Black Friday: Exposed Read Online Free PDF Page B

floatation devices. After telling them how unsafe the vests were and compensating them with twenty dollars each for their troubles, he was able to get the vests off of their backs with ease. They had no idea that each vest’s stuffing had been removed and replaced with a kilo of Heroine. It was the only way that he could have gotten the drugs on board and although it was risky; it had worked like a charm. He quickly stuffed the life jackets back into his duffel bag and hurried to his room. He’d gotten dope past customs and was home free. He stuffed the entire bag underneath the bed and flopped down on top of it. A smile of satisfaction crossed his face. Norelle was exploring the ship with Carmen. He had gotten away with the impossible and the cruise ship was ready to make its return to the states. He couldn’t have been happier.
     
     
    “It was so good seeing you,” Carmen said as she hugged Norelle affectionately. It was the final night of their cruise and they had just finished dinner as they prepared to settle in for the night. Both of them had tears in their eyes as if they’d never see one another again.
    “What are we crying for?” Norelle said as she wiped her eyes and laughed. “We both live in NY. There is no excuse for us to go this long without talking again. I had fun. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a close female friend.”
    “Well here,” Carmen replied, pulling out one of her business cards. “It’s my card. You can call me anytime. We’ll do a weekly girls night out or something.”
    “Okay girl. Have a safe trip home tomorrow.”
    The two women embraced again.
    “Yeah, you be safe too. You better use that number,” Carmen said as she opened the door to her cabin. “We’ll get together sometime soon.”
    Norelle blew Carmen a quick kiss and retreated to her luxury suite where she found Kasheef passed out in the bed. She snuggled up underneath him and enjoyed the sway of the boat as it glided through the Atlantic Ocean. The setting was so romantic, the atmosphere perfect for a couple in love, but she hardly even saw her own man the entire time they were there. They were both preoccupied, her with old friends and he with his business. She admired him as he slept. He looked so peaceful, so content. She thought of the events that had occurred directly before the trip. She hoped and prayed that the drama was over because tomorrow it would be back to the real world.

Chapter Four
     
    It had been four days and Alija still couldn’t shake what had happened. She cradled her daughter against her chest as she rocked back and forth. She looked down at her baby and smiled when Nahla cooed back at her, the child’s eyes sparkling like a pool of rejuvenating innocence. Baby Nahla was the most important thing in Alija’s life. She was all that her mother had to hold onto. Nahla was the only consistent and unconditional love that Alija had ever had. Her entire world revolved around her child and her life was not her own, because she lived to make Nahla happy.
    “I know baby girl. Mommy’s not going anywhere, I promise. Nobody can take me away from you,” Alija said lovingly as she thought of how badly the situation at the club could’ve ended. It made her look at her life in a new light. Alija loved her daughter more than anything in this world and they were all that each other had. She had never felt a love as significant as the one she felt for Nahla. The emotional connection between mother and child transcended all others and she felt guilty for jeopardizing her own safety. Nahla needed a mother, a good mother, and Alija planned on becoming just that. Her club hopping days were a thing of the past. From this day forward she would try to better herself so that she could enjoy every moment in raising her child. Alija placed a bottle of baby formula in a pot of boiling water and placed the baby in her swing as she sat down at her meager kitchen table. Late notices and shut off warnings