by Charae Lewis
Asia giggled and then stood to her feet. “I wish your ass would.”
“Damn, that shit was fire,” he gloated and then his face turned serious. “Aye, you didn’t give that rapping ass nigga no head did you?”
She rolled her eyes and then stomped back to her seat. “Why the fuck would you ask me that? No, I didn’t give him oral sex. You sure know how to kill the fucking mood.”
“I don’t care about that shit. I need to make sure you didn’t give him no head.”
“If I did, you shouldn’t have shit to say because I know your body count is through the damn roof.”
“We ain't talking about me right now.”
“Yeah, I know we ain't. Where is the waiter? I'm hungry as hell.”
“You scared him off when he saw you toppin’ me off.” He laughed.
She gasped. “Did he really see me? Now I'm embarrassed.”
“He didn’t see shit, so calm down.”
“Whatever.” She stood with her purse in her hand. “I'm going to brush my teeth. I’ll be back.”
Dinero bit his lip as he watched her ass bounce from side to side. She was everything to him. It was her who’d given birth to his daughter. Asia was his heart and his baby and he vowed to himself that he was going to get it right this time.
****
Asia maneuvered her way to her destination in a dreary mood. She was going to put fresh flowers on her mother, Jovelyn’s grave. She hadn't been to the cemetery since her mother’s birthday, which was months ago. She didn’t make a habit of coming to the gravesite since her heart was still broken from the death of her mother. Asia had come by herself, so she could sulk in private. She knew Aimee may have wanted to accompany her, but she didn’t want any company.
A lot of things had changed for Asia, but the pain of Jovelyn’s absence hadn't. Each day when she looked into Mila’s eyes, she saw a piece of her mom. It pained her to know that her child would grow up with only one grandmother. When Jovelyn was alive, all she ever spoke about was when the twins were going to give her grandkids. Asia wished that she could rewind the time and save Jovelyn from her untimely death, but she couldn’t, so she was forced to deal with the painful loss.
Asia sat down Indian style in front of the tombstone and sat the flowers in front of it. Since she could feel tears gather in her eyes, she grabbed her tissues out of her pocket. For a while, she sat in silence as she looked at the words on the headstone. ‘Beloved Mother’ stood out the most to Asia. Jovelyn was indeed beloved and one of a kind.
“Mama, I know you’ve been watching over me, so I don’t have to update you on my life. My world has been crazy, but I wouldn’t change anything except for you to be here with me,” she cried.
After a minute of gathering her emotions, she continued. “Mila is doing better, and I'm so happy for that. I wouldn’t have survived if her surgery hadn’t been successful. She brings me so much joy, Ma. Now I know how you felt about me and Aimee.”
Her phone began to ring, so she looked to see who it was. When she saw that it was a private number, she hit the ignore button. Asia was still getting calls from a private caller, but she refused to answer. She didn’t want it to be someone she didn’t want to speak to, so she chose to ignore it.
“But I miss you so much, Ma. I used to feel so empty, but I'm getting better slowly but surely. I decided to give Dinero a second chance, and I'm praying that he won’t make me regret it. He seems like he’s changed for the better. He’s so good with Mila and he’s even been a little nicer to me.” Asia chuckled.
“I love him so much, though. Even though we were separated for months, my love for him never went away. I've never been in love with anyone like I am with Dinero. I tried everything in my power to stop loving him, but I couldn’t. That man has a death grip on my heart. This time, I'm going to take things slowly with him like I should’ve done the first time. I need to make sure that he won’t do me wrong like he did before.”
She took a deep sigh and then said, “Well I've been out here long enough. I'm going to go. Mama, I love you forever and ever. I miss you so much that it hurts.” She sniffled. “Please watch over Aimee and me along with your grandkids. I love you, Ma.”
Asia stood and kissed the headstone. She wiped her eyes and headed back to her car. When she got inside, Dinero called her.
“Hello?”
“Where you at?”
“I was coming from the office,” she lied.
“What's wrong with you?”
“Nothing.”
“You're lying. I can hear it in your voice that you’ve been crying. What's wrong?”
