by Askari
“Yeah,” Sonny sighed. “This nut ass nigga got the mu’fuckin’ cops ridin’ wit’ him. Yo, this shit is crazy."
“I already know,” Breeze replied.
“But listen. I still gotta get in touch wit’ everybody so just meet me at my house in an hour.”
Click!
After disconnecting the call, he called Easy and Zaire, giving them the same message.
*****
An hour later, they were sitting in his living room discussing the war.
“Yo Sonny, I think we need to call Unique and ask him to send us some more soldiers from up top;” Breeze suggested, and then took a pull on his Backwood.
“Naw, I’m not gonna do that.” Sonny shook his head. “The last thing I need right now is Rah and Sunshine thinkin’ I can’t handle shit down here.”
“Rah and Sunshine?” Easy asked with a confused look on his face. “Who the fuck is you talking 'bout?”
“They're the big homies of their entire family on the east. The big, big homies!” Breeze informed him.
“Awwww man!” Easy threw up his hands in frustration. “Here y’all go wit’ that Blood shit again! Where the fuck y’all think y’all at, South Central?”
Sonny looked at him like he wanted to smack the shit out of him. “Hey pops, that’s what we not gon’ do!” He then looked at Breeze. “Yo, we gotta find a way to get to this pussy.”
“Right.” Breeze nodded his head. “But at the same time, this ol’ mu’fucka moves like a ghost. We don’t even know where he lives, and other than you and Uncle Easy, we don’t know nothin’ about his family. It ain’t no way in the world we gonna be able to find this nigga.”
“That’s not true,” Easy stated. “I think I might know where we can find him.”
“Where?” Sonny asked.
“Remember when I told you about the time them YBM niggas kidnapped me back in the day?”
“Yeah, I remember.”
“A’ight, now remember when I told you about that warehouse on Delaware Ave.?”
“Yeah.” Sonny nodded his head.
“I think that’s still his headquarters.”
“But do you remember exactly where it’s at?”
“Yeah, I remember where it’s at. Those stupid mutha’fuckas let me walk out the front door.”
“I’m sayin’ though, that was over twenty years ago. You think he’d still be there after all this time?”
“I don’t know, Easy admitted. “But that’s all we got."
“A’ight, well we gon’ check it out tonight, and if he’s there then he signed his own death warrant the day he let you leave that mu'fucka.”
Sonny’s iPhone vibrated on the coffee table.
Vrrrrrm! Vrrrrrm!
He picked it up and looked at the LCD screen. “Yo, pardon me for a minute.” He got up from his leather sectional, and then went into the kitchen to take the call. “Diamondz, what’s up nigga?”
“Everything’s good on my end. I got the bul Kev wit’ me and he try’na holla at you," he said before handing the phone to Kev.
“Sonny, what's good Ike? Is you ready for me?”
“Damn, dawg, you really caught me at a bad time. I ain’t gon’ be able to do nothin’ wit’ you today. It’s a lot of shit goin’ on right now.”
“Aw, come on Ike! This the second time I drove all the way to Philly, and you stuntin’ on me!” Kev complained.
“I feel you my nigga, but like I just said it’s a lot of shit goin’ on right now. I ain’t got the time to focus on nothin’ else.”
“I hear you Ike, but damn, you can’t do nothin’ for me?”
Sonny sighed. “A’ight, I’ll tell you what, get wit’ me tomorrow mornin’ and I got you.”
“Yo’, that’s good lookin’ Ike. Nephs!”
After disconnecting the call, he went back to the living room and sat back down on the sectional. “So, Zai what’s up wit’ Eyg? Is he a’ight?”
“Yeah, he’s good. The bullet to his shoulder shattered his collar bone and the bullet to his leg was only a flesh wound so he a’ight. He’s just mad that he gotta lie up in the house and can’t ride on these niggas” he informed them, and then took a pull on his Dutch Master.
“Tell lil’ bro not to worry about it,” Sonny smiled. “By the time he’s up and runnin’, them niggas ain’t gonna be nothin’ but a mu'fuckin’ memory!”
