“Yo, Kane,” one of the men tried to begin, but Kane quickly raised his hands, signaling for him to cease all talk.
“Like I said, before I was interrupted, Stevie D was the only person who came to see about me. I can deal with that. I know how the game goes. Out of sight, out of mind, right?” Kane asked rhetorically as he displayed his famous smile, while still circling the table with his hands behind his back. “Fifty bricks at twenty thousand apiece. What’s that, Rat?” Kane said, looking over at Fat Rat.
“One million,” Fat Rat said definitively.
“One million dollars! Apiece!” Kane stated as he stopped at the head of the table and rested both of his hands on the oak wood. He leaned forward and said in a lower tone, “Now, the million-dollar question is … who has my money?”
The room grew silent and it almost seemed as if it grew colder as the words resonated in the men’s heads. Kane’s stern stare was menacing, and what usually were kind eyes and a great smile were now monstrous. Kane wasn’t playing any games at this point. Stevie D was the first to address the question. He reached under the table and pulled out a briefcase. He placed it on top of the table and slid it across to just in front of Kane, who placed his hand on it and popped open the latch. Inside there were nothing but Franklin faces.
“There you go. It’s all there. I’ve been sitting on that for six years,” Stevie said.
“My man,” Kane said as he smiled at Stevie. Fat Rat quickly came and removed the briefcase from the table and took his position back at the door. The room grew silent once more, and it was obvious that no one else had the money to pay Kane.
“Fred, you have my money?” Kane asked as he looked over at the stocky dark man that sat at the table.
“Shit hard out here, bruh. I—” Before he could finish his sentence, Fat Rat crept behind him and raised a .40-caliber pistol with a silencer tip. He pressed the barrel to the back of the man’s head. Boom! He sent a single bullet through the back of Fred’s head. Blood splattered all over the oak table, and everyone except Fat Rat and Kane flinched. Fred’s body was slumped on the table as blood oozed from his mouth, and his eyes stared into space.
Kane smiled as he saw the terror in his former workers’ eyes.
“Now, I ask again. Who has my money?” Kane said as he began to circle the table once again.
“I will have it. Give me a month,” another guy said with a trembling voice, terrified to say anything in the vein of not having Kane’s money.
“That’s more like it, my friend.” Kane said as he placed his hand on the man’s shoulder, making him flinch to the touch. Kane continued, “Rat, Stevie D. Let’s go enjoy some barbecue. I want the rest of you guys to have my money in one … no, two months. Kane is home. Clean this mess up and come out and enjoy the festivities.”
Kane headed toward the door, leaving the room full of fear. Three men were left, two alive and one dead. The king was home and he was making it known. He was coming for everything he was owed, nothing more and nothing less.
When Kane, Stevie, and Fat Rat got into the hallway, Fat Rat began smirking. “Kane, why didn’t you let it be known that he was a rat?” Fat Rat asked, referring to the federal informant that he had just killed. Fred had turned state when he got caught with weight about a year earlier. Kane smiled back and slyly slid his hands in his pockets.
“I had to make them sweat,” Kane said, causing all of them to burst into laughter. Kane was strategic like that. He always played life like chess. He had to kill Fred regardless, so he figured he could kill two birds with one stone. He could press the issue about his owed money and also knock off Fred. It was simply genius.
They began to hear the music from the band outside and they returned to the crowd as if nothing had happened. “Feels good to have you home, Kane,” Fat Rat said as he patted Kane on his back.
“Feels good to be home,” Kane answered as he watched his people dancing, having a good time in his honor. He had been anticipating this day for seven years and it had finally come. The king had returned to his throne. But this time he would take over in the dark. He would never make the mistake of being in the limelight again. Prison didn’t rehabilitate Kane. It only made him more strategic. The PhD in business that he had acquired while inside also helped him. Not to be a better businessman, but to be a better drug kingpin. The game would never be the same.
