by K. C. Mills
“We eating in here or in the dining room?” I asked, bypassing Senior and looking toward Ana.
“We can eat in here, since it's just us.” She pulled open another cabinet and then took out four glasses. She and I set the table while Senior and Siah stepped out onto the back porch to smoke a cigar. The only time that Siah smoked them was with his father.
“So, how are you? We haven't really talked in a while,” Ana asked randomly, tucking her long dark hair behind her ear and then smiling at me.
Ana was beautiful, but in a plain way. Nothing about her features was over the top, but you couldn't help but admire her beauty when you looked at her. Her oval face was honey colored and housed dark brown eyes that were large and round. She had full lips, a narrow nose and dime sized dimples that were on display whether she was smiling or not, but she always seemed to be smiling. Ana was one of those people who always looked happy, even when you knew she wasn't.
Senior was a ladies’ man, so they had their issues. But Ana lived with him and was what one would classify as his woman, so she accepted her role and Senior for what he was. I often saw my future just like hers if Siah didn't figure things out, because as much as I told myself that I would walk away, I honestly didn't know if I could.
“I’m good.”
“You seem happy. I’m glad that Siah is not following in his father’s footsteps.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?” I questioned, assuming that she meant the fact that Siah and I were supposedly exclusive, something that Senior had made clear that he would never be.
“He’s trying, Nonie. He wants things to work with you. I heard him talking to Senior about it. Siah wants you to be happy and he knows that he has to change in order for that to happen, so he’s trying, for you.”
Ana smiled in a way that only I could understand. In a way she was envious that an O’day man was giving me what she knew she would never have, but she had made peace with it, so she wasn't sad about it and was genuinely happy for me.
“I know, and I love him for that,” was all I said.
We finished getting everything ready with just idle chit chat about nothing in particular. After everything was ready, Senior and Siah joined us, and the four of us enjoyed our family dinner and then shared a few drinks before Siah and I headed home.
When we got there, I showered and got ready for bed while Siah showered and went to his office to make calls. After a quick call to check in with Kizzie, I shut it down and climbed into bed to call it for the night.
My mind was on what Ana had told me, and the fact that Siah was actually trying. I loved him, and if he was trying, that was good enough for now. It was much more than he had ever committed to, so how could I complain? For now, I was just going to take it day by day.
Later that night, I felt Siah slide into bed with me. I was still half asleep, so like always, I just snuggled close to him and started drifting again. This was what mattered most. If he could give me this, then the rest we could figure out. I felt his lips on my neck and then my shoulder before I heard his voice against my ear. It was low and deep, like he wasn't really speaking to me, but his words sent a rush of emotion through me.
“I love you, Pretty. Don't make me regret giving you my heart because I don't think I could ever recover from you breaking it. A nigga like me don't know how to deal with shit like that, so please don't make me regret loving you.”
Again, his lips grazed the side of my neck before he pulled me deeper into his body. I was sure he thought I was asleep again because his confession wasn't something that I felt he would ever freely admit if he knew that I was listening. Either way, I had his heart. I already knew that, but hearing him say the words canceled any doubt that I ever felt.
Laken
“What’s taking so long? You said that you were going to handle this, and you haven't done shit yet. You’re not backing out, are you?”
I sat calmly and watched Royce’s bitch ass pacing back and forth in front of me. I had a good mind to shoot his dumb ass just because he was annoying the fuck out of me, but I needed him, and his bitch ass had brought his girl with him.
Instead of watching him, my eyes moved to his girl, who was sitting in the corner doing something on her phone. My first thought was how this nigga was always pulling bad ass females. First Nonie, and now whoever this chick was. She was nice, tight ass body, cute face. The entire time he was sitting here running his mouth, I was trying to figure out how I could get her attention to let her know I wanted to fuck her. When I wasn't thinking about how to get that shit in motion, I was caught up with the thought of her lips sliding down my dick.
Snapping out of it, I forced my attention back to Royce. “You don't rush shit like this. You just make sure you do your part. I need to know how they function, so that I can plan this shit out right. After I hit a few of his spots, then he’ll come for me. I’ll be waiting with a bullet that has his name on it.”
“They’re switching shit up. It's like they already know. If they know, then them niggas gonna try to take me out, and I can't risk that. This shit ain't worth dying for.”
I raised my eyebrows and peered at him. “Know what, muthafucker? Did you tip them off?”
“Hell no, I didn't tell them shit. I want him dead just as much as you do, so why the fuck would I do that?”
I glanced in the corner at his girl, who now had eyes on us because this stupid muthafucker was nervous as hell and yelling. She and I made eye contact and I winked at her. She returned a smile and then looked down at her phone. Yep, I was gon’ be up in her guts soon. I chuckled, thinking about the reason why he was so dead set on taking my cousin down in the first place. All because Siah stole his girl, and now here I was trying to do the same shit.
“First of all, calm your ass down,” I said, now focused on him again. “You just need to make sure you know what the fuck they have going on. I’ll figure out the rest, and in my own time. Until then, just keep doing your job and don't let them niggas know you on some fuck shit.”
