“Nah I’m straight.” It was Dina’s friend Shea. She had been seeing Tex for awhile now. At first their relationship seemed to be good like any other. Then Tex’s attitude began to change. He didn’t want her hanging with Dina and Neese on The Strip. She and Dina had been like sisters before Bolo’s death. Shea had been Bolo’s girl since grade school. Everyone in The Boro knew that someday they would be married.
Tex pursued Shea every day. He hated Bolo only because Shea loved him so much. He had vowed to have her, even if it meant killing to accomplish it. The night Bolo was killed he had earlier given Shea a ring and proposed to her. After she said yes, Bolo went to the local store for some snacks to celebrate. He never returned home. He was gunned down in cold blood. Shea was devastated. The next six months of her life were lived on the brink of life and death. Tex took advantage of her vulnerability. He came around when no one else would. She had heard rumors of his reputation but none of it showed in his compassion. Before she knew it they were in a relationship. Left alone in a cold world by the love of her life she became angry with Bolo for leaving her by herself. She looked for closure where ever she could find it.
For months Dina didn’t know about their relationship. Only when
Shea started showing up with black eyes did she become suspicious. Still up until today Shea had denied any involvement with Tex. Dina couldn’t understand it. Maybe after finding out Tex had something to do with Bolo’s death Shea was too ashamed to admit it.
Laying in his bed now she lost herself in her own thoughts, her own pain. “How did I get to this point in my life?” As if he was right there with her, she apologized to Bolo the same as she had done thousands and thousands of times.
During many heated arguments with Tex he admitted to killing Bolo. He said if she ever left him he would kill her too. For a long time she was afraid. But now as she lay next to him the last straw came when he forced her to go to his mother’s house. “Shea, I need a favor from you,” said Tex.
“No Tex, I’m not do...” SMACK... SMACK.
“Bitch I tell you what to do, you understand?” Sobbing now she agreed with him fearing for her life.
Once at Tex’s mother’s house he and Da Da had jumped out and raised her hood. When Tim came out the door he went to his car. When he stepped away from his car she called him. ‘Hi, Excuse me.” Hearing her Tim had turned facing the woman with the unforgettable blackeye and bruises on her face. Her eyes showed fear, but from what?
“Noooo,” she suddenly screamed. “LOOK OUT!”
It was too late. Tim felt the pain of the first couple of shots. After that his body went numb. Then everything became dark.
With her back turned to Tex a single tear fell from her eyes. “I have to do something,” she thought to herself. “Dina was my closest friend. Not only have I betrayed her but if Bolo was alive he would be heart-broken.” She closed her eyes and prayed to God for guidance. An hour later Tex’s cell phone went off. After calling the number back he jumped out of bed and began to get dressed.
“I’ll be back Shea, make sure you be here.” He makes a gesture with his trigger finger before closing the door behind him.
Shea lay in the bed listening to the fading of Tex’s music. Once out of hearing range she jumped out of bed. Only half dressed she headed toward the door. With nowhere to go she became afraid. She gritted her teeth and said “No, no, no. I will not let fear control me anymore.” Wiping her tears she knew what she had to do and where she had to go.
***
Dina sat in her living room watching television. She was exhausted from work and school. Ring ... Ring. .. Ring ... Grabbing her phone she answered it. “Hello.”
“What’s up Dina?” It was Q.
“Hi Q! Isn’t this a surprise? I was just thinking about you.”
“Yeah. Well I wish I was there so you could make some of those thoughts reality.”
“You and me both.”
“Don’t start Dina, I’ve already got one speeding ticket to pay for because of you.”
“Don’t worry Q, I told you I’ll take care of it. Bring the ticket with you the next time you come over.”
“Aiight ma, I…”
Knock ... Knock. .. .Knock...
“Who the hell can that be at my door?” Dina said out loud. Getting up off her couch she headed towards the door.
Q stopped her. “Dina,” he yelled in the receiver.
“Yes I’m still here, Q.”
“Who you expecting this time of night?”
