PPP Box Set

by Charmanie Saquea

  “Fuck, I told myself to set my alarm and shit last night, but a nigga was beat.”

  I grabbed my duffel and flopped down on the bed to pick out an outfit. When it came to my clothes, I was an indecisive ass nigga. All my shit was fly, but it didn’t matter. I had to love the fit or I wouldn’t feel right. Too bad I didn’t have the time to be picky. I settled for a Balmain shirt, hoodie, and a pair of Nudie Jeans. I got off the bed and headed into the bathroom, leaving Ty to whatever he was doing in his phone.

  Even though I showered before I went to bed, I was a morning shower type of nigga, so I brushed my teeth and jumped in. That shit felt good, but I knew I was working on borrowed time so I had to make it quick. When I got out, I dried off and got dressed. When I walked back into the room, Ty was on the balcony smoking. As bad as I wanted to get high, I made it my business to go into all meetings sober; especially fucking with these crazy ass Mexicans. I tapped on the balcony door and signaled for Ty to come on.

  “Yo, did you get a burner from Matt?”

  I prayed he remembered, because although I couldn’t go into the meeting with a piece, I felt much better know my nigga was packing and waiting out front need be.

  “Yea, he dropped the shit off this morning and left me keys to one of his whips for us to use.”

  I should have known; my nigga was always on his shit. As we waited for the elevator, I remembered he had Ari out there.

  “Where you told shorty you was going?” I asked him as we stepped onto the elevator.

  “I told her I was going to the gym with you, and left her some money to go shopping.”

  I laughed because that nigga was a clown. “The gym though, bro?”

  Ty knew it was a dumb ass lie so he joined me in laughter. “It worked, so fuck it.”

  I nodded my head because he was right. Once we got outside, we walked around the block to the parking lot where Matt had parked his car. When I saw the shit he left for us I had to shake my head. Out of all cars, that nigga left us with a Prius. Did we look like Prius driving cats? Ty must have been thinking the same thing, because we looked at each other and bust out laughing.

  “A Prius son? Nigga could have left us the truck.” I said as I climbed in the passenger seat.

  I couldn’t really complain though, because Matt provided us with wheels to handle our business. We had to be thankful for that.

  ****

  When we pulled up to the little Mexican spot on Piedmont Road, I mentally prepared myself to deal with whatever bullshit they were going to throw at me. I looked over at Ty, and no words needed to be shared. I knew that nigga would never let anything happen to me if he could help it, so I wasn’t even worried. I slapped fives with my brother and hopped out the car.

  As I entered the restaurant, I took in the scenery just to make sure nothing seemed out of the ordinary. I made this trip often enough to know what was routine and what wasn’t. I spotted the owner’s daughter, Lisa; she was bad as fuck. I was never into dating outside my race, but I made an exception for this half Mexican half black chick. I wouldn’t really call what we had dating though. She was rocking skin tight jeans that hugged her fat ass, which made me stare a little. When she saw me she smiled and walked over to me.

  “Hola, Stranger.” She playfully slapped my arm.

  That was her I missed the dick gesture. Yea, I smashed shorty on every trip I took to the A, and as bad as I wanted this trip to be the same as the others, I had a shorty at home.

  “Wassup, can you tell Miguel I’m here?”

  She looked at me confused. I knew she was expecting me to flirt and shit, but I wanted to really see where things could go with Skye, so I was going to try the monogamous thing.

  “Oh I see, just business this trip, huh?”

  I nodded and she turned away to let them know I was here. I tried to help it, but I couldn’t help it as I watched her ass with every stride she took. I waited a few minutes before Aurelio appeared in the doorway of the back room, signaling me to come. I headed in his direction, avoiding eye contact with Lisa. Once I reached the door he was standing at, we shook hands and he moved over so I could enter the room. As usual, six heavily armed Mexicans were standing there while Aurelio searched me. Once he saw I was clean, he nodded, giving the guards the okay to let me pass. As I walked further into the room, I spotted Miguel sitting down with two chicks eating. He must have felt my presence because he looked up from his food and smiled.

