by Renta
***
~Assata~
I stood behind the homie as he opened the safe. As it swung open stacks on top of stacks of big faces stared back at me.
“Turn around slowly, homie. Don’t do nothing that’ll make me paint all that bread with your last thoughts.”
Folk turned around sweat made his face look almost comical, as he stared at me with the million-dollar question in his eyes.
“Me give you what you come for you gave your word not to—to kill me.” he stammered.
A hint of my diamonds pecked from behind my lips. “My word is solid, fam. I’m not going to kill you.”
His body relaxed as he smiled in relief. “Thank you! Thank you. You won’t regret it, I—”
The smile slipped from my lips as I shut him down. “Naw dawg I never said you wasn’t’ going to die. I just said I wasn’t going to kill you.”
Panic tainted his facial. “But—but you said—” that’s all that escaped his lips before hollows rocked him to sleep eternally.
“Your cowardness killed you pussy! In the next life be a gangsta.” I hissed at his corpse as I gave him three more to the body, just cause he was a pussy. I looked up at all this bread. “Damn!” This was the true definition of blood money!
I laughed, then a sound behind me made me spin with the tool ready to bark.
“Whoa, lil’ daddy, be careful with that thing!” My uncle said dropping a bag at my feet. “Twenty bricks—uncut—stamp is fresh looks like dude was connected with the Cartel.” He looked around. “Where’s Snow, Neph?”
***
~Brains~
We left Strange to bag up the money and wait for our return. As I climbed the stairs behind my nephew my heart beat against my chest. I’m getting too old for this shit. Me and Assata crept up the stairs with our pistols raised and ready to fire. The silence was thick. There was too many closed doors where a mu’fucka could hide. I won’t lie I was nervous. I’m not no killa I pay niggas to solve problems. I’m not no new jack but this ain’t my vibe. Assata stopped suddenly making me run into him. He glared back at me as I was the cause.
He pointed to the room on the left wing and back at himself, then to the right indicating he was going that way. This son of a bitch was trying to split up. Without waiting for my response, he took off leaving me no other choice, but to follow instructions. A sick feeling caused acid to rush up my throat but I forced it down. Stepping to my bidness I put my ear to the closed door, silence. I eased the door open, heart pounding, and gun leading the way like I’d seen in the movies.
Relief flooded through me empty. I turned to go to the next room, but the sight of my nephew standing in the doorway straight ahead stopped me short. It wasn’t that he was just standing there staring. It wasn’t even that his body language spoke a million words that caused tears to flood my vision. It was more of the fact, that he wasn’t pointing his gun like they do in the movies.
***
~ Assata~
I’d found Snow she was laying naked on silk sheets with blood flowing from her like a fountain. A window in the corner was open and the drapes blew in the wind. Shit was ‘bout to get ugly, fam. The mission was to whack the Russian and rob him, but the moment called for other shit. Uncle B shoved me out of the way and stepped into the room. Seeing his bitch with her throat slit fucked him up. He cried but no tears fell.
“Unk, we gotta get the fuck outta here. That Russian mu’fucka got away, ain’t no telling how he’s rocking right now.” I looked over at Snow he leaned over her and just stared. “Unk, we gotta—go.” I hissed losing patience.
He closed her eyes and without looking at me, he headed for the door. That’s when all hell broke loose and gunshots sounded off below us. We looked at each other and rushed out the door. Maybe the nigga was in shock, or his intentions was to just join his bitch. Before I could stop him my uncle ran down the flight of stairs. Even though I was only a few feet behind him I couldn’t stop him from his intentions.
I watched as he hit the last step with his tool spitting in the direction of the living room. Don’t ask me how the nigga knew where to find trouble. I don’t know, but what I did know was he found exactly what he was looking for. I watched him shoot it out slug for slug, with whomever he was having a drawdown with. His body jerked a few times but the way he worked lead me to think he was safe.
