“Do you know where they stay at?” Reed asked through clinched teeth.
“Naw, not the exact address; I know the area, but I can find out for you. I got some niggas who owe me a few favors.”
“And, what about Alyia? Does this bitch have my baby girl shacking up with some random wannabe thug?”
“Naw, she’s with her mother. I take money over there every month, man, just like I promised I would. I would’ve wrote you while you were gone to update you but I didn’t want you to get all angry and shit and fuck up your probation. I made sure your baby girl was good but Raquel, I haven’t given her a dime since she did that slimy shit, man.”
“Does she know that I was coming home?”
“I’m sure she does, you know how fast word gets around in the streets. I haven’t seen her in the hood but that don’t mean shit. I haven’t seen that nigga Brook either but he certainly ain’t untouchable.”
Romeo hated to be the bearer of bad news. Even though he’d prepared himself to spill the beans, he didn’t expect to see the hurt in Reed’s eyes. He’d known him since grade school so he could see right through his anger. “I’m sorry, Reed, real talk. I wish this shit was all a joke and your homecoming could’ve been a bit more welcoming. I hate to see you hurting.”
“It ain’t your fault that I married a conniving bitch, and eventually I’m gonna deal with her. I just need to handle some other shit first.” He twisted the key in the ignition and began the drive toward his home. He was happy that he had at least one true friend in the world to make sure that he could live comfortably once he was released. “Since I still have a home to go to, let’s be on our way. I hope you got some alcohol and some bitches lined up for me, too. I ain’t smelled pussy in two years. I’m wayyyyyyy overdue.” He laughed, attempting to hide how angry and hurt he actually was.
“You know I got you covered; it wouldn’t be me if I didn’t.” He joined in laughter with Reed.
The remainder of the ride went pretty silent besides the few times they passed a group of people they knew on the streets. Just like a celebrity or a rapper, Reed still got the same respect that he did prior to his arrest. After each wave or yell he felt good for a brief moment until the realization of his broken home popped up in his mind. After finally reaching the cul-de-sac that led to his home, his nerves began to go wild. Most likely the thought of life being totally different shook him up a bit. When they arrived at his driveway they noticed a white Porsche Cayman S parked behind Romeo’s Range Rover. Romeo used his arm to signal Reed to slow down and approach the driveway cautiously.
“Yo, I think that’s Raquel’s car parked right there. What the fuck is she doing here?” Romeo asked, annoyed by the sight of the gold digger who he truly believed was the biggest mistake in Reed’s life.
“Word? This bitch has balls the size of King Kong to roll up here after the shit you just told me.” He stopped just short of the driveway and, without turning the engine off, he swung the door open with force and jumped out of the car.
Raquel opened her car door and swung her legs around, planting her Jimmy Choos on the ground before standing. She was dressed in a black jumpsuit that hugged her curves and created a camel-toe effect in her crotch, which under different circumstances would normally turn Reed on. She looked like a runway model with her long hair flowing freely and blowing in the wind. With one hand, she removed her Luxuriator Style 23 shades from her eyes. She looked like a million bucks, literally, as the cost of the car and her attire would set a low-grade hustla way back trying to keep up. But as beautiful as she was, it wouldn’t erase the fact that she’d hopped on the next dick smoking when the going got tough. That was an unforgivable offense that would be punishable by public stoning in other countries.
Reed began to walk toward her with Romeo following closely behind in the event that she had goons lurking in the background.
“So I see not much has changed since you went away. As usual you have an obedient guard dog by your side.” She laughed.
Reed laughed to try to avoid lunging at her neck and slowly choking the life out of her. He remained as cool as he possibly could under the circumstances since he certainly didn’t want to be hauled back to prison. “I can’t believe that you have the audacity to show up here after you abandoned all of my property and our daughter for some punk-ass dealer who was practically a servant of mine for years,” Reed replied, as he now stood about three feet away from her.
“That’s funny that you can stand here with a straight face and say some shit like that. My shades cost more than half of what this house is worth. Obviously he’s worth more than you ever were.”
“Bitch, let me explain something to you real quick,” he said as he pounded his left fist into his right hand as most men did when they were trying to get a point across. “I should’ve left your trifling ass in those filthy, pissy-ass projects. That shit could’ve saved me years of stress and aggravation.”
“Well, you didn’t, and if you regret it then that’s just too damn bad. I didn’t come here to engage in small talk and as much as I would just love to catch up on the past two years I have some official business to take care of.” She reached into her car and retrieved a large manila envelope before holding it out in his direction.
“What the hell is this?” he asked, snatching the envelope from her hand.
“Open it and see,” she snapped.
He opened the envelope to find divorce papers citing irreconcilable differences. Almost instantaneously he felt nothing but disgust and hatred for the woman he vowed to stick with for better or worse. He shook his head before being brutally honest about his feelings for her at that moment. “You know you are the most vindictive and trifling bitch I’ve ever laid eyes on. If you were a man you’d be snoring on the concrete right now after I’d knocked you the fuck out. I should break your fucking face to pieces to disfigure you just enough to knock you off of that high horse you’re sitting on. You can take these damn divorce papers and shove them up your pretty little ass. I wish I would give you the pleasure of taking what’s mine. Bitch, I don’t owe you shit,” he yelled with spit flying from his lips. His body was filled with so much rage that it was becoming more difficult by the second to contain it.
