Learning to Heal (37 page)

Having enough of her feeling responsible for what happened, I walk over and grab her into a hug. She fights me and tries to escape my hold but I refuse this time. “You listen to me. We’ll get her back. I’ll hunt that bitch down and get our daughter back. I promise.” Kissing her head, I feel her yield and latch on to me. Her cries are my fuel to make this right. “I love you so damn much. I’m getting her back.” Looking at Clara, I nod my head. She comes and takes Jazz from me as I grab my keys off the table. Fuck the cops telling us to stay home. I run to my truck and get in. Before I can crank it I see Jax, Ryan, and David get in. “Y’all don’t need to come.”

“Fuck yeah we do. That bitch took our niece and we’re getting her back.” We hit the streets daring any motherfucker to stop us.

An hour later we pull into a hole-in-the-wall bar where supposedly Chanda likes to hang out. Ryan called Lyric and asked him if he’s seen her. According to Lyric she hasn’t been there in a few weeks, but one can only hope she shows up tonight. Of course she wouldn’t bring Fin with her so she’d have to leave her with someone else. And right now I’m warring with myself which one I’d prefer. Chanda is obviously working with someone else and has a fucking death wish. I was raised not to hit women, but it’s going to take everything in me to stop myself when I see her.

Walking in, I’m assaulted with a heavy whiff of liquor, cigarettes, and marijuana. The four of us get stared down and pushed while looking through the rough crowd. Ryan seems to actually know people here so he’s hollering continuously in someone’s ear. I keep my eyes trained on the swarm of faces, and I really want to stand on a table or some shit to get a better look. The smoke filled room makes it difficult to see everyone’s face. I know there’s a stage somewhere because Ryan said Lyric used to play here acoustically and it’s where they formed Lyrical Obsessions. I can see why. Their music is dark and angry, exactly how I feel tonight.

“I got something,” Ryan hollers to Jax, David, and me before he makes his way to some pool tables stuck in the back. When he nears one with three guys playing a game, he speeds up his steps. Then he grabs the long ponytail of one of the guy’s and slams his head against table. Ryan wears a savage sneer as he holds the guy’s face into the wood. “Hey, Zitshit. Long time no see, you fucking pussy.” He yanks him up and turns him to face us but keeps a hold on his collar so he’s still in the guy’s face.

I go on alert and my back straightens, ready for someone to jump me at any moment. I’m not a fighter at heart, but tonight I’ll fuck up anyone who wants a round. Until my daughter is back safe with Jazz, I’ll take on this whole bar if I need to.

The guy must see something feral in Ryan’s eyes because he throws his arms up in surrender. That or he’s seen Ryan fight before. He even tells his friends to back up with a shake of his head when they try to interfere.

“What the fuck man?” His pupils look dilated and sunken into his ashen skin. The red acne covering his cheeks is the only color on his face while his jeans are faded and hang low showcasing his underwear.

“My friends and I got a few questions and we want answers. Got it?” The guy nods. “Where’s your friend Chanda been lately? And don’t think about lying either because Lyric is on his way. And you know what that means for you and your boys, right?” His eyes widen and his face pales when Lyric’s name is mentioned. “Now where is she?”

“I—I don’t know, man. She disappeared a few weeks ago. I’ve been looking for her myself because that bitch owes me money.”

Ryan lets him go and looks at his clenched fist. “Not the right answer.” He punches him so hard the guy spits out a tooth.

“Excuse me, son. You causing trouble here?” Looking behind me I see an older man with a long grey beard holding a twelve gauge shotgun in his large hands. This is the first time I notice the audience surrounding the dead silence and us. The guy approaches, ready to intervene, but stops when Lyric walks through the crowd that parts with every step he takes. It’s like he’s some kind of god, a god who’s tatted up and wearing a backwards cap.

He touches the guy’s shoulder just one time and waits for him to put the gun back behind the bar. Then he approaches Ryan and only the sound of his boots are heard along the worn, wooden floor. He nods to Ryan to move and then takes his place. The guy holds his busted mouth and looks like he’s about to shit his pants as Lyric stands facing him. I look at Jax and David and see the same question on their faces. What the fuck is going on?

“So, Z, I heard you’ve been selling bad shit on my streets again. That correct?” Lyric stands calmly looking at his fingernails, like he’s discussing the weather or some shit. “And I really wouldn’t lie about it if I were you.” The guy swallows hard and you can see beads of sweat build up on his forehead, but he remains silent. “Well, I’ll tell you what. You tell Ryan what he wants to know and I’ll let you by this time. If you don’t tell him…” he smiles with cold eyes and places his arm around Z’s shoulders “...well, if you don’t tell him I’m going to cut out your tongue and use it as an example for your fucking cohorts since you don’t like talking these days anyway. Sound like a deal?”

Everyone stands in silence while waiting to see what happens next. Fortunately the guy decides to talk. When he says “blacked out Escalade” I know exactly whom Chanda’s working with and who has Fin. I’m helpless because I have no idea where to find them. Thankfully, I know who will.

As we make our way back to my truck I tell the guys what I suspect before I call Jazz to check on her and get the number I need. Clara’s voice isn’t what I was expecting. “How is she?”

“She’s asleep right now. Her father gave her something to help calm her down. Shortly after you all left that asshole professor showed up.”

Her words have me slamming the door as I get in the drivers seat.
Fuck! Why did I leave her?
“What did he say?” He has balls to show up after taking Fin. My hatred for that fucker is really makes me have murder on the brain. Visions of punching the guy are interrupted when I hear a scratching on the other line before Mr. Coleman comes on the line.

“Mason, did you find anything?

“Yes and No. I was calling to get a number out of Jazz’s phone. It’s Allison. Oliver’s ex-wife. What did he say to her?”

