About thirty minutes later, we pulled up to a fancy ass apartment building. I locked my piece in my waist because shit, you never know, as I slipped through the parking gate right behind her. Once she found a space to slide her car into, I parked mine right next to her. I was out of my whip before she was out of hers, so by the time she shut her driver’s side door to switch off, I met her by her trunk.
“Belly, shit, you scared me.” She placed her hand over her chest, speaking breathily.
“My bad.” I got up off her trunk and started moving toward her, forcing her to back up a little bit. Now we were in between our cars in the dimly lit structure. “I just wanted to talk to you.”
Helen stared up into my eyes, her head tilted all the way back almost since I was much taller than her ass. Blaise was the same, even shorter than Helen it seemed, but I guess I ain’t notice because I couldn’t look at Blaise’s ass too long without kissing her.
“Oh yeah?” Helen softened up. “We can talk some more up in my apartment.”
“Lead the way.”
Happy as fuck, she started off toward the elevator, and I trailed her. Riding up, she couldn’t stop looking me over, biting her lip.
“Congrats on the baby.”
“Thanks.”
Helen giggled before stepping off the elevator and leading me to her apartment door. This shit was plush, and I knew for sure her ass had finessed some muthafucka into paying for it. No way her hoe ass had enough coins to pay for this shit.
As I looked around, Helen set her shit down before asking, “So is this gonna be a one-time thing tonight, or a continuous…? Or do you have to see what I’m working with before deciding? I won’t say shit to Blaise.”
I chuckled subtly as I neared her, backing her into a wall. I could physically see her breath get caught in her throat.
“I’m not sliding up inside you. Heard you got bum bumps on ya pussy, and I ain’t with that shit. You can’t give me head either, ’cause I don’t want that musty ass cat on ya head that you call a wig, bouncing in my fucking lap all night.”
“Wha—”
Her sentence was cut short when I wrapped my hand around her skinny neck then drove her up the wall. Seeing her eyes bulge the fuck out was comical.
“Now what yo’ ass is about to do is drop all these charges against my girl, and let this shit go. Or…” I used my free hand to retrieve my gun and pressed it to her forehead, removing the safety at the same time. “I can splatter yo’ shit.”
Helen nodded quickly, making me smile, so I let her down, releasing her neck.
“I will call my lawyer and tell her.”
“You better. If not, you’ll be kidnapped, gutted, and decapitated. I’ll give yo’ ass a couple days.” I stepped away from her to look around her apartment again.
After a couple moments of silence, she said, “I mean we could still—”
Quickly placing the gun back to her head, I replied, “Mention jeopardizing my fucking health with that pastrami box again, and you won’t have a chance to say shit to ya lawyer.”
“Okay, okay.” She threw her hands up.
Keeping my gun in hand, I tread toward her door, but something caught my eye.
“Aye, how much you pay for this shit?” I pointed to the Keurig machine with my gun.
Coming closer, Helen stammered, “Like two hundred dollars. It was a bundle deal and—”
“Unplug it.”
“Huh?”
“Unplug the muthafucka and hurry the fuck up.” I scowled at her stupid ass.
She rushed around the counter and moved a few things before pulling the plug from the wall.
“Now what?”
“I want it. Give me some shit to go with it too since it’s too late to go the store.”
Helen hesitated, but when I purposely scratched my head with the hand holding the gun, she got right to packing the shit up like a star Walmart employee. I watched her empty the water out of the side shit before clipping it back on. She then returned the machine to the counter before grabbing some pod looking shits and tossing them into a brown paper bag.
“Here you go.”
“Thanks.” I snatched the bag before peeking inside. Grabbing the machine up, I said, “And don’t forget, you try to play me, it’s over for you.”
Helen nodded as I left out, holding my new Keurig closely.
I knew Blaise wanted one, because she stayed talking about it but never went and bought the shit. Now I was about to surprise her. Helen kept this shit in good condition too, which I was happy about.