“Well I suggest you hire a good lawyer because I can’t stay married to you another day. I have a man at home who provides more for me physically and emotionally than you’re capable of.”
“I couldn’t care less about your suggestions, or anything that has to do with you for that matter. You can take your stuck-up, gold-digging ass back to your bitch-ass man and tell him I’ll be seeing his ass around real soon,” he yelled.
“Yeah, we’ll see how much of bitch he is when you meet face to face.” She laughed as she turned to walk back to her car. “I’ll be seeing you soon, smooches,” she said before puckering her lips into a kiss.
He stood there shaking his head in disbelief. He couldn’t believe that this was the same woman he’d fallen in love with so many years ago. The ride-or-die-chick façade was proving to be faker than a thirty dollar bill. He turned to look at Romeo, who was shaking his head as well.
“Scandalous-ass bitch,” Romeo yelled. He could feel Reed’s pain as he, too, had been through many women in his day; you always had to get through a bunch of rocks before you found a diamond.
“What a homecoming, man.” Reed laughed.
Romeo walked over to his car to remove it from the driveway to allow Reed to pull his car in. As Reed sat in his car he used the silence to reflect on the choices that he’d made in his life. He wondered if this was punishment for all of the wrong that he’d committed. Reed parked and exited his car.
Romeo rolled down his window. “I’m gonna come in with you to do a walk-through; then I have to go handle some shit.”
“Cool, I have some shit to handle myself,” Reed replied before walking over to the front door.
Romeo exited his car and walked behind Reed as he entered the house. Turning on
the light Romeo took a quick surveillance.
“Home sweet home. I thought that I’d be opening my front door and having my baby girl running into my arms.”
“I know, man.” Romeo patted Reed on his shoulder. “Everything happens for a reason. I’m a strong believer of that shit. It’s a good thing you saw that shit now, man. I’m gonna roll out now to make a few runs but I’m gonna swing back around eight, ’cause I got a lot of shit planned for you tonight.”
“All right, I’ll be ready for sure.”
“And wipe that frown off your face; fuck her for real. It’s plenty of bad bitches out here. Seriously,” Romeo said before reaching out to shake Reed’s hand. Reed walked Romeo to the door and slowly shut it behind him. “Home sweet fucking home,” he said aloud as he shook his head in disbelief. He walked around the house, looking at the things that were the same as well as the things that were different. He was glad to be home but he was frustrated that things weren’t going to be the way that he’d left them. Walking into his kitchen he remembered the mornings where his daughter would sit eating her breakfast and swinging her legs in her high chair. He pictured her little face and her smile. Even with her mother being the bitch she was, he could at least thank her for giving him the daughter he loved more than life itself.
He headed upstairs to the master bedroom and found a fresh pair of Prada sneakers with the matching leather belt, a black button up, and crisp dark blue Rock & Republic jeans. He smiled, knowing that Romeo was probably the only person on this earth who knew him better than or just as well as he knew himself. It was certainly going to feel good to rock designer threads instead of prison blues. He hurried to shower so he could get started on his stops to make it back in time to meet Romeo at eight. Though his day hadn’t started out as well as he would have liked, he was going to make the best of whatever was thrown his way. The hot water, steam, and the smell of Zest body wash filled the bathroom with a relaxing aroma, just what he needed to prepare him for the night ahead.
Chapter Five
His Little Secret
“So, how are things with your new boo?” Diamond asked, playfully nudging Kiki on her shoulder.
“Who said he was my boo?” Kiki laughed.
“Well you said that you had a friend. I mean excuse me if I thought that was what you meant.” She laughed as she shook her head.
“I’m joking, girl, yes, he is my boo and things are going great.”
“I’m happy for you. I really hope things work out.”
“Shit, me too. Lord knows I’ve had my fair share of assholes along the way.” She took a sip of her juice.
“So how are you enjoying life away from the game?”
“It’s nice to have the weight off of my shoulders but I miss the control. It’s nothing like being the boss of an empire like that. That’s a once-in-a-lifetime situation. Plus Black is only eighty percent out of the game. I still sit up at night waiting for him to come home. I always worry that some jealous-ass nigga is going to try to take him out as soon as his back is turned.”
“I thought you were officially out.”
“Yeah, I thought so too, but Black is still in the streets more than he’s home. He claims that there are things that he has to wrap up and it’s taking a lot longer than he expected. I think it’s bullshit, he probably never had any intention of leaving the game in the first place.”
Kiki sat shaking her head, clueless. Though she hadn’t been around for a year, she’d heard through the grapevine that they were done. She wondered why he’d make promises and plans that he never intended to keep. She wasn’t sure what to say to her friend, as it was obvious that there was trouble in paradise. She remembered being envious of their relationship. She remembered how much they were in love and how Black doted on her. If there was any couple that would last forever, it was them. For as long as she’d known Diamond she couldn’t remember a time when she was happier than she was with Black. “But are things good between you two?” Kiki asked after a few seconds of silent thoughts.
