There Can Only Be One

by Hood Rich

  Porky muted the television and smiled at me. He picked up a blunt from the table and tried to hand it to me, but I declined. He didn’t have a shirt on. I saw that he had a fresh tat of Macho’s face on his chest. It read, R.I.P. My Brother.

  “How you been, lil’ homie?" I sat back on the couch, and relaxed.

  He shook his head and sighed. “I been fucked up. I should have never killed him, Hood Rich. Ain’t nothing the same no more.” He sparked the blunt and inhaled the smoke into his lungs. “I see him in my dreams too. All he keeps asking me is why I did it?” How could I kill him? I hear it so vividly.” He winced and put the blunt into the ashtray. Took out two Percocet pills and chewed them up. Then chased them with swallows from the Patron that was on the table. He wiped sweat from his brow.

  “I’m getting out of here, lil’ Homie. I gotta have a fresh start, I owe that to my Lil’ One, and my daughter."

  Porky sucked his teeth and closed his eyes. “I don’t blame you, Homes.” He picked up the bottle of Patron and turned it up. “Ain’t nothing but heartache and pain here, Ese. I should think about the same thing, but Macho’s spirit haunts me wherever I go. I’m trapped, Homes.” He shook his head from right to left and drank more of the liquor, guzzling greedily.

  I nodded in understanding. “I got a few spirits that haunt me as well. It’s part of the game, gotta take along with the territory. I just wanted you to know that I was leaving. I never held what you did to the homie against you. You’re my brother and I love you, kid.” I leaned over the table and pulled him up. We embraced, and I patted his back. “Be strong, man, Macho, will let you rest sooner or later. You feel me?”

  Porky nodded and shook his head. “I love you, too, big bruh. You’ve always been one hunnit to me and him. Because of you, The Misfits are now an Army grossing a million dollars every two weeks. I can’t repay you for that.” He lowered his head. “I wish Macho, was here man. I fucked up.” He crumbled to the couch and whimpered deep within his throat.

  I consoled him as much as I could for the next hour. Then I left to meet up with, Paper. Two weeks after this day, Porky committed suicide in Mariella’s bedroom right after confessing that he’d been the one that killed, Macho. He blew his head off right in front of her, with a sawed-off shotgun. When I got the news, I was devastated, but I understood.

  * * *

  I met Paper at the old aluminum recycling plant on thirtieth and Auer Avenue. Chasity had told him that I was leaving, and he’d said that he wanted to cop thirty bricks of heroin from me before I did. He was also supposed to have the remaining five hundred grand he owed. I had fifty kilos left on me at this time. I decided that I would kill two birds with one stone. I’d get the money, Paper owed me, and give him the remaining kilos, and make sure he’d have the information where to send my money digitally from now on. In my own mind, he’d gotten better. I felt that he was finally in a position where I could trust him to do the right thing. His traps were flourishing. He was coming up with large sums of money in record time, so whatever he was doing had to be working. I felt I was making the right decision. After all he’d been my right and ever since we were kids in elementary school. I owed him this. At least it was how I felt.

  He pulled up in a red Lexus truck, banging out of control. The truck had gold Sprewells on them, and the paint was candy coated. He hopped out, walked around to the driver’s side of my BMW, and gave me a hug. “Damn, nigga, I guess its finally time for you to move on, huh?" He hugged me tighter and sighed.

  I nodded. “It’s time to do some grown-up things, bruh. But before I leave, I’m giving you the game. I got fifty bricks in the truck. Give me fifteen a piece, here go the information to send everything to me from here on out. I’ma come through this way every other month to see what’s good. But other than that, it’s all yours, Paper.” Even in the night, I could see his eyes light up. I hugged him again and popped my trunk.

  We broke our embrace. He snatched a black duffle bag from his truck and set it on the hood of my BMW. He unzipped it and pulled out a stack of ten thousand. “It’s a million even in this bag, bruh. Once I get all the way right, I’ll have the rest for you. I appreciate everything. Know that I’d never do anything unless I was forced, too. I love you, dawg.” He slid the money across the hood of the car.

