by India
“B, I think ya’ girl got it twisted. My wife sent her a check every month. Just the other day, she told me Tonya has received about $50,000 so far.”
“Yeah nigga, I hand-delivered every check myself.” I added.
Roscoe scratched his chin and looked to be deep in thought. “Are you sure ‘bout this? On your word, you being straight up?” Roscoe choked a bit on the blunt, then got it together.
“On my word my nigga, square biz!” Rio sipped again as cool as a cucumber.
“Ya’ bitch is dirty Roscoe for real. Every since you got locked up, she been on this bitch fit. Talking ‘bout somebody set you up and you know just like I do, you wasn’t cutout for this. Be honest and admit it. You’re trying to be something that you’re not.” I snatched the blunt from him and hit it, inhaling hard through my mouth while slowly blowing it out through my nostrils.
“You know what G, you right! I ain’t cut out for this and that mess with the undercovers was entirely my fault.” He said with a straight face while Mario and I looked on. “During the time I was locked up, I did a lot of thinking. I made up my mind that I would hustle just a lil’ bit longer and stack just enough bread to get my kids out-of-here. Tonya been on some other stuff lately and I ain’t feeling her. I can’t believe she been lying all this time.” I passed the blunt back to him. “Damn, I should’ve known better.” He said regretfully.
“I tried to tell you the night you met her at the club, that she was a busto’. But you wasn’t hearing me. That trick had your nose wide open and she still do.” I laughed and he flipped me the bird. I smiled because it was just like old times. Just me and the fellas kicking back and talking smack.
“You ain’t got to hustle my nigga I got you.” Mario said, taking the conversation to another level. “You know I can never forget where I came from or who I started with. I was holding something for you. I happen to have it on me right now.” He said reaching into his pocket to retrieve a small envelope that he gave to Roscoe. He opened it and pulled out a check.
“Mario this is a check for three hundred and fifty thousand dollars and the deed to a house in Georgia.” With a confused look on his face, he described the content of the packet to Mario like he didn’t already know what was in it.
“Yeah, when we was younger, you said if you ever got enough paper you was gonna move to Georgia and open up an auto garage. So, there you go. The check is to get you started.” Mario took a sip and Roscoe shook his head in disbelief. “Don’t worry it’s legit.” Mario replied with a laugh. “I have the money in a special bank account from Jamaica, so when you cash it, it won’t be traceable to you or me. I gave you one, Gucci one, and earlier I had someone drop off checks at Blink’s mom’s house, and one over to Dame’s wife’s house for her and the kids.”
“Thanks fam. It’s greatly appreciated.” Roscoe finally broke his silence. He looked genuinely touched by the amazing gesture.
“Should you ever need anything, you can hit me up my man. Sam, who’s taking over the biz, will handle whatever it is.” At the mention of Sam, he walked up with Chloe at his side.
“What up fam. This is my man Roscoe, Roscoe - Sam.” They pounded fists, then sat down in the booth with us.”
“Gucci, can you please get to the point!” I was cut off by an impatient Nikki standing there with her arms folded. “Get to the point! How did he go to jail!” She snapped again.
“Well damn…my bad!” I said back to her; continuing on with the story. “A few hours later. After Roscoe disappeared and Chloe left, me, Mario, and Sam, were standing outside waiting on our cars. This guy walked up talking reckless. “Bitch yo’ ass fuck with all kind of niggas don’t you, you hoe.”
At first, I paid him no mind, but then he called me out. “Gucci don’t act like you don’t fucking see me. Whose dick you hoppin’ on tonight you cunt?”
I remember seeing him at the Doll House a few times, so I walked over to him not wanting to cause a scene. “Look, you need to take your drunk ass home! I ain’t got no beef with you yet, so you better get gone before I find a reason to fuck you up.” I tried to walk away but he grabbed my arm.
“You think you hot shit don’t you? But you ain’t shit but a trick-ass bitch. You wanna be so high class but you give your pussy away for free.”
“Nigga you just mad that your broke ass still can’t afford this free pussy! Now let my fucking arm go before I shoot your bitch ass.”
