That had always been the case. Makayla had made it clear, if she had to, she’d take a small amount of time for either of them because they both had previous charges. Jason, himself, was on his third strike. If he went down for this, there would be no getting out. He’d been smart with his business in the streets, but his bad ass temper had gotten him into a lot of trouble.
Davis’ face twisted in confusion. “What happened, Weaver? Why on earth would you start shooting in broad daylight with innocent bystanders and witnesses around at that?”
Jason’s head tilted as he remained silent. It didn’t matter if Davis was his lawyer or not, he wouldn’t be telling him any details about what happened. Besides, it wouldn’t make sense to Davis anyway. No one understood the connection between the three of them. Since Jason had been sold to Carlos and Kingston, Kannon’s father, by his crackhead mother, the two had been looking out for each other. And as soon as they met Makayla, they realized she had the same heart.
Still, they both would do whatever it took to protect Makayla and keep her safe… even if that meant surrendering himself to these bullshit ass charges. He’d do it a million times over. No one would stand in his face, disrespect his best friend while trying to tarnish his character and not deal with the consequences. Jason didn’t regret laying those bodies down at all. If he’d change anything, he would have just grabbed Makayla and handled those niggas in private. But that wasn’t how he moved, so it wasn’t no point in dwelling on that shit now. Kannon had saved his life years ago and had the permanent scar to prove it, so if Jason had to sit down to pay him back, he’d have to be cool with that.
“What are the options?” Jason asked, not bothering to answer Davis’ question.
“We can wait until Wednesday to see if the judge will give her a bond when she’s arraigned, but she has Judge Nolan, and if she doesn’t have a bond now, he’s not going to give her one. Especially if the prosecutor mentions where this assault happened and that she is connected to you.”
Jason nodded, already knowing what was up. He had a few judges and police on his payroll. One that he hadn’t been able to get on his team was Nolan. Nolan genuinely hated them and how they ruled the city, and if given the chance, there was no doubt in Jason’s mind that he would use Makayla to get to him.
“I don’t want her to sit in there until Wednesday, but if she has to…”
“If she has to, she’ll be read her charges and offered a public defender. If she wants to get her own lawyer, she’ll be given the date he or she needs to be put on record and her court date will be scheduled. Without a bond, she’ll have to sit until it comes.”
Jason sighed as he stood. Grabbing his glass of cognac, he walked over to the fireplace and stared into the flames. A few seconds passed before he decided, “Let me see Makayla, then I’ll make my move…”
3
Makayla
A smile spread across Makayla’s face as soon as she saw Jason. It was the only thing that could lift her spirits today. She’d been arraigned and no bond had been given. The judge had pushed her first court date back for eleven months, and Makayla couldn’t say she was surprised. Even after accepting the fact that she’d be locked down for at least a year, the only thing Makayla was sad about was not being able to see her little sister or the children at her daycare.
When she picked up the phone for her video session with Jason, she inhaled a deep breath and told herself to remain composed. If Jason felt as if she couldn’t handle this, he’d do whatever it took to get her out, and Davis had already filled her in on the charges he was facing. She really couldn’t believe Jason had come to visit her. It was dangerous as hell showing his face, but that was the kind of man Jason was. He wasn’t scared of shit and feared no man. If he wanted to see Makayla… warrants or not… he was going to see Makayla.
“What are you doing here?” she checked, smile vibrating through her voice.
“Fuck you mean? You know I was going to come see you.”
Makayla blushed as she wrapped the cord around her fingers. “It’s not safe. Not wise for you to be here.”
“I’on give a fuck about none of that shit. I needed to lay eyes on you.”
Her smile wavered slightly as her heart squeezed and warmed. Jason hadn’t ever been the most expressive and affectionate man, but she’d never deny his love and care. Or the fact that it was probably eating him up inside to see her in this manner.
“I’m happy to see you, but I want you to go somewhere safe, baby.”
Jason’s head shook. “Nah. You know I can’t lay down like this and make you carry this weight.”
“I knew the risks when I slammed that bitch. I’m good sitting down for a year.”
“That’s just your first court date, Mak. We don’t know how long Nolan is going to draw this shit out. I’m not letting you take this charge.”
“Why not? If I don’t, do you know how much time the both of you will be looking at?”
“Fuck that. I’m getting you out of here.”
Makayla’s head shook as she looked around. “Jason,” she whispered, pleaded. “It’s a year. That ain’t nothing to me…”
“But it’s everything to me.”
“I can handle it. What I couldn’t handle, is one or both of you spending the rest of your lives in prison. You’re my soul and he’s my heart. I can’t do life without y’all. Let me do this, baby. Please.”
Jason’s head shook as his eyes closed. Nostrils flaring, he inhaled a deep breath. As he ran his hand down his face, he exhaled hard and long.
“I need you to tell them whatever they want to know so you can get outta here, Makayla.”
His eyes opened, locking with hers. In disbelief of what she’d heard, Makayla chuckled as she stared at him for a few seconds.
“No.”
“Fuck you mean no? I’m not asking you; I’m telling you what you’re going to do.”
Her head shook as she sat back in her seat. Shoulders relaxed, her posture showed just how detached from this conversation she was. Makayla didn’t even bother replying. There was no way in hell she’d snitch on either of them. She wouldn’t give up any information from that day or their illegal lifestyles just to get a bond or have her charge dropped altogether.
“You hear me.”
“I hear you, but I’m not doing that, Jason. I told you I’m fine waiting this shit out.”
“Do you think Kannon is going to let this ride? If I don’t take care of this, he will.”
Nostrils flaring, Makayla stood from the seat. She made sure her face was fully in the camera before saying, “Pay whoever whatever to get me a bond, but if you turn yourself in over this bullshit, I will never forgive you. Him either. If I don’t get a bond, I’m good. Lay low and wait for me until I get out. I will not accept any more visits from you because it’s too reckless for you to be coming down here. Just put some time on your phone and we’ll talk that way.”
“Makayla…”
“I love you, baby. Don’t come back.”