The uppity wife acknowledged Star and Rello then turned her nose up in disgust. As a woman, she picked up the greed in Star’s eyes in a matter of seconds then summed her up to be nothing more than a cheap thread count hobo who had to be watched. “Oh, well I see you’ve made them feel comfortable.” She picked up one of the wine glasses. “Let me follow your lead by showing my manners. Hi, I’m Nicole,” she snobbishly greeted them, but cutting Star an ice-cold glare. Maria surely deserves a tip for letting me know this filth was in my home.
“These are friends of Banko’s,” Dominik responded, before Star could respond.
“Let them introduce themselves, honey.” She smiled slyly, never taking her eyes off Star. She knew a virus when she saw one.
Dressed in the best she could afford, which were the tackiest, cheapest clothes on clearance, Star was no comparison to Nicole’s elegant appearance and could feel she was being sized up. She felt inferior and for the first time since Rello met Star, she was speechless.
“I’m Rello. This is my girl, Star. We were just handling some business with your husband then we’ll be out of both you guys’ hair.” Rello didn’t know what turn the meeting was about to take, but he didn’t want it to go left without him getting Banko’s product.
“Nice meeting you, Rello.” Nicole intentionally left Star out of the greeting. Star had no choice but to feel unwelcomed and intimidated.
The air within the room was stagnant and tense. Star couldn’t take being the center of negative attention with the scowl of Nicole burning her alive. If I don’t get up out of here quick, I’m gonna turn into Bonnie on they asses. I feel the walls closing in. “I’ve gotta pee; someone lead me to the bathroom in this huge motherfucka before I piss on the couch.” Star leaped up from her seat, even making Nicole’s head snap back.
“Maria, please accompany her to our private powder room as the guests’ washroom is out of order,” Nicole yelled for the maid before Star took one foot toward the door then turned to Dominik. “I’m sure you’ll be calling the plumber as soon as our company leaves. You already know I don’t like common folk, especially within my home.” Being hospitable was the last thing Nicole cared about.
Back in Detroit Banko was infuriated and outraged by his nephew’s complete disregard for the rules he’d meticulously laid out. After receiving the first text message from Dominik, followed by the picture of Rello and Star, he begged his ally to have pity of the young’uns for any immature behavior or acts of idiocy they pulled off. Banko needed the package of brand name pharmaceutical pills and cough syrup badly.
“Do you want me to stop?” Bonnie came up for air once she felt Banko’s manhood going limp in her mouth.
“Naw, fuck that. Suck harder.” He slammed her head back down with no remorse. She’d become a second thought to Rello, whoever Star was, and Dominik; but Banko was right back into the groove of getting his dick sucked within a matter of seconds. Getting head always relaxed his nerves, but knowing his money and product were both on the line had his blood pressure rising. He’d just dropped the last of his product of downstairs to head runner of the house, and needed the re-up badly.
Puffing circles in the air, he blamed himself for not sending his regular skilled driver on the run or going himself. Family or not, this li’l nigga ain’t cut from my pedigree. His dumb ass must have his ho-ass father’s blood running through him. Rello needs to be broken down and schooled. Until then, he better not fuck up my motherfuckin’ product. Banko took his frustration out on the junkie. When he felt the temptation to release, he gripped the sides of her face with force then shoved himself even farther down her throat. “Yeah, you’re gonna swallow each drop out this monster. I’ve got ya pills all right.”
Chapter 7
Nothing perfect lasts forever. Unfortunately for Star, she was born in the struggle and couldn’t seem to be reborn from it. The dream Star was living with Rello was abruptly coming to an end as she started to sober up from all the wine she’d guzzled down. She didn’t like being out of her element and ultimately thrown off her square.
That bitch Nicole better be happy I’m holding Rello down. Let me catch her on the street, under different circumstances, and I’m gonna cut her fucking bright light face. Star couldn’t shake the feeling of being inferior to Nicole. As she stood in the oversized bathroom staring at her cheap attire and basement hairdo, she became overwhelmed with jealousy and green with envy. All of a sudden, the shopping spree Rello gifted her with seemed small time compared to all the Burberry, Chanel, and Gucci fashion bags Nicole had carried in. “I should’ve at least popped the tags on one of those outfits.”
