by Tina J
“I don’t wanna hear Antoine mouth.”
“Antoine? Oh, you lil Tech woman?” He put his hands up.
“I said the same thing. It’s a small world, right?” Colby Jr laughed, and they walked to their cars.
“Antoine know you going?” I asked.
“Hell no. He would’ve made me stay, while he went.” She started cracking up.
Vanity continued calling VJ’s phone on the ride there and it’s still no answer, which made me worry again. It’s getting late and I was nervous we wouldn’t be able to track him. We don’t have bloodhound dogs like cops. Yea, I watch too much criminal minds.
“How are you Monie?” Vanity asked and turned the radio down.
“What you mean?”
“It hasn’t been long since you were in the hospital.”
“I’m ok. Taking care of myself, VJ and Legend is taking a toll on me, but I’m ok.” All I could think of is her brother at the moment.
“You need a vacation. I’m talking about the kind where you, my nephew and brother cut off the world and relax.”
“I would love it but right now we can’t.” She tried to ask me more questions on my reason, but my mind was only on VJ.
Four hours later we were crossing into Virginia. Vanity gave me directions on where to go and another half hour later, we were at the condominiums where the main office was. There is one in every condo, but this is the one they kept the money in.
We glanced around and the sun had gone down, and the condos looked deserted besides people walking around their places. VJ’s car was there along with someone else’s.
KNOCK! KNOCK! I rolled the window down for my brother.
“Don’t get out until I come get you.”
“But...”
“You heard me.” He said in a firm tone and I listened.
All of them walked up to the office slowly, when outta nowhere you saw someone come out with a shotgun or something. Everyone drew their weapons.
“That’s Mycah.” Vanity hopped out with me behind. Fuck that staying in the truck shit.
“Vanity?” He questioned.
“Yes. Where’s my brother?” He put the gun down and it took a minute for everyone else to do the same, but they did eventually.
“What happened?”
“I don’t know. VJ called and said he was coming because something happened. I told him to call when he’s here, but I fell asleep. I woke up to his text saying he’s in town but by the time I got here, the place was empty. I mean Ashley here looking like someone beat her to death.” We all ran inside, and the office was beyond fucked up. You could tell a robbery took place.
“You ok?” Vanity asked Ashley who sat in the corner with her knees pulled to her chest. Her eye was swollen, and she couldn’t stop crying.
“Why isn’t she at a hospital?” Vanity questioned Mycah since he was already here.
“Mannn, she don’t wanna go.” All of us stepped over stuff and I noticed Vanity tryna clean up.
“Brayden go through the security footage.” He walked over to where she pointed which was a small door and went in.
“Has anyone seen Monie or Monee, I’m not sure how to say her name.” Ashley asked.
“I’m Monie.” I made my way to her.
“VJ said he knew you’d come for him, that’s why he loves you.” I smiled and kneeled down in front of her.
“Is he ok?”
“I don’t know. The person had five or six guys with him. They came in and attacked him.” I started getting upset listening.
“He was laid out on the ground bleeding. Monie his last words before they snatched him out was, tell my girl to check my location.”
“Check his location? What does that mean?” I paced the floor tryna think of what he meant.
“Where’s your phone?” My brother asked and snatched it out my hand. He went to find friends on the iPhone and ran over to Mycah.
“Where’s this?” Colby asked pointing to something on my phone
“A house in the hood. I mean it’s nothing but street niggas out there. VJ would never go there because they stay shooting and...” Mycah stopped talking.
“What?” I asked.
“If they took him there it means they’re either gonna kill him or beat him up so bad, he’ll wish he were dead.” Mycah ran his hand down his face.
“But they already fought him from what she says.” I pointed to Ashley getting helped off the floor. I felt bad because she’s a property manager and probably never experienced anything like this.
“The street dudes over there don’t take kind to outsiders, and even though VJ has lived here damn near all his life, they don’t know him. They may think he’s tryna sell on their territory. Fuck! We have to get over there.”
