Array Ashley - Murderville

Nico didn’t say a word. He was too full of guilt. He was the one who had put the call into Samad, giving him A’shai’s whereabouts. Nico had always been jealous of A’shai. Ever since Baron and Willow had brought A’shai home, he had stolen Nico’s shine. Nico was tired of being behind A’shai. He wasn’t family… the same blood didn’t course through their veins. When Nico saw an opportunity to get rid of A’shai, he took it. He had no idea that his beloved aunt would get caught up in the cross hairs. I tried to stop her from going. If she would have just waited like I told her to none of this would have happened. A’shai’s bitch ass would be a distant memory.

“You heard from Shai?” Nico asked.

Baron shook his head, not wanting to speak about his son at the moment. Although he knew that A’shai wasn’t directly to blame for Willow’s death, he wasn’t innocent either. I can’t believe I’m putting her to rest today. She is the love of my life. What am I going to do without you? Baron thought. He cleared his throat as Nico put a firm hand on his shoulder and said, “We have to get going, Unc.”

Baron squared his shoulders, composed himself, and fixed his tie before walking out of the room. Even at his weakest state, he still radiated strength. His long stride was unflinching. The average eye could not sense the turmoil he was going through but those who knew him best could see that the light inside of him had been snuffed out. Willow had been his reason for everything. Without her, he was nothing. He would live out the rest of his days reliving their times together and seeking revenge. Killing Samad would not be enough because it wasn’t a fair trade. Willow’s life was ten times more valuable than Baron’s enemy so an eye for an eye wouldn’t do. Baron wanted to annihilate Samad’s entire existence and wipe him completely off the map. Baron walked into his foyer and shook hands with one of his workers. The man was dressed exactly like Baron and was the same skin color as his boss. Baron handed him a nice-sized wad of hundred dollar bills and nodded at him as the man was escorted out of his home with a bodyguard who was holding an umbrella up to conceal his face. At first glance the man looked just like Baron. He was a decoy for prying eyes just in case Samad had people watching him. Baron waited until the decoy had pulled away in the limo before he and Nico went to the five-car garage and entered his bulletproof black Infiniti truck. Nico pulled open the rear door for Baron and then got into the driver’s seat to escort his uncle to the funeral.

Bitter resentment filled Baron as he stepped out of the car. He touched his hip to make sure his pistol was in place and then discreetly scanned his surroundings. It was a private ceremony so any unfamiliar face would be considered an enemy, but all Baron saw were loved ones around him. As he ascended the church steps he noticed that his hired guns were in place and ready. Anyone who wanted to show up unexpectedly wouldn’t get past the front door. He had made sure to send Willow home in style. No expense had been spared. White calla lilies had been her favorite flower and they filled the church’s altar, surrounding her casket like an angel’s halo. The 14-karat-gold casket sparkled up front. He couldn’t believe that he was about to say his goodbyes. Inside he was broken, but outwardly he remained intact. There was nothing that Willow loved more about him than his strength and he knew that she would want him to stand tall in her final moments on earth. As he stood over the closed casket he bowed his head in silent mourning. The fire had completely singed her skin, not allowing for an open casket ceremony. He would never see her face again, but it didn’t matter. It was etched in his memory like the name of lovers drawn in wet cement. Nico tugged at his suit jacket to get his attention and Baron turned on his heels sharply in discontent as he stared a hole through him.

“Don’t disrespect my final moments with my wife!” he barked.

Nico took two steps back, his eyes wide as he stammered, “It’s… I was just…”

“Whatever it is, it can wait,” Baron said lowering his voice.

“It’s Shai. He’s here,” Nico stated.

Baron walked briskly towards the church’s entrance. Part of him needed to lay eyes on his son. They were all each other had now that Willow was gone, but the obstinate side of him wanted to place blame on A’shai’s shoulders for what had happened. At that moment Baron wanted nothing more than to embrace his boy and share his grief with the only other man who understood. A’shai knew what the world had lost. They were the only two who truly felt the blow.

A’shai got out of Willow’s car wearing a double breasted Versace suit, all black with a slim tie. For the past week, he and Liberty had hidden out in a downtown hotel. He had gone over the last moments of his mother’s life repeatedly, wishing that he had never volunteered his car to her. Her death weighed heavily on him and although he knew that he needed to skip town, he would never forgive himself if he left without paying his final respects. As he walked up the church stairs none of Baron’s soldiers would look him in the face. He went to enter the building and was stopped by one of Baron’s block lieutenants.

A’shai looked down at the hand that was touching him and frowned up as he slapped the hand from his chest. “You must want to lose that hand my man,” A’shai stated calmly as he gripped the man’s wrist at his pressure point, causing him pain.

“Yo, you can’t come in here Shai,” another one of Baron’s workers stated.

“Fuck you mean I can’t come in here?!” he questioned. “That’s my mother!”

“We’re just following orders,” the worker said solemnly, not really wanting to be involved in the family conflict. He gently nudged A’shai, trying to get him to leave, which only further enraged A’shai.

A’shai reached inside his waistline and gripped the handle of his pistol, ready to pop off. He didn’t remove it, but was just waiting for things to get out of control.

“You can move aside or I can lay you down in this mu’fucka. Either way I’m coming inside that church,” A’shai stated.

At that moment, Baron appeared.

“I’ve got it from here,” Baron said as he stepped directly in the entrance to the church. As father and son stood face-to-face they both could sense the extreme hurt in the other. Baron wanted to reach out and embrace A’shai but instead he cleared his throat. “You can’t be here. You’re not welcome, A’shai. I told you what would happen over that girl… now look where we are… what it’s led to,” Baron stated.

“What you mean I can’t be here, Baron?” A’shai said, calling his father by his name for the first time in years. “That’s my mother in there, fam! You think I wanted this fa’ her?”

A’shai had so many emotions pulsing through him but the one he recognized the most was rage. He needed his father right now, but Baron was showing him shade… shunning him and A’shai took it personally.

Whatever small piece of his heart that Baron had left was being broken as he denied A’shai entry. It was taking everything in him to stay firm in his decision. Pig-headed, Baron refused to move aside as he shook his head and repeated, “You can’t be here. You have to leave, son.” Baron turned to one of his goons. “See him to his car.”

A’shai’s nostrils flared as he backed away from the church while nodding his head. By denying him access to Willow’s funeral, Baron had just ripped his heart from his chest. A’shai could barely breathe as he grit his teeth while retreating. He pointed at Baron, stabbing his finger through the air. “Fuck you, Baron. We’re through. You hear me. You tell my mother I love her… but you… you no longer have a son,” he said vehemently as he turned to walk away. No one moved to escort A’shai to his car. They knew firsthand how A’shai’s temper could flare, and no one wanted to see him. This was between Baron and A’shai; no one else dared to intervene. Baron noticed how his men respected A’shai. They were all fearful of him and secretly Baron was proud but he refused to speak up. His relationship with A’shai had run its course. A’shai was a grown man now, and it was time for them to part. Baron’s eyes misted slightly as he watched A’shai get in his car and drive away. He felt in his bones that this would be the last time he would ever see his son and it hurt. Baron gathered himself quickly not wanting to wear his heart on his sleeve. He refocused on the task at hand and prepared himself to bury the greatest woman he had ever had the pleasure to meet.