Shit, his ass had the audacity to punch me right in the nose. Then all hell broke loose. Mario and Sam pulled their guns out along with a few other people in the crowd. Several shots were fired, dropping the guy who attacked me right there on the sidewalk.
People scattered, running away to their cars. Bullets ripped through the night air. That’s when I noticed four more bodies had been laid out as well. I couldn’t tell if I recognized any of them because I was too busy trying not to be one of them my damn self. About seven long minutes later, the gunfire ceased. We tried to make sense of the whole situation but were distracted by blaring sirens in the distance. We all knew the cops were within five minutes of where we were. “Shit!” Mario screamed. “Valet definitely ain’t bringing nobody’s car now.” He announced.
“Damn man, we ‘bout to be stuck, up in this muthafucka!” I noted with panic evident in my voice.
“They only brought somebody‘s motorcycle up here.” Sam stated. I looked at the white Ninja bike he was referring to. Then I roamed the parking lot with my eyes to find at least one of our rides.
“Aiight Sam, the key should be in that bike, so you hop on that bitch and take Gucci and the guns and get the fuck out of dodge! I’ll stay behind and take the heat ‘cause they can’t keep me with no weapon and no witnesses.” He tossed his gun and a set of keys to me. “Give these to Nikki and tell her to make the drop…only her.” He yelled as we jumped on the bike leaving nothing but smoke behind us. Just then the police approached from the other end of the huge parking lot.
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Tonya
I looked at the clock which read 3:39 a.m. I was pissed to say the least. Roscoe still wasn’t home and he knew he had to be at that drop off at four. I picked up the phone and hit redial calling him for the thousandth time. “Please leave your message after the tone.” The computer said as I hung up.
“Got damn his ass makes me sick!” I said to no one in particular. I got up from the bed, went into my closet, and pulled out a black baby phat jogging suit. No matter what, this job was going to get done, is what I thought to myself. While putting on a pair of black Nike running shoes, I grabbed Roscoe’s gun, and headed down the stairs. I tried to call one more time before I left the house but still I didn’t get an answer. I checked in on the kids who were sound asleep and I quietly left out of the side door. I pulled out in Roscoe’s Marauder since he had driven the F-350 when he left earlier. My Durango was stalling and acting up, so I knew there was no way I could take that SUV to do this job.
I got on I-75 and headed south towards the warehouse by the Eastern Market. “Good thing he told me where it would be.” I said aloud just as breaking news came onto the radio.
“What up Detroit, this is ya’ man Mr. Goody Two Shoes. I hope you been enjoying the cool breeze silent storm on this very early Saturday morning. We’ll get back to the oldies but goodies right after this announcement. Sources tell me there was a shoot-out on Detroit’s Westside about an hour ago at Club Vibe. I’m getting reports that there are at least three dead, and one wounded. Street boss, Mario Wallace, was in the midst of the partying crowd tonight. At this time, It’s unknown if he was involved as a suspect or as a victim. If you have any family members that were there tonight, please get on your phone and check-in with your people.” I cut the radio off; silently prayed that Mario would still be making the drop.
I pulled up to the vacant warehouse. Took a spot behind a huge dumpster that concealed me but also gave me full view of the entire parking lot surrounding the warehouse. As I looked at
the time, I saw I was right on schedule; it was 3:55 a.m. so I had a few minutes to spare.
Chapter Forty
Nikki
I knew something was going to happen tonight! I just felt it in my soul but the good thing was, at least my husband wasn’t hurt. I called our lawyer, Tim J. Parks, Esquire on my way out of the house and he said he would have Rio home by breakfast. He also assured me it would be a breeze, especially since they had no evidence to charge him with.
I had no choice but to leave Rio Jr. with Gucci. I told her to call Ms. Claudia because I knew damn well she wasn’t the motherly type. Sam was still waiting outside on the motorcycle which he had obviously stolen from the club. He said he was going to follow me there and after I parked the truck he was going to bring me back home. It sounded so quick and to the point that I didn’t even bother getting dressed. I figured the whole thing would only take about thirty minutes or so. Therefore, I didn’t bother to get dressed. I slipped a black leather jacket on top of my pink silk pajamas and a pair of flip flops.