I ran the rest of the way down the stairs swinging the burna in the direction Unk was aiming. Only to find nothing there. Blood was everywhere. Cautiously, I walked deeper into the room. Instantly pain, anger, and regret ate at me. Strange was D.O.A, looking over at what musta happened, my heart hurt for my dawg. The bitch ass Russian I hit in his side musta still been amongst the living. He waited us out, mayne!
The bullshit high point .380 that laid on the floor beside him, told me our mistake of not being more observant.
“Let’s get this shit and murk out Unk—shit not right,” I said as I begin picking up stacks that musta fell out the trash bags that came from God knows where.
“Unk, snap out of that shit and let’s get this shit ova wit,” I snapped.
Turning to see what his fucking problem was my heart shut down. “Naw, come on Bobby Ray,” I broke as I rushed over to my flesh.
He was leaking with his back against the wall. A blood-red smear ran down the wall as he musta used it to slide down. Tears tainted my vision.
“Damn Unk,” I looked down at the holes in his chest. “Fuck,” I screamed as I punched a hole in the wall. “See God this why I lose faith,” I whispered to the wind.
Brains coughed up blood then smiled at me. “Did—did I—did I get him, ne—neph?”
I just nodded as rain stormed down my face.
“Assata, we got to—” Nutz began as he entered with his burna clutched.
He observed the massacre all around us. We locked eyes and my vibration was intense. He walked over to the bags and started snatching shit up.
“Fam, them people on the way—we gotta burn.” He mumbled as he heaved two bags over his shoulders.
I looked back at Unk he’d already crossed over on me.
“Send my love to my T-lady and squad old man. I’ll catch up when it’s my time.” I saluted as I did to him what he did to Snow. I closed fam eyes so he wouldn’t see the madness suffocating a nigga.
Chapter Eleven
Love and Betrayal
~Six~
It had been three months since the shit went down with the New York, nigga. Even now, I couldn’t believe, I walked away with my life. Me and Assata haven’t really been vibing like we used to. Maybe he was still fucked up about me freaking out on him. I’m merely a woman. I love that nigga to death and will go to the ends of the earth for him, but I’m no killer. I miss my boo, though. I’ve called him too many times in the past week.
I’d even reached out to his boy Gusto, but something wasn’t right about him. He’d called me a few times and seemed cool, but I refrained from talking to him too much, so he wouldn’t get the wrong impression. Thinking about Assata was crazy. I’d only seen him three times since the situation, neither time had he fucked me. I even went as far as—
My phone started ringing, speaking of the devil. A big smile graced my lips when I heard ‘One Plus One’ by Beyoncé. It’s the ringtone I had for Assata.
“Heeeyyy baby,” I gushed. This nigga brought the woman out of me.
“I’m pulling up step outside, mama,” he said before the call dropped.
My smile slipped. Looking at the screen, I realized this nigga was on some bullshit. The bass from this nigga’s whip was so loud it vibrated my window. His favorite song, ‘Always Be’ by MO3 made me smile. This nigga listened to that song at least a thousand times and still fuck with it like it’s his first time.
I rushed to slide into a pair of forces. The boy shorts and muscle shirt, I was wearing was enough to entice any nigga even though it was loungewear. All this ass and thighs I had even a nigga of Assata’s pedigree couldn’
t resist. The day was sunny as I stepped outside. From my second story apartment, I could see the glare of his jewels as he sat on the hood of his Chevy SS. Like always the nigga had generated the attention of all the ladies.
Shayla a petite chocolate girl, that stayed on the first floor was always up in his face. Even though Assata wasn’t officially my nigga, these hoes ‘round here knew the deal. Soon as she saw me, she put on this fake ass smile, as if she wouldn’t slice my throat the moment I turned my back.
“Heeyy, girl, I was just telling Assata how hot this burgundy paint job is,” the bitch lied.
I rolled my eyes at her, before narrowing my eyes at his black ass. He had this little gesture he always did with his left eyebrow when he was amused.
“What’s good, ma. I ain’t did nothin’. You know, I wouldn’t disrespect the game like that, but if you consider lil’ mama right here yo’ potna. You need to find a better choice of friends.” His bluntness seemed to rattle her because her eyes bucked, and she looked as if she couldn’t believe he’d just put her on blast.