“No, one bu. ... “
“Don’t answer the door Dina.”
Knock... Knock... Knock... It was louder this time. “Q what am I supposed to do?” Dina asked.
“Okay ma, look, do you have a gun?”
“Yeah I...”
“Get it.” He cut her off. “Get it now Dina.”
Frightened she removed the gun from her purse. “Now what?” she said sounding a little shaky.
Q tried to calm her. “Its okay ma, just relax and take a deep breath. Walk to the door and stand to the side before you say anything. If someone tries to turn the knob shoot through the door. Ask no questions ma, just start shooting.”
Once positioned by the door Dina asked in her normal voice, “Who is it?” No answer. “Who is it?” she asked again.
“It’s me Dina,” said a voice more shaky than her own.
“Who the hell is me?” Dina asked.
“It’s, it’s Shea, Dina, please open up.”
Reaching for the door Q’s voice stopped her once again. “Make damn sure she’s alone.”
“Are you by yourself Shea?” Dina asked.
“Yes. Please open the door, I’m in trouble Dina. I have nowhere else to go.” Unable to hear her once best friend crying she opened the door. Shea had slid down on her knees in a fetal position. She was half naked, weeping uncontrollably.
Dina helped her inside then put both locks back on the door. Shea wasted no time telling her everything that was going on. Q was still on the phone listening to their conversation. She held nothing back. She told Dina everything, even the part about Tex saying he had killed Bolo. She offered to go to the police and be the witness they needed in court.
“No!” Said Q on the other end of the phone.
“WHAT?” Said Dina. “Q, she is willing to testi...”
Q interrupted her. “Dina listen to me. That nigga killed your brother in cold blood. He killed my best friend for nuthin’. Still that wasn’t enough. He shot my other man, leaving him for dead Dina. Now look what he did to your best friend ma. She didn’t ask for that. He just caught her at her weakest point. Now, like I said Dina, hell fuckin’ no, she ain’t going to tha’ police. I’m a kill that coward ass nigga Dina, or die trying.”
She knew Q was right. Prison was too easy for Tex. He had to die. It was the only way she and her brother could ever rest in peace. “Okay Q, we won’t involve any police.” said Dina. “When should I expect Rasta?”
“Sometime tomorrow he should be coming through.”
“And you?” she asked.
“Early in the morning ma, soon as I can get away.”
“I’ll see you then.”
“Aiight ma, make sure your doors and windows are locked. Don’t hesitate to call me. I’m out.”
Hanging up she turned back to Shea. She was upset with her for not coming to her before now. After Shea bathed and got herself together they sat in Dina’s apartment and talked the rest of the night. Both had missed hanging out together and the all night phone conversations.
The next morning Dina was up early. Shea was still sound asleep. This was probably the first good night of sleep she had in quite a while. Still there was no word from Rasta. He never called before he came through so Dina would just have to wait. At about
9:00 a.m. Q called and said he was on the way.
Dina had fixed Shea something to eat and went to wake her when she found her sitting on the couch. With her knees pulled to her ches
t. She was sobbing again. “Shea, what’s the matter?” Dina asked. “Talk to me. I can’t help you if you don’t let me know what is wrong.”
No longer able to hold back she screamed, “I killed him... I killed him Dina. I...”
“Shea ... Shea... “Dina shook her violently. “Calm down. You have to stay calm.”
Shea began to speak. “I don’t know his name Dina. All I know is that he’s dead.”
“Who Shea? What? Where?”
“It happened at Tex’s mother’s house. Tex asked me to do him a favor. When I refused he beat the shit outta me. After that he made me park in front of his mother’s house and pretend I was having car trouble. Tex and Da Da was on the side of the house. Da Da pointed his gun at the door while Tex pointed his gun at me. He said if I tried to leave he would kill me.”
