by Nene Capri
“I love you, Wise,” KoKo said. She grabbed him by the back of his head and pulled it to her waist. Wise wrapped his arms around KoKo like she was his mother and cried.
“I’m sorry,” he repeated.
KoKo stood over him and allowed him to release the guilt plaguing his soul. “I’m sorry, too,” KoKo confessed as a single tear streamed from her eye. Before the tear reached the bottom of her chin, she put the gun to his head and ended what was left of his life. Wise fell back, arms stretched out, and legs to the side. KoKo took a deep breath as more tears threatened to leave her eyes. She held back as she remembered she had one more kill to make. KoKo stepped over Wise, heading for the door where Asia had went moments ago.
When she opened the door, Asia lay slumped over in the bed with a rubberband tied around her arm and needle in her hand. Foam oozed out of her mouth. KoKo moved to her side and felt her neck. There was no pulse.
“Shit. Better safe than sorry,” KoKo said, putting two in her head. She scanned the room with a quick eye. A phone sat next to a small stack of money and a little bag of brown powder. She grabbed the phone figuring it may have a few clues on it and then she moved out just as quietly as she entered.
When KoKo got to her car, she threw it in drive and peeled out, heading toward I-95. She needed to get back up top as soon as possible to get with the crew and start her killing session.
You Ain’t Going to Believe this Shit…
KoKo rode in her car thinking about what Baseem had revealed, and the fact that she had just took Wise’s life. Then she started putting together a plan. First, she had to send Zori into the prison and then set things into motion. She was sick at the thought that Aldeen was in bed with some Cali niggas, and to what extent? She had him down in Virginia letting him run his shit without a lot of interference. But was her leniency producing disloyalty, or was this muthafucka already a snake?
As she continued to ride, her mind went from event to event, and anger rose up in her gut. Then she flashed back to the night Kayson got killed. Her mind set on every face in the crowd and how distraught Aldeen was. To find out he may be one of the major players caused her to feel sick. Knowing that the closest ones to her were the ones to betray her made her heart cold. Revenge was an understatement to describe what she was going to do when she found out who set all the shit in motion. Then her phone rang. She started not to answer, but saw that it was Gwen from Cali. She hit the speaker button on the steering wheel and said, “Hello?”
“Hey KoKo,” Gwen’s voice came blaring through the speakers.
“What’s up, ma?” KoKo wasn’t really in the mood for Gwen’s hyper personality, but she figured she’d listen for two minutes.
“Girl, you ain’t going to believe what I just witnessed.”
KoKo sat straight up in her seat. Gwen now had all her attention. “What?”
“Well, let me start from the beginning. You know Thursday is my massage and kitty lick day.”
“I don’t need that part,” KoKo quickly shot back.
Gwen laughed. “My bad. Anyway, I was standing in the lobby of the hotel chopping it up with my girl at the reception desk. So we in the middle of our conversation when this bitch walks up and plops her bag on the counter with major attitude trying to pay her little bill or whatever. It was something about her. I looked at her, ready to check the bitch, ‘cause you know I don’t play that shit. And just as I was about to go in, I looked the bitch up and down giving her a checklist. She had that out of town look. The chick was on point, but that wasn’t what stopped a bitch in her tracks.”
KoKo was listening with both ears. “Yeah and?”
“I looked at her wrist and she was wearing one of those watches that the wives of your lieutenants’ wear.”
“Bitch, get to the point?” KoKo was very familiar with the watch. She handpicked each one, but she was ready to scream because this bitch could never get to the damn point.
“’A’ight, damn. I don’t want you to miss shit. Anyway, the bitch paid then threw her little bag over her shoulder and headed to the door. I turned to see where the bitch was going and what I saw next almost made a bitch faint.”
“Gwen!” KoKo yelled into the phone. Gwen started rambling information off in high speed.
