I Can't Let Go

by Chenell Parker

  Kimora loved her independence, which was why she never wanted to live with him. Hassan knew a lot of women who would have loved to live in his mini mansion with him, but she wasn’t one of them. She made her own money and didn’t need him for anything.

  “Yeah,” Hassan said when he answered the phone for his cousin, Ben.

  “I went by her house and knocked but she didn’t answer. Her car is out front, so I know she’s there,” Ben noted, referring to Harmony.

  “That bitch is feeling bold for some reason. She’s gonna regret the day that she felt bold enough to cross me,” Hassan swore.

  “Maybe we can get some of her people to get at her for us. Her sister works at the state building and her cousin works at the gym,” Ben noted.

  “Yeah, they used to. When I’m done, nobody in her family will have a job, including that bitch. You just be on standby in case I need you. I have some calls to make,” Hassan replied before he hung up the phone.

  He was sure that Ben was sick of him, but he didn’t give a fuck. His cousin was a convicted felon who moved to Carmel eight years ago with his wife, Shakira. Ben was desperate to move away from Detroit. He had gotten caught up in a lot of drama and he wanted a fresh start. The only job he’d ever had was selling dope, but he couldn’t seem to stay out of jail.

  Ben didn’t have a dime to his name when he moved there, but he could cook better than an old black southern woman. He was who Hassan and Hudson used to do their dirty work and, sometimes, it got real dirty. Shakira hated Hassan but she wasn’t dumb enough to cross him. Ben kept her in line because he knew that without Hassan, they would have nothing. Their restaurant wasn’t even in their names. Shakira knew that Carmel was the best that they’d ever lived, so she kept the peace. Hassan knew that she wanted to tell Kimora a few things about him, but she was no fool. Instead, she just looked at her all the time, making Kimora think that she hated her.

  After making a few calls, Hassan pulled up to his office and got out of the car. To his employees, he was an asshole and that’s exactly how he wanted it to be. Kimora always smiled and spoke to them, but he didn’t bother. They worked for him, so he didn’t have to be nice.

  “Mr. Forbes, there’s someone waiting-” his assistant, Thomas, said before Hassan raised his hand to cut him off.

  “Not now, I’m busy,” Hassan snapped as he opened his office door.

  He paused in shock as soon as he did. Tino was sitting there with his feet propped up on his desk like he belonged there. Hassan loved sweets and he always kept some around. His latest addiction was the chocolate covered cashews that the other man was currently indulging in. Hassan hadn’t even opened his latest container but Tino seemed to be enjoying them.

  “What’s good fam? You got something to drink up in here?” Tino asked him.

  “You must have balls the size of Texas for you to be sitting in here right now,” Hassan gritted.

  “Yep, with the dick to match,” Tino smirked.

  “How can I help you Santino?” Hassan asked as he pushed Tino’s feet off his desk and took a seat behind it.

  “You got that one for free.” Tino nodded.

  “Maybe I need to repeat my previous question. How can I help you?” Hassan asked again, more impatiently than before.

  “Actually, I’m here to help you. I hope you kept your receipt. I hate to see people lose money,” Tino replied as he sat the ring that Hassan had given to Kimora on his desk. Hassan was furious but he would never give Tino the satisfaction of knowing that.

  “I know that you’re not from here, so you obviously have no idea who I am or what I’m capable of,” Hassan said as he glared at him.

  “Nor do I give a fuck. Look, I’m not downplaying what you and Kimora had. I’m sure y’all made a lot of good memories and that’s what you need to hold on to. But, a marriage is not happening. Not now, not ever,” Tino assured him.

  “You sound real sure of yourself to say that you just reentered the picture. Let’s not forget that it was me who your daughter considered to be her father for years,” Hassan said with a smug look on her face.

  “You’re right and I can’t dispute that. Now, only two months later, and they’re both calling me daddy.” Tino smiled.

  “It’s time for you to go,” Hassan said as he stood to his feet. Tino checked his watch like he was trying to decide if he was ready to go or not.

  “Yeah, you might be right. I don’t want to keep my family waiting too long.” Tino smiled as he too stood to his feet.

  “And make this your last time coming here,” Hassan warned.

  “I won’t have a reason to return. My family is moving back to New Orleans. Oh, and before I forget, here you go,” Tino said as he pulled something from his pocket and tossed it at him.

  “The fuck?” Hassan fumed when he saw that it was the meds for his erectile dysfunction. Tino had obviously rummaged through his desk drawer where he kept an extra bottle.

  “You might want to try something natural like ginseng or saffron to make your soldier stand at attention. Prescription meds have too many side effects,” Tino replied right before he walked away, taking Hassan’s candy with him.

  “Fucking bitch!” Hassan growled as he threw his crystal paperweight at the closed door, making a small dent.

