by Jazmyne
“Hold up!” Moony said getting up from his seat and following Ace out the door. “What’s ya beef with, J’vion?” He asked when he caught up to Ace.
Ace ran the story down to Moony as they stood in the parking lot.
“It ain’t gonna be easy getting that nigga. He’s sneakier than a fuckin’ snake,” Moony said.
“I never said it was gonna be easy, which is why I put a bounty on his head and it’s more ways than one to catch a snake isn’t it?” Ace asked. “You know my math keep in touch.” He said jumping into his ride.
Moony watched as Ace pulled off before heading back inside to get his grub on. Moony laughed while shaking his head. Ace had always had that cool demeanor and never sweated under pressure or showed what he was really feeling inside. That’s what always separated him from everyone else and made him a great leader in the streets. Both old and young niggas looked up and respected him.
“You can take a nigga out the streets but you can’t take the streets out of a nigga.” Moony thought as he walked back inside.
*
“Answer me damn it!” Sunshine yelled as she banged on the room door. “I know you’re out there.” She said. “All I wanna know is why are you doing this? Ace didn’t do anything to deserve this and neither did I or my daughters,” she cried. “If you wanna hurt me continue to do so but please leave my babies out of it!” She screamed banging on the door nonstop.
Sunshine heard the locks being messed with and took a step back. When the door opened she came face to face with a familiar face, one she knew all too well. Sunshine looked in his face and despite him being a handsome man; the hate sitting in her heart wouldn’t let her admire his good looks. To Sunshine there wasn’t anything attractive about the man standing in front of her. She wasn’t saying that he was an ugly man because he wasn’t. He had a pair of the sexiest brown eyes and the smoothest dark-brown skin, “Are you hungry?” He asked.
“Please tell me why you are doing this?”
“Are you hungry?” He asked again while eyeing Sunshine. She was indeed hungry but food wasn’t something she wanted. She wanted to be home with her daughters and husband where she belonged.
He walked into the room and took a seat on the bed. Sunshine wanted to run, but her legs wouldn’t go along with her racing heart. She knew she wouldn’t get far and the ass whooping she would get for trying to run wasn’t something she wanted to receive.
“After three years of being with me you still don’t love me,” He said shaking his head.
“Hell no and I never will. I love Ace! We are married with fuckin’ kids!” She screamed.
“You still love that mothafucka and he done forgot all about you, he moved on and is living happily ever after with the next bitch and your daughters!” He said getting in Sunshine’s face. “He started a new family with your daughters and you’re nothing but a distant memory for him. He’s fuckin’ happy!” He said.
“It doesn’t matter as long as he’s happy. That still isn’t gonna make me love you because I don’t and never will. This bullshit you are pulling only caused me to hate you more,” Sunshine said. “It’s one thing to hate me and Ace but for you to involve my daughters? The same man who looked after you when your father died, the same man who would give his life for you, the same mothafuckin’ man who was out bodying any mothafucka he thought was disrespecting you because of your drug problem. The same mothafuckin’ man who would go to prison for you, you go behind his back and do some shit like this?” Sunshine asked pissed off.
Fuck Ace, fuck you, and fuck those bitch ass daughters y’all got!” He yelled. “That nigga world is about to come crumbling down all around him.” He said before storming out the room.
“It doesn’t matter what you do, you will never be, Ace!” Sunshine yelled. She knew she needed to find a way out. She couldn’t sit around and do nothing. Her life depended on it and so did Ace and her daughters.
Sunshine had been through hell and back for the last three years only confirming just how strong she was. She knew if she could withstand what she and Ace had gone through in these streets and survive being held captured for three years she could survive anything that was being thrown her way. Sunshine needed to come up with a plan, even if it only meant her calling Ace and warning him, at least she could say she did something.
