by Niecy P
“Jeremiah doing good. He reached out to some people that wanted to meet up with the family. I am going to go with him and check things out before I bring it to the table.” JoJo was unsure.
“You don’t trust it,” I asked him.
“I don’t know man. Like I said he is doing good, but I feel that he is moving too quiet.” JoJo said. He looked at my father and asked the question that was bothering him since Brian made that comment.
“Uncle J. I need you to ask you something.”
“Damn. Why you couldn’t ask me?” Uncle JJ asked while standing at the bar.
“Because I don’t want a logical answer. I want the truth.” JoJo responded without turning his gaze from my dad.
“Be careful, JoJo. You said it yourself that you want to hear the truth. Be sure that the truth is what you want.” Pops told him. JoJo sat back and thought about it before he went on to ask the question.
“What happened between you and my Dad?” He sat forward and asked.
“Awww, shit.” Uncle JJ said and took the seat in front of my desk. Mom told us what happened between the two of them long ago. We knew that Uncle Jo was one of the reasons why we weren’t able to see my Dad when we were little. Dad pretty much confirmed it when we got older and was ready to step into the game. Pops got up and went to the bar. He fixed one drink of 1800 and walked to the table and placed it in front of JoJo. JoJo moved the glass closer in front of him. Pops took the seat across from JoJo. He wanted to make direct eye contact with him.
“Your father used me to kill the sons of the original members of the stand for his personal gain. He didn’t want to share the seats with the men. He had it in his mind that we, the Davis Crew, should have been the only ones around the table. It fucked us up because your father was making the decision for the Davis men without getting our opinion. People came after us, plotting against the family and used a chick that I was fucking to get close to Pops. It was a lot of shit that happened that had me looking at him in a different light.” Pops told JoJo. I knew my nigga was mad. JoJo swallowed that drink down and got up to get the bottle. He brought it back to the table and took a gulp of it before speaking.
“That’s why these niggas think I’m grimy and shit.” JoJo slammed the bottle on the table.
“Probably so. But, what they don’t know was that you are made different. We all could see that you are nothing like our brother. You running the shit just like your grandfather wanted. You opened up other ventures for the family to explore. You on your shit, JoJo. Don’t let these other fools get into yo head about none of that.” Pops told him. JoJo took a drank from the bottle and pushed it to the middle of the table.
“And I know you hate that I have a logical answer but Jo turned around big time when he found out about the children. He pushed Jason towards his family and did whatever needed to be done. Including fighting Gage in the back of your grandmother’s house.” Uncle JJ said.
“Damn. Did he get a few in?” JoJo asked. Pops looked back at Uncle JJ and burst out laughing.
“Hell no!” They both said. I didn’t think he did. We all heard the elevator beep and believed that it was Truth. A soft knock on the door had us all looking at the door. Beauty was standing there with a picnic basket wearing a red jumpsuit and nude sandals.
“I’m sorry to interrupt.” Beauty’s angelic voice said. We all stood up as I went to welcome her in the office.
“You don’t have to be sorry,” I told her. She was nervous looking around the room at some of the most important people in my life. I looked at my smirking dad and knew he was about to go in with the questions. He walked over to us and held his hand out for hers.
“He's right you know. The women in our family don’t apologize for shit. I am assuming that goes for you as well.” He said.
“He tells me that all the time.” Beauty answered and took his hand. “I’m Beauty.” Pops’ eyes darted to mine.
“Beauty, huh. Well, it suits you. I’m Jason, Mason’s father.” Pops held her hand in his gently. Uncle JJ introduced himself along with JoJo.
“Do you have family out here?” Uncle JJ asked.
“Yes. Juice is my brother.” She answered.
“Oh,” was Uncle JJ’s reply.
JoJo laughed knowing what he was thinking. Juice wanted Madison in the worse way, and I told him that he would never have her. I didn’t feel that he was good enough for my sister. Juice never stepped up to me about seeing his sister, and if he did, there was nothing that he could have said to keep me away from her. She was in my system, and that was where she was going to stay.
