A Gangsta Twist Saga (19 page)

Sacha had seen a pamphlet that indicated where all of the malls were, and she said that she wanted to go to the Lakewood Mall first. They had a store called BeBe's that she wanted to go to. When they arrived at the mall, she went ballistic; she bought something in almost every store they went into.

Taz didn't mind. It was kind of funny to him as he watched her do her thing. He just pulled out his Black Card and paid for everything she wanted. This was her time, and he was happy just to see that beautiful smile of hers.
This is what life's all about,
he thought as he lugged all of Sacha's bags.

“Oh, baby, let's go into that Zales jewelry store. I want to buy you something.”

“Come on, Li'l Mama! You know I don't need no more jewels. I got damn near every new piece that's out,” he said with a cocky smile on his face.

“Humph! Well, you don't have everything, mister. Come on,” she said as she led him inside of the jewelry store. They went to the counter, and Sacha started looking at all of the different types of rings, bracelets and platinum chains the store had to offer. Her eyes grew wide when she saw a platinum bracelet with huge, canary-yellow diamonds inside of it. “That's it!” she yelled excitedly. “Excuse me, sir. May I see this bracelet right here, please?”

The jeweler came to the counter and grabbed the bracelet she had requested. She smiled as she held it in her hand. “Do you like that, ma'am? It's a new design from Jacob the Jeweler. We just got it in yesterday,” said the jeweler.

“I love it! See, baby, you don't have any colored diamonds. This is nice. Let me see how it'll look on your wrist,” she said as she grabbed Taz's arm and put the bracelet on him. Shaking her head yes, she said, “Yep, I knew it. That's the bomb, baby!”

As Taz stared at the bracelet, he had to admit that it was pretty tight. He asked the jeweler, “How much?”

“Five thousand eight hundred, sir.”

Before Taz could say anything, Sacha spotted a pair of canary-yellow diamond earrings and asked, “How much are those earrings right there?”

“Those are eight hundred and twenty-five dollars a pair, ma'am,” replied the jeweler.

“Okay, what will you do for me if I got the bracelet and a pair of earrings?”

The jeweler smiled and simply said, “You wouldn't want to just stop with the bracelet and earrings, ma'am. You'd have to complete the set with this.” He then reached back under the counter and grabbed a small pinky ring with the same colored canary-yellow diamonds inside of it and said, “Now, this ring is thirty-five hundred dollars. As you can see, they have the same flawless canary-yellow colored diamonds inside. If you were to buy the bracelet, earrings, and this ring, I'd give them all to you for nine thousand dollars even. After taxes, it'll be around eleven thousand or so. The total price without my discount would be closer to thirteen thousand dollars for everything, so I'm saving you close to two thousand dollars.”

Sacha smiled and said, “We'll take it!”

Taz started to say something, but she stopped him and said, “This is my gift to you, Taz, so please don't try to stop me.” Then to the jeweler she said, “Could you please size my man for me, and we'll come back in an hour or so to pick everything up?”

The jeweler smiled and said, “No problem, ma'am!”

After the jeweler had gotten Taz's ring size, Sacha led Taz into yet another store.
Damn! This girl ain't playin', and this is just the first mall on her list,
he thought to himself as he shook his head and watched his girl continue to go wild with her shopping spree.

Finally after another hour or so inside of the mall, Sacha was ready to leave. “Let's go pick up your stuff from Zales, baby. Then we can go get us something to eat. I want to go to that soul food place called Aunt Kizzy's Kitchen. The brochure I read said it was one of the best soul food places in L.A.”

“I'm with it, Li'l Mama, 'cause you're killin' me with all of this damn shopping!”

She laughed and said, “Will you come on, boy?”

