by Jazmyne
“That would be great!” Aaliyah said into the phone. “Maybe you can cook for me?”
“Maybe,” Ace laughed. “We’ll see. But I have to go, my girls are waiting for me to feed them,” he let her know.
“That’s fine, you have my number feel free to call me, anytime,” she said before disconnecting the call.
Ace removed his cell from his ear and looked at the phone smiling. Did he think things between the two were moving too fast? No, because all they were having was conversation, interesting conversation. Was he attracted to, Aaliyah? Yes, but what man in their right mind wouldn’t be? She was a beautiful woman with a career at that. Was it lust or was this Ace second chance at love? He didn’t have the answer to either of those questions and only time would tell.
“Serenity and Savanna come eat!” Ace called out as he sat their plates on the table for them.
“Daddy, can I please have a cup of juice?” Serenity asked as she ran into the kitchen.
“What kind of question is that?” Ace asked as he scooped her up into his massive arms and threw her into the air. She giggled as she grabbed at his neck.
“Savanna, you want apple juice or orange juice?” He asked sitting Serenity at the table before he turned to pick Savanna up to do the same.
“Apple juice daddy, orange juice is nasty,” she said making a funny face causing Ace to laugh.
Ace poured all three of them a glass of apple juice and took his seat at the table with his girls. The three of them talked about this and that. Ace loved his girls and holding conversations with them amazed him. They were only five and they were extremely smart. He already knew his daughters were going to be a problem.
Ace never knew he held a gentle side until the day he watched his wife give birth to his daughters. His rough exterior had quickly faded when the nurse placed both of them into his arms. Nothing in the world could ever compare to the feeling of becoming a parent, no amount of money or power. None of that mattered when your child, a child you helped create and bring into the world was placed into your hands.
After eating, Ace told Savanna and Serenity to go get cleaned up while he cleaned the kitchen. They did as they were told. Ace quickly cleaned the mess he had made and went and got himself together.
Ace decided to throw on a pair of black sweats, white tee, and his all white uptowns (Air force ones) with his NY snapback fitted.
“We’re ready to go,” Serenity said as they walked into Ace’s bedroom. Ace looked at the picture of his dead wife and whispered the words “I love you”. He wasn’t ready to move on, but knew it was time. Sunshine had died three years ago. Letting go was hard for him to do because she was his world. She was the definition of a bad bitch. Beautiful, smart, fun, and she held him down when he was running wild in the streets. Down ass bitch by Ja Rule was Sunshine and Ace’s song. She was indeed his down ass bitch and carried the title well.
You could die from love, at any given time I could die from slugs
But that's what this life is capable of
The death and the life of a bitch and a thug, is what I'm scared of
But got a woman who ain't afraid to, tuck the toast in the Escalade
Pop on niggas that showin me shade, but only for the Rule 'cause that's my baby
Got me a down ass bitch with red hair, that don't care
Blazed by the shots and flares
Girl c'mon, follow me, and bust back at police, conceal ya heat
It's a bit much to blaze up, Rule and Chuck, N-I-G, the Murderous, I-N-C
With one on the hip, one in the holster, nigga will toast ya quick
Especially a down ass bitch
“There isn’t a woman that can ever take your place.” Ace thought. Ace picked his girls up and headed to the front door.
*
Ace drove through the streets of Hampton, Virginia with his mind on over drive. The same streets he had run wild in, the same streets he had did some unthinkable things in. Ace was well known and respected around the seven cities, consisting of, Hampton, Newport News, Chesapeake, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, Portsmouth, and Suffolk.
The game had been nothing but good to him, but he knew all things always came to an end. His life in the streets had come to an end the day he got a phone call letting him know that his wife had been murdered. The news had hit him like a ton of bricks. He didn’t wanna believe what he was hearing, but when he got home to find police and yellow police tape everywhere, his worst nightmare had come true.
