His Last Name (28 page)

C
HAPTER
69

Shanice

J
abril's wife kept calling my phone. The first time she called I didn't know who she was. The second time I answered, she screamed, “You home-wrecking whore. I got rid of you once and I'll do it again. Leave my husband alone! They should have kept your whorey ass in jail and thrown away the key. Next time I'm going to make sure it's enough so that they keep you.”

I knew immediately what she was talking about. She put the drugs in the car. She finally confessed. What would Jabril think if he knew his precious wife was the one who set him up?

“I'm sure your husband would love to know that you set him up and tried to ruin him, but call your man, stop calling me. I got a man.”

I hung up on her. Then I cussed her out and hung up on her again when she called again.

It was Valentine's weekend and her husband wasn't home, but he wasn't with me. She better check with one of his other side chicks. I was in Atlanta with my baby about to go to the
Eye Candy Queen: The Come-up
premiere. I wasn't thinking about Jabril or his wife.

The phone began ringing again. I picked it up and screamed, “Bitch, didn't I tell you not to call my phone again?”

“Shanice, it's me,” Jabril said from the other end of the phone.

“Yo, I don't know what's going on, but I know you better tell your wife to stop calling me. I don't deal with you, so I don't know why she is bothering me.”

“I don't know, either, but I need to talk to you.”

“That's not going to happen. You had your chance to talk to me. Leave me alone and go work it out with your wife. I'm busy. And just so you know, your wife did it. She was the one who put the drugs in the car. Your sweet Zakiya almost ruined your career.” I felt vindicated. I had no more time to put into Jabril because my baby was waiting in the other room.

Deuce came into the hotel bedroom. “Babe, what's going on?”

“Nothing.”

“I thought I heard you yelling.”

“No.”

“You almost ready?”

I saw multiple text messages appear in my phone. I turned off my ringer and continued to get dressed. I gave my boo a kiss and we headed to the party.

* * *

Our show premiere party was at Prive in Atlanta, Georgia. The ATL was showing us love. Stars from other reality shows were also at the club to see our show. Deuce had on all black with black shoes and I was wearing a black-and-white dress with a slit that stopped right before it reached my hip. My new stylist, Pearsa, had been dressing the fuck out of me. I could not wait to get my clothing line, Ms. Amore, off the ground with her help. We were going to be dressing everyone.

The club was filled with rows and rows of chairs. The entire
Eye Candy Queen
crew was there. I saw Ashley V. She gave me a hug. “I see you still with Deuce. He lost so much weight, he looks good.”

“Thanks. Yes, we've been hanging in there. What have you been up to?”

“I'm filming a movie in May.”

“I'm so excited for you.”

“Yes, I'm retiring. No more music videos.”

“I know what you mean. I have a few more dates on my schedule and then I'm going to start concentrating on my dress line, Ms. Amore.”

“Okay! You have to send me a dress.”

“I will. Good seeing you. Let me find my seat.”

I had invited Courtney, my mom, and Aunt Rhonda. I couldn't wait to see how I looked on camera.

“Are you nervous?” Deuce asked.

“A little. I just hope the days they were following me I wasn't talking too fast. And I seem like I have some smarts.”

The lights in the club dimmed and I saw my face on television. It wasn't like a music video, because I was talking. I grabbed Deuce's side. Then I turned back around and watched myself. It wasn't bad; it was actually good.

The rest of the night people were coming over to me and complimenting me. So far the star was definitely Ashley V, and I was okay with that. As long as people knew who I was and I got some screen time I could play a supporting role.

Deuce went to get us drinks. I was enjoying my moment when I heard a voice say, “Nice work. I guess you're glad you didn't listen to me.”

I turned around and saw Jabril. I was speechless. I never thought I would see him. How did he know about this party?

“What are you doing here? How did you even know where I was going to be?”

“Everything is on the Gram, but forget that, I need to talk to you. I was wrong, Shanice.”

I was holding a smile together, but I was so aggravated. “This is not the time. I'm with someone else now.”

“I see. You dealing with old out of shape dudes now?”

“Don't worry about him. I never have to wonder if he wants me or doesn't. And he's not married.”

“You know I loved you, I just asked you to understand my situation.”

