by Keon Smith
Razor drew attention with the diamond chain Montega had given him from the robbery. He had modified the chain by adding an iced-out pendant of the crowned skull with the bandanna gagged in his mouth. Around it read the words, Silent Kings. He had hustled hard to get that pendant and knew it would attract females like a magnet. “Tonight, we gonna make our name known,” he said before heading for the line with others following him.
After the hassle of waiting in line, then getting searched, Razor and Taliban paid an extra fee for not having their IDs then walked inside. They headed up the steps where the real party began. Inside, it was off the chain. DJ Diamond Kuts was on the ones and twos, playing Young Jeezy and R. Kelly.
Trap all day, play all night. This is the life of a… (aye) the life of a… go getta… (aye) go getta… (aye) go getta… (aye) go getta (yeaaah!)
In the VIP, Shug and Kev were surrounded by rich gangstas and bad and bourgeois women. The females didn’t care how heavyset and dark-skinned Shug was; they loved him, especially the way he rocked his dark Cartier shades like a true winner.
“Aye, Kev, let me holla at you for a second,” Shug said, leaning over the balcony.
“What’s good?” Kev asked as he joined him.
“Look, homie. What I say to you, don’t take to heart,” Shug began. “I’m tellin’ you this because I fucks with you more than I do anybody else in our circle, but you slippin’, man. I meant to get on you the night y’all got robbed, but I didn’t because of TJ’s death. How you let some thirsty-ass clowns on four-wheelers roll up on y’all like that? Where were your shooters? Matter fact, where was the lookout? I mean, c’mon, man. You smarter than that. This ain’t no game. Them fools coulda done you like the others. You my man, cuz. If I lose you, I don’t know who to trust, and that’s real talk.” Shug looked over at his homie.
“And another thing,” he continued. “You need to step your game up ’cause fifty bricks a month ain’t shit. I got dudes out West Philly buyin’ a hunnid, and I’m chargin’ them full price. You and Mike the only ones in the city that’s getting’ them for ten a join, and Mike touching eight to a bean, easy. What I gotta do? Hypnotize you into getting’ some of this real paper?”
“You right. I just be tryna take shit slow out here. I ain’t tryna end up in the Feds,” Kev justified.
“Take it slow, my ass. I know you, cuz. It ain’t about the Feds. You just being tight; that’s what that is. And don’t try to say that broad Breezy is up in your pockets, because you be tight with her fine ass too, got her riding in a Mazda. You kiddin’ me? She the type you put in nothing less than a S-class. You better get your mind right before another rich gangsta spark her interest,” Shug warned, playfully throwing a right hook to Kev’s body, which Kev quickly blocked.
“Oh yeah, one more thing before I forget,” Shug mentioned. “Remember that Spanish broad you was hittin’ when my cousin got knocked?”
“How can I forget? You’re talking about Jennifer. Why? What’s up with shorty?” Kev asked.
“I need her info. Mike wants to see her about something,” Shug said while running his fingers through his beard.
“But I thought you said he didn’t give a fuck about her.”
“He don’t give a shit about her, but shorty took some paper from him, and I need to get it back. So do you have the address, or are you gonna keep asking pointless questions? What? You still bangin’ her or something’?”
“Nah,” Kev lied, turning back to look down at the bar. “I haven’t talked to her in a minute, but I heard she moved across the bridge to Jersey. The address is on my voicemail. I got you,” he said as he looked down at Breezy, who was with her girlfriends by the bar.
Shug followed his gaze. “How’s that pussy down there?”
“Man, that shit on one thousand, cuz,” Kev admitted. “I just can’t get enough of her bowlegged ass. She’s a super-freak between them sheets.”
“Yeah, I bet she is,” Shug replied as he checked her out in her mini dress. In the back of his mind, he wondered if he gave her some bread behind Kev’s back, would she accept it. Before he could come up with the answer, someone else caught his attention.
“Aye, what’s up with her girlfriend Kia?” Shug inquired. “Now, shorty can get it. She look like she got grease between them legs. Look how that ass sittin’ in that dress. Goddamn, what she mixed with? Indian?”
