Forbidden Love With a Thug III (9 page)

Parking at Cheyla's school, I pulled out my phone and read the description of the nigga she said had threatened her. I then called my little homie that I had lurking up here all day, because I needed him to give me a location on the nigga so I could get at his ass. Once he gave me the spot, I hopped out of my whip and jogged over by the library. Leaning up against the outside, I checked my phone and saw my homie text me that Isaiah was on his way out.

“Isaiah?” I quizzed when some nigga with dreads came out of the library.

“Why you looking for Isaiah?” he countered.

“I'm looking for you because I wanna have a talk about some shit you’ve been spewing out.”

He scoffed and then tried to pass by me like I was some bitch, so I grabbed him up by his collar and shoved him into the wall, after pulling him into some little alley like area.

“Aye man, back the fuck up off me!”

“Listen bitch, I don't appreciate you making threats to my little sister. I don't play that shit, and unfortunately you had no warning before making your big mistake.” He tried to move but I was way stronger than him. And because the little alley was so small, people were just walking by not even paying attention. Due to him not wanting to relinquish his pride, he refused to call for help despite the fear that had filled his body.

“And what the fuck you gon' do, huh? That little hoe had my brother set up, and I'm gon' make her pay for it.”

I just smiled and subtly removed my pocketknife.

“You thought I was playing?” I squinted my eyes and cocked my head as I repeatedly plunged my knife into his midsection.

He stared into my eyes as if I was his closest friend betraying him. Whenever he got ready to speak, I would stab him again, knocking the wind out of his stomach. I wiped my knife off with his shirt, and then let him slowly slide to the floor. To make sure he had checked out, I slowly slid my knife across his neck, slitting his throat. I then made sure no one was close by, and surprisingly it was rather clear. I guess this was a popular class time, which is why no one was outside. Making my way out, I walked to the car calmly as if nothing had happened.

Once I got to my car, I pulled out my dummy phone from the glove compartment and dialed Kantwan. He didn't pick up the first time, so I called his ass right back.

“What's up?”

“Aye, no need to get at that Ali cat, I took care of the problem.”

“Why? I told you I had the shit! Why the fuck did you go behind my back and do something you knew I specifically didn't want you to do, Kilexis?” he hollered.

“Nigga, calm yo’ little ass down! Crying and shit like some little bitch! We on the same fucking team, this ain't no competition, Kantwan! Sometimes you have to do shit old school and not the way you're trying to do it! You don't know this nigga, and he could have you fucked out here!” I frowned as I removed my gloves.

“Fuck you, Kilexis.” He hung up.

I clenched my jaw and just shook my head. I was surprised to see that no one had found Isaiah yet and called the police or some shit. I heard no commotion whatsoever, but that was fine with me because it just meant he hadn’t been found yet. I sped out of there, and was gonna go see Kantwan but I decided against it. I went to Ka'Shea's house instead, because maybe he could get through to his ass. I wasn't gonna keep doing this bullshit with him. He needed to realize that we were on the same side and not competing against one another.

“What's good, bro?” Ka'Shea greeted me.

“Man, your little brother is on some bullshit for real. He out here mad because I took care of some shit that I warned him I was gonna take care of.”

“Like what?”

“He told me some nigga threatened his shorty at school, and when I asked for his last name, he came at me talking about he's got some I.T. guy that can hack anything. He was gonna have him pull up the nigga’s information so we could look into him more.”

“Does he know the I.T. nigga well?”

“Hell nah he don't! And ain't shit we need to know about the guy we’re looking for. Kantwan murked the nigga’s brother, and he was trying to seek revenge. Why wait to look him up and allow him to possibly go through with something?”

“True. So what, he's mad because you handled the shit before him? Kantwan is stupid as fuck sometimes,” Ka'Shea laughed.

“Hella stupid. Nigga hung up in my face and everything.” I watched Ka'Shea roll a couple blunts.

“So what you do to old boy?”

“I stabbed his ass up in some little alley by the school.”

“You wore gloves and shit right?”

“Fuck yeah I had on gloves. Matter fact, I need to torch the knife in your backyard or some shit.”

“That's fine. Aye, I been meaning to talk to you about who shot your ass.” Ka'Shea took a pull on the blunt.

“I know. We gon’ find out, I just hope we do so before their asses strike again. I had someone watch Portland and Sonny, and they didn't see shit so now I'm really flabbergasted.”