“Look at this shit.” All of us ran in the small room Brayden sat in looking at the footage.
It showed people in masks come in to rob the place the night before. The next day Ashley arrived, called the cops and then VJ. Hours later you see VJ get there, somebody walking in and VJ’s facial expression showed he was shocked. At first none of us could see who the person was until they started fighting.
“That’s not who I think it is.” Colby and Jax both said at the same time.
“No way.” I looked closer to the screen.
“FREDDY!” I shouted. What the fuck?
VJ
“Why the fuck you bring him here?” I heard some dude yelling in the other room.
This punk motherfucker Freddy showed up at the condos and I was shocked to say the least. He started popping shit, and in the process, I sent my location to Monie’s phone. His dumb ass went out to his car or something so I turned my ringer off and down so if she called, no one would hear the vibration. When it’s quiet you can hear everything. I’m glad I did because his punk ass had some dudes come jump me.
Anyway, I knew my ride or die fiancé would figure out something’s wrong because that’s how she is. Always worried about everyone else instead of herself. When I get outta here I’m gonna take her away. We both need a long vacation.
I don’t know how long I’ve been here because these niggas tied me up and tossed me in some truck, after hitting me over the head with something. I managed to get out the rope they had around me, which was loose as hell. You can tell they’re amateurs.
I would’ve jumped out the window already, had bars not been on it. All I could assume is we were in the hood. One place, I never came to, except to pick Mecca up from her sisters and the time I saw Lily.
“I know how boss is about outsiders and...” Some guy said.
BAM! I heard and limped to the door.
“Yo! Why you hit me?” This Freddy dude is a nuisance wherever he goes.
“Boss is here.” Somebody yelled out and all of them got quiet. Whoever dude was had these idiots shook. The door opened and in he walked with someone else.
“You’ve got to be fucking shitting me.” I said to myself and shook my head.
“Tha fuck going on here?” I watched as all the guys remained quiet. All of the guys looked as if they were gonna shit on themselves.
“Freddy what you doing down in this neck of the woods? You from Jersey.”
“He mad because I stole his girl and had me jumped at my office.” I was leaning on the door and you could tell how surprised they were, to know I knew their boss.
“VJ?” Antoine and Marco Jr. questioned at the same time. I walked slowly to where they were.
“Hold the fuck up. You called me from Jersey saying some nigga was down here tryna move in on your territory. He’s gonna sell product which may cause the cops to look into my operation and the whole time you were talking about VJ.” No one said a word. Marco walked up on some guy.
“Ain’t that what you said Bradshaw?” Marco asked and they all stood there quiet.
“Bradshaw?” I laughed.
“We didn’t know. Freddy called and told us about this guy.” Marco and Antoine stared at Freddy.
“Which one of y’all motherfuckers did this?” They pointed to me. I couldn’t see how I looked but I damn sure felt bad. I probably had a black eye; my ribs may be cracked and a few bruises here and there but otherwise; I’m good.
“No one knows now huh?” Antoine barked pulling out his gun and placing a silencer on it.
See Marco Jr. took over his father’s empire and like best friends do, Antoine hopped on board with him. People feared both of them in Jersey and should, because between these two and the reaper, it’s best you stay away from them.
I may not fuck with Haven but his name rings bells on the street. Brayden told me about him a long time ago but I didn’t remember because I barely visited Jersey. And regardless if people only know the reaper, they’re well aware of his sidekick, which is my cousin.
“They did it.” Some guy shouted and pointed to the four guys next to him and Freddy.
“I hate a snitch.” Antoine said and shook his head.
PHEW! Dudes head blew off. What kind of bullets is he using?
“Next.” Antoine went down the line.
“Come over here Freddy.” Marco said and as much as I wanted to watch Antoine kill these niggas, I needed to see what he’d do to this punk. He pulled him over to the corner.
“Why don’t you like VJ?” He pointed to me getting close. Freddy remained quiet.