* * *
No one knew, but Kane was nearly broke. He wasn’t broke in the eyes of a working man, but a man of Kane’s status needed millions. The seven-year drought had disrupted his cash flow and the government stripped everything from him. His ten-million-dollar tax bill and all of the liens had him low on funds. He’d had just enough stashed so that his daughter wouldn’t feel the blow while he was away. He took care of her aunt that raised her while he was away handsomely, but that cash was low and he needed to get back in position. Kane knew that he was under surveillance and the watchful eye of the law, so he had to move smarter, wiser, and farther under the radar. He created a plan in prison and it would soon be known as his blueprint to criminology. He just needed to find a protégé to complete his plan. If Kane put the right pieces in place, he could then apply his well-thought-out “street” business plan.
CHAPTER SIX
Never chase two rabbits … because you’ll end up losing both.
—KANE GARRETT
Basil had slipped away from the celebration and headed to his low-key spot on the west side of Flint. Only two people knew about this particular spot: Basil and the person waiting on the inside for him. He slipped the key into the keyhole and unlocked the door. He heard the sounds of Pac serenading the air, and the smell of vanilla incense filled his nostrils. He walked into the spacious apartment that he had occupied half of the time with his girlfriend, Vivian. Vivian was straight from the hood and feisty was an understatement. A real around-the-way girl with street savvy. Basil walked into the spot and immediately called for her.
“Viv!” he yelled as he sat down on the couch. He also sat the book bag on the coffee table. Moments later Vivian came in. She wore small boy shorts that barely held her butt cheeks in. The bottom of her enormous ass hung outside of the shorts and looked like two caramel teardrops. Every step made a thud, and her thick legs and heavy bottom side were on full display.
“Hey daddy,” she said as she walked in and grabbed the book bag and peeked in.
“Hey ma. Count up,” Basil said, getting straight to the point. He always made Viv double-count, rubber-band, and stash his money after every good day. She kept all of his money, put up for him, and weighed his product faithfully. Basil taught her to rubber-band the ten-thousand stacks with colorful rubber bands and the twenty-five-thousand stacks with regular beige bands. That way he could count them by eye and quickly. It was a system they had and she was the only one he trusted with his drug money. He met her through his connect Boone. Being that she was Boone’s cousin, Basil had seen her when he used to go and cop from Boone. She used to cook up his dope for her cousin at his crack spot. Basil caught her in the mall one day and a simple conversation led to him dicking her down in her apartment and she never let him out of her grasp since. Basil watched as the ghetto black Barbie strutted past him, swinging her hips from side to side. The weight shifted from left to right, her ass jiggling on every stride. Her caramel complexion and dark silky hair made her look unique. She wore a neat ponytail pulled tightly and her hair flowed down her back. She was a stallion. Her thighs were thick and her waist was trim, giving her a perfect hourglass shape. Basil’s eyes were glued as she put on a show. She knew Basil was on his way with the bag and she wanted to entice him, hoping that he might give a little hush money.
She bent over in front of him, knowing that her hanging fat vagina lips were viewable from the back side. She had it trimmed like he liked, not bald … but not a hairy jungle either. Out of habit, Basil smacked her ass, making a large echo sound throughout the apartment. On cue, she began to wobble it just as his hand lift
ed off of her plump cheek. She loved the way the sting felt.
“Damn, ma,” Basil said under his breath as he watched the show she was putting on for him. “Gon’ with that. I know what you trying to do,” Basil said, slightly smirking.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she answered mischievously. Viv pulled out a rubber band full of bills, thumbed through them, and turned around. The way he made money in the streets turned her on every time. She slowly straddled Basil, putting her weight on him. Basil instinctively placed both of his hands on her rear and he could feel the heat coming from her pelvic area. She playfully flipped through the bills and licked her full, slightly oversize lips. “So, how much I get off this batch?” she asked as she slowly grinded in his lap, trying to awaken his manhood.
“We don’t talk about money, ma. You hold me down and I will do the same,” Basil said in his always low voice. He grinned as he lightly lifted up, poking her with his tool.
