by India
“I want a daughter.” He spoke softly.
“Me too.” I smiled “What will we name her?”
“Julianna,” he answered as if he had already given it some thought.
“Why Julianna?” I looked up into his hazel eyes.
“We can name her after Julius, your father.” He shrugged.
“Baby, that’s so thoughtful.” I kissed him passionately. Ace was the sweetest hardened hood nigga I’d ever known beside my daddy. I never thought I would find true love like the love my parents had, but Ace was my Clyde, and I was his Bonnie.
Before we could take our conversation any further, there was a knock on the door. “You expecting anybody?”
“No.” I shook my head. “The security guard didn’t call and say anyone was coming.”
“Who is it?” Ace stood from the floor.
“It’s Chucky.”
I didn’t know why but there was something about the way my uncle said his name that put knots in my stomach. I stood from the floor in time to see Ace open the door.
“What up, Chucky.” Ace bumped fists with my uncle.
“Hey, Unc.” I tried to pull my nausea together and smile, but I was greeted with a stone-cold stare from my uncle.
“I need to holla at you about some business.” He stepped into the condo and walked over into the living room.
“What’s wrong?” I could tell something was off. Uncle Chucky never showed up unannounced, so this visit couldn’t have been a good thing.
“Where’s Ali?”
“She’s out with a friend,” I replied.
“What’s good?” Ace folded his arms.
“Y’all niggas up in this bitch playing house?” Chucky frowned.
“Is that why you came by, to check in on me?” It was none of his business what I was doing in my spare time.
“The reason I came by is to find out why y’all fucking up the hustle?” His jaw muscles tightened.
“What are you talking about?” I played dumb. I needed to see just how much he knew before I started fessing up about shit.
“Ace, can you leave us to it for a minute?” Chucky asked, and Ace obliged. “All you had to do was steal cars and get paid!” he yelled once Ace was in the bedroom with the door closed.
“That’s what I did, so why are you mad?” I yelled back.
“Janie, I’m mad because you crossed the line by stealing those credit cards. That shit is a no-no. You know better.” He sighed.
“Stealing cars wasn’t paying all my bills,” I defended myself since I was busted.
“You make four hundred gotdamn dollars a car!” he pointed out.
“And at the end of the day, that’s not enough. I saw an opportunity, and I went for it.”
“Don’t you realize that’s some hot shit!” He shook his head in disbelief.
“You act like stealing cars ain’t some hot shit.”
“That’s different because you worked under someone affiliated with an organization. You get into trouble and they’ve got your back. When you go independent, you don’t get no protection.”
“I’ll find my own protection then,” I threatened.
“It ain’t that easy, Janie.” Uncle Chucky took a seat on the suede cocoa sectional.
“Look, Unc, at the end of the day, I’m making shit happen. Do you know how much money is on those stolen credit cards? I make more off of those damn cards than I do from the cars.” I needed my uncle to see why I did what I did. “I’ll talk to Bobby and see if I can persuade him to see things my way. Hell, all of his workers need to follow suit. There is big money in credit card fraud.”
“Janie, Bobby don’t want no part of that. You think you’re the first genius to think of that master plan?” He stood. “The shit is too hot, and he can’t take that risk. He asked me to let you and Ali know you’re out.”
“Fuck him then. I’ll start my own organization.” I laughed.
“Do what you got to do, but be careful. When the ball drops, remember it’s all on you, baby girl.” He kissed my forehead and left without another word.
Chapter Thirty-six
Just like that, Alicia and I had been fired, but it was all good. I could show a nigga better than I could tell him. Ali and I were hell-bent on going independent anyway. I loved proving people wrong, and this situation was no different.
The next morning, as usual, we went out and stole some hot whips just like we would’ve done for Bobby. But this go-round nobody was interested. I called every crook in the business, and everyone passed on our merchandise. People were loyal to Bobby’s organization, and Uncle Chucky was right. Without his connection, nobody wanted to fuck with us, but I wasn’t easily deterred. I just needed a day or two to come up with a master plan.