Suddenly it all hit Dina at once. Q kept mentioning something about a distraction causing Tim to slip. He said Tim had too much street knowledge for what happened to him, without someone else being either shot or dead. Dina just stared at Shea. She was speechless. Her thoughts turned to Tim. He was not dead. She remembered vividly Q stressing to her to keep it on the low. Still watching Shea in the dim living room two single red dots appeared on her forehead drawing Dina’s attention. Frozen and unable to move she screamed with all her inner being.
“Nooooo ... Q, Nooooo.”
Hearing her screams Shea opened her eyes as Q creeped out of the shadows of the room. He kept both his horses red eyes locked on Shea’s forehead. Her sobs now seemed to be lodged in her throat from fear. Q’s face revealed nothing but calmness. His hand steady and - unmoving. “Q, listen to me.” It was Dina speaking. “Shea explained everything to me. I know the promise you made to Tim and the people who hurt him. I made that same promise myself about my brother Bolo. Q I’m begging you not to kill this woman unless you’re absolutely sure she did what she did on her own.”
Q could hear Dina’s pleas but his desire for revenge and his own rage was at a tug of war with each other within him. With no other way of reaching him, Dina did the most dangerous thing she had ever done in her young life. She stepped in front of the red dots causing them to land on her chest. Looking in his eyes she couldn’t tell whether she had made a mistake or what, until both arms slowly began dropping towards the floor. Dina exhaled the breath she had been holding for what seemed like eternity. Q stared at her a moment before turning and walking into her bedroom. She didn’t follow him. She sat down next to Shea who was still in semi-shock. “Stay here while I talk to Q,” said Dina. Standing now she continued, “The door is over there. It’s your choice Shea. I want to help you, but if you walk out that door I will not be able go save you next time.” Dina turned and walked to her bedroom leaving, Shea with a choice to make, which should have been easy if she wanted to live.
Dina found Q staring at himself in her bedroom mirror showing no emotion, nothing. Both Colt’s were still in his hands. She walked within his view in the mirror. They stared at each other a long moment before Q finally spoke. “It’s against all the rules to let her live Dina. Tim damn near died shawty. All because of that bitch”
“Wait a minute Q,” Dina said cutting him off. “Listen to me. Do you think Shea would have come here if she didn’t need help? Shea has been under a lot of stress too. She doesn’t know Tim is still alive.
Even Tex doesn’t know.”
“Why did she distract my man Dina? That’s all I want to know.”
Dina gripped his arm tightly before she answered. “He beat the shit out of her then threatened to kill her if she didn’t do it. Sounds familiar don’t it?”
“Yeah, that seems to be his m.o. He fits the description of a coward perfectly.” Q walked back in the front room alone. He found Shea still on the couch. He sat down directly across from her.
I’m sorry,” she began to murmur. “I didn’t mean to kill him but he beat me so... “More tears rolled from her eyes.
“He’s not dead Shea."
“What?”...
“I said he is not dead.”
“He can’t possibly be alive. I mean they kept shooting him. “When you say ‘they’ are you talking about Da Da and Tex?”
She nodded.
Knock... Knock... Someone was at the door. Dina walked from her bedroom carrying Q’s pistols.
“I’ll answer it.” she said handing him the twin Colts. “Who is it?” she asked through the door.
“It’s me mun. Open tit door mun.”
“I’ll get it Dina,” said Q “You take her to the back,” referring to Shea.
Baby Rasta walked in with his sister Inga. It was the first time she had ever greeted Q with a smile. Q spoke, “What’s up Baby, Inga ... I”
Baby Rasta cut him off, “Listen mun, we have tee move mun. Get this over wit mun.”
“Aiight Baby, let me call June and my man. They will meet us on the way.” Dialing June’s cell phone Q almost forgot about Shea. Another idea popped in his head.
June answered, “What’s up Q?”
“What up June. It’s time homie.”
“Just say the word big homie, I’m on the way. This court case has been stressin’ me anyway. I’m a give these cops some’em to really talk about.”
After setting up the meeting place Q hung up the phone. “Baby, I have a little surprise for this nigga, aiight?”