He hopped off the hood and headed for the driver’s side. Before sliding behind the wheel, he looked over to me and said, “You gonna stand there looking stupid? Or you gonna get in and at least act like you didn’t just insult me?” He looked over to Shayla. “I woulda respect you more if you woulda just kept it funky with her and told her you wanna fuck me. I’m the God of my universe—she’s my rida, but not my bitch. You’ll get further by keepin’ it one-hundred, ma. Stay up.
***
~Jazzy~
The woman sitting across from me was only a shell of her former self. The last time I saw Keisha she was vibrant and happily in love with my brother. Even though, it had been a few years since we’d seen each other. It was crazy to see the effects time, and the lack of self-worth could have on a person. This woman used to be one of the prettiest women in my neighborhood. The envy of her time, yet this creature sitting before me contradicted my claim, as she tried to finger comb her dry hair.
The bags under her eyes aged her terribly and her skin was so taut, her bones seem to be a second away from poking through. Her skin was so splotchy and it was just pitiful to see the aftermath of a fallen star.
“Why the fuck do you keep looking at me like that?” She growled I could see shame all over her face like a shadow.
“Kesh, you can’t keep living like this,” I said as I waved my hand around the living room littered with takeout containers.
The floor hadn’t been vacuumed and the smell of stale cigarettes hung in the air. “This shit ain’t you at all girl, we’re boss bitches. Remember you once told me, that the difference between a bitch and a boss bitch was the attitude and morale? Kesh, we’re all fucked up about, Shy but—"
“Jazz, you don’t know what it’s like to live like this. Shy was—is my soulmate. I can’t close my eyes without seeing—” water streamed down her face and she breathed deeply. “He’s my every thought, Jazz. I can’t fuck with another man without feeling nasty. I—I—”
I watched as the rest of her strength slipped and she folded over, with her face in her hands. The sister in me caused me to walk over and hold her as tight as I could. It’s a powerful thing, emotions.
“When it’s real—the love, when the love is solid, you feel that shit!” I sympathize with this queen, my heart spilled from my eyes in the form of liquid. “It has to pass, Kesh—he would want you to live, baby girl. He would want you to be—” her sudden actions stopped me short.
She sat up straight with resolution. With hot tears running down her face, she fucked my world all the way up. “No, you don’t understand, Jazzy. I’m tired—I’m sooo tired.” she moaned.
My confusion at her sudden change of expression must have been all over my face because she cupped my face in her hands. “Jazzy, you have to get Shy’s phone. The last person he talked to was the one who killed him. I heard the whole conversation.”
***
~ Assata~
I had shorty at the lake in Lake Dallas. It was warm out and the best part ‘bout it was, that outside of a couple further up shore it was just us. Lil’ Baby sat with her knees pulled close to her chest, as she stared out at the waves of the water rolling onto the sand by our feet. The wind blew softly, carrying the aroma of this gas, that I was trying my best not to choke on down the shore. My eyes rolled over her lil’ thick ass. The boy shorts couldn’t hold all that ass, so it escaped from the bottom forcing the back of ‘em up her ass crack.
I don’t know if she’d done that shit on purpose, or if she just didn’t feel it. Naw, she did that shit on purpose, but I’ll play along.
“Say, yo’ shit hungry?” I asked.
She looked at me with a frown. “Naw, I’m good, I ate before you showed up.” I smiled, this shit was too easy. “So, why yo’ ass snackin’ on them shorts like that?” I busted out laughing.
She tried to play tough, but that shit didn’t last as she took a playful swing at me. “Shut up, boy!”
Somehow, we ended up wrestling, and in the end, she was on top of me. Yeah, that shit was purposely! Sand was all over her arms and chest. I assumed the cool breeze, was what had her chocolate nipples peeking through the muscle tee. This shit was gonna be hard, but lil’ one is my baby, and she deserved the real. I sat up with her still in my lap, face to face like a real nigga ‘pose to be, with a solid bitch and opened my chest to my queen.