“That is interesting,” Pops said and looked at me. He didn’t want me involved for a different reason.
“What’s in the basket,” JoJo asked.
“Nothing for your nosey ass. Get outta my shit, asking questions.” I yanked JoJo unfinished plate up and shoved it in his chest. I escorted him to the door and waited for my Uncle and father to get the hint. Uncle JJ smirked at me and patted me on my back.
“Good job neph.” He told me and walked out the door. Pops picked up my plate and carried it across the hall to his office.
“I want to talk to you when your guest leaves.” He told me and turned to face Beauty. “It was nice to meet you. The way my son throw us out the office lets me further know that I will see you soon, despite what any of us may think. How long have you seen each other?” Pops asked her.
“Three weeks, almost four.” Beauty said shyly. I grabbed her hand to soothe her. She didn’t know who she was standing in the presence of. My pops was a crazy nigga with a conscious. He saw my reaction and nodded his head. “Don’t worry about the talk. Bring her to the house to meet your mother and the rest of the family. She will be thrilled that you found someone.” He said and walked into his office. I closed my door and pulled her into a hug. I loved the way her body felt pressed to mine. It was her softness against my hard one. I stuck my head into her neck and inhaled her scent.
“You smell so good, B.” I spoke. Beauty natural reaction was to lean her neck to the side to give me better access. I planted soft kisses up her slender throat. Baby girl shivered every time I was near her. The basket in her hands shook as she tried to keep her balance. I took the basket and sat it in the chair. I leaned on to my desk and brought her body between my spread legs. We caught ourselves in that position a lot. Beauty was becoming weaker to my advances, and I needed her in the worse way. She wrapped her arms around my neck and pecked me on my lips.
“How is your day?” She asked breathlessly.
“You are really going to stop teasing me with them friendly ass kisses,” I told her and dropped my hand to her apple bottom. A quiet moan escaped her lips.
“What do you mean?” She asked.
“I’m a grown man that need a full course meal. Not this happy meal shit you keep dishing out to me.” I teased her. Beauty surprised me by palming my face and sticking her tongue in my mouth. I latched on to it and squeezed her ass. I knew she felt my dick trying to escape my jeans. She started moving her hips, which caused me to get up. The control Beauty thought she had over herself was slipping. She didn’t let things get further than that because she pulled back from me. Beauty held her hand up to stop my advances.
“Speaking of a full course meal, I made you something to eat. I have some studying to do,” she said. “You can drop the basket and containers off tomorrow.” Beauty told me and handed me some homemade oxtails. She told me that she enjoyed the food at the restaurant, but it was nothing like the food her mother made.
“And why can’t I come by and help you study. I know about materials, textures, and shit.” I said, trying to get her back in my personal space.
“Yeah. The last time that happened we were wrapped up in my materials,” she said and started walking back to the door. “I will see you later.” Beauty smiled and blew me a kiss.
“Let me walk you out,” I told her.
“No, I got it. Go see your father,” she told me a
nd walked out the door. I didn’t think that she noticed it. I picked up some of the containers and walked to my father’s office. I knocked and waited for him to give me the permission to enter. Instead, he opened the door for me to walk in.
“That was quick,” he commented.
“Aye, man. Really.” I told him.
“I’m just saying,” he said and reached out for the containers. I sat in the loveseat that he had in his office while we went through the containers of food. My baby knew her way around the kitchen — oxtails, black beans, and rice, fried dumplings, corned beef, and some curry goat. Dad and I tore that food up. It was as if I inhaled that shit down. Once we were nice and full, Pops offer me a root beer to wash it down. I sat back and looked at him. He didn’t start talking right away. I guessed he wanted me to speak first. So, I did.
“Why is it a bad idea for me to date Beauty?” I asked. Dad picked up the napkin and cleaned his hands. He throws it on the table and shook his head with disappointment.
“You know this shit already. She is a liability. Beauty doesn’t know shit about what we do and why we do it. If you hurt her in any way that shit is going to reflect you and Juice’s relationship.” He said.