“Yo’ Dina,” Q yelled. Dina didn’t answer but walked out with Shea. “Do you really wanna help fix this shit Shea?”
She nodded yes.
“What are you willing to do?” Q asked.
“Anything,” she responded.
Q told Rasta what happened with Shea. He understood her fears. Tex was a dangerous mothafucka, but he also understood that in order for her to live she would have to be in it as deep as they were.
As Inga listened to Q her facial expression changed from a slight smile to the Inga aka Poison version. Q had seen that version the night she killed Ham. Thinking to himself he wondered why her attitude changed so quickly. Maybe it was because of the favor she felt she owed him. Either that or she enjoyed seeing the two wrinkles Q kept on his forehead trying to figure her ass the fuck out.
Shea agreed to go along with Q’s plan. Although scared to death she knew she had to go through with it. Riding with Q to meet June Shea counted her blessings. That is until they pulled in front of June’s car at their meeting spot. June was standing outside of his car. When the passenger door opened, Shea was face to face with the man who had intoxicated her dreams since the day she had seen him killed.
Chapter 23
Game Over
2:00 a.m. Q sat in the darkness of the room, his breathing shallow but calm. He had called Keonne and Jay-Jay first. After giving them his love he had called Van. A groggy Van answered the phone.
“What’s up ma?
“Hi Baby, I...
“Don’t talk ma, listen. Boo, sometimes people don’t realize what or how much they mean to someone. That’s because they take so much for granted, not realizing the love of their life is right in front of them. No matter what the situation was, you had my back. If I was wrong ma, you still had my back. You would let me know in our own privacy that I was wrong. That says a lot about your character. If something hap. . .”
“Q?” She interrupts him. ‘‘I won’t settle for nothing less than you coming home: love. Remember my words Baby - ‘No Mercy’. They showed none.”
“I love you ma,” he said.
“I love you more. Now clear your mind of everything Q. Even me.”
“Aiight Van. One.”
“One.” Click.
Tex pulled in his half-circle driveway. His two Bull Maaiffs greet him at the door of his coupe. His outside sensor lights hadn’t come on yet. “That fuckin’ Bushwick always leaving my lights off,” he mumbled to himself getting out of his car heading towards the front door. When he reached the door the big mastiff named Sampson growled as Tex put his key in its lock. “Shut up Sampson and go to y
our own house.” He closed the door behind him. It wasn’t until he reached for his light switch that he noticed the two red dots on his chest. He froze.
A voice spoke, “You should have listened to your dog nigga. He was tryin’ to save your life. Didn’t you know a dog was man’s best friend?”
Through the darkness Tex couldn’t make out the figure sitting on his couch, but all his years of gun-slinging had him hip to the red dots. Back in the day the O.G.’s called them the devil’s eyes. One on you was bad enough, but when it was two, the devil himself had come to give you your last ride. A slight movement on Tex’s left caught his attention. He heard it but didn’t turn. His own thoughts now racing. “Who tha fuck is this in my house? Where’s Bushwick and the wino Lil’ Man? They were the last ones here. Stick-up boys quickly came to mind. That’s what this is, a stick-up?”
Tex speaks, “Uh... Uh... Look homie. If you need some of them thangs I can hook you up.”
The voice answered, “There is only one thing that will be taken from you tonight nigga. No amount of money or drugs will allow you to keep it. That’s yo’ life.”
He heard more movement. This time it was coming from his right. A slight fragrance invaded his nostrils. “Women’s perfume,” he thought. Tex knew his closest pistol was in the next room. He would have to get past whoever this mothafucka was sitting on his couch. He knew he was only a couple of steps from his front door. He would break for his car if he got the chance. The figure slowly stood up as the scent of perfume became stronger.
“I have someone I want you to meet,” said the voice.
As the lights slowly became brighter Tex’s chances of survival became dimmer. He stood face to face with his most hated rival...
Q. Q spoke, “Meet Yuma, Da Da’s connect. She was the last person Ham looked at in that restroom nigga.”
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