  Kimora told him that she was retuning the ring, but he didn’t know that she would send Tino to do her dirty work. She was playing with fire and she was bound to get burned. Kimora had never seen the other side of him, but it was time she was introduced. She played with the wrong man’s feelings and Hassan wasn’t the type to just walk away. He loved hard and he didn’t like to be made a fool of. His father had the city of Carmel in his back pocket and everyone knew that. Unfortunately, Kimora was about to find that out the hard way. Hassan picked up his desk phone and prepared to make a few important calls.

  Tino walked to his car with a triumphant smile on his face. He didn’t give a fuck about Hassan and that cheap ass ring that he gave Kimora. He just needed to piss him off a little and his mission was accomplished. As soon as he got into his car, Tino pulled up an app on his phone and stared at it for a while. He made sure that everything was in place and he was happy that it was.

  “Let’s play nigga,” he smirked as he pulled off and headed back to Kimora and his daughter.

  “W hat’s up Vee?” Tino asked when he answered the phone for Venus.

  “Where you at? I’m trying to see you today. I feel like you be in Carmel more than you’re here,” Venus replied.

  “I’m by Dirty handling business but I’ll be over there later,” Tino said.

  He and Kimora had returned two days before, but he didn’t tell her that. He wanted Kimora and his daughter to stay the night at his house with no interruptions. If he hadn’t seen Koi at the gas station earlier, she probably still wouldn’t know. Tino had put it off long enough and it was time for him to let Venus know what was up. Kimora had handled everything on her end, and it was time for him to do the same.

  “How much later are we talking?” Venus questioned.

  “Give me about an hour and I’ll be there,” Tino replied before they disconnected.

  He walked back into the house and took his seat on the sofa next to Dirty. Ramon, Ronald and Bryson were there playing the game while he and Dirty talked business. Tino had managers who handled business for his security company, but he made his rounds early that morning to check on things. Once he made sure that his legal business was straight, it was time for him to get back to the bricks.

  “After all this shit is gone, I’ll be set and ready to hand it over,” Dirty said while taking a pull from his blunt. He and Miko were thinking about purchasing a few foreclosed homes to fix up and rent out. His uncle Ced had been helping him out with a few things and he was ready to make it happen.

  “Who is it being handed over to?” Ronald asked as he looked at Tino.

  “I got it covered. It’ll be business as usual, so don’t trip,” Tino answered.
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br />   “Nigga, I know damn well you didn’t think he was giving it to one of us,” Ramon said with a sarcastic laugh.

  “Who you got in mind?” Ronald asked.

  “You’ll know when the time comes,” Tino replied.

  “Nigga straight dismissed you,” Ramon laughed while trying to instigate some mess.

  “You messy just like a bitch.” Bryson frowned as he looked at Ramon.

  “You call it messy. I call it keeping shit real.” Ramon shrugged.

  “Like I’ve said before, if you don’t like the way I do business, they got mad niggas in New Orleans that you can get work from. But, I guarantee, not one of them niggas will take as much shit off you as I have. The only reason why your brother ain’t bury you yet is because of the Dixon blood that’s flowing through your veins,” Tino noted. He was fed up with Ramon’s mouth and he wasn’t in the mood for the bullshit.

  “You ain’t the only nigga with a gun and you damn sure ain’t the only one with dope,” Ramon smirked.

  “Point taken so from now on, go get your shit from somebody else. Our business relationship is done,” Tino replied, wiping the smirk from his cousin’s face.

  Ronald frowned at his little brother because he tried to warn him. Ramon never could hide his feelings and that was always his downfall. Unlike his brother, Ronald would hate a muthafucker and break bread with them like it was nothing. He didn’t like Tino’s cocky attitude either, but he knew how to play the cards that he was dealt. Ramon hated to say it, but they needed Tino more than he cared to admit. Now, just like Ronald always predicted, his brother’s mouth had gotten him in trouble.

  “Come on cuz. It don’t even have to be like that. You know how that nigga is,” Ronald said in his brother’s defense.

  “Fuck that nigga. You ready to ride out Dirty?” Tino asked him.

  “Fuck you too nigga. I’ll starve before I beg another nigga to feed me,” Ramon swore.

  “With that bitch made attitude, that’s exactly what’s gonna happen,” Tino assured him before he stood up and headed for the door with Dirty following behind him.

  “You know that nigga just be talking shit. He don’t mean no harm,” Dirty said once he and Tino were alone.

  “You know I respect your opinion but I’m not trying to hear that shit right now. That nigga should have been cut off a long time ago. It’s only because of you and my pops that it didn’t happen sooner. I been looking at that nigga sideways ever since I got shot,” Tino admitted as he got into the passenger’s side of Dirty’s car.

  “What? I hope you don’t think cuz had nothing to do with that shit. Come on Tino bruh, we’re family,” Dirty reasoned.

  “So was Kane and Abel. My grandfather’s own brother took him out because of greed and jealously. I don’t put nothing past nobody. That shit is starting to come back to me a little at a time and a lot is not adding up.”

