by U. E. Wynn
“Mr. Copeland, I see you’re awake. That’s a very good sign. I’m Doctor Johnson and I’ll be tending to you during your stay here at Einstein.” His voice was deep and jolly.
“How long will I have to be here, Doc? I mean, I feel like I’m good to go now.” Koran tried to sit up again and cried out when the same sharp pain ripped through his side like electric heat.
“Hurt’s doesn’t?” Doctor Johnson said, placing his hand on Koran’s side. “You'll be here at least another two months. You have two big holes in your right side. Two big holes that although are sewn up, still need to heal none the less. Also, you have two broken ribs where the bullets passed through and damaged your right lung. We were lucky to save it, so until you’re completely healed this room will be your home. He turned away from Koran to Michelle. “I’ll have to ask you to leave now. There’s one test I have to run, and after he takes his medication, he’ll go out like a light.”
“Hold up Doc. I just woke up. Let me…”
“Ka-Wan home!” Jamel pouted.
Koran smiled. “You heard lil’ man. Tell him again, Kay.”
“I’m sorry, Kay,” Doctor Johnson said, then chuckled. “Your father can’t come home now. He has to stay here until he heals up. Understand?”
Jamel screwed up his little face. “Fuck heal! Ka-wan home!”
“Jamel!” Michelle shouted, taking him from Serenity. “Watch your mouth boy before I beat your butt.”
“Ka-Wan come home! Ka-Wan! Ka-Wan!” Jamel cried, reaching out for Koran as Michelle marched him out the room.
The scene made tears well up in Korans eyes. Regardless of how long it took, whoever was responsible for causing his family to suffer, would pay. Pay dearly!
Chapter Nineteen
That next morning Koran sat propped up in bed reading The Village Voice when Valentino burst into his room out of breath. Sweat beads were on his forehead, looking as if he was on the run from the police. A few seconds later, three nurses and security guard ran in after him.
“Sir, you will have to vacate the premises,” the white bullet head security guard said while the three nurses glared at Valentino. “You were told at the front desk that only immediate family was allowed. Or would you rather have me call the cops?”
“I don’t give a damn who you call!” Valentino spat placing his briefcase on the small table. “You have no idea who I am. I'll file so many lawsuits against this… this…” He looked around Korans’ room with disgust. “This poor excuse for a hospital that you’ll be out of your rent-a-cop job!” He pointed a finger at the old white nurse who stood in the middle with bluish dyed hair. “I told you that I was the Copeland’s family lawyer and I had to see him!”
Koran watched from his bed amused. He didn’t really know Valentino except for what he heard from Jahad. Actually, this was the second time he had ever laid eyes on him. The first being years ago when Valentino represented Jahad for two homicides. One thing he knew for sure though, Valentino had been a valuable asset to Jahad and could possibly be a valuable asset to him in his helpless state.
“A yo, let him stay. He’s cool,” he said and all eyes turned in his direction.
Valentino gave Koran a satisfying nod, then turned back to the security guard and nurses. “You heard my client. Now if you’ll excuse us, we need some privacy.”
He walked off towards the bed without looking back. The nurses and security guard stood staring harshly at him until Koran shooed them away. Valentino pulled a chair beside the bed, sat, then shook Korans’ hand.
“Koran we haven’t formally met, but I’m Vincent Valentino. Your brother…”
“I know who you are. I’m in the family business too.”
Valentino nodded in understanding. “Can you tell me what happened? Do you remember?”
Koran studied Valentino debating on how much he should reveal. From what Jahad told him Valentino had no knowledge of what went on within the organization. His involvement dealt strictly with money laundering except for the new move with the prostitution. So Koran’s main concern was could Valentino be trusted. Playing his cards close to his chest, he decided to tell him little as possible.
“A muthafucka set us up is all I can tell you right now.”
“But you know more. Am I correct?”
“Maybe.”
Valentino nodded. “Well, how about we begin like this. I’ll tell you what I already know and you fill in the blanks”
Koran arched his eyebrow. “What blanks?”