“Aight, I can do that, but just let me know what’s going on. I mean, I don't know how long I can keep this up. You keep fucking around, and I’ll shoot his ass myself.”
His words made me smile. Royce wasn’t dumb enough to go after Siah on his own, otherwise he would have done that shit already and wouldn't be standing here in my face. He was too got damn eager to partner up with me because he needed me to do the dirty work. Him sitting here flexing was funny as fuck because I knew better. Men like Royce were a dime a dozen, all talk and no action.
“Do it. If you think you can get that shit done without me, then go for it. If not, calm your ass down and do as I asked.”
Just like I thought, he peered at me and then changed his tune. “So, once this is done and you take over his shit, you’re still gon’ put me on, right? I mean, I can run things over there for you, since you got shit to handle over here.”
It took everything in me not to laugh in his damn face. This nigga was a joke. He wasn't loyal worth shit, and he was weak as fuck. The same way he turned on Siah he would turn on me, given the opportunity, and the opportunity was sitting across the room looking at me with lustful eyes.
“Yeah, I got you, but one step at a time. Let's just focus on this shit, and then we’ll worry about that. But check it, I have some shit to handle, so I’ll hit you up soon. You come across anything useful, let me know, but until then just keep doing what you do. Stay under the got damn radar so that they don't know what you’re up to.”
He nodded and turned to face his girl. I stood and lifted one of my business cards off my desk, scribbled call me and my personal cell on the back of it before stepping around my desk. I walked the two of them to the door and Royce dapped me. I offered his girl a friendly hug, but discreetly slid my card in the back pocket of her jeans and then winked at her. Royce's dumb ass didn't even catch that shit.
I laughed to myself as I shut my office door, knowing that I’d be fucking her tonight.
Oh well, his problem not mine. Once I was at my desk again, I heard a knock on my door and it opened. In walked my partner in crime, Lorenz.
“So that nigga have anything worthwhile to say?” Lorenz asked.
“Nah, not really, other than they switched shit up. I expected that, though. Siah is smart, so it makes sense.”
“I don't trust him.”
“Who?”
“Royce.”
“Shit, I don't either, but he’s all we got right now. I mean, we put AJ on it, but he’s new, so I’m sure they're not letting him in on shit until they feel like they can trust him. In fact, he said they got him on the streets under heavy supervision. He don't know shit about how they operate, so for now, Royce is all we have. But check it, though. He really thinks after all this is over, that I’m gon’ put his ass in charge over there.”
“Get the fuck outta here. Shit, that muthafucker dumber than he looks.”
“I know. Took everything I had not to laugh his ass outta here when he said that shit, yo.”
“What’s up with his shorty, though? She fine as hell. How he do that, first Nonie and now this chick.”
I smirked. “The fuck if I know, but she’ll be calling me later.”
“Why you say that?”
“’Cause I slipped my card in her pocket. I saw her watching me.”
“Yo, you dirty as fuck. Ain't that the same shit that made him turn on that nigga.”
“Hell yeah, but shit, if he can't keep her satisfied, that's on him. And if she call, that’s on her. I’m just doing my part,” I said with a smirk as I leaned back in my chair.
“You dirty as hell, Laken.” Lorenz shook his head and laughed. “So what’s good with old girl, you letting that go?”
I hadn't really given much thought to what my plans were for Nonie. I hit her up a few times after everything went down, but she shut me out. I figured that shit would happen. I could tell right away that she was loyal, but I figured I had a shot since my cousin wasn't on his shit.
It was no secret that he wasn't the settling down type, but shit, for a chick like Nonie, I don't see why he wouldn't. Nonie wasn't your typical girl. She was beautiful, smart, and doing her own thing. That was hard to find in our world, because being in our position, most of the women we came across saw dollar signs.
“I’m just chilling right now. I got other shit to focus on. Besides, I’m pretty sure he’s guarding her with his life right now. He dropped the ball and let me get close, and if he’s smart, he won't let that shit happen again.” I had a feeling we were a lot more alike than I cared to acknowledge. If I had let somebody get too close to home, I damn sure would make sure it didn't happen again.
“I feel you, but I’m heading out. I need to go check on a few things. We good on our shipments for later?”
“Yeah, we good. Meet me here about nine, and we’ll head out,” I said after mentally processing my day.
“Aight, bet.” Lorenz stood and dapped me before heading out.
Once he was gone, I grabbed my keys and was right behind him. I had a few things to check out myself, but for now I needed to meet up with my pops to feel him out about a few things.
*****
“What’s good, Pops?” I asked as soon as I entered his living room. He was sitting on the sofa with a beer in one hand and the remote in the other.
“Hey, son, what brings you this way?” His head motioned to the sofa, signaling for me to sit down.
“I just had a few runs to make and decided to come by and check you out.”
My eyes traced my father’s face. He and I looked nothing alike, in fact the only thing similar with us was our height and build. Everything else about me was strictly courtesy of my mother. My dark skin, my diamond shaped eyes, and square face.
“Business good?” My pops asked, just to make conversation.
I knew he really wanted to question me about the situation with my cousin, but he also didn't want to piss me off, so he wouldn't bring it up unless I did.
