The Last Chance (19 page)

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Authors: Darrien Lee

BOOK: The Last Chance
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“Yeah, I guess I could go by there with you guys for a minute but I have some other errands I need to run.”
They all looked over at Keilah once more. She threw up her hands and said, “Go. I'll be fine. I hope you jackpot, Michael,” she teased.
“So do I,” Michael said before disappearing into the house. Malachi looked over at Keilah. “You do remember where I keep my firearms, don't you?”
“You mean your arsenal?” she joked.
“I see you're a comedian now,” he responded sarcastically.
“All of that won't be necessary. I'll be fine. Just go. Bonnie and Clyde are here with me. Besides, all I'm going to do is take a swim and then a nap.”
Malachi walked off without responding, leaving Luke with their sister. “Keilah, don't leave the house. We're not going to be gone long.”
She pulled her sunglasses down over her eyes and said, “OK. I love you.”
“I love you, too,” he replied before entering the house.
The guys left thirty minutes later, and Keilah was so glad to finally have the house all to herself. She quickly changed into her bathing suit and eased into the Jacuzzi. As she relaxed, she thought about Keytone and whether or not he'd found out any information. Her next thought went to Ramsey and the fact that she hadn't called to tell him what happened, but before she could dial his number, he rang.
“Ramsey, I was just about to call you. You are not going to believe what kind of day I've had.”
He laughed as he putted a golf ball across the room. “All is good, I hope.”
“Not at all. I got attacked in the hotel right after I got off the telephone with you this morning.”
“Are you serious?” he asked, placing his putter back in his golf bag. “Are you OK?”
Keilah went on to describe her assault to Ramsey in great detail. Once she finished, he sat down in the chair behind his desk, and with his voice cracking he asked, “Did they hurt you?”
“Just bruised up a bit, but I'm good,” she informed him.
“Are you sure? I mean two guys manhandling you like that is not good, Keilah. Did you see a doctor?”
“No doctor. I'm good, Ramsey, honest.”
“I'm coming out there,” he blurted out.
“You don't have to do that,” she replied.
“I know I don't have to. I want to. I need to see for myself that you're OK,” he informed her.
“Ramsey, I would never lie to you. If I were hurt, I would tell you, so there's no reason for you to come out here.”
Ramsey closed his eyes and held the phone without speaking. He had become choked up upon hearing about Keilah's attack.
“Hurry up and come home, Keilah. We have a lot of things to talk about.”
“We do?” she asked.
“Yes, and it's long overdue.”
Keilah could sense sadness and something else in Ramsey's tone. “You're not leaving the business, are you?”
He chuckled. “No, I'm not leaving the company. Actually I'm trying to start something new and I want you to be a part of it.”
“Are you serious?” she asked with excitement.
“Most definitely. No one else could fill the job but you,” he answered with a sensual tone.
Keilah's stomach fluttered. “It sounds like the perfect position.”
“Oh, you haven't seen anything yet.”
Keilah closed her eyes and felt a wave of sensuality sweep over her body.
“It sounds like the perfect offer for me,” she purred. “I can't wait to hear all about it.”
“I was hoping you'd say that. Now hurry up and get back to D.C. I can't have you out there fighting off-the-clock. You know we're not going to get paid for your little fiasco,” he joked.
The truth was, he missed Keilah, and it made his heart ache knowing she had been assaulted.
“I promise. I'll be careful, and this is definitely going on my expense account when I get back,” she replied.
“Don't even try it. By the way, I guess Michael's pretty shaken up by all of this, huh?”
Keilah played with the bubbles in the Jacuzzi. “Yes, he was upset.”
“I can understand that. So, have you seen Keytone?”
She laughed. “Of course, and he's ready to kill somebody over this.”
“I take it you haven't told your brothers about him yet?”
“No, but I'm going to have to do it while I'm out here. I've kept it from them long enough,” she replied. “They need to know he's family.”
“You're doing the right thing,” he assured her.