“These. A few days ago your brother and I met at his moving company to discuss some business ventures.”
“Yeah...and?” Koran said, knowing exactly what meeting he was talking about.
Valentino looked surprised for a second. “Yes. Apparently you’re well informed.”
“Let me make this simple for both of us. It ain't nothing that goes on that I don’t know about. Now I have a question for you. How in the hell did you know I was in the hospital and who the hell are you for me to tell you anything? For all I know you could be the one who set us up,” Koran said matter factly with a slight frown.
“Though are good questions.” Valentino smiled. “Now here are your answers. I’m not in a position to betray you or Jahad. What he does has never been any of my concern. I don’t ask and don’t wish to know. Another thing, being as you’re well informed, you should know I need Jahad to make our new business venture work. So why would I want to kill him? As far as me learning of you and Jahad being in the hospital, I received a phone call from Mrs. Harris the day you two were shot. She’s who informed me that you were out of your coma.”
“Mrs. Harris?”
“Yes. Sweet old Mrs. Harris. Does that answer your questions?”
Koran nodded, lost for words.
“Good. There’s one more thing I would like to add. Your brother is a dear friend to me as well as a business associate. I would like to help put an end to this threat on his life if I’m allowed.”
“Oh word. How can you help? You gonna bust your gun or something?” koran asked grinning.
“I’m a lawyer. I’m far from being a gangster,” he said, holding up his hands. “However, being a lawyer does have its advantages. I’ve made lots of friends and I may be able to get certain information you don’t have access to. All I need to know is what to look for.”
Koran studied Valentino again, then made his decision. “Has Jah ever mentioned a dude name Hector to you?”
“Hector!” Valentino wrinkled his face like he smelled a bad odor. “So it's him again. Yes, Jahad mentioned him a time or two. This was a few years ago.”
“Well, that muthafucka is back and he has help. Somebody close to us is rolling with him, but we don’t know who.”
“So that’s what Jahad was hinting at.”
“What you mean?”
“After our meeting he mentioned that some things were not as they should be, but failed to go into details.” Valentino paused giving Koran an intense look. “You, nor Jahad, are safe here without protection Since it’s obvious that you can’t trust anyone close to you. How long will you be here?”
“The doctor said two months, but as soon as I can, I’m getting the fuck outta here. Valentino shook his head. “No, stay until you’re healed. With your wounds an infection could be the death of you. I’ll provide protection while you’re here.”
“Just bring me a rachet and I’m good. Make sure Jah…”
“A rachet?”
“A gun. Bring me a gun. Make sure Jah has someone holding him down though.”
Valentino laughed. “You and your brother with that street slang. That’s the first time I heard that one. I’ll bring you a rachet and for extra precaution, I’ll have two bodyguards assigned to each of you.”
“I’m feeling that, but do it on the low. Like I said, whoever is behind this shit is close to us. I don’t wanna put him on point.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll speak to the hospital's administrator and arrange thin
gs. Your bodyguards will be dressed as nurses. The only difference is they’ll be carrying rachets.”
Koran smiled. “I’m with that. How soon can you make it happen?”
“This afternoon, hopefully. When I leave, I’ll try to contact the administrator. All it should take is a little money in the right hands.”
“No doubt. Good looking too. So what up with the prostitution situation? Is it still on?”
“Definitely not! Until Jahad is in control of things again, it’s off. If he can’t trust his own comrades, I’m not about to trust them. I’ve only dealt with Jahad and that’s how I’m keeping it.”
“How bout you deal with me,” Koran said, holding Valentinos’ eyes.
“Deal with you? Elaborate.”
“I’m saying the information you gave Jah has already been passed around so you may as well go head with it. Our people might move on both families anyway.”
“They can’t do it without Jahad!” Valentino snapped angrily.
“Who’s to stop them? Jah is only one of five, including me since Jah is out.”
“You?”
