Thirsty

by Mike Sanders

  on us. We looked like we were headed into combat. Therefore, getting

  pulled over surely wouldn’t have been a good look.

  I told my niggas, “Since them hoes at home, all we gotta do is fall

  up in there.”

  “What we doin’, a kick-door? ‘Cause I seen them heavy ass double

  doors and they don’t look like they tryin’ to budge,” D.C. stated. I looked over at him and arrogantly conceded, “Nah, we gonna

  walk up in that bitch.”

  “Oh, so them bitches just gonna open the door and let in three

  niggas with ski masks on?” Cross asked with sarcasm in his raspy

  voice.

  “Look back,” I told D.C. and Cross and watched as they both

  turned in their seats. “See that car that’s been followin’ a nigga?” “Yeah, who is that? I ain’t wanna seem paranoid, but I been peeping

  that car ever since we left West Boulevard. They ‘bout to get it.” D.C. was still watching the car as he cocked his pistol, ready to

  fire.

  “Simmer down, nigga, that’s my sister and Sapphire. Y’all already

  know what it is!” I said, smiling.

  When we reached the girls’ neighborhood, I rode past their house

  and saw both Range Rovers and the BMW parked in the circular

  driveway, indicating that they were both home. I drove to the end of

  their street and made a right at the stop sign. The tree-lined streets were

  peaceful and the neighborhood was so quiet that it was almost eerie. I

  pulled over and waved my sister around so that she could pull up next

  to me. I spoke briefly to Ice just to make sure she and Phire knew their

  roles. Ice was a vet at that shit but Phire was a rookie and we didn’t

  need any fuck-ups.

  After our conversation my sister and I went separate ways. I drove

  back down Tan’s street and parked a few houses away from their’s. We

  jogged back to the house while Justice pulled right up in the driveway

  in the rental car as if she belonged there. She waited for us to get into

  position before she and Sapphire exited the car. Once she saw that we

  were situated they waltzed directly up to the front door as if they were

  visiting old friends.

  I was ducking down behind a large granite statue of Cupid just off

  the side of the walkway, which led to the steps to the front doors. D.C.

  was posted up directly across from me, behind an identical statue, while

  Cross was hiding just beyond the porch where the two large double

  doors were located. All three of us had put on our ski masks and our

  pistols were cocked and ready! It was understood that once we gained

  entry, Cross would do all of the talking because we didn’t want to take the risk of the two girls recognizing me and D.C. We also made sure D.C.’s dreads and the tattoo on my neck was concealed because those

  would have been dead giveaways.

  While I waited I was looking around at the dark, elegant neighborhood and wondering how much dough a nigga had to have to live there.

  This neighborhood reminded me of the Ballentyne neighborhood in

  Charlotte. The cheapest house in this neighborhood was probably five

  hundred stacks at the least.

  I glanced toward the front door and noticed the attire Phire and Ice

  were wearing. They were both dressed like they were headed to a party.

  They had on expensive looking skirts along with stylish heels. I’d told

  them to dress for the club because after they were finished playing their

  parts that’s exactly where I wanted them to go. They needed to be seen

  for alibi purposes in case something was to go sour.

  Phire rang the doorbell using a handkerchief to avoid leaving

  prints.

  Moments later, the porch light above the double doors came on and

  I saw To’Wanda glance out of the curtains in one of the front rooms.

  Ice waved at her from the porch.

  “Hey, girl! Where Sissy at? Y’all ain’t goin’ to the party?” My sister was acting like she was looking for an old friend. Seconds later, Tan joined her friend at the window and I saw Phire

  wave at her and motion toward the front door as if she were telling the

  girls to come and let them in. I watched as To’Wanda momentarily left

  the window while Tan stayed there looking out.

  Damn, Tan’s gonna see Cross! I thought as To’Wanda opened the

  front door to speak with the two girls on their porch, letting them

  know that they were at the wrong house. As soon as one of the doors

  opened Cross made his move!

  Pushing my sister and Sapphire aside, Cross forced the door open.

  This caused To’Wanda to trip and fall backwards inside the foyer. Just

  as I’d figured, as soon as Tan saw Cross, she fled from the window! “Damn!” I mumbled under my breath.

  D.C. and I both emerged from our hiding places at the same time.

  We rushed past Phire and Ice and into the house with pistols drawn! As soon as I stepped through the door I saw Tan heading for the

  spiral staircase, running full-speed! I stepped over Cross as he subdued

  To’Wanda while she kicked and screamed. I chased Tan toward the

  stairs with my pistol aimed at her. When I finally reached the staircase

  Tan was halfway up the flight, screaming at the top of her lungs. I knew

  I had to catch her and shut her ass up before a nosey ass neighbor could

  hear her. I took the stairs two at a time until I was only a few feet away

  from her. Tan was moving swiftly and she was now only steps away

  from the top. I reached out and half-lunged, half- dived and grabbed a

  fistful of her hair, snatching her head backwards as hard as I could! She

  screamed as her head snapped rearward, but she didn’t stop running.

