by K. C. Mills
I burst out laying and Kizzie frowned at me. “I don't see shit funny. You know that’s my baby daddy”
“Uh no, boo. Jahari Mitchell is your baby daddy. Your emotional ass is probably pregnant right now, the way he’s been digging in your guts, boo.
“Shut the fuck up before you jinx me, hoe. I’m not about to have a baby by Jock’s crazy ass. You call me emotional, hell his ass is emotional. I can't even deal with him most days. Just because you said that dumb shit and put it out in the universe, then how ’bout you’re gonna be right there with a big headed, ugly ass baby that will look just like Siah’s mean ass.”
“You better stop trying me about my man, Kizzie. Don't make me slap you, ’cause you know I will.” I narrowed my eyes ant her and she laughed.
“Girl bye you just can't pass up chance to call his ugly ass your man, but you know I’m just playing.” She paused for a minute and then looked at her phone before looking up at me gain. “He do gotta a big ass head, though. You know I’m telling the truth, Nonie,” Kizzie said with a slick smile.
“He sure does, but not the one you referring to, boo,” I said and winked at her as my kitty started to pulse at the thought of my man.
“Ehh, your nasty ass. Like I really wanna think about that shit, man.”
I laughed and Kizzie frowned at me.
I couldn't help my man was playing in the big leagues. It was what it was. I shrugged and Kizzie rolled her eyes. We laughed and joked the rest of the way back to the office. Too bad I wouldn't be seeing him anytime soon since he took a private jet to Miami first thing this morning, and said that he wouldn't be back until tonight. But he did promise to make it back before the show so I wasn't tripping, yet. He better or he was going to have some serious making up to do.
*****
“That nigga got you trained, huh? He told you not to fuck with me and you just fell in line.” Laken’s voice created two reactions in me, one was fear because I knew that Siah had people watching me, and I damn sure didn't want anybody’s blood on my hands.
Laken’s crazy ass was playing with his life, and I wasn't sure if he didn't know or just didn't care. The other was tension because no matter how hard I tried, Laken’s sexy ass had me struggling to keep my cool. Which now made perfect sense after I found out that he and Yosiah were related. No matter what type of reaction I was having with Laken, I damn sure wasn't going there with him because that was a problem I didn't want or need. If I thought Siah was crazy, me messing with Laken would take that to a whole other level.
“Me staying away from you has nothing to do with Siah, and everything to do with the fact that we had a business deal that is now complete. So there is no reason for me to deal with you.”
I turned to walk away and the first thought that popped in my head was how in the hell did he find me? Here I am leaving the nail bar, nowhere near my office, Laken lives in New York and he just happened to be right here at the same mall that I decided to go get my nails done in.
That shit wasn't a coincidence and I knew it. If I didn't learn anything else from dealing with Yosiah, I learned that men like him didn't wait for shit to happen, they made shit happen, and Laken was in that same category. Him running into me was planned, for sure.
“Come on, Nonie. You gon’ play me like a common. You know I’m smarter than that. Shit, your ass is holding your breath right now so that I won't see your pulse racing from the way I called your name. You ’bout need to hit up Victoria’s Secret before you leave this damn mall and get a replacement for that thong you just soaked, and I know it's a thong because your ass looks perfect in those jeans and I don't see no panty lines, shorty.”
My teeth sank into my bottom lip and I closed my eyes to give myself a minute before I turned to face this fool.
“Look, you’re sexy and everything, I’m not even gonna lie about that. What’s the point? You know you are, but sexy don't mean shit when compared to love and loyalty. That’s something you can't offer me, and even if you could, I’m good on both. How about you do both of us a favor and stop this little game you’re in the middle of. It's only going to get you caught up in a bad situation,” I said confidently.
I was a lot of things, but crazy wasn't one of them, and no matter how sexy Laken was, he didn't compare to Siah. True indeed I was lusting over his sexy ass, but never would I confuse that with what was in my heart.
“You don't know that, and you won't until you try.”
