by Tee Jae
“Were. We were a family.” He leaned in close. “Khaza crossed that line. Fucking my wife, I might’ve just whooped his ass and got over the shit later; hell, we were headed towards divorce anyway. Now? Look at what he did to Khadi, now that shits unforgiveable.” He leaned back letting me know which side of the fence he stood on. “Now tell us where he is and maybe just maybe, on the strength of Khali, we would hear him out. She’s the only reason I agreed to meeting you.” He spat breaking my heart.
I dropped my head unsure of what to do next. “I can’t do that…listen, your brother…” I clasped my hands together, closing my eyes and swallowing hard to ease the dryness. I couldn’t bring myself to tell them about Khaza’s disorder, I just couldn’t do it. I was afraid that once those words left my mouth, they would treat him worse than what they were already doing. I raised my head up and stared at Khaddo in the eyes, “I will never give him up, even when I do find him, I will protect him like I would do all my kids.”
“Fuck this shit.” He pushed away from the table knocking his chair over. Zeus grabbed his arm trying to talk to him, but he jerked away and headed outside.
I turned my eyes back on Khali smiling sweetly. “Well, I still have you right?” I asked. She was my only line of hope.
“Ma, Khaza fucked up. I hope like hell he didn’t have anything to do with Khadi getting shot and this is all a big misunderstanding. Brooklyn’s pregnant, he could’ve taken my brother away from his wife and child.” I turned my nose up in the air at the mention of Brooklyn’s name. Far as I was concerned, she was just as much to blame as Khaza.
“What’s your deal with Brooklyn?” she asked catching on to my sudden mood change.
Ignoring her question, “Who’s side are you on anyway?” I asked counter questioning her.
“Manman, this isn’t about sides, we are family. Khaza was wrong and that’s that. Stop trying to control everything and let the boys decide on what to do. He’s grown, he knew what he was doing, you make your bed you lay in it.” She got up from her chair grabbing her purse.
“Once you’re a mother, Khali, you will understand.” I sighed feeling defeated “What about your graduation?” I asked switching the subject.
“I’m sorry, ma, but I don’t want any family drama, therefore Khaza is not welcomed to my graduation.” She looked at me sadly before walking off.
I wanted to call her back and tell her that her brother didn’t know what he was doing. Tell her that he hadn’t taken his meds at all and was somewhere prolly off his rocker, but her getting up and walking out let me know what side she was on. I sat at the table starring at my phone in my hand debating on making a phone call or not.
Fuck it! My baby boy needed protection. I sat nervously dialing the number before pushing send and placing the phone to my hear listening to it ring on the opposite side.
“Hola,” the Spanish accent picked up on the line.
“Felipe Ortiz, please.”
Chapter 8
Gator
“Where the fuck were you, huh?” Yani jumped up from the couch on attack mode as soon as I opened the door to her condo.
“Go on, girl.” I brushed passed her, so she could get the fuck out of my face. She was really starting to work on my damn nerves. She wasn’t this fucking insecure when she knew Brooklyn was my woman and she was the side wife.
“Why in the fuck would you use some of my men to go on a mission you stupid fuck?” she threw my burner phone missing me by a few inches.
“Yani, make that your last fucking time going through my phone.” I kept walking, making my way to the bathroom to take care of my hygiene.
“You Punta!” she screamed following me to the bathroom. “That’s what the fuck you went out of town for? Huh? To try and kill Khadi Santana?” she shoved me in my back, almost making me lose balance. I was trying my hardest not to knock her ass out.
Fucking right I did and I took her best man for the job; Pedro was the only one in the crew with sniper skills. I grabbed my toothbrush and braced myself for the tears. 1...2…3. I counted quietly in my head and on queue she started crying.
“Whyyyyyyy? Why won’t you just leave her alone?” She cried, falling to the floor looking pathetic. I swear anyone looking from the outside would think she had it all together. Yani was beautiful, she wore the most expensive labels and would fuck a nigga into a coma in the bedroom which would be any niggas dream but behind closed doors, she was beyond insecure and shallow; the shit was a turn off.