I flew towards my destination with one mission in mind, and that was to get this over and done with. I needed to get back to my son but most importantly, I needed to get to my man. I knew Rio would be okay but in the back of my mind, I still worried. On one hand, I kept replaying what the lawyer had said to me, reassuring his release. On the other hand, my mind kept telling me he was an ex-con and was not a favorite among the good ol’ boys in blue. If he was locked up, how would I be able to handle it? I’ve rode out bids with him before but it was for drug trafficking and such things. This shit was much different. This was murder!
As I pulled up towards the Eastern Market, I looked in the rear instantly becoming concerned because I didn’t see Sam. I must’ve been driving too fast, I thought. I was ready to get this over with having sped most of the way here and accidentally blowing a few traffic lights. Boy was that stupid on my behalf, not only because of the drugs that were in the cab of the truck, but I also knew Sam couldn’t speed on the bike because it was stolen.
I put on my blinker, turned left, then right, and then up into the parking lot. All was quiet. I didn’t see anything odd or out-of-place. For that reason, I cut the truck off then pulled out my cell phone to call Sam and tell him exactly where I was. “Hey Nikki I’m coming, just sit tight for a minute shorty. The cops is on my ass, they ain’t pulled me over yet but they clocking these plates and following me tough. I don’t want to bring them straight to you, so give me a few minutes to lose these fools.” He said and I heard the wind whipping through his blue tooth. I let out a sigh but what could I do?
“Alright.” I mumbled and closed my phone nervously shifting in my seat. To say the least, I was scared as hell. Not knowing what bum or rodent could be lurking in the shadows had me real jittery. Let’s not even mention that I have Ten Million dollars worth of dope in the back of a truck that I just happen to be sitting in like everything is legit and I have every right to be here. I cut the radio on to calm my nerves. That was a bad judgment call because it was at that moment when a masked gunman walked right up to my door.
“Ahhh.” I screamed in agony as I felt each bullet as it pierced several parts of my body. My arm, my thigh, my chest, and my head. As I fell forward towards the steering wheel, I caught a glimpse of my assassin as she removed her mask. I couldn’t believe it was Tonya!
As I felt the blood drip from my mouth and the life began to escape my body, I thought about my son and what would become of him. If I could just rewind the clock to about an hour ago, I would’ve said the hell with this drop and left this mutha fucking truck right there on the damn lawn. If only I had one more opportunity to kiss my baby or see my husband, I would give anything. Consequently, I made my decision the moment I handed my son to Gucci and started up this truck. I wasn’t into blaming anyone for my actions. Ultimately, nobody forced me to do anything. I was a willing participant to this bullshit. Currently, I’m paying the cost of being the boss, or the boss’s wife at least. As women, we need to learn that even though it’s our men out there polluting our city with drugs and pulling the triggers that are killing our people, in some way we are also responsible. We choose to turn the other cheek and look the other way because we like the lifestyle that it provides. We like spending the money that comes with it…no matter whose blood is on it. As I lay there dying, knowing my fate was inevitable, I began to make peace with my maker; Father Forgive Me.
Chapter Forty-One
Gucci
“Oh my god nooooooooo.” I yelled into my blackberry after Sam called and informed me he found Nikki’s body all shot up inside the truck. He said he saw a blue and black Marauder speeding away from the scene. Nevertheless, he didn’t want to leave Nikki to go after it. Fearful, she might die, he let it go.
“Shit Gucci, I had to pull her out of the truck and carry her over to the bike man.” He sniffed loudly.
“You put her on the bike…why?” I questioned.
“To get her to the hospital G!” he snapped. “I put her in the driver seat then turned her backward to face me. I put her arms over my shoulders and wrapped her legs around my waist so that I could hold her up while I drove to the hospital.” He sniffed again and then blew his nose loudly into the phone.
“Fuck!” I cursed aloud and stomped my foot down on the beige Persian rug.
“Man it looks bad - real bad! I don’t think she’s gone make it Gucci. You need to go and pick up Mario.”