I picked up some roses from this one flower shop I knew that stayed open pretty late, and then took my ass home. The house was quiet, so I knew everybody was sleep, but Blaise would have to wake her ass up and see my gifts.
After placing the shit down in the kitchen, I headed upstairs and into our bedroom. I saw her pretty ass sleeping soundlessly, so I peeled the covers back and squatted down to be eye level. When I moved her long dark hair from her face, she opened her eyes, scowling.
“Why are you staring at me, weirdo?” She laughed when I sucked my teeth.
“You called me up here.”
“I was sleep. No I didn’t.”
“Told me you wanted some dick. Now when I get here, you acting stupid as fuck. For my troubles, I should be able to get some pussy.”
Blaise burst into laughter before rolling her eyes.
“That is not gonna work.” She paused for a second then added, “Come lay down.” Her perfect teeth sunk down into her lip.
“I wanna show you something first. Come on.”
“Baby, I’m tired.” She whined as I scooped her from the bed, kissing her neck as I carried her bridal style up out of the room. When we got to the kitchen, I only turned on the breakfast bar light so it wouldn’t be too bright in this bitch. “For you.”
“Thank you, baby.” Blaise grinned, clutching the roses tightly. “I love roses.”
“And this too.” I pointed to the Keurig sitting on the marble counter.
“Oh my gosh! I’ve always wanted one of these!” She rushed to it, cheesing. She inspected it for a bit then asked, “Where is the box and booklet so I can see how to set it up?”
“Uh, just look the shit up on YouTube.”
“I can, but I still want the box and stuff because it comes with this little shopping booklet for teas and coffee.”
“Oh shit. Almost forgot.” I poured the contents of the brown paper bag out. “Got you some samples.”
Blaise leaned back for a kiss while wearing a smile, so I gave her one.
“Thank you! I can’t wait to have herbal tea in the morning. Do you have the booklet and box?”
“Why you just can’t say thank you then come up to the room and ride my dick? Fuck you care about some fuck ass box and booklet for? Does that damn box give you back shots for hours? Does that booklet eat yo’ pussy?”
Laughing, Blaise replied, “Okay, baby. I’m sorry. Come on.” She took my hand, shut the light off, and led me upstairs to the bedroom.
“They’re dropping the charges against you since Tiana Strauss has admitted that she knows who her rapist was, and that it wasn’t you,” my lawyer Olive explained before smiling.
“Aight, cool. Did she tell y’all who the muthafucka is?” I ran my hands down my jeans. I wanted to get at Ozzy before they arrested his ass.
“She did, so we are currently trying to track him down. Ozbert Wilkes II, who I found is your friend.” Olive stared at me. “I think I was right when I said he set you up.”
“You did say that,” Blaise chimed in, holding Island in her lap as our son slept in his carrier.
“Mrs. Strauss wants to apologize publicly to you, Cortez, which I think is a great idea, considering she tarnished your reputation with these lies. However, I also think you should sue her for what she’s done, as well as everyone in charge of keeping you locked up without a bail hearing for basically hearsay and with no proof.” Olive shrugged. I glanc
ed at Blaise’s ass since this was her doing, and she too shrugged but with a smile.
“Sue? For how much? If it ain’t a figure worth my fucking time, then I ain’t doing the shit.”
Olive nodded. “Understandable. I’m thinking three million dollars from Mrs. Strauss, which isn’t anything to her honestly, but it’s enough to let people in the future know that you won’t allow this type of mess on your name. As for the justice system, we can get you some small change, but these both are about the principle.”
“Yes, we’re doing that,” Blaise interjected.
“Happy wife, happy life, right?” was all I could say, making the two women laugh and nod in agreement.
Later that night…
I could barely function for the rest of the fucking day, trying to think of where Ozzy’s ass could be. Finally, it hit me about twenty minutes ago that he was most likely hiding out at his fucking grandma’s house.
Back in the day, whenever we got caught up in some illegal shit, his grandma’s spot was always the go-to, and something was telling me the muthafucka was dumb enough to not change his habits.