  I caught it and looked inside, everything looked Kosher to me. I took it and tossed it onto the floor of my back seat, and gave, Paper the two Louis Vuitton suitcases filled with heroin.

  He opened one and looked inside, then held up a silver package, and laughed out loud. “Hell yeah, this that heat too. I appreciate it, Boss. I’ll never forget this.” He hugged me again. “Take care of yourself, I’ll see you soon.” He patted my back and got into his truck after loading the suitcases inside.

  I walked around to my driver’s side and began to back out of the parking lot. I’d already hit Aaliyah’s cell to let her know, I was on my way to the Hotel, we would be leaving the first thing in the morning. Our flight was scheduled to leave at eleven-fifteen. I couldn’t wait to start over, even though I knew that, Cabo was going to be a problem for the future. I didn’t know how I was going to handle him yet, but I would figure it out.

  Paper hit his horn three times, then stormed out of the lot ahead of me. I watched his brake lights come on, and then they went off. He stormed away, as soon as he turned the corner what seemed like fifty Black SUVs came out of everywhere with sirens on their dashboard. They boxed me in from all angles, jumped out of their trucks, with assault rifles in their hands aimed at me. I had so many weapons pointed at me that if I had moved an inch I would have been slain.

  Chapter 15

  I sat at the defendant’s table with my head down a month later, while Paper sat on the stand and pointed me out in front of a grand jury. He’d told them everything that we’d done together, and even some of the things that we hadn’t. I sat there heated, while he went on and on. He’d even blamed, Heaven’s murder on me. Aaliyah sat behind me crying her eyes out. Her face was bright red. She looked as if she’d lost about twenty pounds. Her hair looked thinner, there were dark circles under her eyes as well. I felt sick to my stomach. Shante’ bounced up and down in her arms, smiling. Her deep dimples were on full display. She didn’t have a care in the world, I imagined. I missed her so much.

  Kesha had flown in for the date. Her face was so covered in tears. She shook her head as Paper painted the most horrible picture he could of me. When he finished, the Grand Jury had chosen to indict, and the State was laying in the weeds, so they could charge me with the multiple murders. Paper had found all the dead bodies and bodies and dug them up for them. They’d given him full immunity. So, he could say and show them anything and they wouldn’t do a damn thing about it. I just knew I was fucked.

  Cabo wasn’t the type of man to take a loss. He felt like he owned me and had sent word through his team of attorneys that he was going to get me off, and I would be forced to repay him when I got out. He flew in two of the top attorneys from Los Angeles, and two from Boston. They, in turn, assembled a legal team that dismantled every allegation Paper had brought before the grand jury. I was able to beat all of them, except for the deliveries of heroin, I’d made to him. He’d been working with the feds all alone. They had the bricks, and the marked money to go against me as evidence. When it was all said and done, Cabo pulled some strings, and I walked away with a hundred and twenty months. I was being told I would only have to serve eighty-five percent of it, which was more than cool with me. I was just thankful to have my life back.

  Four months after I was sentenced, they found Paper beheaded in his living room. His head had been placed on a silver platter and a big rat was stuffed into his mouth.

  Shawn looked up at me with her right eyebrow raised. She had flown all the way to Wisconsin to see me after I’d been sentenced.

  “Damn, all of this happened in that short period of time.” She shook her head. “You done been through a lot, do you want to put any of this
in your books?”

  Kesha reached across the table and grabbed my hand. “My brother ain’t never been one to sugar coat nothing. He gone give it to his readers just like it came to him. Ain’t that right, big bro?”

  Shawn sucked on her bottom lip and nodded her head. “Well, if that’s the case, then that’s how it’s gon’ go. We’re here to support you. For as long as you’re locked down, you won’t ever have to worry about anything.” She went over financial and other particulars and then asked, “That sounds good to you?”