“He doesn't have a situation. And I'm not dealing with yours anymore. Good-bye.”

“All right, Shanice. If that's the way you want it.”

“I do. Jabril, you are not going to make me feel bad about being with someone who wants to be with me.” He yanked my arm just as Deuce was walking back over with our drinks. Deuce came over and said, “Babe, who is this?”

“A friend of mine. He was just saying what's up and leaving.”

Deuce put the drinks down and went to shake Jabril's hand.

“Nah, I'm not a friend, this is my girl and I'm talking to her,” he said and snatched my hand.

“Jabril, we are not together! Leave me alone.” I yanked away from him. Whatever he was on must have made him think he could take Deuce. He swung on Deuce and Deuce punched him straight in the middle of his face. Jabril's entire body slammed into a table. I saw everyone looking and the camera caught everything. I kneeled down and saw Jabril's face was beginning to swell and his nose was shooting blood.

“Let's go, Shanice.” Deuce shouted at me. I was torn. For two seconds I thought about staying with Jabril and making sure he was okay, but he had never chosen me. I was embarrassed and I knew the cops were on the way. I gathered my family and followed my man out of the club.

C
HAPTER
70

Monique

“M
onique, get to Philly,” Mom Laura cried.

“What's wrong?”

“Faheem was just walking to the store. He was in the wrong place at the wrong time. And he's been shot.”

“Mom Laura, what? Where is CeCe?”

“She's at the hospital. He was shot four times in the leg and chest and right now it is not looking good. They're taking him into surgery.”

“We are on our way up there.”

I couldn't believe this was happening. Faheem was a good boy in college and now he was fighting for his life. I called Kadir and Abigail and had to ask her to speak to my son. She seemed annoyed. She had no idea that if she said anything slightly out of the way that I was going to smack her when I saw her.

“What, Mom?”

“Kadir, get dressed, we have to get to Philly.”

“What's wrong?”

“Faheem was shot. He is in surgery and we need to be there when he gets out.”

“What, Ma? No!” He broke down and began crying. I heard Abigail trying to console him.

“I'll be there shortly.” I had been staying at Dele's house until I found a place of my own. He wanted to come with me for support, but I knew that wasn't a good idea. I threw enough clothes to last a week in my bag and drove to pick up my son. Faheem had to hang on. I had to get to Philly to be with Carl, CeCe, and Mom Laura. I thought about the worst and began crying, but I was hoping for the best.

C
HAPTER
71

Zakiya

H
ow many tears can you cry before you run out? My life was falling apart. I had no control over it. When things go wrong, I usually consult my sister, but the last few days it has been God only. I looked at Jabrilah sleeping and became instantly upset. She deserved to have a family. She loved her daddy and needed to be with him. I wanted my daughter to have her father, but I wanted to be happy, too. I didn't know how I was going to be able to make both happen.

I went to sleep in prayer and prayed for my family, and when I awoke Jabril was on the sofa sleeping. I saw his body form under the covers. I was thankful he was home. We were going to make it.

I made him breakfast and took it to him. And then he lifted the covers off his head.

“What's wrong with your face and eye?”

“Some guy tried to rob me last night.”

“Did you call the cops?”

“No, because I didn't want it to make the news.”

I believed him. I really believed him until I saw a half dozen screen shots that my sister had sent me of Jabril fighting in a club. Jabril had driven all the way to Atlanta last night to fight over a video hoe?

I snatched the covers completely off of him. “Jabril, you have lost your damn mind. You were fighting over your mistress last night. How is that supposed to make me feel?”

“Zakiya, I don't want to hear your mouth. You weren't there, you don't know what happened.”

“The evidence is in front of me. I know you have a black eye.”

“Look I'm not talking about this anymore. Yeah, I had a little scuffle last night, but when I left the club this guy robbed me and knocked me out. He took my wallet.”

“The same wallet that's sitting by your keys, you liar?” I asked, pointing to his wallet on the table. “What am I, a fool? Do you think I'm going to stay here? You weren't in a fight with anybody else. Look around. You are self-destructing. I'll leave before I see you destroy yourself.”

“Believe what you want. If you leave, Zakiya, stay gone. Matter of fact, you don't have to leave. I'll leave.” He jumped off the sofa, grabbed his coat, and walked toward the door.