She began to feel him rise through his sweatpants and smiled, knowing she had him right where she wanted him. She felt herself beginning to get moist in between her legs and slowly grinded him some more. She tossed the money to the side and began to French-kiss Basil. She moaned softly and started rubbing her breasts through her shirt. They were big, round, and supple. She didn’t have on a bra, so her erect nipples became noticeable through her T-shirt. They stuck out like two bullets. As Basil continued to kiss her, he gently squeezed her backside and had more than a handful. She reached down and pulled out his nine-inch, thick tool, swiftly sliding it inside of her without hesitation. Her boy shorts were moved to the side, giving him easy admission to her warmth. She was soaking wet in anticipation. The seat of her shorts were drenched.
“Ooh,” she crooned as he slid deep inside of her. Her tight womb was extremely wet, and wet noises filled the air as she began to grind on him, sitting down on him while taking him all in. Basil was rock hard and he had reached his full potential as his pole stood up straight like a tower. She slid up and down on his shaft as she threw her head back in pure pleasure and pain. Basil gently sucked on her left nipple and squeezed her ass cheeks as they bounced down on his lap, clapping thunderously with each landing. Basil admired her body as she rode him like a jockey on a stallion. Her breasts bounced in the air as sweat beads began to drip down her torso, driving Basil wild. All of a sudden, she jumped off of Basil. She then turned around and sat back down on him, positioning herself in a reverse cowgirl. She placed her hands on the floor and began to work her ass in a slow, snake-like motion. Basil looked down at what was happening and bit his bottom lip as she made his rod disappear and reappear repeatedly. Her wetness began to drip onto his lap and it only added to the mind-blowing experience. Basil felt himself about to explode as he grabbed her waist and helped her slam down onto him. He knew he would release himself at any second, but he wasn’t done just yet. He stopped her, slid out of her, and pushed her off of him. He then stood up and tossed her onto the couch. He parted her legs and took a peek down. Her juicy lips were glazed and her erect clitoris was pulsating. Her lovebox was on full display as the shorts were stretched and wildly pulled to the side. He quickly pulled his shirt over his head and off of his body, revealing his ripped chest and flat stomach. He grabbed both of her legs and gently pushed them back to the point where both of her feet were over her head. He slowly slid inside of her and began to grind in hard, slow, circular motions. She moaned in pleasure as Basil grinded inside of her. She begged for more and Basil gave it to her just like she requested. He looked down at her and her eyes were closed as she flicked her tongue like a snake, imagining she was eating another woman’s lovebox. The look alone drove Basil wild.
Basil loved the way Viv made love. Maybe it was the fact that she was ten years his senior that drove him wild. Experience was her best teacher. She was an all-out freak and Basil loved that side to her. He didn’t love her, but she was the only girl he trusted and he knew that she was loyal. She was his ride-or-die chick and the thought of that made him climax. He grunted and pulled out as he stroked himself. Without hesitation, Viv sat up and began to give him fellatio, moaning at the same time, catching everything that he let out. Vivian was amazing.
Basil’s legs got weak as he gripped the back of Vivian’s head and threw his own head back in complete bliss. He fell onto the couch and breathed heavily with his eyes closed. She got up and walked away toward the bathroom. Basil peeked as her fat cheeks wobbled as she walked. He shook his head in awe and took a deep breath. She returned to him with a warm towel as she cleaned him as he rested.
“I heard the projects was live today. Kane came home, huh?” Viv said, referring to the biggest news in the city.
“Yeah. He brought the city out,” Basil replied.
“I know it’s about to be on now,” Viv said, smiling.
“What you mean?” Basil asked as he slightly frowned.
“You know … with Nephew being your big homie before he died. Everybody saying you’re next in line to be the man.”
“Everybody like who?” Basil asked, hating that Viv was discussing street business with him.
“Everybody’s talking. They say Kane about to connect you to the plug like he did Nephew.”