  I nodded. “I can’t do nothing but keep it real. Every book I drop with your company gotta be uncut, or I don’t want y’all putting it out. This is my legacy.”

  She slid the contract across the table and looked up at me. I nodded and signed on the dotted line. “Expect nothing but the real from me. Send my love to the homie, Ca$h.”

  * * *

  This is only the third of twelve books I got for the world. I sit back and reminisce about all the things that I’ve seen and been through, and it’s like my pen can’t write fast enough. Aaliyah, still holding me down stronger than ever. She turned the real state game upside down in Texas. She and I are married now and tear that ass up twice a month on our conjugal visits. She’s becoming a stronger, more secure woman, and I love her with all my heart. She’s stomp down and when I touch down in a few years, she’ll never have to work again.

  Cabo is still lying in the weeds and awaiting my release. I’m in the rear four million a month no matter what. I don’t know how things are going to shake with him when I to touch down, but I was thankful for him saving my life.

  I pledge allegiance to the Trap, Hood Rich.

  The End

  Submission Guideline.

  Submit the first three chapters of your completed manuscript to ldpsubmissions@gmail.com, subject line: Your book's title. The manuscript must be in a .doc file and sent as an attachment. Document should be in Times New Roman, double spaced and in size 12 font. Also, provide your synopsis and full contact information. If sending multiple submissions, they must each be in a separate email.

  Have a story but no way to send it electronically? You can still submit to LDP/Ca$h Presents. Send in the first three chapters, written or typed, of your completed manuscript to:

  LDP: Submissions Dept

  Po Box 870494

  Mesquite, Tx 75187

  *DO NOT send original manuscript. Must be a duplicate.*

  Provide your synopsis and a cover letter containing your full contact information.

  Thanks for considering LDP and Ca$h Presents.