Keilah took a sip of wine and sighed. “I'm not looking forward to facing all of them though. They hate Keytone because of his lifestyle and over some stuff that went down between them when they were teenagers. He's been nothing but nice to me and I haven't seen him do anything illegal, but I've heard the stories.”
“I know, Keilah, but I'm sure your brothers have their reasons, and just because you haven't witnessed anything don't mean it doesn't exist. Just talk to the guys and hopefully they'll understand why you kept it from them. Maybe they'll go easy on you after they get over the initial shock of the news.”
“I hope you're right,” she said softly.
“You and I both know I am,” he responded. “I'm not going to hold you any longer. Good luck with your brothers, and be careful. Try to have some fun, and hurry back.”
“Thanks, Ramsey. I'll see you in a couple of days,”
“Have a safe flight home. Good-bye.”
“Bye, Ramsey,” she replied before hanging up the telephone.
Ramsey hung up and sighed. He had an uneasy feeling in his gut about Keilah's attack, but he also felt confident in finally telling Keilah how he felt about her once she returned to D.C. Her close encounter with death was enough to convince him that he didn't need to wait any longer.
Chapter Seventeen
At the Lucky Chance, before Luke could get inside his office, Roman met him at the elevator. “Bro, you're not going to believe who's waiting for you in the office,” he said, clearly agitated.
“Who?” Luke asked as he made his way down the hallway.
“Xavier.”
Luke frowned. “What is that punk doing here?”
“He said he didn't want to talk to anyone but you.”
Their assistant, Toya, walked over and greeted them. “Hey guys. Here's your mail, and if it's OK with you, I'd like to take off for an early lunch.”
Roman looked at her and smiled. “Where are you trying to get to so early?”
She turned on her heels and smiled back at him. “I said lunch.”
“Sure,” Roman teased.
Luke stopped her for a moment and said, “Toya, when you get back from lunch, I need you to contact P.K. Sloan for me.”
“If I get him on the line do you want me to send the call through?”
He nodded at her and answered, “If you don't mind, and have a good lunch.”
“Thanks, Luke,” Toya replied as she grabbed her purse and stepped inside the elevator.
Luke looked at Roman as he placed his hand on the doorknob. “Let's go see what X has on his mind.”
Luke opened the door and found X looking down on casino patrons through a one-way window in the office. He turned and said, “Nice place you guys have here. You've come a long way. Business seems to be doing very well.”
Roman sat his mail on the desk and joined Xavier at the window. “We make do. Now, what can we do for you?”
Luke stood back and observed X's body language. He was young, cocky, and was trying to make a name for himself on the streets. X had been tied to several brutal beatings and shootings in the area over the past year, and he didn't seem to be letting up anytime soon. X turned around to face Luke. “Roman, I thought I asked to speak to Luke alone.”
Roman folded his arms and stood toe-to-toe with Xavier. “You might've requested that, but it's not going to happen. What we have here is a family partnership, and we don't conduct business alone. Now what is this about?”
Xavier stared at Roman and smiled. “I didn't mean any disrespect to you or your brothers. I know Luke is the head of the family—that's the only reason I wanted to talk to him in private.”
Luke walked over to where they were standing. “Xavier, what Roman is saying is that any business that has to be discussed affects all of us, and we won't have it any other way. Now say what you came here to say.”
Xavier pointed at a chair. “Do you mind if I sit down?”
Luke made his way around the desk to his chair. “Have a seat.”
Roman sat in the chair next to Xavier and listened as he spoke. “OK, I'll get right to it. I want in, and you know I deserve it. Our pops started this shit, and it's only fair that you guys give me an opportunity to invest in the Lucky Chance. I can bring in even more exciting events. We can sponsor boxing matches, concerts, all kinds of events to make even more money.”
Luke looked at Roman in disbelief. Yes, Xavier was their father's old partner Graham's son, but Graham died before Joe Chance turned their gambling house into a successful business. For X to feel like he was owed something was ridiculous.