I stared down at her crying on the floor and didn’t feel a bit of remorse. If it wasn’t for Brooklyn leaving me for that sucka ass nigga and my kids, I wouldn’t even be here with her and she knew that shit. Yani thought by sucking and fucking me and catering to my every need, that was enough to keep me on lock. She also thought by telling me that Brooklyn was getting married was enough for me to leave Brooklyn alone and live happily ever after with her. Her nagging ass just didn’t get it; I wouldn’t stop until Brooklyn was back home with me where she belonged.
“Getcho’ ass up before my kids come in here and see you crying like that.” I barked pulling her up from the floor as if she weighed a pound, “This will be my last time telling you this shit. We have an arranged marriage, DAMMIT! Getcho’ feelings in check Yani before I walk out this bitch.” I pushed her out the bathroom and closed the door in her face before getting myself together to go meet up with Khaza.
*****
I pulled up to the worn-down city park where Khaza asked me to meet him. “What’s good?” I asked jumping out of my car.
He caught me off guard bum rushing me to the ground. He had strength, but he wasn’t stronger than me. I flipped his ass over on his back and placed my hands around his throat,
“Nigga, don’t you ever run up on me like that or I’ll kill yo’ ass.” I pressed down on his pressure points and squeezed while he fought for me to let him go. I waited right until he was about to pass out before I let go and got up off the ground dusting my clothes off. I stood over him and waited for him to catch his breath.
“What the fuck you shoot my brother for? You promised he wouldn’t get hurt.” He whined like a lil’ bitch holding his neck trying to regulate his breathing and I looked at his weak ass and was disgusted.
“My shooter missed.” I shrugged my shoulders and sat back on the hood of my car.
“You lucky he lived or else I would’ve had to lay you down myself.”
I smirked, “You and what army? Let’s not forget you reached out to me when your brother turned his back on you.” I had to constantly remind this nigga that his brothers were gunning for him, so he wouldn’t bitch up decide to flip the switch.
“What do we do now? I know my brother beefed up his security and has the whole Miami on their toes. My mama even said the nigga put a bounty on my head.”
That was like music to my ears. That mean he didn’t know I was behind the hit and I needed it to stay that way, so he didn’t see me coming. “Get out of town, lay low for a minute until I figure some shit out.” I got back in my car and drove off. I needed to keep him low key and levelheaded, so he can lead me right to his brother then I’d do them both.
Chapter 9
Brooklyn
I was stressed the fuck out with no one to talk too. Kassidy hasn’t been answering the phone for me, so I really had no one to talk to besides Khali and she was busy getting ready for graduation. I was happy for her, but I just wasn’t in the mood to be celebrating anything, especially since Khadi and I hadn’t been on the best of terms lately. We were basically living in this big ass house like two strangers, passing by each other and not speaking was driving me crazy.
“Girl get out of this bed…the doctor didn’t put you on bed rest.” Khali waltzed in the room, glowing from her pregnancy. Her hair was freshly done, and she looked so cute pregnant.
“Gooooo away,” I groaned flipping over.
“No ma’am. What I told you about that weak shit Brooklyn, get up. You can’t sta
y cooped up in this bedroom forever.” She walked in my closet and returned with a cute royal blue romper that fell off the shoulder and a cute pair of heels and laid it at the foot of the bed. “Get up! Twan will be here any minute to do our makeup so go and shower before you miss my graduation.”
“I don’t want to see your bitch ass brother.” I whined.
“Hold up biatch…watch ya mouth.” She stopped in her tracks giving me the side eye. Khali was crazy like that, she could run her mouth about her brothers all day and call them all kinds of names but nobody else better not talk about them.
“Well he didn’t even come with me to my doctor’s appointment this month, he sent Biggs like he’s the daddy.”
She rolled her eyes, “His bitch ass wrong for that.” We both looked at each other and fell out laughing. “Baby, you pregnant not handicap. Ok…get out this bed and show that nigga what he been missing.” She snapped her fingers walking around to my side of the bed. “Has he asked for a divorce?”
