by Nene Capri
“Please. You don’t understand.” She began to cry and plead her case.
“I don’t understand what!” KoKo yelled, changing the mood in the room.
“I had no choice. You don’t know what you’re up against. These people . . .” She grabbed KoKo’s arm and looked at her for some pitty.
“Death is better than deception.” KoKo snatched away and kept walking.
“It was Nine and that damn Tyquan,” she blurted out. “They’re behind all this shit,” Pat continued to ramble.
“Well, I hope those muthafuckas have pity on you. ‘Cause I don’t give a fuck about you.”
“What am I supposed to do?” Pat cried out. “KoKo, we’re blood,” she yelled.
“And that’s the only reason you’re still alive.” KoKo took a now trembling Keisha by the arm and left, slamming the door behind her.
Pat fell to her knees and cried.
All Scores Settled…
Monique sat across from KoKo on the couch waiting for Quran to come back from a basketball game with Night. KoKo peered at the woman who had stolen her whole life, wanting the satisfaction of torturing her to death, but patience was the key to winning this game.
“I’m so glad I came. That spa treatment was amazing.” Monique set her tea on the saucer and then placed the cup on the table.
“Yeah, I think we needed to have some time alone together.” KoKo struggled to keep the conversation going.
“So what have you been up to, KoKo? From the looks of it you been eating,” she commented on the few pounds KoKo had put on.
“Just been chilling and celebrating.”
“Celebrating? What we celebrating?”
“You will see soon enough,” KoKo said and then rose to her feet. “Go get dressed. I’m taking you to dinner.”
*****
Later at dinner, KoKo sat across from Monique as she asked KoKo a million questions. KoKo answered what she could and the rest she left alone. Even though Monique seemed happy to see her, the whole night she felt uneasy.
“I know you are still a little upset that I brought Quran to New York without your permission. I put him in harm’s way and I’m sorry. How do we move forward?” she asked.
“Well, I still have a lot of things to straighten out,” KoKo responded.
Monique picked up her glass of water and took a few sips. “Would you like any dessert?” the waitress asked, smiling down at them.
“No thank you. I’m good. You can bring the check,” KoKo responded.
“Wait, KoKo. Let me see what they have.” Monique picked up the menu.
“You know you don’t need it, Mo.”
“I am still grown, or have you forgotten?” She looked over at KoKo and smiled and then glanced at the menu.
“You’re right. Bring her whatever she wants.”
“Thank you. I’ll have a slice of cheesecake, and wrap me up a piece of chocolate cake to go. I want to bring Quran something back.” She closed her menu and passed it back to the waitress.
Within minutes the waitress returned with the two desserts and the check. KoKo handed her two one hundred dollar bills and told her to keep the change. “Thank you, drive safely.”
Monique began eating her cheesecake. KoKo sat watching and wanting to blurt out all her findings, but endurance would prove to be rewarding.
“That was so good.” She wiped her mouth with the napkin, and then took another sip of water. “You ready?” she asked as she went for her purse.
“Why’d you do it?” KoKo asked as her whole mood changed.
“Do what, baby?”
“Even though the reality of me sitting here confirms you fucked up, you sit across from me acting as if nothing has happened.”
“If you got something to say, say it.” Monique was now on the defensive.
“I ain’t got shit to say. Your mood change says it all.”
“You think you’re so smart. Just like your father. He thought he was smart too.”
“Yeah, and so did you by fucking his friends.” KoKo sat quietly looking at Monique with a smug grin.
“Been doing your homework, huh?” she asked.
“I loved you. I sacrificed a huge part of my life to make you happy and keep you safe.”
“Well, if I ever taught you anything I taught you war has no friends.”
“Yeah, and if I learned anything from you, I learned trust no man or bitch.” KoKo glared at her, eyes blood shot and nostrils flaring.”
“Look—” Monique got ready to say, but a pain struck her stomach causing her to lean forward. “Ahhh . . .” She grabbed at her waist.
“What’s the matter?” KoKo asked, wearing a wicked smile.
“What did you—Ahhh . . .” Monique sqawked as blood trickled from her nose. KoKo sat there watching her suffer. Monique could no longer take the pain. She fell from her seat on her hands and knees gasping for air and coughing up blood. The patrons in the restaurant became alarmed. The manager ran over.
“Oh my God! I’ll call 9-1-1.” He ran back to the front of the hostess station and frantically dialed.
KoKo got up from her seat and kneeled down beside her. She watched Monique struggle to hold onto life with poison surging through her system.
“How does death taste?” she whispered in her ear. “You took my mother and father away from me. That in itself is unforgivable. But to take the life of your own son makes you the most heartless bitch on the planet.”
“What did you give me?” Monique mumbled, still holding her stomach and coughing up blood. “My son would never forgive you,” she whispered.
“I’m not looking for forgiveness. And I’m not worried about him. What we had was real, and your death is my gift to him.”
“Fuck you!” Monique managed to say, with blood now coming from her mouth and nose. “You’re weak. And you know what happens to weak people?” She wanted to continue but the pain in her gut took her breath.
KoKo whispered in her ear, “Yes, I do. You can kill them when you know their weakness.”
Monique feebly lifted her head and looked at her. Tears fell from her face as her head hit the floor.
KoKo stood up as the EMT rushed in the door in their direction as they kneeled at her side and immediately began working on her. KoKo knew that was a mission that would prove to be futile.
