Authors: Asia Hill
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #United States, #African American, #Urban, #Women's Fiction, #Genre Fiction
Chapter 17
Money Man
I can’t believe that my big brother got kidnapped. The streets ain’t safe at all. I’m still tryin’ figure out how that hoe pulled that shit off. The show must go on though. Today I was at the spot on 4th and Princeton making it do what it do. Poohman was in Englewood, so we had all angles covered.
“Outlaw, go get the door.”
I was trying to finish bagging up before Spooky came over. She had been spending a lot of time with her cousin. I was kinda glad that she had something else to do other than sit up under me in the trap. I was just about done bagging up when I heard Outlaw going off.
“Nigga, you gon’ tell me where you got it from or yo’ ass gon’ die.”
I jumped up so fast that I dropped the mirror I was bagging up on. I had to get to him before he shot whoever he was snapping on. When I hit the corner, I paused. Lil’ bro had this old-ass crackhead named Freddie on his knees with the banger pointed to his head. This was the last thing we needed. We just opened up shop. It was too early to begin killing people.
“Outlaw, man. Joe, put the gun down. Let me handle it.”
“Ain’t shit to handle. If he don’t tell me what I wanna hear, I’ma POP his punk ass! Look.”
He tossed me something in the air. When I caught it, I almost cried when I figured out what it was. It was a platinum chain with an iced-out charm. The charm had the initials L.J. on it. In a blind rage, I pulled out my gun and cocked it.
(CLICK, CLACK)
“Yo, my man. Where you get this chain from?”
“Ah-h-h, I got it from this chick that lives on my block. She stopped me and asked me if I wanted it.”
“What she look like?”
“Cute, light skin, micro braids. Shit, I don’t know. I saw the chain and got happy as hell because I knew that I could get my dope with it.”
“Where you see her at?”
“Over down on 42nd and Princeton. She was coming out of this red and white crib. I can show you, just don’t kill me.”
“Let’s go!”
(Boo)
“Hello?”
“Hey Boo, this Ashley.”
“Hey girl, what you got?”
“I got a hit on Jaw’s car. It was spotted on Marquette.”
“That’s by Lil Mama and E’s crib, ain’t it?”
“Yep, there’s a patrol car waiting over there for you.”
I hung up and called Heidi.
“What now?”
“They found Jaw’s car. I’m about to come get you.”
“Alright, I’ll be ready.”
“Be outside.”
“Outside? Bitch it’s the dead of winter. I’ll be in the hallway. Blow your horn.”
(20 minutes later)
We arrived on 84th and Marquette. The police had the car surrounded. Heidi’s ass jumped out before I could even park. She took off running towards Jaw’s car. I tried to hurry up and park; because once I saw the officer stop her, I knew that there was about to be some shit.
“Ma’am, you can’t go over there. This is a crime scene.”
“This ain’t no motherfucking crime scene. That’s my son’s stolen car. Move out of my way before I move you.”
“Are you threatening me?”
I called Ashley.
“Please hurry up and get here because Heidi’s about to go to jail.”
“For what?”
No sooner than she asked that . . . WHAM! Heidi knocked the police officer clean out. I shook my head.
“Assault on a police officer.”
“Shit! I’m on the way.”
(Jaw)
I was thinking, “Was this bitch really about to get away with this?” I had been in this basement for a week now. My dick was so raw from her sucking and fuck on it. I prayed every night that she jumped on my dick that she didn’t get pregnant. Every time I nutted, she jumped on my dick. Her pussy was like a Hoover vacuum. It sucked up every drop. If I got loose, I swear I was going to kill that bitch. She had this shit planned for a while. When I needed to use the restroom or wash my ass, she’d uncuff me while holding a Taser to me. I tried her the first time and she shocked me so bad I had the shakes for a few days. I had to play the nice-guy role. She started leaving me untied when she left. When she’s there, she tied me up and lay in the bed with me. I guess she must have read my mind. The girl had problems. Every five minutes she was telling me that she loved me. I had to suck it up and say it back.
“If you keep acting right, I’ll let you come upstairs where you belong.”
“It’s cool. Take your time, ma. It is what it is. When you’re ready, and then let me know.”
“Thank you for understanding me and coming around. I just want us to be together. Let me show you that I’m the better woman for you.”
