Thug Luv 2

by Jazmyne

  “You wouldn’t understand,” Sunshine replied.

  “Help me understand!”

  “Yes, I had the best man any woman could ask for. But after a while, I wasn’t happy. I wanted out; I didn’t want any of what he had to offer,” Sunshine admitted.

  “So why not just walk away?” Aaliyah asked becoming pissed off. “I can only imagine what he went through before I met him. Since I’ve been dealing with him, I watched him struggle with your death. Oh, and when he found out you were alive, he went stupid in those streets for you. Those beautiful girls you had and left behind are a blessing from God himself. They are a joy to be around and as smart as ever,” Aaliyah affirmed. “All this shit could have been avoided if only you would have opened your fucking mouth!”

  “I’m sorry!” Sunshine yelled.

  “Bitch, fuck you and your sorry. Sorry isn’t gonna change the outcome of this fucked up situation,” Aaliyah condemned. “I bet you were one of those bitches who was always hollering about wanting a good man. When you got one, you straight shitted on him,” she laughed her pissed off cackle.

  “I can’t change what I’ve done or take any of it back, but I wish like hell I could,” Sunshine admitted.

  “Save that sorry shit. You wouldn’t have to be sorry if you hadn’t done any of this foul shit,” Aaliyah snapped. “If I weren’t pregnant, I would be mopping the floor with yo ass right now. So, please just stop talking to me.” She warned as she turned her back on Sunshine.

  “You don’t have any more times to speak to me that way,” Sunshine threatened. “Trust and believe the old Sunshine will come out of a hat on yo ass pregnant or not. I’ll be glad to show you how she got down. The same bitch Ace trained,” Sunshine warned.

  Aaliyah laughed, “Girl where was she when he needed her the most?” She asked. “Oh yeah that’s right, she was out faking her own death. Please have several seats on a ticking time bomb. Matter of fact, have a seat on several ticking time bombs,” she fired off even more exasperated.

  *

  Ace was cooking lunch for him and the twins. “Daddy,” Serenity called out.

  “Yes?”

  “Where is Aaliyah and why haven’t she been around lately?” She questioned.

  “Yes, we miss her,” Savanna added as she sipped from her juice.

  “Babies, if Aaliyah could be with us today she would,” Ace answered,

  “Is she gonna leave us like mommy did?” Serenity asked.

  “If she doesn’t have to leave, she won’t,” Ace answered. He was sure of that. Aaliyah loved them as if she had given birth to them herself. “She had to go out of town for a few days for work,” Ace said. He hated lying to them but there was no way he was going to tell them she had been taken away.

  “She could have called and told us she had to work out of town,” Savanna rebuked. Ace cracked a smile.

  “I’m sure it slipped her mind. They must have her very busy if she hasn’t called yet,” Ace reassured them.

  “Daddy, we need to have a sit down with the people Aaliyah works for. They cannot keep her that busy to where she can’t check in with us,” Serenity declared.

  “Is spending time with me a problem for you ladies?” Ace asked pretending to be hurt. Serenity and Savanna laughed.

  “No, we love you daddy but Aaliyah is more fun,” Serenity confessed.

  “Oh really?” Ace asked pretending to be hurt.

  “Really daddy,” Savanna laughed as she watched Ace poke his bottom lip out.

  “What do you girls wanna do today?” Ace asked as he sat their plates in front of them.

  “We need to go to the nail salon. It’s about time for us to get our toes and nails redone,” Serenity advised.

  “I guess we will be spending some time in the nail salon then,” Ace replied.

  “Daddy, the nail shop is for girls, not men,” Savanna giggled.

  “Well, I have two daughters. Which means, I have to go if you want your toes and nails done,” Ace replied. Ace adored his girls and would do anything for them–it went without saying.

  *

  “So we’re gonna kill this nigga as soon as he walks in?” J’vion asked as he and Adam walked around the warehouse.

  “No, there are a few things I need to get off my chest before anything goes down,” Adam replied. “After that, whatever happens, happens.”

  “You really think he’s gonna show after she blew him off the way she did?” J’vion asked unsure that Ace would show up to save Sunshine for a second time.

  “He will. I’m sure of it. He loved that girl more than life itself,” Adam stated. “This is gonna be the end for one of us.” He thought looking around the room. Adam was okay with that. He wasn’t sure of the outcome but he was tired of everything. The struggle with himself, the struggle with life, he was exhausted and ready for it all to end.

  “Are you okay over there?” J’vion asked seeing how nervous Adam was looking.

  “I’m straight; and don’t stand here like you give a fuck about how I’m over here doing.”

  “You know I don’t give a fuck. I was just wondering if you were starting to get cold feet and ready to back out,” J’vion responded.

  “I’ve come too far to back out of anything. I’m in way too deep to turn back now.”

  “Well make the phone call,” J’vion demanded. Adam reached for his cell phone and punched in his brother’s number. He slowly placed the phone to his ear and waited for Ace to answer.