“I'm good, babe,” she assured him.
“Where you at? Are you at the cemetery?”
She had no clue how Dinero knew that she’d just come from seeing her mother.
“Yes, Dinero,” she admitted.
“Don’t cry, baby. You know I hate it when you’re sad.”
“I'm good now. I promise.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes, I am. What's Mila doing?”
“She’s asleep right now, but Aimee’s big mouth-ass is about to wake her up. Take your fool ass back home,” he spat at Aimee who was in the background talking crazy.
Asia shook her head and laughed. “Okay. I'm on my way, and don’t tell Aimee that I went to the cemetery.”
“A’ight. I got you. Hurry up because I'm hungry.”
“All right, Dinero. I'm coming.”
Asia hung up and made her way home. She drove away feeling a little better than she had before. She’d desperately needed to go and visit her mom to get some things off of her chest. She prayed that one day she would be at peace with Jovelyn’s murder. Asia just couldn’t see that happening any time soon.
Chapter Eighteen
Dinero, Big, and Keece all sat in a car parked outside of a motel. It was close to being midnight as they waited for their signal. They’d finally put together the perfect plan for Keith’s demise. Kiyan was supposed to join them, but he ended up falling asleep on them. Big had paid one of his bartenders to lure Keith to a motel room with the promise of a full night of sexual positions. She would get him nice and intoxicated before texting the crew to come inside of the motel room.
“This cheap ass nigga’s at this seedy ass motel. It’s probably all kinds of bed bugs in this shit,” Keece spat from the back seat.
“He’s always been a cheap ass bitch,” Dinero reminded them.
“Big, how much did you have to pay ol’ girl for this shit?” Keece questioned.
“I gave her five hundred and next weekend off,” he replied.
Keece nodded. “Her lil’ ass came up. I can’t believe Keith’s ass tried to have Maliq rob you. That was bold as fuck.”
“Yeah, that was some bullshit. Maliq is weak as fuck for going along with that fucked up ass plan,” Big snapped.
“That’s why I had to take his ass out last night,” Dinero revealed.
“Word?” Keece quizzed.
Dinero sighed. “Hell yeah. I couldn’t trust his ass. That was my boy, but I couldn’t let him walk around after he tried to rob me. I don’t care what kind of pressure he was under. You never go against me like that.”
“I would've done the same thing. You weren’t wrong.” Keece turned his attention to Big. “Are you and Aimee still beefin’?”
“Hell yeah.” Big chuckled. “Her ass is talking about she needs some time to herself. I’ma give her ass a month and then I'ma bring her ass back home.”
“I thought your ass didn’t care. You were talking big shit a couple of weeks ago,” Dinero teased.
“I was mad, but I came to my senses. I ain't letting Aimee walk away from me like that.”
“Aimee got a side nigga too,” Dinero added.
Big shot Dinero a glare. “Yo, don’t play with me. You gon’ make Aimee get her ass beat for nothing.”
Dinero laughed. “I'm just fucking with you. Come get her ass. DJ’s bad ass poured all of his mil
k in my fuckin’ shoes.”
Big and Keece laughed as Dinero’s phone rang. He saw that it was Asia so he answered.
“Hello?”
“Dinero, Mila’s not eating. She won’t latch on to my nipple. The doctor said to bring her in if she wasn’t eating. Something could be wrong with her heart,” she said in a panic.
“Calm down. I fed her before I left.”
“How did you feed her and how long ago was that?”
“I fed her the breast milk you pumped earlier from a bottle. That was like thirty minutes ago.”
“Oh, well you could’ve said something. I was scared that I might have to take her to hospital.”
“I forgot, but calm down. She’s good. Stop tryin’ to stuff my damn baby like she’s a Thanksgiving turkey.”
“Kiss my ass,” she hissed and hung up.
Dinero laughed and put his phone back in his pocket. Asia was forever paranoid when it came to Mila. If she saw any sign of distress, she wouldn’t hesitate to take her to the hospital.
“Aye, she just sent a text saying that the door is open. Let’s go in there,” Big announced.