“Fuck.” He rubbed his eyes and leaned back before passing me the blunt. “So it was Leroy.”

“Leroy… Leroy?” I frowned and he nodded with his eyes closed. “How do you know?”

“Blow told me. He said every nigga in the hood knew it was him. I think homie was still heated that you fired his ass.”

“No wonder he’s been low-key as fuck as of late.”

“Well, I popped his ass for you about a week and a half ago already, bro. I didn’t want him trying to get your ass again.”

“I just don’t get why he would’ve waited so damn long to get me. Something ain’t right here, Shea. If he was that pissed, he would’ve gotten me as soon as I let him go.”

“I ain’t even think about it that way. So you think someone put the idea in his head?”

“I am definitely feeling that way. He done hooked up with someone else who don’t fuck with us, that’s what I’m thinking. Leroy ain’t no bitch, he wouldn’t have waited this long if he was really feeling some type of way.”

“I agree,” he nodded and took a pull. “So who you thinking?”

“Nigga, I don’t know. To be honest, Ahmad and Dante keep circling my mind. I’m feeling like they’re working against us, but making silent moves in a way.”

“This shit is just gonna get worse.”

“I know.”

The more I thought about the fact that Leroy was the one who shot me, the angrier I got. If that muthafucka was crazy enough to shoot me in broad daylight in front of hundreds of people, then he clearly had someone in his corner that he believed could protect him. I needed to find out exactly who that was, and the more that I did, the more in denial I became.

Tonight, Ivy, Jersey, Raleigh, and I were gonna go out to this lounge. It was partially a club, but since I was carrying at the moment, we wanted to go some place where I wouldn’t be shoulder to shoulder with a bunch of sweaty ass niggas who would be bumping into me. I chose to wear some pumps, along with skinny jeans, and a strapless top. My stomach wasn’t bulging too much, so I was taking full advantage of that.

As I brushed my edges down, Kantwan walked into the room looking a little bummed. He'd been like that for the past couple of days, ever since he came back from seeing his brother. I'd been trying to just let him get over it, but now I decided to talk to him. I needed him to spruce up a bit.

Standing up from my vanity I asked, “What's wrong, Kantwan?”

He plopped down onto the bed, and then fell backwards to look up at the ceiling. He then massaged his closed eyes, before reopening them and sitting up straight again. I rubbed his bare back as he stared down as his hands.

“My brother is working my fuckin' nerves.”

“Which one? Shea?”

“Nah man, Kill. I specifically told his ass I was gonna handle old boy who got at you, but he beat me to it. He went about it in a way that I didn't like, and that shit has me hot.”

“Isaiah? Oh shit, that was Kill who got him?” I quizzed and he nodded.

There had been a stabbing at my school, and when they pulled the camera footage by that area, they realized someone had focused the camera's lens into the wall. By saying that, they had no idea who had stabbed Isaiah. I knew Kantwan or his brothers were behind it since I had texted Kill Isaiah’s description, but I had no idea that Kill had done it his damn self. I just knew he’d hired a flunky to do the work.

“I just need to distance myself from him for a little bit so I can get my mind together.”

“Kantwan, Kill was just trying to help. I mean you guys are brothers and you are working for the same goal. It shouldn't be that big of a deal, baby. You know he didn't mean anything by it.”

“Don't fucking tell me what ain't a big deal, aight? I don't appreciate people stepping on my fucking toes! I don't give a fuck who it is! If I say I'm gonna take care of something, then let me fucking do it!” He shot up off the bed and barked down into my face.

I just stared up at him with a confused expression. Kantwan had never yelled at me like that, at least not while we'd been in a relationship. That's excluding the night he caught me stripping. This was still different though, because I really saw no reason for him to be this angry. He was acting like a bitch in my opinion, but I wouldn't dare say that shit right now. If I did, I would not be surprised if he backhanded me.

“Fine Kantwan, do what the fuck you want.”

“I will do what I want! And since you're so team Kill, maybe you should start fucking him and spending his money.” He snatched a shirt from his closet and stormed out.

“Whatever,” I mumbled lowly as I grabbed my MAC lip lacquer to put on my lips.

Once I finished, I got up to check myself out in the mirror. I pushed my freshly pressed hair behind my ears, and then smiled at my appearance. I looked good and I was gonna have a good time tonight. I didn't feel like dealing with Kantwan's bratty ass attitude. Shit, and now that Isaiah was gone, I was gonna party even harder to celebrate. I don't know how I was gonna do it with no alcohol, but I would try.