“Something like that. Her pop’s supposed to be half-Saudi or Afghan, some place overseas. Her mom’s Black and Cherokee. Shorty got a good head on her shoulders too. She smart. She work at one of them big-ass buildings downtown, and she’s single at the moment,” Kev said before looking over at his man with a wry smile.
Montega brushed through a few groups of females who were feeling the handsome thug dressed in Polo from top to bottom. As one of the females grabbed him by the arm, he spotted someone more alluring.
“Excuse me for a quick sec,” he told the thick, chocolate shorty he had seen in a Straight Stuntin’ magazine before walking off.
Razor and Taliban picked up where he left off. Montega followed the pretty redbone in the midnight-blue KIKI Montparnasse designer dress all the way to the back. Before she could enter the restroom, he grabbed her by the arm. Tee-Tee turned, surprised to see him there. “Boy, what the hell are you doing here?” she asked while looking around cautiously.
“It’s funny because that’s the same thing I was wondering about you,” Montega replied.
Tee-Tee quickly pulled him to the side. “I’m here with one of my girlfriends, but my dude is up on the balcony also. I don’t want to get you in no shit, because he can get real jealous.”
Montega looked up on the terrace, not knowing who was who. There were so many ballers on the balcony, drinking champagne and talking slick to the females around them; he doubted if anyone could be paying them any mind. “So I take it you can’t lose him tonight and hangout with me,” he said with an attractive smirk.
Looking into his sparkling brown eyes, she couldn’t understand why it was so hard to turn him down like she’d done so many others. She didn’t want to appear easy either. She placed a hand on his chest and looked him in his brown eyes.
“Slow down, boy. You’re speeding real fast,” she teased while pinching the collar of his shirt.
“I could be flyin’ if I had a copilot to fly with,” he replied, moving in closer. “You do like taking flights, don’t you?”
Tee-Tee blushed before biting down on her bottom lip. “I don’t even know you like that, to be honest.”
“That’s why it’s all the more fun. Don’t tell me you don’t like to take risks,” he said, eyeing her firm, perky breasts as they sat up in her spaghetti-strap dress.
Seeing that she had his full attention boosted her ego. She moved in closer so that her breasts brushed against his chest, took him gently by the nape of his neck, and whispered in his ear, “I’m not the one taking a risk here, Montega. I told you before about dealing with a girl like me. So be careful what you ask for because there’s a lot that comes with this right here.” She took his hand and let him feel what was up her dress. Her panties were soaked.
Not fully understanding her response, Montega just smirked anyway before she turned and walked off, giving him a show with every sway of her hips. He smelt his hand and enjoyed the cherry scent. Goddamn, he thought as the sensation went straight to his dick.
Watching from the bar, Kia and Breezy were shocked at what they just saw. Their mouths were damn near to their collarbones. They slowly looked at each other, wondering if the other saw what just happened.
“Are you serious?” Breezy asked while grabbing her cup of champagne. “She’s a fucking whore. Wait ‘til I tell Kev this shit.”
“That bitch is trouble,” Kia retorted. “She better not get my brother into no bullshit if she knows what’s best for her.”
“I don’t know what Shug sees in her.”
“Sees in who?” Kev asked as he snuck up on them.
&n
bsp; Breezy decided not to inform him about the situation until after they left the club. The last thing she wanted to do was get Montega caught up. “Hey, baby boy,” she said, wrapping her arms around Kev’s neck. He kissed her on the cheek then stepped back to get a good look at her.
“Damn, Bree, you look good as shit. Umm, I’m ’bout to say fuck this party and roll out with you right now.”
Breezy beamed like a pair of headlights. Kev was the only one who could make her flutter. He then stepped forward and kissed her neck. “Stop, boy, ‘fore you start something in here,” she shyly said, looking around at all the nosy chicks seething with jealousy.
“Why don’t y’all come up to the VIP with us? It’s plenty of bottles up there. In fact, I’ll make some of them move so y’all can sit down,” Kev invited.
“Please, Kev, we are not trying to be around all them groupies up there. We fine right where we are,” Kia stated as Razor pulled up behind her.