  “Young Cam. How are you today?”

  I hated when he called me young Cam. I was a grown ass man, but of course I had to bite my tongue and suppress the annoyance I had from being called that dumb shit. He stood up to shake my hand and signaled for me to sit.

  “Wassup Miguel, I’m cool. How are you?”

  He sighed and shook his head; I already knew where this was going. “I was doing pretty well my friend. That is until I got a phone call about your spot being hit and me losing five hundred thousand dollars. You could understand why I would be in a not so great mood right?”

  Miguel stared at me and waited for me to respond, I was just making sure he spoke his piece before I said mine, because I knew those Mexicans wouldn’t hesitate to shoot if they felt I disrespected their boss. I knew that because it’s exactly what any nigga on my team would do if my father was disrespected.

  “Miguel, I understand your frustrations but you have nothing to worry about.”

  His eyebrows went up, that nigga wanted to raise his own damn blood pressure because nothing I said should have put him on edge.

  “So you telling me that I should not be concerned when it comes to my money?”

  If Miguel would have just shut the fuck up and let me finish what I was saying he would have known the answer to that dumb ass question.

  “Yea, my father didn’t ask for this meeting for me to come at you with excuses as to why the money gone. There was a problem I’m here with the solution. You weren’t due to get paid for another week, but I’m prepared to pay you back what is owed with interest for the hassle, NOW!”

  I had to say now hard so he would understand I wasn’t there on some bull shit.

  “I see why my father had no issues dealing with your father for so many years; I appreciate the way you guys do business. How much interest are we talking about here?”

  I sat up straight and looked him directly in his eyes. I wanted Miguel to see how serious I was. My eyes dared him to try and play me for some rookie as nigga, as my next statement fell from my lips.

  “Name your price, Miguel.”

  The ultimate test, it was a win, win situation for him. He was getting what he was owed a week early with extra. I wasn’t one to be played for a fool, because I wasn’t new to that shit. Miguel sat back and pondered over my statement, I could tell he was battling with taking me to the bank, or doing the right thing and keeping shit civil. When money was involved, niggas tended to get greedy. I hoped for everyone’s sake that Miguel wouldn’t go there. He clasped his hands together and leaned forward.

  “I like y’all, Cam. The numbers we pull in monthly dealing with your father are astronomical. With that being said, I’ll just take what is owed.”

  Was that man testing me? Why couldn’t we just handle shit straight up? What was with the mind games?

  “Nah, on behalf of my pops and our organization, we feel it’s only right to give you a bit extra. How’s $750,000?”

  I went in with the intentions on giving those niggas a whole extra $500,000 but since he wanted play mind games that got cut in half. Miguel smirked, I knew that nigga was fishing, but I wasn’t about to bite the bait.

  “$750,000 sounds good, I hope you didn’t travel with that type of cash.”

  I didn’t like being underestimated. Who the fuck would travel on a plane with $750,000 in dirty money? Not anyone with a fucking brain. That nigga annoyed me, and I was glad that meeting was over. We discussed plans for the money transaction to take place back in NY in the next few days, and I dipped.
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  Chapter Five

  Ty

  When I saw Cam coming out the restaurant, I let out a heavy breath because you just never knew when dealing with those Mexicans. To say those dudes were crazy would be an understatement. I started up the car as Cam got in, and pulled off. I glanced at him, and could tell he had some shit on his mind.

  “How’d it go, bro?”

  He shook his head side to side and rubbed his temple. “Man, it went cool but dealing with them cats is a headache. Everything is a fucking mind game, or a test.”

  I could honestly say that was part of the job description I was glad I didn’t have to deal with. I didn’t trust the Mexicans at all, but our supply was basically endless with grade A shit, so I couldn’t really complain.

  “What you trying to get into the rest of the time we out here?”

  I had a few things on my mind, with fucking the shit out of Ariana at the top of the list.

  “Bro you can just drop me off at the hotel. I brought the books a nigga need to get in some studying. Back to school Monday, I and I haven’t picked up a book the entire vacation.”

