by Dior, London
I didn’t know what to say. Carter was talking crazy as fuck. Wasn’t shit gone happen to my bro, especially on the count of me. That would fuck my head all the way up.
He continued. “If a nigga take me out, I couldn’t say shit. I been living foul for a long time bro. That bitch karma is a ma’fucka,” He chuckled, but his expression wasn’t happy at all.
I shook my head. “Man stop talking like that, nigga. You gone be straight. You gone get Selena and take yo’ ass back to the A and live yo’ life. Fuck this bullshit here, I got it.” I hit my chest aggressively as I spoke. I couldn’t think about him dying. I didn’t want to.
“Nah, I ain’t leaving until you straight, bro. I’m gone be aight, I’m just tripping. You know I ain’t scared of shit, but God. When it’s my time, it’s my time.” He shrugged.
“You tripping, Carter for real. I’m about to make a few phone calls and check on Milan. She with her momma. You and Don need to get the fuck up out this hotel, for real.”
Carter nodded. “Yeah, I’m probably gone fuck with Selena tonight. We supposed to be meeting up. Don got some people here in the D, he probably gone meet up with them.”
I stared at Carter for a minute before I decided to get up to leave. Then, I pulled out my phone and texted a couple of my workers to pull up and follow my brother and Don. I needed someone watching everybody at all times. The fucked up part was, I didn’t even know if I could trust the ma’fuckas that I had been rocking with forever. This shit was sad!
Chapter Forty-One
Selena
I had changed three times, but nothing seemed to look good enough for tonight. Carter texted me, saying that he was ready to meet up and he had even given the spot to meet up at. I was so nervous to see him. I still got butterflies just thinking about that man.
A smile creased my lips. He was still the cocky, bossy bastard that had stolen my heart. I didn’t know why I tried to trick myself into believing that I could actually leave him. I guess I had a little bug in my ear.
My eyes roamed over to Troy, who was sitting on the couch with his feet propped up. I wouldn’t exactly call what we had going on dating. He was just someone that was there to comfort me when I needed a shoulder to cry on. He said all the right things and I followed him back to the city, foolishly.
Troy had really been in a funk since Carter showed up at the mall. He hated Carter, and I didn’t even understand why. He didn’t know him from a can of paint, or at least I didn’t think that he knew him.
“So where did you say you was going tonight?” He focused on me, catching me staring. He looked me up and down, studying what I had on.
“Out to meet up with a friend. Why?” I told him, wondering why he was checking me. I didn’t belong to him, and now that daddy’s home, I never would.
“What do you mean, why? You ain’t been going out before, so why you getting all dressed up, and suddenly got friends when that nigga comes to town? You fucking with him again or some shit?” He spat, standing up.
I placed my hands on my hip, watching him walk toward me. One thing that Carter taught me while we were together was to never show fear, and always be prepared. If Troy got to acting stupid, I had my 9mm in the drawer waiting for him.
“The last time I checked, you wasn’t my man, Troy. I appreciate you being here to comfort me, but please don’t start the 21 questions. I told you that I’m not ready for another relationship. The wounds are still fresh from the last one.”
Troy’s face hardened, and that’s all it took for me to back up a few feet and rest my hand on my top drawer. I never took my eyes off of Troy as I felt around for my pistol. Troy lunged at me, and I whipped my nine out and pointed it at his head so fast that he didn’t know what hit him.
He stumbled backwards with his hands in the air. “Wha…what you doing with that gun, man?” He faltered over his words.
I had the gun pointed at his head as I spoke. “Don’t play with me Troy. Why you jumping like you was about to hit me? I put it on my unborn that I will end your life right here tonight and not think twice. My baby daddy’s name is Carter Jackson, boo. And being his bitch definitely ain’t make me no slouch. Do yo’ research.” I warned through clenched teeth.
Troy just didn’t know, Carter and I had that real Bonnie and Clyde relationship. I got my hands dirty a few times. It was all in the name of love. But, a bitch gets tired of riding. I was ready to sit down and have a normal life. Plus, I was about to bring a baby into the world. I wanted a better life for him.