*****
At The Temple University Hospital...
When Sheed awoke from his morphine induced sleep, he noticed that Detective Sullivan was standing in the far corner of his hospital room. He tried to speak, but the tube in his mouth wouldn’t allow it. Aside from the pain of the catheter tube shoved in his dick and the agony of the staples running up his torso, he felt the cold steel of the handcuff on his right wrist. Damn!
Detective Sullivan approached his hospital bed with a brown folder in his left hand. “Mr. McDaniels, I know that you can’t speak at the present time, but in lieu of that, I was hoping that you could assist me with the with the investigation of this incident. Now, just so you know, you’re under arrest for the possession of a stolen firearm and for the possession of a controlled substance. So before I continue, I need to read you your Miranda Rights...”
After informing him of his right to remain silent and his right to an attorney, Detective Sullivan continued with his interview. “When I searched you last night, I discovered a .50 caliber Desert Eagle in your shoulder holster. Upon searching your vehicle, I discovered a large quantity of cocaine under your passenger’s seat.”
At the sound of the detective mentioning the brick of coke, a tear fell from his left eye. He knew he was fucked.
“The stamp that was on the cocaine was the exact same stamp that was on the key of coke in the Michael Brooks’ case, a five point star. Now, listen, there’s been a chain of murders in the past few months that are directly connected to one another and I’m hoping that you can help me get to the bottom of things.”
He opened the folder and pulled out a 10 x 12 picture of Grip. “I wanna show you a photograph of the man who I think is responsible for not only the attempt on your life, but also the murders of Michael and Saleena Brooks. Again, I understand that you’re incapable of speaking right now, but if you recognize this individual just nod your head.”
The second Sheed saw the picture of his arch enemy, his heart monitor began beeping at a rapid pace and he looked at Detective Sullivan with a menacing glare.
“So, you do recognize him?”
Instead of nodding his head, he lifted his right hand and gave the detective his middle finger. Get the fuck outta here!
*****
Daphney had been sitting in the waiting room for the past two hours and she was beginning to lose her patience. She got up from her seat and approached the receptionist’s desk.
“Excuse me, but I’ve been sitting here for close to two hours. I’m trying to find out the status of my brother, and so far, nobody’s told me anything. Can somebody please let me know what’s going on?” She confronted the fat white woman who was sitting behind the desk looking as though she didn’t want to be bothered.
“And your brother’s name is?” She asked with an attitude.
“It’s the same name that I told you an hour ago, Rasheed McDaniels!” Daphney retorted, raising her voice a few octaves.
Before the receptionist had the chance to respond, a tall brown skinned man in green scrubs approached her from behind. “Excuse me, my name is Dr. Chris Lindsay. Are you the woman who’s been inquiring about,” he glanced at his clipboard, “Rasheed McDaniels?”
“Yeah, that's my brother,” she replied. “I hope you can tell me what’s goin’ on.” She pointed at the receptionist. “Because her fat Honey Boo Boo lookin’ ass ain’t tellin’ me shit!”
The overweight white woman sucked her teeth and rolled her eyes.
“Please miss, just calm down. Here,” he gestured toward a seat in the first row of chairs. “Let’s have a sea
t and I’ll gladly inform you about your brother’s status.”
“How’s he doing? Can I see him?”
“Well, right now he’s heavily sedated. He was just released from surgery this morning and he really needs his rest. He won’t be allowed to have any visitors for at least another two hours.”
“Alright, but how’s he doing? Is he okay?”
“Well, he suffered three gunshot wounds. One bullet shattered his left hip bone and the remaining two bullets both struck him in the abdomen, with one of them piecing his small intestines. The bullets were recovered during surgery, but unfortunately we had to remove a portion of his small intestine. Overall, I’d say that the surgery was a success. He’s probably going to need some physical therapy, but after that, he should be back to himself in no time.”
“Alright doc, thank you.” She got up from her seat, shook his hand, and then left the hospital.
As she headed toward her Panamara, an eerie feeling washed over her. She glanced around the parking lot and noticed a white Mercedes Maybach in the far corner. She stared at the large sedan for a few seconds, and then hopped in her Porsche and pulled off.
