by Lucinda John
“You a fool.” she waved me off.
“Bring that mouth here, girl,” I replied, pulling her to me.
Mayhem
“Go home,” I said to my club manager, Mindy. She’d been here since seven this morning preparing for our grand opening. Now, it was almost midnight and she was still offering her help.
“I’m good, Boss. I have no man or kids to go home to so I’m ok with working,” she replied.
I was hesitant about hiring Mindy since she gave off so much sex appeal, but one look at her resume had me reconsidering. Before moving to Miami, she worked with numerous celebrities, promoting their clubs and events. She decided she wanted to take her career to a more corporate level so she went to school, got her degree in business management, and started managing clubs.
When I looked at Mindy, she reminded me of Eva Marcille. Her frame was a little thicker, but with her smooth caramel skin, blonde finger waves, and diva attitude, she could really pass as her. Since Mindy was running around getting her hands dirty, she was dressed in an old tight t-shirt and a pair of yoga pants that made love to her plump ass.
“I’m about to be out of here in a few. My baby been blowing me up with her cravings,” I said, looking down at another demanding text from Tiny. She wanted some cinnamon swirl bread with strawberry cream cheese. I really didn’t feel like heading to Walmart, but I was left with no choice.
“That’s so sweet how you take care of her.” Mindy smiled.
“Let’s go,” I replied, grabbing my things.
“What you mean let’s go? I’m staying to finish up,” Mindy replied.
“I’m not about to leave you here with all these men. They can handle the rest.”
“You sure?” she asked.
“Yeah, get your stuff so I can walk you to your car, it’s late.”
As I waited by the door for Mindy, I couldn’t help but admire my new business establishment. The details I put into this gentlemen’s club was better than any other club we opened. I had a good feeling about this new business venture. I knew this was the type of establishment I could have a chain of all over the world. The more the Feds came after us, the harder I worked, making sure we were straight. I wanted all three of us to walk away from the game free, alive, and very wealthy.
“Go ahead and drive off,” I said, walking Mindy to her car. It wasn’t a romantic gesture; it was something I did out of respect. My mother would kick my ass if she knew I allowed one of my employees to leave work by herself at this time of night. A lot of crazy motherfuckers walked this block which is why I had designated security guards whose job was to walk the young ladies who got off late to their cars.
“FUCK!” I heard Mindy yell.
“You straight?” I asked.
“My car wants to play,” she sighed.
“Come on, Mindy. Why you playing with this bullshit ass car?” I said, looking over at her Kia.
“My mother is in this home because she needs around the clock care, and I pay for it. My motherless sixteen-year-old baby cousin, who I care for, fucked around and got pregnant by some bum ass nigga who’s not decent enough to buy a pack of pampers. I just put down on a new house, which got my savings looking sick. My main concern is paying these bills and stacking up,” she replied.
“I’ll take you home. I own a dealership; you can trade in this car and get something reliable. I’m not about to have your ass calling out of work and shit,” I said.
“Thank you, Boss,” she replied, popping her trunk and removing a duffel bag.
“What’s all that?” I asked.
“My hoe bag, every girl got one in her trunk.”
“A hoe bag?” I asked, looking at her sideways. Mindy didn’t give me the vibe that she was a hoe, so that caught me by surprise.
“A bag with women’s personal items in case of an emergency,” she clarified.
“Oh,” I laughed. “Punch in your address,” I said, pointing at the GPS system.
“Your ride is fire!” she beamed.
“Hard work pays off,” I replied, as I followed the automated voice.
****
“This you?” I asked as I pulled up in front of a nice sized single family home.
“Yeah, I just got it,” she smiled, proud of her purchase.
“Make me think you over there banking.”
“I was until I put down on this house. Wiped my savings clean, but it’s all good tho’ because I no longer have to rent. This baby is all mine,” she said.
“That’s a smart move,” I said, reaching into the back seat and handing her the ‘hoe bag’.
“Thanks for the ride,” she said before grabbing her bags and getting out the car.
“No problem, just hit me up in the morning so I can give you directions to the dealership.”
“Thanks again.”
“No biggie.”
I sat in front of her house until she entered her house, then headed in the direction of the Walmart. I was tired as fuck, but I wouldn’t dare walk in the house without Tiny’s demands. If I came home empty handed, she would chew my ass up and send me right to the store. I was new to this shit and I already wanted to fast forward to her due date, just to get my youngin’ out of her evil ass.
****
“What you think?” Tiny asked, twirling around in a mesh bejeweled ivory dress that matched my ivory suit perfectly.
“You look sexy as fuck!” I licked my lips.
“I don’t look fat? I feel fat,” she frowned.
