The King Of The South

by Blake Karrington

  King sipped his coffee and scanned the parking lot. He didn’t see any signs of the black Monte Carlo, but his instincts told him that some shit could still pop off.

  He placed his ear buds in his ears and surfed his phone’s music library. Soon, Maxwell’s “Till the Cops Come Knocking” flowed into his ears. Music was the connection that he had to his father, and it always made him feel safe. It helped him clear his mind, and right now, he needed to be focused. The next few weeks would be critical. He had to move some weight from Miami to North Carolina. He also needed to obtain a new block for his business, not to mention the big concert that he had coming up. King was the owner of RK Entertainment Group. He was known for bringing the hottest Hip Hop and R&B acts to Charlotte, and his state of the art pre and postproduction music studio was a favorite among the local artists.

  Listening to music with his father were some of King’s best memories. They had their deepest conversations while listening to The Isley Brothers, Earth Wind and Fire, and Reggie’s favorite, Frankie Beverly. King thought of how his father would ride around town with the windows down, some R&B playing, a bag of barbeque chips, and a cold bottle of grape soda. Just the two of them riding around on a hot summer day looking at pretty girls, and talking.

  “Boy, ain’t nothing in this world that music can’t cure. You can make babies to it, drink to it, and at times take niggas out to it.”

  Young King had nodded as he listened to his father.

  King was twelve when his father had started letting him collect money from the trap houses. Learning the business from one of the biggest kingpins in the southeast had made him what he was today. He remembered thinking that nothing or no one could touch his father. Death is going to get everybody eventually, as he learned the hard way.

  He had taken his love for music and turned it into a business. He had real talent for putting together hot shows. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the entertainment industry is one of the best places to clean money. King discovered that he had a real talent for putting together hot shows and throwing parties. Of course, it didn’t hurt that the entertainment industry is one of the best places to clean money. Cleaning drug money was not an easy task; one had to be patient, smart, and willing to take chances.

  King had opened Reggie’s three years after his father’s death. An old school style supper club catering to the grown and sexy, he brought all of his R&B shows there. Every third Thursday of the month, he held the popular Reggie’s Revue, an open mic night. Between Reggie’s, his entertainment company, and his chain of barbershops, he had enough cash based legitimate businesses to clean his money with no problem.

  “Daddy, Daddy, I got a cookie, and I bought you one too. Do you want it?” Malani said, holding the red bag up to King.

  King pulled the ear buds out his ears and grabbed the bag, and then grabbed her. She squealed as King tickled her. “No Daddy,” she said between giggles. “You have to eat your cookie. It’s your favorite, oatmeal raisin.”

  “Oatmeal raisin? That is my favorite, well have a seat and I will share it with ya.” King said and kissed her forehead.

  “No, no ma’am, you have already had two of those cookies. No more until after dinner for you.” Yogi said, walking up with her arms full of bags. She sat down in the chair and exhaled. “Whew, I think we got more than enough for this little girl. I don’t think Santa is going to be able to make anything that you don’t already have.”

  “Ma, did you get anything for yourself?” King asked, looking at the bags.

  “Oh baby, I just grabbed some cleanser for my face. That is all I really needed.”

  King shook his head as he took a bite of his cookie. “So where are the Doublemint twins?”

  “We are right here.” Khristian yelled. “Ready?”

  “Yeah, if you guys are ready. Did you leave anything in the stores?” King said as he stood. He picked Malani up and they walked towards the large glass doors. King held the doors for his mother, Khristian and Imani, who still had her head down texting. Tommy pulled up to the curb with King’s SUV.

  “I didn’t know the mall had valet service.” Khristian said, taking Malani from King.

  “They don’t, but when you are riding with the King, you can get things other people can’t.” King said and winked at his sister.

  “Shut up and drive, chauffeur!” Khristian said as she buckled Malani’s seatbelt.

  “We got everything covered, man. We had people on Red, and…” Tommy stopped talking, and sighed.

  “And what, man?” King said, closing the driver door.

  “And he here at the mall, man, with some chick.”

  King laughed and clapped his hands. “You mean the mutha fucker in there now?”

  “Yeah, we got Jinx following him. From what Jinx is saying, dude just shopping.”

  King leaned against the SUV and ran his hand over his face. “I don’t believe in coincidences, Tommy.” He said as he opened the door. “Keep an eye on the nigga, I’m gonna take the fam home.”

  “I told you, we got you, man.” Tommy said, closing the door.

  King put on his Tom Ford shades and looked in the side rear view mirror. He pulled out, and a white F-150 with limousine tinted windows followed.

  “Everything ok?” Yogi asked. She could tell that King was tense by the tightness in his jaw, and the vein that was showing in the right side of his neck.

  Yogi smiled weakly. Every day, he looked and acted more like his father. At times, when she glanced at him, she could swear that her husband was standing in front of her. She turned to look out the window, found her shades and put them on. Carlton was a wonderful husband, father, provider, and lover. She loved him as best she could, but her heart would always belong to her first love, King’s father, Reggie. She touched the necklace and inhaled, thinking of how Reggie’s laughter could make everything else in the world disappear. How he could tell her that everything was going to be okay, and she would believe it without a doubt.