I know something if she doesn’t though. Her man couldn’t keep his eyes off this fat coochie of mine. Fuck her with a sick dick. Star plopped down onto the toilet then pushed as hard as she could until a big turd plopped into the water. As Star sat scanning the well-designed cherry-oak bathroom of marble sink tops, vanity lights surrounding the mirrors, and Jacuzzi tub that was classier than the one at the hotel, she felt even more disgust for her life. Since I’ll probably never escape the ghetto to something this nice, I might as well take a souvenir.
With a mind full of devious intentions, Star rushed to finish her business then quickly washed her hands. The one skill she was successful in picking up from Bonnie was rambling, so she put it to use with ease. At first she only came across tampons, cleaning supplies, and a re-up of Quilted Northern; then her eyes zoned in on a gold mine. Nicole kept the jewelry she wore most frequently in the bathroom for quick access. Never did Nicole think a thief would be within her private perimeters and never did Star think the wealthy woman would notice the ugliest pair of earrings were gone missing. Star felt vindicated sliding them into her jeans pocket to either wear or sell once back in the D. Man, fuck her vain ass. I saw those Tiffany bags in hand; she has the dough to replace whatever I’ve “accidentally found.” I’ll be back home to my petty, pitiful lifestyle before she even goes looking for this crap anyway.
Knocks at the door startled her. “Are you done? You’ve been in there a long time.” Star already recognized Nicole’s annoying voice. Not rattled, shook, or caught off-guard, Star made sure to put everything back as found.
Why is she so worried? Am I on her clock? “Damn, am I being timed? I had to take a dump. Is that okay with you?” Star stood still waiting on Nicole’s response. “Got some air freshener?” She giggled knowing ol’ girl was probably beet red pissed.
Star could hear Nicole’s smug disposition through the thick wooden door. “No, you’re not being timed; air freshener is underneath the sink. Just hurry up.” Seconds later, her Louboutin heels clicked away on the hardwood floors.
Once Star carefully put everything back the way she found it, she swung the door open roughly so it would slam against the wall. When it bounced off the door stopper, Maria giggled because she knew the young girl wasn’t familiar with the extraneous object. “Let me take you back to the sitting area.” She waved.
“I have all your money loaded on this card. Can I pay you now?” Rello was nervous and it showed. Flashing the prepaid debit card Banko had given him, he’d jumped the gun without seeing the product first. Oh well, as long as I get this transaction back on track.
“Of course. But next time, if there’s a next time, be sure to come alone. Nicole doesn’t like it when females invade her territory. And to be honest, I prefer handling business man to man. That’s how real transactions are done. But Banko will get you more background on me I’m assuming.” He was stern, knowing he’d hear his wife’s bitching later.
“I didn’t know. That’s my bad,” Rello apologized, looking down at his feet. “I see now that I made a mistake, trust me.”
“Listen, li’l homie, let me give you some advice to take with you for the rest of your life. Meet your associates on the top. Those who deserve to live like you will either be there waiting or will arrive soon enough.”
Dominik was about business and knew Banko’s money was
good money regardless of Rello’s bad judgment. He swiped the card, confirmed the money was transferred, then retrieved the order from what looked like a supply room. “Deliver this to Banko with better judgment, son. It’s five dozen bottles of promethazine with codeine syrup and two thousand pure white Molly MDA pills as promised.”
Rello glanced inside with wide eyes not expecting such a pricey package then zipped up both sports-equipped duffel bags. No wonder my uncle laid out a dummy proof plan. He’ll never fall off from being a boss in the hood with packages like this. “Thanks, I’ll make sure to deliver to him them, sir.” Rello felt compelled to show Dominik the utmost respect.
“Banko has a plan for you, kid. Pussy can always ruin a man’s potential if his head ain’t in the game,” he warned, finally taking a drink of the wine he’d ordered Maria to serve when they first got here. Dominik had no plans on drinking ’til after all monies were exchanged. Young Rello and his sack chaser were set up to get tipsy, so they would be more vulnerable and off their game.
