by Bri Noreen
During my treatments and time under her care, we developed a bond, and I started looking at Trinity like a big sister. With dark brown skin the color of Columbian coffee beans, long, full lashes, and her signature wavy, jet black weave that flowed past her shoulders, she was a classic beauty that stopped traffic on a regular basis. She was smart as fuck, down to earth, and she had a huge heart. She was a real one. Trust that I kept a close eye on her and didn’t fully let my guard down due the how my last bestie situation had turned out, but she seemed to be completely genuine so far. So on my first outing since I had fully recovered from all of my procedures, it was a no brainer to ask her to accompany me.
We were at Lenox Square Mall with the black card that Roman had given to me, shopping our little hearts out. He had given me strict instructions to buy a complete wardrobe and not to stop shopping until I had started feeling a little bit like my old self again. Initially, I wasn't cool with spending someone else's money. But because I didn't have my own, on account of my presumptive death and shit, I had to suck it up and deal with the fact that my independence had been stripped. I had discovered today, though that spending someone else's money wasn't half bad. We were currently at Bloomingdale’s trying on shoes and we had already ripped through Neiman Marcus, Prada, BCBG, Carolina Herrera, Henri Bendel, Herve Leger, and Salvatore Ferragamo. Bloomie’s was our last stop before we found somewhere to eat.
“I am just about pooped, Nakami…” Trinity stopped short when she realized she had called me by that name. “My bad. I’m still adjusting.”
I forced a smile. "No big."
That name brought back memories of everything that had transpired between Grey, Blu, Kimani and me. It ignited the fiery anger that was still brewing inside of me, and it damn near erupted the rage that was bubbling underneath the surface. I smiled until Trinity turned away from me, and then I had to woosah real quick before my emotions got the better of me and I fucked up more than some commas in this bitch.
It had been around five or six months since the man that I once loved had locked me in a burning house after he’d fucked my best friend and gotten her pregnant, and I was just as mad now as I was back then. Fuck that! I was even more livid. I had done nothing but give that man all my love and devotion, but he had shitted on me. He had disrespected our relationship, violated my trust. On top of that, the bastard had tried to kill me and had successfully assassinated my dad. He was the same fucking man who had welcomed him into his home and broken bread with him. He’d killed him so that he could take over his business! Fuck nigga! That thought alone had me ready to fuck some shit up.
But Roman’s fine ass had a plan. It had taken upwards of a month for me to trust Roman and stop questioning his motives. But he had given me his reason for saving my life, and it aligned with my plan for revenge. We had a common enemy, and his name was Grey Summers. We both wanted his head and together we had come up with a way to make him pay for his mistakes.
Roman’s determination to get at Grey had helped pull me out of the depression I’d sunk into. Once I had a full understanding of what the plan was, I wanted to set things in motion ASAP…burns and all. But where I’d lacked patience, Roman had insisted that we wait. He'd waited almost two years to begin executing his revenge, and with me being a part of his plan, he had promised that we would bring Grey to his fucking knees. Although I trusted Roman, I was beginning to run out of patience. If he thought that he could buy my time with outfits and shit, he was sadly mistaken. I would find a way to get at Grey myself before I let him slip through my fingers because we’d waited too long. I was staying put for now because Roman had funds that I no longer had access to, and I would need money in order to get anything done. But where there was a will, there was a way. If I needed to, I could get the money together.
But I owed Roman. So for now, I was lying in waiting. And if I was being completely honest, Roman had grown on me. Not only was he major eye candy, but his confident persona and his thirst for revenge against the mothafucka that had done me wrong, had my panties wet every time he came to mind. I was all out of love to give, but my pussy was begging to be knocked out of frame. I just knew a nigga like Roman was just the man for the job. Based on how Trinity had described what was hanging between his thighs and how well he knew how to work it, I was certain that I would take it for a test drive one day soon. I wasn’t sure that he was feeling me the way that I was feeling him due to all the trauma my body and face had endured. However, I was confident that once he saw me burn free for the first time, the dick would be as good as mine. And I know that I just said that Trinity was like my big sister and all but hell, Roman wasn’t her damn man. Now, if they were together or she would’ve been sporting a fat rock on her ring finger, I might have let him be. But he was was up for grabs and I wasn’t going to feel bad about getting mine.