“I mean things are okay, but not as good as I would like them to be,” she admitted. If there was one thing that Diamond hated, it was to look like a failure. She would do anything in her power to avoid that.
“Aww, D, I am sorry things aren’t turning out the way that you planned.”
“Girl, don’t be sorry; it ain’t your fault.” She flagged her, attempting to brush it off. “You know me though, I’ve got a strategy. I refuse to lose my man.” She cracked a smile.
“Oh I know you always think on your feet. I’m just worried, D. I know how much you love him and how much you went through to keep him. I just hope that you are as important to him as he is to you.”
“I don’t doubt that, Kiki, not one bit. I just think that he has his priorities a little screwed up, but he’ll get it together.”
“Well, hate to cut you short, baby girl, but I have to go open the club. If you need to talk call me, okay?” she said before getting up and walking over to hug Diamond. After the two embraced, Diamond walked Kiki to the door. Just as she was leaving Black pulled up in the driveway. “Speak of the devil,” she said with a big smile.
“What does that mean?” Black asked, rubbing his hands across his beard as he normally did when he was deep in thought.
“I was just chatting with the missus that’s all.” She turned to look at Diamond as she stood in the door. Black stared at Kiki without saying a word. Diamond stood at the door, looking on. Kiki put her sunglasses on her forehead and twisted her lips. “Don’t get your boxers in a bunch, Black, I kept quiet.”
He looked at her and then looked over at Diamond before turning his attention back to Kiki. “I knew you would, especially if you want to keep breathing,” he responded through clinched teeth.
Kiki began to laugh before giving Diamond a final wave and walking toward her car. Black nodded and made his way to the door. He kissed Diamond before she spoke.
“What was all that about?”
“Oh, she was just thanking me for pushing you to contact her.” He lied, knowing if she knew the truth he’d practically have to take a lie detector test to keep their relationship together. Deep down, he felt like the biggest asshole on the planet. He wasn’t prepared to lose his family and he would do whatever it took to make sure of that. In his eyes, Diamond was still the woman he fell in love with and wanted to spend the rest of his life with.
After entering the house, Black made his way upstairs without saying much to Diamond. Their relationship had gradually been changing and she couldn’t figure out why. As she watched him walk up the steps without any conversation she remained in the living room shaking her head. At first, she was going to let him have his space and get through whatever it was that he needed to do, but this had been dragged out long enough. She noticed Black sitting on the edge of the bed, finishing up a phone conversation when she walked in the room.
“What’s going on with us, Black?” she said in a low tone.
Black turned around and shot her a look of seriousness. “What are you talking about, Diamond?”
“You know what I mean, Black. Three weeks ago we were fine, now it’s like we barely talk. I’m trying to figure out what the issue is so that I can fix it.”
“Diamond, you know what I’m trying to do and what’s consuming my time. I’m just tired that’s all. You’re thinking too much and turning nothing into something. There isn’t an issue to fix, okay? Nothing is wrong.”
“Black, please don’t shut me out,” she pleaded with a single tear dropping from her right eye. She knew Black like the back of her hand and she knew that there was something wrong. She immediately thought back to the time she purposely stopped her birth control pills to get pregnant. During that time, he was still sleeping with Trice, his son’s mom. She knew that he was sleeping around but she couldn’t really prove it. She wasn’t about to lie down without a fight so she devised a plan that got her the engagement ring and husband. Without Dior, Black might ha
ve strayed, but there was something about seeing his baby girl that made him a better man. He wanted to be the man his daughter could be proud of, not a man who would walk out and leave them to fend for themselves. Diamond stood there, lost, trying desperately to figure out what was bothering him.
Black looked over at her and noticed her tears. He hated to see her cry, especially when he was the one causing the pain. “Diamond, why are you crying? I just told you there wasn’t anything wrong. I just have a lot on me right now that’s all. I wish you would start taking my word instead of coming up with your own ideas.”
Figuring that she’d never be able to get him to come clean, she shook her head and walked out of the room. She had a gut feeling that there was another woman and now she needed to devise another plan to regain his attention. Over the years she’d learned how to use what she had to get whatever it was that she wanted, and this time wasn’t any different.
Confident that she was out of ear’s reach, Black pressed redial on his phone. “Sorry I hung up on you but she was coming in,” Black whispered into the phone while walking to close the bedroom door.
“Yeah, I figured that,” the female on the other end responded. “So when can I see you? I miss you like crazy. It’s killing me.”
“Tomorrow for sure. I have some shit to handle early in the day but I can swing by after five if that’s cool.”
“Of course. At this point I will take what I can get. I know you have to split your time and I’m okay with that, as long as I get some of your time.”
Black laughed. “Well I will see you tomorrow. I’m about to take a quick nap before I head back out.”
“Okay, well, sleep well.”
“I will,” he said before ending the call.
Black Diamond 3: Lucky Chance (Urban Books) Page 4