*****
In the backseat of the Maybach, Grip took slow pulls on his Cuban Cigar and nodded his head to the soulful sounds of The Gap Band. He smiled at Daphney through the tinted window, and then ordered Muhammad to pull off.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
It was 12:30 p.m. when Riana pulled up in front of Annie’s house. She climbed out the Tahoe and knocked on the front door. A couple of seconds later, the door opened and Annie was standing on the other side with a huge smile on her face.
“Hey, baby.” She greeted her and gave her a warm hug. “Look at that belly of yours. Girl, you look like you about to bust any minute now.” She laughed, and then ushered Riana inside of the house.
“I know,” Riana smiled. “And the way this lil’ boy keeps kickin’ me, he’s actin’ like he wants to come out and see the world before he’s supposed to,” she laughed, and then took a seat on the couch.
“So, what brings you by? I haven’t seen that son of mines in about two weeks now. When you go home, you tell his fast ass to come and visit his momma.”
Riana frowned. “Ms. Annie, I ain’t got nothin’ to say to Sontino,” she said while shaking her head from side to side. “We broke up a couple of days ago, and this time I’m not takin’ him back. As a matter of fact, after I have the baby, we’re movin’ to Atlanta to live with my dad.”
“What?” Annie asked as her heart dropped into her stomach. “What happened?”
“I caught him cheatin’ again! He was at this restaurant all hugged up wit’ some broad. I’m five months pregnant wit’ his baby and he’s got the nerve to be steppin’ out wit’ the next chick. Ahn ahn, I ain’t goin’ for it.”
Annie looked at the beautiful young woman and felt sorry for her. She knew exactly how she felt because when Easy was younger, he too had a problem with keeping his dick in his pants.
“Listen to me baby because what I’m about to say is some real shit. Now, we both know what my son does for a livin’, and at twenty-three years old, his stupid ass doesn’t know any better. You see, this is all a part of the game. When a young bul is gettin’ money, no matter how much he loves his woman, he’s gonna fuck around. Not to hurt his woman, but because these skeezers out here will do any and everything to get close to a nigga who they think can financially turn their life around.
These young buls are movin’ so fast and so reckless that they think with their little head instead of their big one. Now, like I said, Sontino’s still young. Just give him some time to settle down and get this shit out of his system. I’ma tell you right now, all men cheat! That’s just what it is! So, how can you be sure that the next nigga won’t do the same or potentially do even worse?”
Riana sighed. “I hear you Ms. Annie, but I ain’t goin’ for it. I’ve never cheated on Sontino, never! He was my first, Ms. Annie! I gave him all of me, and this is how he repays me? By lying and deceiving me? Obviously, he doesn’t love me the way he says he does, because if he did, he would be loyal to me. Ahn ahn, I ain’t wit’ it. Like you said, he gonna do him, so I’ma do me. And as soon as I have this baby, we’re movin’ to Atlanta.”
Annie waved her off. “Hold up, stop right there because now you’re being selfish. If you take that baby to Atlanta, how do you think everyone else is gonna feel about not being a part of that child’s life?”
“I don’t know.” She shrugged her shoulders. “I guess I never thought about it that way.”
“Well, what do you call yourself doing anyway, avoiding Sontino? Girl, now you know damn well that boy ain’t gonna do nothin’ but follow ya lil’ highyellow ass down there,” Annie laughed and Riana laughed with her. “I’m tellin’ you, baby, just give him some time. Everything will work itself out.”
“I don’t know, Ms. Annie. I can’t see myself sitting around and playin’ a fool for nobody. If Sontino wants another chick, then he can have her. I’ll just find somebody who’s going to love me the way I need to be loved and give me the respect and loyalty that I deserve.”
“Well, I don’t know what else to say. All I know is that you and Sontino love one another and if it’s meant for y’all to be together, then y’all are gonna be together.”
Riana thought about what she said and took a deep breath. She loved Sonny with all of her heart, and she didn’t want to lose him, especially to another woman. She gave Annie a hug, and then got up from the couch.