“We're not looking to expand right now, X, and when we do, it will be a family decision,” Luke stated.
Could this be the deal Keilah's attackers were talking about? If not, it was ironic that he would waltz into their office the day of her attack and throw them a proposition. But he wasn't the first person who had ever approached them, so for now, Luke would just listen. He decided to play things cool and see what X had up his sleeve.
“Luke, I don't think you realize the millions of dollars you're passing on,” Xavier replied.
“Xavier, I don't think you heard me earlier. I said this is a
family business
, and the last time I checked, you weren't family, and for the last time, we're not looking to expand.”
X's obvious disappointment showed on his face. He'd tried to approach them the nice way, and it just blew up in his face. “You guys are making a huge mistake.”
Roman added, “Don't think we haven't received offers like yours before, Xavier. If we decide we want to make any changes to the way we run things around here, that will be our choice. “
Luke stood and walked over to the door, opening it. “The best advice I can give you, X, is to go into business for yourself, because this one's off-limits. Now if you don't mind, we have work to do.”
Xavier laughed and stood up. As he buttoned his jacket, he looked at the pair in disbelief.
“You guys don't know what you're passing up. I have connections that could make the Lucky Chance as hot as any of those casinos in Vegas.”
Roman smiled and said, “We appreciate your interest, but we'll pass.”
Xavier walked out the door, down the hallway to the elevator, and stepped inside. Roman and Luke came out into the hallway and watched as the elevator door closed. Roman pulled a radio out of his pocket and told security to keep an eye on Xavier, especially if he decided to hang around the casino. Luke and Roman returned to the office and closed the door.
“What do you think about that, Luke? Could he have been the one to send those guys to attack Keilah?”
Luke sat down behind his desk and sighed. “I don't know. He was arrogant enough to walk up in here right afterward, but we can't jump to conclusions, at least not yet. X is trying to make a name for himself, and I don't want him trying to do it with us. If he's that connected, he needs to go into business elsewhere.” Changing the subject, Roman picked his mail up off the desk and asked, “Why are you in here today? It's my week to manage the office.”
“I had a couple of letters I needed to get out before the end of the week. Michael and Malachi are downstairs doing a walk-through.”
Roman walked over to the window and looked down on the casino floor. “Where's Keilah?”
Luke leaned back in his chair and shook his head. “She's at Malachi's house. They're going to stay with him the rest of their trip.”
Roman turned and asked, “How's she doing?”
“She's fine, just a little scratched up. She gave those guys a good fight.”
Roman sat down in the chair across from Luke. “I hope we can find out who was behind it and soon. I'd hate to think that it was X and we let him walk out of here just now.”
Luke looked up at Roman. “No way. I believe she was targeted. A random attack usually involves only one person. Two men jumped Keilah, so it was likely they knew she wasn't going to be easy to take down. No, this was definitely personal.”
“Do you think Keytone had something to do with it?”
Luke tapped his pen on the desk and thought to himself. “Nah, that's not his style. Besides, he would never hurt Keilah, even if there's no love lost with us.”
“Are you sure about that?”
Luke keyed a few things in on the computer and said, “I'm sure. Now, punks like Xavier don't care who gets in the way.”
“Do you think it was him?”
Luke frowned and answered, “It could've been anyone, but whoever it was will pay.”
At that moment, security called Roman on his radio to announce that Xavier had left the building. Roman thanked the guard and stood. “Well, I have work to do. Get out of here and enjoy your day. I'm going to call and check on Keilah.”
“You might not reach her because she said she was going to get in the pool, but you can try her.”
Roman walked toward the door. “We need to have a family meeting tonight to discuss what happened to Keilah and about X coming up in here. I don't think he's going to give up too easily. You know how his dad was, stubborn, hot-tempered, and an alcoholic. I don't know why Daddy ever opened that shack with him in the first place.”
