Love Was the Case That They Gave Me 3: Case Closed

by Mz. Lady P

  “In about five minutes this motherfucker is about to crash into the Pacific Ocean. There’s a chopper waiting outside of here. Again just get on and don’t ask any questions. All of your questions will be answered at the right time. You now have four minutes. Let’s go!!”

  At this we all got up and headed towards the door of the aircraft. He pulled it back and just like he said there was a chopper right alongside it. There was a man in full army gear who reached out and grabbed on to us one by one.

  “Man you better not drop me. I swear to God, I’ll kill ya ass!” Tech said as he was pulled over into the chopper. I was the last one to get inside, followed by the two niggas who had killed the damn agents, and who were flying the plane. We all watched as the plane went into the ocean. I shook as it exploded before hitting the water. My thoughts immediately went to Bella and my kids. The guy who was in the army fatigue removed his helmet, and I thought I was looking in the damn mirror.

  “What’s up, big bro?”

  “Jace?”

  “The one and only. Now let’s get the fuck out of dodge while we’re off the radar. You can thank a nigga later.” We slapped hands and gave each other a brotherly hug. It was crazy that he went to these great lengths for me when we’ve never even met before. I’ve only seen pictures of him and that’s when he was younger, but the resemblance was undeniable. He looked more like my Pops than I did.

  “I don’t mean to break up this fucking family reunion, but can I please call my fucking wife!” Tech yelled due to the loud sound of the chopper.

  “Hell no! None of you can call anybody.”

  “Why the fuck not?” Dominic asked.

  “As of right now, you all are presumed dead and your bodies are in the ocean along with that plane wreckage.” I fell back in my seat and ran my hand over my face in frustration. This was not what I wanted. Bella, Sky, and my mother were about to go crazy. This was not supposed to be like this.

  I can’t bear this shit, knowing Bella is going to be all sad over this shit. But right now what can a nigga do? Bella has forgiven me for a lot of shit, but I knew this was going to be unforgivable. For the rest of the plane ride, which seemed like forever, all I could think about was my family, and how hurt they will be thinking that I’m dead. As I look at my niggas I could tell they’re thinking the same motherfucking thing. The days of us living that Ski Mask Mafia life were officially over.

  Chapter 10- Bella

  All of this had to be a bad ass dream, and at any moment I was going to wake up and Jayceon would be alive and well. It had been two weeks since the airplane that was carrying them crashed into the ocean. They had been searching the water every day, and there was no sign of them. They found parts of the plane but that was it. The main thing they needed to find was the black box, and they had been unsuccessful. God has decided to punish me, and I don’t know why. I know that I’m not supposed to question God’s will, but why would He do this to me, to us.

  The TV had been on CNN non-stop as the story about the plane crash played over and over. It was top news due to the fact that Federal prisoners and Federal agents were missing and presumed dead. Each and every time I saw those divers going down in the water and coming back up with nothing, it killed me a little more.

  Since Sky, Chloe, Shayla, and I had been put out of our homes, we had been staying with Pops and Ms. Tina. Not to mention Sierra had moved in as well to help out with the kids and to be closer to Pops. I was actually glad to see her because she hadn’t been around much since the incident with Officer Braxton.

  The house was so sad and gloomy. Knowing that Jayceon, Tech, Dominic, and Rashad were dead had us all fucked up in the head. I’ve never seen Ms. Tina so sad as long as I’ve been knowing her. Besides the time when Jayceon was in a coma. Lord I wish he was just in a coma. I was beating myself up for not answering his calls before he got shipped off.

  Despite being mad at him, I know in my heart of hearts I loved that man. I was just tired of losing out trying to remain loyal to him. Not that he didn’t deserve it. At the same time, all I wanted was my happiness that he promised. I wanted to remain happy. Not happy for a couple of months, and then a monkey wrench gets thrown into our plans.

