She Gave Her All to the Hood's Finest 5

by Shvonne Latrice

  “Wow, this shit is nice.” Big Dane got into the back seat of the truck after the driver opened it for him.

  “It is, huh?” I laughed. “Champagne?”

  “Yeah, absolutely. Is this how Make A Killing treats all their potential artists?” Big Dane rubbed his hands together just as the truck pulled off, headed to the Make A Killing headquarters.

  “Potential?” I raised a brow as I handed him the flute filled with this expensive ass champagne.

  “Now you know I’m gonna sign.” Big Dane smirked before gulping down the liquor. Damn.

  “Okay, great. You’re going to love being signed under Tony. He’s very smart, but he doesn’t take any shit, so no slacking off.”

  He better had been willing to sign after all I’d been through. Having to duck and dodge Mark Vegas was enough in itself, but I did a lot of side work for free in order to boost his persona in the media, to convince him to come over to Tony’s label. Today was finally the day he was going to sign on the dotted line. I felt proud of myself, finally.

  “You know slacking ain’t my style. I’ve been ready to work. I didn’t mention this shit to Mark, so he may have an issue with it.”

  “Well we won’t worry about him. If he tries to cause any issues, we will handle him for you,” I assured Dane as I refilled his glass. I felt cool, like I worked for the mob.

  “I appreciate everything, Rubie. You solid as fuck.” He took a sip. “You don’t find too many women that look like you with that type of head on their shoulders.”

  I wished Eitan knew that. Thinking of him made me check my phone, but of course, there were no messages or missed calls from him. My dad hadn’t mentioned any new gifts in the mail either.

  “Thank you. I really appreciate that. I’ve been wanting to get into PR for years, and it seemed like I could never catch a break, especially while I was working for Mark. However, Tony gave me a chance, and it’s been great ever since.”

  “That’s inspiring. Mark is cool, but he just moves too damn slow for me. It’s like homie got the connections, but he don’t use them; he’s more worried about other shit.”

  “Yes! So true, and that other shit is female artists or any woman in general that he thinks he can sleep with.”

  It was all facts. Mark had the potential to be a great music manager if he could control his damn dick. He was too focused on finding new female singers or rappers that he could manipulate into fucking him, than actually curating a big star. The only reason Big Dane had gotten as far as he had was because of himself and all the work he’d put in before even signing to Mark’s management company. But unfortunately for Big Dane, because he didn’t have a vagina, being under Mark was holding him back. I was sure had I slept with Mark, he would have given me more opportunities, but I wasn’t built like that.

  “You got any managers you recommend?” Big Dane quizzed.

  “Tony’s assistant, Alejandra, doubles as the music manager, and she’s really great.” I hated to compliment that whore, but she was good at her job, hence why she was still working for Tony after whatever incident some time ago. “She stays on top of things. We all work well together.” I nodded.

  “So, Rubie, tell me you not still with Eitan.”

  “Um… why?”

  “The photo of him and that ex stripper chick he used to date been floating around the internet for a while. You deserve better.”

  I did see the picture, and because I was so stupidly in love with Eitan still, the photo appeared to be innocent to me. He and Frida’s body language didn’t come off flirty at all, but I’d trusted Eitan in the past, and it came back to bite me, so what did I know? Maybe that was why he’d left me alone. It was possible he realized he didn’t love me at all, and Frida was the one for him.

  “Yeah, umm, I’m sure it was nothing.”

  “Well if you find out that it is something, don’t hesitate to hit me up. I don’t want any beef with bro, especially now that we’re about to be label mates, but I can’t pass up a good woman when I see her.”

  I swallowed the lump in my throat, feeling funny being flirted with. It only showed me that I wasn’t ready to get back out into the dating world. I felt uncomfortable. As bad as it sounded, I wanted to be married to Eitan, the man I loved and the father of my child. I couldn’t believe what I was currently thinking. I always swore I would never be one of those women who stuck around after a man cheated.

  “I will be sure to call you if it pans out negatively.” I laughed it off.