As everyone loads into the truck I can’t help but tap the steering wheel, desperate to get rid my anxiousness. I listen as he explains how that asshole yelled how a good mother wouldn’t lose her child and he will be talking to his lawyer soon. Pulling out on the road I let the tires squeal and burn ready to find the fucker.

“Don’t worry. My fist shut him up before he left.”

Yeah right! Telling me not to worry is a lost cause. I can’t help but worry about Fin and Jazz. “Thanks, Jeremiah. But shit! I wish I was there.”

“I know. But I handled it and you’re doing what needs to be done. Here, I found the number. But why call her at three in the morning?”

“No time to explain, but I’ll call you back as soon as I can.” We end our call after he gives me Allison’s number. I anxiously call her but she doesn’t answer. I press redial and on the third try she finally picks up. “Allison, it’s Mason. I need to know where Oliver is staying?”

Her voice is gruff and you can tell she just woke up. “Huh? Oh my God, Mason, did you get Fin back? And why do you want to know where he lives? Especially at this time?”

“Because I’m pretty sure he took Fin.” I hear her inhale sharply but luckily she doesn’t ask any questions.

After she gives me the information, I hang up and we head to our destination. It’s about an hours drive away in the middle of nowhere, but the more I drive the farther it seems. Hearing a beep, I look down and see I’m almost out of fuel.

“Shit!” The guys are in the back with tonight’s commotion at the bar as the topic of conversation. Ryan won’t tell us what the hell went down tonight no matter how much David begs. And honestly, I really don’t want to know. Whoever Lyric Devereux is, I don’t want to mess with him.

After pulling into the gas station I step out and open the gas tank door only to see a folded piece of paper fall on the ground. Picking it up before I forget, I start the pump and then unfold the letter. Nothing could prepare me for what it says.

Mason,

I don’t know when you’ll find this but I hope it’s soon. Oliver has a family wanting Finlee unless you can pay more than their offer of one hundred thousand dollars. He’s well aware of Jazz’s trust fund as well as your new funds. Bring the money to the address written on the bottom before three days time and she’s all yours. If you show up without the money, then she’s gone.

P.S. Don’t be stupid and call the cops. Fin and I are somewhere you won’t find us if you do. Plus the family is really looking forward to adopting a child like her. You know. To help out a single mother like myself.

Chanda

“Fuck!” I yell and slam my fist on the side of my truck. I hear and feel the crunch in my knuckles, but the physical pain is nothing compared to how I am emotionally. The guys come around and David grabs the letter out of my swelling hand. I can’t answer the questions they are asking because my fury is suffocating me. All I picture is finding the two pieces of shit and torturing them before I go home with Fin. What kind of a person can sell their own daughter?

“Whoa, dude. Listen to this, Jax.” David reads the letter aloud, but I try not to hear the words again.

Covering my ears, I squat down to catch my breath and think. I can’t go to the bank and get the money out until in the morning. Hell! I don’t even know if they’ll give it to me. That is a lot for one transaction. I start to pace as the guys talk, but right now I can’t listen to them. I wanted to get Fin back and have Jazz wake up to her, but that’s not going to happen. I’ll have to wait and get the money first thing in the morning.

“Mason we need to get your hand looked at and go to the cops.” Jax’s words have my head coming up in alarm.

“No cops. Didn’t you read the note? They’ll give her to only God knows who.” I look at my right hand and see the swelling and bruising that’s already forming. “I’ll just put ice on it. It’s not a big deal. I need to be at the bank when they open.” Standing up, I move to get in the truck, but Ryan stops me.

“Man, you need to go to the hospital and get it looked at. You know the drill. Besides the bank doesn’t open for five hours. You’ll be out of the ER by then. So give me your damn keys. I’m driving.” Reluctantly, I hand over my keys and let them take me to the hospital.

Jax stays with me while Ryan and David head back to my apartment. After being called to the back, I’m diagnosed with a boxer’s fracture and they put my hand in a splint. I continuously look at the clock and check on Jazz while waiting for discharge. When I’m finally released, Jax and I walk out and see David. “Where’s Ryan?”

“He said he had something to do but he’d be back soon.” I once again look at the clock and see it’s only seven in the morning. Shit! I still have two hours. David drives in silence to the apartment while I try to think of what to tell Jazz. Disappointment is not what I want to see on her face this morning. I want to find my girls together like every morning. “David, where’s the note? I want to make sure I keep it with me.”

He digs in his pocket. “Here you go. Ryan had it.”

I slowly open it up, dreading reading the words again. I want the address imprinted into my brain so I don’t forget where I need to go. When the paper unfolds, it’s not the note from Chanda. This one is from Ryan and I’m once again wondering what the fuck is going on.

Mason,

Fin will be back before banks open. Lyric knows people so I gave him the address on the note. He might be a scary motherfucker, but he doesn’t believe in kidnapping. Oliver will be disappearing for a while, but Chanda will be locked up for kidnapping. You shouldn’t have to worry about either one for a long time. This never happened so burn this ASAP. Got it?

Ryan

Before I know it we’re back and the parking lot is once again surrounded with police as well as News stations. Jumping out, I race through the crowd needing to get to Jazz. After I finally make it up the steps I see my apartment door is open. Getting closer I see police and EMTs checking out Jazz as she sits on a stool. She has tears running down her face and I start to panic. “Jazz! Are you okay?” Racing to her side, I stop when I’m standing a foot away. I step closer cautiously; scared that what I’m seeing is an illusion. When I’m right beside her Jazz looks up smiling happily, and I fall to my knees when my legs give out. My eyes fall from her face to the bundle in her lap. It the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen: my beautiful Fin asleep in Jazz’s arms—where she belongs.