  I respected that; I mean how could I not? My nigga was waist deep is this business, but still managed to keep school first. I wish I had the will power to do the same, but school wasn’t my thing. I was done with the school shit after high school.

  “Aight bro.”

  The rest of the ride was silent, aside from the hip hop that blasted through the car stereo system. I wasn’t really feeling this music though; not a big fan of down South rap. 2 Chainz was my hitter, but I had to listen to that nigga’s music in moderation because I got tired of that shit after a while. When we pulled up to the hotel, Cam and I gave each other dap and he got out. I wondered if Ariana was still in the room, so I pulled out my phone and called her.

  “Hey baby.” She answered on the first ring.

  I loved that she always was happy to hear from me.

  “What’s good love? You still in the room?” I heard some nigga trying to get her attention and got a mad. “Yo!” I barked into the phone.

  “Yea baby, my bad. This nigga pulled my arm trying to get my attention, and I had to check his ass. But nah, I’m at Lenox. You meeting up with me, or you still with Cam?”

  That nigga better be glad I wasn’t in the vicinity. “Yea, I’m on my way.”

  ****

  When I pulled into Lenox Mall parking area, I drove around for about 15 minutes trying to find parking. I was relieved when I saw a blue Honda pulling out of a spot. I quickly swerved into it before anyone else can snatch it. As I walked toward one of the entrances, I texted Ari to see where she was. She replied telling me to meet her at the Louis Vuitton store. I hadn’t been to this mall in a minute, so I had to grab one of them brochures with the map on it to find the store.

  Ariana

  When I saw my man walking into the store, I smiled. I couldn’t believe how totally smitten I was by him. Ty was everything I could want in a dude. He had time for himself, and managed to have time for me. He was clear about his feelings and where we stood with each. I didn’t ask for much; just a loyal nigga with good dick. Ty gave me that, so your girl didn’t have any complaints.

  He walked over to me as I was looking at the pocketbooks through the glass case, and stood directly behind me, kissing my neck. I felt my panties moisten. Why did his touch have that effect on me? I turned to face him, and playfully bit his lip.

  “I missed you too.” I said as I turned away to look at the bags again.

  I couldn’t decide between the Deesse GM, and the Navy Blue Alma GM. After a few minutes of debating I decided on the Alma. The navy would go fine with a pair of jeans on a regular day. After paying for the bag, Ty and I walked hand in hand throughout the mall, stopping at stores we liked on the way. After a few hours of tearing up the mall, we stopped for food and were ready to retire to the hotel. I was so happy his friend let him borrow a car, because getting a taxi was hell for me. I had to remember this wasn’t New York.

  As Ty put the bags in the back seat, I got in the car and decided to call Skye. She had to be bored out her mind. I mean we had tons of friends, but when it came to kicking it and going out it was just us two. So I know with me out of town, my girl was in her crib drowning in them textbooks. The phone rang four times, and I was ready to hang up when she finally answered.

  “Hey bestie.”

  Eww she needed to clear her throat sounding like a sick little boy.

  “Yuck trick, clear your throat.” I said laughing at her.

  Skye laughed with me. “Shut up, I was knocked out. But thanks for calling me. I need to get up and get some studying done.”

  See, I knew it. School, sleep, and no play; her lifelong ritual.

  “Oh, I was just calling to see what you were up to. Ty and I are on our way back to the hotel. We went shopping at Lenox.”

  I was waiting for her to….

  “Tell Ty I said hey, and where’s Cameron?”

  I laughed to myself. She interrupted my thoughts, but that’s what I was waiting for. I knew Skye better than she knew herself sometimes.

  “Ty, she said hey, and where’s Cam?” I turned to him waiting for his response.

  “Wassup, Skye, and he at the hotel. He said he needed to study.”

  I didn’t need to repeat that because I held the phone so she could hear. I put the phone back to my ear as she started to talk.

  “Oh, okay. Well thank you for checking on me doll. Enjoy your time there, and call me when you touch home.”