“Okay, boo, do you.”
This shit was going to take a minute.
“Where my chain?”
“You don’t need it. We are trying to start a new life. Let’s let the past be the past.”
What? I was fuming on the inside. Do you know how much I paid for that chain? Stupid-ass bitch!
Chapter 18
Mia
(One week later)
I had to set my auntie straight. After I told her everything that happened, she quickly jumped sides. Yeah, you know I had to put my lil’ twist on a few things. Little Ms. JoJo had her fooled. She failed to tell her that them motherfucker killed Boogie, Jr., and Ramone. Cee was pissed. In the end, I accomplished my goal. I didn’t even know that Uncle T’s daughter, Spooky, was even in the city. I planned on hollering at her. For now I was just glad to be in the company of my man who, by the way, has been behaving really well. He was gaining my trust and making me love him even more.
Like today, I was in a bad-ass mood. I was tired of selling drugs with no help. True enough, I had some loyal-ass niggas that copped from me, but I wanted to expand and I couldn’t do that without a team. When I went downstairs to check on him, he was laying in the bed watching T.V. and eating popcorn. I kind of felt bad for keeping him locked up. He needed to be on the same page with me if I was going to let his ass out of the basement.
“What’s good, baby? Come here and give daddy a kiss.”
Damn I loved this boy. I prayed that he stayed like this. I mean two weeks under constant lock and key was enough.
“Baby I’m sad.”
“Why you sad, Lovely?”
“I’m tired of hustling by myself. I mean the money is great, but damn I need a break. I can’t keep doing this shit full time without no help.”
“You smart, boo. You’ll figure something out. Come lay down and let’s take a nap.”
I uncuffed his other arm and let him hold me.
“If I let you outta this basement, will you promise not to leave me?”
His whole life depended on him answering this question right.
“Man, ma, I gotchu. At first I hated you, but after I sat back and thought about all the shit we been through, I know you love me. I need that real love in my life. I’ma show you that I’m the man you want in your life. I love you Mia.”
Yes, gah damn it . . . yes. He said the right shit. I’m sure after two weeks of putting this A-1 pussy on him, he’d finally come around.
“Let’s go upstairs.”
(Jaw)
I thought that I wasn’t going to be able to survive this shit mentally. I ain’t never hated nobody the way I hated this bitch. I’m one of them niggas that cannot fake shit. I swear I should win an Oscar for my award-winning performance.
I quit underestimating that bitch, too. I haven’t tried shit that could potentially get me killed. That girl was unstable for real. I knew my family was going crazy. I had to find a way to let them know I was good.
(Door Unlocking)
Mia came in the room looking all sad and shit. Lights, camera, action!
“What’s good, baby? Come here and give daddy a kiss.”
“Baby, I’m sad.”
I knew what she wanted. I just had to play it cool and comfort her. Once she explained why she was sad, I knew this was my one chance to gain her trust. Not only could I gain her trust, but I could get paid in the process. What? You’re probably thinking . . . how could I be thinking about money at a time like this right? Because after I kill this bitch, it’s still money out there to be made.
“If I let you out of the basement, will you promise not to leave me?”
Got her! I was going to play it cool; but when I got what I needed from her ass, it was lights out bitch!
Chapter 19
Young Meech
I can’t believe the big homie has been missing for this along. Poohman been on beast mode. I ain’t never seen that nigga that mad.
(Ring, Ring)
I looked at my phone and saw that it was Money Man.
“Yo, bruh!”
“Nigger, get over here ASAP!”
“What’s wrong? We got beef?”
“This crackhead named Freddie just came and tried to sell Jaw’s chain.”
“WHAT? Where he get it from?”
“He said some hoe down the street on 42nd walked up to him and gave it to him.”
“I’m on my way. Don’t move ‘til I get there.”
(20 minutes later)
I walked in the spot ready for action.
“Money, don’t you think we should call Boo and yo momma?”
“For what? We got this. The nigga in the basement.”
When we walked down stairs, I couldn’t hold the laugh that busted out of my mouth. Outlaw was a little terror. He was down there slapping the shit out of the old man.
“Shut up! (Slap) Punk ass nigga! (Slap). You better not be lying.” (Slap, Slap)
“Man, Outlaw, fall back, killa.”