I could tell that Troy wanted to say something out the way, however, with the gun pointed at his head, he bitched up real quick. I pointed toward the door with the gun, “You need to leave Troy.”
“Why you doing this, though? You pulling guns out, really?” I swear, Troy sounded like a bitch. I can’t believe that I let a nigga like him get into my ear. I guess being hurt would have you doing things you’d never thought you’d do.
“Just go, please?” I demanded, watching as he started heading toward the door. Once he was out, I closed and locked the door, then I dialed up Carter.
“Change of plans.” I spoke into the phone as soon as he said hello. “I don’t want to go out anymore. Just come to my house. We have a lot to talk about. And make sure that you bring your bitch with you.” I demanded, referring to his gun, then I read off my address. Although Troy and I had known each other for over six months, I didn’t fully trust that he wouldn’t come back acting a fool.
“What’s going on?” Carter asked.
“Just be here with your friend.” I grimaced. “And just so you know, I love you Carter and I never stopped.” I didn’t give him a chance to respond, I hung up and sat on my living room couch, staring out of the window. I caught Troy just as he sped off. I didn’t know what Carter was into coming back to Detroit, but I was going to drag his ass back to Atlanta and make him retire from the streets and be the man that I needed him to be.
Chapter Forty-Two
Milan
I sat in my mother’s living room, while Baby Kayla laid asleep in my arms, Jabari Jr. sat next to me playing the game, and Melanie was attempting to do my hair. Even though my life was a mess, I felt complete again. I had all three of my kids, and Wise had found his way back into my life. A smile creased my lips.
“Oooh, yo’ hair so nappy, girl.” Melanie kissed her teeth, sounding grown as ever.
I playfully cut my eyes at her, taking her in. She was almost an exact replica of me, with the exception of a few of Wise’s features. “Don’t be coming for me, lil’ girl.” I chuckled.
She chuckled too. “But it is nappy. You need a perm or something. When the last time you combed yo’ hair?”
I just shook my head, realizing that my baby had definitely inherited her father’s bluntness. A part of me saddened, realizing that I had missed out on a lot of her life. I was grateful as hell that she didn’t hold a grudge against me.
Life hadn’t dealt me the best hand. I knew that there wasn’t no such thing as a perfect world, but shit, I needed a break. These last few days had been hell, as if I wasn’t already going through it.
Just the thought of the recent bullshit had me ready to call and check up on Wise. I knew that he said that he was meeting up with Carter, but I was wondering if everything went smoothly.
“Hey Melanie, can you pass me my phone off the table?” I asked, deciding to call Wise.
She did as she was told, then she returned to doing my hair. Wise answered on the first ring, sounding as if he was back in the car. The sound of his music blasting was heavy in my ear. “What’s up baby? You and the kids alright?” He asked.
“Yes, your daughter over here talking about my hair.” I chuckled, playfully rolling my eyes at Melanie.
She rolled her eyes right back at me. “I thought I was your daughter too, remember? And it is nappy.”
I heard Wise cracking up. I think that I was going to have to check Melanie’s little tail before it was all over and done.
“Don’t be laughing Wise. I don’t know what we gone do with this lil’ girl.”
“Can’t do nothing but love her.” Wise answered. “But I’m on my way to,” He never got a chance to finish his sentence. “What the fuck?” I heard him yell out. “Shit!”
My heart instantly got to beating hard because of the unknown. “Hello! Wise! Wise!” I yelled into the phone, but he wouldn’t respond. My yelling woke baby Kayla up, and both Jabari Jr. and Melanie were staring at me.
I hopped up, placing the baby on the couch, and ran to the bedroom in the back. I heard a whole bunch of noise in the background, and all I wanted to know was if Wise was okay.
“Wise! Can you hear me? Are you okay?” I tried yelling again. Still nothing. The phone hung up, and I tried calling him back, only for him not to answer. I was trying my best not to have a panic attack. To make matters worse, both Kayla and Melanie had both made their way to the back and were crying. I guess I startled them.
