Introduction To Hard 2 Da Kore (Hard2daKore Book 1)

by Mike Middleton

  Months went by as I grew closer to Dickey. He began taking me everywhere he went, so I got to see a lot. I guess he kinda saw me like that son he never had. I got to stay in some really nice places and saw some real pretty women. I also got to see some of the things that some of the women did to some of the men that they would trick with as well. He had me collect money from them from time to time too. After about a year, he started leaving me in charge of tens and sometimes even hundreds of thousands of dollars while he met with clients and customers. I must have became his first right hand man ever, because I started running everything and everybody when he left, and ran it I did, but a little different from how he ran things. I began enforcing my new powerful role by dishing out brutal beatings to users, would be turf snatchers and anyone who acted like they wanted to get out of line. I needed to show Dickey how loyal I was, with no instructions needed.

  I loved the power that he bestilled upon me, so I began to master the art of being a not-so subtle threat, to a so-so subtle threat. It was about becoming bigger, and expanding our territory. If money was power, then that’s exactly what we wanted, power. We wasn’t concerned about respect, we didn’t care if you didn’t respect us, just don’t disrespect us, because then we had a reason to come and see about you. Dickey trusted, took care of me and schooled me well, and in return I made sure that business was handled and money flowing. My power moves were enough to make me the most feared member of Crosstown Dickey’s crew. Quiet as kept, I was responsible for his organization moving from 60% to 85% of the city’s heroin. Dickey made sure that I was always around, safe and protected. After about 2 years of running things, I became top dog in his organization, and not much longer after that, I grew bold enough to strike out on my own, and that’s exactly what I did.

  So now I’m out here on the East Coast. I got a serious crew working for me, I’m rich, running businesses, nice homes and still well connected. So I figured I’d recruit up a couple new jacks out here, and train these young youngstas on how to get money a new way... a different way. How to avoid the police and stay low key, how to basically be invisible, like a ghost; undetected by those unwanted authoritative forces. Like me, the Po’ Boy, an old school hustler with a new school attitude. I came up with some of the best of them, and now it’s time to pass the rock and teach these young cats how to play the game right and get rich.

  This drug game thing is not that hard. Some cats just make it hard. I always knew that this money game was much bigger than I was, always has been and always will be, but with all the power moves i‘ve made over the years, it’s real easy to see that this game is not that much bigger than than I thought. Not much bigger than me at all. I thought hard and long as I drove down the New Jersey Turnpike heading over to the projects. I got some new recruits that need a little schooling, but mostly I just want to see what was going on with this housing project that Cee says has some potential to be a gold mine, and some package he said he had for me. Normally I wouldn’t be caught in these streets because I got bigger and better things to do, but I like to take it back here sometimes. It keeps me sharp and aware of the changing times of this game. Sometimes it’s hard to understand what these youngeons are talking about because their slang is different from my time.

  I blame that rap music crap they play all the time. I like some of it, but I’m old school, so I like listening to that good feel rythem and blues, that’s what likes. I heard it through the grapevine was playing when my cell phone rang. I turned the music down and answered it through my car’s phone system. “Hello? Hey Po’ it’s me, Fernando.” He said. “What’s up Nando, how’s things in the windy city?” I asked. “Ztill windy but lizen, I’m going to need to zee you thiz weekend, not next week. Think you can help me out thiz fastly?” Nando asked.

  “Yeah, I got you.” I replied. “Zo how’z this weekend for you?” He asked. “This weekend is good, hold on for a second.” I said as I sped through the E-Z pass lane. “Yeah, this weekend looks good, so not next week?” I confirmed. “No thiz week, you can handle dat no?” Nando asked. “That’s small, you good with what I need then?” I ripped back. “Alzwayz.” He responded. “So listen, gimme’ a call tonite, no, tomorrow.” I told him. “Okay.” He replied.

  “Okay, I’ll be ready and waiting for you.” I explained. “Okay soundz good, tomorrow I will call then.” He said and hung up. I’ve been dealing with this guy Fernando for quite some time now. He’s a loyal client. His purchases, like most of my large scale inter-state clients are usually 5 kilos or better. He just changed his order which was kind of strange. I’m not going to sweat that right now, but I am going to make note of it. Of course I don’t have to do the hand to hand, but like I said sometimes I like to stay in the mix to let my protoges see that the Po’ Boy is still here and I’m always gonna be here and yeah, I still got it.

