The Council II: Death Sentence

By Brooklyn June L.J. Miller

The Council is made up of three sisters - Whitney, Wanda and Wendi who are on a mission to free their father Mason from jail. They have murdered and robbed to get up enough money to pay the only lawyer willing to take his case. Their last robbery nets them enough money to pay the lawyer in full but the man they robbed happens to be the their sister Wendi's boyfriend and she is head over heels in love with him. This poses a problem when they find out her man, Haakim has a vendetta against Mason and wants him dead. They tell Wendi to stop seeing him until they they can confirm everything but Wendi chooses her love for Haakim and sticks by her man.
Haakim wants Mason dead and puts hits on him in prison hoping he will get his revenge but what he doesn't know is that he is in love with his daughter. If he finds out, will he use her to get him closer to Mason?
Both sisters now have no choice but to kill Haakim before he finds out Wendi is Mason's daughter.
Will Whitney and Wanda save their sister before Haakim hands their family the death sentence?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brooklyn June L.J. Miller
• Release date: Jun 22, 2014
• ISBN: 9781370565856

Brooklyn June L.J. Miller

June is the published author of, This Game Has No Loyalty, an urban street fiction novel depicting real life on the streets and the love relationships within those parameters. His love of writing was first discovered in public school where he dazzled his teachers with his creative short stories and intriguing poems. His writing was acknowledged locally when it was featured in his graduating class’ yearbook. June abandoned his love for writing for the dangerous life on the streets of Brooklyn. His involvement changed from petty crimes to becoming a major distributor of illegal drugs out of state. During his tenure in these activities he was convicted and incarcerated. His time behind bars gave him new insight but when released on parole he went right back to the life that put him behind the barbed wire fences. All of his relationships were strained due to nature of his business. There was no stability in his life and the only person he was responsible for was himself. The birth of his first daughter changed the way he viewed life and he set out to change his existence. June did a complete 360° turn and enrolled into college to pursue his Associates Degree. His creative writing ability was again showcased in this setting and recognized by his English professors. While he pursued his degree, tragedy struck and one of his closest friends was brutally murdered. Not knowing how to deal with the loss he channeled his pain into something that came to him naturally, he wrote the story. The story stayed on his floppy disk for over 10 years until he came across it one day after the senseless death of another friend. When he read the contents it was still relevant and he decided to write a story that he hoped would reach the youth and somehow curb the violent crimes being committed in the poor neighborhoods. June began penning his novel This Game Has No Loyalty and incorporated his own experiences into his writing to produce the “realness” his story needed to capture his audience.

Book preview

The Council II - Death Sentence

Written By: June

The Council II - Death Sentence

June Miller

Copyright L. Miller 2013

Published by FourShadough Publishing, LLC at Smashwords

FOURSHADOUGH PUBLISHING

Presents

THE COUNCIL II

Death Sentence

Written by:

JUNE

Chapter 1

Wendi was so startled when she heard Haakim yelling that she immediately backed away from him and ended the call on her ringing cell phone mistakenly.

What’s wrong Haakim? She asked staring at him with unbelieving eyes. She was a little shocked because he never raised his voice to her before and she became concerned. His eyes turned to slits as his eyebrows lowered.

He noticed the frightened look on her face but his anger and suspicion took over. The lines on his forehead wrinkled as he glared at her and held his hand out for her cell phone.

Give me you cell phone Wendi. His voice was monotone.

Why? Can you tell me what is going on because you’re scaring me. She replied gripping her Blackberry tightly.

I don’t want to scare you but I need your phone. He answered vaguely as he approached her slowly, his hand still outstretched.

Wendi’s mind started spinning. She was hoping her sisters weren’t right about him; she prayed they were wrong and that he truly loved her and wouldn't do anything to hurt her. She never saw him this angry and searched her mind for anything that would make him so upset. The last thing she expected was for him to be mad at her especially when she was coming to him for comfort. She had to be careful what she said because the way he was acting it would make things worse.

Baby, I’ll give you my phone, just tell me what’s going on. Please. She begged as she backed away from him.

Haakim stared deep into Wendi’s eyes and wondered if she could really betray him. He didn’t want to believe it because he loved her, but if she proved to be disloyal he would have no choice but to make her suffer the fate of a traitor.

Stop running from me Wendi. Come over here and have a seat, he pointed to the couch, and I'll explain why I want your phone. He spoke evenly.

