Chapter 5
Kash was standing behind Erica on the phone with Veedo. They were in line to get their Red Lobster take out. Erica wore some blue jeans that hugged her hips and some low cut boots with the open toe front. It’d been years since he’d busted her up and all the thoughts in the world wouldn’t change his mind of wanting to fuck her right then and there. He watched her move. With each step she took, her ass bounced in the jeans.
Erica was still as beautiful as ever, nobody could deny that. It was just how she treated him when he was locked up that made Kash look at her different. Erica turned her head to ask him something and noticed his eyes glued to her booty. With a quick blush, she turned fully around to face him, making him look up from her bottom to her eyes.
“So how do it feels to be free?” She didn’t know what else to ask.
“All this shit feels the same,” Kash laughed. “Nawl, I’m just glad my nigga bailed me out.”
“I know that’s right. Now all you gotta do is make something happen for him to get out,” Erica replied.
“That’s the mojo. What’s up with you, though? You married yet? I’m surprised you don’t have no lil’ ones running around the place,” Kash shot back.
“Honey, no, I’m good on babies. I’m just waiting on Jr to pull through, me and Nene is leaving GA once he wake up.”
“Oh really? Why?” Kash wanted to know.
“GA is just our bad luck, I guess. Shit, so much has happened to us for the bad that we just want a change, at least for a moment anyways,” Erica replied.
Finally, they made it to the counter where she paid for the food. Kash was the one who grabbed it as she took the drinks. Kash cranked up the whip once they were both inside comfortably. Erica went into one of the bags. She was hungry and couldn’t wait another minute.
“So what’s up with you, though?” Erica decided to ask. Kash pulled into traffic, his music beating Velt.
“I’ma get this money.”
“Better slow down,” she added.
“And I’ma get rich and murder trying,” Kash laughed at his own joke.
“You got jokes, huh? I’m so serious, Charles. You realize you had life in prison?”
“I’m just chilling. My main focus is my kids and my brother,” Kash admitted. He jumped on the highway.
Erica turned fully in her seat, her back against the door. For a moment she only looked at Kash and, ever so often, he’d steal a brief look her way.
“Charles, could it ever be us again?” Erica wanted to know. She needed to know.
Kash cracked a smile at her question. He smiled because when he was in prison, stuck with life, he had hoped and wished for a day like this, the moment and time when Erica would ask for another chance. Kash had no idea that he would be on top this much, but he still knew he’d be doing good enough to make her jock.
“Being in a relationship is the very last thing on my mind,” Kash replied, knowing she wouldn’t accept the answer.
“Boy, I said ever, not now, but it’s gonna come a time when you need that rider.”
“Rider?” he questioned with a smirk on his face.
“You know what I’m saying, Kash.” Erica turned back in her seat and slapped her hand down on her thigh. She grabbed her food again and started back eating.
“I know you thought a nigga wouldn’t get out, shawty. That’s why you stopped riding and I know that. Ain’t no pressure, I ain’t mad at cha. But ion see myself in no relationship no time, real shit. I’ma still take you out and kick da shit wit cha, but I’m cool on anything else.” Kash didn’t want to hurt her little feelings, so he kept the door open to fair grounds. He didn’t want any drama with her and he most definitely wanted the pussy again, just for the fuck of it.
“Well, you right, but I had realized that back then. I wanted to come back, but you shut me out, Kash. You wouldn’t write and you know for a fact that I sent you at least eight letters that you never responded to. You know I’m not lying ‘bout that, now don’t front,” Erica defended herself and Kash agreed. She had a point, but the fact remained the same. She made the wrong choice no matter how she wanted to put it. He already had his mind made up about her since seeing her the first day he got out.
True indeed he wanted to fuck her again, but it would never be the same with them. It was a dead issue.
“I fuck with you though,” Kash stated.
“No, you don’t,” Erica rolled her eyes. She wasn’t feeling how he was acting and it showed in her mood. It showed on her face. She did not ask another question or speak another word. She just stared out the window as the car eased down the highway headed back to the hospital to give Nene her food.