Luckily, we had three more credit cards to rack up charges on. They would tide us over until we figured out our next move. Either way, Bobby and Chucky were about to see how me and my girl could get down.
“Fuck Bobby anyway!” Alicia spat as we pulled into the Brewster Housing Projects. For some reason, the place was packed. I had to circle the strip twice before deciding to say fuck it and double park. Keisha had called me earlier and asked me to come pick up some money since her car was in the shop.
“These niggas is everywhere.” I grabbed my purse and stepped from the car.
“It looks like they having some sort of block party.” Ali shielded her face from the sun. There was a moonwalk set up for the children, several barbeque grills smoking, and loud music playing out of somebody’s car. Everyone was rocking white shirts and sipping from red cups.
“If I weren’t around, you wouldn’t be able to get up in here.” Keisha unlocked her security gate and let us in.
“What’s the deal?” I nodded to the crowd of folks.
“Girl, they having a celebration for this nigga named Damien.” She locked the door again and showed us into her living room. Her place was plush as hell to be located in the projects, and big, too.
“What did Damien do and why are they celebrating?” Alicia peered through the vertical blinds.
“He got killed last week and today was his funeral. His brother Smoke runs these projects, so he got the whole crew plotting to catch the nigga who did it.” Keisha went into her bra and removed a stack of money. After realizing that the Damien she was referring to was the same one Ace had killed, I continued with questions and listened closely.
“They know who did it?” I glanced at Alicia, who had already caught my drift.
“Yeah, girl, you know news around this piece travels fast. It’s supposed to be some nigga named Ace or something like that.” She counted out the money and placed it into two neat stacks on the kitchen table.
“Damn, I feel sorry for Ace ’cause those niggas are deep,” Ali played along.
“Yeah, Smoke and his crew don’t play, either. They are probably gonna get drunk tonight and mourn his brother, then rip some shit up in the morning.” Keisha laughed and brought over the money.
“Well, let me get the hell out of here before all hell breaks loose.” I laughed. “I ain’t trying to get caught up in no crossfire.”
“I know that’s right, boo, but you safe in here. Ain’t nobody dumb enough to step foot inside these projects.”
“See ya later!” I waved while retrieving my cell phone to relay everything I’d heard to Ace.
Chapter Thirty-seven
On the way back home, I received a call from Mrs. Dorsey, one of Gran’s neighbors. She informed me that my grandmother was ill and that I should come over and check on her. At first, I debated whether the call was a setup, but then I remembered my birthday was in a few days. Therefore, being arrested and going to the juvenile detention center was no longer an option.
“I’m on my way,” I told the concerned neighbor and headed to the nearest grocery store for soup, orange juice, cough medicine, and tea. Although my grandmother and I weren’t on the best of terms, I would always be there when and if she needed m
e.
When we pulled up to Gran’s building, Alicia frowned. “No wonder you ran away. This place is horrible.” She took in the sight of junkies and prostitutes standing out front. It was time for my grandmother to move, and I wasn’t taking no for an answer. After asking Alicia to give me a few minutes, I stepped from the car.
“Hey, baby girl, are you looking for a good time?” A streetwalker approached me with a bikini top, fishnet tights, and pleather boots.
“No, thanks.” I bypassed her and headed into the run-down apartment building. Upon entering, I noticed the security lock on the door had been broken. That meant any Tom, Dick, or Harry could come and go as they pleased. Walking toward the elevator, I gagged from the strong urine smell. This building was no place for a sixty-something single woman. After stepping off the elevator, I continued down the hallway toward Gran’s door and was damn near side-swiped by some little kids playing in the hall.
“My bad,” a snot-nosed boy apologized.
“It’s all good, little man.” At least the boy had some manners. Tap. Tap.
“Who is it?” Gran called out.
“It’s me, Gran.”