Wendi walked over to the couch cautiously and took a seat on the edge of the cushion, careful not to get too comfortable in case things went to the left. She looked up at him, studying his body language and peering into his eyes looking for anything that would give her a clue to what he was feeling or thinking. It was hard to tell because he wouldn’t look directly in her eyes. She rubbed her thigh with her right hand to wipe the moisture from her palm and tried to appear relaxed as she handed her Blackberry to him.

Haakim looked down at the cell phone in his hand then looked at his girlfriend. He knew there was no mistaking the number he dialed rang to her phone, he was positive of that but what he wanted to know was why. He had genuine love for Wendi, a love he didn't have with any American woman before her but he couldn’t let it cloud his judgment and he had to be sure she wasn’t disloyal so she had to prove it convincingly. He pressed the green button on Kurt’s cell phone and initiated the call then looked at her briefly while she stared at him through soft perplexed eyes.

When her phone began ringing her mind raced and she instantly figured out he was holding the phone of the man her sisters killed. Her blood ran cold in her veins as she tried to cover her shocked expression by holding her head down so he couldn’t see her face. He disconnected the call without answering it and stared daggers at her.

Why Wendi! He screamed.

Why what Haakim? She lifted her head up and acted clueless.

Please don’t play me for a fool Wendi. I know what you have done. How could you betray me! His voice raised with each sentence.

I’m not playing you for a fool Haakim. I would never do that and you know it. She affirmed. Just tell me what you’re talking ‘bout, please tell me what’s going on. She pleaded.

Haakim searched her eyes for truth. Her body language didn’t suggest she knew anything, her tone of voice didn't reveal anything and her expression was one of confusion and fear. That alone made him doubt she was guilty of what he was suspecting. Internally he was battling with love and common sense but one had to prevail.

Ok Wendi. He stared in her eyes directly. Tell me how you know Kurt and why is your number in his phone?

Kurt? She maintained a stone face. I don’t know no muhfucka named Kurt! She defended.

Haakim could feel his neck heating up. He couldn’t believe she would blatantly lie to him in his face when her number was clearly in his phone. Unconsciously his fists balled and his eyebrows lowered substantially. Wendi noticed the change in his demeanor and sprang into action.

Are you accusing me of cheating on you Haakim? She asked, her voice cracking with emotion. How could you think some shit like that? I would never cheat on you! I told you that in the beginning. Her eyes watered on cue. I don’t know who phone you got and how they got my number because I would never fuck with no dude, I love you too much to jeopardize what we have. I never gave another dude… she stopped midsentence abruptly.

Haakim noticed her staring at the ceiling as if she were trying to remember something that came to her suddenly. His eyes bucked and his attention heightened.

Finish what you were saying Wendi! His voice boomed.

Wendi looked down from the ceiling then focused on Haakim who looked like he was ready to choke the life out of her. She blinked slowly hoping what she was about to tell him would change however he was feeling about her at that moment.

Haakim, the only time I gave a dude my number was a couple nights ago when I went out with some of my girlfriends. On the way to drop everyone home her car just stopped. We got out to see what was wrong and this truck pulled right up and some guy asked if we needed help. Since it was so late and we didn’t feel like waiting for a tow truck, she told him yea. He gave her a boost and when she tried to pay him for it, he told her he didn’t want money, he wanted my number. She paused to see if he was believing her story so far. I told him no but he started to act a little crazy and it spooked me so I gave him my number. Now before you think I disrespected you, I only gave it to him because I didn’t want him to wild out on me if I gave him a fake number. As soon as he got the number he called it to make sure it was real. Haakim knew what type of guy Kurt was, he was known for his aggressive, brash behavior and his lust for women. I never answered, never talked to him, never called him back and he never called me again after that night. I didn’t lock the number in my phone either, you can check. She said as she forced tears out of her ducts. I can understand you being mad at me Haakim but you’re wrong if you think I cheated on you with that guy.

There was no way she was going to let him know she was involved with Kurt's murder so she hoped her story would steer him clear from even thinking that.

His grip tightened around Kurt’s phone then he suddenly stood up and threw the phone across the room. It hit the wall with so much force the pieces turned into projectiles and sprayed around the room. Wendi ducked, covering her head with her hands to prevent any of the broken phone debris from hitting her. Haakim shuffled over to her quickly and grabbed her by her shoulders then yanked her to her feet.

***

Wanda pulled up across the street from a bodega then pulled out her cell phone. She dialed Whitney's number while keeping her eyes fixed on the store entrance.

What’s up Wanda? Whitney asked when she answered her cell phone.

I'm at a bodega on the corner of Miller Ave. How far are you?

Whitney looked up at the street sign she just passed, I'm on Atlantic Avenue. I should be there in about five minutes. Is that where Wendi is? Is she ok?

