by Jazmyne
“Mom and dad would be so proud of you,” Adam said. “I probably got them turning over in their graves,” he finished.
“Adam, don’t talk like that. You know it’s never too late to turn your life around. I wanna help you, but I can’t help you if you aren’t ready to be helped,” Ace said.
“Don’t worry about me. Whatever is meant to happen to me will happen and that’s something neither of us can help or change,” Adam said as he walked off leaving his brother standing there. Adam stopped walking and turned to look at his brother. “Amir, I finally got myself together, but I still owe a few niggas from my past a lot of money.” He said walking off for good this time.
Ace sighed deeply as he watched his brother walk away. He put his mind back on the task at hand, protecting his family. Ace could tell that Adam had gotten himself cleaned up and he was proud of him, but something was telling him there was a motive to Adam’s visit today. What it was? He didn’t know and would find out sooner or later.
“Why didn’t you invite your brother in?” Aaliyah asked now standing behind Ace. “And I thought you said you lost him a long time ago?” She asked with a confused look on her face.
“I did. I lost Adam to drugs a long time ago,” he answered. “Adam is a problem I don’t need right now,” Ace answered. “As you already know my plate is piled.” He said walking back into the living room.
“But he said he needed your help,” Aaliyah said pressing the issue.
“Aaliyah, let that shit go,” Ace said becoming annoyed. “I haven’t seen or talked to Adam in years and out of nowhere he shows up on my door step asking for help. You don’t see anything funny about that?” He asked. Aaliyah shook her head. “Stop being so damn naïve,” Ace said while rolling a blunt.
“I think you’re being selfish,” Aaliyah said. Ace looked at her as if she had sprung two heads just that fast.
“Selfish?” He asked. “No I’m not. Aaliyah, I’m finally lookin’ out for my mothafuckin’ self. Since I was fifteen I have been lookin’ out for everyone but me,” Ace said pointing to himself. Fuck that bullshit. From here on out it’s about my girls and me.” He said pissed. Ace couldn’t believe she had just called him selfish. He got up to leave but stopped in his tracks and turned to face her once again. “If I was as selfish as you said I was I would have turned my fuckin’ back when I saw your ex whooping yo ass and I would have left you on the side of the highway. Now that’s what you call being selfish.” He said walking off.
Aaliyah was stuck; she didn’t mean to make him mad. She was only stating how she saw things. Aaliyah had no brothers or sisters and if she did she would never turn her back on them when they were asking for help. Aaliyah knew she had to stop putting her foot in her mouth when dealing with Ace. Ace was a man of many things but selfish and self-centered wasn’t anywhere on the list. “How could I let those words come out my mouth?” She thought shaking her head at her damn self. How could she? When he had opened his door and arms to her when she banged down his door after her ex tried doing God knows what to her. He could have told her to go to the police, but he had opened his home up to her and never once judged her or had anything smart to say about what she was going through.
Aaliyah wanted to go after Ace and apologize, but felt she needed to let him cool off for a while before she attempted to say anything else to him. She took a seat on the couch and sighed deeply. She didn’t want him mad at her at all. She got up and headed upstairs.
When Aaliyah got to Ace’s bedroom she found him lying in the middle of the bed smoking his blunt and flipping through the channels. She slowly made her way over to the bed and stood there unsure of what to say next. Before she could open her mouth to say anything Ace was waving his hand in the air to stop anything she was about to say.
“Aaliyah how many times I have to tell you to never apologize for something you said or did?” He asked. “I want you to always say what you mean and mean what you say, but some shit you just gotta let go.” He finished.
“I know and I do apologize for what I said downstairs. I really didn’t mean to upset you.” She said taking a seat on the end of the bed.
“Well you did and I took that shit to the heart. I’ve never been selfish especially when it came to my brother.” Ace said as he tapped the bed telling Aaliyah to climb onto the bed next to him. She did as she was told as Ace started telling her his life story.
Aaliyah didn’t know what to do or say when Ace was done telling her his life story. So she wrapped her arms around his neck and hugged him tight before she started telling him her life story. Aaliyah and Ace sat up half the night going back in forth with their stories. Before long Aaliyah was asleep on Ace’s chest while he laid wide awake staring up at the ceiling thinking about his life as his mind wandered from one thing to the next. He played out the many different scenarios in his head about how things could end if Sunshine was still alive.
Chapter 10
J’vion sat in the driver’s seat with his nigga in the passenger seat rolling up.
“What is it with you and this lawyer bitch?” Meek asked.
“Shawty left me when I needed her the most and I’ll never let her live that up,” J’vion answered sparking the blunt he had just finish rolling.
“Nigga, do you think it’s a good idea to fuck with her when she’s in the public’s eye and you’re trying to reclaim the streets?” Meek asked.
“Trying to?” J’vion asked while looking at Meek as if he had just disrespected him in the worst way ever, “These streets will belong to me again,” he assured blowing a cloud of smoke into the air. “And I’m not worried about, Aaliyah or her being in the public’s eyes. Fuck her and the public’s eye.” He finished looking out the window.