“I can’t hear you.” Marco put his hand behind his ear pretending he had to extend it to hear.
“He came to Jersey, took my girl and attacked me like three times. He needs to die.” Freddy turned to me.
“Yo! You sound like a bitch right now.” Marco looked him up and down.
“A woman can’t be stolen from a nigga unless she wants to be. Were you fighting her? Cheating? What? How was he able to take her?”
“Tell him how you beat on her. How you cheated numerous times and threatened to kill her if she left. How you’re mad she has my son and we’re about to get married?”
“Monie ain’t have no kid. She may not be a virgin anymore, but she doesn’t have a kid.”
POW! I used all the energy I had and hooked off.
“Don’t be telling my girl business.” I stared down at him on the ground.
“I can’t wait until my sister finds Monie and finishes her off. You don’t deserve her...” I grabbed him up by his shirt.
“What you say?”
“You heard me. My sister did that to her because of you putting me in the hospital.” He had a dumb smirk on his face. How the fuck he ok beating on Monie, but can’t nobody whoop his ass?
“WHAT?” I don’t know what happened, but my Incredible Hulk strength kicked in and I started beating his ass. I couldn’t feel any pain as the adrenaline rushed through me. All I could think of is how Monie got snatched out the car and all the scars left on her body from the stab wounds.
“Damn.” Antoine said after pulling me off. Freddy was damn near dead.
“Can I get your gun?” I asked Antoine and he handed it right over. I wasted no time taking Freddy’s life and couldn’t wait to get his sister.
“Get someone here ASAP and tell Raheem to meet me at the club tonight. I may have to change his position.” I turned to Marco.
“Raheem who?” I asked him when he hung up. When he mentioned the same dude Mia cheated on me with, I told him he’s next.
“Damn nigga. Now I gotta find someone else.”
“I think he’s hiding Mecca and if he is, then I’m getting rid of him. Matter of fact, can you take me to his spot?”
“Man, if my girl gets mad at me for being here longer than I said, you’re dealing with her mouth.” I busted out laughing because Monie be on the same shit.
“Yo, your sister know what’s going on?” Antoine asked.
“If she with Monie, I have no doubt she’ll be here too.” I had a grin on my face. Monie was hardheaded when it came to me, so I know she’s here, or on her way.
“I’ma fuck her up. Is Monie in town?”
“I don’t know yet. But if she is, nine times outta ten so is Vanity.” I told him.
“Watch this.” He called Vanity up and she answered.
“Hey babe. I’m with Monie out eating.” Vanity said as soon as she picked up.
“Oh yea.” Vanity lied her ass off.
“Yea. I’ll bring you something home so when you get back from Virginia, it’ll be there.” He laughed.
“A’ight.” He hung up without hearing Vanity out. Two seconds later, his phone rung back. He let her go to voicemail just as a shitload of cars pulled in with Jersey plates.
“Damn VJ. Your girl ain’t playing about you.” Marco said and laughed. Monie stepped out the truck and ran straight to me.
“Get out the truck Vanity.” Antoine yelled and she didn’t move. I swore, I heard the doors lock.
“Out to eat huh?” Monie shrugged her shoulders
“I told her to tell him. Are you ok? I was so worried. I told you to bring me.” She checked over my body and had me walk to the truck.
“We need to find Freddy.” Monie said.
“He’s gone ma.” She turned to me.
“What you mean?”
“He’s never gonna bother you again.” Tears fell down her face.
“You are always saving me.”
“This time you saved me; well you were going to.” We started kissing until everyone told us to get a room.
“Marco, I’m gonna stay a few days to get better. Can we deal with Raheem then?” I asked because I really needed to rest and I wanted to be the one to take him and Mecca out.
“He’s having a party, or some shit this weekend, so we’ll be back.”
“He making that kind of money?” This nigga had local celebrities coming to his party and everything from what his flyer said, that Marco just showed me.
“He’s a corner boy. He barely makes shit and must’ve come into money.” I stared at Monie.