“Nobody ain’t worrying about no damn Juice,” I assured him.
“Yeah but she is. That is her brother,” he said and stood up. “I thought about that shit a lot before I made things official with Joel. In the game that we are in, any of us can be a target no matter our statuses. Kymel and Kymani wanted to kill me for hurting their sister. Your mother didn’t allow it. As much as I don’t want to admit it, she saved my life.” Dad told me.
“But, you didn’t try to kill my uncles.” I figured since he was still alive.
“No. I didn’t try to kill your uncles. Gage almost killed my brother. I was the reason why she held back because she knew that it would have fucked me up entirely. That is why I don’t agree with you guys being together. She isn’t built to be in this world. Beauty can’t handle herself the way you need her to. The moment you introduce her as your woman, will be the day she becomes a target to all your enemies. Be prepared to make a decision that might hurt or disappoint her.” Pops ended the conversation with a tap on my shoulder. I didn’t think about any of that shit he said to me. I wasn’t looking at the bigger picture at all. I went back to my office and stayed there until Marley arrived. The young dude had a whole spreadsheet and the map he created at school.
“Yo, check it. I have been working on this all morning. I know that you guys like visuals and shit. So,” he said and put a full sheet of the world’s map on the table with notes that he wrote on it. He explained to us each step that we should take to get the merchandise to our clients. To say that we were impressed, was an understatement. He also had the time and dates of all the officers that were going to be guarding the docks. I didn’t know how he got that information, but he did and put that shit to use.
“Damn, Marley. You did all this shit in class.” JoJo asked him while picking up the map. Dad and Uncle JJ left to meet up at the house with the rest of the family. My uncles were visiting with my cousin and grandfather. I haven’t seen them since my last mission.
“You know how I don’t half-ass a job. I take this shit seriously.” Marley answered.
“I wished that you can rub off on Jeremiah. I just got a call from Tony. He told me that Jeremiah and Juice were seen at the club last night popping bottles and getting drunk. They were running their mouths about some shit that I am going to need to check in on.” JoJo let out with a loud huff.
“Is there anything that we need to know about?” I asked. JoJo glanced back at me and shook his head.
“Not yet.” He said and walked out of the office. I was sure that it was more than he wanted to tell us. He didn’t want to look wrong after telling us how good Jeremiah was doing. I was going to let it slide, though. I trust JoJo decision at the end of the day.
“Look, I’ll see you guys when you get to the house. I can’t want to see Kareem. He told me he had that revolver for me.” Marley picked his bag up and walked out of the office. I shut all my computers down and turned my lights off. We all got downstairs and saw Mina sitting behind the desk. I was ready to turn down her advances, but she didn’t bother looking our way.
I got outside and pointed back. “What the hell was that all about? She has been on her best behavior.”
“Madison came up here two weeks ago and checked her on her employee duties. After Madison was done with her, Mina was up in the ladies’ room crying for her life. I don’t know what she told her, but I am happy that she did. I have been receiving all my messages from Melissa since that happened.” JoJo said.
“You know that she only did that because Mina tried her luck with Truth,” Marley added.
“I don’t care what her reasons were. I’m happy that her ass started doing the job we hired her to do.” JoJo said.
“So, she is feeling this nigga like that, huh,” I asked both of them.
“He gotta be feeling her too. That nigga was ready to go toe to toe with Smoke.” JoJo said.
“Fa real.” Marley was shocked.
“Real. But, you know that nigga is going to have to see me before he starts dating her. He was my boy and all, but he knows the rules.” I said and jumped in my truck.
“Fuck that. He is about to see a lot of niggas behind Madison. You know Dad is going to tag in with Papa. I would hate to be that nigga.” Marley said.
“If he wants to be with her, it will be worth it,” I said.
“Y’all niggas talking like Madison is going to let us beat Truth down.” JoJo shook his head and walked to his car. Marley hunched his shoulder, not giving a fuck if she jumped in. If Truth wanted my sister, he had to go through all of us to get her.
