by K'wan
“Yeah, T, go on and handle yours. We’ll get up with you later,” Brasco assured him. Tech and Silk headed back to the car, leaving Brasco and Ashanti with their very first workers.
“A’ight, fellas, this is the way this is gonna go—” Bernie began, but Brasco cut him off.
“Hold on, fam. Just because we’re letting y’all bag this shit don’t mean you’re calling no shots,” Brasco said, stopping him.
“But me and Wise was gonna get the work off together; we always hustle in pairs,” Bernie told him.
Brasco shook his head. “Nah, we ain’t got enough cats on the payroll to do it like that yet, so we’re gonna rock it how Ashanti and me say. One of y’all will go up one end and the other one will stay down here; we don’t wanna miss none of the fiends.”
“Fam, being that y’all some outside niggaz who ain’t never got no bread over here, I’m just trying to tell you how it goes. How you gonna make us your street generals and not give us any say-so in how we hustle?” Bernie said with a little too much bass in his voice.
“Street generals?” Ashanti looked at him comically. “Brasco, you hear this guy?” He glanced at his partner. “Let me tell you something, silly muthafucka. Just because the big homey came over here and gave you a little pep talk don’t mean shit. To me, you ain’t nothing but a muthafucka out here working for me, so you best get to work before you find yourself fired.” Ashanti pulled up his shirt so Bernie and Wise could see the butt of his gun.
“Or fired on,” Brasco said, exposing his weapon.
Fearing that his dimwitted friend was going to get them both killed, Wise stepped up. “No problem, B. It’s like you said, we’ll split up.” Wise pulled Bernie toward the building. His legs buckled so bad that he had to take measured steps. He thought that working for the two kids was going to be sweet, but one thing Brasco and Ashanti had made crystal clear was that there was nothing sweet about them.
“How long do you think it’ll take them to get that off?” Silk asked once they were back in the whip.
“For as hurting as these fiends are for some good shit, it shouldn’t take more than a day or so. We’ll hit them again tomorrow night,” Tech told her.
“And how do you figure that when we’ve been riding around all day hitting different little hoods with coke, we ain’t got nothing left in the stash? By making all these promises, you might’ve finally bitten off more than you can chew, Tech,” Silk said seriously.
He looked at her. “Silk, when have you ever known me to do something without thinking it through?”
“Never,” she said honestly.
“Alright, so don’t ask silly questions, little girl. I got at the boy Rock Head about that deal and the date has been changed: we’re hitting them niggaz tonight,” Tech informed her.
“Tonight? We ain’t even did a walk-through,” Silk reminded him.
“Silk, I’ve been on that nigga almost every night since Shai called his little meeting.”
“Tech, we always been tighter than fam, but you’ve been on some real funny shit lately with all these secrets,” Silk said.
“I know, Silky, but there’s been a lot of shit in the mix and I’ve been trying not to come to y’all unless I had something of note to talk about. I heard through the grapevine that the Commission had another little meeting, except we weren’t invited to this one. It seemed that somebody had an urge to have us hit, but the motion was vetoed.”
“Son of a bitch! I’ll bet it was that faggot Rico who tried to sponsor that little going-away party,” Silk said heatedly.
“I never got the chance to find out whose idea it was, but I do know that our lives were spared by one vote, and it don’t sit well with me.”
“So what’re we gonna do, go at the Commission?” Silk asked. She didn’t like to feel like she was at a disadvantage, so she liked to meet her problems head-on.
“Oh, we gonna let our dogs bark, but not right now. Going toe-to-toe with them would be suicide, and if we didn’t get them all, we’d have to run for the rest of our lives,” Tech explained. He didn’t fear the Commission, but he respected their power, so he understood that money beat muscle any day. “We’re gonna rip old boy off for this coke and flood all the little blocks we’ve laid the pressure on over the last few months. We’re hot right now, so we’re gonna kick back and try our hand at drug dealing for a while.”