The fact that a mothafucka took whatever problems they had to his home wasn’t something Ace could forget or forgive. He couldn’t point the finger because over the years he had gained a lot of haters and mothafuckas who wanted to see him dead. Ace had lost it and would body anybody he thought had something to do with his wife’s murder or knew something. If it wasn’t for his babies, Ace knew he would have been in jail or dead.
He remembered a saying Sunshine use to always say. “Amir. Baby, in this life we live, mothafuckas don’t have a heart.”
The saying was indeed true.
Ace parked his car and helped his baby girls out the back of the car. “Daddy are you going to push us on the swings?” Savanna asked as she wiggled out of his arms.
“Of course,” Ace said as he put them down and watched them run into the park. He closed the door while looking over his shoulders. Being in the game for so many years, it had become a habit, one he would never lose.
Ace leaned against his ride and took a trip down memory lane.
He checked his watch and found that it was well after three in the morning. That didn’t stop him from picking up his phone to call Sunshine.
Ace had been out of town for the past two weeks and there wasn’t a day that went by that he didn’t think about her. He hadn’t spoken to her since the day he had left. Ace never told anyone when he was going out of town or why. He just made the trips and did what he had to do and went back home. The only mothafuckas that needed to know his whereabouts was the mothafuckas he was going out of town for. Ace never called Sunshine while he was out of town handling business, but that night all he wanted to do was hear her voice.
He picked up his phone and dialed her number.
“Hello?” Sunshine answered on the third ring.
“I know it’s late, but I just wanted to hear your voice,” Ace said. Sunshine smiled on the other end of the phone.
“Are you okay?”
“I’m much better now that I heard your sweet voice,” Replied Ace. “What are you still doing up?
“Love you know I can’t sleep when you aren’t next to me. Be safe and come back home to me.” Sunshine answered. “I only sleep when I’m wrapped tightly in your arms.” She giggled.
“You know I love you right?” Ace asked.
“Of course and you know I love you back. Don’t worry about me you know I’m good. Do what you gotta do and bring your ass home,” Sunshine replied.
“I got you ma. Are the doors locked and the alarm set?”
“Yes, Amir, stay focused on what you got going on wherever you are. I got this. I love you and be safe,” Sunshine said before disconnecting the call.
“Daddy, come on!” Serenity yelled.
Ace spent the majority of the day in the park with his girls. He went from pushing them on the swings, then chasing them around the park, to even giving them piggyback rides.
“I swear I wish there were more men like you around,” a woman holding her son said as Ace was leaving the park with Serenity and Savanna in his arms. “I salute you,” she said walking off.
“Thanks,” Ace replied as he walked to his ride.
The piece of paper sitting on his windshield caught his attention. Ace looked around, but nothing looked out of place. He placed the twins into the car and put their seatbelts on before closing the door and grabbing the paper. H
e looked around before unfolding the paper and reading it. “SUNSHINE” was the only thing scribbled on the paper.
Ace didn’t know if it was in red paint or blood. He knew mothafuckas was playing with his emotions. They wanted a reaction out of him and knew just how to get one. Ace hopped in his car and pulled off, pissed the fuck off!
He hadn’t held a gun in his hand in three years, but that was all about to change. He would die to protect his daughters, at any and all cost. They were all he had left in the world.
“Mothafuckas are trying to wake a sleeping beast.” Ace thought speeding down the street.
Ace stopped at McDonald’s to get his girls something to eat. His mind was running a mile a minute trying to figure out what was going on. The girls had fallen asleep on the drive home, so Ace hopped out to unlock the front door. When he walked up he found a small white envelope taped to the front door. He looked around as he snatched it off the door. He ripped it open and pulled out two photos of Sunshine. The photos looked recent but he wasn’t sure, only because he knew mothafuckas could do a lot of things with Photoshop. Ace unlocked the door before turning to get his girls out the car. He put them in bed before heading back downstairs to examine the photos more.
