A Gangsta Twist Saga (52 page)

As Tazneema waited for Clifford to arrive, she began to have doubts about what she was about to do.
I should just wait for my Daddy to get here and let him handle this mess. I'm no killer,
she thought as she stared at the gun she held in her hand. Before her doubts could totally consume her, she heard Cliff's car as it pulled into Mama-Mama's driveway. She took a deep breath, put the gun back inside of her purse and set her purse back down on the coffee table. She then went to the front door and watched as he climbed out of his Mercedes 500 CLS.

Cliff smiled at her as he strolled confidently toward her. When he made it to the door, he said, “Hey you!”

They shared a kiss, much to Tazneema's dislike. She pulled away from his embrace and said, “Come on inside. Mama-Mama went to the store. She ran out of something. She's cooking dinner.”

“That's cool. You know I love your grandmother's cooking,” Cliff said as he entered the house and took a seat on the sofa. “So, have you had a chance to talk to her yet?” he asked.

She shook her head no and said, “I was waiting for you to get here so we could do it together. It's very important that we convince her that you had nothing to do with my uncles getting killed.” Tazneema stared at him hard after she made that comment. She wanted to see if he was really that good a liar, as well as a cold-blooded killer.

Cliff smiled a confident smile and said, “There's no need for convincing when you're telling the truth, baby. Your grandmother will know that we're not lying to her. The truth is exactly what it is . . . the truth. I didn't have anything to do with either of your uncles' murders, baby. It's as simple as that.”

This nigga is really good,
Tazneema thought as she said, “I'm glad that you're here now, baby. Now we can put this mess behind us.” She checked her watch and thought to herself,
Taz should be on his way right about now. Either I'm going to handle my business now, or leave it up to my Daddy.
She shook her head as she made her decision.
This is for my uncles!
She reached inside of her purse, pulled out the .380 and pointed it directly toward Clifford's head and said, “You're a fuckin' liar and a coward, Cliff! You did kill my Uncles, and you're still plotting to kill my Daddy! How the hell can you tell me that you love me and still hurt me this way? Answer that for me, Cliff, before I kill your sorry-ass!”

Cliff jumped out of his seat when he saw that Tazneema was dead serious, and said, “Come on, 'Neema, baby! You know damn well I didn't have anything to do with killing your Uncles! Hell, I wasn't even in town when Keno was killed! That should be enough proof for you right there! Come on, baby. Put the gun down so we can wait for Mama-Mama to get back so we can talk this out.”

She laughed and said, “Nigga, Mama-Mama is out of town. The only person we're waiting on is my Daddy. And you and I both know what's going to happen to your ass when he gets here. You might not have killed my Uncle Keno, but that wouldn't have stopped one of your gang-banger friends from doing it. Either way, it's
your
fault, Cliff. And to think I loved your sorry-ass!”

“Loved?
Come on, 'Neema. You know you still love me. Just like you know damn well that I didn't do what you're accusing me of. You've let your father's influence over you finally get the best of your judgment. You know me. You know I'm no killer, baby. Come on, let's talk this out sensibly.”

For some reason, Clifford's words irked her to no end. She felt ashamed—ashamed of being manipulated, used and made a complete fool of. These feelings caused a fury to swell inside of her so cold that she didn't even realize that she was pulling the trigger to the pistol that was gripped tightly in her right hand. She shot Clifford seven times right in the middle of his chest. Her first shot was what killed him though. It was a direct hit to his heart.

As he fell back onto the sofa, he had a look of shock on his face as he grabbed his chest in an effort to stop the flow of blood that seeped from his body. He died with his right hand over the hole in his heart.

Tazneema calmly went and checked his vital signs to make sure that her job was complete. Afterward, she got to her feet and pulled Clifford's body onto the floor. “Mama-Mama would kill me if I'd gotten any blood on her sofa,” she said aloud as she went into the hallway closet to get a sheet to cover Clifford's dead body.

Just as she returned to the living room and put the sheet over the body, she heard Taz's truck pull into the driveway. She quickly stepped to the door and smiled as she watched her father and her three Uncles come running toward the door with their weapons in their hands.

When Taz made it to the front door, he asked, “Where's that nigga at, baby girl?”