It had been a few days since she had spit in his face and kicked him in his nuts and he was still salty about it. J’vion cracked a small smile. Since he had known Aaliyah she had been a fighter and would do whatever it took to protect herself and that included protecting herself from him. J’vion had seen her put in work and never blinked twice about it.
“I’m just saying your focus needs to be on these streets and not some bitch you claim to be over,” Meek said.
TAP! TAP!
The tapping on the window drew his attention. J’vion looked up and rolled his window down. “Do I know you?” He asked.
“Nah but I know you,” he said. “Step out and let’s talk real quick.” He finished taking a step back. J’vion looked him up and down and wondered what the fuck they needed to talk about. He opened the door and stepped out.
“Yo, who the fuck is that nigga?” Meek asked with his gun now resting on his lap.
“I guess I’m about to find out,” J’vion said getting out of the car. “What’s up?” He asked as he finished smoking on his blunt.
“There’s a million dollar cash payout for you and I’m tryna see if you’re willing to double that.” He said.
J’vion let out a long whistle. “Damn, niggas want me gone that badly?” He asked.
“Check this shit out. I don’t give a fuck why he wants you dead,” he said. “I can turn yo ass in today or you can double up and walk away with ya life and with the name of the mothafucka who put the bounty on ya head.” He finished shrugging his shoulders. “You pick.”
“What if I say fuck you, the bounty on my head, and the mothafucka who put it on my head?” J’vion asked.
“Say it and find out.” He said as him and J’vion locked eyes both wearing try me smirks on their faces.
“How do I know what you’re saying is true?” J’vion asked breaking the silence that had taken place between the two. J’vion watched as he reached for his phone and punched in a number. He pressed the speaker button and the two listened to the phone ring.
“Tell me something good,” Ace answered on the third ring.
“I’m callin’ to see what you wan
t me to do. I got the drop on this nigga, J’vion and the call is on you,” he said looking at J’vion the entire time.
Ace looked at the phone on the other end. He never talked business over the phone and wasn’t about to start now. “Do what you feels need to be done,” he answered before disconnecting the call. J’vion knew who the voice on the other end belonged to, it caused him to grin.
“Is that enough proof for you?” Moony asked?
“And exactly what am I paying you for?” J’vion asked reaching in his pocket for a Newport.
“For ya life,” Moony answered straight up. “I’m sure your life is worth more than two million dollars.” He chuckled.
“When do you want the money?” J’vion asked.
“As soon as possible,” he answered. “And please don’t try any slick shit. Just as easy it was to find you here today; it will be easy to find you any other time.”
“Just as that nigga wanted me I want him,” J’vion said.
“Not a problem, it isn’t gonna be that hard to catch that nigga slipping,” Moony answered. “When I get half my money I’ll give you a name and advise you of the plans I have in store.” He finished as he turned to walk away.
“Hold the fuck up!” J’vion said stopping Moony from walking away. “What if I don’t agree with your plans?” He asked.
“I guess that would be a problem on your part,” Moony said shrugging his shoulders. “I’ll be in touch,” he said chucking up the deuces and walking off.
J’vion stood there watching Moony walking away. J’vion didn’t know Moony’s reasons for crossing Ace, who was the one who had put a million dollar bounty on his head and he really didn’t give a fuck. J’vion knew he would get what was coming to him sooner or later, even if he had to lay his ass out himself. J’vion jumped back into his ride and pulled off.
“What was that about?” Meek asked.
“Shit we’ll be finding out soon,” he answered.
J’vion had a pretty good idea as to why it was a million dollar bounty on his head. It caused him to smile. He had pissed off a lot of mothafuckas since he’s been home, did he care? Hell no! It only let him know that he had to move smarter and keep his ears to the streets at all times. Hell, maybe even sleep with one eye open whenever he decided to get any type of sleep.
*
Moony jumped back into his ride and pulled off with a big smile on his face. He was about to be two million dollars richer. Did he feel any type of way about selling, Ace out? Not one bit. Ace was his boy but money talked and that was the only thing he really cared for. Moony figured he could kill both their asses and leave three million dollars richer and no one would know what he had done or his part in any of it. What he didn’t know was that what was done in the dark always came to the light and his so called plan would blow up right in his face, if he didn’t die before anything went down.
*
Boog sat on the corner wishing he could have heard the entire conversation that had taken place between Moony and J’vion. What Boog knew was that it looked exactly what he thought it was. Moony had sold Ace out for a bigger payout. To say Boog was disgusted would be an understatement.
“What happened to the fuckin’ loyalty?” He thought shaking his head as he started his ride and pulled off.
Chapter 11
Ace opened his front door to find his brother, Adam standing there with a smile on his face.
“I know you told me to come back the other day, but I got caught up with some shit,” Adam said. “Can I?” He asked pointing into the house. Ace stepped to the side so that Adam could walk inside. Ace noticed how much Adam had cleaned up, he was dressed like Ace something he never did. Growing up both men had their own style and dressing alike was something they never did. Ace didn’t speak on it, but he took it all in.
“I’m sure you did,” Ace said closing the door behind them before walking to the kitchen.
“How are my nieces?” Adam asked looking around.