Chapter 9
Aaliyah was worn out from the events in her personal life. She just wanted it all to be over with but knew that it was only the beginning. The outcome of all the drama that had quickly filled her life had her wondering. J’vion had been playing on her phone. He would call and hang up or send dead roses to her office and her home. Aaliyah was a little shook, but she wasn’t going to let him put fear in her heart or stop her from living her life.
“I need for you to be all the way into this case,” her client whispered in her ear. She was sitting in court in the middle of a trail and had zoned out. Aaliyah knew she should have turned the case over to another lawyer, but felt in her heart she could win the case. She had won many cases worse than this one. Her client was being charged with murder, with no evidence, and a junkie for a witness. Aaliyah knew the prosecutor had nothing.
“I’m sorry about that, it won’t happen again,” she said as she tried to focus, but her mind was everywhere.
The front she tried to put on was becoming overwhelming. She had been looking over her shoulders everywhere she went, sleeping with one eye open, and her gun under her pillow.
“Let’s pick this back up tomorrow morning at 9 am sharp,” the judge said as he banged his gavel. Aaliyah had a few words with her client before they escorted him back to the holding cell, where he would be until they transported him back to the jail. Aaliyah gathered her things and headed out.
“You know you and your client should have just taken the deal, right?” The prosecutor asked as they walked out the court room.
Aaliyah smiled.
“You know you shouldn’t have taken this case, right?” She asked. “Another loss under your belt how does that look?” She asked as she continued walking. “I’ll see you in the morning, good luck!” She called over her shoulders.
As soon as Aaliyah stepped out of the court building she reached into the purse and powered on her phone. She had a long day and all she wanted to do was hear, Ace’s voice. She dialed his number and waited for him to answer as she walked to her car.
“Talk to me baby,” Ace answered his phone. Aaliyah smiled.
“I just wanted to hear your voice,” she said as she got into her car.
“How was your day?” He asked.
“Long and drawn out,” she laughed. “How are the girls?”
“They are good. They got me watching cartoons and painting their nails,” Ace laughed.
“Aww, how cute,” Aaliyah said.
“You should come over,” Ace said.
“I’ll be over as soon as I get a few things from the house,” she told him. “See you soon,” she said getting ready to hang up.
“A’ight be safe ma and call me if you need me,” Ace said before the line went dead.
Aaliyah pulled into her driveway in no time. She wanted to grab a few things for court tomorrow and a change of clothes before she headed over to Ace’s place.
Aaliyah let herself inside and knew something wasn’t right. The smell of weed filled the air.
She rushed into the living where the TV was blasting and found J’vion and a few of his niggas smoking and watching rap battles on YouTube. “How did you get in my home?” Aaliyah asked as she snatched the remote off the table and turned the TV off.
“I came to collect what’s mine,” J’vion answered blowing smoke in her direction, totally ignoring her question.
“J’vion when I give you this money, will you leave me and Ace the hell alone?” She asked as she went to get th
e duffle bag full with money. She returned moments later and tossed two bags to him. “Now get the fuck out my house,” she said.
J’vion got up and walked her way. He grabbed her and forced her upstairs to her room. Aaliyah fought against his strong grip, but she was no match for him.
“Get off me!” She yelled.
“Shut the fuck up!” He gritted through clenched teeth as he threw her back against the wall.
Aaliyah’s heart pounded loudly in her chest. J’vion grabbed her by her neck and forced her to look him in the eyes. Aaliyah hawked up as much saliva as she could and spit it in his face. She had never done anything like that before and was disgusted with herself, but she wanted to show him just how much she disliked him and how much respect she didn’t have for him. Was she scared? Hell yeah, but she wasn’t going to let him know that.
J’vion looked her in her face to see if she had really did the unthinkable as he wiped her spit from his face. He laughed as he turned his back on her; before Aaliyah could react he had turned back around and smacked the shit out of her.
“Aahh!” Aaliyah screamed as she hit the floor holding her burning cheek. J’vion had hit her so damn hard she was seeing stars, and her lip had been split open. She could taste the warm blood. Aaliyah mind raced as she thought on how she could get to her gun stashed in the top draw of her nightstand or the one in her shoe box at the top of her closet, because either one she got to, she was going to blow J’vion’s head off.