“What’s wrong with my daddy? I want my daddy now,” Melanie cried.
Kayla reached her hand out for me to pick her up, so I scooped her up in one arm and used the other to console Melanie. “He’s okay. He’ll be here.” I lied. I only hoped that everything would be okay. Shit, things just had to be okay. I looked to the ceiling, and said a silent prayer. “Lord, please bring him back to me. I can’t do it without him.” I whispered, as a tear fell from my eyes and slid down my cheek. Damnit, Wise better call me back asap!
Chapter Forty-Three
Wise
I didn’t even see the black Charger until it was too late. They rammed into my car, shocking the shit out of me. “What the fuck?!” I yelled out, as my phone slipped out of my hand. I heard Milan yelling and at first I began to fumble trying to catch the phone, but fuck that phone. I needed to catch my life.
I grabbed the wheel tightly, and did my best to try to get the fuck out the way. They had me at a disadvantage, because they caught me off guard. I should have known that some shit was in the game. I wasn’t fucking thinking straight.
The car rammed into my side, causing my car to spin out. We were riding up Lahser, out in the ‘burbs, and it wasn’t a cop car in sight. Fuck, let me had of ran a red light, they would have been right there.
I heard my cell phone ringing, and I knew that it was only Milan calling back, and she was probably going nuts. Damn, I needed to get back to my baby. All I wanted was to go home to her and my kids.
I finally gained back control, and made a right on Eleven Mile. The Charger was hot on my heels. I pressed the pedal to the floor and sped the fuck up. It pushed a little distance between us, which gave me time to think. I remembered the pistol tucked on my waist, I used one hand to grab it, then I looked through my rearview mirror, to see how close they were. The car wasn’t behind me anymore.
I looked to my side, the Charger was aligned with my car, and the passenger had a strap aimed straight at my face. I panicked, swerving off. I almost ran straight into a law firm building. I swerved the wheel again, landing at a light pole.
When the car collided with the pole, my body shifted forward, causing me to bump my head on the dash. That shit was minor, I just wanted to walk away with my life. The gun had dropped out of my hand when I collided, so I hurried up and grabbed it from the ground, then I took in the scene. Whoever was in the Charger smiled at me, then he held his fingers out like a gun and mimicked pulling the trigger, just as he did back at the hotel.
I watched as they sped off, hitting the steering wheel. I tried to let off a few shots before they disappeared, but they drove off to fast. “Fuck, man!” I hit the steering wheel, mad as a bitch.
This shit was fucking with me, because I had the slightest idea of who was coming for me. Obviously the person was trying to fuck with me, because they had caught me slipping a couple of times and didn’t end my life.
My phone began to ring, interrupting my thoughts. I figured it was Milan, but the private number told me otherwise. “Who the fuck is this. And what the fuck you want?” I yelled into the phone, as soon as I answered.
The caller didn’t speak, all I heard was laughter. I pulled the phone away from my ear and looked at it. I swear, steam was coming from my head.
“I swear, I’m gone enjoy murdering yo’ punk ass when I find you.” I gritted.
“Bring it nigga.” The voice said. “Oh, by the way, where Milan?” He began to laugh again and my heart dropped.
I hung up on him and dialed Milan back. She answered on the first ring. “Oh my god Wise! You scared the shit out of me! Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Lock all the windows and doors. Get yo’ mom and the babies and lock y’all selves in one room. Don’t come out until I call. Don’t yo’ mom got a CPL.” I asked, putting the car in reverse and speeding off. The crash did a little damage, but I was still able to do 90 on the dash.
“Yes, Wise. What’s going on?” She cried.
“Just get your momma’s piece and do what I said!” I yelled hanging up. Next, I called Carter. He was with Selena and he assured me that he was ok. I told him to be careful and what happened, and he announced that he would meet me at Milan’s mother’s house with Selena. This web was getting thick as hell. But I was about to get shit together real quick.