Tazneema stepped aside so that Taz and her Uncles could enter the house. She said, “There he is, Daddy.” She pointed toward Clifford's covered body and continued. “I went against the grain, Taz, but I fixed my mistake.”

Taz stared at his daughter in disbelief and asked, “What the fuck have you done, 'Neema?”

She smiled at her father and said, “What I had to do.”

Red went over to the body, pulled the sheet back and said, “Well, I'll be damned! She done got the bastard!”

Bob started laughing and said, “Like father, like daughter for real!”

“Shut the fuck up, Bob! This shit is fucked up!” Taz yelled as he turned back toward his daughter. “Get the hell outta here, baby girl! Take your ass back to Norman, and don't you dare mention this shit to nobody, do you hear me?”

Now that the realization of what she'd actually done had sunk in, she became very nervous all of a sudden. “Are you going to take care of this, Daddy?” she asked in a voice that was of a little girl instead of an eighteen-year-old young lady.

Taz nodded and said, “I've taken care of you all of my life, baby girl, and I'm not about to stop now. Go on and let us take care of this shit. I love you, Tazneema.”

She smiled and said, “I love you too, Daddy.” She grabbed her purse and left the house without so much as a good-bye to any of her Uncles.

Red smiled and said, “Well, at least this clown-ass nigga is out of the way.”

“Yeah, you're right. Come on. Let's take care of this fool. Then we can go get at that other nigga, H-Hop,” Taz said as he grabbed Clifford's body and lifted him onto his broad shoulders.

“So, that nigga gots to go too, huh?” asked Wild Bill.

“You fuckin' right! He's the last piece to this fucked up puzzle, dog. Once he's done, it's a wrap.”

“What are we goin' to do with this fool's body?” asked Bob.

Taz smiled and said, “We gon' feed him to the hogs.”

“Da-a-a-a-amn! That's fucked up!” Wild Bill said with a sadistic smile on his face.

Taz carried Clifford's body outside to Mama-Mama's backyard and set it down right beside the hog pen. He turned toward Red and said, “Look. This is how we're goin' to get down. After we dump this nigga to the hogs, you and Bob go take his car somewhere in the city and dump it. Me and Wild Bill will go sit on that nigga, H-Hop's spot. If we can get his ass, then we'll move on him. If not, I'll get at y'all later on. Either way it falls, at least we're more than halfway through with this shit.”

“Yeah, thanks to 'Neema,” Red said with a smirk on his face. “That's straight crazy, gee. We couldn't get to this nigga, but 'Neema could.”

“It was easy for her, though. She had a line on the fool. That nigga was slipping, because he was in love and didn't see it comin'. Oh, well! It's a done deal now. Here,” Taz said as he went into Clifford's pants pocket and pulled out the keys to his Mercedes. He passed them to Red and said, “There should be some gloves in the garage. Go check and see. That way, y'all won't leave any prints on that nigga's shit. Now, help me throw this piece of shit to the hogs.”

“Gladly,” Red said, and helped Taz throw Clifford's lifeless body over the fence and into the hog pen.

Mama-Mama's four humongous hogs squealed loudly as they began to tear into Clifford's dead flesh.

Tazneema was scared, yet she was calm as she drove toward her apartment in Norman.

Just as she was passing the City of Moore, she decided to make a quick stop. She got off the highway exit and headed toward Tari's home. When she pulled into Tari's driveway, she smiled when she saw her peeping out of the living room window. She quickly cut off her car and went to the front door.

Tari smiled when she opened the door, and said, “Well, well! What a lovely surprise! How are you doing, baby girl?”

They shared a brief hug, and Tazneema said, “I'm fine, Tee. I was on my way back to my place and I thought I'd drop by to holla at you for a minute.”

“Come on in here, girl, and tell me what's on your mind.”

Tazneema followed Tari inside of her home. After they were seated in the living room, Tazneema said, “Ain't too much going on. I just wanted to talk to you for a few, that's all.”

Tari smiled at her and said, “Mmm-hmm.”

“Mmm-hmm what?” Tazneema asked with a smile on her face.

“Girl, you're just like your father. Whenever you two have something on y'all's mind, y'all get to talking about how you just want to talk for a little bit. So save it, 'Neema, and spit it out. What's on your mind?”

