I wondered what he told our parents. I missed momma and papa. Did they miss me? Were they still in Chicago? I wanted to ask Reggie to find out for me, but I never got the words out because I didn’t know if they agreed with Angelo to send me back to Italy. I couldn’t bear it if they did.
I knew time would give me the answers I was seeking.
Looking about the room, I watched as Reggie talked with several men. He laughed and cursed with them as if he’d been born to this life. But he wasn’t. Reginald Buchannon was born for better things. I knew this, and deep down, I had to believe he knew that too.
“Ms. Catarina,” a young voice shyly said, making me jump. Quickly looking at the sleeping baby in my arms to make sure I didn’t jostle her awake, I turned to look at a young teenager in all black holding a blue file in his hands, smiling at me. “My name is Sypher. Can I talk to you for a minute, please?”
“Sypher, you leave Cat alone,” Roxy stated as she walked out of the kitchen with a beer in her hands.
“But momma, I got to ask her a few questions. Reaper wanted me to investigate.”
“Make it quick then, and don’t you dare wake up that baby.”
“Yes, ma’am,” the young man nodded. I said nothing as the young man sat next to me as we both watched his mother head up the stairs.
“Roxy is your mother?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Where is your father?”
“He died a few months back,” the young man whispered, looking down at the floor. And just like that, I reached over and placed my hand on his shoulder. He was too young to lose a parent. He still needed his father’s guidance, and I could tell his father’s death still affected him deeply.
“Sypher, you hit on my woman, and we’re going to have words.”
Sypher jerked and quickly said, “No, sir. I would never. I promise.”
Reggie chuckled and nodded. “Just laying it all out, kid. No worries. We’re still Golden.”
Sypher sighed and instantly relaxed, then turned to me. “They don’t like it when we touch another’s Ol' Lady.”
Removing my hand, I said, “But you didn’t touch me. I touched you.”
“Doesn’t matter. You belong to Player. I should hurry this up. I don’t want to get in any more trouble.”
“Are you in trouble?”
“No, but the longer I sit here, Player will get suspicious and come over. I wanted to ask you a few questions about something. I am working with Phantom and Matrix to get your son back, and I came across something. What can you tell me about this?” He asked, opening the blue folder and handing me a picture.
Looking at it, I gasped and quickly looked at Reggie before handing the document back to Sypher. My heart sped up. Shame seeped into my soul. I tried so hard to forget that time. I didn’t want anyone to know. It was my secret. One I planned to take with me into the ever after.
“That is you, correct?”
I nodded, looking away from the young teenager. It was bad enough he’d seen the picture. God only knew what he thought of me.
“Does he know?”
Lightly shaking my head, I whispered, “Where did you get that picture?”
“The deep web. I found many others, too.”
Dear God. Will my shame ever end? How long must I be punished for my sins? I had a lot to atone for, but this there were no words. “Please don’t tell him. He won’t want me anymore if you do.”
“I don’t believe that,” Sypher said, putting the picture back in the folder. “Player loves you. He will understand.”
“No, he won’t.”
“I have to show this to Reaper.”