Cameron 6 (10 page)

Jag thought about opening her door and taking her right there on the backseat, but the sound of his phone vibrating halted those provocative thoughts. Reluctantly, Jag pulled back and reached for his iPhone. He already knew what time it was. No one contacted him just to chit chat.

“Is everything cool?” Cam asked breathlessly. She was still winded from their mind-blowing kiss.

Jag looked at his phone. He had a notification for a wired transfer, and a text message of an address. Work was calling him.

“Damn,” he muttered.

“What is it?”

Jag quickly shoved his phone in his pocket before she saw anything. “Nothing. My moms need me back at home. I think I’ma take a red-eye flight out to Georgia. But I’ll be back.”

Cameron looked let down. “Okay.”

He didn’t miss the disappointment in her voice. It made him anxious to hurry up and get back to her. Jag kissed Cameron on the forehead before opening the driver’s door for her.

“Plug my number in your phone before you leave,” she said, climbing in.

After saving Cameron’s new number, he gave her one more passion-felt kiss, and left. As he headed towards his restored Porsche Panamera, Jag prayed his lies didn’t catch up with him one day.

17

Don't know why I came in this club with you, girl…

Don't know why I came in with these diamonds on my chain…

Surrounded by bad bitches I can't get 'em out my face…

Maybe ‘cuz a nigga handsome and wealthy…

Magyc was vibing to the Migos in the upstairs VIP section at Gold Room when he noticed a familiar face on the dance floor below. Tossing back his shot of Hen, he tried his best to contain himself. The shit he was seeing, he didn’t like. It took everything in him not to snap.

Jude, ever the observant type, noticed his friend tense up. He then followed his gaze to the culprit. Roxie was dancing seductively with a guy whose first name she probably didn’t know. It was her first time stepping out in months since Rain kept her busy, and she was simply looking to have a good time.

Suddenly, Jude understood Magyc’s sudden edginess. “So I’m guessin’ you did more than just take her home that night,” he hinted.

Magyc quickly looked away and shook his head vehemently. “Nah. Ain’t shit poppin’ off,” he told Jude. “She don’t fuck with a nigga for real.”

Jude was just about to ask him how he knew, but a familiar face stopped his question. Stone and his henchman had just walked in. The malevolent grin on his lips made Jude want to pistol-whip him. He was taunting him.
So this mothafucka got eyes on me,
Jude realized. How else would he have known where to find him?

Luckily, Jude and his clan were deep. If an all out war were to emerge in the club, at least he wouldn’t be outnumbered. Still, he hoped shit didn’t come to that. Stone didn’t seem like the type to negotiate, but he figured it was worth a shot at bare minimum. At the end of the day, Jude wanted to keep the peace amongst them.

He nodded his head towards Stone, and the older man instantly understood the silent gesture. Breaking away from his congregation, he headed over to the bar alone.

“I’ll be right back,” Jude said.

Magyc didn’t hear him since he was busy staring at Roxie. The longer he gazed the more his jealousy and animosity grew.
She don’t wanna see a young nigga’s bad side.
Before he had a chance to think twice about his actions, Magyc stormed off in anger, determined to check her and that lame ass nigga.

“Aye, where da fuck is you goin’?” Michael yelled after him. He was puffing on an L like it was legal to in public. When you had their money and status, you could pretty much do whatever.

Magyc ignored his brother’s question as he descended the stairs to ground level. Colorful strobe lights reflected off the club-goers. A quarter to midnight, the place was filled to capacity. Two beautiful women tried to get Magyc’s attention but he paid them no mind. He was too sidetracked by the sight of Roxie pushing it back on her little boy toy.

When Magyc finally reached them, he shoved the shit out of homeboy.

“Aye, what the fuck is yo’ problem?”

“Magyc, what are you doing?” Roxie asked, jumping between the two. She didn’t even know he was there, or that he had the audacity to pull this shit. “I’m not your girl. You need to chill.”

What she didn’t know was that Magyc had no chill. He took one look at her scantily clad body and frowned. “That don’t mean I’ma sit back and watch you dry hump some clown. Have some fucking class. You somebody mama.”