As they were leaving the Zales jewelry store, Taz saw three guys staring at them. He didn't mind, because he knew that Sacha was a bad-ass female, so he took their stares as a compliment. But as they passed the three men, recognition snapped in both Taz's and one of the guys' eyes. Taz kept his cool and smiled as they walked by them.
Damnit! Of all places, I had to come to a fuckin' mall and bump into one of those clowns. Fuck!
he thought to himself as he walked toward the mall exit.
Think, nigga! You know you can't go outside. They'll move on you then.
He took a look over his shoulder and saw that the three guys were following them. He turned to Sacha and said, “Look, baby, let's go back into that Sam Goody's for a minute. I almost forgot that Keno asked me to see if I could find him some mixed CDs. That nigga loves West Coast rap,” he lied.

“Okay, baby, but let's hurry, okay? I'm starving.”

He smiled and said, “All right.” He then led her into the record store and started browsing as if he was really looking for CDs to buy. But, in actuality, he was trying to buy some time so he could figure a way out of this shit. The same guys he had robbed over a month ago were waiting right outside of the Sam Goody record store. He knew he was in some deep shit. He had killed one of their comrades, so he knew they had murder on their minds. He had no other choice but to call Won and see if he would be able to get him out of this mess. He didn't have a weapon, so basically he had no win whatsoever.

He stepped away from Sacha and pulled out his cell and quickly dialed Won's number. When Won answered the phone, he said, “O.G., you ain't gon' believe this shit, but I'm out here at the Lakewood Mall, and I done bumped into someone I met about a month in a half ago.”

“Ah shit! Say it ain't so, Babyboy! Say it ain't so!”

“They're on me, O.G., and I'm strapless.”

“Why in the hell did you go to the Lakewood Mall? Out of all of the fuckin' malls, you chose the one that's maybe ten minutes tops from where the work was put in.”

“Dog, how the fuck would I know that shit? I'm from fuckin' Oklahoma!”

“All right, listen. You can't leave that mall 'cause they will do you.”

“You think I don't know that shit? Tell me something I don't know, O.G.!”

“Stay close by security or some shit while I get someone out there to take care of this shit. Where is your car parked?”

“It's by JCPenny.”

“What you driving?”

“A black convertible Beamer.”

“A'ight, stay safe for as long as you can. Once my people are in position, I'll hit you back. Out!” Won said and hung up.

Taz closed his cell, stepped back next to Sacha, and said, “Check this out, Li'l Mama. Let's go to the food court and get something to hold us off for a li'l bit.”

“But I thought we were going to get some Aunt Kizzy's, baby!” she whined.

“We will, but not right now. Now, come on,” he said as he grabbed her hand with his free hand.

Once they had stepped out of this record store, one of the guys that had been following them said, “I never forget a face, cuz, and I damn sho' wouldn't forget a grille like yours!”

Taz stopped, let go of Sacha's hand and said, “Excuse me? Are you talkin' to me?”

“You know who I'm talkin' to, cuz. And you already know what time it is, so ain't no need to be tryin' to play dumb and shit, cuz.”

Taz gave Sacha a confused expression and said, “Come on, Li'l Mama. These fools are trippin'.”

The guy who did all of the talking said, “Yeah, we're trippin', cuz, but the best is yet to come.”

Taz took a look over his shoulder and saw that the group of men resumed following them. Sacha saw that Taz was uncomfortable and asked, “Is everything all right, baby?”

Taz smiled at her and said, “Yeah, everything is everything, Li'l Mama.”

They went to the food court, and Taz bought them a burger and some french fries from Wendy's. While they sat and were eating their food, Taz noticed the men that were following them had taken a seat about four or five tables away. They stared and smiled deadly looking smiles at him. One of them even went as far as taking his index finger and sliding it against his throat, indicating that Taz was a dead man. Taz shook his head and kept on eating his food.

Just as they finished eating, Taz's cell rang. “Hello.”

“Head on out to your car. You know there won't be any way to do this without your girl getting up on it?”

Taz looked across the table at Sacha, sighed, and said, “Yeah, I know. I'll deal with that later.”

“Okay, then do you, and hit me back when you're on your way. Out!”

Taz closed his cell and said, “Come on, Li'l Mama, it's time to go.”