Kia smiled at the sight of her play brother. She had to admit, he looked real good in his outfit. Razor was a vicious, two-piece dickie set, Timberland-boot-wearing kind of guy. Seeing him out of his element—in a pair of PRPS jeans with an Yves Saint Laurent belt and a fresh white Polo V-neck T-shirt with his chain dangling—all he had to do was make a move on her, and all that play brother shit would be out the door.
Kev, however, couldn’t believe who was standing a seat away from him. As Razor handed the bartender twenty dollars for a cup of Gray Goose and pineapple juice, Kev noticed the crowned skull pendant that looked to be gagged hanging from his neck. It was the same image as the tattoo that he had seen the night when he got robbed out on the avenue. He had been looking all around South Philly for that so-called gang, and now he was possibly standing right in front of a member. “Baby, I’ma holla at you in a second. I’ll be right back,” Kev said, gazing up at Razor’s chain before stepping off at the same time as Montega showed up.
“Let me get a glass of Goose,” Montega said to the bartender.
“What you doin’, talkin’ to that bitch Tee-Tee?” Breezy demanded to know, causing Montega to turn and frown at her.
“Damn, why you so worried about it? Don’t watch me; watch TV,” he said, popping fly.
“Ain’t nobody watching you. Who is you? I’m just lookin’ out for my best friend’s brother, but I see you over here feelin’ yourself a little too much,” Breezy criticized.
“You wanna look out for me?” he asked with his eyebrows raised. “Look out for me when I’m fucked up and in need. Everybody always looking out for shit that don’t pertain to them. Look out when a nigga truly falling apart instead of looking down on him. Otherwise, I can look out for myself.”
“Excuse me?” Breezy said, snapping her neck back in disbelief. “Aye, Kia, I think you need to getcha brother with his smart-ass mouth before I smack the shit outta him.”
Montega chuckled arrogantly. If there was one thing he enjoyed, it was a feisty woman after pushing her buttons. “You ain’t scared to talk to me like that?”
“Pussy, fuck you!” Breezy growled.
“You might wanna find somethin’ safe to fuck with, sweetheart. Otherwise, I would hate to have to clean this whole bar counter with your pretty ass,” he said, giving her a wink and a smile. “Recognize a real G when you see one because there ain’t too many in here.”
“Whatever. You’d be surprised,” Breezy said, before sipping from her cup.
“Would y’all two chill out?” Kia suggested before Breezy snapped. “What’s wrong with you two? How did y’all even start arguing when we’re supposed to be havin’ a good time?”
“He started it when he got smart with me,” Breezy protested.
“Nah, you need to mind your business, with ya nosy ass. Let me find out you got a wire on you,” Montega fired back.
“I know one thing… You better watch ya mouth. Ain’t nobody worried about you and that corny ass bitch. Who the fuck is she to be worried about anyway?” Breezy asked, tossing her Indian-straight, full-length hair back. “You wanna fuck with a whore, go right ahead. I’m over this.”
Before Montega could reply, the bartender handed him his drink. “Bitch,” he mumbled before walking off.
Breezy glared at him with pure evil in her eyes. She was the type who spent her whole life stomping out deception and dirt. Like her father, she was an outstanding investigator, which was evident by how nosy she was. She hated phoniness and dishonesty, which were things she saw in Tee-Tee. Being the overprotective woman that she was, she wanted to warn Montega about her before he got himself in too deep. She knew she could be a little over-the-top at times, but that didn’t give him the right to play her like he had. No one had ever talked to her in such a disrespectful manner.
When Kev got to the top of the balcony where Shug was, he sat by his side. “Yo, man, I think one of them dudes that jammed us up is down there by the bar,” Kev said, pointing to the light-skinned guy with the sharp, nappy afro. When Shug saw that the guy had Kia blushing, he got hot with jealousy. Kev looked over and saw Shug boiling. “I’ma handle this dude myself,” Kev said before rising.
“Wait. Make sure you do it after the party. I don’t need you getting caught up behind this shit. Oh, and Kev, when you put that clown down, make it public. You know how I rock. I want everybody to know that no one takes from us and thinks he can live to brag about it,” Shug ordered as he leaned back in his seat.