  Finally, the truck arrived at the Make A Killing building, so I thanked the company driver, Bob, as he held the back door open for us.

  Big Dane and I entered the building, and I prepped him a little bit on how to converse with Tony, mainly letting him know not to fangirl out, not to try to act hard, and don’t smile too much because, for some reason, Tony was leery of smiley people.

  “Ready?” Big Dane smirked.

  “I am.” I stepped off the elevator.

  Please don’t let Tony embarrass me by calling me DSL.

  I drove home, feeling good that I’d gotten Big Dane for Tony. For a minute, I was afraid it wouldn’t happen and also afraid I would run into Mark who would try to fight me or something. I had to remember though, that Mark was a little bitch, and he wouldn’t try anything if it would make Tony Wacko upset.

  I actually really liked having Tony as a bodyguard somewhat, and was surprised Camarih didn’t take more advantage of having a crazy nigga. I now understood why Jilly always used him to get what she wanted; it made you feel powerful as hell. I low key wanted Mark to try something just so I could feel like a boss and have Tony knock his ass out. I laughed at my thoughts.

  I stopped at the store to get some non-alcoholic wine so I could celebrate at home, then picked up my son from my father before heading to my apartment. I felt good as far as my work life went, and seeing Tony be proud of me made it all the better. I was starting to think he liked me as a person now.

  “Yes, Mommy got a big artist for the label and a bonus check for it.” I cooed to my son as I entered my place.

  I didn’t expect the bonus, but Tony handed me the check for forty thousand dollars when I was leaving out today. I tried to give it back, but that only pissed him off, so I kept it. Shit, I wanted it anyway.

  “Congratulations, beautiful.” Eitan got up from my couch, scaring the shit out of me.

  “How did you get in here?” I frowned as he went to get my son from his carrier that I’d placed on the bar counter.

  “Your dad let me make a copy of his key that you gave him.” He held our baby in his arms while looking down at me.

  “Oh. Well I still don’t appreciate you coming into my apartment without me knowing.” I went to put my jacket in the coat closet.

  “You hungry?” he asked, and just then, my eyes landed on two bags from Ruth’s Chris. I was starving and knew something great was in there.

  “I could eat.” I started washing my hands.

  We both went to sit down on the couch after he put our son back in his carrier, bringing him over with us. After praying, we dug into the steaks and all the glorious sides he’d ordered. I felt like a damn hippo.

  “Tony told me about Big Dane, and I’m proud of you.”

  “I figured you knew when you told me congratulations,” I replied in a snappy manner. “So I guess you’ve gotten back close with Frida, huh?”

  “What? No. I knew you saw that picture, and I meant to hit you up about it, but I figured you wouldn’t believe shit I had to say.”

  “Why, because you’re such a stupid, ugly liar?”

  He laughed.

  “I wouldn’t say I’m a liar, but I have lied in the past, which I’m sorry for. It’s just scary thinking one sentence could ruin our relationship, Rubie.”

  “Well if you didn’t cheat on me, that wouldn’t be the case. And if you’re not with Frida, then why haven’t I heard from you? I mean, not that I want to. It’s just weird for you to be houndi
ng me one moment and ghost the next.”

  He nodded to agree while chewing his food.

  “First of all, the photo of Frida and I was innocent. I ran into her at the donut shop and felt the need to apologize to her.”

  “Apologize to her? What the fuck?”

  “Not for that, but because some shit happened at the studio, and I said some things I wasn’t proud of. Being me, anything I do, people feel the need to document, so that’s why the picture ended up everywhere.

  “But I haven’t contacted you because I needed to take sometime to think about what I did and why the shit hurt you so badly. I realized that sending you gifts and flowers wasn’t gon’ work because that should be sent to you when we’re on good terms, not because I fucked up. Also, you ain’t the type of woman that can be pacified by gifts, I’ve learned.”

  “Nope,” I stated proudly.