Chapter 3
Aaliyah worked weekends as well. She had plenty of cases, ones she was sure she could win.
Aaliyah walked into her office to find a man standing there holding a dozen red roses in his hand. “Excuse me can I help you?” Aaliyah asked getting his attention.
“Yes, I’m looking for Aaliyah Bailey,” he said reading the card.
“That’s me,” she said pointing to herself.
“These are for you,” he said placing the roses into her hand. Aaliyah thanked him. She watched him walk off before walking to her office. She wondered who would be sending her flowers. Aaliyah sat the roses on her desk and removed the card.
Aaliyah rubbed her eyes to make sure she was reading the note right.
Love is pain right? Well get ready for the pain.
Aaliyah heart beat loudly in her ears. It could be only one person sending her a note like that, her ex, J’vion. The last thing she had heard about him was that he was doing a fifteen year bid behind that wall. That was years ago. Aaliyah took a seat as her mind ran wild. She didn’t know who she could go to and knew that if her past ever got out her career was over. “What am I going to do?” She thought as she read the note over and over again.
Aaliyah had been in love with J’vion at one point in time, but the life style he lived was just too much. She had dreams that she wasn’t willing to give up for anyone, including, J’vion. She took the case that had been brought against him as her escape goat from him. She should have known a prison wasn’t going to keep him down for long and that it wasn’t going to stop him from coming back for what he thought was his.
Aaliyah closed her eyes. It felt as if she was going to pass out. Her breathing had gone from regular too shallow. She knew that I am King Scent from anywhere. “It can’t be.” She thought as she slowly opened her eyes. When she opened them was staring at J’vion. He had a devilish grin on his face, one that she was all too familiar with.
J’vion stood there showing off his million dollar smile. He was a handsome man standing at six feet even, with the sexiest caramel skin complexion, built chest, and muscular arms. Both his forearms were covered in tattoos. His piercing hazel brown eyes were hypnotizing and his cologne took over any room he stepped in announcing his presences before he was even seen.
He kept his fade cut low surrounded by neatly placed waves. It was as if he had taken his time placing each wave in the perfect spot. His swag was on a planet of its own. Today he was dressed in a form fitted Polo shirt with a pair of black Polo jeans that hung loosely off his ass revealing his boxers. On his feet sat a pair of Jordan’s that looked as if he had just taken them out of the box. The diamond studs sitting in each of his ears let Aaliyah know that he was back to making plenty money.
“I see you got the roses I sent you. What you don’t like them?” He asked walking further into her office. “Oh wait, you weren’t expecting to see me again,” he said taking a seat. “Surprise here I am.” He laughed.
Aaliyah wanted to speak, but her words were caught in her throat, as her body trembled. She had never been so scared in her life. “You still look good.” He said admiring her beauty.
“When did you get out?” She asked finally finding her voice.
“Does that really fuckin’ matter? I’m home.”
“What do you want from me?”
“Did you really just ask me that stupid ass question?” J’vion asked sitting up in his seat. “I want what belongs to me!” He yelled scaring the hell out of her.
“Did you break out of jail?” Aaliyah asked.
“Aaliyah, don’t be fuckin’ stupid. No I didn’t break out of jail.” J’vion said becoming annoyed. “You should know that there are always loop holes in cases like mine. Being that you are a high paid lawyer.” He grinned. Aaliyah now remembered why she no longer liked him. He was quick tempered and obsessive.
“Okay you said you want what belonged to you, so why are you here?”
“Aaliyah don’t play. I want my fuckin’ money you took. That belongs to me and so do you,” he said pointing his finger in her face.
“J’vion I don’t belong to anyone and as far as the money goes it was ours!” Aaliyah yelled.
“You said that it was ours?” He asked with a confused look on his face.
“Yes ours. J’vion you had me out there doing some unthinkable things. So yes I earned part of that money too, plus it went to good use.” She said sitting back in her seat finding a little courage and confidence in herself.