The brothers jumped out of the car dressed in their usual black attire. Dinero pulled out his gun before opening the door. They all walked in and spotted Keith laid in the bed with his boxers on. When he saw who had walked in the room, he reached for his gun laying on the nightstand. The girl hurried and grabbed it from his reach. Dinero also noticed something that was familiar. His watch that he’d given Maliq was also on the nightstand.
“Did we interrupt something?” Dinero smirked.
“What the fuck are y’all doing here?” Keith huffed.
“It’s time to pay up, my nigga. Get dressed,” Keece ordered.
“Man, I ain't going nowhere with y’all funny acting ass niggas. Fuck y’all.”
Dinero pointed his gun and fired one shot into his knee. Keith screamed out in agony as blood gushed from his wound.
“What the fuck?!” he bellowed as sweat beads formed on his forehead.
“Now do what the fuck we said and get dressed. I'm not playing with your dumb ass,” Dinero snapped and then aimed the gun at his other leg.
“All right, man! Damn!” Keith griped as he grabbed his pants.
The woman quietly made her exit now that her job had been done. Keith moaned and groaned as he put his clothes on. The pain from his gunshot wound was increasing by the second. It took him a minute, but he was finally dressed. He glared at Dinero.
“What the fuck are you doing this for? You’re the one that ran up on me at your little car wash. You swung off on me over something your ex said. You got a lot of fucking nerve. It was always supposed to be bros before hoes.”
Dinero smacked his lips. “So you gon’ sit here and front? Mothafucka, don’t act like you didn’t have Maliq try to rob me.”
“What? I ain't do that shit,” he feigned innocence. “That lil’ punk is lying.”
“Oh yeah?” Dinero walked over and grabbed his watch. “So this doesn’t belong to me?”
“They didn’t stop making those watches when they made yours,” Keith snapped.
“Man, you ain't shit with your shady ass. Let’s go,” Big demanded.
“Where we going?” Keith asked.
Keece walked over to where Keith stood, and smacked him in the face with his pistol. Keith dropped to the floor with blood running from his nose. “Don’t ask no fucking questions, bitch. Now bring your ugly ass on.”
Keith slowly got up from the floor holding his nose. He limped toward the door, still feeling the burning sensation of being shot in his leg. They all walked out of the motel room and got inside of the car. Keece sat in the backseat with his eyes glued to Keith. The ride to their destination was quiet. No one said a word. An hour later, they arrived at an open field. Keece nudged Keith to get out of the car.
Keith looked around at the open land and noticed a porta potty. He also saw a pile of dirt. At first, he wasn’t scared, but now that they were in the middle of nowhere, Keith was fearful. “Man, what the fuck y’all got going on?”
Out of nowhere, Dinero swung and his fist connected with Keith’s jaw. Once again, Keith had been knocked on his ass.
“Get up so I can whoop your ass.”
“Man, fuck you!” Keith shouted and kicked Dinero in the leg.
Dinero stumbled backwards but quickly regained his footing. Keith attempted to drag himself away. There was no way that he could fight with the condition of his leg.
“His ass is tryin’ to crawl away.” Big laughed.
Dinero stormed over and began to kick Keith in his face. Keith tried to block his foot, but Dinero was way too fast. With each kick, it felt like his bones were being shattered. Blood clouded Keith’s vision as his facial pain increased. He was on the verge of passing out from the blows being delivered to his face. Big came over and stopped Dinero who seemed to be possessed by something.
“Chill, bro. Let’s do what we came to do and bounce.”
Dinero looked down at Keith who looked to be out of it. He then wiped the sweat off of his face and took off his jacket. He grabbed the duct tape from the car and walked back over to Keith. Keece held him down as Dinero taped his arms, legs, and mouth. After making sure Keith wouldn’t be able to break through the tape, the brothers dragged him over to the porta potty. Keith tried his best to fight, but he was too weak. They tossed him in the mobile toilet. Dinero placed a lock on the outside of the door and then kicked it over.
“You're fuckin’ ignorant.” Keece cackled.
Dinero smiled. “I just wanted to let him marinate in the piss and shit.”