When they made it back upstairs, the floor was more crowded than Kash had ever seen. So many people came with gifts. So many news crews and big time people of importance were there.
The area where Junior’s room was had too many folks there. Police were telling people they had to leave. But the growing crowd was acting as if they did not hear any commands given by the cops. Kash and Erica looked at each other while making their way to the front. Neither one knew what to expect but both hoped for the best. What made the situation good was the fact that they found not one person crying and many people walking around happy, when just about an hour ago, the hospital floor was empty, calm, and chill.
Kash made it to the room door and they walked in. the sight he saw made his heart drop to the pit of his stomach. Chills ran all over his body as he stared at Nene holding her son, a son who had his eyes open. He still wore a breathing mask and his face had a bandage on it from the gunshot wound. Erica quickly rushed in when she saw what was going on. She couldn’t believe it.
Mrs. Jackson wore a big smile on her face as well. More folks Kash did not know were also inside the room, everybody laughing and smiling through conversation. Kash was amazed and happy. He knew that was all Gangsta prayed for, so he knew his partner was about to be one happy man, no matter the situation at hand. He sat the food down and got a hug from Mrs. Jackson before going to hug Nene again and Junior
“Y’all call me,” Kash said to Nene, and then looked to Mrs. Jackson because his phone vibrated a text message from Loco. He had a meeting today. Kash hugged a happy Nene once more. This was a good day, a very good day. He and Erica locked eyes briefly, then Kash left them to go handle business.
***
“Whoa, what’s mobbin’?” Meco answered the phone. Kash hadn’t heard from him since he got out of prison. He considered Meco to be a true partner. He was loyal to the core.
“What they do, fooly, you good?” Kash was joyous to hear Meco’s voice again.
“Fuckin’ right, bruh, I’m holding it on the road. What’s up with you, though? What do you got going on out there?” Meco wanted to know.
“Man, a lil’ of it all, bruh, no lie. I’m eating on these fuck niggas out here. What you need though?”
“I’m straight right now. I won my appeal, bruh, I’m just waiting on Rice Street to come get me,” Meco was happy to say.
“Damn, that’s the mojo. Boy, I need a nigga like you out here with me to hold these streets down. It’s a lot of lames out here in your way, my nigga. I mean these niggas ain’t got no swag,” Kash said while driving a little over the speed limit.
“I’m ready, bruh. You know I’m mobbin’, right?” Meco boasted.
“Well, I got you locked in. Call me if you need anything, my nigga. It’s no pressure, I got cha.” He and Kash ended the call. It was good hearing from Meco and Kash hoped like hell that Meco gave the courts back the life sentence they’d given him ten years ago.
Kash knew he could use Meco for muscle with the numbers he had with the mob. Meco was capo over most good fellas’ members and could make shit shake in no time. Kash just prayed Meco got out, and if need be, he was willing to skin down for a lawyer for his partner. Kash finally pulled up to a Mexican restaurant in Gwinnett County, where his GPS directed him.
Once he parked t
he car and entered the establishment, he was escorted to a table, a large table with a group of Mexicans. Loco was the only person he knew out of the five of them. Loco held up his glass of wine and nodded his head.
“Welcome, my friend.” Loco stood up to shake hands with Kash, like they always did. “Let me introduce you, my two sisters, Melody and Mya.” Loco waved to his sisters, two very beautiful Mexicans girls. “And my two best mens, Longo and Jeter,” Loco said.
“What’s up, ladies? What’s up, fellas? Nice to meet the family, I’m Kash,” Kash spoke and took the seat open to him. It was next to one of the girls.
“We have yet to order, so have your choice,” Mya spoke and Kash took up the menu.
“So I hear you just got out recently,” Melody bumped shoulders with her questions.
“Yeah, I did,” replied Kash, while looking at the menu.