  “Yo, who is this?” Ace answered on the second ring.

  “If you want your bitch, Sunshine back unharmed, you’ll keep your phone on and wait for my next call,” Adam said into the phone. “Please don’t try any funny shit. Remember, I know where both your bitches are,” he said before disconnecting the call.

  “Why didn’t you tell him where to meet us; and why are we calling him back?” J’vion asked.

  “For you to be a street nigga you sure are asking a lot of dumb questions,” Adam huffed. “I didn’t tell him where to meet us yet because I don’t wanna drop the dime on us for him to make a move. When he comes at us this time, we’ll be prepared.”

  *

  Ace was in the nail salon with the twins when he received the call from Adam. It really bothered Ace that his brother carried that much hatred in his heart for him. Regrettably, it was another thing Ace had learned to live with. The life he lived came with jealousy, envy, and hatred. Ace stepped outside of the shop so that he could speak to his boys in private.

  “Adam just called and informed me he would be calling me back sometime tonight with an address for me to meet him,” Ace said into the phone when Boy picked up.

  “You want us to roll with you?”

  “Nah, I’m gonna do this one on my own,” Ace declared. “I don’t know what I’m walking into, so I won’t be involving y’all.”

  “Ace, I respect how you feel, but we been doing this shit together. Why stop us now?” Boy asked.

  “Because, y’all niggas have families to think about. This may be my end,” Ace acknowledged.

  “It doesn’t have to be the end,” Boy replied.

  “It doesn’t but I hope it is because I’m tired,” Ace spoke truthfully. “I’d rather go out willingly than to be forced out.”

  “Stop talking like that,” Boy warned. “You have those beautiful daughters you need to continue to fight for.”

  “About that, promise me that you niggas will look out for my babies if something was to happen to me tonight,” Ace asked as he looked over his shoulder to find the biggest smiles on his daughters’ faces.

  “You tripping, that goes without saying, but there isn’t a damn thing that’s going to happen to you tonight,” Boy declared.

  “I’m gonna stop by there when I’m done spending the day with the twins,” Ace said disconnecting the call, not giving Boy a chance to respond.

  *

  Sunshine sat in the corner watching Aaliyah. She had to give ole girl her props; she was doing
the damn thing. Sunshine realized she could never have held a married man down, especially once she found out his wife was alive. Sunshine stood and began pacing the floor. Once again, she was locked away in a room. This time, she had no idea how long she was gonna be there.

  “I didn’t mean for things to get this out of hand,” Sunshine said as she eased onto the bed beside Aaliyah. “I know you don’t want me speaking to you but we are locked in here together. You don’t have to have a conversation with me, just please listen.”

  “You might as well go on and keep whatever you gotta say to yourself. I don’t give a flying fuck what you gotta say. Fuck outta here!” Aaliyah snapped.

  Aaliyah was hurt and pissed; she didn’t know what the outcome of her life would be. The thought of never holding her baby tugged at her heart. She tried to act as if everything was cool. However, the unknown was already affecting her. Aaliyah looked at the chain, bracelet, and diamond ring the twins and Ace had given her a few months earlier.

  Aaliyah tried to tune Sunshine out who was still talking even after she had told her she didn’t care to hear what she had to say. Aaliyah didn’t know when she had fallen asleep but she was yanked from her slumber.

  “It’s time to go,” Adam reported as he jerked her arm.

  “You don’t have to be so damn rough,” Aaliyah shouted as she snatched her arm away.

  No! You mothafuckas are gonna have to kill me,” Sunshine yelled as she fought against J’vion’s strong grip. J’vion punched her in the face again, then in her stomach causing her to fold and drop to her knees.

  “Get a hold of her and come on,” Adam demanded on his way out the room. Without warning, J’vion backhanded Aaliyah.

  “Yo, what the fuck!” Adam yelled. Why did you hit her?”

  “I owed this bitch that one. She left me hanging when I needed her the most. Yet, she’s holding this nigga down,” J’vion barked all in his feelings. “I’m good now,” he smiled.

  Aaliyah turned around and spit in his face. It was the only thing she could do. Spitting on someone was the most disrespectful thing anyone could do to a person. Being that she couldn’t kill him, she would spit in his face every chance she got. She wanted him to know just how much she disliked as well as what little respect she had for him. After wiping her saliva from his face, he went to hit her again but Adam stopped him.

  “Relax and let’s go handle this business,” he said while staring J’vion in his face.

  *

  “Man, we can’t let you go by yourself,” Jay said pacing.

  “Look, I gotta do what I gotta do,” Ace stated.

  “We understand and respect that but we gon’ continue to ride like we’ve been doing,” Boog declared.

  “We’re gonna agree to disagree,” Boy announced. We’ll enjoy the rest of our day until that call comes through. When it does, the four of us and a few niggas I got on call will ride out together,” he finished. “It’s as simple as that.”