J’vion stood over her like he was some powerful man. “I hate that fuckin’ smirk.” She thought as she kicked him in his nuts with as much power as she could muster up.
“Aahh shit!” J’vion yelled as he grabbed at his nuts. Aaliyah then kicked him in his face sending him into the floor where she laid. She felt weak, but knew this was her only chance at getting out alive. She forced herself to get up off the floor, her legs felt weak and felt as if they would give out on her with each step she took, but she was determined to get out. She had to hold onto the banister for support or she would have gone tumbling down every step.
Aaliyah prayed that none of his friends decided to get in the middle of what her and J’vion had going on, because she knew if they did she wasn’t making it out. Aaliyah made it to the bottom of the steps and could hear the TV blasting even louder than when she had first walked in.
She slipped out of the only shoe she had on and tip toed to the door. On her way out the door she peeked her head into the living room to find everyone eyes glued to the TV and she thanked God for that as she opened the door and ran out leaving it wide open. Aaliyah jumped into her car, locked the doors, and reached into the glove compartment, where she kept a spare key. She started the car and pulled off.
*
Aaliyah drove around unsure of where to go and what to do. She had left her purse, money, and bankcards back at the house. Tears clouded her vision; she didn’t know what she had done to endure what she was going through. She had paid J’vion his money only for him to continue fucking with her. Aaliyah knew she could call Ace, hell he had told her to, if she needed him. Did she need him now? Yes, but she refused to involve him when he had a plate full of his own bullshit to deal with and he had two girls to take care of. She didn’t know what she’ll do if something was to happen to Ace because of her.
Aaliyah drove around Hampton until night had fallen. It had begun to rain. The lightning and thunder along with the hard pouring rain definitely matched her mood. She still wasn’t ready to call Ace, but didn’t have a choice. She had been crying most of the time. Aaliyah wiped her eyes as she made a U-turn and headed to Ace’s house.
*
Aaliyah banged on Ace front door.
“Hold up!” Ace said on the other side of the door. “Who is it?” He asked.
“It’s me,” Aaliyah whispered. Ace opened the door to find her soaking wet and crying.
“What happened? I’ve been calling your phone for over an hour,” Ace said as he pulled her into the house. Aaliyah wrapped her arms around his back and cried. Aaliyah could barely talk. Ace closed the door and pulled her into the living room.
“Daddy, what’s that matter with, Aaliyah?” Savanna asked.
“You have to protect her, like you protect us,” Serenity said as she got up running over to Ace and Aaliyah hugging their legs.
“Yes daddy, you can’t let anything bad happen to Aaliyah,” Savanna said as she joined in on the hug. Aaliyah broke down even more.
“Savanna and Serenity go get ready for bed while I figure out what’s wrong with Aaliyah,” Ace said.
“Aww man, daddy do we have to go to bed?” Serenity asked.
“Yes, now go,” Ace said pointing towards the stairs. Ace watched his girls run up the stairs going back and forth with each other. “Come on so that I can get you out of these wet clothes,” he said to Aaliyah as he carried her upstairs while she continued to cry on his chest.
When Ace made it to the bedroom he sat Aaliyah on the bed and began peeling her out of the wet clothes she had on. He got on his knees so that he could look her in her eyes.
“What happened?” He asked holding her face in the palm of his hands as he wiped her tears away.
“When I got home he was sitting in my home with his boys. I gave him his money and he forced me to my room. I spit in his face and he slapped me in mine.” Aaliyah answered.
“Why didn’t you fuckin’ call me?” Ace asked a little pissed off.
“I couldn’t and I didn’t want to. Amir you’re already dealing with shit and I don’t feel its right to add my bullshit to what you already have going on.” Aaliyah admitted.
“Damn it, Aaliyah, I already told you I got you!”