  We said our goodbyes and ended the call.

  ****

  When we got back to our hotel room my, intentions were to fuck my nigga brains out till we went to bed, but there were some things I needed to discuss with him. While he was on the balcony, I jumped in the shower, using that time to get my thoughts together. My approach needed to be correct if I had any chance of getting the answers that I wanted. I washed and thought hard. When I stepped out the shower, I put on my robe and tied it as I walked into the room. He was looking extremely good, sitting on the edge of the bed in nothing but boxer briefs and socks. I sat next to him and rubbed his shoulders. I wanted him relaxed for when my questions started pouring out. Ty looked up at me and smiled.

  “Why you didn’t get me so I could shower with you?”

  Shit, I didn’t even think about that.

  “I didn’t want to bother you baby, plus you will have plenty more opportunities to shower with me.”

  He nodded his head in agreement and said “True.”

  Alright Ariana this your chance. I had to be my own cheerleader.

  “Baby, wassup with Cam?”

  The look he gave me almost made me regret that I asked. I should have figured out a better way to start the conversation, but I wasn’t about to turn back now. I told my girl I would get to the bottom of this shit for her, and that’s what I planned to do.

  “What you mean?” He asked me.

  I decided to just put it all out there; I wasn’t about that beating around the bush life.

  “Look baby, I know that it’s not really any of our business what goes on between them, but Skye is my best friend. Nah, that’s my sister, and her best interest is always first to me. She feels like Cam not really feeling her or he’s keeping something from her.”

  I paused to give him a chance to speak but he said nothing, I could see that Ty was listening, but decided to stay mute. That was fine; I wasn’t going to stop.

  “I just feel like if he isn’t feeling her, he needs to just be honest with her, instead of stringing her along. We’re grown right? She’s tired of him dipping on her without any explanation. Shit, I would be tired too. As females, we don’t expect y’all to give us a complete run down of your daily agenda, but be considerate. For example, Cam out here in Atlanta; you invited me, but he couldn’t invite Skye? Put not inviting her aside, he didn’t even tell her he was going out of town, and that’s beyond fucked up. Skye isn’t an ugly weak br
oad, so she don’t need to put all her chips on a nigga who don’t want her.”

  Finally he spoke up; I was honestly running out of shit to say.

  “It’s not even like that.”

  Wow, was he serious? After everything I said he replied with that bullshit?

  Nah, that wasn’t going to cut it.

  “So what is it like?”

  Ty sighed, giving me all the answers I wanted plus more. He revealed to me that he and Cam were both major players in an illegal operation ran by Cam’s dad. He spared me the details, which I was thankful for, because I didn’t have time to be an accessory to anyone’s bull. I was shocked though; Cam had my girl over there thinking he was some law abiding citizen going to law school and shit, when the whole time he was living this other life. It explained the disappearing acts, but it didn’t explain the dishonesty. Skye could forgive a lot, but lying wasn’t one of the things on that list. I, on the other hand, was much more understanding. Living that life wasn’t really something you just flat out tell people. However, if you have intentions on dealing with someone on a serious level, some information needed to be shared. I never asked Ty what he did for a living because quite honestly, it didn’t matter to me. I mean, I saw that he was able to provide for himself, so I knew he wasn’t a broke nigga. Plus, he wouldn’t be the first hustler I dated, and if things didn’t work out, he wouldn’t be the last.

  When he was done telling me everything, I promised I wouldn’t tell Skye, but I was only giving Cameron till Tuesday to come clean. Keeping secrets wasn’t something I felt comfortable with when it came to Skye because we shared everything, but that was something that was truly Cam’s place to share. After that conversation, a girl was beat. I had plans on putting Ty to bed, but was no longer in the mood, which was why when he headed in the bathroom, I got comfortable and dozed off.

  Cameron

  Damn, I couldn’t fall asleep for shit. I’d been laying there, tossing and turning for like an hour. Skye crossed my mind as my phone vibrated, and I low key hoped it was her. It wasn’t though; just a text from Ty.