“Thanks for the talk, Ms. Annie. You really helped me put things into perspective. I gotta go right now, but I’ll stop by to see you sometime next week.”
“Alright, baby. You just learn to be more patient, and give Sontino some time to get his head together. And stop stressin’ so much because I’m tellin’ you right now, Riri, if that baby comes out messed up, you and Sontino gonna have to deal with me. Y’all know I don’t play no games.” Annie laughed, and then gave her another hug.
“A’ight, Ms. Annie,” she continued laughing. “I don’t want any trouble.”
“Alright now. Make sure you call me when you get home, so I’ll know that you made it there safe.”
*****
For the past hour, Monster and Lil’ Buggy had been driving around Sonny’s neighborhood and circling his mother’s block. The last time they drove past her house, the only car that was parked out front was a green minivan, but now there was a black Tahoe parked behind it.
“Ay, Buggy.” Monster pointed at the SUV. “Ain’t that the nigga’s truck?”
“Yeah, that's his truck,” Lil’ Buggy confirmed with a tightly rolled Dutch Master hanging from the corner of his mouth. “It wasn’t there a couple of minutes ago so he musta just pulled up.”
“A’ight, circle the block and park up at the corner. We gonna lay on this pussy,” Monster ordered from the passenger's seat.
Lil’ Buggy did as he was instructed, and when they parked on the corner of Reese and Dauphin, the guys who were out there hustling casually strolled off.
“Damn, Unc, this tinted out Crown Vic was a good idea. You see the way them niggas scattered from the corner? Them stupid ass niggas think we the cops," Lil’ Buggy laughed, and then settled back into the driver’s seat.
Monster didn’t respond. Instead, he just gritted his teeth and kept his eyes glued on the house.
“Yo, Unc, I’m sick of waitin’. I’d rather just run up in the mu’fucka and start blastin’!”
A second later, the front door opened and a short, petite, light skinned woman emerged from the house.
“Oh, shit! Yo, that’s Sonny’s bitch. I forgot my young bul told me shorty be drivin’ his truck,” Lil’ Buggy eagerly stated.
As Monster stared at the obviously pregnant young woman, he debated his next move. Should I give this bitch a pass, or should I send this lil’ nigga a message? he thought to himself.
“Lil’ Buggy,” he stated in a cold tone of
voice. “Run that bitch over.”
Lil’ Buggy pulled away from the curb and accelerated the car’s engine to sixty miles per hour.
As Riana was unlocking the driver’s side door, she heard the roaring of a car’s engine and an overwhelming feeling spread throughout her body. She turned her head in the direction of the speeding car, but before she had the chance to get out of the way the grill of the Crown Victoria slammed into her body with a devastating force.
Boom!
Her body rolled up on the hood of the car, and her face slammed against the windshield.
Crash!
Lil’ Buggy hit the brakes and the sudden change of velocity sent her body flying through the air.
Inside of the house, Annie heard the unmistakable sounds of a roaring engine and a loud boom! Her heart skipped a beat, and the only thing she could think about was Riana. She raced to the living room window, and the sight of Riana's body flying through the air and slamming against the concrete sent chills down her spine. “Ririiiiiiii!” She screamed as she opened the front door and darted out the house.
Monster and Lil’ Buggy sat in silence as they watched Riana struggle to get back on her feet. The only sound in the car was the roaring of the engine as the car was in park, and Lil’ Buggy was pressing his foot up and down on the gas pedal.
Vroooom! Vroooom! Vroooom!
Blood was pouring from Riana’s nose and mouth, and the contorted position of her right leg depicted that it was broken.
As Annie ran toward her, Lil’ Buggy threw the transmission in drive and mashed down on the gas pedal.
Scccrrrrrr!
“Oh, my God! No!” Annie screamed as she helplessly dropped to her knees.
The front grill of the sedan crashed into Riana head on.
Ba, Boom!
Her body tumbled backwards, and then slid up under the car as it sped away.
*****
Back In Cheltenham, Pennsylvania