I’d been so busy with being a fucking father, trying to open this new strip joint, staying booked, and then setting up a new fight, that the little time I did dedicate to finding the nigga, had me coming up short.
However, when Olive mentioned that they couldn’t locate Ozzy, it definitely helped me figure shit out.
After helping Blaise put Island and Cortez to bed, I fucked her to sleep then showered. I got dressed in some sweats, a white t-shirt, black hoodie, socks, and some Huaraches. I kept shit simple, and left the house, taking this old ass Toyota Avalon I’d sourced.
Ozzy’s grandma lived in Inglewood where I grew up, which was pretty far from my new fancy ass crib. However, since it was after 9 p.m., it didn’t take me but half an hour versus the hour and a half it would’ve usually taken a nigga. I was even able to stop at the store to get some plastic wrap.
Parking my shit right outside, I climbed out then laid the plastic wrap along the back seat of the whip to protect the leather, then made my way up to the door.
I rang the bell, and after what felt like a fucking hour, his grandma answered.
“Cortez! Oh, you’re so handsome!” She beamed, pushing the screen door out to let me in.
“How you doing?” I slipped inside to hug her frail frame.
“Oh, I’m okay. Just was eating some ice cream before bed.”
“Cool.” I locked the door as she walked slowly to the kitchen to put the top on the rainbow sherbet. “Ya grandson here?”
“No, child. He’s out running the streets. He usually comes home at about 11 p.m. or midnight.” She shut the freezer after putting the ice cream up. “I have no idea why he’s back staying with me after being with you rich folk.” She cracked up, and so did I as I took a seat on the floral couch.
“Hey, sometimes you wanna revert back to what you know.” I looked around the living room, thinking about how crazy it was that nothing had changed.
“Well, I can call him for you and—”
“Nah, I’ll just wait, if that’s aight.”
“Of course. Would you like some pie while you wait? I just made it today, and I know you always loved my pies. It’s cherry.”
I wasn’t in the mood for pie right now, but to appease her, I replied, “Of course.”
A few moments later, she brought me a slice with some vanilla bean ice cream on it, and after the first bite, I was happy as a muthafucka that I’d taken her up on her offer.
“Need the light on?”
“Nah, I can see. Thanks.”
“Well I’m going to bed, honey. Goodnight. My hearing aid will be out, so if you need me, you’ll have to come to my room.”
“Night.” I snickered.
I polished off the pie and ice cream then made myself a glass of ice water. After being on my phone, sending emails, and watching hood rat hoes fight on YouTube, I heard what I knew to be Ozzy pulling up, blasting his music.
Locking my iPhone, I slipped it into my pocket then waited. I listened as Ozzy cut his car off, got out, and then hummed whatever he was listening to as he made his way up the porch steps.
He slipped his key into the door, entering, and then shut both behind him, locking them up. It was dark in the living room, so he ain’t notice me. He in fact walked right past my ass and headed down the hallway to his room. I found that shit funny and almost got up to go back there and approach him, but the sound of him coming out of his room halted my moves.
“She only give the pussy up to a real nigga,” Ozzy rapped what I believed to be a Ricky AK song as he came back into the dark room, still not realizing I was seated on the couch.
“Sit yo’ ass down,” I spoke up, making him damn near jump out of his skin and hit the ceiling.
“Belly?”
“Down.” I directed him with my gun, and he slowly descended into the La-Z-Boy across from me. “Why you do this bullshit?”
“Do what?” His voice trembled. I tittered before removing the safety off the gun. Upon hearing it, he changed his tune. “I don’t know, man. You’ve known me for a long ass time, and I ain’t never raped no female. It’s just when I saw her ass, I wanted her badly as hell. I couldn’t believe you turned her down. I also knew she would never fuck with me like that because Tiana is a top-notch female. Plus, she had a husband. So when he died, I felt like that was my opportunity since I had her address.”
