“I’m glad you could make it,” she greeted as she looped her arm inside his, instantly turning him into her escort. It wasn’t hard to make niggas comply to her. She switched men like she did handbags, classily dismissing them when they no longer complimented her lifestyle. They were accessories and as she walked through the bar people cleared out of her path. She was a boss bitch and Braylon noted the respect she garnered as people acknowledged her with a head nod as she passed them by. Braylon could tell that she was respected in the streets and silently wondered how a woman had developed so much clout. As they approached Seven’s door she knocked this time, wanting to show the utmost respect to Seven in front of Braylon.
“It’s open,” Seven shouted as Lola walked through the door with Braylon following.
Seven stood from his desk and slapped hands with Braylon in greeting.
“Good to see you again. Have a seat,” he said cordially. Braylon took a seat and Seven continued. “You see, what I can’t figure out for the life of me is how you flew underneath my radar. You’re buying up a lot of real estate and I knew nothing about you.” Seven was no fool. He was speaking in code and by real estate he meant kilos of cocaine. “But you’re not buying no bullshit houses ... you’re copping prime real estate. The good joints, nah mean? Now real estate is my business. So what I can’t understand is why you’re not buying from me.”
“My realtor gives me them foreclosure prices,” Ball replied.
Seven smirked, liking Ball already. There was something about him that Seven respected. He was young and hustling ... black and driven ... all qualities that Seven possessed as well.
“I can beat any price, but it depends on the quantity of course. The more properties you buy the better the price will be. My real estate also comes with security. I’m not trying to step on your toes a’ nothing, but I want in. If there’s money to be made I want to get it and since you already familiar with the Toledo area, I want to bring you in on my team.”
Braylon knew that if he was too eager than Seven would back out so he leaned forward as he adjusted the diamond bracelet on his wrist.
“No offense fam, but why would I join a team when I’m doing good with my own thing?”
“Because with my business comes insurance,” Seven said. “You won’t take any losses.”
“Price?” Braylon asked.
Seven loved the back and forth. He could tell that Ball wasn’t from where he was from because he didn’t fear Seven. Most hustlers would be afraid to haggle with Seven, but Ball took the meeting by the balls and fought for control. Both Seven and Ball knew who the real boss was, and they both knew that at the end of the day Ball would end up working beneath Seven. The negotiating was refreshing. Ball was about his business and his money, which caused Seven to respect him.
Seven smirked. “Reasonable,” he responded, referring to the price of his product, but not throwing out a specific number. Seven was smart and there was a mystique about him that drew both men and women in. Men wanted to emulate him and women wanted to be with him. Ball was no different. He was enamored by the enormity of Seven’s reign. He had done his research before walking into the bar. Seven wasn’t to be fucked with. A modern day gangster ... Seven was the stuff that legends were made of.
Lola sat silently by Ball’s side and she watched him closely. She looked for anxiety, for shade, noting his character. She could read a man like a book. No closed fists, no clenched jaw ... he’s not nervous. He’s maintaining eye contact, she noted thoroughly in her head. Nothing about Ball’s body language was throwing red flags. Even when Seven let silence linger in the air purposefully to rattle Ball, he remained composed. Seven and Lola locked eyes for a split second. That was all it took for Seven to notice the approval in Lola’s gaze. She had given him the thumbs up without saying a word. He trusted Lola’s word. She had never steered him wrong before. Ball was a go.
“I need to know a more specific price before I can say yay or nay, nah mean?” Ball asked.
“No you don’t,” Seven responded. “All you need to know is that those I have chosen to do business with in the past is getting money. They’re wealthy. Wifey’s happy, kids fed... . Are you in or out?”
Ball looked from Lola to Seven and nodded in consent, “I’m in.”
The connection had been made.
“Where are you staying?” Seven asked.
“The Hyatt,” Ball replied.
“Lola will be in touch,” Seven stated as he picked up his business phone and began to dial a number. Lola stood and Ball wasn’t quite sure if the meeting was over, but when Seven looked up from his phone call and said, “You’re still sitting here?” Ball knew there was nothing left to say.