-46-
Back on Track
As summer set in, so had peace and calm in KoKo’s crew. She had Night running the out of town affairs, and Boa running the city while she took over only dealing with the exchange of money between her and the Japaneese. With all the deception, she relocated from Dubai to St. Croix and tucked Keisha and Quran safely away so she could move back and forth. Even though she kept rejecting Boa’s quest to be his, it didn’t stop her from getting that dick from time to time. However, her heart would not allow her to love anyone but Kayson.
“Mooove . . .Boa!” KoKo giggled as they rushed into her Park Avenue apartment soaking wet.
“Oh shit!” Boa yelled as he slipped on the hardwood floor from the water dripping from the bottom of his pants.
“That’s what you get,” KoKo said, pulling her shirt over her head.
“You know you had fun. Stop frontin’.” Boa had talked KoKo into sneaking into a pool and taking a late night swim.
“Here we are running all over the country into all kinds of bullshit, and you got me about to go to jail over breaking and entering into a fucking swimming pool,” KoKo said as she stepped out of her pants.
Boa laughed and then stepped out of his jeans. “You talking shit, but you know your ass had fun,” he said as he walked toward her. Seeing her in her bra and thong instantly aroused him. Taking her in his arms, he began kissing her deeply and running his hands up and down her baby soft skin.
KoKo pulled back a little. “Down boy, I have to take a shower.”
“Let me get you dirty and then we can shower together,” he stated while trying not to release her from his grip.
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“Don’t worry, I’ma let you get whatever you want.” He took the opportunity to continue to touch and kiss every part of her that he could get his hands and mouth on.
“Stop, Boa. I have to wash this chlorine outta my hair.” She pulled back again, this time breaking his grip. She smiled at her victory as she walked off.
“Yeah, a’ight. You got that off,” he said, grabbing his steel. Boa watched her grab the wet clothes, head to the laundry closet, and then toward the shower. He left the room to lay out his wet money. “Hurry up and wash your hair so I can come make that pussy moan,” Boa yelled as he heard the shower come on.
When he entered the room, he turned on the light and got the kind of shock that was paralyzing.
“What the fuck you doin’ in here?” Boa went right into killer mode.
“Sitting here listening to you make plans for pussy that ain’t yours.”
“Who you talking to?” KoKo asked as she entered the room wrapped in a towel. When she reached the door her heart stopped.
“Who the fuck is this nigga?” Boa turned toward KoKo, who stood comatose.
“Usually an introduction isn’t necessary, because in most circles they call me the Boss,” Kayson said smoothly as he sat there looking at KoKo. As far as he was concerned, she was the only one in the room.
“KoKo, come here,” he said. She wanted to move but couldn’t.
“She ain’t going no fucking where!” Boa got in front of her.
“Muthafucka, you must be crazy.” Kayson got up and walked toward him.
“Do what the fuck you gotta do,” Boa said.
“I plan on it.” He pulled his nine, cocked it, and stood nose-to-nose with Boa. “This right here is boss pussy and I came to collect.” He grabbed KoKo to his side. Reaching in his pocket, he pulled out a wad of money and threw it at Boa’s feet. “You can go buy you a woman. This one right here belongs to me.” He stood with KoKo on one side, and his nine on the other.
KoKo felt her legs weaken. Her heart pounded vigorously. As she looked up into Kayson’s face, her eyes glossed over with tears. She wanted to speak but couldn’t. Her eyes slowly blinked as the tears that threatened to leave them were now rolling down her face. She stood thinking, Was this another nightmare, or had her dreams just come true?
The Burning Bed
My desire has my sexual emotions off the Richter scale and that desire is you.
Hot memories between pillow and sheet,
Your presence has embodied my soul.
The heat of breath ignites the very heart of me.
Intensity of your gaze is a brazing elliptical of passion from the top of my head to the tip of my toes.
While lying in my bed, thoughts of you clouds my head, your essence embraces my spirit as I become impassioned in a gulf of flames called you.
I want to tongue kiss the depths of your mind.
So gently, the tip of your tongue traces my silhouette.
The arch in my back,
A deep inhale.
Lift the veil of my innocence with hot liquid kisses
that paint the crease of my inner thigh.
As we become intertwined in rhythmic flow,
Scented moans caress my inner drum.
Shhhh. . .. be quiet so you can hear the drip of my passion carried on a slow knowing thrust.
Finger prints left behind from your incline to push deeper.
Perfect friction,
Long deep strokes from behind . . .mmm . . .can you feel my slippery wet pleas?
I want to feel you up against my spine.
Let it go baby . . .
So you can write your name on depth of my walls.
Is this fantasy? No my body says it’s real.
Beautiful and Complete, Oh baby, pour me a whole cup full.
And on my way to mental ecstasy,
My feelings for you get the best of me,
Sizzling thoughts of your touch and how I miss you so much,
All while lying here alone, in my burning bed.
BOOK CLUB
Discussion Questions
1. Was KoKo justified for killing Monique?
2. Why do you think KoKo is keeping Boa around?
3. Was KoKo wrong for sleeping with Rock?
4. What is Rock hiding?
5. What else do you think is hiding in KoKo’s past?
6. Will KoKo ever change or will she always be a
roofless killer?
7. Should KoKo take her little sister under her wing?
8. What will come of KoKo’s relationship with her
mother?
9. Will all of the traps KoKo set, trap her? or will she be
victorious?
10. The Enforcer is back. What will happen between
KoKo and Kayson?