“So, my friend,” Loco cut in. He wanted to get right to the matter at hand. “I see you doing very good on pushing the product. I appreciate all gestures made, and our family’s trust with you is extreme. My father wanted to make you sole distributor over Georgia, Florida, Texas, and New Orleans, but I do not want to put too much on you,” Loco said.
Kash sat the menu down, and then sat up straight in his seat. He wanted to be sure he heard correctly, that his ears weren’t playing tricks on him. He looked to Loco and asked, “So you want me to take over four states?”
“Yes, but not only will I provide you with security, but also a trustful team.” Loco waved to the other four Mexicans. “Plus, a place to stay in each state. Reasons are federal government is aimed at my father, and I so we would hide for a while.”
“So will I have access to all I need? I mean all everything? Will I be in contact with you?” Kash wanted to know.
“Yes, you will have all that you need and contact will be made only through Melody. Nobody but her will know how to reach us. I wanna send you up to meet the main source in each state, learn every route, every move. This training will take sixty days, my friend. No contact with nobody. You will be with Longo and Jeter to show you everything. Do you have trust in your people to hold Atlanta down for sixty days, or should we pull the plug until you get situated?” asked Loco.
“I got Atlanta, but when you talking ‘bout leaving?”
“I’m speaking as soon as possible, my friend. I’ll be out of the U.S. by sunrise, but I’ll give you two weeks to mend things to your liking. Then be prepared to grab a sixty-day leave,” Loco said.
“I’m good with that. So, question, the feds do I have to worry about them or am I in the clear?”
“You clear, trust me?”
Kash stayed around and ate dinner with them, getting to know the other four Mexicans. He and Melody seemed to click more than any one of them. Kash knew she was on him because she acted a certain way when he would speak to her sister, and one time during conversation, he caught her rolling her eyes at him interacting with Mya. It was funny and cute.
Kash knew before long he would get the pussy, but right now his focus was what Loco had going on. Was this too much? Should he just chill? What would Gangsta do? These were all questions Kash asked himself over and over again as he drove home.
***
When she got the call that Zay had been stabbed, Terry almost lost her mind not knowing what to think. All she knew was as soon as the call was made, she shot out the door and was driving at top speed headed to the hospital. Her daughter was with Nikki and Poonie, so she was alone. Her phone began to ring as she cut in and out of traffic. Terry picked it up in a panic.
“Hello?”
“What happened? I just heard.” It was Roxanne
“Girl, I don’t know. All Zay mom said that Zay had been stabbed in the club said he’s in surgery. I’m headed dat way now,” Terry replied.
“Which hospital?”
“South Fulton.”
“Okay, I’ll be down there, girl, I’m leaving now. I’ll text you when I get there,” Roxanne said and they ended the call. Terry wondered what had happened in the club. What type of mess was Zay into that would make someone stab him? She didn’t understand and prayed that it had nothing to do with the drug game because it would disappoint her if it did.
“If it ain’t one thing it’s another,” Terry said out loud as the car exited the highway. She punched the gas up Cleveland Avenue, rushing through traffic. All her mind could think about was her man and his well-being. Tears threatened to fall out her eyes, but she aimed herself to be strong, strong for her unborn child and strong for Zay because all he had was his mother and her. She did not want to lose him like this, so suddenly, out of the blue skies.
Terry pulled into the hospital parking lot. She quickly parked and ran into the hospital. At the front desk was a woman around her same age. Terry cracked a smile through teary eyes and asked the lady where was Zay. After giving his personal information, the woman looked it up on the computer, then told Terry where to go. She didn’t spare another second.
She made a dash to the elevators. The ride up seemed like it would take forever to get there. When the doors opened, Terry shot up out of there fast, and rushed down the hall to be met by Zay’s mother and other family members. She hugged Zay’s mother and then questioned, “Is he okay?”
Terry let the tears flood down her face, scared for the life of her man. Not knowing what to expect, she could only hope and pray that everything would be good for Zay.