“Giiirrrll. She was with Aldeen. They had bags and shit—holding hands and snuggling and kissing. They stood there waiting for their car, I assumed. So I quickly turned to my girl and said, ‘Who is that bitch?’ She talked with no coercion. She said that she had been coming there for over a year with the same guy. They spend a week or so every month, and drop a couple grand. She really don’t leave the room much except to shop, and she comes right back. But he comes and goes all hours of the night. So I was like, ‘Pull that bitch up, so I can see who she is.’ And when she said ‘Vanessa’ I almost lost it. When I turned around again, they had stepped out the door and were loading the car with the bags. I slid out the door, got a cab, and followed them. And guess where they pulled up?”
KoKo waited for the other shoe to drop. “Those projects Terrance used to hang out at,” Gwen finally said.
KoKo’s head started swimming. It couldn’t have been. What the fuck was Aldeen doing in Cali? And fucking Wise’s wife? It had been going on for over a year nonetheless, and then they pulled into where Terrance used to hustle. “A’ight Gwen, good looking. I’ll see you in a couple days. Check your account tomorrow morning.”
“A’ight boss. Try to enjoy the rest of your day.” They hung up. Gwen was smiling from ear to ear. She loved it when she could stun KoKo with good information, and her bank account loved it too.
KoKo gripped the steering wheel as she drove in silence. Anger rose in her gut as all the information began to process in her mind. By the time she pulled up to her driveway the anger had turned into rage. Somebody’s ass was about to die.
-35-
Rest in Peace
KoKo stood in the back of the funeral parlor up against the wall with Night and Savage. Posted outside were three cars of security strategically placed just in case niggas wanted to act up. She watched as people piled in and went to the casket and falling to their knees crying, and his mother periodically yelling out, “Not my baby!” while most others just sat around watching the show.
KoKo thought, Where were all these fake ass nigga’s when he was sucking that glass ass? It always puzzled her how a nigga can’t show you love until you don’t even know that they giving it to you. You could spend years with people and never hear I love you, but when you going into the dirt, niggas got mad loyalty. “Ain’t that a bitch?” she mumbled and prepared for the wait. Everything was going well until she heard, “Haaay, KoKo.” One of Wise’s ex-girlfriends came up to her, giving her a fake ass hug.
KoKo looked her up and down. What the fuck she got on? This bitch at a funeral dressed like she going to the club. Tight ass dress all up her ass. Big ass shades and shit. “What’s up?” KoKo asked as she returned the greeting.
“I’m holding up. You all right? I know how much you loved your brother.”
“I’m maintaining. Go ahead and get you a seat. Niggas pouring up in here like it’s free before eleven.” KoKo faked a smile.
“All right. If you need me I’m here.”
KoKo nodded. As the woman turned, KoKo gave her a disgruntled stare. Her nostrils flared. What the fuck she got that I need? This is the same bitch that killed four of his babies, and she got the nerve to come up in here like she the first lady. Bitch please!
Night glanced all around waiting for the man of the hour, and his patience would pay off. When he looked up, Aldeen entered with Wise’s wife, Vanessa on his arm like he was comforting her. She walked a few paces and halted like each step was painful. She looked down the aisle at the coffin and went to her knees. KoKo wanted to hand that bitch an Oscar.
“Get the fuck outta here!” KoKo said in disbelief, unable to hold it in. She looked on as Night’s lips twisted to the side. Savage just put his head down. H
e wanted to burst out laughing, but he didn’t want to have to smack anybody if they said something.
Aldeen helped her back to her feet as her legs wobbled. He walked her to the front and sat her next to Wise’s mother. She hugged her tight, crying hard and saying “why” over and over. Aldeen stood there for a minute rubbing and patting her back. He whispered in her ear and then walked back toward KoKo.
“Damn, that was the realest nigga,” he said as he leaned in and hugged KoKo. She hugged him back as the surge of heat coursed through her veins. She wanted to make that shit a two for one and lay his ass right next to Wise, but she needed to remain calm, so she could collect the rest of the pieces.
“How you been?” KoKo asked, searching his face for guilt and deception.
“Feel like I lost my left arm,” he responded, avoiding eye contact.
