemed to be avoiding my gaze.

"You need to torture her and get the truth out of her," Imani suggested.

"The bitch behind you," I said, ignoring her suggestion. "Isn't she one of the staff?"

Imani looked over her shoulders momentarily and then looked at me.

I raised my brows, awaiting an answer.

"She is."

"Why wasn't she kneeling with the other staff?" I asked.

"She wasn't in the mansion when Jamal went missing. She accompanied me to complete the task you gave me," Imani explained.

I scoffed. "Seriously?"

She stared at me.

"Since when did you start taking maids with you to do my tasks, Imani?" I asked.

She didn't respond but kept staring at me.

I moved my gaze to the girl. She quickly took her eyes away from me.

"What's your name?" I barked.

She trembled. "Na... Naomi, sir."

I raised the gun. "Where. Is. My. Son?"

Imani stepped forward. "Kai—no."

"Move," I said. She hesitated, then reluctantly stepped aside. Naomi cried silently, trembling in a dress that wasn't a uniform.

I cocked the gun, shot her shoulder. She screamed, collapsing. I handed my gun and cigar to Caleb and turned to Imani.

"Take me to Isadora," I ordered.

She followed silently, heels clicking on tiles. I walked along the hallway, wind biting my tattooed shoulders. Whoever dared take my son would pay. Big Kai doesn't forgive.

The "cell" came into view. Isadora lay inside, on the floor. Imani explained: "I had no choice."

I glared. "Why lock up my baby mama?"

"She got... crazy, Kai. This was safest."

Isadora lifted her head, grinning. "Big Kai! It's really you!"

"What the fuck happened to her?" I asked.

"I met her like this," Imani said.

"She left Jamal, probably using drugs. That's how they took him," Imani added, igniting my rage further.

"Shoot her now," she suggested.

"No," I said, lowering my gun. "Guards—take her to her room. Chin her up."

Imani hesitated, but I didn't wait.

"Do it now," I ordered, walking towards the entrance.

"But...."

"Do as I fucking say!" I ordered, heading out of the cell area.

I took out my phone from my pockets and dialed a number as I walked. I placed my phone close to my ear, and he picked up at the first ring.

"Yo, OG," Reeko's ever-cheerful voice filled my ear.

"Lil Kai is missing,"

"Say what?"

"Someone is messing with me," I said.

"Just say the word, OG. They'll be gone."

"Tyrell and the boys are on their way to Khalifa's. You know the motherfucker has been a fucking threat to me since I left the hood," I said.

"Shiit. I did tell you to end that motherfucker and his goons back then."

"The moron didn't pay me my money then. But now, I want him six feet under," I demanded, heading towards my room.

"Don't you think you are wrong? I mean, no one would dare cross you. Not even Khalifa. The kidnappers might not be from the hood," he said.

"That's the reason I called. You and the boys, find me answers outside Bricktown. I need my son found and brought to me alive."

"Yes, boss. What do we do to the motherfuckers that took 'em?"

"Undress their skulls and bring them to me. I need new cups for my Martini."

"I got you."