  She kept it moving.

  “What the fuck!?” I mumbled while looking at the clump of

  hair in my hand that I’d snatched out of Tan’s head. Realizing it was

  weave, I tossed it to the floor and continued to chase her into one of

  the bedrooms. When I reached the room she had entered, she was

  attempting to close the door. I rammed it with all the strength I had

  and ended up knocking her on her ass inside the large bedroom. In an instance, I was on top of her like a WWE wrestler, holding her

  down with my weight. I slapped her twice and raised my index finger

  to my lips in a gesture of silence. Once it was understood who was in

  control I reached into my pocket and retrieved the plastic cuffs and

  duct tape. I taped her mouth, and then commenced to cuff her hands

  behind her back as if she were under arrest. Just then, D.C. entered the

  room and gave me a “thumb’s up,” signaling that there were no further

  occupants inside the house.

  I snatched Tan to her feet and motioned for D.C. to take her back

  downstairs with Cross and To’Wanda. As he ushered her out I began

  to search the room, starting with the closet. On my way toward the

  large walk-in I looked over at the nightstand and saw a chrome .25

  automatic pistol lying next to the alarm clock.

  “Oh snap! That bitch was tryin’ to get to her ratchet,” I said aloud

  as I walked over and picked up the small handgun.

  I held the tiny pistol in my palm and admired the custom-made

  pearl handle. I laughed at the idea of Tan wanting to shoot me with

  that little ass shit. I was still laughing as I placed the burner in my


  back pocket and stepped inside the spacious closet. I looked about

  in amazement and was shocked at how much it looked like a miniboutique inside. These girls had minks, expensive dresses with the tags

  still attached, and racks upon racks of shoes that were still in boxes

  like they’d never been worn. Looking at all of that expensive shit had

  me regretting the fact that we hadn’t brought a fucking U-Haul truck

  with us! Nevertheless, I knew my sister and Phire would enjoy the free

  shopping spree.

  While searching the closet I noticed a small storage chest situated in

  the corner behind a few hanging dresses. My first thought was safe; so

  I walked over and bent down to open it. As soon as I lifted the lid my

  eyes were treated with a surprise.

  “Well I’d be damned,” I said to myself with a broad grin spread

  across my face. Just one look and I knew I’d just opened Pandora’s Box!

  Inside the chest were tons of sex toys. Most of which were strap-on

  dildos and vibrators of all sizes. There were costumes, whips, handcuffs, anal beads, lubrication gels; you name it these bitches had it. “These bad ass bitches is dykin’,” I laughed aloud at the revelation

  of Tandora and To’Wanda being bisexual.

  Then the more I thought about it the more things were beginning to add up and make sense. These girls were doing their thing

  and getting paid, so I guessed they felt like they didn’t need a man for

  anything. However, at that very moment while they were being bound

  and gagged I was willing to bet anything that they were both wishing

  they had a man in the house to try and protect them from niggas like

  me.

  I closed the freak box and continued to search the closet, then

  on to the rest of the bedroom. After coming up empty, I exited the

  room and headed downstairs to join the rest of my team. I wanted to

  inform Justice and Sapphire about all of the free gear and shoes Tan

  and To’Wanda had just donated to them.

  On my way down the hall I heard a non-descript sound coming

  from behind one of the closed doors on my right, just beyond the large

  bathroom I had just passed.

  I thought Cross and D.C. already searched these rooms up here, I

  thought.

  I crept closer to the door with my pistol aimed and ready to squeeze!

  When I reached the door I stood off to the side and listened for a

  minute. Slight shuffling could be heard beyond the door and at that

  instance my adrenaline began pumping like crazy. I reached out and

  tried the knob to see if it was unlocked, and to my surprise it was! Hesitantly, I slowly twisted the knob. As soon as the door was ajar

  I quickly pushed it open and had no idea of what I’d meet with on the

  other side.

  “OOH SHITT!” I gasped as one of the biggest pit bulls I’d ever laid

  eyes on rushed out!

  The beast was foaming at the mouth with bared teeth and lunged

  directly for me as if he was about to have supper. I threw my arm up in

  a gesture of defense as I stumbled back against the wall just before I let

  off two quick shots, striking the dog in its head. It was dead instantly! Moments later, I was stepping over the lifeless K-9 and was met

  with Cross as soon as I reached the top of the staircase. I was sweating

  beneath the mask and my adrenaline was still pumping! “What the...” Cross started. He looked past me and saw the bloody

  dog. He let out a deep sigh when he realized that the gunfire hadn’t

  been anything serious. “Oh, yeah, I forgot to tell you. It’s a dog in that

  room.”

  He was laughing and pointing at the room where the dog had

  emerged from.

  “Fine time to tell a nigga.” I just shook my head. I breathed a sigh

  of relief and whispered, “Where my sister at?”

  “They bounced already,” he answered while still looking at the

  bloody dog.

  After I gathered my composure we both headed back downstairs

  to where D.C. was watching over the two girls. Tan and To’Wanda both lay on the floor sobbing behind the duct tape. I nodded at Cross, letting him know it was time to handle business. Without hesitation,

  he started with the demands.