Dominik sized Rello up even more as he spoke to him. It was hard for him to believe he was related to Banko by his disposition. He’s lacking a street eye, hustle skills, and obviously a Mack game to keep broads in line. He’s lucky me and his uncle have such a lucrative relationship. Dominik wasn’t a fan of handling business with unskilled men; and though he’d played it cool he didn’t want to see Rello or Star back at his doorstep again.
“Maria, show Rello and his company out. I’ll have my dinner with Nicole now.” Dominik didn’t say another word to the wannabe nor did he bid a good-bye to a thieving Star.
Back within the confines of the rental car, Rello began going crazy on Star. He might’ve secured the package, but he knew Banko wasn’t going to be pleased about how the meeting unfolded. “So it was too much for you to sit back and keep your fuckin’ mouth closed huh? You ain’t nothing more than a ghetto groupie who’ll never have shit. I feel foolish as hell for thinking you’d be a quiet piece of eye candy.”
“I ain’t speak ’til spoken to, damn. You should be happy I ain’t check out on that bougie acting bitch Nicole. You know she was acting straight funky toward me. Everything was all good until she pranced in,” Star snapped back at him. Although she’d clowned at a complete stranger’s house, she wasn’t getting ready to back down.
“Naw, you should be happy I ain’t slap yo’ bottom-feeding ass. I can’t have you on my team if you can’t get that ratchet behavior under control. That shit was terrible and you could’ve fucked the whole deal up.” He rattled the windows with his screams. Dominik’s advice was starting to settle in his membrane and he knew dealing with Banko later was going to be a nightmare within itself.
“I already see you ain’t gonna be the one to stick up for a bitch. You should’ve told her to ease up on your girl and told that nigga to quit questioning me like the Feds. I started to turn and front you off for leaving me hanging, when you brought me there in the first place. I didn’t invite myself here. So if you’re mad at anyone, be mad at ya damn self.” Star was going ham. Reliving being looked down upon by Dominik and Nicole was making her overly emotional.
The more attitude Star popped off at him, the more Rello’s anger grew from rage to uncontrollable fury. Star might’ve been able to give amazing head but her ability to talk recklessly accompanied it and he could do without it. Her voice is annoying me. I don’t think I’m gonna be able to take hearing her much longer. Rello rocked back and forth in his seat trying to calm himself, then snapped. Open hand smacking an unsuspecting Star across the face, her head bounced off the window then back into an upright position. “I’m tired of your fucking mouth. Don’t say shit else until spoken to.”
Star sat dumbfounded and completely still. Despite her growing up in the dysfunctional family led by Bonnie, she’d never been struck by a dude. She wanted to break down from the pain throbbing in her head and face. I ain’t ask for none of this. I could’ve been home getting drunk with Tanisha instead of getting punched on. Refusing to talk, Star began having flashbacks of her childhood years seeing Bonnie get yoked up. She refused to become a victim of domestic violence.
Rello sped through the streets of Chi-Town on his way back to the hotel. He didn’t feel the slightest bit of repentance for knocking some sense into Star. Even though his phone wasn’t being rung by Banko yet, he was sure his chances of being the next kingpin were over. All he kept thinking about was the warnings Banko gave him before walking out of the house.
“Look, you’ve already ruined enough for me; so for the rest of this trip follow every single order I give you without hesitation.” Rello barked orders, almost flipping the car over swerving into valet. “When we get to this room with your slip-lip ass, pack your shit and be by the door waiting to go. You better hope I don’t leave you stranded at Greyhound.”
Star was sunken into a shell. She refused to give Rello any words but she nodded to let him know she understood. Although she had more than half of the money from giving him the head job the other day, she still didn’t want to spend it getting home. It was clear to her she’d need that cash to hold her over until another dude took interest in her. The knight in shining armor she thought she’d found in Rello had turned into the devil right before her eyes.
Rello wasn’t moved by her inflamed tearstained cheeks or sniffling. In fact it was making him angrier. Getting to the room and swiping his keycard, he went against Banko’s direct plan once again because they were about to be out. He couldn’t see himself staying with Star another night.