  Coming Soon from Lock Down Publications/Ca$h Presents

  BOW DOWN TO MY GANGSTA

  By Ca$h

  TORN BETWEEN TWO

  By Coffee

  BLOOD STAINS OF A SHOTTA III

  By Jamaica

  STEADY MOBBIN II

  By Marcellus Allen

  BLOOD OF A BOSS V

  By Askari

  LOYAL TO THE GAME IV

  By T.J. & Jelissa

  A DOPEBOY’S PRAYER II

  By Eddie “Wolf” Lee

  IF LOVING YOU IS WRONG… III

  LOVE ME EVEN WHEN IT HURTS

  By Jelissa

  TRUE SAVAGE V

  By Chris Green

  BLAST FOR ME III

  ROTTEN TO THE CORE III

  By Ghost

  ADDICTIED TO THE DRAMA III

  By Jamila Mathis

  LIPSTICK KILLAH III

  CRIME OF PASSION II

  By Mimi

  WHAT BAD BITCHES DO III

  By Aryanna

  THE COST OF LOYALTY II

  By Kweli

  SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH A REAL ONE II

  By Tamara Butler

  LOVE SHOULDN’T HURT III

  By Meesha

  CORRUPTED BY A GANGSTA III

  By Destiny Skai

  A GANGSTER’S CODE III

  By J-Blunt

  KING OF NEW YORK II

  By T.J. Edwards

  CUM FOR ME IV

  By Ca$h & Company

  Available Now

  RESTRAINING ORDER I & II

  By CA$H & Coffee

  LOVE KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES I II & III

  By Coffee

  RAISED AS A GOON I, II, III & IV

  BRED BY THE SLUMS I, II, III

  BLAST FOR ME I & II

  ROTTEN TO THE CORE I II

  By Ghost

  LAY IT DOWN I & II

  LAST OF A DYING BREED

  BLOOD STAINS OF A SHOTTA I & II

  By Jamaica

  LOYAL TO THE GAME

  LOYAL TO THE GAME II

  LOYAL TO THE GAME III

  By TJ & Jelissa

  BLOODY COMMAS I & II

  SKI MASK CARTEL I II & III

  KING OF NEW YORK

  By T.J. Edwards

  IF LOVING HIM IS WRONG…I & II

  By Jelissa

  WHEN THE STREETS CLAP BACK I & II III

  By Jibril Williams

  A DISTINGUISHED THUG STOLE MY HEART I II & III

  LOVE SHOULDN’T HURT I II

  By Meesha

  A GANGSTER’S CODE I & II

  By J-Blunt

  PUSH IT TO THE LIMIT

  By Bre’ Hayes

  BLOOD OF A BOSS I, II, III & IV

  By Askari

  THE STREETS BLEED MURDER I, II & III

  THE HEART OF A GANGSTA I II& III

  By Jerry Jackson

  CUM FOR ME

  CUM FOR ME 2

  CUM FOR ME 3

  An LDP Erotica Collaboration

  BRIDE OF A HUSTLA I II & II

  THE FETTI GIRLS I, II& III

  CORRUPTED BY A GANGSTA I & II

  By Destiny Skai

  WHEN A GOOD GIRL GOES BAD

  By Adrienne

  A GANGSTER’S REVENGE I II III & IV

  THE BOSS MAN’S DAUGHTERS

  THE BOSS MAN’S DAUGHTERS II

  THE BOSSMAN’S DAUGHTERS III

  THE BOSSMAN’S DAUGHTERS IV

  THE BOSS MAN’S DAUGHTERS V

  A SAVAGE LOVE I & II

  BAE BELONGS TO ME

  A HUSTLER’S DECEIT I, II

  WHAT BAD BITCHES DO I, II

  By Aryanna

  A KINGPIN’S AMBITON

  A KINGPIN’S AMBITION II

  I MURDER FOR THE DOUGH

  By Ambitious

  TRUE SAVAGE

  TRUE SAVAGE II

  TRUE SAVAGE III

  TRUE SAVAGE IV

  By Chris Green

  A DOPEBOY’S PRAYER

  By Eddie “Wolf” Lee

  THE KING CARTEL I, II & III

  By Frank Gresham

  THESE NIGGAS AIN’T LOYAL I, II & III

  By Nikki Tee

  GANGSTA SHYT I II &III

  By CATO

  THE ULTIMATE BETRAYAL

  By Phoenix

  Boss’n Up i , ii & IIi

  By Royal Nicole

  I LOVE YOU TO DEATH

  By Destiny J

  I RIDE FOR MY HITTA

  I STILL RIDE FOR MY HITTA

  By Misty Holt

  LOVE & CHASIN’ PAPER

  By Qay Crockett

  TO DIE IN VAIN

  By ASAD

  BROOKLYN HUSTLAZ

  By Boogsy Morina

  BROOKLYN ON LOCK I & II

  By Sonovia

  GANGSTA CITY

  By Teddy Duke

  A DRUG KING AND HIS DIAMOND I & II

  A DOPEMAN’S RICHES

  By Nicole Goosby

  TRAPHOUSE KING I II & III

  By Hood Rich

  LIPSTICK KILLAH I, II

  CRIME OF PASSION

  By Mimi

  STEADY MOBBN’

  By Marcellus Allen

  BOOKS BY LDP’S CEO, CA$H

  TRUST IN NO MAN

  TRUST IN NO MAN 2

  TRUST IN NO MAN 3

  BONDED BY BLOOD

  SHORTY GOT A THUG
/>
  THUGS CRY

  THUGS CRY 2

  THUGS CRY 3

  TRUST NO BITCH

  TRUST NO BITCH 2

  TRUST NO BITCH 3

  TIL MY CASKET DROPS

  RESTRAINING ORDER

  RESTRAINING ORDER 2

  IN LOVE WITH A CONVICT

  Coming Soon

  BONDED BY BLOOD 2

  BOW DOWN TO MY GANGSTA