I walked up to the old man who looked like he was about to have a heart attack. When he saw me, he started pleading his cases.
“I swear, Young, I didn’t steal the chain. The girl gave it to me.”
“Can you take us to the crib?”
“Yes, please just don’t let that lil’ nigga slap me no more. My gah damn face hurt!” (Slap).
“Shut up, nigga.”
Me and Money Man fell out laughing.
“Chill, Outlaw. Untie him. Don’t try no funny shit, Freddie.”
We all jumped in my truck and drove down to 42nd street. As soon as I hit the block, I asked Freddie to show me where the crib was.
“It’s red and white.”
I was about to say something until I heard . . . (Slap).
“All these houses red and white, mothafucker.”
Outlaw slapped the poor man again.
“You gotta do better than. that. What else you remember?”
“It was a black Lexus in the drive way.”
I looked at Money Man.
“Do you know what type of car she drives?”
“I know it’s black. That’s all I remember. You know I smoke hella weed. I can barely remember the days of the week, Young.”
We decided to park in the middle of the block and wait. Freddie started rocking back and forth getting on my nerves.
“Quit fucking rocking, dude!”
“I need my fix. Let me get a dub, Young?”
“Outlaw, give him a dub.”
When Outlaw gave him the work, I couldn’t believe that nigga whipped out his crack pipe and was about to flame up.
“Whoa, what the fuck? Get the fuck out.”
“Oh, I didn’t know you didn’t need me.” (Slap)
Outlaw slapped him the back of his head so hard that his head bounced off of the window. “Damn,” was all I could say. He jumped out and ran into a house not too far from where we were parked. I knew this was going to be a long day.
“Money Man, roll something.”
I figured I’d play catch-up with my crew since we ain’t been kicking it like that.
“Money, what’s good, bruh?”
“Shit, chasing that almighty dollar. The spot over here been juking.”
“That’s what’s up. You paid all the runners yet?”
“I’ma do it tomorrow before we re-up.”
“Where yo girl?”
“She been hanging out with her cousin. I think her name JoJo or something like that.”
Did I hear him right?
“You say JoJo? What does she look like?”
“I ain’t never seen her, but aww shit I forgot to ask you something. Do you know some nigga name Big T that ran Englewood?”
I looked at Money Man with some suspicious eyes.
Why the fuck was he asking me about that pussy-ass nigga? I never told Money Man or Outlaw about that Thanksgiving night.
“What about him?”
Money Man sensed my sudden change of mood.
“Damn nigga, chill. I was asking because Spooky said the he was her father.”
I dropped my head. You have got to be fucking kidding me. This world was indeed too small. My mind started to race. Was this nigga out to get me, too? Was he going to ride with his bitch? He couldn’t be. He didn’t know. I had to tell him.
“Yeah, I know that nigga, Big T. He had my father killed.”
I could tell he didn’t know the history. His mouth dropped open and he almost dropped the blunt.
“Nigga, tell me you lying.”
“I’m not. I didn’t kill Big T. Poohman did. I killed his bitch who, by the way, happened to be my mother.”
Outlaw whipped his head around and gave me the craziest look.
“Yo momma?”
“Hell yeah. That bitch played a part in my father’s death. They both had to go!”
I looked Money Man dead in the eyes and said, “So now that you know your bitch is the enemy, what’s good?”
“Nigga, I’ma Chi City boy all day. She not in the city for no reason. I think she said her cousin JoJo got a baby daddy named Lil Man that she . . .”
“Nigga, if that’s the JoJo I think it is; this shit is bigger than all of us. JoJo fucking with the same Lil Man that killed my sister and my auntie. But I’ma ‘bout to fuck yo head all the way up. Remember the nigga Big Moe that got robbed by Ju, Re, and Dirty?”
“Yeah, Jaw told me about that nigga.”
“That’s her fucking cousin. So if Spooky is JoJo’s cousin, you do the math!”
He was speechless.
“You know her Auntie Cee is the one giving us the work for the low-low? Plus, Spooky’s lil’ slick ass been stealing work on the side, too.”
“You gon’ have to WHACK! that bitch.”
“I gotchu. After we find my brother, it’s a done deal.”
Damn, I hope we find Jaw . . . and fast. You never know who is who around this motherfucker.