Mr. + Mr. Sharpe, "The Anniversary." Pt. II
JAN 14, 2024 - 9:43PM
Maxim aimed the narrow barrel of his Glock at the forehead of the man he loved; and his right index finger knocked against the crescent shaped trigger. Tears blurred his vision as he stared at his fiancé. Antwan was stood rigid on the opposite side of their rectangular, oakwood table. Tendrils of steam floated into their shared air from the decadent dishes positioned on the table. Antwan’s thick waistline was the only thing holding a red dish of glazed carrots on the table but he did not move. He aimed his gun at his fiancé, Maxim and his hand did not shake. Where Maxim usually found a charitable warmth and tenderness was now a steel wall of precision. Maxim knew his soon to be husband. If Antwan fired his gun, he would not missed. He needed to think. He needed time.
“Baby,” Maxim began in a whisper. “Listen to me. I know what you think. I know what’s going through your head, but this is not what it looks like.”
Antwan said nothing.
“Talk to me, Twan. Please. Baby, it’s our anniversary.”
Beads of sweat rolled over Maxim’s temple, down his cheeks and disappeared into the gray patch of his long beard. He’d spent almost an hour getting ready before he’d found a listening device attached to his tieclip. He’d quickly grabbed the gun he keeps under their shared bathroom sink and slunk quietly down the wooden stairs. Maxim had tucked his gun into the waistline of his pants at the last second before rounding the bend in the stairs. This was not the vision he’d had for tonight. Someone had set them up.
“You know I would never do this. I brought this to you so we could figure it out together. They—whoever is behind this—is counting on your training to end this quickly and quietly. I’m your man, Twan. Give me a chance.” Maxim finished.
Antwan’s trigger finger trembled lightly as it carressed the crescent shaped trigger. Maxim watched as his eyes glazed over with tears. Antwan’s broad, muscled arm dipped slightly toward the table.
“I want to.” Antwan breathed. “I can’t let my guard down, Max. Not again.”
“What can I do right now to show you that you can trust me?” Maxim asked quickly.
“Put. Your gun. Down. Slowly.” Antwan said through his teeth.
Maxim slowly lowered his trembling hand to the table until the cool metal clanked quietly against the polished wood. He slid his fingers free of the hilt, which thudded bluntly to the table, and raised his hands, slowly over his head. Antwan’s cold, tear-filled glare followed Maxim’s movements like a serpent readying for offense. He softened only after Maxim’s large, nimble fingers were threaded through the dark auburn curls of his afro.
“See, baby, I’m on your side. I’ve been on your side.” Maxim cooed. “Let’s talk. Your table. Your rules.”
Antwan tapped his gun at the tabletop and Maxim lowered himself into his chair and pushed it closer to the table. His knees scraped against the low wooden surface as his long legs shifted restlessly. Maxim slowly placed his palms face down on the table.
“Why do you have a wire in our house?” Antwan breathed.
“I don’t have a wire—I mean its in my hand but it’s not my wire, Antwan.” Maxim stumbled.
“Then whose is it, negro?” Antwan chided.
“I don’t know! I found the wire. I came downstairs to tell you!”
“Why did you have your gun?” Antwan continued.
“We always carry guns, Twan. Be for real! It’s what we do!” Maxim raised his voice.
His temper began to rise but knew it would be of no use if he wished to deescalate with his fierce minded fiancé. He bit down on his bottom lip.
“I need you to make a choice right now. Do you trust me or not? Cause if you don’t, baby, you’re gonna have to shoot me.” Maxim shot at him.
Antwan removed the safety from his gun.
“Okay, okay, bad idea.” Maxim acquiesced. “but you know me, Antwan. I came to you! I gave you all my secrets years ago. I hide nothing from you. You know more about me than anyone else on this planet. Isn’t that worth something?”
Antwan slowly lowered his gun and dropped into his dinner chair.
“Talk.” He said.
“This was already attached to the tie clip I was going to wear tonight!” Maxim launched into his explanation. “I swear I could feel the mic on the back of the steel. I don’t know who put it there. I don’t know what’s going on, but we need to figure this out together because whoever put it there definitely placed more than one.”
Maxim’s chest heaved up and down as he drew a shaking breath. He hadn’t taken a single breath when she spoke. He knew he did not have that much time to explain.
“Who?” Antwan asked.
“I don’t have any contracts out. I’m retired. I’m a full time you-know-what now! You’re the one stil doing Killjoy field work.”
“I’m training.” Antwan said. “My killjoy days are behind me. All I do now is give orders and file paperwork. All my contracts are closed.”
“Then its somebody new.” Maxim offered quickly.
His eyes darted to the shaded window as a two dark figures ran past the curtains.
“We need to move.” Maxim mouthed.
Without second thought, Antwan’s eyes moved to the dancing shadows as a small object sailed through the giant window and landed on the floor.
“Dive!” Antwan shouted as he dove sideways over the kitchen island.
Maxim landed next to him behind the kitchen counters as the smoke bomb turned their dining room into a cloud of impenetrable smoke.
“Told you.” Maxim whispered with a smile.
“We’re not done.” Antwan said.
There was a glint of a laugh in his eyes before he turned his shrewed eye to the white smoke wafting from their dinner table. Maxim reached into the nearest beige cabinet and pulled a belt of weapons out from behind a row of canned goods. He strapped the belt to his chest and removed two handguns and bullet clips. He glanced at Antwan who was looking at him incredulously.
“What?” Maxim asked.
“Nigga, our children play in that cabinet.” Antwan rolled his eyes.
“They also use to play in the bottom drawer of our dresser but they’ve never found the weapons we hide in there.” Maxim wagged his brow.
“I genuinely hate you.” Antwan goaded.
“Love you too, baby.” Maxim kissed his cheek as he removed the safety from his guns. “Let’s kick some ass.”
Maxim and Antwan launched themselves from behind the counter and into the smoke. Rounds of shots filled the air as they sprayed the house with bullets. They stood back to back as they turned in a tight circle observing the eerie silence that filled the whispering air.
“Clear?” Maxim asked.
“Clear.” Antwan confirmed.
“Happy Anniversary, baby.” Maxim proclaimed.
He laced his arms around Antwan’s thick waist and pull him into a tight embrace. Maxim pressed his lips to Antwan’s forehead and then his lips. Antwan softened as the seconds stretched out in their romance. He pulled away abruptly.
“We have to move.” He said.
“You get the case. I’ll get the bags.”
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Well, it's official, Christmas is a hit.
Today's market response was amazing! We loved all the compliments and adoration for our Christmas collection! We love our earrings and we know you will love them for yourself or the people you buy them for.
We had so much fun at today's market and can't wait for the next one...
Which is in a week!
You will be able to find us at the @kcachristmasmarket next Saturday and we are super excited to bring these buyer favorites and the rest of our collection.
Can't make it to our next show? That's okay. We are local to Barrie and we ship within Canada! Message us on Etsy and we will work with you to make a personal collection that is unique for you, or the person you're shopping for.
Your input at shows will help us grow our collection to meet your wants and needs. And yes, to all you hockey moms that asked if we had any hockey studs or tie clips, we will have a few in the net for next weekend.
Thank you again for supporting our family business. We can't wait to see you at future markets as we continue to grow.
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