Tazneema smiled again, shook her head from side to side and said, “I don't want to have this baby, Tee. Could you take me somewhere so I can get an abortion?”

“Whoa! Are you sure about this?”

“I'm positive. I don't want to have anything that will remind me of that sorry, lying-ass nigga Cliff!” she answered angrily.

“Watch your mouth, young lady! You know how I feel about that
N
word!”

“Sorry, Tee,” she said sheepishly. “Anyway, will you take me to get one?”

“Does your father know about this?”

“Nope. But do you really think he'll mind?”

“I guess not, huh? All right, let me make a few calls, and I'll get back to you in a day or so.”

“Thanks, Tee. I knew I could count on your help,” Tazneema said sincerely.

“I have one more question though. How is Cliff going to feel about you killing his child?”

Tazneema stared at Tari for thirty seconds, and finally said, “Ask my Daddy.”

Taz and Wild Bill were sitting inside of Taz's truck in front of H-Hop's apartment building. Taz smiled as he pulled out his cell phone and quickly dialed Red's cell. When Red answered, Taz asked him, “Where are y'all at now?”

“We just left Arcadia. We're on our way back to the city now. What's good?”

“That nigga H-Hop's car is parked in front of his spot. We're about to go on and do this nigga. Do y'all want us to wait for y'all or what?”

“Nah, go on and do that clown and get this shit over with, gee.”

“I'll get at y'all when we're on our way back to my spot,” Taz said, and closed his phone and said to Wild Bill, “Let's go do this bitch, gee.”

Wild Bill smiled as he checked to make sure that he had a live round chambered in his 9 mm, and said, “You know it!”

They jumped out of the truck and calmly walked toward H-Hop's apartment building. When they made it to H-Hop's apartment, Taz put his ear to the door and listened. He heard some rap music playing, and he could tell someone was walking around inside. He glanced toward Wild Bill and gave him a nod, directing him to kick in the door.

Wild Bill, though small in height, was a very powerful man. He stood in front of the door and gave it a solid kick right next to the doorknob.

Taz stepped inside of the apartment with his gun pointed directly toward H-Hop, who was standing at the open refrigerator door. The shocked look on his face told Taz all he needed to know.
This clown-ass nigga is alone, and he's about to die alone,
he thought as he slowly stepped toward the kitchen.

Wild Bill stood at the door and kept an eye out for any unwanted company.

When Taz made it to the kitchen, he told H-Hop, “You already know what time it is, so turn around and drop to your knees, nigga.”

Realizing that he had been caught slipping, H-Hop inhaled deeply and said, “Fuck you, cuz! I may be 'bout to die, but I'll be damned if I'm gon' go out like a coward! Do what you got to do, cuz, 'cause I ain't gettin' on my knees for no nigga!” he screamed defiantly.

Taz admired him for his courage. For that, he decided that he would at least let his family be able to have an open casket at his funeral. Instead of shooting him in his face like he had originally planned, he smiled as he shot H-Hop twice in his heart. He then turned and left the kitchen without a backward glance. As he made it to the door, he told Wild Bill, “It's over, my nigga. Come on, let's get the fuck outta here.”

 

 

Pitt, Leo and Tru's flight arrived at LAX, and they were picked up by some of Pitt's people in Southern California. Once they were inside the back of the limousine, Pitt asked the driver, “Has that nigga Won left his home?”

“No, sir. He's been home the entire day,” the driver answered as he eased the limousine into the heavy Los Angeles traffic.

“All right, this is what I need you to do. Make the call to my associates and let them know that I said they have the green light to proceed, but not to take any action against Won. He is not to be harmed. Secure his home until we get there.”

“Understood,” the driver said, and picked up his cell phone and did as he was told.

Pitt sat back in his seat and smiled. “By the time we make it to Won's home, everything should be secured. When we get there, I'll get the information I need. After that, I'm going to enjoy killing that bastard.”

“What? I thought that was our job,” said Leo.

“Yeah! Since when did you start gettin' your hands dirty?” asked Tru.

“Won is a major player within The Network. He has been for a very long time. Even though he let his thirst for power blind him, he's still a man of respect and tremendous integrity. He played the game his way. But he underestimated another man with the same amount of integrity though. He has to die by my hand, and my hand only,” Pitt said, and fired up one of his Cuban cigars.