  “Where the money at? As soon as we get it, we’ll be out and leave

  y’all alone.” He raised his pistol and pointed it in the girls’ direction

  and added, “Make no mistake about it, if y’all wanna play hard and

  make a nigga have’ta look for that shit we torturing both you bitches!

  Give it to us or give that shit to God. It’s your choice!”

  I looked over at him from where I was standing and I saw him look

  up at me. He was getting a kick out of using my line.

  I bent down and peeled the tape off of Tan’s mouth and noticed my

  handprints on her face from where I’d slapped her.

  As soon as the tape was removed she sobbed while confessing, “It’s

  out back in the tool shed in the wooden chest next to the tool locker.

  The key is in the kitchen in the top drawer next to the dishwasher.” I saw To’Wanda look over at Tan as if she was mad because she had

  given up the location of the stash. Tan was looking at To’Wanda with

  tears streaming down her cheeks.

  “I’m so sorry. I just didn’t wanna see them hurt you,” she cried with

  trembling lips.

  I put the tape back on Tan’s mouth as Cross entered the kitchen and

  went straight to the key. He came back and showed the key to Tan and

  she nodded, confirming that he had the correct key. These girls had

  actually thought we were going to leave once we cleaned out the stash,

  but little did they know, we were waiting for the “big fish” to arrive. We

  were waiting for the two Hispanic dudes with the briefcase! Cross went back through the kitchen and exited the back door. He

  was headed for the tool shed, which was approximately fifty feet or so

  away from the house. I walked over and looked through the kitchen

  window and saw him open the door to the shed. As soon as he was

  inside I heard a series of beeps coming from what seemed to be twenty

  different locations within the house. I rushed back into the living room

  area where D.C. and the girls were and saw that D.C.’s eyes were as big

  as saucers. He was frantically looking around and trying to pinpoint the location of the beeps as well. Seconds after the beeps had started, reality dawned on me all at once. These sly ass bitches had set us up.

  The beeps were coming from an alarm!

  I dashed through the kitchen and out the back door to get Cross. I

  had to let him know that we had to abort our mission. When I reached

  the tool shed I saw Cross hastily throwing empty boxes out of his way

  as he continued to search for the never-existing “treasure chest.” I told him, “My nigga, we gotta bounce! You tripped an alarm!” “That stankin’ ass bitch lied! Ain’t no money out here! She thank a

  nigga playin’ wit’ her ass!? I’ma torture this hoe for real for tryin’ me

  like that!” Cross had venom in his voice.

  He was still looking for the chest and acted as if he hadn’t heard

  a word I’d just said. When he was satisfied that there was no stash

  he exited the shed and was headed back toward the house. D.C. was

  coming out the back door.

  “Yo! You heard what I just said? A muthafuckin’ alarm is goin’ off,
/>
  nigga! Fuck dem bitches! We gotta go!” I grabbed Cross’s arm as he

  attempted to re-enter the house with fire in his eyes. I managed to pull

  him away from the door and gave him a shove, which started his stride

  as we all fled from the large house.

  When we made it back to the car we peeled out and made it out of

  the neighborhood unnoticed. We drove back to Charlotte feeling like

  damn fools because we knew we’d just fucked up what should’ve been

  a sweet lick. I was behind the wheel once again as Cross rode shotgun

  D.C. sat in the back. They were both heated!

  As I drove, I was having mixed emotions about what had just

  happened. I was angry as hell because we hadn’t come out of the house

  with anything but a fuckin’ .25 automatic. But at the same time, I had

  a little admiration for how much heart Tandora and To’Wanda had

  displayed. We had underestimated those bitches and in return, they

  had caught us sleeping!

  It was unbeknownst to me to what extreme anybody else would go

  to in order to uphold their respect; nevertheless, I could vouch for the

  fact that those two girls were indeed willing to die for theirs. I had to love that. If one of my niggas would’ve looked closely

  enough at me while I was lost in thought about Tan and To’Wanda,

  they would have seen a slight smile spread across my lips.

  CHAPTER NINE JUSTICE

  Hey stranger. Know who this is?” I was speaking into my Bluetooth. “How can I forget the voice? I was starting to think you wasn’t

  gonna get at me. How’s my Chyna doll doin?” J.T.’s voice was even

  sexier over the phone than I remembered it being in person. Since that night I had met J.T. at Nine Three Five I had wanted to

  contact him, but I didn’t want to look too desperate or make it seem as

  if a sistah was too interested. So I waited a while before calling. Sapphire and I were at my place relaxing and making plans for the

  weekend when I’d decided to give J.T. a call. Sapphire was milling

  about in my kitchen while I sat on the sofa sipping on an apple

  martini, enjoying a nice little buzz. It had been a couple of days since

  my brother and his crew had fucked up the robbery in Rock Hill; and

  Sapphire was still a little tight because it had been her first time on

  a jux and she didn’t get compensated for her services. We were both