Kev walked off just as Gee started to make it rain over the balcony with twenty-dollar bills. Most of the so-called sophisticated women abandoned their spots to grab some of the cash that showered onto the floor from above. Rent money was on Gee this month. Montega watched from the floor with envy as the guys on the balcony launched stack after stack onto the crowd below. “Damn, them dudes must got crazy money to blow,” he mumbled in amazement.
He even saw a few guys scraping up twenties on the low. When he looked a little harder, he couldn’t believe that his own brother was on his knees, lunging at bills and shoving women to the side with no shame in his game. Montega quickly moved through the crowd and grabbed him by the arm. “What the fuck you doin’, dickhead?” he asked in disgust. “You’re making an ass out of yourself.”
“Man, money is money, regardless where it comes from. Somebody gotta pay for my get-high this weekend,” Taliban said. His eyes were dilated behind the shades he wore.
“Dog, they’re throwin’ money for the women, not you. Let them get some at least.”
“Man, I don’t care if the money was to help cure cancer; I’m getting’ mine,” Taliban stated before going back down to snatch a few more bills.
Montega shook his head, repulsed, and walked away. He was already pissed from the way Fly-Ty had carried Taliban on the block with the store situation, now this. Although Montega didn’t have much, he still had his pride, and he wore that on his sleeve like a fashion statement.
On the other side of the room, Kev searched the club for Maniac, Shug’s top enforcer. He knew wherever he was, a bunch of whores and hood rats were sure to follow.
When Kev found the dread head, he was on the dance floor with two freaks who worked at Delilah’s strip club. Kev tapped him on the shoulder and pulled him to the side. “What’s up? You good?” Maniac asked.
“Naw, I ain’t good. I got a major problem,” Kev said seriously.
“Where he at?” Maniac snapped to attention, assuming that he had to put somebody down.
Kev motioned for him to calm himself. “Not right now. We gonna get the dude after the party.”
After showing Maniac who the guy was, he abandoned the two Spanish girls and went to keep a close eye on Razor. There was no way he was letting him out of his sight.
Montega sat at the bar, watching Tee-Tee dance to almost every song that came on with a knocking beat. Her movements were magnificent as she gyrated her hips and bounced her bubble-shaped ass to the beat. Tee-Tee knew he was somewhere watching her. Every now and then, she would smile at him
and give him a little show to lock in his mind. As he took another sip of Goose, Razor appeared, giving him some dap.
Montega knew what that meant. “Yo, I’m ’bout to fade,” Razor said, feeling a little tipsy.
“With who?” Montega asked, looking around.
Razor stood to the side and pointed to the thick chocolate chick who had grabbed Montega’s arm earlier and smirked. “The darker the berry—”
“The sweeter the juice,” Montega said, finishing the sentence. “She nice, but who is she?”
“I don’t know, and I don’t really care. In fact, I’m gonna hit. That’s all that matters,” Razor replied.
“Yeah, but you not gonna do no background on her? She could be tryna set you up or something. You never know, yo.”
Razor’s excitement quickly started to vanish. He was really getting tired of Montega treating him like a little kid.
“What’s up with you, yo?” Razor snapped.
Montega looked into his angry, brown eyes. “What you mean, what’s up with me?’
“You know what I mean. Every time I meet a chick, you always got somethin’ to say about it. You ain’t my fuckin’ pops, and you ain’t my boss.”
“I ain’t say I was. I just don’t want—”
“You just need to fall the fuck back. That’s what you need to do. Just because your ass got kidnapped and tortured by some dumb ass bitches doesn’t mean it will happen to me. How you gonna tell me how to move with a broad when you yourself fuck bitches you don’t know on the regular? Maybe it ain’t the Blood Hornets that got your head messed up. Maybe it’s something else. What? You jealous or something?”
“Jealous of what?” Montega asked, sizing him up.
“You don’t wanna go there with me. I fucks way more bitches than you ever will. Check my status.”
“Man, them busted ass, corner-store-shoppin’ bitches easy as shit to fuck. You ain’t sayin’ nothin’ slick,” Montega fired back, bruising his homie’s ego. “I guarantee I can fuck any of ’em, including shorty. She couldn’t touch my bottom-of-the-barrel chick on her best day. Fuck would I be jealous for? You know what? I ain’t got shit else to say to you. Go ’head and roll with that slidda.”