In the meantime, I had adopted the new name Karmelle Prince. Roman had shortened it, insisting on calling me Karma, so it kinda stuck. The doctors had managed to get rid of the burns to my face and had tweaked a few things so that I didn’t look exactly the same, per Roman's request. My new identity had required a whole new look as well. My hair had refused to grow back to the length it was before the burns, so I had cut it in a long bob and colored it. It had faded from a chocolate brown to a golden blonde like Ciara’s in her “Body Party” video. I had even changed my style up to be a little edgier. For example, today I was wearing a pair of low-rise cotton harem pants, a Chicago Bulls jersey that had been turned into a fitted bodysuit, a black, soft cotton longline vest that swept the floor and pair of red spiked, single sole Giuseppe Zanotti’s. Cyber by MAC adorned my lips, and I had even gotten a septum piercing and was sporting a diamond hoop. It was an adjustment, but the change fit my darker mood and mentality.
“Okay, I’ve made my decision.” I smiled.
I took off the fringe sandal and threw it back in its box. After putting my shoe back on, I grabbed four boxes of shoes off the floor and walked behind Trinity to the checkout counter. We made our purchases and walked out of the department store.
“I’m famished!” Trinity exclaimed. “Where do you want to eat?”
I shrugged my shoulders. “Girl, you know this area way better than I do.”
“True. Okay, what about Prime? They have great steak and seafood.”
My stomach rumbled at the mere mention of food. “Yes, that sounds amazing.”
Trinity laughed at my stomach, talking shit as we walked in the direction of the car to unload all our bags. We made small talk up until we reached her red 2015 Cadillac CTS Coupe. She popped the trunk. We stuffed our bags inside and shut it.
“Are you, Karma?” I heard a deep voice rumble. Not expecting to hear anyone so close, I reached for the small handgun I kept on me.
I turned around and saw an average-looking black guy dressed in a clean navy blue suit. He was holding a large manila envelope. I looked at him, confused because nobody except for Trinity and Roman knew my new name.
“Roman asked me to deliver this to you.”
I removed my hand from the gun and relaxed. The guy handed me the envelope and walked away without another word. I wasted no time ripping the envelope open and dumping the contents onto the trunk of Trinity’s car. Out came an airline ticket, a car key and a house key, an ID with my new name on it, a bank card and credit card, and a smaller white envelope.
“What the fuck?”
I opened the white envelope as Trinity rummaged through the other things. The note on the inside of the card read:
Karma,
It's time. Take the flight tonight, and we can get started. I’ll have whatever you bought today shipped out. I’ve deposited money into an account for you as well. See you in Cali.
Roman
My heart started beating rapidly in my chest. It's time. Those words danced off the card and burned into my brain. A wicked smile formed across my face. It was finally fucking time.
Grey
July 2015
Damn, it felt good to back in my city. It had only been a little over a year since I had moved out west, but it felt like I had been gone from the hood forever. The first thing I did when I left from Detroit Metro Airport was hit up my nigga, Simba, to meet me at Lou’s Deli. No one did a fucking corn beef sandwich justice like Lou’s. I only did business with the one off Nine Mile and Greenfield, though and was happy to see that the place wasn’t jumping like usual. I approached the counter to order and was greeted by a baby-face, brown skin girl with a sculpted ponytail and hoop earrings that were bigger than her head.
“Uh, let me get a Dinty Moore with extra Russian dressing, and you can go ahead and super meat that boy, too.”
“You wanna make that a combo?” she asked.