***
Milan
My mother nearly lost her wig when I asked her where she kept her gun at, and made everyone sit in her room. Since meeting my stepfather, she turned into a holy roller that swore she wasn’t always from the hood. Hell, before some punk decided to murder my biological father years ago, my pops was a big time Kingpin, and my mother was a hustler’s wifey, living that fast life.
My face saddened. I missed that man so much! I took it hard, losing him. I was the true definition of a daddy’s girl. He spoiled the hell out of me and my mother. They didn’t make men like him anymore. I think that was what drew me in to Wise, he reminded me of daddy so much.
My mother grabbed my arms and pulled me over to the corner, facing her. Then, she placed her hand on her hips. “You need to start talking! First, you pop up with a secret baby, next Jabari comes over here disrespecting me, then the fool ends up dead, and you sending me and my grandbabies off and all this crazy stuff. Tell me something. Now!”
I let out a sigh, glancing at the kids. Melanie was trying so hard to pretend that she wasn’t listening, but I knew she was, and Jabari Jr. was busy aggravating Kayla. I didn’t know what to say or where to start. I just looked down at a piece of paper on the floor.
“Hello? Do you hear me talking to you?” She leaned down a bit so that we could be eye level.
“Yes ma! I just don’t want to talk with the kids around. It’s too much for me to get into.”
I chose not to look into my mother’s eyes, because I knew that the speech was coming next. Every time something came up, she preached about living the fast life and ending up dead or in jail. My father’s murder really took its toll on her. She went into a deep depression, and turned into an alcoholic. She almost got lost in the streets, luckily she was able to turn her life around.
My mother cut her eyes over into the direction that I was looking. Now, Melanie was looking at us.
“What? Why y’all looking at me?” Melanie shrugged her shoulders with a smirk. Both Jabari Jr. and Kayla were younger, so I wasn’t used to having such a mature kid around. I knew that I was going to watch what I said and did more. I knew that it was going to be an adjustment to permanently be in her life.
Before we could respond, we heard the front door close, and I looked at my mother. She waved me off, seeing my startled expression. “That’s got to be Amir, he should be getting in from the road around this time.”
She went for the door, stopping to turn to me. “Furthermore, I’m not walking around on pins and needles because you want to mess with these thugs. And I won’t allow you to involve my grandbabies in y’alls beef either. They staying with me until you handle your shit!” She grimaced, eyeing me disappointedl
y.
Silence lingered before she made her way out of the room. With my stepfather there, I felt safe again, so I tucked the pistol on my hip and followed behind her. We ended up in the living room with him.
“Amir, you better talk some sense into this girl. She thinks dealing with these dudes in the streets is cute. Tell her, that life ain’t nothing to play with. You lived it, babe.”
Amir nodded his head, staring at me. He was a tall peanut butter complexion, with a low cut, and waves. Amir was close to fifty, but he looked good for his age. He could easily pass for thirty. Though he was heavy into church now, there was no hiding the hood in him. Hell, he even occasionally hit a blunt when my mother wasn’t around.
“Yeah Milan. I hate to hear what’s going on with Jabari. That’s sad. And I hear that you’ve been messing around with that Wise cat, bad business babe.” He shook his head in opposition. “That’s not a situation you want to be around.” He warned.
I nodded, not wanting to hear that. Wise was all that I ever wanted in a man.
“I’m serious. Especially when I’m on the road and hear that my wife has to go to hotels to stay while I’m not around. Let anything happen to my wife, you, or my grandbabies… that’s gone be a real problem.”
See, that’s what I was talking about. That hood wasn’t completely washed from him. The fire in his eyes let me know that he had no problem shutting shit down still.
My cell phone rang before I could respond. It was Wise calling to say that he was outside. I hung up and let him in skeptically. After the conversation that we just had, I didn’t want them to say anything out of the way to him.
When I walked back into the living room with Wise, my mother had her arms crossed in front of her chest, grimming Wise, and Amir had that same grim look. I knew that shit was about to pop off and Wise was walking into a blind battlefield.