  “That’s something I like about you, and I like the females you surround yourself with because they’re quality like you.” Taking my fork from me, he placed it down so I could pay attention to him. I was not happy about that. “Rubie, I’m sorry for messing around, for doing it with Frida of all people, and while you were healing from giving birth. It’s probably one of the biggest mistakes in my life, other than getting Tony shot. I couldn’t imagine you cheating on me with an ex of yours and while I was incapacitated. I honestly don’t even know what I was thinking. Not to make excuses, but the shit happened so fast. It was like one minute she was talking to me and the next she was on her knees. ”

  “Spare me the details, please.” I put my hand up, and he nodded.

  “I’m honestly ashamed. I feel like dumb ass Rahim. Anyway, I learned during the time I left you alone that what you wanted from me was to understand what I did. I was so focused on making sure you didn’t leave me that I overlooked that.”

  Who the fuck was this? And where was my Eitan that was kind of slow?

  “I just… I can’t forgive you right now.” I looked down at my food. “It’s too soon, and I’m still angry.”

  “I get it, and that’s fine. All I want is for us to stay married and be a family. If you need six months or even a year before you’re nice to me again or will sleep with my ass, I’m cool with that. I just want you.”

  “Have you ever cheated before this? And don’t lie.”

  “Before what?”

  Okay, there the old Eitan was.

  “Before this time with Frida, Eitan, what else!”

  “Oh shit. Nah, never, I swear. It’s the last time too, and it was only head, nothing more.”

  “Stop saying only head, because it’s still a form of sex. You had your dick in her nasty mouth.”

  “You right. My bad.” He snickered. “I don’t expect you to forgive me right away or ever. I just want you to know I love you, and I will do whatever it takes, even if it doesn’t benefit me, to fix this.”

  I looked off for a second, thinking about what I wanted to do.

  “Okay. Elijah and I will come home, but you will sleep in the guestroom. Our bedroom has my walk-in closet and make up station, so it makes more sense for you to leave.”

  “Umm, aight.”

  “Also, you and Frida can no longer be friends.”

  “No problem. What else?” He nodded.

  “We will go from there, but I can’t promise that it will work or last. It depends on how you make me feel.”

  “What about the wedding? Can we still have it?”

  “You want a wedding?”

  “Yes. I thought we both wanted the shit.”

  “Again, it depends on how you make me feel. If I don’t like how you act, then I will seek a divorce and so on.” I stuck my nose in the air.

  “Cool.” He kissed my cheek. “After we eat, you want a bubble bath?”

  “I guess.” I pretended that didn’t sound nice.

  “Can I spend the night?”

  “No—”

  “I can help you put the baby to sleep, give you a foot rub, and we can watch some TV.”

  “Okay, fine. But hurry up and finish your food so you can get started on my bath.”

  “Aight, fasho,” he replied excitedly before restarting on his food.

  I watched him for a second, simpering since he wasn’t looking, and then I got back to my plate as well.

  Eitan realizing what he did actually made me feel a little better, surprisingly. I still wanted to strangle and bludgeon his ass to death, but not as much. And the fact that my father, the toughest critic when it came to the men I dated, gave Eitan a copy of the key, baffled me. I knew he didn’t too much care for Eitan, but he himself must’ve felt Eitan loved me and was genuine if he would assist him in getting me back on multiple occasions. Armonn would have never been able to get a copy of my damn key. Hell, my dad wouldn’t even let his ass come to his house.

  Hopefully Eitan and I could get back to how we were, but only time would tell. One thing I knew for sure was that I loved him, and even though his actions lately proved otherwise, I knew he loved me.

  37

  Camarih

  I’d gotten an offer on my mom’s house, and it was a pretty great one. The buyers wanted to pay over the asking price, which I was surprised by due to its location. I guess Tony was right when he said if we fixed the place up and made it look like something, it’d sell. I was hesitant about doing that because I didn’t want to throw money into something for no reason, but I was happy I had.

  Before I agreed on the offer, Tony wanted to go over there and look at the house. He needed to be sure the buyers didn’t see something we didn’t, which would explain their reasoning for over offering.