  I pulled up into the projects and parked my car across the street from one of the buildings. Cee and his crew run a part of this hood, so I know everything is okay. I waited in my car. My cell phone rang. “Hello?” I asked. It was Cee, one of my young protégés. “It’s all good Po’ you can come up.” He said. “Okay.” I answered. I got out of my car and walked towards the building. As I got closer I noticed a fiend also heading towards the building. I watched as he went into the building and up to one of the runners. “Let me get a ten-ten.” The fiend asked. The young dealer nodded his head and pointed towards a staircase. “Go up.” He ordered to the fiend. “What’s up Po’?” He added as he saw me following the fiend and looking on. I responded with a head nod, as I walked past him, behind the fiend. I followed him up a flight of stairs where there was another dealer waiting. The fiend walked up to him. “Let me get a ten-ten.” He said again as he handed the young dealer some cash. “How much is this?’ The dealer asked while he counted the money. “290.” Said the fiend.

  The dealer stopped counting the money and shoved it back into the fiend’s hand. “Nah mafucka straight dollars, no shorts.” said the young dealer. “That’s all I got, can I bring the ten back on my next come back?” begged the fiend. “I said straight money, now fuck outta’ here.” The young dealer ordered and began walking away. “Okay wait wait, lemme see if I got another ten dollars in here somewhere.” the fiend dug into his pants pockets frantically and pulled out a ten dollar bill. I walked past the transaction and down the hallway to the spot. I overheard the young dealer cussing out the fiend as the transaction was being completed.

  “I shoulda’ kept your fuckin money for tryina hold out on me crackhead mafucka!” echoed the kid’s voice through the corridor. I entered the apartment where Cee and the rest of his crew were. Cee told me that the apartment belonged to another fiend who let them use it whenever they wanted to for a few hits of crack. The door opened shortly afterwards. It was the kid from the hallway. He came in counting money and then sat down on the couch next to the other dealers. “What’s good bossman?” Cee asked smiling. “How’s my cream team holding up?” I replied. “Your creamteam ain’t holdin’ up nothin’ boss, that’s ‘cause we holdin’ shit down, and keepin everything straight and exact, no shorts. We got a good thang goin’ on out here right now too Po’, an’ they lovin that diesel. That shit movin’ faster than a mafucka. Ain’t nobody around here fuckin’ with this quality grade shit we pushin. I even got a few of these cats from around here copping shit from from us already.

  Some of these other jokers might be a problem tho’. Some of they soldiers be coppin shit from us, and flippin they boss man’s monies and what not. They sayin they can’t find shit as good as ours. They said nobody, and I do mean nobody, can fuck with our prices.” Cee bragged. “That’s good, any new recruits besides these guys, and when do you think you’re gonna be finished?” I asked. Cee gave me a serious look and then smirked and said. Well, I don’t have no new ones besides these three, like I said I think we might run into some problems down here in The Woodz. It’s a territory thing down here with these niggas. As far as us being finished, on the
real Po’, I don’t think we ever be finished. We got enough shit here to last us ‘til ever, fuck the for ha ha, I’m just fuckin’ wit’ you Po, but if you want some cash now I got about eighty five K ready. We should be done in about a day or two, if not sooner.” He said.

  “That’s what’s good Cee, I ‘ma send somebody over to pick that up. Got a meeting with The Big One in a little while, so I’m gonna make this brief.” I said as I turned towards his new crew. “Now, Cee has brought it to my attention that you guys want to join my organization. Now I need y’all to really think about this move because there’s a lot of rules and regulations that must and will be followed. I know he already told you guys how I work, but it’s much more to it than that. So until that time comes you’ll answer to him, but before that, know for sure that he has to answers to me, so that means all of yall answer to me. First things first I’m gonna need… "

  “Pardon me Po’.” Cee interrupted. I hated to be interrupted, and Cee already knows that, but I’m gonna let him get that this time, but he know I’m not feeling this shit at all. “Yo Cee, don’t, ever interrupt me like that again, what the fuck you want?” I asked, staring him down to let him know not to do that shit no more. “I’m sorry, it won’t happen again, but I was just gonna tell you that I already got all they information, and I already briefed them too. I know how you be moving so I took care of all that for you.” He explained cautiously then handed me a folder. “Oh, ok, that’s good, but don’t interrupt me again, that’s not cool, now what about that package you was telling me about? I added.