He got up and headed out of the office feeling as if he had just made the biggest move of his life.
“By the way, I go by Ball. Call me Ball.” he said as walked out of the door.
“Room service!”
Braylon sat straight up in his hotel bed and rubbed his eyes as he looked over at the clock that sat on the nightstand. It was 7:00 A.M. and he irritably got out of bed.
“Fucking room service ... I ain’t ordered shit,” he grumbled as he crawled out of bed and walked over to the door. He opened the door and to his surprise no one stood on the other side. In place of the voice was a large black duffel bag. Braylon stepped out into the hall and looked from one end to the other, but no one was in sight. He bent down and picked up the bag before carrying it inside his room. He closed the door behind him and then tossed the bag on his bed. He unzipped the bag to find the prettiest bitches he had ever seen. Ten kilo’s sat inside, neatly wrapped in clear cellophane.
Dumbfounded he pulled a brick out of the bag. It was uncut. He could tell by the way it sparkled and his hustler’s instinct quickly kicked in. I can make these birds fly, he thought. It was then that he realized that he was stepping into a league that he was unfamiliar with. He had been getting money, but Seven was on some other shit. He was hustling in a major way. He hadn’t even told Seven his room number and the room wasn’t registered in his name. Just the fact that Seven was able to locate him told Braylon how large he was and he silently hoped that he didn’t get in over his head. He was about to transform into Ball ... the hustler. He would have to play this role to regain his freedom. In actuality, it was the beginning of the end.
Chapter Seven
Exit Braylon, Enter Ball
Ball let the water cascade down his naked body as he rested his hand on the shower’s wall. He was impressed by the recent delivery that he had just gotten. Seven handled his business with swagger and professionalism. Ball was dealing with the upper class in drug distribution at that point. Honestly, he was nervous about stepping into this dirty game on the same side as the law. He stepped out of the shower and was startled when he saw a man standing at the door looking at him.
“Oh shit!” Ball yelled as he almost slipped on the floor. He noticed that it was Dame who had snuck up on him. He never thought he would be so happy to see a cop. He honestly thought Seven had sent one of his goons to kill Ball that quickly.
“What the fuck man?” Ball said as he stood there naked.
“Get on some clothes and meet me in the front. Quick.” Dame demanded as he left out. Ball grabbed a robe and headed to the front where Dame waited at the small dinette table.
“What the fuck you sneaking up on me for?” Ball said as he dried his ears with a towel.
“First of all ... I can do whatever the fuck I want. You are state property until I’m done with your ass. Let’s be clear on that.” Dame said with a stern tone as he pointed at Ball.
“Whatever. Hold on. I got good news.” Balls said as he walked to the closet. He grabbed the duffle bag that Seven had arranged to be dropped off to him and walked to the table where Dame was seated. Ball then emptied the plastic wrapped bricks onto the table.
“Who gave you this?’ Dame asked as his eyed looked on in awe.
“Seven did. So I’m done
right? I got the drugs, now go arrest his ass and send me on my way,” Ball said.
“Seven actually gave you these himself?” Dame asked with skepticism all over his face.
“Well, not exactly. This morning I heard a knock at the door and when I answered this is what I found. But I saw him the previous night and he basically told me that he was going to hit me with the bricks.”
“That’s not good enough. If we want to put him away for a long time, we have to build a case. This is not going to happen overnight. This is a slow grind that I handpicked you for. You have to get in his circle and move like him. We need to get him to trust you and let you in. This way you can get us to the source. You have a get out of jail free card. You can basically break any law and not worry about getting in trouble. Any law except murder.”
“Is that right ... ?”
“So I want you to do what you do best nigga ... hustle. I want you to do what you do and don’t think about what’s at the end of the road. It’s either you go all the way in or don’t go at all. I don’t have to tell you the alternative do I?” Dame asked as he stood up and tossed one of the bricks to Ball. “Jail for a very long time. Think about it.” he said just before he left the room, leaving Ball alone to think to himself.