“You’re not even showing yet, chill out.”
Tonight was the night of the grand opening and I was doing it big. I had the red carpet rolled out, photographers; I even hired interviewers to work the red carpet, just to make my guests feel real special. I had a few celebrity guests in attendance; I was feeling like a true boss at the moment.
Grabbing Tiny’s hand, I couldn’t think of anyone else to share this moment with. Thanks to my money and lawyer, I was now free from my marriage with Macy and had joint custody of the kids. With my money doubling, my girl carrying my baby, and business flourishing, I was in a good head space right now. The fact that TK still had family out there gunning for us still consumed me, but I stayed a step ahead of the game. I made sure to up the security around my family until I could weed out the snake and behead that motherfucker.
“Baby, you good?” Tiny asked me.
“I’m lucky as fuck,” I replied.
“Why is that?”
“I have your fine ass on my side tonight,” I truthfully replied, looking into her face that looked nice with her makeup. I was all for the natural look, but I had to admit the makeup artist did her thing. Had my baby looking like a fashion model.
“By your side is where I always wanna be,” she blushed.
“You have no choice.”
“What’s up with you demanding ass Godfrey brothers?”
“When we want something, it’s ours, no questions asked,” I replied, kissing her on the cheek.
When we arrived at the club, my eyes lit up at the amount of people that came to support. The driver stopped the car in front of the red carpet, then came around to open the door for us. The moment our feet touched the pavement, photos were being snapped. Grabbing Tiny by her waist, I held her lovingly as we posed for a few photos.
“How do you feel about this new club?” the interviewer asked.
“I feel really good,” I replied.
“Who is this beautiful woman by your side?”
“The love of my life,” I proudly said.
“I’m sure everyone wants to know who dressed you and your lovely lady for tonight’s event?”
“CharLee. He’s a new designer that I’m discussing business with.”
“More business ventures?” the interviewer asked.
“The plan is to have the Godfrey Brothers’ name on everything.”
“Thank you for your time, Mr. Godfrey. Congrats on your grand opening and enjoy your night.”
“Thank you,” I said before grabbing Tiny’s hand and making my way inside.
When we made our way to the VIP area, I noticed that my brothers and their women were already there.
“What’s up, niggas?” I greeted my brothers before kissing the ladies.
“Late ass nigga, what’s good?” Maleek asked.
“Man, that’s her and all that ‘I feel fat’ bullshit.” I blamed Tiny.
“Shut up.” Tiny rolled her eyes, taking a seat next to Emma.
“Hey, Mayhem, you’re here, what you think?” Mindy asked, pointing around at the full house we had.
“This is dope as fuck. I’m still shocked you got the hottest DJ in Miami to spin,” I replied.
“I’m good at what I do,” she said, dusting her shoulders off.
“That you are. Let me introduce you to the woman in my life. Tiny, this is Mindy, Mindy, this is Tiny,” I said, introducing them.
I knew Tiny would trip about me hiring Mindy as my club manager. The fact that Mindy was standing here wearing a tight black dress that outlined her every curve with a pair of royal blue fuck me pumps on her feet did little to help. Tiny gave Mindy a look over and I could feel her attitude.
“Is there anything I can get you? The food is delish,” Mindy said, trying to ease the tension.
Again, Tiny’s rude ass just looked Mindy up and down with a unit on her face.
“Ok. I’m going to check on the other VIP guests. Buzz me if you need me, Boss,” Mindy said before walking away.
“Walk with me,” I said, grabbing Tiny by the hand and walking her over to the corner. “Why you being mean and shit?”
“Why your club manager look like she should be swinging on one of those poles?” she quizzed.
“Come on, ma, why you tripping? Mindy is the best and I needed the best,” I replied.
“Mayhem, I will burn this shit down if you fuck with me,” she said, placing a hand on her hip.
“I bet your crazy ass would,” I smirked.
“I’m not playing with you,” she snapped.
“I know.”
“Good, and make sure your employee knows that too. Matter fact, set up an employee meeting with your entire female staff so I can let they ass know I don’t play that shit.”
“Chill out, bae, I gotchu.”
“Since you got me, go get me a turkey club with a chef salad and a glass of peach tea,” she said, rubbing her stomach.
“Ol greedy ass. Go sit down and take off them damn heels. I’m coming.”
The moment Tiny took her seat, Maleek and Ramsey came walking my way.
“Bruh, guess who’s here,” Ramsey said.
“Who?”
“Your ex-wife,” he replied.
“Fuck. Did Emma see her?”
“Nah, I don’t think so, but Joie is down by the bathrooms talking to her,” Ramsey replied.
