Janice Pernell
Cayenne
Story Note
I’ve always been an avid reader of fiction.
I even edited the work of other authors for
several years. But I get an incomparable
thrill from creating my own stories that
entertain readers and cause them to reflect
on important issues. I hope Cayenne does
both for you.
Michael raised the trunk and gazed at his ex-girlfriend’s
unconscious body. Nia was blindfolded, her legs and ankles
bloodied by the thick rope binding them. He had to play his cards
right if he intended to get her out of this alive.
“You sure nobody saw you snatch her?” Michael asked Lee as
the self-proclaimed pretty boy and wannabe gangster got out of
his car.
“Positive.” Lee leaned over to admire himself in the mirror.
Michael swore that he would make things right with Nia, make
her his wife—as soon as he could free her from her captors.
“Before Angelique kills sleeping beauty,” Lee said, “I’m gonna
break her off some of what the women beg me for.” He gave a
wicked sneer that set Michael’s nerves on edge.
Though his fists were aching to have a conversation with Lee’s
face, Michael chomped down on his anger. Months of undercover
work will go down the drain if I lose my cool.
“You’d better get in the car and go meet up with your sister like
she told you to,” Michael warned. “People get antsy in this kind
of deal.” He glanced at his watch. “Keep them waiting, and they’ll
get cold feet. Then there won’t be a baby to sell. Angelique will be
pissed if that happens.”
“Maaan, you think I’m scared of that chick?” Lee’s chest was
stuck out like a rooster in a cockfight, but his voice sounded more
like a hen with its neck on the chopping block. “My sister don’t
run things. I do.”
The only thing Lee ran was his mouth. None of the informants
Michael had encountered in ten years of undercover work
divulged as much information as Lee belched out while bragging
about his power, prowess, prosperity, and plans—none of which
he possessed. Angelique was the brains behind everything they
did.
Michael raised his hands in mock surrender. “Since you call
the shots, how about I look after her”—he nodded toward Nia—
“until you get back?”
Cursing under his breath, Lee motioned for Michael to remove
Nia from his black 2018 Lexus RX.