“So now you think you’re gonna be the black Scarface,” Silk teased him.
“Silky, baby, the only thing I know I’m gonna be is alive tomorrow to see another day and another dollar, and that’s what’s important to me right now. Let’s take this shit one day at a time and let everything else fall into place. On another note, I’m gonna need to get the team together to walk everybody through this shit a few times before we move. Have you spoken to China?”
“Not since this morning. She was acting all funky and shit before she left; you know how white folks are,” Silk said, laughing.
“Well, make sure you raise her sooner than later. I’ll track Animal down.”
Silk was quiet for a minute. “Yo, T, you think Animal is ready for this? I mean, I know he’s a rider, but his head has been somewhere else ever since Don B. put this rap shit in his ear.”
Tech looked at her like she’d lost it. “Silk, Animal might be a flake, but he’s the most qualified street soldier to ever come out of a broad. He’s chasing this fake-ass dream right now, but once he hears the call to arms he’s gonna be all in; this I’m sure of.”
CHAPTER 28
As soon as Animal entered his apartment, he knew something was wrong. From the foyer he could see a cup in the sink, and he knew for a fact that he’d washed all the dishes before he’d left that morning. He drew his hammer and crept silently into the living room, where he heard the television playing. Swinging his shooting arm up as he went, Animal jumped in front of the television and almost shot China White.
China was curled up on his sofa, eating ice cream out of the container and watching Poetic Justice on the plasma. She was dressed in nothing but Animal’s Jackie Robinson jersey and a head scarf. One creamy thigh was visible from beneath the jersey; her black-painted toenails traced lines in the carpet. Her blue eyes studied him while she slowly took another spoonful of the chocolate mint, letting the spoon linger in her mouth until she had gotten all the ice cream off.
“Either shoot me or move. This is the best part of the movie,” China said, referring to the fight between Joe Torre and Regina King.
“Girl, you know better than to be sneaking into my pad like that.” Animal put his gun away. He walked over to the couch where she was sitting and sat down. China stretched her bare legs over him and continued watching the movie. “What’re you doing here unannounced?”
“What’d you give me a key for if you were gonna get all uptight about it?” she asked.
“I gave you the key to use in case of emergencies.”
“This was an emergency, sort of.” She took her legs off him and sat up.
“What’s wrong, Ms. White?” he asked, sounding very concerned. “If a nigga’s wronged you, I’ll make him bleed, and if a nigga’s hurt you, I’ll make him gone,” he said, reciting the old mantra.
“Animal, you still remember that?” She smiled a little.
“I should, seeing how I’ve been saying it to you since I was thirteen years old. Back then I thought of you as my white girlfriend,” he reminded her jokingly.
“Yeah, no matter how many times I smacked your little ass for it, you were always trying to feel up on me. You acted like you’d never seen a woman before.” She laughed.
“We had plenty of chicks in the hood, but not white ones. Especially white ones that’s built like a sista.” Animal pinched her thigh, causing her to giggle. “But don’t try to change the subject by taking me down memory lane. What’s bothering you?”
She thought on it, wondering if she should share her anxieties with Animal. He had always been dear to her heart and they cou
ld trust each other with anything, but what was bothering her hit very close to home with him. Still, they’d promised never to keep secrets from each other, so she wouldn’t be the one to break the pact.
“I’m afraid,” she said finally.
“Not the great China White, the baddest white chick to ever strut a New York block,” he joked.
“I’m serious, Animal. This business with Tech and the Commission has got me spooked.”
“Them old cats is always salty with Tech over one thing or another. It’ll blow over like it always does.”
“Animal, you weren’t there, so you didn’t see what I saw,” she told him. “Yo, it was as if Tech was purposely trying to start a war with them dudes. I’m all for getting a dollar by any means necessary, but you don’t spit in the hand of a man like Shai Clark when he extends it in friendship.”