  He parked his Bentley truck in the driveway, and then we made our way inside so he could look at the house with a damn magnifying glass. I was helping him at first, but then I lost my zeal due to being tired, so I sat my ass down to relax.

  “Aight, shit looks the same. I don’t see no damn gold mines or nothing.” He checked the cabinet in the hallway. “You talk to yo’ mama?”

  “Nope. Not since she told me she didn’t want me selling it.”

  “Well her ass is in jail, and she ain’t got no fucking choice,” he replied, saying exactly what I was thinking. “Come on.” He helped me from the couch and then hugged me, sliding his hands down to my ass. “This shit is fat.”

  “Houston, not here.” I laughed.

  “Back of the Bentley?”

  I pondered on it for a second and then said, “Okay. You’re lucky Jilly has the baby.”

  “Yeah, we gotta hurry up then so he don’t pull all my sister hair out and shit.” We laughed at his comment as we walked from the house hand in hand, even though what he said was facts.

  As we came down the steps, I felt a lump form in my throat upon seeing Marcel again, Driz’s friend. He had to have moved over here now, because every time I stopped by my mom’s house, he wanted to pop up. Granted it was only twice as of late, but what are the odds that he’d run into me each time? Stalker much?

  “Aye, Camarih, let me—”

  “Hold the fuck up, cuz. Don’t address my girl when you see me standing right here.” Tony cut him him off as we neared each other.

  “I was—”

  “Who the fuck is you?” Tony interjected again.

  “I’m Marcel, nigga, who is you?”

  Oh Lord. And Marcel knew exactly who Tony was.

  “I’m gon’ be the nigga that puts yo’ ass to sleep for good if you don’t learn some respect, little nigga.”

  “Man—” Marcel focused his attention on me.

  “Like I said, don’t address my girl. You ain’t got shit to say to her. I don’t give a fuck who you are, cuz. Don’t no other nigga speak to my woman while I’m right here.” Tony blocked Marcel’s view of me, and I hid right behind my man.

  “Damn, why it have to be all like that. She yo’ property or something?”

  “Don’t worry about what the fuck she is. Take yo’ bitch ass back to where the f
uck you came from ’fore I pump that pigeon chest with some heat.” Tony pulled his gun from his waist.

  I wanted to step in and tell him not to do anything, but one, this wasn’t the time, because he felt disrespected, and it would only piss him off if I tried to stop him. Secondly, my nigga was crazy, and I wasn’t a big enough idiot to upset him when he was like this. I had to accept the fact that, when it came to his son and me, he didn’t take any prisoners.

  “Nigga, fuck you and yo’ bitch—”

  POP! POP! POP! POP!

  “Ahhhh!” I screamed at the top of my lungs out of fear and shock, seeing Tony light Marcel up, and his body drop, covering itself in blood already.

  “Get in the car.” Tony rushed me, pulling some weird phone out and typing. “Camarih, go get in the fucking car.”

  I had still been standing there, petrified, but finally, I rushed to the car and got in on the passenger side. I watched Tony talk on the phone for a little bit, then he came to get in with me and drove off like nothing happened.

  “Is-is he dead?” I stammered.

  “Most definitely. Who was that?” he asked while keeping his eyes on the road, so calmly too. He always told me, where he was from, catching bodies was normal.

  “He was Driz’s friend. I didn’t really know him like that.” My voice was shaking.

  After a while, Tony pulled the car over, throwing it in park. He took my seat belt off, moved his seat back some, and then brought me over into his lap. Wrapping his strong arms around my body, he held me tightly, so I reciprocated, hugging his neck and inhaling his cologne.

  “I’m sorry,” he said lowly.

  “It’s okay. He wasn’t my friend or anything,” I spoke softly.

  “Nah, fuck cuz. I’m sorry for shooting his ass in front of you like that. I just snapped when he called you out ya fucking name.”

  We were still holding one another tightly, with him rubbing my back. I pulled back some so that I could look down into his eyes.

  “I know.”