“You think he robbed you?” She asked.
“Now that I think of it, Yup. Mecca is the only one who knew that safe was there. Shit, Mycah didn’t know and he’s my boy. I have no doubt she set it up. Let me get to the hospital to get meds and get better. I have four days to recuperate before I get him. I know the best way to start after the hospital.”
“You know I got you.” She smiled and unlocked the door. Antoine took Vanity out and I sat down.
“I’m happy you’re ok babe.” Monie said and we all pulled off.
“I’m not leaving my family anytime soon.” She leaned over and kissed me.
“You better not.”
“Where’s Legend?” I asked and don’t know why I bothered looking in the back seat. I know she wouldn’t bring him when she had no idea what was going on.
“Your mom has him. Oh, make sure you call her. She was very worried.”
“I will right after I make love to my fiancé.” She smiled hard as I gave her the directions to the hospital.
Three hours later, I was discharged with a few bruised ribs, a black eye and scrapes and bruises like I thought. The doctor gave me some pain medicine and told me to take it easy. I’ma take it easy alright.
“Meet me in the bedroom.” Monie said walking into the hotel suite. She didn’t wanna stay at one of the empty condos because there wasn’t any furniture in them.
“I’ll be right there.” I sent a text to my parents and told Vanity to have Antoine go with her to straighten up the office. When she text back ok, I stripped out my clothes, took a shower and met Monie in the bedroom. It hurt like hell when we finished but the sex and medication put me straight to sleep.
Haven
“Yo, if anything wrong with my girl, I’m fucking you up.” I told Sharika who stood there pretending as if she didn’t know who Ariel was. Every bitch out here knew who she was because like Marlena said, Ariel’s page is open and its pictures of us on it.
Not only that, she’s already made me aware of her stalkerish ways on IG. Hell, she’s stalking whoeve
r her baby daddy girl is now, so I know she’s been all over Ariel’s page.
“Haven, I didn’t know.” I wanted to smack the shit outta her.
“Get the fuck out my face bitch.” I walked behind the stretcher Ariel was on.
See, I made plans to apologize to my cousin and try and be cordial with her man. Unfortunately, I fell asleep and when I woke up, Ariel was gone. Then, Sharika calls me crying and carrying on about something happening to her son. Asking me to come up and sit with her until they find out what’s wrong. I told her ass HELL NO.
The only reason I even came to the hospital is to see Ariel and tell her I was going to Armonie’s house. She’s not allowed to use her phone at work. Plus, I wanted to tell her we still a couple.
I’m a fucked up nigga but I don’t play when it comes to mine; which is why I cursed Sharika out. Ariel didn’t know who to believe and I couldn’t tell her the truth because somebody’s bad ass kid was running around. I can’t say in the hallway because it wasn’t one. It’s the area in front of the nurse’s desk and between the rooms.
Anyway, when the little bastard knocked my girl over, I screamed on him. He pissed himself and I didn’t care. I rolled Ariel over and blood was coming out her nose and she had tears falling down her face. I lifted her up and a nurse brought the stretcher to me. Now we’re on the baby floor watching the nurse put monitors on her belly.
“Haven.” Ariel grabbed my hand, squeezed it and closed her eyes. I think she was scared they’d say something was wrong with the baby. I was too but I had to be strong for her just in case.
BMMBPP! BMMBPP! You heard clear as day.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Her baby’s heartbeat. The doctors gonna want to do an internal exam and ultrasound to make sure everything’s ok. How’s your nose Ariel?” The nurse asked. It wasn’t bleeding bad, but she did hit it. They were able to stick a cotton ball in to clog it.
“It hurts.”
“And your arm?” I looked down at the one she recently had the cast taken off of and it looked fine.
“It’s ok. My ankle hurts tho.” I let go of her hand, removed the clog shoes she had on, then her sock.”
“GOT DAMN.” I didn’t mean to scare her, but it was swollen.