“Well, hello, stranger,” she stated with more attitude than I thought she would have for a sick person. “And just where have you been?”
“Gran, you know the game,” I replied. I was not about to get into it with her again, so I proceeded with the conversation. “Mrs. Dorsey called and told me you weren’t feeling well. I stopped by the store and purchased you some things to help you feel better.” I placed the bag down onto her dining room table.
“Did you purchase that mess with drug money?” She coughed and went to sit down on the couch.
“I’m not a drug dealer,” I said, telling the truth.
“I ain’t stupid, Janelle Renee Doesher.” She knew I hated when she called me by my whole name.
“Gran, nobody called you stupid.” I went into the kitchen and retrieved a spoon for the medicine and a cup for the orange juice.
“So why are you lying then? Do you think I’m blind? I see the fancy clothes on your back, not to mention the car you pulled up in. If you ain’t selling dope, then you must be selling pussy.”
“Gran!” I had never heard her use foul language, and frankly, I didn’t like her implying I was a ho.
“Janelle, I’m old enough to call it like I see it.” She coughed again.
“For your information, I’m not selling either of the two!” I slammed the glass down on the table. “Now are you going to take this medicine?”
“Leave it there. I’ll get it later.” She turned away from me and went back to peering out the window.
“You’re welcome.” I rolled my eyes and left the old woman to her misery. I had more pressing issues to deal with, like Ace and his beef with Damien’s brother.
Chapter Thirty-eight
I stepped into the house and watched Ace pace the floor like a madman. “Tell me again what that pussy-ass nigga said?”
“He didn’t say anything to us, but we heard he has the entire projects ready to murk you.” I placed my purse on the couch and took a seat.
“These niggas is wildin’.” He flexed his muscles out of anger.
“Whatever you need, I got you, bro.” Alicia sat down beside me. I had never seen Ace so heated, but I guess you get like that when there is a bounty on your head.
“Naw, fuck that. I’m rolling solo. I’m riding on these pussy-ass niggas tonight. I gotta catch these fools slippin’ before they find me.”
“Baby, the projects are sewn up. Ain’t nobody getting through there.” I tried to talk some sense into him. If Ace went on a solo mission into the jungle, he was bound to get killed.
“Janelle, there ain’t no other way. Your girl said they were getting drunk tonight and the shit would hit the fan in the morning.” He sat beside me. “Think about it: all them niggas will be in one place at the same time, intoxicated and off their A game.”
“You’re right, but you can’t do this alone.”
“Who else can I do it with? My best friend tried to kill me, so who knows if the other niggas in my circle are loyal?” Ace did have a point, and I felt him 100 percent, but I was totally against sending him out alone.
“Me and Ali are ridin’ then.”
“What?” He shook his head. “What do I look like putting two girls out there in the middle of that shit? Not to mention the fact that you’re carrying my seed.” He stood from the couch and Alicia looked away.
“Ace, we are all we’ve got, baby. If I send you out there alone and you don’t come back, this baby won’t even matter ’cause I’ll die of a broken heart.” I was dead-ass serious.
“But if I let you come with me and something happens to you or my baby, I’ll die.”
“Well, at least we’ll all be together.”
He pondered over my words for a minute and sighed, “Let’s get ready because we’re leaving as soon as it gets dark.”
Chapter Thirty-nine
Nightfall came, and it was show time. Ace called in a few favors with Chucky and was able to secure some heavy artillery. Of course, he didn’t divulge what was about to go down or the fact that I was involved. He supplied Ace with two MAC-11s, which were machine weapons developed for the U.S. military. It held thirty-two rounds in the magazine and had some major blowback. I really wanted to shoot one, but Ace gave me specific instructions to be the getaway driver. I would’ve put up a fuss but decided not to press my luck, so I left well enough alone.