Without looking up from the computer screen, Luke replied, “You're right, but it was hard to figure out why Daddy did a lot of things. Graham was one of his drinking buddies, so if he started anything with anybody, it was going to be him. We can meet over at Malachi's tonight to discuss this further. Give everyone a call and set it up.”
“Will do,” Roman said.
“I'll be leaving in about thirty minutes, so if you need me after that, hit me up on my cell.”
“OK. See you later.”
Roman closed the door, leaving Luke deep in thought. Maybe it
was
Xavier that had Keilah assaulted. That's something he would have to look into and fast.
 
 
Across town, Keytone walked into a local bar and pool hall. It was a known spot in the neighborhood for finding undesirables to do anything for a buck. Almost immediately, he noticed, sitting at the bar, a known drug addict who kept up with everything that was going on in the neighborhood. Keytone approached him and sat down next to him. “What's up, Pinky?”
Pinky looked over at the person sitting next to him and started trembling. “I don't owe you any money, Keytone. Why are you hassling me?”
“Calm down, Pinky. I'm only here for information. I'll make it worth your while,” Keytone said as he handed Pinky a hundred-dollar bill.
Information was what Pinky always had. He held out his hand and smiled. “Thanks, Keytone.”
Keytone stood and placed more money on the bar to pay for Pinky's drinks. “Come take a ride with me so we can talk.”
Pinky grinned and got off his bar stool, following Keytone out the door. Outside, a couple of guys from Keytone's crew, waited by the car. When Keytone approached them, T. Money opened the back door of the Lexus so Keytone and Pinky could get in. Li'l Mike pulled out into traffic and Keytone immediately began to question Pinky regarding the Chance family.
At first Pinky talked about the news of the new casino. Then he went on to say he'd overheard a conversation about someone planning to take over the Lucky Chance Casino.
“Damn, Pinky. Where were you when you heard that?” Keytone asked.
Pinky was somewhat full of liquor and did his best to recollect the information Keytone wanted. “I can't remember. I was in a bar somewhere.”
Keytone turned to Pinky and asked, “Who was doing the talking?”
“I can't think of that dude's name. I've seen him around. He's a young, smart-mouthed dude.”
Keytone felt a little better. He was finally getting somewhere with Pinky. “What does he look like?”
“I don't know. He's a young dude.”
Frustrated, Keytone asked, “Did he say anything about assaulting a woman?”
“Not that I can remember. Look, I was drinking a lot that day. I don't even know if what I told you actually happened. I don't remember hearing anything about them doing a female.”
“Pinky, do you think you would recognize the guy if you saw him again?”
“Hell yeah. I told you I've seen him around. I just don't know who he is.”
Keytone motioned for one of his boys to give Pinky another fifty-dollar bill. “Pinky, if you hear anything else about the Chance family or their casinos, I want you to call me. Do you understand?”
Pinky gladly took the money and smiled. “No doubt, Keytone. Thanks.”
Keytone told his driver to pull over and let Pinky out. They pulled over at the next intersection. Before pulling off, Keytone rolled down the window and said, “Go get something to eat with your skinny ass instead of smoking and drinking up all your money.”
“I'm going to do that, Keytone. Thanks, man.”
Keytone felt good that he was able to get some information from Pinky. There were a few more people he needed to see before coming to a conclusion. Li'l Mike pulled away from the curb into traffic.
 
 
Just as Keilah climbed out of the pool and wrapped the towel around her body, her cell phone rang. “Hello?”
“Hey, girl. What are you doing?”
Keilah smiled when she heard Keytone's voice. “Not much, just finished taking a swim. What about you? Did you find out anything?”
“I might've, but I'm not sure yet. I'm still working on some angles.”
Keilah made her way over to the chaise lounge and sat down. “Well, aren't you going to share your information with me?”
“Not until I do a little more checking. You just watch your back at that hotel.”
She laid back and sighed. “My brothers thought it was best that we check out of the hotel, so we're staying at Malachi's house.”

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