“Yeah, me. I’m taking Jah’s spot Since he’s out. Between me and you, he was planning on retiring after this move. So I’ll ask again, will you deal with me? I mean, you’re the missing link in all this. Well, you and Jah, since he was the link between you and the other Heads. Without you, they can’t see no dough. So let me be the go between, at least until Jah gets better. It might buy us some time to find out who’s on the bullshit.”
Valentino shook his head. “None of this makes sense. I understand your logic, but why would one of the four want to kill Jahad when he’s needed for what we're about to do? It doesn’t add up.”
“Who’s to say its one of the Heads? Not that I’m excluding them, but it could be one of their top lieutenants. Then you gotta think about this. This new move will bring in crazy paper, but we don’t really need it. You have no idea how much dough we see. All you know about is what’s in the bank. Then it could be that whoever the snake is may feel like he can deal straight with you once both families are out the way. What I’m getting at is whoever it is evidently feels like he don’t need Jah, feel me?”
Valentino nodded. “Yes, you’ve made some good points.”
“So what's up? You gonna deal with me or what? At least you’ll know what’s poppin’. And if you wanna help like you said, if that muthafucka contacts you after we do what we do, let me know so I can handle it.”
Valentino was silent for a moment, thinking. After a minute or so he nodded. “Alright, I’ll do it. Tell your friends, if you can call them friends, that the date has been pushed back until you get out of here. It’s your show now.”
Koran was about to speak when Tony walked in dressed in a pair of Red Monkey jeans, a plain white tee-shirt, and all white Air Force One’s. He walked up to Valentino and gave him a hug. “Valentino, what up man! Damn, it’s been a minute.”
Tony and Valentino’s relationship dated back to Jahad’s time spent on Rikers Island. “How are you Tony? Jahad tells me you’re a disk jockey now.”
“Yeah, something like that. What you doing here?”
“Just came to pay my respect. I’m on my way upstairs to see Jahad. I know he’s still out, but maybe my presence will be felt.” Valentino turned to Koran, reached in his pocket and pulled out a business card. “Use this number whenever you need to reach me, day or night. When your bodyguards arrive, I’ll make sure they make themselves known, alright?”
“Yeah, no doubt. I’ma get at you soon and let you know what’s up.”
“Make sure you do. You take care Tony.”
Once Valentino left Tony took a seat beside the bed. “What was that about? And what is it you gotta get at Valentino about?”
Koran held Tony’s Stare. “I’m saying Tone, do you really wanna know?”
“What kinda question is that? Hell yeah I wanna…”
Tony’s words froze on his lips as it dawned on him what Koran was really saying. He had played a major role in Starting the M.G’s but had no idea that Koran was now part of the organization until now.
“Nah man, not you.” He shook his head sadly. “What the fuck was Jah thinking bringing you into that shit! You had a future Koran. The only thing this shit gonna do is get your ass bodied or 25 to life!” he spat angrily.
“It’s what I wanted Tone. It ain’t Jah fault” Koran replied, feeling like a kid again.
“What you wanted? Well look at you now. You got exactly what you asked for. I told Jah what this shit was gonna lead to but he didn't listen. Now look, both of y’all asses are fucked up. Who did this shit anyway?”
Tony stood flush with anger and began pacing. He was mad at Jahad for making Koran a M.G, mad at Koran for getting involved in the first place, and mad at whoever put them in the hospital. Beneath his anger there was a deep sadness he felt for Koran. In Tony’s eyes Koran was just as much his brother as he was Jahad’s and like any brother, he held high expectations for him. Koran’s intelligence at a young age proved that he could have become anything he chose to be. Now he’s just a murderer.
On a much deeper level, he knew that what had happened could possibly change the life he set out to live. Until whoever was responsible for the attempt on Jahad and Koran’s life was dead, he couldn’t return to North Carolina. His loyalty to Jahad wouldn’t let him leave, therefore he was drawn back into the life he tried so hard to escape. With that thought he cursed Jahad under his breath, then focused back on Koran who stared up at the ceiling.
“Who did it Koran? I know you know.”
“Yeah, I got a pretty good idea, but it’s complicated.”