“Where are you going?”

“Does it matter?”

“Yes, it does matter. Fuck it, you know what? It doesn't matter anymore. I'm done. Go to your dirty stripper whore.”

“She's not a stripper.”

“So now you are defending that dirty, trashy bitch?” I picked up his plate of food and threw it at him. He ducked and yanked the door open and slammed it closed. After he left I cried. I got on my knees and prayed. I didn't know what else I could do. I asked God for strength and to protect my family and to turn my Jabril back to the man I used to know. I wanted the man who begged to be with me, the one who wanted to be my husband and wanted me to have his children.

C
HAPTER
72

Tiffany

I
was packing my bags for the trip I had booked for us when I heard a noise coming from downstairs. Damien was here sooner than expected. Our flight left Newark International at five, but we wanted to beat the turnpike traffic. We wanted to give ourselves time to get through security and grab lunch before our flight.

“You're here early.”

He came up the steps out of breath holding two suitcases with money falling and hanging out of them.

“Where did you get all that money? What the hell is going on, Damien?”

“We will talk about it later, but I need you to hide it.”

“For what?” I stood still for a moment, then he started pulling out guns from under the mattress. Then he gathered more money from the back of the closet and handed it to me and told me to hide it.

“Why?”

“Just do what I tell you to do. Put it in the bathroom. Put it somewhere and fast. We have to go.”

I followed behind him, when we were both stopped in our tracks by the sound of multiple cars pulling into our driveway. Then a loud banging noise came after that. I looked out the window and there were several police cars outside.

“What's going on?”

“My investment and business opportunities are here.”

A voice on a bullhorn said, “Damien Holcomb, come out with your hands up.”

“What the hell is going on, Damien? Tell me. Why are the police at the door?”

“Because I robbed some banks.”

“Banks?” I screamed and covered my mouth.

“We have to hide this money.”

I didn't want my prints to be on the money and I didn't want to be a part of any robbery.

“Damien, you have to turn yourself in. This is insane.”

I began walking down the steps. He cocked his gun and said, “I'm not going to jail.”

“You can't shoot at the police. What are you thinking?”

“Come here.” He closed the door and the shades.

“They are not going to go away. Let me go to the door and talk to them.”

“No, come here,” he shouted. At that very moment I didn't know if I was a hostage or a conspirator.

“Oh, my God! This is going to be on the news and my mom will find out.”
She told me not to go back to him. I should have listened to her. Why didn't I listen?
I thought.

“Damien, what are you planning to do?”

“We will just wait for them to come in.”

“Then they will come in shooting.”

“We don't have a choice. You are here with me, until death do us part. Right?”

“Huh?”

“This is your fault anyway. You were the reason I started robbing banks in the first place. I was sitting back in the projects after having millions. Who can ever say they touched a million dollars? People work they whole life and may never accumulate that type of wealth. I had fifty of them and they are all gone. I saw cats from my old neighborhood wondering why I was back on the block. They said, ‘Dame, I know you got a stash somewhere. It is not possible to spend that kind of money.' They don't know, do they? How much goes to taxes, what's eaten up by agents and lawyer's fees. Then you treat yourself to a few things and the rest goes to a greedy-ass wife that you can never say no to.”

“Don't you try to blame this on me. It is not my fault. I didn't put a gun in your hand. I didn't say go rob banks.”

“Be quiet. You didn't complain when I called you and told you I was rich again, did you? You came right home.” His words were interrupted by a noise coming from downstairs. It sounded like the police were in. Thank God. Damien went to check where the noise was coming from and I knew this was my opportunity to run. I had about five seconds. I ran toward the window and began trying to lift it. The window wouldn't open, three men pointed their guns toward me. I raised my hands and silently screamed help to them. One reached out his hand and told me to jump.

Damien was coming toward me with his gun raised and an angry look on his face. I rushed toward the window. I crashed through it. I felt the glass pecking my face and I saw the man's arms open. I also felt my ankle being grabbed. I kicked away and felt my body land on the top of the waiting man. We were far from safe because Damien began shooting at all of us. Other cops came toward us and rounds of bullets were shot into the house. Damien continued to shoot back until there was silence. I knew the silence meant that he was shot and my life as I knew it was over.