“Iight, I’mma go handle this shit,” I said.
“Don’t do nothing stupid,” Maleek reasoned.
“This bitch better not make a scene,” I huffed before making my way to the main floor.
I walked over to the bar area and placed Tiny’s food order, before making my way to the bathrooms where Macy was standing, talking to Joie.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” I asked, shoving Macy into the hallway. I didn’t want Tiny to fuck around and see us. Her ass was already on some other shit, so adding fuel to her fire was something I wasn’t trying to do.
“I came to support my baby daddy,” she smiled.
“You on some other shit, for real.”
“I’m on my best behavior. I just came to show face,” she giggled.
“Nah, I ain’t feeling you being here,” I spat, waving for a security guard.
“You’re kicking me out?” she asked with a shocked look on her face.
“Yup! If it ain’t about my kids, I’m not trying to hear ya. See ya!” I waved, as the security guard carried her to the back exit.
“You didn’t have to do her like that,” Joie sighed.
“Stay in your lane, Joie.”
“No, she’s my friend. Once upon a time you were married to her; she gave you three children,” Joie argued.
“I know that’s your friend and all, but I ain’t tryna fuck with that unloyal ass bitch. Had she kept it real with me, she would have still been my wife. I’m a fair nigga. I wouldn’t dare throw my family away if there wasn’t a legit reason for it. As far as I’m concerned, we’re just co-parenting. Like I said, stay in your lane,” I said before walking away from her ass.
I loved Joie like a sister, but the fact that she was cool with Macy irritated me. I wouldn’t dare tell Joie to stop fucking with Macy because over the years, they’ve developed a relationship. I just wish Joie’s ass would mind her business when it came to how I treated Macy. Tiny was now the woman in my life and I wasn’t trying to put her in an uncomfortable position by parading my ex-wife around.
“I’m so proud of you, baby,” Tiny said, as we slow danced to Ro James’ “Permission”.
“Thank you, baby,” I replied, kissing her on the lips.
“How much longer do we have to stay here for?” she asked.
“Why, you tired?”
“Nah, I want some dick,” she smiled.
“In that case, the night is over,” I chuckled.
Robert
“You’re a fucking rookie!” I snapped at my little brother.
“I had his ass, but a group of people came out of nowhere, fucking with my aim,” his sorry ass had the nerve to say.
“How the fuck you a hitta and couldn’t kill that nigga?”
“For the last time, I WAS DISTRACTED!” he yelled.
“Fuck! Now we gotta lay low because I know for a fact them streets hot,” I sighed.
“It’s a good thing they don’t know who we are.”
“Yeah, you right. Now I really gotta fuck with this bitch,” I replied.
“It can’t be that bad; she had your baby.”
“The baby was some shit I did to show that nigga that I came for everything, including his bitch, but he don’t even want her ass, so what’s the point?” I shrugged, taking a long swig of my beer.
“Get in that bitch’s head so we can know what’s going on,” my brother said.
“That’s what I have no choice but to do since you fucked up,” I snapped, walking away from his dumb ass.
When my uncle TK was running things beside Mayhem, he promised me a spot on his team. TK kept me and my brother tucked away because the initial plan was for him to snatch the family business from Mayhem and put us on. When that method didn’t work, he started snitching to the Feds in hopes of taking them down that way, but Mayhem ended up taking the charges, sending his brothers after my unc.
My uncle’s death was the worst day of my life. Growing up, I didn’t have a father, so my uncle decided to take on that role and help my mother raise us. My uncle was our breadwinner—the only family we knew—so when Mayhem took that nigga from us, I decided to come gunning for his ass.
Going after the Godfrey brothers was a hard task, which is why I decided to go after Macy. I had my brother down in Florida watching her every move while I tried to figure out the right way to approach her. When he overheard her talking to her friend about a dating site to search for new friends to keep her company, I used that as my chance.
I wasn’t really trying to fuck with Macy like that, especially since I was still fucking with my baby mama, Jayda. When she told me about her husband and how much she loved him, I knew fucking her and getting her pregnant would be a huge slap in the face to Mayhem. The moment she started discussing them getting divorced, the more uninterested I became in her. The only reason I didn’t cut her off completely is because I needed her to get close to him.
I thought about letting Macy in on my plan to get at Mayhem, but I wasn’t sure if she still held any loyalty to that nigga. I didn’t need her ass running back to Mayhem, putting him up on game, earnin
g myself a death certificate. I figured I could play on her emotions, turning her against him. My mother used to always say, hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. All I had to do was throw enough shit in her face to get her real mad at that nigga.
“What you in here thinking about?” my baby mama asked.