I couldn’t take anymore. Without saying another word I closed my phone. My heart raced and my head pounded as I tried to think of ways to make sense of the matter at hand. I knew this was a horrific situation. When Mario finds out what has happened to his wife, he gonna be out for blood.
“Gucci, chile, what is it?” Ms. Claudia raced into the living room where I was. She must’ve heard me screaming.
“Nikki was shot and they don’t think she gone make it.” I cried hysterically.
“Oh Lord, say it ain’t so Father.” Ms. Claudia immediately started to cry herself. “Lord, please be with my daughter-in-law wherever she may be Father. Bring her home to her family Lord Jesus!” She continued praying long after I had put on my shoes and was on my way out of the door. I wiped my eyes, took a deep breath, calculated my next move. I had to get to Mario before he heard about this tragedy from anyone else. I ran out of the house and hit the remote access for the garage. I was without my car and needed to use one of Mario’s cars in order to pick him up. I chose the triple black Hummer. I grabbed the key from the key-holder that was mounted to the wall and pulled out on two wheels.
I pulled up to the precinct prepared to say whatever I had to, in order to get my homey out of custody. However, I thought my mind was playing tricks on me. I had to do a double-take. Mario was walking down the stairs, right up to the truck. “Perfect timing G! Girl, you never disappoint me.” He said as he opened the door and slid onto the peanut butter leather seat. “Hurry up and get me the fuck away from this mofo.” He said clasping his hands together audibly. I didn’t say anything as I pulled away from the brown, dingy building. He rambled on and on about something that I couldn’t make out because my mind was elsewhere. He looked at my face and immediately began to grill me. “G, what up? What the fuck happened? I ain’t seen you cry since eleventh grade, so what the fuck is up?”
I hadn’t even realized I was sobbing until he pointed it out. I inhaled and exhaled slowly as I tried to think of the best way to break the news to him. I floated towards the hospital that Sam told me they were at. Lucky for me it was two freeway exits up.
“G, you gotta fuckin’ say something dog. What happened? Did Nik get the package there in time? Man WHAT!” He slammed his open palm on the dashboard causing a loud thud sound.
“They fuckin’ shot her Mario! I blurted out. “Somebody shot your wife and they don’t think she gone make it! I’m so sorry!” I said finally turning to look at him.
“Not my wife.” He said, vigorously shaking his head. I mat
ched his shake with a firm nod of my own head; at the same time offering an apologetic glance. “Naw Gucci, you must’ve got some bad information from somebody. My wife can’t be dying G, we got plans.” He screamed as the tears poured down his face. I was distracted by my cell phone ringing. “Hello.” I sniffed.
“Yeah man did you get Mario yet?” Sam asked.
“Yeah I’m in the car with him now. I’ll put you on speaker.” I pressed speaker phone then handed my phone over to Mario.
“Sam what the fuck went wrong?” Mario yelled as he wiped at a few tears with the back of his hand.
“Mario, man, I was following her on the motorcycle down to the warehouse just like we planned. I was right behind her at first but she was speeding. I noticed the police behind me so I had to slow down. Remember, I took the bike from the party.” He tried to jar Mario’s memory. “Anyway, they was on my tail running the plates and shit, so when she came up off the freeway I had no choice but to keep going down a few more exits. I didn’t want to lead them to her because that wouldn’t have been cool for nobody. She called me. I told her to sit tight for a minute while I lost them. I swear on my word, I pulled up about six or seven minutes right after we got off the phone. I saw a blue and black Marauder scurding’ off right past me. I knew something was wrong so I didn’t chase the car. I hopped off the bike and saw Nikki slumped over the steering wheel.” Sam took a loud breath. I could tell it was hard for him to replay this story. “I couldn’t call the police you know, so I pulled her out of the truck and put her on the bike. We made it to the hospital about ten minutes later. She’s been in surgery for about an hour and a half now.”
“So on your word my nigga…what type of situation is my wife in right now? Is Nikki gone make it Sam?” Mario asked with his eyes closed and head laying on the headrest.