“No.” I answered fast feeling my heartbeat speed up at the thought of him asking me that.
“Well there ya go…he didn’t ask you to leave. He didn’t ask for a divorce. He still wants you. Boom! Problem solved. Now all you gotta do is put the pussy in his face show his ass what he been missing, cause trust me, as much as you’re missing him he’s missing you too.” She winked at me before heading back towards the door. “And honey take a shower and wash your hair.” She held her hand over her nose and ran out the room before I could throw a pillow at her.
Maybe she was right, I was sitting around the house mopping because Khadi was mad at me for something I didn’t intentionally do. I got up and headed towards the shower. Today, I would show him who the fuck he was playing with.
After Twan did my makeup, I slipped on the romper Khali picked out and slicked my hair back into a low pony tail, graced my neck with my round cut tennis necklace and bracelet to match. I took off my wedding ring and left it in the jewelry box. I would get his attention one way or the other. Slipping on my heels I headed downstairs to wait for Khali.
“Mamacitaaaaaaaa,” Mila tried to whistle but failed horribly. I liked Mila, she was in her early fifties and still looked good for her age and she was a mean cook and kept the house organized and in order. I could see why Khadi kept her around for so long. “Wait ‘til Mr. Santana sees you.” She gushed making a circle around me. “I love this color on you.” She said before placing her hand on my stomach. “I can’t wait for the bebe.” She smiled before walking off.
I walked into the kitchen and grabbed some fresh pineapples out of the refrigerator and popping a few in my mouth. I had been craving pineapples, mangoes, and seasoned pickles ever since I found out I was pregnant. I held onto the refrigerator door while stuffing my mouth.
“Where’s your ring, Brooklyn?” Khadi scared the shit out of me making me quickly close the refrigerator. I smirked at him trying to pass by, but he grabbed my arm, “Don’t make me ask you again.” He scoffed looking pissed off.
“You haven’t seen or talked to me in forever and the first thing you ask me is where’s my wedding ring?” I looked at him in total disbelief.
He pulled me closer to him and I almost melted in his arms, we hadn’t been this close for a minute. Getcho’ shit together, Brooklyn, I coached myself looking away from him. “That’s what the fuck you gon’ do, huh? Get mad and take your wedding ring off?” He let go of my arm damn near pushing me away…that hurt.
I wanted to cry these pregnancy hormones had me all over the place, but I sucked that shit up quick I had cried enough. “I’m not the one walking around like my wife doesn’t exist. You haven’t slept in our bed in I don’t know how long, and you come in here questioning me. Your wife? Your wife that’s carrying your child. You fucking right I took that ring off cause right now it don’t mean shit if this is what a marriage is about.”
He flew across the kitchen floor backing me up against the wall, “A marriage is about trust, you fucking hear me? I feel like I married a bitch I can’t even trust. So, don’t come in here talking about what a marriage supposed to be about because apparently you have no fucking clue.” He knocked the side of my head with his finger. I was scared but I knew he would never lay a hand on me, “Don’t you leave out of this house without that ring on your finger.” He coldly whispered, looking down at me.
He was so close I could smell the mint on his breath and wanted to suck on his bottom lip, but I thought about how he had been treating me these last couple of weeks. “I’ll put my ring back on when I feel like I have a husband.” I dipped from under his arms and made my way out of the kitchen. I heard him slap the wall out of frustration. I walked away turning the tables or, so I thought.
Chapter 10
Khali (Graduation)
“Hunty, I cannot believe you are graduating and about to be someone’s mommy.” Twan gushed, standing in front of me, dressed in a beige knee length pencil skirt and a purple, leopard button down shirt. He was so extra and I loved that about him.
I sat out my last semester because of everything that was going on but I somehow managed to get through this semester and today was my graduation. Even though any day now I could possibly give birth, nothing was stopping me from walking across that stage.
I popped between his legs, “Boy, where your thang at?” I laughed when I felt nothing.
“Taped and tucked biatch.” He swatted my hand away.