Chapter Eight
Snitching with Benefits
Ball dropped the dope off to Dame at the boxing gym and Dame gave him more money to re-order with. They were about to slowly build a strong case against Seven. Dame brought Ball to the backroom where a young man with a briefcase was waiting for them.
“What the fuck is this?” Ball asked as he stared at the young light-skinned man in front of them. He closely resembled a Hollywood model with his good grade of hair and high yellow skin.
“This is Gary, he’s a police officer who is about to go undercover.”
“Okay, what does this have to do with me?” Ball asked.
“I want you to introduce him to Seven as a potential buyer. We have never had someone get close to Seven like you have. We need a more experienced person working on the inside.” Dame said as he folded his arms and leaned against the wall.
“You got to be kidding me? This nigga?” Ball said with skepticism as he pointed at Gary. He began to look Gary up and down and knew that Seven would sniff him out a mile away. “You trying to get me killed? I can’t do that. This nigga ain’t been in the streets a day in his life.”
“You do not know anything about me nigger,” Gary said as he stood up and poked out his chest. Ball couldn’t help but to burst out in laughter.
“First of all, it’s nigga, not nigger. This is the shit I’m talking about. This nigga ain’t street. And you need to sit yo’ punk ass down before I pistol whip yo’ ass,” Ball said with a smile stepping into Gary’s face.
“Hold up!” Dame screamed as he stepped in between the two men. “Settle down! And Ball, you ARE going to introduce him to Seven. If not, I’ll ship your ass back to prison so fast that your head will spin.”
“I can’t believe this bullshit. Okay, I’ll do it.” Ball said after an extended moment of silence. “At least tell me you don’t want me to introduce him as Gary. That shit sounds weak.”
“No, I go by G-Dog.” Gary said proudly in protest. Ball couldn’t help but to chuckle.
“Look, your name is G. That G-Dog shit is corny as fuck. And please go get you some new clothes and not none of this bullshit you got on.” Ball said as he shook his head and put his hands on his waist. Gary remained silent as he looked down at the clothes he had picked out as street gear.
“Cool. Now come over here and let me show you something.” Dame walked over to the table and flipped open the briefcase. He exposed several pieces of platinum and gold jewelry. All of the pieces were shiny and diamond clustered. Ball immediately knew they were real and expensive by the way it looked.
“If you’re going to play the part ... you have to look the part. These are pieces that were confiscated from drug dealers over the years. Raids, seized items, and evidence inventory had stockpiled over the years. Take your pick.” Dame said as he stepped back and let them pick their jewelry. Gary instantly went for the biggest piece in the briefcase. He grabbed a platinum chain with a diamond encrusted Jesus head. The piece was custom made and was one of a kind. He put it around his neck and looked down in pure admiration. He always fantasized about wearing one and he finally had the opportunity to put on a chain worth more than his house.
“I am going to take this,” Ball said as he grabbed a modest platinum Rolex with a diamond front. It wasn’t too flashy, but it looked like money. It was a perfect fit for him.
“Great. Remember, it’s a marathon not a sprint. We have to build a case on this man and take him down. Let’s take our time and try to get deep in his organization.” Dame said as he closed the briefcase and walked out. “Have a goodnight gentleman. And remember, I’m always watching.” He said as he exited the room, leaving the two men alone.
Ball looked at the corny dude next to him and shook his head, knowing that he wasn’t fit to play the part. Fucking around with Dame’s people was sure to get him killed. He would never introduce anybody to Seven again. He was going to do it his way from that point on. Period.
Chapter Nine
New York State of Mind
Club Karma was rocking. Seven and his crew were in the building in the VIP section. It was a particularly special night. It was Lola’s birthday and everyone in the city came out to show love to the first lady. The Goon Squad along with Seven and Lola, posted in the roped off section in the rear. All eyes were on their section but no one could come close to the infamous crew. The goons posted front and center making sure no one crossed into their section. The bass thumped through the speakers and it was a couple of ticks before midnight. Lola danced by herself with her hands in the air as her favorite song came through the speakers. A bottle of Rose’ was in her hand and she drank the thousand-dollar champagne like it was water.