 

 

Back in Oklahoma City, Taz and the rest of the crew were all sitting in his den, replaying the day's events.

“I still can't believe that 'Neema did that nigga, dog,” Bob said as he sipped his Absolut Vodka and cranberry juice.

“Yeah, that shit is crazy. But it is what it is. Now, all we have to do is put my nigga to rest properly and try to move on with our crazy-ass lives,” Taz said, and downed the rest of the XO he had in his glass.

“What about Won? Is this shit over with him or what?” asked Red.

“To be honest, dog, I don't even know. All we can do is sit back and wait on that one, gee. The last time we spoke, he told me that I'd be contacted one way or the other.”

“One way or the other? What the fuck is that supposed to mean, my nigga?” asked Wild Bill.

Taz shrugged his shoulders and said, “Your guess is as good as mine, dog.” Before he could say anything else, he heard Sacha as she came into the house. “Look, let's get together tomorrow and work out. We might as well try to get back on our regular routine.”

“Dog, what about Bo-Pete and Keno? Shit ain't never gon' be regular no more,” Bob said somberly.

“I know that's right, gee. But you know what I mean. Right now, I'm about to chill with wifey and let her know that everything is everything. I can't be havin' her stressed the fuck out while she's about to have my second shorty.”

“All right then, ‘
Foolio
!' We'll see you in the morning,” Red said, and he led the rest of the crew out of the den and out of Taz's home.

After the crew was gone, Taz poured himself another shot of XO and went upstairs to the bedroom. He smiled as he entered the room and saw Sacha sitting on the edge of the bed, taking off her stockings. “Damn, you look sexy even when you're doing the simplest things!”

She smiled and said, “I don't feel sexy. I feel tired and hungry.”

“Do you want me to make you something to eat, or do you want to go get something?” he asked as he stepped to the bed and sat down next to his fiancée.

Sacha smiled and said, “I've already ordered a pizza. It should be here any minute.”

“A pizza? You and your cravings! Well, I guess pizza it is then.”

Sacha stared at her man for a full minute then asked him, “What's on your mind, baby?”

He returned her stare and simply said, “My niggas. I'm never goin' to be able to tell either one of them how much I really loved them. They're gone, Li'l Mama. They're gone,” he said as he wiped a tear from his eye. He sipped the drink in his hand and continued. “It's over, Li'l Mama. That nigga Cliff and his homeboy have been dealt with. It's over.”

She let his words register deep within her before she spoke. “I don't know whether to be happy or upset, baby. I'm glad this mess is finally over with, but I'm sort of upset because of the pain Tazneema is going to have to endure once she finds out about Cliff's death.”

Taz smiled and said, “Don't worry about her. She'll be good. As a matter of fact, I need to call her to make sure she's straight. She's had a pretty busy day today.”

“What do you mean by that, Taz Good?”

Taz started laughing, and told her exactly what had happened earlier at his mother's home.

Sacha couldn't believe what she was hearing. When he was finished, she stared at him to see if he was really telling her the truth. After staring into his brown eyes for a couple of seconds, she shook her head from side to side and said, “Well, ain't that something! But what about the baby, Taz?”

He shrugged his shoulders and said, “Let's see.” He picked up the phone and dialed his daughter's apartment.

 

 

Pitt was smiling as he climbed out of the limousine, followed by Leo and Tru. The limousine driver was talking to some of Pitt's hired help as Pitt was led into Won's vast estate. Pitt's team had been able to secure all of Won's security with very little difficulty. Since Won's mansion was so secluded, it wasn't difficult at all for his people.

As Pitt entered Won's home, he was amazed at how calm he felt. Victory was his, and he was loving every second of it. The leader of Pitt's team led him into Won's office, where Won was being held.

When Won saw Pitt, he smiled and said, “I was wondering when you'd arrive, Pitt. I guess I've finally lost, hmm?”

Pitt smiled and said, “Yeah, you finally lost the game, old boy. Look, I'm not going to take a whole bunch of time with this, Won. There're some things I need to know before we can finish up this mess.”

“And what is that?” Won asked as he calmly relaxed back in his chair.

“Where's the work, Won? I want to know exactly where the drugs are at. I know you didn't dump them. If you had, I would have gotten your ass years ago. So, the only other possibility is that you got all that work stashed real fucking good.”

