Read Online Beauty and the Beast by Deatri King-Bey - Free Book Online Page B

bobbed his head as if he could relate. “That had to be sweet.”
    “Oh yeah,” Butch concurred as he stroked himself. His voice took on a dreamy quality. “I’d stripped her and had her all laid out on the flo’.”
    Glad Butch had stopped watching him and was staring at the ceiling, Ken turned his head so he wouldn’t see Butch gratifying himself while he talked about how he’d butchered that poor woman.
    “My pants were down, and I was ready to handle my erection,” he joked, then became angry. “That’s when that old coot came in.”
    Ken returned his attention to Butch. “Aw, man!” he exclaimed, elated Butch hadn’t had the chance to rape her.
    “Aw, man, is right! He hit my ass with a lamp. Almost knocked me out. I had to get the hell out of there.”
    “What about the paintings?”
    “I had to leave ’em behind. That bastard had called the cops, man. I didn’t even make it out of the complex. My ass been here ever since.”
      “Now that’s a damn shame.” Ken bounced his fist on his leg. “What happened to citizens mindin’ they own business?”
    “That shit ain’t funny.”
    Ken laughed. “Oh yeah, it was.”
    “Well, I ain’t worried ’bout no witnesses. I’ll bet my left nut his ass won’t testify. I’m gettin’ off.”
    “So how much were you gettin’ for them paintings?”
    “Two big ones each!” Butch punched his fist into the palm of his hand. “I can’t believe I blew that easy money.”
    “Two grand each. Damn! Aw, man, give me a piece of the action. Who was your hookup?”
    “Aw, hell naw!” He paced about the small cell. “He’s my bread an’ butta.”
    “Look, man. The trial is like three weeks away. I’ll be outta here any day. I can go get them paintings. I’ll even give you a cut so you’ll have a little somethin’ waitin’ for yo’ crazy ass when you get out.”
    Butch ran his thick hands over his filthy hair. “We split fifty-fifty.”
    “Sixty-forty. I’m the one taking the risk, and I’m pretty sure I can find out who the connection is once I get out. It’ll just take some extra diggin’. If I have ta dig, then I’m keepin’ it all.”
    Butch scratched his scraggly black beard as he leaned against the bars. “The guy’s name is Jay. I don’t know his last name. But I do know he’s into that shark Marco for a few hundred grand. You snoop around Marco, you’ll find Jay.” He described Jay to Ken and told him where to find Marco.
    “I’ll take care of everything.”

    “Just a second.” The bed creaked as Nefertiti reached across to the dresser for her veil and gloves. “Who is it?”
    “Victoria, darling.”
    She quickly donned her sky blue veil and gloves. “Okay, I’m ready, Auntie.” When she was younger and visited her godmother, she’d heard Bruce call Victoria Auntie, so Nefertiti had picked it up.
    Victoria cracked open the door, then a few seconds later entered with a food tray. “Hungry?”
    “I’m not sick, Auntie. Stop putting yourself out for me.” She flattened the wrinkles on the cream comforter. “Take a seat and rest yourself.” The nightstand clock displayed seven. Where did the time go? She smiled; dreams of making love with Bruce had taken up the time.
    “This is no trouble, darling.”
    The scent of homemade vegetable soup and cornbread muffins wafted from the food tray. “I wasn’t hungry a second ago, but I’m quickly changing my mind.”
    “I was beginning to think you’d never wake.” Victoria tsked as she placed the tray on the dresser. “Are you ready to eat?” she asked testily.
    “I think I’ll pass for now.”
    She pointed at Nefertiti. “You’re going to stop this foolishness, you hear me, child?” She snatched off the sheet that was draped over the antique bureau mirror. “Cover yourself all you want from the outside world, but not from yourself.”
    “I’m sorry, ma’am”
    “Don’t ma’am me. Get over here.”
    The day of reckoning had finally come, thought