“You know what? You might as well. Let me get that orange pop.” I pulled out the knot in my pocket and handed her a twenty.
“My nigga, my nigga…” I heard from behind me. I turned around and came face to face with Simba.
Simba was a young nigga that was like a little brother to me. His momma used to be a close friend of my mom’s. Simba’s mom had worked hella hard to keep him off the streets, but you just couldn’t fight what was destined to be. Once she realized that there was nothing she could do to cure the thug in him, she came to me. She trusted me to keep her son safe, and that’s what I had promised her I would do. At first, I had let him sell a little weed around the block and to his niggas. But once I saw that he was good at math, I pulled him back. He was a lil beast with numbers. Since he was sixteen, he had been counting money for me and checking inventory, and I’d since been hitting him off with a couple stacks a week. He’d kept my shit straight, and I in turn had given him money to go to Wayne State and major in finance. I knew there would be a time where he would become extremely beneficial for me, and the time had now come. Simba had just graduated a year early, and I was pretty sure he would be excited about coming out west with me.
I smiled widely and dapped up my young nigga. College had grown him up. Gone were the long braids that made him look like Bow Wow, the baggy jeans, and the white tee that fell down to his knees. The Simba in front of me was a man. He was dressed in a pair of black dress pants, a fitted white v-neck, and a khaki colored blazer. Simba had cut his hair down low, and waves were starting to emerge. He was even trying to grow some facial hair. This nigga was definitely on his grown man shit.
“I forgot yo ass was grown, boy.” I laughed.
Simba adjusted his blazer, ran his hand over his chin, and struck a pose, and I laughed out loud at this fool.
“Order 250!” the girl behind the counter called. I looked down at my receipt and realized that she was talking to me. I motioned for Simba to have a seat, and I went to grab my food.
“So what’s the deal, Grey? What you doing back in my neck of the hood?” Simba asked once I’d sat down.
“I got a big operation on the west coast that I need some help with. Let’s just say I took over for an old friend, and it was a big promotion. I got so much popping that I need more quarters for the laundry, my nigga.”
Simba nodded his head catching my drift.
I unwrapped my sandwich. “I figure I need some of my people to help me. Who’s better than fam?”
I took a bite out of my corn beef sandwich and involuntarily closed my eyes. Got damn! Lou’s knew how to make a damn sandwich! I had missed all my neighborhood spots like Otto’s, Lou’s, Steve’s, Sweetwater’s, Buddy’s, and Slow’s. I had gotten bougie out in LA, dining at five star restaurants and eating foie gras and shit. But all a nigga really wanted was some hot wings and an ice cold rock n’ rye Faygo.
“Damn, nigga. You gon’ take a breath any time soon?” Simba laughed.
“My bad, my bad.” I finished chewing and took a swig of my orange pop before I spoke again. “So how do you feel about relocating to the west coast?”
“For real, man? You already know I’m down. What you got for me?”
“I got operations set up in Cali, Arizona, and Nevada. I also have three legit businesses in LA set up to get shit clean, but it’s not enough. Money coming in as fast as a NASCAR race, and I need some extra insurance that my products are the only ones floating around my spots. You feel me?”
“So what you saying, Grey?” Simba smirked.
I stuffed a fry in my mouth as I watched Simba’s face change. “I’m saying I need you to call a meeting. I’m bringing the D to the west coast.”
Kimani
July 2015
“Give me strong, Kimani! I need to see that jawline!” Rhys, the photographer, shouted.
I sucked in my cheeks slightly to give him what he was asking for on a few frames. Switching up my pose, I stuck my right foot out, ran my hand over my hair, and slid the other one down the front of my jeans, letting the V-cuts under my abs show.
“Yes, Kimani! ‘Bout time you woke the fuck up! Give me more sexy!” he screamed while still snapping pictures. He paused for a moment and motioned for his assistant to come over to him. “Get me some baby oil!”
“Um….we don’t have any baby oil.” she shyly responded.