KoKo thought carefully before she spoke her next words. “He will be missed.” She said the only civil words she could muster. Then she went straight to business. “I need to see you tonight.”
Aldeen looked up, trying to formulate an excuse. “Well, I was going to try and get back down that way. I don’t want niggas to get outta pocket now that Wise is gone. You know how that is?”
“Oh, you ain’t got to worry about that. I already sent a crew down. So I’ll see you at 10 p.m. at my office,” she said and then turned the conversation to Night. “Stay with him until it’s time.” She gave Night a look and then walked off headed toward Wise’s mother.
When she arrived at her side, she placed a hand on her shoulder. The heart-broken mother looked up with watery eyes. “Anything you need you just call me,” KoKo said.
“Thank you, sweetheart.” She took KoKo’s hand and rubbed it against her face. “He loved you,” she stated. KoKo stood there hearing her words, but feeling no validity in them. For KoKo, this was only a formality. The Wise she knew had died years ago.
*****
Later that night KoKo had Night bring Aldeen to the pool hall. When Aldeen walked into the dimly lit back room, his heart seemed to beat outside his chest. Savage, Mugsy, and Chucky were all posted up, and he could see death in their eyes. KoKo sat comfortably at a small table in the center of the room.
“What’s up, sis?” Aldeen said as he walked to her and bent over to kiss her forehead.
“Just checking my traps,” she responded. “Take a seat.”
Aldeen sat down as he continued to look around the room at the stone faces staring back at him. Night dragged a chair over to them and sat it down hard. Aldeen jumped at the sound.
“Fuck you jumping for, nigga? You nervous?”
“What the fuck I gotta be nervous about?”
Night didn’t respond. He just stared at him.
KoKo pulled out a blunt, lit it up, and passed it to Aldeen.
“So what you got for me?”
“What you mean?” he asked, taking a deep inhale.
“You mean to tell me your brother just got killed and you don’t have that city in an uproar?”
Aldeen passed the blunt back as he searched his mind for an answer. Spit developed in his mouth as he could feel heat coming from Night’s eyes as he glared at the side of Aldeen’s face. “You know how it is. I got my eyes and ears out there. But that ain’t our town. ’It’s going to take a minute before shit come to the surface,” he nervously stated.
“No, I don’t know how it is. Because when I want to know something I find out,” she said, looking in his eyes and pulling hard on the blunt.
“You have my word. When I get back I’ma find out everything.”
“Yeah, you do that.” KoKo grabbed a bag from under the table and passed it to Aldeen.
“What’s this?” He opened it and looked inside. His eyes bucked when he saw the stacks of money. “What’s this for?” he asked, puzzled at the amount.
“Just a little something. Ain’t nothing.”
Aldeen looked up at KoKo and a calm came over him. In his mind, he was over. She hadn’t brought out any of his skeletons, and she gave him a grip. He grinned. “You know I’ma turn this shit over and have your cut in no time,” he said, full of pride.
“Take your time. I trust you,” she said without changing her facial expression. “If there’s nothing else, you can leave.”
Aldeen stood and turned his back as he prepared to leave. “I’ll hit you when I get back down bottom.”
“Aldeen.” He turned back in her direction. “You don’t have nothing to tell me? Nothing at all?”
Aldeen blinked and clutched the bag tightly. He swallowed hard before saying, “Nah. I ain’t got nothing.”
“Okay. Work with that team I set up. I’ll be in touch.” She rose to her feet.
“A’ight.” He gave her a half hug and was out.
“Why you let that nigga go, KoKo?” Savage asked, apparently agitated.
“Be patient, Savage. I got this. I learned if you want to catch your prey you have to carefully bait the hook.” She walked toward the door. Savage smiled. He had to respect her gangsta.
Counseling…
“Baseem, you have a pass to see the counselor,” the guard said into the cell.
“A’ight,” Bassem said as he got up and took a look in the mirror and then headed out his cell. As he walked down the long hall heading toward the offices, he tried to imagine what KoKo had set up for him. When he got to the area of offices, he looked for the door with her name on it. Taking a seat in the chair right outside the door, he watched different counselors call other inmates who were waiting their turn.