Ball sat at the bar and sipped on a vodka and cranberry, periodically glancing at the VIP section. He got wind of the party and under Dame’s order, was forced to go and mingle. Ball pulled out a wad of money and peeled off a fifty to pay for his drink. He told the waitress to keep the change as he turned his back on the bar and scoped out the place. Ball noticed men and women’s heads beginning to turn as a woman walked by. She had the biggest ass Ball had ever seen in his life. Her thin waist made her look like drawn cartoon figure, rather than a real person. Her body was simply amazing. She wore a tight fitting dress that hugged her figure, leaving nothing to the imagination. She wore red stilettos and a short bob hairstyle similar to that of actress Nia Long’s. Every time she took a step, her weight shifted from one plump butt cheek to the other. Her juicy behind jiggled every time her foot hit the pavement and the men drooled over her as she made her way to the bar. She approached and stood right next to Ball, ordering a drink.
“What’s up daddy?” she asked as she looked over at Ball and smiled, showing her pretty smile. Her smooth, brown complexion and dimples solidified her beauty and Ball was definitely impressed.
“What up,” he answered coldly as he looked her up and down and then back at the dance floor.
“Nice watch.” She added as she glanced down at the diamond encrusted Rolex. It seemed as if her eyes lit up when she saw the jewelry on his arm. She couldn’t hide it. Ball caught on.
“Thanks.” Ball said uninterested. The girl could feel his unwelcoming vibe and she quickly jerked her head and rolled her eyes.
“Your loss,” she said as she got her drink and walked away. Ball smiled and shook his head at her ignorance. The word gold-digger oozed from her personality and Ball saw right through her. He didn’t want any part of her. Zoey was the only girl that was on his mind, so hooking up with a chick was the last thing on his mind.
“Shorty got a fat ass though,” Ball said to himself as he watched her walk away. His eyes followed her as she walked to the corner of the room where two g
uys were leaning against the wall in black hoodies. She whispered something to one of them and walked away. Ball’s antennas instantly went up, but he dismissed it when a tap on his shoulder took his attention. It was Lola.
“Yo, what’s up homeboy?” she asked holding an extra bottle in her hand.
“Hey Lola,” Ball said as he smiled and looked her up and down. Although she dressed casually, wearing skinny jeans and a small jacket, she still had sex appeal.
“I got your text. You done with them joints already?” Lola said referring to the bricks that she hit him with.
“Yeah, I’m on the last joint. I need to re-up,” Ball said confidently as he took a sip of his drink.
“Yo, come up to VIP with us. I saw you over here looking lonely,” Lola joked as she unleashed her smile. She handed him a bottle and led him back to their section. Ball bobbed his head to the music and approached the booth Seven and a couple of ladies were sitting at.
“Look who I found in the crowd,” Lola said as she slid in the booth next to Seven.
“The new kid on the block,” Seven said as he smiled and extended his hand. He slapped hands with Ball, greeting him.
“What’s the word?” Ball asked as he scoped the VIP scene. The club had roped off the whole section for Seven and his crew. Only Goon Squad was allowed. Of course, a couple of special females were granted access. Bottles were flowing and they owned the club.
“Just celebrating my little sister’s birthday,” Seven said as he downed the rest of his champagne.
“Happy birthday, Lola B!” One of the goons yelled as he held up a bottle. He also let a couple of girls into their section. Lola stood up and whispered to Seven that she was about to use the restroom. Lola stood up and headed toward the restroom while the goon unhooked the velvet rope and stepped to the side, letting the stampede of stallions gain entrance. All eyes were on the girl in the red dress with the gigantic ass. She was the same girl that had approached Ball just minutes ago.
Dopeman: Memoirs of a Snitch (Part 3 of Dopeman's Trilogy) Page 6