“I can agree with you on that, China. I’d go at Shai and his people if I had to, but it’s not something I’d wanna do,” Animal admitted.
“Animal,” China began, “you know I love all y’all, you’ve been my only family since I got to New York, and never treated me funny because I was white, and I am so thankful for that, but at the same time I have to ask myself where exactly we’re following Tech to, heaven or hell? Sometimes he’s the dude we all know and love, and others, he’s a cold bastard who’s still trying to prove to a dead man that he’s the hardest thing on the streets. He’s getting so far removed from the original goals that he’s diving into the fire headfirst and taking us all along for the ride.”
“What’re you trying to say, China?” Animal was getting emotional. The thought of losing China as a part of their family made him sick to his stomach.
“I’m trying to say that I don’t wanna die on the streets over some dumb shit,” she cried. Animal could feel the sadness coming off China like body heat when he pulled her close to console her. When she looked up at him, he felt like he was staring into two perfect oceans of blue.
“We’re gonna be okay.” He wiped the tears from her eyes with his thumb right before she kissed him. It was somewhat expected, but it still surprised him when it happened. His tongue explored China’s mouth, tasting the sweetness from the ice cream and the love she had in her heart for him. China grabbed a handful of his hair and pulled him so roughly to her that their teeth scraped. They were so wrapped up in the pent-up lust between them that it was as if they had returned to that faithful night a year prior, when they had enjoyed each other for the first and last time. Animal had been young and inexperienced so he was rough at first, but he proved to be a quick study as she schooled him on how to please a woman. Before the flashback could completely materialize, Animal broke the connection.
“What’s the matter, did I do something wrong?” China looked up at him.
Animal slid farther down the couch, putting distance between them. “You know we can’t do this, not again.”
“No strings attached, right?” She gave him a sad smile.
“You know that, China, we both made the promise,” he reminded her. There was no doubt in either of their minds that what had happened last year between them was more than just a fuck; they had made love, pure and beautiful love. The feeling of oneness had passed as soon as the deed was done, when they both realized the possible consequences of what they’d done. They both lived the lives of outlaws, always one step ahead of a bullet and the law; thus, emotions could not live in either of their hearts when they were handling business. They both knew that if they allowed their feelings to blossom, it would affect their focus on the streets because they would always be worried about each other.
“Well, since I’ve shared something with you, you’ve got to share something with me, you know how we do it,” China said, trying to lighten the mood.
“I don’t have anything to share,” Animal said bashfully.
“I doubt that, Animal. With all the time you’ve been spending with Don B. lately, I know your life has run into some interesting twists and turns. Did you decide whether or not you were going to sign that contract?”
“I’m thinking about it, but Tech says it’s a bad idea to fuck with Don B. like that,” he said.
“And what does Tech know? Animal, God has blessed you with a gift, and honestly, I think it would be stupid of you to waste it by doing what we do. For as much as I would love to think that all of us are gonna ride off into the sunset when this is over, I know better. Along the way I know we’re gonna lose people, so all I can do is hope I’m there to share the memories with those who made it. You need to be one of those people, Animal.”
“But what would I know about being some square-ass entertainer, Ms. White? The streets are all I’ve ever known.”
“Then you’ll learn to navigate that world like you did this one,” she said seriously. “Animal, take that money and run with it. Whether you’re a rapper or a thug, be the best at it.”
“I hear you, China. I’m supposed to meet up with Don B. again tonight.”
“What, y’all going back into the studio?” she asked with a smile.
“Nah. We kinda going out to dinner with these chicks we met at the club,” he confided in her.
“Lord, you’re going on a double date with Don B., and with a hood rat no less. What’s her name, Alize, Sha-quan-janique, or Coco?”
“It’s Gucci, silly ass.”
“See what I mean? Who the hell names their child after a handbag. I’ll bet she’s ghetto as all hell.”