  “Hey Ma, you okay?” King said as he turned down Haven road.

  “Yeah baby, just a little sinus problem is all.” Yogi said, wiping her nose. “Thank you for today baby, I really enjoyed it.”

  “Ahh anytime, Ma, and thanks for getting your grandbaby straight.”

  “No problem, baby. Ohh, I love that song. That girl is singing about some pain.” Yogi said as she turned the radio up.

  All three the women sang along.

  Last night I cried, tossed and turned. Woke up with dry eyes….

  “That is a depressing song, Ma.” King said as he pulled into the driveway of his parents’ house.

  “Baby, that song is not depressing. It is a woman’s pain, and a story of how she will love again! If you find a woman who can sing about her pain, and sing it with soul, well that is a woman who knows life!”

  “Or needs some meds.” King said, opening the door for his mother.

  Yogi popped his arm.

  King walked around to the back of his SUV and began unloading the bags. Today was a day that was few and far between for him. It was a day without gunfire or murder. He wasn’t worried about his dope or picking up his money from his trap houses. He had not gotten any calls from his crew about anybody being shot. It was so far, what King imagined most people do every weekend, spend time with their family. King wanted more days like this.

  Chapter 7

  “Man, why the fuck do I need to bring Tiana with me tonight?” Kareem said as he wrapped the towel around his waist. “I don’t want to be nagged, shit I need to have some fun this weekend. Being with her is worse than being locked up at times. I mean, I got a damn job! It don’t pay shit, either. I just need to blow off some steam.”

  Kareem had been stressed ever since Tiana got him the job at a paper warehouse. He worked in stocking for fucking ten dollars an hour. Most of the fools that worked there were clueless about having anything decent in their fucking lives, and they were breaking their backs for peanuts. Shit, when he went
to work, he would have ten of his paychecks already in his pocket. Tiana bitched about him being in the game, but she didn’t bitch about riding around in his fucking luxury trucks with the kids and shit.

  She had quit her job and told him she was going to go to school to become certified in home day care. He didn’t get Tiana sometimes. She didn’t want him in the game, but as soon as he comes home from doing a bid, she quits her job. He is happy to support his family, and would do things Tiana’s way… for now.

  “Dude, just bring her. You should bring her out for a night on the town. At least it will buy you some peace for a little while.” King said. “Besides, this is a new club we are going to, and I need a good set of eyes and hands with me in case some shit jumps off.”

  “Nigga, I’ll tell you who I should be bringing there tonight.”

  “Who?” King asked, curious to know who else Kareem could be talking about

  “That girl, Imani. Brah, she done really grew up and filled out.”

  “Man, you tripping. She too young for you. Besides, she looks at us like we are her brothers.”

  “Naw nigga, she look at you like that. That ain’t got nothing to do with me. How Keith Sweat say, she maybe young, but she ready,” Kareem continued while laughing.

  “I ain’t fucking with your thirsty ass tonight. Just finish getting ready and holla at me when you outside the spot.”

  “Aight, I got you. Meet you there in an hour.” Kareem responded.

  “Oh yeah, and afterwards, I need you to head over on Hawthorne. I need my money from our trap. They been coming up short lately. Just scoop it up for me. Damn, I almost forgot. This club don’t allow jeans, man, so you gotta put on your grown man shit to get in.”

  “Brah, you know I stays on my Ebony status shit, I got it.”

  __________

  “This is actually nice, Kareem.” Tiana said, looking around the club. “Not what I expected from you at all.”

  “Your table is ready, sir. Please follow me,” the host said as he extended his arm for Tiana. Tiana giggled and took the arm of the tall host. He flashed his smile at her and she felt a tingle in her spine.

  “Right this way, madam. By the way, my name is Anthony.”

  Kareem shook his head as he and King followed Anthony down the stairs to a table close to the stage.

  Anthony pulled the chair out for Tiana and placed three menus on the table.

  “Your server will be with you shortly. Enjoy.” Anthony said, winking at Tiana.

  “This dude,” Kareem said and shook his head.

  “What, jealous baby? I am sure he does that with all the people that come here. It’s part of the ambience of the place. Oh, I know what I want. I have never had one before, but I am going to order it.”

  King checked his phone. It was 8:45. He couldn’t believe he had actually shown up early for a female.

  “So, how did you hear about this place, man?” Kareem said, looking at King.

  “A friend told me about it. She should be meeting us here.”

  “A friend? What friend?” Kareem said, eyeing King.

  “Nigga, you’ll see. Just chill.”

  “Good evening, my name is Honey, and I will be your server tonight. Can I start you off with drinks?”

  “Hi Honey, you can. I would like a Sangria.” Tiana said.

  “Sangria for the lady, and the gentlemen?”

  “You can bring us whatever you have in dark beer.” King said, looking at the staircase.

  “Ok, and would you like some of our wings to start with. We have southern style, garlic, and buffalo.”

  “You can bring us southern style please, with hot sauce on the side.” Tiana said with excitement.