“Know what and try what?”
“You won't know if I can offer you love and loyalty until you give us a try.” This fool folded his arms, letting his tongue glide across his lips before his eyes damn near penetrated my soul.
Shit, if I didn't need a replacement thong before, I damn sure did now. Get your shit together,r Zenovia.
Laken just stared at me for a few more minutes but didn't say anything until my phone when off.
“I bet that’s him right now. I know he’s watching your pretty ass cause that’s the same shit I would do, but I also know that he’s out of town right now, so he can't do shit about me being here with you.”
Laken’s confession made my skin crawl. It was okay for me to know that Siah was watching me because it was on a protective type vibe, but knowing that Laken was watching Siah had me in my feelings because I knew it was about him potentially trying to figure out a way to hurt him.
Seeing Siah’s name flash across my phone had me nervous as hell. I knew he had someone watching me ,which meant that he knew that Laken was with me so not answering was not the move, but the last thing I needed was Laken saying something crazy and making matters worse.
“Answer it shorty. He already knows you're with me,” Laken said as if reading my mind.
“Fuck.” I mumbled when I took too long and the call stopped. But just like I expected he called right back and this time I answered.
“You’re really trying my patience, Zenovia. You got about ten seconds to take your ass to your muthafucking car. I really want to trust your ass, but you fucking with my mental right now.”
Siah was yelling through my phone so loud that knew Laken had to hear him and he was a few feet away from me. I let out a frustrated breath just before my eyes rolled back in my head. I wasn't about to start a war with Siah, so I turned on my heels and started moving away from Laken. I didn't even bother looking back at him because I didn't want to see the smug look that I knew was on his face.
“Why the hell are you yelling at me. You act like I met him here or something,” I yelled right back at him.
Siah laughed sarcastically before he continued. “Yo, miss me with that bullshit. Whether you met that nigga there or not is not the issue, the issue is that your ass out there entertaining his ass when I clearly asked you to stay away from that muthafucker.”
“It wasn't anything. I basically told him that I wasn't fucking with him like that.” I tried to explain, knowing that it was pointless.
“Fuck all that, you don't owe that nigga a got damn explanation, but you owe me respect. Since you seem confused about making the right decisions, then I’m not asking your ass anymore. I’m telling you, Pretty. Stay the fuck away from that nigga, or on God, it's gon’ be a problem and his blood is gon’ be on your hands.”
When I felt like I had enough distance between me and Laken, I finally looked back and saw him still standing in the same spot watching me. My next move was to survey my surroundings to see if I could spot who Siah had watching me, but of course they were nowhere to be found. He had so many damn people working for him that I probably wouldn't recognize who it was anyway.
“You need to calm down and stop fucking yelling at me. I told you I didn't meet him out here, and all I said was that I wasn't fucking with him,” I yelled into my phone, annoyed that his crazy ass was flying off the handle. I understood why he was upset, but shit, I’m grown and I know enough not to sleep with the enemy.
“Yo, I’m not even doing this shit with you right now. I’ll see your ass to
night, but if you know like I know, you better take your ass home, right muthafucking now.”
I stopped dead in my tracks and held my phone out to be sure because if I didn't know any better, I’d say this fool just hung up on me. Once I noticed my phone on my home screen, shaking my head, I slid it into my purse and continued to my car. I knew right then and there that tonight was going to be all out war when I finally did see his crazy ass.
Siah
“Yo, you good?” Jock asked the second I ended my call.
“Yeah, I’m straight, let's just get this shit over with so that we can head home.” I inhaled and let it out slow breath, trying to calm down. Nonie was about to make me catch a got damn case over some bullshit.
“Bruh, you mad as hell right now, the fuck is going on?” Jock asked, not wanting to let it go.
We were currently in Miami to handle a quick business meeting. My mind needed to be on this shit, but I get a call from one of my guys telling me that Nonie was at the mall in a full blown conversation with my got damn enemy.