Roxie pushed past Magyc and walked off. She was disgusted he would even say some whack shit like that. He had no right.

“Look, what the fuck you did, pixie dust.” The loser Roxie was dancing with clowned on his name.

Bad choice.

Magyc snatched his pistol out and shoved it in his face. He didn’t see a damn thing funny then. “Nigga, you got three seconds to get the fuck on or I’m squeezin’.”

The poor guy ran off so fast that he tripped in the process.

Roxie was practically in tears when she climbed in her Audi and started it up. Unfortunately, her night had been ruined. She barely had a chance to pull off before Magyc climbed in on the passenger side. She was starting to despise how bold he was.

“Oh, hell no. Get out of my car. I swear everything about you is trouble. First that shit at the restaurant and now this. I mean, like seriously. Does Jude pay you to be an asshole? I can’t believe you said that shit.”

Magyc chuckled. “Aye, it got you to walk away from that lame ass nigga.”

Roxie wanted to be mad at him, but she was betrayed by her laughter. “I think you’re crazy,” she said, shaking her head.

“Oh, so you think about me?”

Roxie quickly looked away. She thought about lying but figured it was pointless. “Yeah… maybe just a little…” she admitted. “But you’re something else. I can see that now. Maybe even more than I can handle right now.”

“I’ll give it to you in doses then.”

Roxie’s kitty jumped at the sound of ‘give it to you’. Magyc did things to her. She wanted him, but she couldn’t stand his ass at the same time.

“Why you come out tonight anyway? Politickin’ with them square ass niggas. None of them are on ya level, and you know it.”

“I just came out to have a good time.”

Magyc reached over and glided the tip of his fingers along her bare thigh. It instantly sent chills down her spine. “Just a good time, huh?” he said, not believing her. “That’s why you stepped out in this lil’ ass skirt? Looks to me like ya ass just wanted some attention.”

“And what if I did?”

Magyc took her hand and slowly brought it to his lips. Closing her eyes, she savored the way he softly kissed her knuckles. She hadn’t been intimate with anyone since Joaquin. That was over a year ago.

Magyc placed a trail of kisses along her right arm, causing her nipples to harden. His breath tickled her skin when he reached her earlobe. Roxie couldn’t help the low-pitched moan that escaped her lips. He was turning her on.

“Let me stop. You ain’t ready,” he said with a smile. Magyc reclined in his seat, but continued to hold her hand. He knew what he was doing.

“You don’t know what I’m ready for,” she challenged.

Magyc admired how beautiful she was. Her smile was his best feature. He loved how natural she was; real hair, nails, and lashes. He didn’t see much of that in his generation anymore. “I really am feeling you, Roxie…”

“But you gotta chick you fucking with,” she reminded him.

“Man, she… don’t act like you ain’t got a couple lil’ dips too.”

“I don’t.”

“That’s good. You bet not.”

Roxie laughed and shook her head. “Unh-unh. See, you’re a hypocrite. That ain’t cool.”

Magyc kissed the back of her hand again. “If I cut all my hoes off for you, then what?”

“What you mean then what?” Roxie asked.

“I wanna be yo’ nigga.”

“You don’t even know m—”

KSSSHHHHH!

Shards of glass sprayed over all them after a steel bat suddenly connected with the window.

18

“I figured I’d be seein’ you again sooner or later,” Jude said after joining Stone at the bar.

“Have you thought more on my offer?”

Jude wanted to tell him what he could do with his offer, but he thought about Cameron. They may not have been together, but he still cared about her safety and well-being.

“I’ll give you twenty percent,” he said. “Take it or leave it.”

“I don’t think you’re in the position to negotiate,” Stone told him. “I can see that you’ve changed some since prison… but strangely enough, you haven’t gotten much smarter. You see… I don’t need you to be on top. You’re merely just a stepping stone.”

Jude was beyond offended, but he let the older man have it.

“Fifty percent… and access to your ports and pipelines for my product,” Stone said with finality.

