I'll Never Let You Go III: Death Will Have to Part Us

Preface

Brenda Melendez is on her way to the top of various illegal business enterprises by using her beauty, wits and deviousness cultivated over the years. It’s now time to cash it all in, baby, and begin to reap the rewards of hard work and dedication. She’s had her plan of succession in place for years and it’s now time to make her play. Nothing and no one is off limits and she will do anything to get what she wants at any cost. If you’ve got to go, you’ve got to go is her motto and many have fallen to the wayside because of her mindset. In the midst of it all, Brenda makes a critical mistake by letting her guard down and is set up by one who is near and dear to her heart. She’s incarcerated, sentenced to death, and her foes celebrate as many people are now free of her oppression, intimidation and extortion. They should have had a ticker tape parade down Broad Street as people celebrated throughout the Tri-State area. Will Kevin now be free to pursue Sandra, his new love, introduced to Brenda the hard way? Will Laverne and Taylor remain steadfast and their romance blossom into fruition? Will the legal system finally hold Brenda Melendez accountable for her actions against society and make her pay the ultimate price?

Chapter One

I begin to pant heavily and perspire profusely as the news of Brenda’s escape infiltrates my soul, my very being. It’s like a deadly foreign body is attacking my immune system and the physicians can find no cure. Brenda’s mere existence is past the stage of being detrimental and is cataclysmic and can be no more. My survival is at stake now. Fuck me, fuck you. I cannot view her as a female because my upbringing and personal values could never let me strike a woman. I have to view her as a deadly opponent in a game of death, in a fight to the finish. Only one of us can remain standing. Let the games begin.

I’m lightheaded and trying to slow down just enough to recuperate without attracting Sandra’s attention. I’m trying to get to the next parallel street and detour to prevent Sandra from seeing Brenda’s image on the monitors. Unfortunately we seem to be walking in slow motion and can’t get to my destination. My heart beats rapidly and I’m hoping my blood pressure won’t be affected by all of this increased activity in my body. I left my medicine at home. I’ll still have to tell her anyway, as I’m sure Laverne is on the bat line waiting to break the news. How can this be? They had her locked up, and they supposedly threw away the key until it was time for her execution. Was it an inside job? Did one of her street connections help her escape? While I’m being totally selfish, another person has died at the hands of Brenda Melendez. At this moment, another family is mourning an unnecessary loss of life cut way too short. Another victim has succumbed to Brenda’s magnetism, smile, charm, personality and sex appeal. You’d think I was talking about a Miss America contestant, but Brenda is a she-devil from the bowels of hell. Brenda is Satan in a dress.

This bitch has got to die. There are no more if, ands or buts about it, I say, as my life flashes before my eyes. Did I say that aloud and did Sandra hear me? Just a few seconds ago I was the happiest man on the planet. I was daydreaming about my future with Sandra and possibly even having kids. After all, a man wants his seed to continue and multiply upon the earth. And now, now I feel like I’m standing on a land mine knowing it’s getting ready to explode at any second and there’s not a damn thing I can do about it. I stare in total disbelief as Brenda’s image continually scrolls across the screen. They even have the nerve to flash some very graphic images of the murder scene. But who cares about the kids, as they’ve probably seen more horrific acts of violence in their video games. Gotta get that scoop is the name of the game for the news media.

My mind begins to race as I contemplate how everything went down, especially with Sean spilling his guts to get laid one more time. We would have been in the clear if not for his fatal leak of information. He paid for it with his life though. I guess he can consider himself lucky not knowing death was at his door step. The rest of us should be so lucky. She’s going to come after all of us. No one who acted against her will escape her wrath. She may even kill family members just to get our attention and place fear in our hearts, minds and souls.

Looking back on it, her harassment and requests for sexual favors now seem minimal compared to my impending demise. Death is certainly on the menu, with the question being: how will she serve it up? Knowing Brenda as I do, I will be last so I can squirm or huddle in fear as the others perish. It’s the predator versus prey and I better be quick on my feet as I try to anticipate her every move. I’ve got to go after her. I must go on the offense and strike first. I’ve got to get her before she gets me or anyone else. The way her twisted mind works, she’ll make sure that I see Sandra suffer. The only thing that Sandra is guilty of is trying to love me, even after all that has transpired. I can’t let Brenda do this. I’ve finally found what I’ve been looking for and I can’t let her take it away once again, even at the risk of being imprisoned for life or even killed. I must take control of this situation from here on out. This mother fucker’s got to die. I’ve never been a punk, and have been involved in some gang activity as a youth. But I’ve never used anything more than my hands, a brick, bottle, stick or trash can. But my options are to man up or die, survival of the fittest.

Who are you calling out of their name? What are you so upset about? asks Sandra, completing her text to her girlfriend. She looks up at the monitor and sees Brenda’s image. She drops her cell phone and then falls to her knees. People try to assist her as they believe she has fainted, not knowing she has been temporarily crippled by fear. Tears stream down her face as she knows her chance for a normal life with me is over. She takes a deep breath before responding and I prepare for the worst. Who could blame her after all she’s been through? We walk over to the nearest eatery and take a seat. I order two Rum and Cokes and then ask Sandra what she wants. She decides to have a Long Island Iced Tea. She looks at me and I try to stop the tears flowing heavily from her eyes, but to no avail.