“Yeah, we making money.”
“That’s good.”
We sat in silence for a few minutes until I decided to drop a bomb on him. I wanted to feel him out and see his reaction.
“My mother thinks it’s a good idea for me to go see Haas. What you think about that?”
I glanced at my father and could see the tension building in his body. His jaw tightened and he tried to hide it by lifting his beer to his lips and turning it up before he turned to look at me.
“Why would she bring him up? I haven't spoken to my father in years. There ain't shit that he can do for you, and to be honest, he probably wouldn't even see you.”
“She seems to think that Haas could give me insight on my uncle and cousin,” I said calmly.
“Fuck my brother and my father, Laken. Why the fuck do you need to talk to anyone except me? I’ve given you everything you need to make this shit happen. Sounds to me like you’re questioning me.” My father sat up and placed his beer on the table in front of him before he stood.
I didn't like this muthafucker towering over me, so I stood, and got inches away from him.
“Why wouldn't I? Wasn't it you who taught me to question everyone and everything? Never trust anyone but yourself, right, Pops? Isn't that what you raised me to believe? Isn't that what you swear by? The only way to survive, right?”
“You trust family, Laken, and I’m your family. That shit only applies to outsiders.” I could tell from the way my father raised his voice and the look in his eyes that he was angry. Well, fuck angry, his ass was furious.
“So are they, though,” I said calmly, with a smug grin. “Haas is my grandfather, Senior is my uncle, and Siah is my cousin. That shit don't extend to them?” I questioned. I had no intention of trusting either one of them niggas, but I wanted to see how my father would react to the thought of me doing so.
“Where is all this a coming from, Laken? What the fuck did your mother tell you? Does she know what you’re doing? Have you been discussing business with her?”
I chuckled. “Nah, you know better than that. I wouldn't want that on her heart. She’s got enough shit to deal with already. I don't need her worrying about me.” I made sure he could see the seriousness in my statement as I stared in his eyes.
“Look, I’m doing the best I can, Laken. It’s not as easy for me. I can’t sit and watch the woman I love die. You may not understand, but I do love your mother, I just…”
“You got damn right I don't understand, but that’s on your soul, not mine. If you can live with breaking her heart then do you, Pops, but I’ll be there for her, like I’ve always been. Don't worry about her. I got her, nigga.” I turned to leave.
This shit right here is what had me torn. I loved my father, but when it came to my mother, I would put a bullet in his ungrateful ass. My mother held him down all these years, put up with his infidelities, and yet the one thing she needed most, he couldn't give her. And that was to man up and hold her hand to put her mind at ease while she struggled with the fact that she was leaving us soon.
“Laken.” My father called behind me. I kept walking though, because if I stayed, I was liable to say or do some shit I couldn't take back.
On top of the fact that he was being a bitch in relation to my mother, he had me questioning some other shit. He damn near jumped out his skin when I mentioned going to see Haas. He also seemed real concerned about what my mother could have told me. Something wasn't right, and I needed to figure that shit out. It didn't mean I wasn't still going after Siah, but I needed to have all the facts, and apparently my father was leaving some shit out. I was about to make it my business to figure out what that was. My mother really didn't have a reason to lie to me, so maybe what she said was true.
Jock
“What up, Hollis? Shit moving out here?” I leaned against the gate that surrounded the house my guys were working out of to holler at him. I needed to check up on our new employee to make sure shit was working out.
/>
“Hell yeah we are. Shit is lovely around here.” Hollis walked over to me and posted up beside me.
“That’s that shit I like to hear. He working out for you?” I asked, nodding to AJ as he serviced a customer. Shit was smooth. If you didn't have eyes for the streets, then you would have never known that we were running a business out here. It was important to make sure our people were well trained in the art of discretion.
“He’s doing his thing. Quiet, though. He don't say much, but he does whatever I ask. I’m still trying to feel him out. Something don't sit right with him. Could just be me, but I’m keeping my eyes on him. You know me, I’m paranoid as fuck. I ain’t got time to be getting knocked over some bullshit.” Hollis was talking, but not looking at me because he was scooping out the block.
“I feel you on that, but if shit don't feel right, let me know and we’ll handle it. You know I don't give a fuck. Better safe than sorry.”
“True, but he good for now. I’ll just keep an eye on him, though.”
“Aight, bet. I’m about to head out. Holla at me if you need anything. Siah set up a delivery for tomorrow, so I’ll be sliding through with some goods for you by Friday.”
“That works. We running through this shit fast as hell. The fuck y'all do, man? It's like these fiends doubling up and shit. Traffic been heavy as fuck lately.” Hollis looked at me with a pleased grin. He was all about making money, that shit was a high for him.
“We switched shit up a little bit. We’re trying out some new shit, but looks like it's working.”
Siah and I had recently decided to try out a new supplier. It was gonna cost us a little more, but seems like it was paying off. Business had damn near doubled off just the trial shipment we got.
“That’s what the fuck is up. Shit, I’m down for whatever. The more money you make, the more money I make.” Hollis dapped me just as my phone went off.
I smiled, realizing it was Kizzie and held my hand up, requesting for Hollis to give me a minute.