  King looked at Kareem. Tiana was acting and behaving like she doesn’t get out much, which was actually true. Tiana, unlike so many chicks who had men locked up, had remained faithful to Kareem. She spent any free time she did have going to church with her children. As soon as she started church, she had started in on King about Kareem not coming back to the life. King never argued with her, but he knew that it would be Kareem’s decision to make. He was surprised when she stopped accepting money from him, because he couldn’t see how she was supporting the children on her CNA salary. Tiana was from the projects, so help from her family was out of the question, as well. King had planned to ask Kareem about it, but it had slipped his mind. Now that Kareem was home, he didn’t see the point in mentioning anything.

  The waitress returned with their drinks and wings. She placed the bottle of Texas Pete on the table, along with white linen napkins and cutlery.

  “Thank you,” Tiana said as she sipped her drink. “Oh, this is delicious. Taste it, baby.” Tiana said, handing the glass to Kareem.

  “Will you need anything else right now?” Honey smiled at Kareem.

  Tiana was so caught up in the moment of actually being out of the house and on a date with Kareem, she did not notice Honey checking her man out.

  “No, umm not right now.” Kareem said, returning the smile to Honey.

  “All right, I will be back to check on you.”

  Kareem watched Honey walk away. The black leather skirt hugged her hips and thighs. The white shirt she wore only came down to her midriff, exposing her flat toned stomach and piercing. She had her hair pinned up in a messy sexy ponytail, and her caramel skin shimmered in the low light.

  King cleared his throat and broke the trance that Kareem was under. He checked his watch again. It was nine o clock, and no sign of Sloan. He was a little offended that she had not shown up or called. Chill, playa it’s just 9:00. You’re the early one. He reminded himself and chuckled. King wasn’t used to waiting, he was usually waited for.

  Thirty more minutes passed and the room had started to fill up. People were eating, chatting and laughing all around him, but Sloan still hadn’t arrived or called. King laughed to himself. This must be karma getting me back for all the times I have stood a chick up. His phone buzzed on his hip and he looked at the screen. There was a text message from a number he didn’t recognize.

  Don’t look so disappointed. I invited you, remember?

  King shook his head. He tried to hide the smile that spread across his face, but it was too late. You like being in control, huh? He texted back.

  Always. Just sit back and enjoy.

  King looked at the host stand. He scanned the crowd and searched the people at the bar, trying to locate Sloan.

  “Yo, dude you aight?” Kareem asked as he sipped his Hennessey.

  “Yeah man, I’m good.” King said, still looking around the club.

  “Good evening ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the Cup. I am Trenton, your host for the evening. For those of you who are regulars, welcome back. For those that are new, welcome. Here at The Cup, we see everything half full. So in order to fill your glasses up, I introduce to you, Sloan Deveaux.” The purple curtains opened, and a soft spotlight glowed on the center of the stage.

  I’m home alone again, and you’re out hanging with your friends.

  So you say, somehow I know, it’s not quite that way.

  It’s getting pretty late and you haven’t checked on me all day.

  When I called, you didn’t answer.

  Now I’m feeling like you’re ignoring me.

  I wish, that you were home.

  Holding me tight in your arms

  And I wish I could go back

  To the day before we met

  And skip my regret

  I wish I wasn’t in love with you

  So you couldn’t hurt me…

  King’s mouth fell open as the spotlight shined on the singer. Her hair framed her face in a curly auburn afro. She wore a dark brown lip-gloss, a white halter top that stopped above her navel, and a long sheer pink skirt that flowed to the floor. Her dark brown skin glowed as the soft light shone on it.

  “Damn,” King said aloud. He felt heat rise from his feet to his head as she sang each note without effort, and with perfec
t tone and pitch.

  The song flowed from her, and like a siren, she held him in her trance. She sang three songs, and at the end of the last song, the curtain closed, and the room erupted with applause and whistles.

  “Damn, old girl can blow, huh?” Tiana said applauding. “Her hair is the truth.”

  King put the glass up to his lips and realized it was empty.

  “She has a voice on her, for sho. Shit, Tiana might get some when we get back home.” Kareem said laughing.

  “Yeah, I’m gonna go get me another drink. Y’all want something?” King asked as he stood up.

  Kareem and Tiana looked at each other as King walked away before they could answer his question.

  King found his way to the bar and sat down on the blue barstool. His body was still warm from being caressed by Sloan’s sultry performance.

  “Mr. King, I see you made it.”

  King inhaled and bit his lip to keep himself from smiling. He had never met a female who made him want to smile like this.

  “Yeah, I made it. I have to say I am impressed. You didn’t tell me that you could sing like that,” he said as he motioned for the bartender to come over. “Hey man, I need two Coronas, a Sangria, and whatever the lady is drinking.”

  “Hey Tony, I will take my usual.” Sloan said, sitting down on the stool next to King.

  “So you drinking Sangria?”

  “Do I look like I would ever order some shit like that?” King said, leaning back against the bar.

  He couldn’t take his eyes off her. Her skin was flawless; the only makeup she wore was the dark chocolate lip-gloss. Her brown skin looked soft and kissable to King. He studied her body in a way that was foreign to him. He was not imagining himself smashing it, but he was actually admiring her.