  I had been sitting in the bedroom with my kids watching them as they slept, too upset to even come out. The search was called off and reality had really set in that the love of my life was dead, and me, or his kids, would never see him again. It’s like Jaylah is the splitting image of him. Every day she looks more and more like him. It hurts my soul that these kids won’t be able to grow up with the man who adored the hell out of them. Baby J and Jazzie were in their own little world. They had no idea what was going on, and I wanted to keep it that way. How can you tell small children that their father is dead? Each and every time I think about it, I get sick to my stomach.

  All I wanted to do was numb the pain and there was only one thing that could do that. When Vladimir was holding me, he kept me high off heroin. I hadn’t had a craving for it since then. I didn’t know what was wrong with me, but I did know that heroin wasn’t the solution. That shit would only make things worse. There was only one person in the world who could save me and that was Jayceon. He’s no longer here, so I have to be strong and try to fight through these demons.

  Plus, Ms. Tina and Pops have been too good to me by taking care of the kids when I couldn’t, and I would never put that burden on them. Tina and Pops were so upset they had been arguing and fighting with one another. Not to mention we haven’t heard them fucking or knocking pictures off of the wall during the night. So we all knew they were really fucked up about Jayceon being dead. He’s been the glue that holds this family together. What in the hell are we going to do without our glue?

  *****

  “What you doing, sis?” Chloe said as she came in the room holding Rasharia. I felt more sorry for her, because she had just found someone to call her own and now he’s gone. Not to mention all the baby does is cry, and she is overwhelmed. She tries to act like she’s not, but I know she is. I can see it in her face.

  “Trying to stay sane but the shit is so hard.”

  “Who you telling. I’m just trying not to cry. Rashad wouldn’t want that, but it’s hard. I never thought I would have to raise my daughter all alone. What the hell are we going to do? We ain’t got shit, Bella. They took everything from us. We can’t live with Ms. Tina and Pops forever.” She leaned down and kissed her baby on the forehead.

  I started thinking about what she was saying, and she was absolutely right. I know that Tina and Pops have no issue with us being here, but at the same time I don’t want that. I know how to run a cheque up, so I needed to sit back and think about my next move.

  “We’re going to be okay, lil sis. When we first met I promised you that I would always be here for you. We gon’ get through this shit together.” We hugged each other, and at the same time someone knocked on the bedroom door.

  “Come in.” I wiped the tears from the corner of my eyes before they fell.

  “Ya’ll father is out here.” Ms. Tina said with her face slightly turned up, and I couldn’t blame her. Right now is not the time for the shenanigans. My question is why is he even here? I know it’s not to pay respects. Especially when he doesn’t like Jayceon or Rashad.

  “I’m so not in the mood for his shit right now.” Chloe said through gritted teeth.

  “I swear if he says anything slick out of his mouth we gon’ beat his old ass like a stranger in the street.” I said, and I meant every word of it.

  “Calm down. He actually looks like his condolences were genuine. Just come and see what he wants. If he’s here on bullshit Rock is going to kick his ass.” Tina walked out of the room, and we followed her.

  When we made it to the living room our father was standing in the foyer. It hurt me to my heart knowing my father was heartless to me and Chloe. I remember when my father was my best friend. As I walked closer to him, I had a flashback of the day when I begged and pleaded fo
r him to accept the fact that I loved Jayceon. All I wanted was for my father to give us his blessings, instead he flat out disowned me. That shit hurt me more than anything in this world besides the fact that Jayceon is dead.

  “I’ve been watching the news. Now regardless of any ill feelings I’ve had towards Jayceon and Rashad, I know that being here for you girls and my grandkids is the most important thing in this world. I’ve been wrong for walking out on the both of you. Can you find it in your heart to forgive me?” Both Chloe and I were looking at him like he was crazy.

  “Where’s Ma at?” I had to ask, because something was definitely up if he was here making amends without her being present.

  “That’s the other reason why I’m here. She died from a heart attack a couple of days ago. She went peacefully in her sleep. The arrangements are tomorrow. I just wanted to let you know.”