Slowly, we drove through the projects in a stolen Town & Country with the windows down and back door open. Alicia held her gun on her lap and Ace did the same. My nerves were a mess, and my hands were clammy. I prayed no one innocent would get caught up in the crossfire, especially not a child. “There they go right there.” I pointed. “Are y’all ready?” My palms were moist from grippin’ the steering wheel for dear life.
“I’m always ready,” Ace replied. Alicia said nothing as she lifted her piece of steel.
“Remember to aim for that nigga Smoke,” Ace reminded Alicia, who was so fixed on what was about to happen that she barely heard him.
“I got you,” she finally responded right as we pulled in front of the house Smoke and his boys were gathered in front of.
“One. Two. Three,” I counted, and all hell broke loose.
Bang. Bang. The shots exploding from the heavy artillery were earth-shattering. The minivan shook, and my eardrums ached in pain. People screamed and scattered like roaches. I saw a few niggas drop to the ground but was unsure if they’d been hit or if they were just taking cover.
“Stop the car,” Ace demanded.
“What?” Was this fool crazy? “Ace, we can’t stop now.” I shook my head, prepared to put the pedal to the metal and speed the hell away from here. A few men from Smoke’s camp had gotten up from the ground and started pulling out pistols of their own in retaliation. Pop! Pop! Pop! Bullets sprayed in our direction. Thankfully, none of them made a connection with our vehicle.
“Stop the fuckin’ car!” Ace looked from me back to the passenger window just in time to see the gang of niggas headed straight toward us. Before I had the opportunity to question the command he had issued a second time, he opened the door and hopped out of the moving minivan.
“What the fuck is this fool doing?” Alicia stared in disbelief. “Janelle, he’s gonna get us all killed.” She looked at me for some sort of clarity. However, I didn’t have time to respond because I sprang into action.
Immediately, I went into survival mode and grabbed both of the 9 mm handguns I’d stashed in my purse earlier just in case we needed them.
“J, what’s up?” Alicia looked at me sideways. I was sure she thought I was just as crazy as Ace. Even so, I wasn’t about to leave him hanging like a wet rag. See, Alicia and I were a team, but me and Ace operated as one unit. If something were to happen to him, I would no longer be able to function. Therefore, it was necessary that I keep him al
ive.
“I’m going to give my nigga some assistance.” I guessed being a down-ass bitch was in my nature. “Take the wheel,” I instructed my friend. Without hesitation, she jumped into the driver’s seat. “Turn the van around and shoot out of the window like your life depends on it. The police will probably be here soon, so keep that engine running. If you see those flashing blue and red lights, take off even if we ain’t back in the car.”
“Fuck that, J. I ain’t leaving y’all.” She shook her head from side to side.
“We’ll be all right, believe that!”
“You promise?” Looking into my eyes with the innocence of a child, she watched through the window as if she were being left at a daycare center, wishing and hoping like hell that we returned.
“I promise.” Then I gave her a pound.
“Well, in that case, I guess I’ll see you on the other side.” She winked.
“See you on the other side.”
I exited the van and crept around the back. I could see that Ace was still standing and holding his own. As a matter of fact, he had already dropped three men. There were only two more we had to worry about. Bang! I let off a single shot and hit one dude in the chest. Instantly he clutched at the wound, but he continued to fire in my direction. As bullets whizzed past me, I ducked and dodged. Eventually, the shooter collapsed onto the grass. I was sure it was due to the amount of blood that he had lost as well as the lack of energy.
“Janelle, what in the hell are you doing?” Ace looked upset. However, now was not the time to be arguing with me. “Get back in the van!”
“Ace, it’s called having your back, and you’re welcome.”
“I don’t need your help, girl. Go get back in the van.” He pointed toward where Alicia was parked, but I wasn’t having it. If he didn’t know how down I was, he would surely learn tonight.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Smoke ducking behind a big green electrical box. His gun was pointed directly at Ace, who was so busy yelling at me that he’d forgotten we were in the midst of a shoot-out. Clear as day, I could see the scowl on Smoke’s face just as he pulled the trigger.