My phone buzzed on the dresser, and I saw it was a text from Raleigh, letting me know Jersey was outside. I grabbed my phone and clutch, and then rushed outside. I hopped into the front seat, then turned my body a little to greet Ivy and Raleigh in the back seat. I then leaned over and kissed Jersey on her cheek before she pulled off.

“Where the fuck did Kantwan go?” Ivy asked as Jersey drove down my street.

“What? He's in the house,” I replied confused.

“No bitch, he peeled out of here so fast that I'm pretty sure he was only driving on two damn wheels,” Raleigh corrected me.

“Whatever, I don't care. He's mad at Kill about something. Tonight I want to have fun, so let's talk about something else, thanks.”

I shook my head as I thought about Kantwan. Clearly he wasn't going to work or something, because if he were, Raleigh and Ivy wouldn't have been asking me where he was going. I would ask him where he went later—or shit, maybe not. Fuck him.

We pulled up to the venue, and Jersey drove right up to valet. Two guys approached the car, opening doors for the four of us. He handed Jersey a little retrieval ticket, and then once she stepped onto the curb in her tight red dress, we walked up to the bouncer.

“We're on the guest list of Shelby Waters,” Raleigh told him. Her co-worker was fucking the owner of the club, so she promised Raleigh a table for her and her friends.

“Name,” the bouncer asked.

“Raleigh Warren,” she replied and then pulled the three of us closer to her so that he could see.

He looked down at the list, checked us off, and then let us in. Some girl with an earpiece told us to follow her and we did, all the way to this roped off area with plush white couches. There was a bucket of liquor, juice, and ice set down by a hostess as we entered, and a huge white card with Raleigh's name on it. The four of us took a seat and started making ourselves a drink; well, I just got some cranberry juice.

“It feels so good to be out,” Jersey said into my ear and then smiled. She moved her wild curly hair to the other side, as she waited for my response.

“I know. It's crazy how we used to live the club scene and now we barely go.”

“So true. But I can't say I'm upset about it. I prefer being a fiancée, student, and mother. But going out every now and then is nice.” She sipped her juice and moved a little bit in her seat to the music.

“I
was
enjoying it but now I don't know.”

“Girl, you guys had one damn fight. Relax, aight?”

“True. I just don't like fighting with him. I'm sure he will be over it in the morning. Come on.” I stood up and then pulled her up with me.

The four of us began to dance and sing a long with “Panda” by Desiigner. Well, we sang along with as much as we could interpret. Ivy and Raleigh were throwing them back, and in no time they were tipsy as fuck. Some guys came into the VIP area, but Raleigh quickly shooed their asses away. We didn't want them problems, and with the way Kantwan's ass always had my location, I refused to be caught freaking one of these busted down ass niggas.

By the time it hit 1am, we were ready to go. The club was gonna close soon, and we didn't want to be caught in all the pandemonium that would occur when everyone was trying to clear the club. The four of us exited while laughing loudly and joking around. Seeing Ivy and Raleigh drunk was hilarious as fuck. I really had a good ass time tonight, forgetting all about my argument with Kantwan.

“We need to have a girl's trip, because tonight was not e-fucking-nough!” Ivy squealed as the valet guys helped us into the car.

“I know! Where should we go? I want something with the club scene!” I said.

“That, or something relaxing like Hawaii,” Raleigh suggested and I nodded although she was in the back seat and couldn’t see me.

“You have to drop that little one first, Cheyla,” Jersey said.

“I know. And as soon as he or she is old enough to fly, or stay with his or her daddy, then we are going!” I replied as we all laughed.

“I'm hungry as fuck, let's go to Marsh Diner,” Ivy sighed.

“I can always eat so I'm down,” I said.

Jersey made a right, headed to Marsh. On the way there, I noticed a dark ass car was purposely trying to stay on the side of us in order to get our attention. I shook my head and stared straight, because I knew it was some thirsty niggas trying to get our attention. We came to a red light, and so did the dark car.

“Aye!” the guy in the car hollered. Still, I refused to look.

“What the fuck!” Raleigh yelled.

I looked to my right and saw it was that drug dealer Kantwan beat up. He was in the back seat with a long ass gun pointed at the car. Jersey sped off, running the red light, and they were right on our fucking ass.