Jude snorted in disgust and shook his head. The cat was finally out of the bag. That was what it was all about from the beginning. Stone wanted to use his operation to help move his drugs. “So let’s get this straight. You want all my resources at your disposal and half of my profits?” he asked. “That doesn’t sound like a fair trade at all.”

“Who said anything about fair?”

Jude didn’t respond right away. Instead he took of a sip of his liquor and studied the crowd around him. “With this lil’ shit I’m doin’, I’ll get twenty years max if I ever get knocked,” he explained. “If get involved in what you talkin’ they’d hit me with life.”

“Live on your knees or die standing.”

“I can’t do what you’re asking,” Jude said, cutting to the chase. “I could’ve lived with the percentage but I’m good on all that other shit.”

“I really don’t think—”

Jude quickly cut him off. “Nah, I really don’t think you hearin’ me… It’s not happening, bruh. Keep that bullshit ass negotiation. I’m not wit’ it. And if it’s a war you want so be it.”

“Be careful of what you wish for,” Stone warned him.

“Aye, is this mufucka a problem?” Michael asked, walking up. A few of their homies walked up to make sure everything was straight. From where they sat, things were starting to look tense.

Jude looked from Michael to Stone and waited for an answer. If he had a problem they could definitely solve it.

Stone cut his eyes at Michael. He didn’t appreciate the men mobbing up on him. Soon after his goons approached them, ready and equipped for a battle. Stone managed to muster up the fakest smile his lips could form. “Have a good day gentlemen.” Looking directly at Jude, he said, “We’ll speak again.”

Jude and his men watched as he and his clique disappeared. He had hopes that their issue was resolved, but sadly, his problems were only just beginning.

As Stone descended the stairs to the first level, he pulled out his phone and sent a single text message. If Jude wanted a war, then that’s exactly what his arrogant ass would get.

***

Jag powered on his cellphone as soon as he touched down in Atlanta. He was surprised when he received a text from one of his father’s longtime clients. The Sanchez’s and Campionis had been conducting business together for years.

Jag read the details on the way down to ground transportation. Stone’s request was simple:

I have work. It’s 20K in it for you once it’s done in a timely manner. Send itinerary.

Since Jag was already in Atlanta for a hot second, he figured what the hell. Kill two birds with one stone. Little did Jag know at the time, he and his client now shared a common enemy…

***

“What happened to yo’ ass last night?” Jude asked Magyc the following afternoon. They were in the poolroom shooting a couple games at The Warehouse.

Magyc frowned and focused on his shot. “I fucked up, bruh… that’s what happened.”

Jude laughed and took a sip of his beer. He hadn’t touched any recreational drugs in weeks, but he still drank occasionally. He really wanted to change his life around — for the sake of himself, his business, and future.

“You like her?” Jude asked his protégée.

“I do… But a nigga ain’t been making the best impression, feel me? First Briana jumped on her at the restaurant. Then last night this nigga I flexed up on in the club bust out her window trying to get at me. I had to whup dude’s ass.” Magyc’s knuckles were still red, swollen, and bruised from last night’s episode.

“Damn. Yo’ ass right. You ain’t been making the best of impressions.”

Magyc took the shot and missed — just like he had been doing with Roxie. “Aye, I’ll be back,” he told Jude.

“Do ya thing.”

Magyc stepped outside for some fresh air. A few more cars were coming in. He took in everything around him; this was the illegal life he had chosen. Pulling out his iPhone, Magyc decided to hit up Roxie. He was surprised she had answered after all the mess he put her through.

“What do you want… my incommodious but handsome bad luck charm?”

“You,” Magyc bluntly stated. “Where you at? It sounds noisy.”

“I’m at the shop getting ready to leave after waiting two hours for a window repair. Thanks a lot for that, by the way,” she said sarcastically.

Magyc wanted to say ‘fuck that Audi’. He could put her in a Beemer, no problem. Instead of telling her that shit, he just let her comments roll off his back. Besides, it was his fault she was even there to begin with. Had he not shoved his pistol in that nigga’s face, he would’ve never returned on that get back tip. The last thing Magyc wanted was to put Roxie in harm’s way.