Big chuckled. “A’ight. Come on so we can bury his ass.”
The crew pushed the porta potty into the ditch that had been dug. They could hear Keith making noises, but his voice was muffled. Dinero walked to the car and popped the trunk. He grabbed three shovels and walked back over to the ditch. He handed Keece and Big one, and they all began to throw dirt over Keith.
“We gotta hurry up. Paris is texting me asking where I'm at,” Keece told them.
“I forgot your lame ass is on a curfew,” Dinero joked, shoveling dirt.
“Shut the fuck up. Don’t act like your ass ain't about to rush over to Asia’s crib when we get done.”
“I ain't acting like shit because I’m running to her ass.”
“Y’all think he’s gonna break out?” Big asked, referring to Keith.
“Hell nah. You can stick a fork in his bum ass,” Dinero quipped.
They finally finished burying Keith after almost two hours. Dinero made sure that they left no evidence behind before they all jumped into the car. He was glad that he’d finally gotten rid of Keith. It saddened him that Keith had turned into his enemy. He had considered him another brother, so he never thought he would flip on him. Dinero had always treated Keith like family, but he couldn’t let his disrespect slide. Keith had to die, and Dinero thought a slow death would suit him best.
Once Big dropped him off at his car, he drove home. Asia and Mila were spending the night, and he couldn’t wait to kiss them. Dinero finally felt at peace. He no longer had to worry about Cadence trying to ruin him. He was happy that she and Carlotta would be out of his hair for a very long time.
Dinero pulled into his garage and got out. He walked into his home and kicked his shoes off. He saw that Asia had a plate of food sitting on the stove. Dinero wasted no time digging in. This meal had been right on time after the work he’d just put in. After devouring his food in record time, he went upstairs where Asia was laying down with Mila next to her.
“Why didn’t you put her in her crib?”
“Because she just fell asleep. Don’t come in here asking questions? Where the hell you been?” she quizzed with a side eye.
“I was with Keece and Big. If you don’t believe me, you can call them.”
“I believe you. Chill out.”
Dinero picked up the baby and went to put her in
her crib. He made sure that the baby monitors were on, so they could hear her whenever she woke up. After that, Dinero went straight to the shower to wash off the night’s events. He then walked back to his bedroom and climbed into bed and in between Asia’s legs.
“Did you miss me or what today? You gotta gas me up as soon as I walk in the door,” he kidded.
Asia smiled. “Yes, I missed you. That’s why I came over here. But I’m not gonna lie. When I first walked inside, it brought back so many memories.”
“Bad memories or good ones?”
“Honestly, both Dinero. I thought you would've sold this house when we divorced.”
“Nah, I didn’t feel like going through all of that. Plus I knew we were going to get back together.”
Asia twisted her lips. “Boy, you didn’t know shit.”
He laughed. “I did. Did you really think I was about to let you walk away from me forever?”
“Yeah because you had no choice.”
“That’s why your egg roll eating ass is in my bed now, right?”
“Man, please. I'm only with you for Mila,” she cracked.
“Oh for real?” Dinero spoke and then tried to get off of her.
“No, baby. I'm just playing with you,” she confessed, laughing.
“Nah, fuck that. You ain't shit.”
Asia forcefully wrapped her arms around Dinero’s neck to prevent him from moving. “I'm just playing. You know you're the love of my life,” she purred and kissed his lips.
“Don’t say no shit like that again or I’ma body your ass, Asia,” he warned her and kissed her jaw.
“How about you stop making threats and body this bomb-ass pussy that’s hot and ready for you.”
Dinero bit his bottom lip and did as she suggested as they made love for the rest of the night.
****
The following morning, Asia stirred a bit before opening her eyes. She grabbed her phone and saw that it was only five o’clock in the morning. She looked over at Dinero who was turned over on his side, sleeping peacefully. Since her bladder was full, she got up and went to the bathroom. After relieving herself, she went to Mila’s room to check on her. Once she saw that she too was still asleep, Asia carried herself back to bed. Just as she was getting comfortable under the covers, her phone vibrated.