  “Oh, you must be talking about that U.P.S package I tokdyou about? I got that for you too Po’. The U.P.S. man made an extra special delivery extra early this morning, know what I’m talking about?” Cee joked. You do know what that U.P.S. shit stands for don’t you Po’?” Cee smirked. “No, I don’t what?” I smirked, but growing tired of his drama. “U.P.S. stands for, UPS! Somebody done fucked up!” Cee joked, then walked over to the closet and opened the door. “Now look at what the fuck we got here behind door number one.” Cee opened the door, and there he was... Sadique.

  Sadique worked for me. That was until the day he decided to go AWOL from my organization a few weeks ago. He also deciced to just up and leave, knowing what would happen if he did. He knows that he knows too much for me to let that to happen. Sadique was one of my top men. To top it off, he then decided that he should just help himself to a nice chunk of cash before his unauthorized disappearance. Cee had him tied up and gagged inside of the closet. I could tell from the bumps and bruises that he’d been roughed up a lot. “There go that faggot ass unloyal ma’fucka right there! I had to pop him in his leg to stop this Karate Joe Jones mafucka from kickin the shit out of all our asses! Cee yelled and then punched Sadique in his bruised and bloodied face. “Ain‘t no escaping this shit son, we Ghosts fo’ life up in this mafucka!"

  "Hold up Cee, let me have a few words with him.” I said while stepping in closer towards him. Cee stepped back as I moved in. Sadique’s eyes were beaten shut, and lips swollen. He tried his best to stand up inside the closet, but his hands were bound together around a coat rack pole. “I was just wondering, where you think you were going to be able to hide Sadique? Why come this far only to throw everything away? I don’t understand. I clearly gave you enough chances to move up, more than I gave most guys. I took care of you when you didn’t have anything, and this is how you repay me? This is how you show your gratitude and loyalty? You know the rules to this game.

  You know how this always ends. You’ve been where I am standing right now. We’ve done this, together plenty of times. I guess it makes no sense to ask you why, because none of that matters anymore, not right now” I told him as I prepared to kill him. Sadique glanced up at me as best he could through his swelled face. “Yo Po’.” He paused. “If this my only way outta shit, then shit let the shit be what it’s gonna be. Just leave her out of this. She’s not cut out for this Po’.” He muddled boldly through his swollen bloodied lips as if he was taking a last stance for something.

  “You knew what the plan was and why. I chose you because I knew that you could get it done quickly, and without any problems. Why let this assignment be any different from the rest? We’ve done this hundreds times. I would’ve put someone else on her if I had known that you were going to fall in love instead of recruiting her as planned.” I told him as I stared him down in disappointment, and sadness because I’m about to end his life in a few seconds.

  “Just let her go Po’, can you do that for me, please?” He begged even still. I looked him into his eyes and told him the truth like he knew I would. “No deal bruh, I can’t do that. Even if I could I couldn’t because it’s out of my hands now. We always get what we we want. That’s how you got got, that’s how we all get gotten in the end. You let me down Sadi, and now I gotta put you down. So I guess you’re right, this is the only way out.” I growled as I pulled out my silenced German Luger 9 millimeter and pointed it at him.

  “So by the power vested in me… I now pronounce you… Ghosssst!” PEWP! PEWP! The bullets slammed into Sadique’s forehead, exiting through the back along with skull bone, blood and brain fragments. His body went limp, and the coat rack pole snapped from the sudden shift from his body weight. His body thudded onto the floor, but I hadn’t pulled my trigger. I looked over my shoulder and saw Cee pointing another silenced weapon at the now dead Sadique. The barrel of Cee’s gun was still smoking, indicating that he had squeezed off the rounds.

