Roman Blackwood had a reputation for attaining success even if it required doing the most craziest things like dive bombing his chopper through a hailstorm of bullets. Today, no one was shooting at him, but if he knew he'd have to make the choice eventually, coming home back to where it all happened where Tanya was killed.
He was tall, built broad like a man who used to wear a uniform and still moved with a quiet, efficient power. Everything about him was a mix of hard edges and reckless surrender. His hair was a thick, messy mixture of blond and brown, usually pushed back but giving him a dangerous, unkempt look that was effortlessly sexy. But it was his eyes that held the truth: they were grey, the color of a winter sea, always brooding, always assessing the risk, and weighted down by the loss of his family.
Bad memories of fights with his wife Tanya during the time they were married before she died from a robbery attack-flooded his memory. A year ago, He and Tanya had made plans to travel to Chicago just for fun-when she announced she was having a baby. It had been quite a shock to him, but he was glad it turned out they were having a girl. Roman turned on the radio and air conditioner full blast.
As Juice wrld robbery blared form his speakers "I can't reverse it, It was a gift and a curse And now I'm drinking too much, so I'ma talk with a slur, Last time I saw you it ended in a blur. I woke up in a hearse. " ....
Those words to him were what he was living last night he had gone to a bar and drank like crazy, hooked up with some pretty ass chick, and had fun all night.
He pressed a button that caused the Mercedes' hardtop to automatically fold into the trunk.
"Yes, baby. Money on my mind, wind surf here I come, God I need sleep!!!"
Years ago Roman had yearned to be captain, it was all he could think of although been lieutenant was a dream come true but after Tanya and his lil unborn baby Angie Christine death he decided been a cop wasn't worth it. For him, there was nothing to live for. In a way, crime was a better option. Now, he worked for what he could get. At least the last gig got him a car, in fact, a Mercedes 2026, and damn he was getting cool cash, nice hoes, and what more can a man ask for.
Whistling, contented, he burned rubber, exiting the private club heading for the beach. A cute red VW BUG pulled out behind him. At the next corner, Roman turned right, and so did the red VW.
He might be sober, but he didn't mind a little fun that's why he could take many chances and still have his full body parts-he took calculated risk more reasons why he made lieutenant.
Just for the hell of it, he made two right turns and another left. The VW Bug stuck to him like a flea.
Dark tinted glasses prevented him from identifying the driver. But Roman no longer had any doubts that someone was following him. He had several choices. Since the VW could never match his speed, he could accelerate and lose the tail, or he could confront his pursuer and find out what the hell they wanted.
Intel first, with a grin of pleasure Roman, pressed his foot down on the accelerator, hard but not enough to outrun the VW. The car matched his speed, and the other driver was determined but kept a distance between them.
He sped through a green light and headed for the highway. The car stayed with him.
Impressive, the driver didn't come too close, and yet Roman couldn't shake him. However, now that he had an idea that he might be dealing with a professional, he thought over his past few gigs. All of them had been perfect, no loose ends, but perhaps something didn't work out. Roman turned down the radio and hit the call button on his cell phone.
"Roman, did you miss me already," Leroy answered
"Obviously not."
"Oh, bored, I see, well I got a..."
"Sheesh, Leroy, it's just 5am in the morning. Man needs rest,"
"So, you ain't calling cos you missed us already? What's up?"
"Damn it, I called to ask you the same thing."
"I don't understand."
"Any operations working that has a loose end or something."
"No, none that I know of."
"Then there's no reason for someone to be tailing me at 5 in the morning?."
"Might be some jealous lover, bet you took someone's -"
"No man, those hoes ain't got no man, I paid them last night."
"You need any help?" Leroy offered
If Roman asked, he knew Leroy would send the gang down in twenty minutes.
"Nah, I can handle it,"
"You sure ?"
"Yeah. I don't think it's that bad. " he rechecked the side mirror. The car was still following him.
"Fine. Just play safe. We need your ass around here."
Roman chuckled and let his foot ease off the gas. Just because he had cool reflexes and could handle high speed didn't mean the local cops wouldn't give him speeding tickets. For a moment, he adhered to the speed limit and allowed the tail to come after him. During his stay in the police academy, Roman had learned the value of planning.
He would pick the time and place for the confrontation with his mysterious pursuer somewhere private. Roman leaned over and opened the glove compartment. Driving with one hand, keeping his attention on the road, he reached for his gun. He tucked the weapon into the front of his jeans and checked the rear view mirror.