By now Sacha had figured out that something serious was going on. Taz's tone with her was just how it had been that night at the club. Someone was about to get hurt. She could see it in his eyes.

Out in the parking lot, Taz took a quick look to his right and smiled as he saw the opening doors of an all-black Lincoln Navigator that had just pulled up. He said, “Yeah, homey, I'm ready!”

Before the guy could reply, four gigantic men jumped out of the Navigator with automatic rifles in their hands. “Get your fuckin' hands in the air, now!” one of the huge men yelled as they stepped closer to the three men. The man who had given the order then told his partners, “Get them niggas in the truck.” Two of the four big men then went and shoved the three guys toward the Navigator. Once they were secure inside of the truck, the obvious leader of the big men turned toward Taz and said, “It's all good, homey. You can go on and shake this spot. We gots this now.”

Taz stepped to him, shook his hand, and said, “Thanks.”

“Don't thank me. Thank your man, Won,” he said as he turned and climbed back inside of the truck.

Taz followed him to the Navigator, peeped into the window, and said to the three captives, “It's been real, gentlemen, but as the saying goes, you can't win 'em all!” Then he started laughing as he walked toward Sacha and the BMW. As the Navigator pulled away, he heard the one guy who had been doing all of the slick talking yell, “Fuck you, cuz!”

Taz just smiled as he climbed into the BMW.

Sacha remained silent during the entire ride back to their hotel, but as soon as they entered their suite at the Marriott, she went ballistic. “Damnit, Taz! I want to know what the hell just went on back there, and I want to know right damn now!” She plopped herself onto the bed, folded her arms across her chest, and glared at him.

Taz sighed and said, “You're not goin' to let this go, are you, Li'l Mama?”

Her answer to his question was an even harder glare.

He shook his head slowly and asked, “All right, what do you want to know? Why that shit went down at the mall, or why it happened in the first place?”

“Don't play with me, Taz! I want to know everything! Why that shit happened, what happened to the men that got put in that Navigator, and why the hell any of this shit happened in the first fucking place! But most of all, I want to know exactly what it is that you do when you go out of town. Because, I got a funny feeling all of the shit that happened today revolves around your trips.”

“You're right,” Taz said as he sat down on the bed next to her. “You have to understand that the life I lead is not a normal one, and you may not understand the things I'm about to tell you. So please, don't judge what I do, because I never meant for you to find out. You've pushed my hand, and I'm about to give it to you raw, only because I love you, and I don't want to lose you, Li'l Mama.”

“I love you, too, Taz, and I have the right to know exactly what my man is involved in. Don't worry about me. Just keep it real with me, baby.”

Taz took a deep breath and then went into detail about how he became involved in robbing people in other states. After about thirty minutes, he finished and said, “And that's everything.”

“So, you mean to tell me that you've acquired millions from doing this stuff for Won?”

“Yeah. Seventeen point five to be exact. That's not counting the cars, my home, the jewelry, or the homes I own in the City. That's a completely different income.”

“And the rest, are they in the same position as you are financially?”

“Yeah. We split everything six ways. You can never speak on any of this to them, because we've always sworn to never let anyone know our business. The only other woman who knows what I do is Tari, and that's because Won introduced us a long time ago.”

“All right, I understand. But tell me, were those guys at the mall going to kill us?”

“They were going to try.”

She sat there on the bed still and quiet for a moment. Then she asked, “What happened to them, baby? Are they dead now?”

Taz put his arms around her shoulders and said, “Don't worry about them, Li'l Mama. You're safe, so that's all that matters to me.”

She put her head onto his shoulders and said, “
We're
safe. That's all that matters to
me
.”

“So, you're not going to leave me now that you've found out what I do?”

“I love you, Taz, and I mean that more and more every time I say those words. As long as your work doesn't affect mine, I will try my best not to let it bother me. But I know I'll be a nervous wreck every time you leave town from now on.”