“Amir, that would be selfish of me to ask you to protect me when you have two little girls who need you,” Aaliyah said getting up from the bed. “I made my bed and now it’s time for me to lie in it.”
The knock on the bedroom door stopped Ace from speaking. “Daddy, are you going to tuck us in?” Serenity asked as she eased the door open. Ace and Aaliyah looked at her as she rubbed her sleepy eyes while she held her teddy bear tightly in her arms.
“Amir go, we can talk later,” Aaliyah said as she looked at Serenity and smiled.
“I’ll be back as soon as they fall asleep.” He said making his way to the door. He picked Serenity up and carried her to her bedroom.
“Goodnight Aaliyah,” she said waving.
“Goodnight baby,” Aaliyah replied sitting on the bed.
Aaliyah found one of Ace’s tank tops and put it on before she headed downstairs.
Aaliyah sat in the living, listening to Ace laugh and joke with his daughters. Aaliyah’s mind then went to J’vion as she admired the family pictures Ace had sitting around his living room, once again.
Aaliyah grabbed the picture of Ace, his father, and his brother. All three men could pass for triplets.
“My bad, I didn’t expect them to take forever to fall asleep,” Ace said as he walked into the living room.
“You are fine,” Aaliyah said as she watched him remove his shirt. She stared at him with lust in her eyes. Ace was handsome as hell; he was someone she could stare at all day as if he was a fine piece of artwork sitting in a gallery waiting for someone to take home.
“Can I ask you something?” Aaliyah asked.
“What’s up?” Ace asked taking a seat while lighting his blunt.
“Why don’t you talk about your brother?” Aaliyah asked holding up the picture of all three men. “I mean it’s like he didn’t exist or something.”
“Like I told you before I lost my brother a long time ago. It isn’t that he didn’t or doesn’t exist, he doesn’t want shit to do with me.” Ace answered as he shrugged his shoulders.
“Why?” Ace shrugged his shoulders.
“That’s somet
hing I have always wondered.”
There was a knock on the door. Ace got up to answer the door. When he opened the door he came face to face with his twin brother, Adam.
“We need to talk,” Adam said as he walked around Ace without being invited inside and closed the door behind him.
“Adam, I don’t have time for you or your bullshit. I have things to do,” Ace said as he opened the door.
Ace loved his brother with every fiber of his body but Adam was a sad excuse of a man. He drunk his life away and didn’t have any get up about him. When he showed his face it only meant he was in some type of trouble and needed Ace to get him out of it. Yes they were twins but they had nothing in common other than the same face and the same blood running through their veins.
“So you’re just goin’ to turn your back on me?” Adam asked.
“No, but I’m sick of this shit. Every time you show your face there’s a reason. A reason I really don’t care for,” Ace said turning to look his brother in his eyes. The same eyes they shared. “I have offered to help you time and time again only for you to turn my help down.”
“Amir, I really need your help. I messed up big this time,” Adam said with pleading eyes.
“Adam, you mess up big every time you show up on my fuckin’ door step,” Ace said rubbing his forehead. He could feel the headache coming on.
“Can you at least hear me out?” Adam asked. Ace looked down at his watch as if he had somewhere else to be. Ace wanted to say no but knew he couldn’t turn his back on his brother. After all, Adam was all the family, Ace had besides his daughters.
“Come back to my house tomorrow night around six and we’ll talk than,” Ace said grabbing the door handle again. “Let’s go,” he said holding the door open for his brother. Yeah they were brothers but Adam was an alcoholic crack head. They stood at the door quietly staring at each other. Ace stared at his brother trying to figure out where his brother had gone wrong. Adam was just as smart as Ace and a few years ago they could have been partners in crime in an illegal business Ace had built from the ground up. But he noticed the signs early that his brother was using. At first he wanted to deny it, but how could he when he was supplying the same shit his brother was smoking. He offered to get Adam help time and time again only to be turned down. He didn’t give up on his brother; he just knew he couldn’t help someone who wasn’t ready to be helped.