I just pulled up and saw her go up in there. She looked the usual stupid to me. Wanda said sarcastically.

That's where that muhfucka Haakim must stay! I hope to God he doesn't already know Wendi is Mason's daughter. You have your shit on you Wanda?

American Express... Wanda checked the slide on her firearm to make sure a live round was inside. ...don't leave home without it! You want me to go up in there and drag that bitch out and kill that sand monkey?

I don’t want you to hurt her Wanda, she's our family. I’m only a couple minutes from there, just go up in the store and check things out. If shit get funky then do whatever you have to do to make sure Wendi is safe! Whitney directed. She ended the call and passed a red light as she punched the accelerator on her SUV trying to get to the bodega before Wanda did something stupid or Haakim hurt her baby sister.

Wanda was already upset she had to baby sit her spoiled brat sister and wanted to go inside the store and drag her out then beat more sense into her but Whitney was right, Wendi was family and family was first but once she got hold of her, she was going to give her another ass whooping for being so defiant. She jumped out her vehicle and walked to the bodega.

Wanda pushed open the door of the bodega and walked inside slowly. Her eyes canvassed the store quickly. There were three narrow aisles that ran about 50 feet to the back of the store and on her left was a counter covered in plexiglass with a young Arab boy behind texting on his phone, not paying any attention to her. She looked down all the aisles for any sign of Wendi and after not seeing her she turned her attention to the young boy behind the counter. She noticed four small 10" video monitors mounted right behind him. The images on the monitors covered the aisles, the front door and the back of the store. Her eyes shifted to the left where she noticed another monitor but it faced the young boy. She turned and looked to the back of the store then back at the young boy who still wasn't paying her any attention. She leaned over the counter and took a quick peek at the camera and it looked like it was viewing stairs and a door. She turned around and went to the back of the store to look for a door and found one on the side of the freezer. She tried the door knob and to her surprise it turned and she pulled it open and was about to go up the stairs when a muscular Arab man grabbed her by the arm forcefully.

Ay where the fuck you think you're going! He said in a menacing tone.

***

Haakim’s look was stoic as he stared at Wendi. He didn’t want to believe what she said but from what he knew of Kurt, it was consistent with how he conducted himself. The number in her phone was in there only once and the call lasted less than five seconds. He looked at the fear in her eyes and tried to see if it came from her thinking he thought she was cheating on him or because he found out she had something to do with the robbery. He was holding her by her shoulders tight but she never flinched or resisted, she just stared into his eyes while hers watered. He pushed her off him and slapped her across the face viciously, knocking her to the ground. She let out a shriek and hit the floor hard and grabbed her stinging cheek.

What the fuck Haakim! She cried. Why the fuck would you hit me!

You’re lying to me Wendi! I can’t believe you would do this! Tell me the fucking truth! He lifted his hand high in the air and was about to come down with another forceful blow but she scurried to her feet quickly.

I did tell you the fucking truth! You want me to lie and say I fucked him! I told you I don't know who he is! I can’t believe you put your fucking hands on me! She cried real tears and charged Haakim.

She swung her arms like a windmill and caught him unexpectedly on the top of his head. He stumbled backwards and grabbed her by her arms and held her trembling body close to him. She fought like a hooked fish to get free from his grip.

Wendi, calm down. You might not understand why I did that but I had to be sure you weren’t lying to me. I'm sorry but I had to be sure. He tried to explain his reasoning for striking her.

Fuck outta here! You don’t ever put your fucking hands on me for no fucking reason! My father ain't never hit me so I'm not gon' let no muhfucka beat on me! No matter how much I love them! She cried out as she continued struggling to get free. To think I came here because I needed to see you hoping you would comfort me but instead you want to slap me around. Get the fuck off of me!

I’m sorry Wendi. I don’t expect you to understand but I had to be sure you were telling me the truth. Haakim pleaded.

You muhfuckin’ right I’m not gonna understand! I’m never gonna understand a muhfucka putting their hands on me! She was enraged.

You’re right baby and I’m sorry for losing my temper like that. Please accept my apology.

Haakim let her go and she charged at him again. He backed away then hunched over and allowed her to beat him over his back until she was tired. When she stopped he stood up and reached out to her but she pulled away from him. He expected her to be extremely mad for slapping her because any other reaction would prove she was guilty of something. He couldn’t take any chances and as much as he hated to hit her he had to be sure she wasn’t involved in the robbery.

"I hate you! I can’t fucking believe you hit me over some bullshit like that! My sisters were right about you. There’s no way you can love me if you’re willing to hurt me over