  “Ding dong the wicked witch is dead. Can’t say I care or give a flying fuck. Sorry for your loss. I know how much the evil bitch meant to you. After all you said fuck me because of her. Meanwhile my child’s father is dead, and my only concern is how in the fuck am I going to raise our daughter alone.” Chloe walked off like it was nothing, and I couldn’t blame her. Our father was dead ass wrong for the way he did her.

  “I’m sorry that she passed. After all she was the person who gave birth to me. At the same time she was never a mother to me. She hated me in life, so I could give less than a fuck about her in death. So if you think coming here to tell me that the bitch is dead means something, it doesn’t. The love of my life is dead! Do you hear me! Jayceon is dead, Daddy, and you hated him. He never did nothing to you or that evil bitch. All he ever did was love me and take care of me! Oh my God! He’s dead!” I didn’t even realize I was on my knees crying my heart out until I felt my father wrap his arms around me.

  “I’m so sorry, mija.” It had been so long since my father had showed me any affection that I was actually allowing him to hold me. Regardless of how bad a parent treats you. There is nothing like having their love and support. I think I’ve missed my father more than I care to admit.

  “Come on, Bella. You need to lay down.” Pops pulled me out of my father’s arms and walked me back to my room. I cried until I fell asleep. The whole time I dreamed about Jayceon. It was as if he was with me, but so far away and I couldn’t get to him. The sound of lightning made me jump from my sleep. The room was pitch black, and the only light I could see was lightning striking outside. I smiled because I used to hate these nights, but Jayceon would be right there holding me tight.

  I’ll never love another. As long as I live my heart will always belong to him and him only. I fell back on the bed and pulled the cover up over me. A chill ran over me, and I felt as though he was still with me. I was tired of crying, and I promised myself that this would be the last night that I shed tears.

  In my heart I know that Jayceon would snap the fuck out if he knew I was all sad and shit, contemplating getting high. He would fuck me clean up. This is confirmation of what my next move is. I refuse to take this shit laying down. I know nothing I do will bring him back, but the government and that bitch Fatima fucked with the wrong gangster’s bitch.

  *****

  It had been a month since the plane went down and the bodies still hadn’t been recovered. So we decided to have a small, private memorial service. Ms. Tina was just too distraught, so she stayed home with all of the kids. Pops was trying his best to hold everybody down, but I knew at any moment he was going to break. I was glad he was able to be strong for us, because we were all slowly losing our minds.

  As I sat inside of the church, on the front pew alongside Chloe, Sky, and Shayla, my mind was going into overdrive. From time to time I would find myself staring at the overhead projector that was showing a slideshow of Jayceon and the crew. The good times they had with one another. I bet they’re in heaven right now planning some damn heist behind the Lord’s back. Just thinking something crazy like that made me laugh on the inside.

  The gospel song I Told The Storm began to play loudly. I closed my eyes and took in all of the words. They were so powerful and reassuring. Don’t ask me why, but I felt so at peace. I looked around the church and it was packed to capacity. The Ski Mask Mafia was definitely loved and will forever be missed.

  “This some good ass weed. Where did you get this from?” I asked Shayla. We were all in the basement drinking a fifth of apple Cîroc and smoking some Kush.

  “I found this in Dominic’s car. It was a lot of the shit too. I’m glad I was able to get to it before them damn agents did. Oh my God! I just thought of the funniest shit ever.” Shayla was damn near choking on the weed smoke she had inhaled.

  “What’s so fucking funny, bitch? Please tell me, because I need a good laugh.” Sky said as she knocked back a shot of Cîroc.

  “I was thinking about when I pulled that motherfucking plug on Dominic’s sneaky dick ass. I pulled that bitch and got the fuck out of dodge. When I pulled up to our house Blockka, Tech, and Rashad was standing on the porch looking like they were about to kill my ass. To this day I’m still confused how them niggas beat me to the house. I sat in the car and smoked a blunt before getting out. I swear I could see Blockka’s hand twitching. He was dying to slap the shit out of me. I didn’t give no fucks, though.”