“Fuck you, China. Gucci ain’t no ghetto broad,” he said a little more heatedly than he’d intended to.
China’s face suddenly became very serious. “You’re feeling this chick, aren’t you?” Her voice held a mix of surprise and hurt.
“I think so,” he said seriously. “China, from the moment I met her she felt perfect, like the piece I’ve been missing all my life. Have you ever met somebody that you felt like had the answer to every question you’ve ever wanted to ask?”
“I’ve been there a time or two.” She looked at him lovingly.
“See, but if you were a guy, you’d be looking at me like I was crazy for talking like this about a chick that I don’t even know that well.”
“That’s because men have one-track thinking; y’all ain’t got no dimensions to your shit. For the most part, all women have a touch of larceny in their hearts, birthed and stoked by men, but there are some good ones out there. You’re sharp, Animal, so I know you ain’t gonna let nobody beat you in the head but so much, but please be careful with your heart. The heart is a fragile thing, and until you’ve had it broken a time or two you’ll have no idea of the extremes that it can make you go through.”
“Always the wise one.” He leaned over and gave her a peck on the lips. When he did, his hair got all in her face.
“Boy, you need to get a haircut.” She ran her hands over her mouth to dislodge any loose strands.
“Never. I’m like Samson, my hair is my strength.” Animal ran his fingers through the mess.
“Well, if you insist on going on a date with this hood rat, at least let me tighten you up. You don’t want her talking about you to her friends when they’re at the welfare office.” She dug a comb out of her purse and motioned for Animal to sit between her legs.
“She ain’t a hood rat and she’s got a job,” Animal corrected her, before sliding between her legs.
“Whatever, Animal. Just hold your head back so I can help you to show this broad what a lucky woman she is.”
CHAPTER 29
“Tionna, why do you always have to take the longest to get dressed?” Gucci sighed, looking at her watch. It was five after nine and Tionna was still barricaded in the bathroom.
She popped her head out of the bathroom, which was still wrapped in a scarf. “Because it takes a lot to look this good.” She shut the door again.
“We were supposed to get picked up at nine o’clock and you’re still bullshitting,” Gucci said, sucking her teeth.
“And nin
e has come and gone and they still ain’t here. Why don’t you relax,” Tionna shouted through the bathroom door. Whatever else she said was drowned out by the sound of the blow-dryer.
“Slow ass,” Gucci mumbled, getting up to check herself in the full-length mirror. She was wearing a fitted black BCBG dress, which she’d picked up from the outlet on her last Atlantic City trip, that made her already supple body appear more curvaceous. The black Gucci pumps added just enough lift to make her ass poke out enough to make sure she had Animal’s undivided attention.
The beeping of a car horn drew Gucci’s attention to the window. She looked out and saw the Senate, along with some of the neighborhood kids flocking around the sleek black automobile that had just pulled to a stop in front of Tionna’s building. Gucci’s lips parted into a wide grin. “T, our ride is here,” she called to her friend.
“I’m coming right out.” Tionna stepped out of the bathroom, finishing her hair. She had blown and pressed it, so it hung down straight like a China doll. The outfit she and Gucci had picked was a red Michael Kors evening gown that was cut into a vee on both sides, showing off her flat stomach and high ass. Thankfully, the kids hadn’t sapped so much of her youth that she had to wear a bra with the dress, because she felt like the threat of her nipples showing through the dress gave her more appeal. “It’s about time they got here. What are they pushing?”
“A spaceship.”
Tionna felt like a rock star when she walked out of her building. Rayfield and Cords were standing in the center of a bunch of kids, trying to get a look at what had to be the biggest whip they’d ever seen. It was easily the length of two cars and painted such a rich black that it looked like it might fade into the evening. She was glad that she’d worn a dress that showed most of her goodies, because all eyes would definitely be on her tonight. She had seen them in catalogs and in videos, but never in her life had she dreamed she’d be riding in a Maybach.