Won smiled and asked, “Are you sure about that, Pitt? I move more work across the board than anyone else in The Network. It could have been real easy for me to move it without tipping my hand.”

“But you didn't' do that. You stashed it until you got ready to make your power move. That's what all of this shit is about, you and your fucking power trip. So stop playing games and give me the information I need, Won.”

“Or what? You're going to kill me?” Won started laughing and continued. “That's funny, 'cause I can only assume that you're here to do that anyway.”

“I'll tell you what. I'll spare your li'l clique in Oklahoma City if you just go on and give me the whereabouts of the work. It's either that, or they all die—even that pretty li'l daughter of your boy Taz,” Pitt said with a devious smile on his face.

With his poker face intact, Won asked, “Taz? Who's that?”

Pitt laughed and said, “Good! Very good, Won, but not good enough. I've done my homework thoroughly. That country-ass clique you got has robbed The Network. For that they have to go. If you do me this justice, I can find it in my heart to let them make it.”

Won sighed heavily and said, “What guarantees do I have that you'll honor your word, Pitt? I could give you the information you desire, and you could still kill my peoples. I might as well take the location of the drugs with me to my grave.”

“I swear on my mother's grave, as well as the oath we both took when we helped form The Network so many years ago, that if you give me the location of the work, your people in Oklahoma City will be spared. That's about all I can do for you, Won. Like you said, you are about to die,” Pitt said seriously.

Won shrugged his shoulders slightly and said, “I guess I'm going to have to take your word on this, Pitt. The work is out in Austin. My people out that way have it secured in a warehouse. I'll need to make a call to let them know that everything is good, or they'll never let you get near that warehouse.”

Pitt smiled brightly, gave a nod of his head toward the telephone that was on Won's desk and said, “Make the call.”

Won grabbed the phone and quickly dialed the number to his main man out in Austin, Texas. When the line was answered, Won said, “Hey, Charlene, what's good? Is Snuffy around?”

“Yeah, here he is, Won,” Charlene said, and passed the phone to her man, Snuffy.

Snuffy accepted the phone from her and asked, “What it do, big homey?”

Won laughed and said, “Not much. Look, I need for you to pass along what you got put up for me. My people will be contacting you soon.”

“What? Are you serious, big homey?”

“Very. It is what it is, Snuff, so make sure you take care of this for me. My people's name is Pitt. Give him everything he asks for. Your account has already been taken care of, so you and Charlene will be straight.”

“I gots you, big homey, and don't worry. You know I'm gon' handle my end of this shit for you.”

Won simply said, “I know you will,” and he hung up the phone. He reached across the desk, grabbed a pen and a piece of paper, wrote down Snuffy's number in Austin and passed it to Pitt and said, “There you go. All you have to do is give him a call and make the necessary arrangements.”

Pitt put the piece of paper into his wallet and said, “Thank you, Won. You're a top-flight nigga all the way.” He then pulled out a chrome 9 mm with a silencer attached to it and asked, “Have you taken care of your affairs, Won?”

Won stared directly into Pitt's eyes and said, “Everything is in order. I'm ready for the next part of the game. I'll see you when you get there.”

Pitt smiled sadly and said, “I won't be coming for a minute, but hold me down, baby.” He pointed his gun at Won and shot him three times in the heart.

Won took all three shots with three grunts, reclined back in his chair and died with what looked like a smile on his handsome face.

“Even in defeat the cocky bastard has a lotta class. Come on, you two. We gots more shit to handle,” Pitt said.

“Are you really gon' let them fools in Oklahoma make it?” asked Tru.

Pitt showed that devious smile again and said, “Fuck, no! Them niggas gots to die. You know my word ain't shit!”

“But you put it on your mom's grave and shit,” Leo said with a frown on his face.

“That bitch never gave a damn about me, and I damn sure ain't never gave a damn about her. As for that oath shit, nigga, this ain't no
La Cosa Nostra
shit. This is The Network, the Black Mafia for real! We do shit how we want to do shit. I'm at the top of the pile now. I can do or say whatever the fuck I want to. First, we're going to Austin to secure that work with my peoples in San Antonio. Then we're going to hit Oklahoma City, so you two can earn some of this muthafuckin' money. Now, come on. Like I said, there's work to be done!”