Basil shook his head in disgust, knowing that she had gotten the news from her cousin Boone. “You need to stop listening to everyone else. They just talking,” Basil replied as he stood up and disappeared into the back of the apartment. Basil began to think about what he’d witnessed and never told anyone. He always wondered what the real reason was behind Kane killing his big homie. He would soon find out, once he got deeper into the game.
* * *
“Which leads me to my next rule of thumb that any businessman, or—woman, should live by. Never chase two rabbits … because you’ll end up losing both,” Kane said as he paced the front of the lecture hall with both of his hands in his pockets. His sleeves were rolled up and he had on Ferragamo slacks and loafers. He had taken off his Italian-cut suit jacket, which was his daily uniform. He had finally grown accustomed to being a professor. The hype had died down and there were no longer reporters and cameras outside the classroom. There was only him and his students as he imputed his knowledge on business and how to maneuver among vultures. They were six weeks into the semester and Kane was getting into the meat of his teachings. He tended to break down his business lessons as if they were street deals. This technique drew Basil in and he understood a tad bit more than the other students. Kane was giving them the laws of the street and they didn’t even know it; but Basil did.
Kane looked at his watch. “That’s our time for today. I will see everyone next Thursday. Have a great weekend,” he said just before he retired to his desk as the students began to file out of the class. As usual Basil was in the back of the lecture hall with a hoodie on. He was one of the last ones to exit and had his head down as he headed toward the door.
“Mr. Branch,” Kane said smoothly as he sat with his hands crossed. Basil immediately raised his head and looked over at Kane. “I need to have a word with you,” Kane added. Basil paused for a second, taken aback by the request.
Does he remember me? I wonder what he wants, Basil thought as he tossed his book bag over his left shoulder. He looked around and slowly headed over to Kane, who patiently waited for everyone to exit before he began speaking.
“Do you remember me?” Kane asked, after making sure everyone was out of the class. Kane nodded to his right-hand man, Fat Rat, signaling him to close the door. Basil also looked around and took his time before answering.
“Yeah, I remember,” Basil admitted as he repositioned his book bag on his shoulders. Kane slowly began to walk toward Basil and eventually was standing toe to toe with him.
“I respect what you did back then. You didn’t break the rules,” Kane said as he pointed at Basil’s chest.
“Wasn’t my business. I’m no rat,” Basil said, looking straight into Kane’s eyes.
“No doubt.
If you ever need—” Kane began, giving him his famous smile. However, Basil cut him off.
“Listen, I don’t want anything from you. I didn’t do it for you. I did it for me and my morals. I don’t fuck with the police. Obviously, y’all had a problem and that problem wasn’t my business. Feel me?” Basil asked.
“I hear you. But let me tell you this. Nephew was my guy. I had love for him. However, in that game I was in … there was rules. Rules that aren’t meant to be broken without consequence. Nephew broke those rules. So I had to handle my business.”
“I don’t have anything to do with that,” Basil said, trying to stay clear of any drama. He was there for an education, nothing more, nothing less. “Have a nice day, Mr. Garrett,” Basil said before he nodded in respect and headed toward the exit.
“Mr. Branch. Nephew used to serve your mother, right? Was he really looking out for you or was he using you as a pawn?”
Basil stopped in his tracks but didn’t turn around. His right hand was on the doorknob, but he didn’t turn it. It was as if he were frozen. He thought long and hard about what Kane had just said. He’d never looked at it in that light. The thing that haunted his soul his whole life was his mother’s addiction. For some reason, he never thought about the role that Nephew had played in her addiction, which would turn out to be one of the biggest downfalls in her life. Although he sold drugs himself, the damage that addiction had done to his mother was unforgettable.
“Now my next question is, do you want to be a pawn or a king?” Kane asked. Basil turned and looked at him.
“I want to be king,” Basil said, nodding his head. He knew what time it was and what Kane was referring to.
“Let me show you how. You up for a quick trip?” Kane asked as he rubbed his hands together, devising a plan in his mind. Basil couldn’t help but smile. The smile was contagious. Kane cracked a smile and then Fat Rat. It seemed as if all of them knew money was about to be made.
The Streets Have No King Page 5