“You see, that's one of the reasons why I didn't want you to know about my business. But don't trip, because every time we get down, it's planned to the tee, and it's a cakewalk.”

“How long do you think that will last, baby? Nothing lasts forever.”

“Yeah, I know, but you don't know how Won gets down.”

“I want to meet him, baby. I want to meet this spectacular man who saved our lives this afternoon.”

Taz smiled and said, “That's funny, 'cause he wants to meet you too. Come on, let's go get something to eat at that Aunt Kassy's you was talkin' 'bout. Then we'll see what we can do about you meeting Won.”

“Aunt
Kizzy's
, Taz!”

He laughed and said, “Oh, my bad! Come on, Li'l Mama.”

 

 

Back in Oklahoma City, Tazneema had just gotten off of the phone with Clifford. They arranged to meet at the Red Lobster down in the City. She was so excited that she couldn't take the smile off of her face.

“Damn, girl! Why do you have that goofy-ass smile on your face?” asked Lyla.

“'Cause I'm meeting Cliff at the Red Lobster in an hour, and I'm happy as hell about it,” Tazneema replied.

“Have you asked him if he has any attorney friends for me yet?”

“Your name has only come up once, and that was when I told him that you are my roommate. Wait until I see if this is going to go anywhere. Damn, you act like you're desperate or something.”

“I'm not desperate. I'm just horny, girl! These little college boys out here act as if they're scared to talk to a nice-looking white girl like myself,” Lyla said as she pranced in front of Tazneema.

Tazneema laughed and said, “If they only knew that you were a borderline nymphomaniac!”

“I know, huh? Maybe I should go pick a few players on the football team and invite them over for an all-night orgy. I'll bet I'd get their attention then!” Lyla said and busted out laughing.

“I know you're clowning, but then again, I'm afraid that you might actually be serious.”

Lyla smiled and said, “You never know!” as she went into her bedroom.

Taz and Sacha were enjoying their meal at Aunt Kizzy's soul food restaurant when a tall older man approached their table. “Well, well! Look at my Babyboy! What it do?” asked Won.

Taz stood, and both men embraced each other tightly. “What's up, O.G.? Damn, you lookin' better and better every time I see you, old-timer!”

Won laughed and said, “Old-timer, huh? I'd run circles around you in any sport you name, Babyboy. I'm in the best shape of my life.”

Taz laughed and said, “I can tell. Well, O.G., this here is my Li'l Mama. Sacha, I'd like you to meet Won. Won, this is Sacha.”

Won reached out and shook hands with Sacha and said, “It is truly a pleasure to meet you, Sacha.”

“Likewise, Mr. Won.”

“Please, call me Won. That mister stuff ain't for us. You're now a part of this joker's life, so that makes us family.”

Sacha smiled and said, “Okay, Won.”

“That's better,” Won said as he sat down at their table. “So, are you enjoying your stay in sunny, sunny land?”

“Oh, yes! It's been exciting, to say the least. I can't wait to see what's going to happen next in this wild and crazy town,” Sacha said as she stared at Taz.

Taz smiled and said, “I put her up on everything, O.G.”

Won raised his eyebrows and asked, “Everything?”

“Yep. Everything.”

Won started laughing and said, “Well, I'll be damn! You really
are
in love then, aren't ya? That's good . . . that's real good, Babyboy.” Won then turned his attention toward Sacha and said, “Since you already know what's what, I'd like to apologize for today's li'l. . . ah . . . festivities. That was something that was never to have happened. It was unexpected, and I apologize to you for it.”

“There's really no need for apologizing, Won. After all, you did save us.”

Won turned back toward Taz and said, “Yeah, I did, huh? I've been saving this guy here for a real long time now, but that's another story. Tell me, can you really accept what he does for a living?”

“Honestly, no. But I have no other choice if I want to continue to be a part of his life. I love him, and I will always have my man's back.”

Won chuckled and said, “Oh, you're impressing me more and more, lovely lady.”