  “Like what?” Dirty questioned.

  “It was three niggas that ran up in there but only two of them were talking. The third nigga must have known that I would recognize his voice and that’s why he didn’t say shit. I tried to make out their build or something, but they made me walk ahead of them. And the comment that Kimora said about them killing her just makes me side eye him even more. Notice how that nigga always got some slick shit to say about my girl. I might be wrong, but that nigga’s vibe has been off for years. I can’t keep overlooking shit just because he’s family. On my daughter, that nigga is dead if I find out that he had anything to do with it,” Tino swore.

  “Cousin or not, I’ll be right there busting my guns with you,” Dirty swore as he gave Tino a fist pound.

  He loved all of his cousins but Tino was more like a brother. He looked out for Dirty more than he did the others and he had mad respect for his younger cousin. Tino could be reckless with his words but he was real with it. His Dominican uncles made sure that he ate good and he always showed loved to his other side of the family. Ramon always felt that Tino had it too good and didn’t have to work for anything. Dirty disagreed because he saw firsthand how hard his cousin grinded. It wasn’t Tino’s fault that his mother came from money. It was no more than right that she made sure her only son was straight.

  They pulled up to their destination and got out of the car. Dirty stood back and watched as his cousin finished handling some business. Afterwards, they went to their second destination and Tino was all smiles once they left.

  “Everything all good,” Dirty inquired as he looked over at him.

  “Better than ever,” Tino replied with a smile.

  “Good, so my wife can stop worrying,” Dirty said.

  “Tell Miko that Kimora will always be good as long as I have breath in my body. That fuck boy can’t stop nothing over this way,” he replied, referring to Hassan.

  “I might knock his bitch ass out whenever I see him again,” Dirty fumed.

  “I’m always one step ahead cuz. Getting shot taught me a few things about potential enemies. Don’t trip. I got eyes and ears exactly where they need to be,” Tino noted, right as his phone rang. Venus was calling for the fourth time and he already knew why. Over two hours had passed and she was probably trying to see where he was.

  “That’s Vee again?” Dirty asked.

  “Yeah man. Bring me home, so I can get my car and go rap with her right quick,” Tino sighed.

  Dirty had picked him up from his house earlier because Kimora needed to use his car. She had to go back to Carmel with her mother in two weeks and she planned to drive her own car back to New Orleans. She had a lot of business to handle for herself as well and she planned to make that the last time she made the trip. Tino wanted Dirty to drive a moving truck down there with him to get the rest of her stuff. Kimora had to let her landlord know that she was moving and drop Santina from the school’s enrollment. She’d already found her daughter a good pediatrician and she was in the process of looking for a primary doctor for herself. Tino was happy as hell that they were moving back home, and he was ready to put his family in a house. Kimora wasn’t comfortable staying the night at his house and he understood her reservations. He damn near had to get on his knees and beg her to stay the night before.

  “Good luck cuz. With everything,” Dirty laughed when he pulled up to Tino’s house.

  “I don’t need luck nigga. Pray for your boy,” Tino replied as he got out of the car and headed inside to get his keys. Kimora was sitting on the sofa with the phone up to her ear. She looked at him and rolled her eyes as soon as he walked into the house.

  “Okay. Thanks so much Mr. Collins. I enjoyed working with you and I appreciate the opportunity,” Kimora replied before she hung up the phone.

  “What’s good baby?” Tino asked her.

  “I’m officially unemployed is what’s good. That was the last attorney that I freelanced for and he decided not to renew my contract,” Kimora replied angrily.

  She was no fool and she knew that Hassan was behind everything that was happening. He had more pull than she gave him credit for, but he showed her just how long his reach was. Kimora didn’t know just how much of a bitch he was, and she regretted the day she ever met him.

  “Don’t trip baby. You know I got you,” Tino promised.

  “Don’t tell me not to trip Santino. I told you that I would deal with Hassan on my own, but you just had to go over there and make shit worse. Now, I’m out of a job because his bitch ass is bitter. And don’t tell me no bullshit about you having me. I got a degree and I plan to use it!” Kimora yelled angrily.

  “The fuck is you getting mad for. I told you I got you and I do. The shit ain’t even that deep,” Tino replied too calmly for her liking.

  “It is that deep when I’m the only one who seems to be making all the sacrifices. I don’t see you giving up a muthafucking thing for a relationship that you claim to want so bad. I’m already starting to regret my decision to move back here,” Kimora fumed.

  “Where is my daughter?” Tino asked her.

/>   “Fuck you,” Kimora snapped as she got up and tried to walk away.

  “You better calm the fuck down girl. I know what I’m doing Kimora. You be getting all worked up for nothing. Where is Santina?” he asked again.

  “She’s by Val and I’m about to go over there too,” Kimora answered

  “Do you trust me Kimora?” Tino asked her.

  “Right now, I don’t know how I feel about you. It seems like everything is going downhill for me since I came back here.”