“I didn’t have you doing shit you didn’t wanna do. Bitch you were out there because you wanted to be. I didn’t hold no gun to ya fuckin’ head and tell you to do the shit you did,” he spat standing up. “Give me my shit!” He yelled banging his fist into her desk. “You got paid in full, remember? I paid yo ass in Gucci and Prada. You know that shit wasn’t cheap.” He said walking around her desk. Aaliyah tried to get up from her seat but he forced her back down. “Where are you going?” He asked as he began massaging her shoulders. She trembled under his touch. “Aaliyah, you didn’t miss me?” He asked as he inhaled the scent of her hair.
“No, I was hoping you would rot in that hell hole,” she replied. “Ouch, you’re hurting, me, J’vion.”
“What I remember is that you loved it rough,” he whispered in her ear grabbing a fist full of her hair and pulling her head back.
“Aaaahhh!” She screamed as his free hand slid down her chest. J’vion cupped her breast and squeezed. “Damn, they are still just as soft as I remembered.” He said as he ran his tongue up and down her ear.
Aaliyah tried to hold her tears back but she could no longer keep them bottled inside. They fell from her eyes at a steady pace. She knew she was about to get raped and there wasn’t a damn thing she could do about it.
“J’vion, I’ll give you your money back but that’s all I can offer you,” Aaliyah cried.
“What you’re milking another nigga now?” He asked letting her hair go, he turned her chair around to face him. Leaning over he licked her tears away as his hands slid down to her thighs. “Your skin is still soft as hell.” He said with his lips only inches away from hers.
“Milking niggas is something I never had to do,” she said.
J’vion opened her legs and slid his hands between her thighs. Aaliyah closed her legs as they stared into each other eyes all the while she trembled from fear.
“Open ya fuckin’ legs!” J’vion demanded as he ran his tongue across her lips.
“No!” Aaliyah yelled standing her ground. She tried getting up but he forced her back down into her leather chair. “Now you’re into raping bitches?” She asked holding
back the tears.
“Rape, I never had to rape a bitch. They always gave it up willingly,” he said. “You are enjoying this just as much as I am.”
“J’vion, I want you to leave now.”
“Why, we’re just getting started.” He said parting her legs again. He played with her pussy through her thong.
“Please stop,” she whispered as she looked away. Aaliyah was pissed with herself because she was enjoying the feeling.
“Do you really want me to stop?” He asked moving her thong to the side sliding one of his fingers inside. Aaliyah was dripping wet. She nodded her head yes as tears cascaded down her face. She just knew she needed to figure a way out of the current situation she was in, but she couldn’t think straight with J’vion’s fingers deep inside her. It had been so long since someone had given her pussy some attention, other than herself.
“Aaliyah, why are you crying?” He asked sliding another finger inside.
“Please just stop,” she whispered trying to hold the moans back.
“Baby girl let that shit go. You know you’re ready to bust all over a nigga hand,” J’vion said with a devilish grin on his face. “Oh wait you need a little motivation?” He asked picking her up from her seat and placing her on top of her desk. He took a seat and buried his face deep between her legs.
“Ooooo!” Aaliyah moaned throwing her head back and arching her back. “No!” She yelled as she pushed his head away. Did she want to bust a nut? Hell yeah, but J’vion wasn’t going to be the one to assist her with that. “J’vion, you have to go.” She said as she got herself together.
“Why, Aaliyah, your mouth is saying one thing and ya soaking wet pussy is tellin’ me another,” he said opening her legs back up and sliding two fingers deep inside. “Which one should I listen too?” He asked burying his face back between her thighs.
J’vion’s head game was on point, but it wasn’t anything she would lose her mind over. “Noooo!” Aaliyah screamed as she pushed his head from between her legs. “J’vion, you have to go.” She said climbing off her desk and getting herself together. Years ago she wouldn’t have been able to say no or walk away from him but he no longer excited or turned her on.