  “And I hope y’all got a good look at this too, cause I would hate to have to do this shit to one of y’all mafuckas one day, cause I’d gladly do it if need be!” Cee stated sharply. The young dealers looked on amazed then both said. “Fuck that nigga Cee, we wanna rock with yall. I wanna run with yall niggas word up. That nigga musta got what he deserved so fuck him. We not fuckin’ up like that stupid mafucka, nah not me.” They said at the same time.

  “Yeah well Yall niggas betta not fuck up, especially if y’all rockin with us. It’s like Po’ just said. Follow the rules and everthing gonna be ok, but check this shit out, I’m guaranteeing y’all this fo’ sho. Y’all niggaz gonna make mo’ money than y’all lil niggas ever dreamed of, and this shit I’m sayin’ right here just now, is some of the realest shit I’ma ever speak, for real.” Cee explained. I had to chuckle inside. I like Cee because he knows how to charge these young cats up. Besides that, I know when I got a joker like him around he gonna make sure shit stays straight. Now I rarely put my trust in cats when it comes to running things, but Cee, he’s never let me down, not yet anyway.

  “Yo Po’, I don’t want you to get your hands dirty.” Cee explained calmly as he looked over at me. “My hands stay dirty son, but loyalty, that’ll take you far with me?” I said as I put away my firearm. “I already know, that’s why I’m you’re number one ma…”“Uh uh.” I interrupted, shaking my head. “I know I know Po’, your number two man at least, I guess now since this mafucka gone.” He said playfully, glancing over at Sadique’s corpse. Cee is relentless with trying to move up the ladder with me. He couldn’t give a fuck who got knocked off in order for him move up closer to me. Kinda reminds me of me a little when I was younger.

  I looked over at Sadique’s dead body again. I remember how eager he was when he first joined my organization. Just like these little cats right here. Guess we’ll see what happens. I thought as I looked over at my new recruits. I figured I’d probably have to let them join now, especially after them seeing this latest killing. Something tells me that it’s probably not their first time seeing a killing either, and it’s definitely not mine, and I know it won’t be my last either. “You gonna be able to take care of this, you need me to send some help?” I asked Cee.

  “Help? Nah I got this Po’, go ahead and handle those big moves you be making. That’s why you got me. I handles this low down dirty disappearing Ghosts type shit.” He chuckled confidently. “Iight, I’ll send somebody over later to get that cash.” I sa
id as I glanced back over at Sadique’s dead body one more time. “I got this Po’. Aight one of yall niggaz go get some of them plastic bags from over there, and you come over here an’ help me get this dead ma’fucka up outta this closet.” Cee ordered to them as I left the apartment.

  4

  BACK AT THE SHOP (Korey)

  After I finished the car I was working on I parked it in the lot outside the garage. I was walking back into the shop when Joey pulled up in the tow truck. He was towing in the Lincoln that needed fixing. “Korey, can you help me out over here? I need to back this one inside. Can you help me out son?” asked Joey.

  My man Joey is one of those wanna be extra cool Italian white boys who be acting and talking like he seen some parts of some streets somewhere. He lives downtown, in the good section of the city, and comes from a wealthy family, straight up and down upper class folks. Both his parents make really good money too. His father is a Superior Court Judge and his mom is an attorney for one of the best law firms in the state. So I guess you could say his folks were good on the money tip. Joey be hanging out with some of his “talking like they black” white boy friends in his hood. Some of them be stopping by the shop sometimes to get their cars fixed or tuned up. They all spoiled brats if you ask me. Always complaining about what their parents don’t want, or won’t let them do, or how drunk they be gettin’ all the time. They kinda remind of me of those Jersey Shore cats with their slick hair and extra dark tans an’ what not.

  Joey is a die hard hip hop rap fan too. He always listening to rap music, and follows the career of just about every rapper that ever came out. He buys all the latest issues of the best hip hop magazines, and is in love with Eminem, no bullshit. I met Joey when I started working here a few years back and he always been aight with me. We never had any problems about anything, except the times I gotta get on him for using my tools. Besides that, my boy Joey Mazzo is definitely one of the hippest, coolest white boys I know. “What’s the matter, you can’t back that thang up in there without somebody guidin you in huh?” I joked at him.