“Complicated how? Either you know or you don’t.”
Koran exhaled a painful breath. “Check it Tone, this ain’t got nothing to do with you, so it ain’t no reason to tell you. When I get outta here, I’ma handle it, a’ight.”
Tony’s face twisted up into a scowl. “A yo Koran if you weren’t already fucked up I’d beat the shit outta you for saying that dumb shit! This has everything to do with me. Derrick gets killed, which nobody bothered to tell me. Now the two niggers I care about the most are laid up in the goddamn hospital and I wanna know who the fuck did it!”
A few seconds passed before Koran answered. “I can’t say for sure, but I think it was this Puerto Rican dude name Hector.”
“Hector!” Tony shouted. “You talking about the same dude we were beefin with from back in the day?”
“Yeah, the same dude. I think he’s the one who had us ambushed, but we were set up by somebody close to us.”
Tony’s mouth dropped open as he digested the information. “Whoa! Whoa! What you mean somebody close to you? You can’t be talking about another M.G.”
“Yeah, I can. Somebody is on some bullshit and right now we can’t say who. That’s the reason for the bodyguards. I can’t trust nobody in our circle.”
Tony sat down and placed his head in his hands. He couldn’t believe another M.G. would want to kill Jahad or Koran. Their structure was too tight, or so he thought. “You have no clue who it can be?”
“I know it can only be one of the Heads or one of their top lieutenants.” Koran went on to tell Tony how Jahad first picked up the deception.
Tony stood and shoved his hands in his pockets. “I ain't leaving till this shit is over, but we need to get your moms and Trice back down south. If I were you, I’d send your shorty too. Who is she anyway? She looks mad familiar.”
Koran ignored his question. “Nah Tone, don’t get involved in this shit. I told you I got it.”
“Don’t get involved? You buggin, Son. I’m about to...”
“No, listen!” Koran snapped. “The only advantage we have is whoever is behind this shit don’t know that we know. If you start hanging around it could put him on point and that’s the last thing we need. Out of the Heads there is only one I can trust, and that’s Sha’. Some funny shits been going on out in Brownsville aro
und his spots too. He’s the only M.G. who knows what’s poppin. Together we gonna get to the bottom of this shit.”
“I feel you Koran, but in a situation like this you can’t afford to trust nobody. Especially a Brooklyn nigga. And I’m staying whether you like it or not. At least until Jah gets out the hospital. I’ll play in the cut so niggas won’t know I’m around though. I’ll let your Moms and Trice know what’s up. And like I said, get your shorty and lil man outta New York.”
“Why?”
“Nigga you already know why. You dealing with some heartless muthafucka’s. And with this nigga Hector involved, he’ll kill anybody close to Jah or you on some revenge shit for what Jah did to his brother.”
Koran’s interest sparked. “You talking about what happened before you moved down south. What was that about anyway? Jah would never tell me.”
Tony sat back down and collected his thoughts before speaking. “It all started when Jah came home from Spofford.”
He relayed the story from the beginning to the end, telling of their lost music career. He explained how Hector and Jose initiated the beef with them because of Jahad’s relationship with the Coco Twins half sister Janet. Then he told him how the M.G’s were formed on Rikers Island. Then there was Cream’s betrayals leading up to the night the assaults were made on the Coco Twins drug spots when Jahad kidnapped Hector’s twin brother Jose.
Koran stared at Tony when he finished with all types of thoughts running through his head. He finally understood the reasoning behind a lot of what Jahad had taught him. His respect level for Jahad deepened. If it wasn’t for his brother there would never be no M.G’s.
“Whatever happened to the chick Janet?” he finally asked.
“I think she got bodied the night Jah killed Jose.”
“Word! Jah bodied her?”
Tony shook his head. “Nah. From my understanding she got hit by a stray bullet from one of Hector’s men. Jah was fucked up over shorty too. Did Jah ever tell you about your pops?”
Koran shook his head.
“The Coco Twins bodied him. They bodied their own pops too, and took shit over in the South Bronx. That’s how they came into power.”