I might be hard up and pressed for attention but Rello has lost his fucking mind. I don’t care how Dominik and his uppity bitch Nicole were living or how they judged me; at least I kept it real. That’s more than I can say for Rello’s punk ass. And putting his hands on me won’t be tolerated. Star was semi salty that her mini vacation had come to an end prematurely but was satisfied to at least have some gold earrings to sell once back in the D. Their love bird relationship had turned cold as ice.
It wasn’t long before the two were back on the road and unlike last time, Star’s mouth stayed empty while Rello’s dick remained limp and dry. Rello wasn’t concerned about getting a quick nut since they were riding dirty with the promised package. Turning the music up on blast, he set the cruise control and coasted seventy miles per hour up Interstate 94 East. After an hour of Meek Mills blasting through the factory stereo system, Rello noticed the state police hiding out under a bridge in the highway’s median. “You got your seat belt on, girl?” He got uneasy and tried to blend into traffic, but it was inevitable not to pass the speed-clocking man in blue.
“Yeah, I see him.” Star low-key shook in her seat hoping if they were stopped the cop didn’t run her dirty name. “I’ve got it on.”
As Rello passed the cop, as suspected, he flipped his visor down and quickly pulled out behind the two swooping up like a bat out of hell close to their bumper. “Fuck, this ho-ass nigga about to flick us. Damn!” Hitting the steering wheel, Rello tried to remain cool. No laws had been broken and the car was still staying steady at seventy miles per hour. The cop kept close up on the car running the plates. Seeing a rest stop up ahead, Rello hurriedly threw on his right blinker to signal he was about to exit.
“Please don’t tell me he got over too,” Star nervously spoke, scared to breathe. “If he did, it’s a wrap.” Shaking her head not wanting to move, Star felt like the state boys were in the vehicle with her and Rello.
“Shut up, damn. And yes, they got over.” Uneasy himself, Rello knew the weight in the trunk would send both him and his hot honey Star in a hellhole for at least ten years. “If they flick us, you better be ready to be down for ya boy.”
Star fidgeted in her seat, knowing exactly what Rello was referring to. All men became putty over pussy and a man with a badge wasn’t any different. Oh well, it is what it is. I’m not about to go to jail. She mentally prepared herself for whatever she had to do to get home.
The cop foll
owed behind their rental for almost a quarter mile before coming up on the same exit. Rello’s heart was racing and Star’s stomach was doing cartwheels. “We’re about to be fucked. There’s enough pills and syrup in the trunk to have us celebrating our thirtieth birthday behind bars.” Seeing that Star was willing made him feel a little better but the cop staying close on his bumper had him close to about peeing his pants. I ain’t cut out for this, real talk!
“Please don’t tell me this is happening. This day has gone from great to horrible too fast and I’m not trying to end it by getting caught up on no drug charges,” Star rightfully panicked. She rubbed her nauseated stomach and tried going over an alibi in her head just in case they were flicked and questioned. I’ll suck that cop dry but by no means am I spending any time behind bars for this bullshit. Rello ain’t shit for throwing me to the wolves though. And what am I going to do about this stolen jewelry? Please God don’t let this cop harass us.
Getting over into the turning lane to make a left into the Tim Horton’s, Rello inconspicuously kept staring into his rearview mirror watching the police with an uneasy feeling. If they pull me over, this li’l Miss Good Mouth right here better be down for the cause. I know he’ll let us go after getting a feel of what she’s got! Waiting on traffic to clear, Rello’s dick was mushy soft and his heart was beating rapidly. Ain’t shit going right. Maybe this street life ain’t for me. As tough as he wanted to be, the truth was that Rello wasn’t made for pressure. Instead of being in the line of fire, he wished he could be back chilling smoking a blunt at his unc’s crib or even in the projects with his boys playing video games. Either way, being a transporter of product may have been too far out of his realm.
The Caucasian state-employed cop stared straight ahead through his Ray-Ban sunglasses knowing the two were watching him back just as hard. Since he couldn’t go around the car, he purposely intimidated them and enjoyed doing so. When Rello and Star finally cleared his path, the cop sipped from his own private flask of whiskey then drove along about his merry day. If he wasn’t off duty and ready to get home to his loving wife and newborn son, he would’ve for sure flicked them to see what law they were breaking. On a normal day, the officer harassed black drivers whether they looked suspicious or not.
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