“Let me make it up to you,” he suddenly said.

“How?” she asked.

Magyc knew he had to pull out his best tricks if he wanted to get back in her good graces. “Be downstairs and ready in two hours.”

“Why?”

“It’s a surprise.”

***

Thirty-two year old Eunice carefully eased her pearl white Benz wagon into her driveway. After completing an eight-hour shift, there was nothing she wanted more than to take a hot shower and relax.

Eunice didn’t need to work; her husband made enough where she could easily retire if she wanted. But Eunice loved teaching kindergarten. She loved the children as if they were her own. She’d been doing it for almost eleven years with no plans of stopping anytime soon. Her husband didn’t mind, just as long as she was content. Happy wife, happy life. That was the motto they stood firmly by.

After turning off the engine, Eunice hopped out the truck and approached her home. She was a beautiful woman standing at 5”7. Her skin was the color of honey and her eyes, mint green. She was both classy and sophisticated, dressing and always carrying herself as such.

As soon as she entered the house, she pulled off her Burberry trench and placed it on a coat rack. Her black patent Tory Burch flats came off next.

“So good to be home,” she said, padding barefoot through the house. The fresh scent of lavender greeted her nose. Their maid had obviously stopped by this morning.

Eunice pulled the bobby pins out of her bun as she headed to her bedroom. It felt so damn good to finally let her hair down. She cherished her solitude, as brief as it was. She only had a short amount of time to herself before her family came back home. Being a mom and devoted wife was no easy task, but she wouldn’t change it for anything in the world.

Eunice walked in the master bedroom and flipped on a lightswitch. A bloodcurdling scream bounced off the walls after she noticed someone sitting on her bed.

Jag slowly lifted his index finger to his lips in a hushing gesture. A Glock 26 with a suppressor screwed on the end rested in his lap. She knew that he meant business.

“Oh my God. Please! Please, don’t kill me!” Eunice cried. “I—I have money.”

“I don’t want ya fuckin’ money,” he said.

“What is this about? I… I—why are you even here? I haven’t done anything wrong! Is this about my husband?” Tears poured down her cheeks as she trembled where she stood. Jag had her shook. When Eunice woke up that morning she would’ve never expected today would be her last.

Jag slowly rose from the bed and walked over towards her. Eunice staggered in an attempt move away from him. Soon they were on opposite ends. Jag stood near the door with his gun hanging loosely at his side. He usually never got assignments to kill women.
Fuck it. I don’t discriminate,
he reasoned. Work was work. At the end of the day, the money would still be spent regardless. He didn’t give a fuck whose head he had to put a bullet in.

“Please don’t do this,” she cried. “I’m… I’m a good person.”

“Are you? Are you really?”

“I don’t deserve this! Please, just tell me! If it’s money you want—”

“Shut the fuck up,” Jag snapped. He couldn’t concentrate with her incessant whining.

“I have a child,” she continued. “Please, have mercy…” Eunice didn’t give a damn about pride as she dropped down onto her knees and pled. “I am begging you! Please don’t do this. I—I have a little girl. Her father works all the time. I’m all she’s got. Please!”

Jag’s disposition suddenly shifted. He needed to get it over with, but pity caused him to stall.

“I lost my mother to breast cancer when I was just ten. I don’t want her going through what I went through without a mom. Please, I will do anything! Anything—”

“Look, chill, a'ight,” Jag finally said. “I’m… not gonna kill you.”

Eunice sniffled and looked up at Jag with watery eyes. “You’re not…?”

His client would flip if he didn’t carry out what he was paid to do, but Jag just didn’t have it in him. Normally, he put a hollow point in a motherfucker without hesitating, but Eunice… he truly felt sorry for her. Suddenly, Jag began to wonder why anyone would even want her killed. It was clear she wasn’t a threat or dangerous.

“No… I’m not…”

Eunice released a shaky sigh of relief, grateful for the chance to continue breathing.

All of a sudden, Jag heard the distinctive sound of movement behind him. Without thinking, he turned around and fired off two shots.

POP!

POP!