“That was Scoobie. He called telling me that Nonie was at the mall with Laken. She didn't meet that nigga there, in fact he just walked up on her, but they were passing words while she standing there smiling and grinning in that nigga’s face.”
“You need to head out? I can handle this shit,” Jock asked, looking concerned.
“Nah, we’re good. I told her to take her ass home. Scoobie will make sure she gets there.”
“How the fuck he even know where she was?” Jock asked, but I could tell he was thinking out loud, so I didn't respond. “Yo, we need to handle that shit.”
I nodded. “Yeah, we do. We got too many loose ends right now and we can't have that shit. When we get back, we gon’ handle that.”
“We need to figure shit about Royce too.” Jock added. With everything going on, his was still floating around.
“True, let's just get on this so that we can get home and then we’ll deal with them. We been letting a lot of shit slide lately, and it's time to get back to basics. We’re cleaning house and getting focused.”
“That's what the fuck I’m talking about, my nigga.” Jock dapped me and we nodded.
I laughed because he was amped. I could see it in his eyes. Jock lived for shit like this, but I had to admit the thought of taking the life of a snake ass nigga had me hyped too.
“Yeah, well business now, we can play later,” I said.
“Look, I know you feeling some type of way about Nonie being around that nigga, but you know it ain't nothing. She would never do you like that, bruh.” Jock got serious as hell, and it was funny as fuck cause no matter what, he was always taking her side on shit.
“Nigga, I know that. I just need her to be smart. Laken wants to hurt me, and if he can get something out of it in the process by fucking Nonie, that makes it even better. I’m sure she knows that, but she doesn’t think like we think, so something as simple as a conversation don't mean shit to her, but we know it's deeper than that. It's a power move, a sign of disrespect, and that’s that shit I don't like. This muthafucker is really trying me, but it will all be over soon.”
Jock just stared at me for a minute but didn't say anything. He didn't have to, because I knew exactly what he was thinking. “He ain't my got damn family. Blood don't make you family, loyalty does, so I’m good on that,” I confirmed.
With another nod, Jock agreed and the matter was settled. “Aight, let's do this shit.”
We met up with two new clients and got them squared away, then toured their territory, checked out their warehouses, and had a brief meeting with their people. So far, things seemed to be what we needed in order to expand down here, so we called it a day and boarded our private jet to head back to Jersey. I showered and dressed as soon as we boarded the plane since we had to land and head straight to the event that Nonie and Kizzie were hosting. Jock was currently in the process of getting ready, while I chilled with a bottle of Hennessy. It had been a long day, and now was about to be a long night.
“Yo, look at this shit.” I balled up my fist covering my mouth as I leaned back a little in my chair to check Jock out after he came out the bedroom of the jet that we were on. Dressed in khakis, Timbs and a button up linen shirt, my nigga was getting his grown man on. I knew it was killing his ass though, ’cause he was strictly jeans and sweats. That’s all he fucked with, so to see him in anything else had me tripping.
“Man, don't start that shit. You know this ain't my thing.” He pointed at me just before he tossed his bag into one of the empty seats and then walked over to the bar to pour a drink.
“Yo ass in love, nigga. Kizzie got you dressing up and shit. I’m just shocked that you own something that don't have Nike printed on that shit.” I laughed at his awkward looking ass.
“Fuck you, and hell yeah I am. Otherwise, I wouldn't be doing this shit. She got me all fucked up in the game, and she better appreciate that shit. Fuck that, she owes me big time.”
“How the fuck she owe you ’cause she wants you to support her tonight and look like a got damn adult.” I smirked at his dumb ass.
I was used to suit and tie, so this shit wasn't anything for me. Even though I was causal right now, I was still fly as hell. I was currently rocking dark brown slacks, a cream dress shir,t and caramel fitted blazer. My shit was always on point, and I knew I was killing the game. My look was always simple, but screamed money. I believed in having nice shit. In fact, I only rocked the best, but I wasn't into flashy things. My presence drew enough attention, so I didn't need flashy shit to enhance that. That was for people who were trying to prove they had shit, the difference in being rich and being wealthy. When you have it, it shows, and no explanations are necessary.
