Babysitting the Devil's Son

06 ALLISON

Every day, I thank God for never running into Olivia. That woman, that snake, stole our little Elijah and then tossed him back here like he was nothing more than a piece of trash. I won’t forget her treachery. My name is Allison, but in this place, I’m known as the Barbie of the drug traffickers. I’m part of the movement. I’m the chief of the steamships. People were furious at first, but now, they show me the utmost respect.

I’m white, with long, dark blonde hair that cascades up to my backside. I stand at 1.70 meters tall, with a body that’s as proportional as it gets. I believe in my beauty, and my hot black man confirms it daily.

When I arrived here on the hill with my parents, I was just 14 years old. My mother had been laid off, and with her severance pay, she rented us a cheap house. Then she opened a small market because, after more than 25 years with the same company, she had some good money saved up. But within a year, everything fell apart. My father turned into a worthless drunk, beating my mother and me every single day. My mother wouldn’t report him, so I grew tired of that garbage life and went out looking for work. No luck there. My only option was to head to the gang’s territory and beg for a job, even if it was just a small gig.

Lucas and Leo asked me why I wanted the job, and I shared parts of my life story, leaving out my mother’s issues. They gave me a chance.

Leo trained me, and from the start, I realized what he was after. I wasn’t going to sell myself to an old bandit I barely knew. I loved my life and my beautiful blonde hair. It was years of fighting off his advances, but as I grew older, the horniness and the feelings I had developed for him grew stronger. Eventually, I surrendered to him, my body, soul, and all my past roles.

Now, I’m married to the man of my life. We complete each other in every way. We work together, and it strengthens us. We’ve always been united, and I can’t see anything that could come between us.

Back to my parents, my mother has hated me since I left home. My father, besides being a drunk aggressor, became a lousy drug addict. For years, he caused a lot of trouble on the hill, but now I don’t even know if he’s still alive.

A couple of years ago, Leo caught him beating my mother in an alley. Leo beat him up, but he spared his life because I arrived just in time. That day, Leo told him to get off the hill. My mother wanted to defend him, but Leo said if she liked being a punching bag, she could go with him. But inside the Heights, that wouldn’t fly. Here, we protect the right. He wouldn’t accept a man beating a woman, especially not my mother. I didn’t open my mouth. He’s the boss. But I told him to let my father stay and the two of them would end up together. She liked being beaten, so let her be. But I knew Leo would never accept that. I wouldn’t either. If I catch someone doing that, I’ll take care of them myself. But it was personal. Finally.

After that day, my father left the hill,

with nothing but debt, a two-thousand-real debt my mother had to pay. She said if he were her husband and she loved him so much, she’d pay the debt quietly. Could I have paid for it? Yes. But they stopped being my parents long ago for me to take on their problems.

Now, my life is different. I earn well, I’m married to an incredible man, and I have respect from the residents and the kids, as I said. I have my godson back, helping my friend take care of him.

I still can’t believe Olivia could do everything she did. When she and Lucas got together, we became great friends, sharing everything. But I never shared my intimate moments with Leo like she did. I believe a relationship is between two people, and what happens in that relationship should stay there. When you share your intimacy with others, you open a door for them to interfere. That’s why I shared many things with Olivia, except for the details of my relationship.

Elijah arrived here last night, well cared for. He told us a few things, but he’s very shy and quiet, so we prefer to let him speak in his own time.

That night was chaotic. Leo and I had to go to the dance, so we left Elijah with an aunt. We stayed at the ballet until 3 AM, and then Aunt took over with Levi. Now here I am, walking around, wondering who could be Elijah’s babysitter. Leo mentioned it, but there was no way. At least in Lucas’s room, there’s nothing the boy can’t see. The drugs and weapons are all locked up, so it’s good.

I walked into a downtown bar and saw a girl who has lived here on the hill for about seven years. But I’ve never seen her mingling with anyone. She’s calm and cool. She’s never caused trouble here, and I just found out her mother died yesterday.

“Good morning, Gilson,” I greeted the boring old man at the bar. This is how my mother always bragged about having the king in her belly because of the shops on the hill. But they are just two bitter souls.

“Well, good morning,” he replied, as dry as ever.

“Look, you’re lucky to have this spot in the middle of the hill. With your arrogance, you should have been bankrupt by now,” I said, staring him down. He gave me an ugly look, and I met his gaze seriously, then smiled sideways.

“Are you going to order something, or did you just come to ruin my peace?” he asked, full of attitude. I looked at him seriously, then smiled.

“I actually wanted more. You don’t deserve my presence here. Learn to serve people well, or you’ll run out of customers,” I say, standing up.

I took my motorcycle and rode down the hill, trying to think of someone to take care of Elijah. He can’t stay in the house with me and Leo all day. Besides, we have a mission soon, and we needed someone to watch the kid.

As I walked around the hill again, I saw the girl from the bar leaving a house, crying. I decided not to interfere. I don’t even know her. I headed to the central square and ordered a salad, sitting at a stall table. I observed the movement, the hill’s old women, and I couldn’t see anyone who’d want to take on this role.

To be Elijah’s babysitter, she needed to be as discreet as possible. No loose lips, because she’ll be working inside the boss’s house with his child. These old women here are all gossipers.

What am I supposed to do?

The girl at the stall handed me my salad. It’s not even noon, and I’m already eating salad. I love it so much. I sat and ate, and soon, the same girl arrived and sat at the table across from mine. She met with someone who soon left.

Three times in one day. How likely is that to be a sign? She’s been here for a while. Her file shows nothing that makes her a danger or an informant. As I said, she’s discreet and keeps to herself. I think I can give her a try.

I got up from my table and sat in front of her, who looked at me with swollen eyes and a red face.

“Can I talk to you?” I asked. She looks a bit scared.

“What can I help you with?” she asked politely, and I smiled at her.