Chapter Two

Brenda ditches Cleveland’s automobile at the casino parking lot near Bensalem for camouflage. She breaks into a nearby vehicle in which the owner left woman’s dry cleaning, two wigs and a pair of heels. From the attire, it appears that the owner is a person of the night, but hell, everybody needs some downtime. Cleveland’s uniform is discarded under the passenger seat. Brenda checks the glove compartment and finds condoms, a vibrator, a dildo, whip and Poligrip. It appears that her victim is well-versed in providing all types of sexual services for a very wide range of customers. A Blackberry is located in a side compartment of the door. The owner must be serious about gambling and doesn’t want to be disturbed. There are seventeen missed calls to be precise, so business must be damn good. Two credit cards with different names are tucked away in the ashtray and a handgun is under the driver’s street. Security is patrolling the premises. Brenda lowers the seat to avoid being detected. After they pass, she quietly makes her call.

What up, baby girl? asks Brenda, connecting with her street commodities broker.

Girl, you a bad mamma jamma! I didn’t think I would see or hear from you until I joined you on the other side, says Nita, making a right turn on Street Road.

I would have saved your ass a great seat, too.

I know you would have. We could have enjoyed the view of the lake of fire together.

We still will, says Brenda, sniffling uncontrollably. It’s great to hear your voice.

How the hell did you get out?

It’s a very, very long story.

But I know it’s got plenty of drama.

Drama is my middle name, baby.

What can I do you for?

You know what I like. Problem is that I don’t have any cash on me right now.

Don’t insult me like that, Brenda. You’ve always been good to me. I’d do anything in the world for you.

I know you would, darling. At least I can trust you.

Always could baby, always could.

I’m getting ready to inflict some serious pain on some backstabbing pieces of shit.

Well, just remember, I’m your girl.

No doubt. I’m starting with Kierston, who violated my trust. I let her into the inner circle and she betrayed me, which means she betrayed us. She really broke my heart, says Brenda. You know it’s hard for me to attach to people. I think I had an emotional setback. I still can’t believe that I didn’t see it coming.

You don’t have any emotions, baby. You’re the coldest woman I know and I love you for it. You’re my role model, says Nita, chuckling.

Whatever Nita... You know you’re the only one that can get away with that shit.

Well I guess you’re going to see her in hell, because she’s dead.

What do you mean, she’s dead?

And so is Mr. Davidson.

Did you hear or see this on the news?

Fuck the news. You’ve got to go to the grape vine for accurate shit. The word on the street is that she shot Davidson, then the FBI shot and buried her ass in some desert. A press release stated that she was abducted by some rebels and killed. She’s going to be buried as a national hero who died in the line of duty.

Well, I guess I can cross them off my Christmas list.

Kierston was sleeping with Mr. Davidson.

What?!

Yes, and she was doing him well, too.

Your girl is surely slipping, because I didn’t catch on at all. They had me totally fooled. She claimed that she didn’t even like the man and couldn’t stand to be in his presence.

And everyone else, too.

Right under my nose and I didn’t pick up on a thing.

I’m glad the wife got the last laugh.

I just wish I could have smoked her.

Speaking of being on TV, your face is plastered everywhere. You were on the big screen at Times Square, like P. Diddy.

I heard a few radio broadcasts.

So where you gonna lay your head until you start your campaign of death?

I don’t know, girl, they’re looking for me everywhere.

No worries, come stay at the lair. You know it’s safe and fortified. Ain’t nobody running up in there.

You’d be drawing heat to your operation and lose business.

My business will be fine. I’ve bought and own people in high places to ensure there are no interruptions with my affairs.

Okay, it’s a deal. I’ll drive to the lair and call you when I’m out front.

Actually, I just made a drop, so I’m close to you. I want you to drive a couple of blocks away from the casino so they can’t pick you up walking on camera.

But the car will be reported stolen.

Well didn’t you steal a car to get there?

True dat.

Besides, they jack cars from there all the time. Don’t forget to bring your belongings so they won’t find any evidence. Call me and I’ll pick you up. See you in a minute.

I really appreciate this, Nita.

It’s all good. You know I got an arsenal for when you want to retaliate. Do you want my team to go with you?

You know I got this, baby. This ain’t business, this shit is personal.

I heard that. See you in a minute.

Chapter Three

Gene, what are you doing? I see a For Sale sign in the window, states Juan, watching the movers carry out the tables and chairs. Juan is blown away as Gene has been in business at this location for years. Many chain restaurants have tried to buy him out but he wouldn’t sell, not because of the money, but because he loved his customers and the neighborhood. The rest of the crew is performing various duties throughout the establishment. Two head outside for a smoke break, although they’ve only been on the clock for thirty minutes. They dart over