  “I remember I sliced the shit out of Tech for blaming me for his retarded ass baby-momma killing herself. I swear after all the fights and stunts that I pulled over the years. That was the only time I felt like he was going to leave my ass. I went to the bitch’s funeral just to see his ass. I was crying and apologizing like a little bitch.

  “Jayceon was right there to comfort me and tell me everything was going to be okay. I swear to God ya’ll, I’ve always had my brother here to guide me through life. Losing him and Tech at the same time has me fucked up. I’m going to need ya’ll to be here for me. As a matter of fact, we have got to be here for each other for the rest of our lives. There is no way we can get through this shit alone.”

  “I feel you, sis. I love you bitches and we in this shit for life.” Chloe moved closer and we all began to hug. This was the best time for me to tell them about my plans. I didn’t know if they were going to take me serious, but I hoped they did because I was dead ass serious.

  “Enough with all that mushy shit. We’ve been crying for damn near two months. Crying ain’t gon’ bring our niggas back, and it ain’t gon’ put food on the table. The government has seized every motherfucking thing we own down to our panties and our kids’ socks. I don’t know about ya’ll but I’m a Boss’ wife, and I’m accustomed to a boss bitch lifestyle. Living here with Tina and Pops is cool, but this can’t be our ending.

  “I can’t go out like that, so I have a idea that will make us more money than we ever seen before.” I blew smoke from my mouth and knocked back a shot. At the same time I stared each and every one of them in the eyes. I needed these bitches to know that I wasn’t about to do no fucking around.

  “Would you stop sitting there acting like Michael Corleone and tell us what the fuck the plan is?” Sky said making everybody laugh.

  “Let’s pick up were the Ski Mask Mafia left off.”

  “What the hell you talking about, Bella?” Chloe asked.

  “I’m talking about robbing banks and doing heists.” They all started laughing, choking on the weed they were smoking, and spitting out the liquor they had drank. Meanwhile I was sitting there stone faced and serious as a fucking heart attack.

  “How in the hell are we going to do that? I love your ambition, sis, but we don’t know the first thing about that shit. I can’t go to jail and let some bitch take my womanhood. Oh hell no! Them dyke bitches will get me in there and turn me out. I’m sorry, but I am not built for prison.” Chloe said all animated and shit.

  “I know a little bit about it from planning robberies with them back in high school, but that shit was so long ago.” Shayla said.

  “I know a little from what Tech an
d Jayceon have told me about the heists, but I’m not so sure we can pull it off.”

  “I’m not sure either, Sky. All I know is that I refuse to sit around broke letting the government win. La Bella Mafia is in full effect, and we’re doing this. Of course we can’t go head in, we have to do our homework and case some of the joints. I just need ya’ll to be in this with me. La Bella Mafia ain’t nothing without ya’ll.” I needed for Chloe, Shayla, and Sky to know that without a doubt, I couldn’t do this shit without them.

  I could see the skepticism in their eyes. Hell, I was reluctant as well, but a bitch had to do what a bitch had to do. I know you’re probably thinking this bitch can just go back to being a real estate agent. Unfortunately, I can’t because my shit has been revoked. The state wants to say it’s because of my arrest, but I wasn’t charged with anything. I lost it because of my connection to one of the most notorious bank robbers Miami has ever seen. Fuck these people. I can’t help that I fell in love with Jayceon.

  “I’m in.” Sky said as she knocked back a shot, and we dapped it up.

  “Count in me in, big sis.” Chloe said as she knocked back another shot.

  “I was in from the jump. Let’s get it popping then. Who we hitting first?” Shayla said.

  “First Federal Bank of Miami. Here is the entire layout. ” We all looked up when we heard Ms. Tina’s voice. She handed me a long tube that contained the blueprint to the bank.

  “How did you know about this, Ms. Tina?”

  “I know everything that goes on in my house, Bella. At the same time, what type of mother-in-law would I be if I didn’t support you in this? I’m a master at this shit. I learned from the best. My baby Rocky taught me everything I know about the business. It’s been years since I put in work, but I’m still nice with my stick. Trust and believe me that’s who we hit first. There’s more blueprints where that came from.”