Sacha stared at Won as she sipped her drink, and smiled.
This is one powerful man,
she thought to herself as she watched Won and Taz share words with one another. She took in his six-three frame and his conservative style of dress and wondered how many people he had killed or had had killed in his lifetime. His salt-and-pepper, short haircut gave him a sense of respectability, and his eyes were so warm looking she felt as if he could be her uncle or something. All in all, she felt comfortable around him, and that was all that mattered, because she could tell that Taz was really close to him.

“Sacha! Sacha!”

“Uh-huh? Oh! Excuse me, I must have been daydreaming.”

“Well, I'm glad your back, Li'l Mama. Won wants to know if we'd like to join him out on his yacht tomorrow.”

“Yacht? You mean as in boat?”

Won laughed and said, “Exactly, lovely lady. I have her docked out on Marina del Rey, not too far from here, actually. If you'd like, we could take her out and take a li'l ride out on the Pacific.”

“I'd love to! I've never been on a yacht before.”

“Well, it's settled then. I'll come pick the both of you up around noon.” Won stood and asked Taz to step outside with him for a moment. “He'll be right back, lovely lady. I need to discuss a li'l somethin'-somethin' with him real quick.”

“No problem, Won. I know business will be business. Plus, I haven't finished this scrumptious meal yet. Bye!” she said and started back eating her food.

After they had stepped outside of the restaurant, Taz asked, “What do you think?”

“She's definitely a keeper, Babyboy. I'm proud of you. But tell me, why did you tell her everything?”

“She wouldn't have it any other way. And I didn't exactly tell her everything. I told her enough, though . . . more than I thought I'd ever tell anyone.”

“So, I guess it's safe to say that you trust her, huh?”

“With my life, O.G. . . . with my life!” Taz answered seriously.

“Okay, then, that's good enough for me. Now, check this out. We'll be ready to move most likely next Friday or Saturday. I'll know for sure by the time you leave. So make sure that the knuckleheads are ready.”

Taz smiled and said, “They're always ready to get money.”

“Yeah, I know. All right then, I'll see y'all tomorrow around noon. Out!” Won said as he walked quickly toward his car.

Taz smiled as he walked back into the Aunt Kizzy's Kitchen to finish dining with his Li'l Mama.

 

 

After dinner at Red Lobster, Clifford took Tazneema back to his place. They listened to some of his CDs and shared a bottle of white wine.

Tazneema was enjoying herself so much that she'd lost track of the time. When she glanced at her watch and saw that it was almost midnight, she said, “Oh, my! I didn't know it had gotten this late. I have a class at nine. I should be going home now.”

Clifford got up from the sofa and said, “I'm sorry, Tazneema. I've been having so much fun with you that I didn't pay any attention to the time. Come on, let me walk you to your car.”

Once they were outside in Clifford's driveway, Tazneema said, “Thank you for another wonderful evening, Cliff.”

“No problem, Tazneema . . . no problem at all.”

She grabbed his hand and said once again, “Please, call me, 'Neema. Everyone who's close to me calls me that.”

Clifford smiled and asked, “Am I close to you, 'Neema?”

Her answer to his question was a long passionate kiss. When she pulled from his embrace, he said, “I guess that answers that question!”

She smiled at him and said, “Yep, I guess it does.” She climbed into her car and said, “Cliff, I've never been in a serious relationship, so I really don't want to rush into anything. But I want you to know that I like you. I like you a lot. Please be patient with me, okay?”

Clifford bent his head so that his face was inside of the window of her car and said, “We have all the time in the world, 'Neema. I'd never rush you into anything.”

“Thank you. Thank you so much for saying that. I promise you, once I'm ready, I'll be ready.”

He smiled and asked, “What's that supposed to mean?”

She smiled seductively and said, “It means that when I'm ready to lose my virginity, you're going to be the one to take it. Bye!”

He was at such a loss for words that all he could do was nod his head as he watched her pull out of his driveway.
Well, I'll be damn!
he thought to himself as he watched her drive off down the street.