“They’re great, what can I help you with?” Ace asked getting down to business.
“I know you aren’t feeling me too tough right now and you have doubts but, Ace, I really need help,” Adam lied. “I owe this nigga money from way back and he’s back to collect. Only thing is I don’t have the money I owe. I have to pay double of what I owe or in blood and I really don’t have anyone else to turn to,” he said.
Ace sighed, “Adam, how much do you owe this man?”
“100 grand,” Adam said. “Come on, Ace I know you got that sitting around growing gray hairs on it.”
“You don’t know shit!” Ace yelled banging his fist on the counter top. “How the fuck is you in debt for 100 fuckin’ grand?” He asked with a raised eye brow.
“Man drugs aren’t cheap and debt isn’t cheap either. Ace you know that. You were selling the same shit I was smoking at one fuckin’ point!” Adam yelled.
“That’s the fuckin’ difference, Adam! I sold that shit not smoked it, and I don’t owe anybody anything you do,” Ace said.
“I don’t have time for this back and forth shit between us two. Are you goin’ to help me or what?” Adam asked. Ace ran his hands over his waves.
“I can’t-“
“What you mean you can’t?” Adam asked cutting Ace off.
“Like I said I can’t,” Ace stated calmly. “I have other important shit to worry about. You got yourself in debt and I’m sure you’ll get yourself out of it.”
“What’s so important that you can’t look out for your brother? Your twin fuckin’ brother?!” Adam yelled.
“Yo Adam lower ya fuckin’ voice. I didn’t raise my voice at you not once,” Ace said looking his brother into his eyes. “My daughters are important.” He answered.
“Man, fuck those little bitches-“
“What the fuck did you just say?” Ace asked as he hemmed Adam against the wall with his hand wrapped tightly around his neck. “Adam, what the fuck did you just say? Fuck who?” Ace asked putting his ear close to Adam’s mouth. “I know you didn’t say what I think you said, so repeat ya fuckin’ self!” He yelled as he squeezed tighter. Adam’s eyes grew bigger as he fought against Ace’s powerful grip.
“Speak up mothafucka I can’t hear you!” Ace yelled. “Don’t you ever and I mean ever disrespect my babies again,” Ace gritted through clenched teeth. Ace released his grip from around his brother’s neck before he passed out.
Adam grabbed at his neck as he sucked in as much air as his lungs would allow him to do. The fire he saw dancing in his brother’s eyes had him rethinking what he had planned altogether. Anyone who knew Ace knew he could be deadly if you pushed the right buttons.
“Adam, get up and get the fuck out my house and I don’t wanna see you again,” Ace warned.
“Amir that’s fucked up, I’m your brother!” Adam yelled.
“Get the fuck out now!” Ace yelled pointing to the door.
“Ace, just know that karma is a bitch,” Adam said as he picked himself up and headed for the door.
“Ain’t she though? That bitch vicious as hell!”
“Daddy,” Savanna said grabbing both Ace and Adam’s attention. They both looked at her at the same time. For some strange reason Adam had the urge to kick her as hard as he could, but knew he would die if he attempted to harm her in any way.
“Adam, whatever you’re thinking you better let that shit fly because if you dare try harming my babies in anyway the law itself won’t be able to stop me from beating you to death with my bare hands,” Ace warned.
Adam looked back at his brother and the look on his face let him know he meant every word he had spoken. The way Ace’s voice bounced off the walls and how he spoke with so much base had Adam a little nervous to move. He didn’t want to seem like he was making the wrong move and Ace whoop his ass.
“Hi!” Savanna said smiling
and waving at Adam.
Adam didn’t breathe another word as he stormed out the front door and slammed the door behind him.
“Daddy can I have some apple juice, please?” Savanna asked as she skipped into the kitchen. Ace laughed as he watched her ponytails bounce up and down.
“What is your sister doing?” Ace asked going into the refrigerator.
“She’s watching cartoons, are you going to come watch it with us?” She asked jumping up and down.
Yes,” Ace answered as he handed her the cup of juice he had just poured for her. He sat the juice on the counter and grabbed the other cup he had poured for Serenity and they headed to the living room hand in hand.
Ace watched as Savanna ran into the living room and took her place next to her sister in front of the TV. He handed Serenity her cup before taking his seat on the couch behind them. Dora was what they were watching.
*
Aaliyah had won her last case and decided to take a leave of absence from work. She could hardly focus on the cases she had and that was bad for business. J’vion had become a pain in her ass. Aaliyah knew the only way to get rid of him was to kill him and she had no problem doing just that. She had paid him what she owed and he was still harassing her.
Aaliyah smiled when Ace came to mind. He had been nothing but good to her and she loved him and his girls. Ace was doing the damn thing in raising his girls. They were smart, respectful, sweet, and very entertaining. Which got Aaliyah to thinking and wondering, if she and Ace had a baby who would it look like or would their baby share their features equally? The times she shared with Serenity and Savanna often had her wondering what kind of parent she would be. Aaliyah knew it wasn’t a good time to bring up her and Ace’s relationship status but she wanted to know where they stood.