“Benton?” Zori called out while standing in the door of her office. Baseem rose from his seat and headed in her direction, taking note of her knee-length fitted tan skirt, white silky sheer blouse, and tan four-inch heels. “Have a seat please.” She went to her desk and sat down. “I’m Mrs. Hamilton. You were reassigned to me, so you will need to update your file and I will need to see you at least twice a week to familiarize myself with your case,” she stated while looking down at the folder.
Baseem saw her mouth moving but focused on the plumpness of her breasts and how they sat up in her blouse. She looked up from his file as he brought his eyes up to meet her eyes.
“What were you saying?” he asked smoothly.
Zori smiled and her pretty white teeth emerged between a pair of lips that looked suckable. Zori walked to the door, gave the lieutenant ‘the look’ and then closed the door. She came and stood by Baseem. His eyes met her waist and wandered all over her curves.
“Turn around,” he instructed.
Zori twirled around and Baseem’s eyes rested on her fat ass. His dick came to full attention. He grabbed her by the waist and sat her up on the desk. Wasting no time, he unzipped his pants and stood between her silky thighs. Zori began kissing and sucking his lips. Baseem reached under her skirt and pulled her panties from under her butt and then down her legs until they hit the floor.
Zori broke the kiss to say, “KoKo told me to give it to you however you want it.” She lightly bit her bottom lip and looked at him with glossy eyes.
“I need you to make sure you break that nigga. We need Curt talking.” Baseem began to coach Zori about her mission, as he planted tender kisses on her lips and neck.
“Yess . . .” she moaned as his hands roamed up her skirt, finding their way to her wetness. When his fingers slid deep inside her, she gripped him tight.
“You have one month. Then you gotta kill ‘im,” he said as he placed the head of his dick at her opening.
“Yess . . .” she moaned as he began to part her lips with that steel. “Let me make you cum,” she whined as he eased in deeper.
“Handle your business,” he said and pushed himself all the way inside her.
With that, the conversation was done. Baseem struggled to hold back as her tight walls careesed every inch of him. Her wetness was damn near crippling. He wanted to enjoy it, but knowing his time was limited, he went in deep and stroked fast. Breathing heavily and sq
ueezing her ass tight, he hit the bottom until he busted long and hard. He leaned up against her, out of breath and satisfied. Zori held him tight in her arms. Baseem took in all that sexy for a few more minutes. He then slid out of her wetness and put his dick back in his pants and fixed his clothes. “You said twice a week, right?”
“Yes.” She looked at him with starry eyes.
“Keep it right for me.” He backed up and then turned toward the door. Zori eased off the desk, bent over, and picked up her panties. She stood up and crossed her legs at the ankle to keep Baseem’s warm seed from flowing down her leg. With the first part of her mission complete, she watched this big, black sexy man walk out her door, and all she could say was, “Damn.”
-36-
Long Over Due
Boa had been deep in the streets making some serious moves. His crew was tight and held shit down, giving him the opportunity to make some major moves. In the last couple weeks, KoKo had put him in charge of all street level business in all five boroughs. Niggas were a little resistant, but Boa was not to be fucked with. Mugsy, Chucky, and Boa were putting the city in a chokehold, making firm examples out of any opposition and forcing niggas to get in line. Once Boa settled in his apartment, he sat on the couch and grabbed the remote. Turning on the television, he then grabbed his cell phone to check on KoKo.
“Hello.”
“Hey beautiful.”
“Hey Boa.”
“You miss me?” he asked.
“Not really.”
“Oh, it’s like that?” he said and then chuckled.
“What’s up, Boa?”
“I need you in my bed tonight.” Boa got right to the point.
“Is that right?”
“Hell yeah. I was talking to little Boa today, and the little nigga was getting hostile wondering why he hasn’t been able to get between those chocolate thighs.”
KoKo was silent. “Yeah, well, I don’t think it’s going to happen.”
Boa picked up on her slight attitude. “What up? What’s with all that attitude?”