“Yes, he’s out of surgery right now. He just got stabbed in the thigh. Knife went seven inches into him and was snatched out, tearing veins and meat and tissue with the ridges on the blade. Doctors said he will be okay. He will have to go through physical therapy to gain his full motion of walking again. We’ll be able to go see him in a second. Police is in there now,” Zay’s mother told Terry, which made her feel a whole lot better.
“Okay, that’s good, thank God. Thank You Jesus,” Terry said full of joy and hugged Zay’s mother one more time.
Chapter 6
After another hour, Terry and the family were allowed to visit Zay. He was sitting up in bed eating the hospital food. As soon as his eyes laid on Terry, a bright smile painted his face. He also saw his mother and other family. He and Terry shared a kiss and a much needed hug.
“Baby, I was scared,” she whispered.
“You know I’m hard to kill,” Zay boasted, but he was fronting, he rubbed her stomach, feeling the baby move.
“I know, baby. So what happened?” Terry along with everyone else wanted to know what went down.
Zay took her small hand. He kissed one of her finger tips and looked her in the eyes. “Baby, I couldn’t even tell you even if I tried. It was too much going on, too many people, too much noise,” was what Zay said, but Terry didn’t believe him for one second. She sensed something else, but she wasn’t sure, so she agreed with a nod of her head. A knock came at the door. Then Eric walked in, followed by Roxanne.
“What’s up, bro?” his concerned voice asked Zay, walking over to his bedside. He also acknowledged the family and friends. But his main focus was Zay, his childhood friend and business partner.
“I’m taking it day by day, my G. What’s up with you?” Zay shot back as he sat up in bed correctly.
“Sounds true, so I need to know da business,” Eric stated because word was already out that it was a hit on him and Zay’s heads. Eric just wanted to know if it was any truth to it. He turned to the entire family when he saw that Zay was hesitant about telling him what was going on. “Excuse us for a brief moment, five minutes in private please.”
“I guess,” Terry was the first to agree. Then everyone else followed because they all figured Eric could get down to the bottom of what was going on. Everyone filed out of the room. Eric closed the door behind the last person and instantly turned towards his partner.
“What’s up?” was all Eric said.
“It was Kash,” Zay replied, which made Eric’s heart skip a beat. He was shocked to even hear Kash
’s name of all people.
“What?”
“Man he talking about we haven’t been fucking with Gangsta and all types of other shit. Nigga said we got to pay thirty-five percent of everything we own. Then the nigga stabbed me in my fuckin’ leg.”
“No way.”
“That’s what I’m saying,” Zay replied.
“Thirty-five percent of what? What da hell wrong with Kash?” Eric was overall confused.
“Thirty-five of everything we worth. Nigga said we owe Gangsta.”
“Man, fuck Kash. He must don’t know who he fucking with. I will not give him one red penny of my money. Fuck what he stressing ‘bout. Gangsta is my first cousin. He musta forgot or sum.”
“I don’t know what’s wrong with that nigga. He need to be worried about a job instead of fucking with niggas who gonna have him knocked off,” Zay said. The situation had Eric heated at knowing what went down. He really didn’t like the act Kash pulled, no matter what anybody said or would say. Yeah, it was true that Kash and Gangsta were partners, but at the same time, he was blood to Gangsta and nothing to Kash. So the odds were different.
“So what we gone do?” Zay asked.
“We gone get that Nigga took out. Fuck Kash. He ain’t no God,” Eric stated. but did he truly mean it? They were words from anger and heated emotions, so did he really want to go at Kash? Did he truly want a war and to cross out his cousin because his respect was on the line? Everyone who knew Eric knew he wasn’t a killer, but he did have murders on his hands, being the buyer of hit men. He wasn’t scary, he just wasn’t built for the action as Kash was. So was he truly ready?
***
Kash met Veedo and Monkey at the condo later that night to discuss what was going on. He planned on telling them about the meeting with Loco over blunts and drinks. Even though he was with Loco on the movement, Kash also had other plans. He parked the Benz in his designated spot as his phone started vibrating in his pocket. He opened the door, had one foot in and one foot out, and answered.
The Streets Bleed Murder Box Set Page 43