“Well, get me some olive oil or Crisco. Hell, get me some anointed oil! Just find something that will make him shiny. Shit! Kimani, take five.”
I nodded at him and walked off the set toward where my stuff was sitting. I reached for my phone and checked my messages. I had dozens of emails, including one that was marked important from Stephanie. I also had a text from Vicious and Grey. I ignored the text from Vicious for the time being and went straight for the message from my brother.
Bro: Just touched down. Staying at the Mandarin. What time is ya shoot over? Got some business to handle.
Me: Shoot should be over around 4. You need me to ride with you?
Bro: You sure you wanna ride with ya nigga? I know you Mr. Clean nowadays. Lol
Me: Whatever nigga. I ain’t got shit else to do, so why not?
Bro: Cool wit me. Slide through the spot when you done and we can ride out.
Me: Fa sho.
“Kimani, let’s go! I said take five not six. Time is money, baby. Claire, oil them abs down, honey! Chop, chop!” Rhys called from set.
I threw my phone back in my bag and went to handle my business. Two hours later, I had showered, changed, and was heading toward the Mandarin to meet Grey. I was bobbing my head to the sounds of Kendrick Lamar when my phone chirped letting me know that I had an incoming call. I hit the accept button on the dash of the whip and rolled my eyes at the voice that came through my speakers.
“Damn, it’s ‘bout time you picked up your phone.”
I could hear her sucking her teeth. “What is it, V? I’m busy!”
“Okay, rudeness. I was calling to see if you wanted to meet for dinner tonight.”
Why in the hell did she think I wanted to do some shit like that? “I’m not in LA.”
“I know. I’m in Atlanta, too.”
What the fuck! How did this broad always manage to know my business? When I didn’t say anything right away, she continued.
“I was thinking that we could go to Watershed. I made a reservation for seven.”
“Vicious, yo, like, what is your problem? The last time I saw you I couldn’t even fuck you, and you spit a few words that I shoulda hemmed your ass up for. So why would you think that shit was cool with us?”
“People get into fights every day. You thought that I was going to stop rockin’ with you off of one fight? Boy, please.”
I groaned in frustration. I couldn’t understand this shit. I didn’t want Vicious…like…at all! And I would never sweat a chick that didn’t want to be bothered, so I couldn’t comprehend why women did this to themselves. Have a little self-respect! If a nigga don’t want you, leave his ass alone! No amount of begging, pleading, planning, or chasing is going to make him change his mind. It’s just going to make him want to run further away from your crazy ass!
“Look, V, I hope you took English class seriously be
cause once I spell this out for you, it’ll be the last time I ever speak on this subject again. I don’t want you. I don’t love you. I don’t want to fuck you and I don’t want to fuck with you. You got it? You need me to send it in an email so that you won’t forget?”
“Nigga, fuck you! You think your lil see-through ass is all dat? Well, listen up baby—”
I hung up the phone as I pulled into the Mandarin. I had said all that I was going to say and I didn’t feel like listening to her bullshit anymore. No sooner than I pulled in, Grey came walking out. He was on his hood shit today. He had started wearing suits more often, but today wasn’t one of those days. I could only imagine what kind of business this nigga had to take care of today dressed like that. He hopped in the car, and I pulled off unsure of where we were going.
“Where’re we going, bro?”
“I’ma put the address in the GPS. Hold up.”
I pulled up to the stop light, and he programmed the address in the GPS system. I looked over at him before pulling off. He was engrossed in his phone, smiling at it like a little love struck teenager.
“That Blaze?” I asked.
“Yeah, man.” He smiled again.
“Let me find out you an ol’ cupcake-ass nigga now.” I laughed.
“Shit, there might be some truth behind that statement. B, is something different, man.”
I was shocked at his admission. I knew my brother was the type to fall fast, but he would go to his grave denying that he was really feeling a chick. He noticed the look on my face and laughed.