“The fuck you doing, Khali?” Zilla barked from the doorway looking sexy as hell in a pair black Armani slacks with a silk, money green buttoned up shirt and a pair of black suede Gucci loafers. I stared at my baby daddy and licked my lips. I’d never seen him dressed up like this before, besides Khadi and Brooklyn’s wedding and to say I was turned on was an understatement. Even Twan was staring too long that I had to hit him in his stomach.
“Ahem.” I cleared my throat grabbing Twan’s attention.
“Chill, Incredible Hulk, ion want what she got….ughhhh!” he curled his lips up in disgust.
Zilla ignored him never taking his eyes off me, “You look beautiful, ma.” He pulled on his wild beard while eye fucking me.
“You don’t look so bad yourself baby daddy.” I smiled staring straight back at him.
“Lemme get a minute with my lady,” Zilla ordered and I laughed at Twan scurrying to get out of the bathroom. He grabbed me by my neck, kissing me passionately, not giving a fuck about my lipstick.
“Babe…” I pulled back. I loved my man to death and appreciated the affection especially since him and my family been walking around here like stone cold killers, but I had a few bitches to shit on today, so my makeup needed to stay on point for my Instagram posts. “What’s up with you?” I asked now reading his face. I knew what this face meant, he was about to deliver some shit I didn’t want to hear.
“Baby,” he rubbed my stomach avoiding eye contact with me. “Right after graduation, we flying out to the A.”
I chuckled slapping his hand away, “Not you…maybe everybody else, but you gon’ have to sit this mission out. I’ll tell Khadi and he will understand.”
“You ain’t gon’ tell Khadi shit. I’m a fucking man, ma. I don’t need your permission to do shit. I’m telling you ‘cause we team mates but don’t get shit twisted, I do and go where the fuck I want.” He sneered looking at me like I’m crazy but fuck that.
“The fuck you mean ‘do and go where the fuck you want’? I’ve never tried to stop you from going anywhere Zee, but what if my water breaks and you miss the birth of Karlie.” I pouted looking into his face for surrender.
“I won’t miss the birth, Khali. I promise.” He picked my hand up and bought it to his mouth kissing it. “I’m one of your brother’s trusted lieutenants, I can’t send him out there while his other trusted lieutenant is against him.” He dropped my hand and walked away letting me know that his word was final.
*****
“Khali Santana,” the commentator called my name as
I strutted across the stage in my black, patent leather, Saint Laurent monogrammed heels. The black, orange, and green cap and gown did nothing to hide my baby girl in my belly as I accepted my diploma stating that I’d obtained my bachelor’s in business accounting. The smile that graced my face once that degree hit my hand gave me happiness for the moment but once I looked out into the crowd and realized my mom and Khaza wasn’t there, my smile quickly faded. This was not how I envisioned my graduation, but I had to face the facts that my family is divided, and I could possibly be losing a brother soon.
“I’m proud of you, baby.” Zilla rubbed my belly before planting a kiss on my forehead.
“You ready for the big leagues lil’ sis?” Khaddo walked up, handing me a bouquet of roses followed by Khadi and Brooklyn who still weren’t talking to each other.
“You know I am as soon as I drop this load. Zilla can be a stay at home dad.” I joked causing everyone to laugh and lighten up the mood.
Chapter 11
Khadi
Atlanta, GA 9 p.m.
“Everybody ready?” I asked, looking around at all my trained to go soldiers as the private jet descended onto the clear port. Everyone shook their head in unison. “We have a few inside connections that I trust will lead us right to this nigga’s front door. If anyone stumbles upon Khaza, you cripple him and bring him to me. DO NOT KILL HIM!” I gave specific instructions as everyone suited up with bullet proof vests and extra ammunition. I killed my cigar in the ashtray, “Let’s go and show these motherfuckers why I’m the King of Miami.”
“2321 Reign street.” Marcus read the address out loud again. “You sure this the right info?” we stared at the dark worn down abandoned house with only a dim light shining in the front window. “This could be a set up boss.” He swiveled his head around scanning the neighborhood for anything that looked out of place.