“Do you believe in destiny, Six? I ain’t talking ‘bout that shit them white people be talm-bout in the movies. I’m talking ‘bout that real deep shit. That, yeahhh, this what it’s all about typa shit?”
She searched my eyes for an indication, why I was asking her this typa shit. “Do I believe that God has a plan for us—” she began.
I placed my fingers to her lips. “Naw, queen, I respect the O.G. I honestly don’t know if he exists or not, but I’ve been barking at dawg my whole life, still I’m waiting for answers. That’s not what I mean. See, baby girl, when people are unsure of shit, or can’t explain certain aspects of life they use God as a rationality. Only God knows, or if it’s God’s plan—but God does know.” I brushed sand off the side of her face, as my eyes study hers intently. “Just because a baby comes out of the womb stillborn, or an innocent little girl gets hit by a stray bullet in a chaotic situation, doesn’t mean it was in God’s plan.” I don’t know what made me do it, but my hands took on a mind of their own, as they traveled over her body. I smoothed them down her back, over her ass cheeks, and down her thighs, then finally rested them on her waist.
“That shit was a sign, that the devil is just as real as the O.G. The negative to the positive of life. No way to have one without the other.” Six wrapped her arm around my neck, maybe my touch was misleading. But, this might have been the last time, I’d get to explore her touch, so I did nothing to discourage it. I told her to stand up and with a look of confusion, she obliged.
Still confused she reached out her hand and helped me to my feet. Hand in hand, I lead her down to the shore, witnessing the beauty of the horizon. “Destiny is the magnification of one’s creation. If God is up there, he allows us to create destiny. That’s why in your Bible it says, ‘faith without work is dead’! If a mu’fucka believes in something, you work to make that dream a reality. We are controllers of where we end up.” Six released my hand and folded her arms like she could read my mind and knew exactly where the conversation was headed.
“Yeah, sometimes shit don’t turn out as we plan, but that’s what works. It’s that faith in you to see the end of shit. Destiny is where we end up, feel me, ma?” I looked over in her direction.
She bit her bottom lip and nodded her head. “Six, you’re my nigga. We’ve been thuggin’ for a minute, I’ve always kept it ‘G’ with you.”
Without blinking I came from the hip with mama. “I’ve met—well—I’ve known her for a while and we talkin’ ‘bout rockin’. We not official and I’d never cast you to the side, but lil’ mama got a p
iece of my heart. A long time ago, I made a promise to a nigga I love dearly, and –” she shut me up by putting her hand over my mouth.
“So, it’s true?” she whispered.
“Huh, is what true?”
Tears clouded her eyes and without another word, Six took off running.
“Damn, Shy, I’m trying to do this shit right, dawg,” I whispered, before getting up following, Ms. Lady.
***
~Jazzy~
I’d been calling Assata’s ass for hours. As I sped through traffic, I couldn’t focus. Kesha told me the whole conversation, she’d overheard Shy having. She told me, that she begged him not to go but just like so many niggas before him, he overestimated a woman’s intuition. The thing eating at me the most, was how she said Shy ended the call. There are only four niggas that use that code and know the meaning of it. Assata’s phone was still going to voicemail, as I pulled up to my mama’s house.
It was as run down as ever and as I stared at the poverty surrounding me. All I could do was thank God for being my Father. Anxiety consumed me as I pressed the call button for the third time. ‘Why does Assata have his phone off?’
Frustration surged through me until a light came on in my head. Gusto would know what’s up with, ‘A’. The phone rang three times before his gruff voice blasted through my speakers.
“Gus, have you heard from, Assata? I’ve been trying to call him, I keep getting the voicemail? It’s starting to worry me to be real.”
I could hear him fumbling with something in the background before he said, “Naw, fam, last I heard from bro, he was making a run. You know dawg, though. I’m sure he’s good. What’s poppin’ though, you need something done? You know all you gotta do is say the word.”