Austin Camacho - Damaged goods

Do you believe in fate? Tonya shouted over the thumping dance music. Anita nodded, staring through closely packed dancers at the man in the black suit and Oakley sunglasses. He seemed isolated in the crowd, not talking to anyone, but somehow aware of everyone. Sometimes, Anita did believe in fate. And something about this man told her he could be a big part of her future.

Not that one. Tonya shook her friends shoulder and pointed. Over here, my sist er. Thats for me. Anita recognized the focus of Tonyas attention. After all, who wouldnt recognize Hugo Huge Wilson? He was one of the most successful hip-hop producers around. He kept studios down in Virginia Beach, but Anita knew why he came up to Washington to party. There was still a lot of musical talent left untapped here, and Huge was a star maker, the person who could turn a man with good rhymes or a woman with a decent voice into the next Jay-Z or Toni Braxton.

The Zei was three-levels of flash and pumping energy powered by two disc jockeys, quick cut videos and a light show in constant frantic movement. It was also the somehow sweet scent of frantic dancers sweating out expensive colognes. And overwhelming everything was the music, so thick it actually filled the space and made Anitas throat vibrate when she sipped her cognac. What Tonya called electric was for Anita sensory overload. From the edge of the fifteen hundred square foot dance floor Anita could look up at the two higher levels. The third level of Zei, which Tonya called The Prive, was a private area of the club reserved for members and their guests. Huge was making his way toward The Prive, not hurrying, distributing high fives and soul handshakes along the way.

Despite the whirlpool of activity surrounding Huge as he moved through the crowd, Anitas eyes were drawn back to the man who first arrested her attention. Although the music shifted from house to hip hop to R amp; B dance and the bass was so insistent that it forced her heart to fall into its rhythm, this man remained a point of calm in the midst of the sensual storm. His was the only head not bobbing, as if he was immune to the siren call of the music. He looked very alert, and he seemed to keep track of Huges movements without ever looking at him. He was looking for something else.

Unlike Huge, this man made no fashion statement at all. He wore a plain black suit and shoes. He was black, but even lighter than Huge. Here were two men of average height and weight, but one commanded the attention of the entire room, while the other was almost invisible. Despite that, or maybe because of it, the seated man held her attention. She felt that she and the stranger were alike in being out of phase with the world around them.

Anita was there mostly because she had become tired of fighting it. Tonya was a good friend who was determined to save Anita from herself. She had to admit that since Rod left her social life had withered and died for lack of interest. She had come out solely to appease her friend, but now she wondered if this was where she was meant to be tonight.

The stranger stood from his low chair with cat-like grace. Until then, Anita hadnt noticed that black gloves covered his hands. He tightened them as he slid through the crowd toward Huge Wilson. Only then did she become aware of two others moving toward Huge. Wilsons smile never wavered, but his path began to bend.

Oh my God, Tonya said, leaping to her feet and smoothing her little black dress. Hes heading our way. I told you he was here for me, girl.

Anita kept her seat, uncomfortable as the rooms spotlight shifted toward them. It did look as if Huge would walk right into Tonya who was literally panting in anticipation of the moment. The two brothers following him were both very big, like the men you see power lifting in the Olympics, and they glittered. One had a mouthful of gold that flashed when his lips parted, echoing the blonde frosting across the top of his black hair, and his suit jacket shoulders were dusted with glitter. The other man, in a wife beater and jeans, was completely bald. His head glistened in the houses flashing lights. They looked to her like trouble headed her way.

As Huge approached, the music seemed to swell in Anitas head. A follow spot was tracing his movement, light glinting off his gold Rolex and the oversized platinum cross hanging from his neck. As his smile turned toward Tonya, the light moved to envelop her as well. Anita shifted to her side, sliding into Huges shadow. Inches from her face, his arm rose slowly through that darkness toward the light. He was from another world, a world she didnt know. As his hand moved Tonyas face, it seemed that world would touch hers.

Tonyas eyes sparkled and her tongue touched her upper lip. She looked as if she might pass out at the coming touch. But Huges hand stopped a whisper away from Tonyas cheek. Another hand had fallen on Huges shoulder. The big man with the mouthful of gold pulled hard, spinning Huge around.

Yo, nigga, the big man shouted. You wont answer my calls, but youll come up in here and dis me in my own town?

Huge held empty palms forward and maintained his smile. No disrespect meant, Frost. Were both busy producers, yo.

Yeah, Frost said, pushing his face almost into Huges. Im busy busting new talent on the scene, and youre busy stealing it from me.

Anita was nearly within reach of the men, close enough to smell their dueling colognes. She noticed Frosts name was cut into his hair on the side facing her. And she saw Huges eyes flash upward for a second. More than Frost, Huge was aware that he was still in the spotlight.

Come on, brother, you know it aint like that. If youd have signed Big Walter to a decent contract hed still be with you.

Frost bared his gold teeth the way Anita had seen caged dogs snarl. Ill show you how we make a contract stick around here. His right hand, on the side away from the spotlight, darted into his pocket. The knife was still opening as his hand came out again. Frost's arm swung out to his right. The four-inch blade swept within inches of Anitas face on its way toward Huge. She didnt even have time scream.

Then the knife froze in space, right in front of her nose. The blade vibrated a little but a black-gloved hand holding Frosts wrist prevented any forward movement.

Thats not the way you want to get into the headlines. The man in black spoke with a relaxed calm that seemed inappropriate to the situation. Then he twisted his arm and somehow Frost ended up on his back. The man in black said, Excuse me, as he stepped in front of Anita. Then he twisted Frosts wrist and caught the knife in his other hand.

Who the hell? Frost asked.

Hannibal Jones, the man in black said, closing the knife and dropping it into his pocket. Mr. Wilson had the impression you might be bitter about some recent business. He asked me to help him avoid any trouble. His voice was soft and low, yet somehow Anita could hear him clearly above the noise of the crowded club.

A small circle had opened up around Frost, who stood slowly and brushed himself off. Youre his backup? Please. Hey Hard Dog. Come take care of this.

Frosts bald partner swaggered into the lighted circle. The music continued to thump and the lights continued to flash, but the circle of unoccupied floor expanded a bit more. Hannibal stepped around the edge, maintaining eye contact with the bigger man but holding his fists low. Anita was struck by how round Hard Dogs shoulders were, like two brass knobs mounted on either side of his neck.

Not the time or place, Hannibal said. Cant we talk about this?

In response, Hard Dog swung a right cross toward Hannibals face. It missed, as did two more fast punches.

Okay then, Hannibal said. Lets dance.