“’Cause she got my ass doing shit that she know I don't rock with, so that translates to she owes me, but it's cool though. I’m just gon’ get her ass pregnant tonight after this bullshit over with.”
I watched Jock turn up the glass he was holding. My eyes stretched wide but he didn't flinch, not even a little bit because he was serious as fuck. I swear he must have been dropped on his head as a baby because he was certifiable.
“Bruh, did you really just say that shit? How the fuck you come to that?”
“’Cause she owes me, and as payment I want a baby. Shit, you know she indecisive as hell. I’m ’bout to get her ass pregnant so she can't go nowhere.” Jock grinned like he had just laid out some serious shit.
“Your ass needs some help. You already got a son, nigga. That should be enough.”
“But not with the right person. I mean, shit, Hari is basically Kizzie’s anyway, but I need her to pop one out for me too. I hate Anj stupid ass, so it's not the same. But when Kizzie drop that load for me, we in that bitch for life. Anj can suck a dick and die.”
I burst out laughing because this nigga was serious as hell, and stupid as fuck. “Bruh, I'm not even fucking with you like that, and you better think that shit through. Kizzie crazy as hell too so you really want to be tied to that for eighteen?”
“Shit yeah. She might be crazy as fuck, but I love that shit, and she’s mine. Besides, she don't try that shit with me. She knows better. I’ll jack her little ass up in a heartbeat and fuck some sense into her. She knows what the deal is.”
“You need help. Shit, both of y'all need help.” I chuckled thinking about them. Hell, they were meant for each other because neither one of them was too stable.
I sat back in my chair, letting my thoughts take over. Jock talking about having a kid with Kizzie had me processing the same shit about me and Nonie. We had never really had the conversation before, but she knew my history. We had discussed my feelings on the fact that my mother dying while having me had fucked my head up when it came to shit like that. I didn't know if I could handle being put in a situation like that. My pops never really got over it, no matter how much he said he did. He moved on and he’s living, but I know there’s a part of him that still belongs to my mother. A par
t of him that grieves for her and misses all the things that they never got to share.
I’m far from a weak nigga, but shit like that makes me question if I even want to have kids. I just don't know how I feel about that, but now that things are moving forward with Nonie, I know that I’m going to have to choose a side. Problem is, I just don't know that I can.
“So, what now? How you feel about Myron? We rocking with him or what?” Jock asked, snapping me out of my head.
“What you think?” I asked, wanting to see where his head was.
“He seems legit. I mean, we know he’s making money, so it's not like he can't deliver.”
True, but if we take this on, that means we have to be down here a lot. At least in the beginning while they’re transitioning. We can put some of our people down here, but some shit is gonna need to be hands on, and that means us. You, me or both of us. That’s travel, which takes us away from our shit at home.”
“Yeah, I was thinking ’bout that too, but we good at home. Operations basically running themselves, so aside from me doing a few pop ups to make sure shit is on point, then we good here. I feel like we can step away for a minute without experiencing any real problems.”
“You right, I guess we’ll give it a try if you down. Money is money, and it would be a good move to have an operation down here.” I nodded to myself, considering the possibilities of expansion.
“Shit, you know me, it's whatever. I ain't never been scared of making money,” Jock said with a grin, while rubbing his hands together.
“I guess that’s a go, then. We’ll hit Myron up in a few days and set up a meeting to finalize shit. We’ll fly him out here to lay out the plans and terms.” I nodded at Jock as I spoke.
“Aight bet, sounds good,” Jock said and then let his head fall back, closing his eyes.
We were about an hour out from home. I decided to shoot Nonie a quick text to let her know we were close, and that I’d see her soon. I also wanted to let her know I wasn't mad about that shit earlier. It wasn't really about her, but Laken was pushing my buttons, and I needed to handle that before it went too far.