POP! POP! POP!

He began shooting at the car as Jersey dipped and swooped at about one hundred miles per hour. The four of us were screaming at the top of our lungs as she made a quick right down some dark ass street.

“Oh my fucking gosh!” I shouted as I heard bullets start to rain on the back of the car.

“What the fuck! Who are they?” Ivy yelled so damn loudly that she almost drowned out the sound of our speeding cars and their bullets.

Suddenly the bullets stopped, and when I looked in the side mirror they were gone. Jersey pulled over to the side, because she was too shaken up to drive any further at the moment.

“What the fuck just happened?” She began to tear up like the rest of us.

“I have never seen them niggas in my life! Why were they trying to kill us?” Ivy questioned as she breathed heavily.

“Maybe some random niggas being dumb,” I tried to cover my ass.

“No, they wanted us specifically.” Jersey shook her head. “Thank the Lord my car is bulletproof.” She hit the steering wheel with her fist.

“You need to mention this, every one of us needs to mention this to the boys so they can find out what's up! This better not be because of anything they did!” Raleigh spat.

“Look you guys, what do we need to mention this for? It's over,” I shrugged.

“Even if I don't, Kill is gonna wanna know why there are bullet holes all over my fucking car, Cheyla!” Jersey barked.

“Okay, alright. Please tell him not to mention this to Kantwan. The guy who shot at us was someone Kantwan had beat up for me. I don't want him trying to go after him. He's saved me too many times, and I know he will get tired of it,” I admitted.

“What did Kantwan beat him up for, Cheyla?” Raleigh questioned as Jersey cranked the car back up.

“He was my drug dealer, and I owed him money.” I blinked away the tears as Jersey slammed on her breaks.

“Drug dealer?” the three of them shouted in unison.

“Yes! My drug dealer! I used to pop pills but now I don't! I don't wanna fucking talk about it anymore, just take me home!”

For the rest of the ride, no one said a word. Jersey pulled up to Kantwan's and my home on Augustine Road, and hit the unlock button for me to go ahead and climb out. I removed my seat belt, and then got out of the car.

Before I closed the door I said, “Not a word of this better get back to Kantwan. The three of you make sure of it.”

I slammed the door, and then jogged into my house. I knew it was only a matter of time before Kantwan threw in the towel, right along with his captain save a hoe uniform.

Chapter
Five: Elijah

To keep some distance from the streets, Kill stopped me from picking cash up from the traps. Now my only job was to visit the warehouse and wait for the money to be dropped off once each house capped. I would then take it to this movie theatre that we'd recently acquired, so we could have the money cleaned. We tried using the cleaners that Axel used when he was the boss, but we were making way too much damn money for it to look legit, which in the end was drying our pockets up. Once we’d cleaned enough money, Kill bought out the theatre, so now that was how we did things.

Once I got the money to the theatre, I would supervise the count and make sure the money was banded and secured properly. I also made sure everything was split the way it was supposed to, so we would have Santana's, our supplier, money ready for him and in a different area than our money.

As soon as I slipped my SIM card into the day's dummy phone, a text came through from Navid. Navid was who we had making pickups from the corner boys and traps, and he would then bring it here to me. Navid would make the pick ups for the first half of the day, and then this guy named Leland would take the second half of the day, meeting Ka’Shea at the warehouse. I walked to the side door, and after peeking out the small rectangular window, I let him inside.

“What's good?” I put my hand out and we dapped one another up.

He brought the black bag into the warehouse, and I smiled when I saw it was about ready to burst open. I couldn't wait to get this shit clean and treat myself, Ivy, and Donovan to something nice. Navid and I began taking the money and placing it inside a box that read
Popcorn Bags
on the outside. Once we were done, there were about six big boxes full of cash and a few popcorn bags. We loaded them into the truck I was driving, and then we loaded some that were full of actual popcorn bags before closing it up.

“Aye, Eli, one of the dudes in the trap on Delamore Place, Sass, was telling me that someone came by and tried to rob him for a key,” Navid said.

“The fuck? Why are you just now telling me this?”

“He just let me know today, and I wanted to pack up all the money and shit first. I didn't wanna ruffle your feathers beforehand or anything.”

I yanked his collar and slammed him into the truck. He stared at me with fearful eyes, while panting heavily.

“The next time some information like that is given to you, you need to let me know right away aight. Someone coming to rob the fucking trap is big business,” I gritted.