“You ’bout the dumbest muthafucka on earth, you know that?”
“I ain’t you, Belly! Aight! I can’t just have females of that caliber willing to fuck me. Yeah, them groupie hoes be ready to do whatever, but that’s off the strength of being associated with you! I just wanted one night with a woman like that.”
“The reason females of that caliber don’t fuck with you is because you’re a bitch ass nigga, and they can see it. As stupid as these hoes like to pretend to be, they ain’t. They know a muthafucka that’s fronting and ain’t about shit off rip. You’ll never in yo’ pathetic ass life be able to fuck with a bitch on Tiana’s level, ’cause you ain’t no man. And what type of nigga wears cologne to commit crimes? You’s a little ass boy, with little ass boy pockets, and the self-esteem of a bitch selling pussy on Fig.”
“Fuck you!” He hopped up, so I did the same. “You lucky I ain’t rape that bitch Blaise while you was locked up!”
WHAM!
Out of reflex, I backhanded the shit out of this nigga with my gun. He wailed like a bitch, holding his face, so I gave his ass another hit just as he swung too.
Locking my gun up, I just whooped his ass, ignoring his cries and pleas for me to stop. Even when I saw two teeth pop out of his mouth, I ain’t slow up. It wasn’t until he was on the floor, not moving at all, and face damn near covered in blood that I let up.
I wanted to kill his ass, but I’d known Ozzy for a minute, and death would be the easy way out for him. He would prefer that shit over prison, so that’s where the fuck he was going.
Growing up and being part of a gang made dying normal as fuck and not the least bit scary after a while. So I’d be doing a nigga like Ozzy a favor by putting a bullet in his head.
I dragged his ass out of the house and tossed him in my back seat, on top of the plastic. Driving right down to the police station that had arrested me, I tossed his ass out after making sure he still had a pulse.
I waited across the way for about twenty minutes, before I finally saw some officers come out to survey Ozzy, make a phone call probably to the ambulance, and then bring him inside. He’d better live or I’d murk his ass. I ain’t know how, but I would. Nigga gon’ be double-dead fucking ’round with me.
Accomplished, I drove my ass home.
8
Blaise
I smiled down at my phone, watching Tiana’s public apology that had been posted on every damn blog and had even made the news. Not only that, but the police department that arrested him, along with
the warden of the jail, and a couple other figures gave him apologies, which was perfect.
It felt good to have my man’s name cleared because I was ready to fight every person I saw making rude ass comments about him being a damn rapist. Belly was an amazing man, and the last thing he deserved was for some whore to ruin his reputation and make him look less than.
“Did you hear that, cutie?” I cooed to Cortez.
“Yes,” Island answered, prompting me to giggle.
“I thought your name was princess and your brother could be cutie.” I frowned out of fake confusion.
“No. I both!”
“You are pretty cute.” I brought Island closer to kiss her plump cheeks. When I placed her down, my heart melted watching her rub her baby brother’s round belly gently like she saw me do sometimes.
Just then, my phone rang, and I saw it was my lawyer, Eileen.
“Hey, Eileen, is everything okay?”
“Yes, actually. It appears… Helen wants to forget the whole thing. She dropped the case. Apparently, she told her lawyer a week ago, but her lawyer had been trying to convince her not to drop, which is why I’ve just gotten word.”
“So I pay her nothing?”
“Nope. This is over with.”
I felt myself smiling as I chatted with Eileen for a little longer. After hanging up, I immediately texted Belly.
Me: Helen dropped the charges.
Mine: I know.
Reading his response puzzled me, but then it hit me.
Me: Thanks baby. Lol.
Mine: Returning the favor.
After placing my phone down, I looked over my lines for this Vanessa Mario series as my children relaxed on the bed with me.
My baby boy was pretty grumpy because usually when I tickled his tummy, he gave me a smile, but all day, he’d been stale faced. I was pretty sure it was because I gave him a bath this morning, and he cried the whole time, obviously not in the mood.
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