  Ace didn’t say anything else about the situation. He impatiently waited for the call as he watched his daughters run around the yard enjoying themselves.

  Day had turned into night. Ace still hadn’t received the phone call. His nerves were shot. “What the hell is taking so long for him to call me back?” Ace asked aloud.

  “Chill out. He’s gonna call,” Jay stated. Just as Jay finished what he was saying, Ace’s phone rang.

  “Talk to me,” he answered on the second ring. Ace listened as Adam told him where to meet him and to come alone.

  “A’ight, I’ll see you in about ten minutes,” Ace said disconnecting the call.

  “What’s the deal?” Boy and Boog simultaneously.

  “He wants me to meet him at a warehouse in Newport News,” Ace answered as he headed for the door. “And he wants me to come alone.”

  “You may walk in alone but you won’t be riding out there by yourself,” Jay reported as the three of them followed Ace out the door.

  *

  The ride to Newport News was a quiet one. It seemed like the closer Ace got to his destination, time appeared to stand still. Everything was moving in slow motion around him.

  Finally, Ace neared his destination; he decided to park his car a block away.

  When he stepped out of his ride, his boys were waiting for him as always.

  “You already know, if you ain’t out in about twenty minutes, I’m coming in blazing,” Jay warned. “Please don’t get on the emotional shit. Y’all niggas know how I feel about that bull.” He warned causing everyone to laugh.

  “Go on in there, we’ll see you soon,” Boog said slapping hands with his nigga.

  “Whatever happens, just make sure my girls are well off and Aaliyah makes it out alive,” Ace requested.

  “You already know we got you covered,” Boy stated as he and Ace slapped hands and hugged each other. Ace took a deep breath then released it into the night air. The weed he had been smoking did nothing to ease his racing mind and heart. Ace believed he was taking his last walk down death row. The only difference was, there weren’t any bright lights over his head or guards escorting him to his death room.

  Chapter 18

  Ace sighed deeply as he slowly made his way into the warehouse in Newport News. Once again, he was walking into something he didn’t know the outcome of. Over the past few months, he had definitely earned his stripes. Ace had done a complete 360 in his life. He had put in more work in the last few months than he did when he was heavy in the streets. At one point in time, he and Sunshine’s relationship was great. Sorry to say, they barely spoke. Yet, here he was still willing to put his life on the line to save hers. Ace never talked about his feelings or showed his emotions. However, when he discovered Sunshine was sleeping with the enemy; that fucked him up mentally. It wasn’t like he didn’t warn her. She just didn’t believe him. “You’re a fucking liar, you’re just mad I don’t wanna be with you anymore.” Her words rang loudly in his ears. Ace respected the fact that she didn’t want to be with him anymore. Hell, he even respected she had moved on. What he didn’t or couldn’t respect was she was fucking the same mothafucka who could have killed their kids–not once but twice.

  When Ace got the call that Sunshine had been snatched up again, he could have turned his back on her. Fortunately for her, the man he was and the love he had for her wouldn’t permit him do that. She was and will always be the mother of his twin daughters. That alone was enough for him to continue to fight for her life.

  When he walked into the dimly lit warehouse, he could hear voices in the distance but couldn’t make them out. It was as if they were having a disagreement about something. The further he walked in, the clearer the voices became.

  The clicking of the gun being pressed to the back of his head stopped any forward progression on his part. “We finally meet again,” J’vion chuckled. “You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this moment. It’s bittersweet I must say.” He finished as he shoved Ace forward.

  “Look who finally decided to join us,” Adam said as he stared his brother in the eyes. “If it isn’t Mr. Superman himself,” he laughed standing behind Sunshine holding a gun to her head. Ace felt helpless as he watched the tears run rapidly down Sunshine’s face. This was the first time in his life he had felt so helpless. He was so close, yet so far and couldn’t do much.

  Adam snatched the duct tape from Sunshine’s lips.

  “Aahhh!” She screamed from the pain caused from the tape being ripped from her bare skin. “I’m so sorry,” she cried.

  Ace didn’t understand why Sunshine was apologizing. It wasn’t her fault she had been kidnapped, not once but twice–all because mothafuckas had issues with him.

  “Baby, there isn’t a damn thing you have to be sorry about,” Ace assured her.

  “Are you sure about that?” Adam asked. “Sunshine, should I tell him or would you like to do the honors?” He asked looking from her to Ace.

  Normally, Ace was able to keep his emotions in chec
k and hide the way he was really feeling. Nevertheless, confusion was clearly expressed on his face and it revealed itself in the form of a deep frown.

  “Oh, your queen didn’t tell you anything?” Adam asked sarcastically with a smirk on his face.

  “Sunshine, what is he talking about?” Ace asked looking into her teary eyes.

  “I’m sorry,” she simply whispered shaking her head from side-to-side.

  “Amir, since she won’t tell you I will,” Adam stated. “Sunshine was the mastermind behind her kidnapping,” he said pacing back and forth around Sunshine while keeping his gun turned on her.