“Thanks, Kareem. I needed this for a long time.” Marley held up his customized CO2 Air Pistol.
“Why did you need that specific gun son? Are your preparing for something that none of us know about?” Mom asked. She was standing behind my father with her arms draped around his neck. I have never seen two people more in love than my parents. My father looked at my mom as if he would take her place in hell. She wouldn’t let him, though. Their asses would be fighting at the gates of heaven.
“Everybody got their collection. This piece right here complete mine.” He said and ran up the stairs. Kareem was two years under Marley. Uncle Kymani thought that his wife Journey wasn’t going to let Kareem into the business. She surprised him and told him to do what he felt was necessary for their family. When Kyson went on trips, he was only there to watch and take in everything. They didn’t have the time to train the way their fathers wanted because they also needed to learn the business on the mother’s side. Marquel and Malik were showing them how to be gun runners. That was how Marley got the weapon.
“Aye, we got more stuff that you probably need. Let me check out what you have.” Kareem told him and ran up the stairs after him. Kyson went in the other room to Facetime his mother, Story.
“How is everything on the Island, Daddy?” Mom asked him. Papa had to be drinking out of the fountain of youth. The nigga didn’t age at all. He was sitting there with his long black dreads in his sharp ass suit. You would have thought that he was about to attend dinner with the president.
“Everything is well, baby girl. No problems or trouble that my new Elites couldn’t handle. You okay to stay retired sweetheart.” Papa asked.
“We don’t know about that,” Dad said. Mom grabbed his shoulder and squeezed it. “Ahh, woman. I told you about doing that shit.” Dad grabbed her hand and pulled her to his lap.
“I told you that it was nothing to worry about.” She replied. Madison and I sat up at the same time.
“What’s going on Mama?” Madison asked. Mom sighed with frustration.
“I can punch you right now,” she told my father and tried to remove herself from his lap. Dad held on and stared at her. Mom didn’t move. She patted his hand and started talking.
“I received a phone call two days ago from a cousin on my mother side checking to see if I was okay for some reason. I didn’t understand the phone call, because I haven’t talked to anyone on that side of the family since I was little. Tanya, my cousin, told me that some of our relatives went missing and some found dead. She thought that I was a victim. I told her I wasn’t and that if she needed a place to stay, she was more than welcome to come here. She declined and told me to be safe.” Mom said.
“You don’t want us to go and check on them,” I asked. My mother shook her head.
“I don’t know what they got going on down there. It was a lot of shit that happened that caused my mother to become an outcast.” She said while playing with the sleeve of Daddy shirt.
“Like, what?” Madison asked. She was already on the edge of her seat.
“My mother was the daughter that my Grandmother kept. She was young when she had her first daughter Rose. The family didn’t want her to go into the foster care, so my great Aunt Jean raised her. My mother found this out and reached out to Rose, but her Aunt told her that Rose moved out to be with some man. Later on, they heard that she and her children were in some kind of trouble but didn’t know what.” Mom answered.
“Wait. I didn’t know that Grandma Cassidy had a sister. I thought that she was the only child.” I said.
“I did too, for a long time. I asked her, and she told me that my Grandmother died along with the rest of her family. It was a trip to Mobile, Alabama that changed all her answers. We went out there when I was nine. Momma was meeting one of her old friends. The woman was getting married, and we went out there to help her get some wedding stuff. I told mom that I was hungry for some fruit and she decided to stop at one of the grocery stores out there. We walked in, and Mom stopped to get her a soda. I asked mom if I was okay for me to pick my own fruit and she gave me the okay to do so.
I remember walking in the produce aisle and feeling someone staring at me. I turned and saw this boy standing four feet from me. Even then I wasn’t afraid of anything, but his stare was unsettling. His eyes were black, and he was standing taller than he was. I didn’t make a move because I wanted to see what he was going to do if I stood there. It was fine until I saw his eyes change from black and tight, to wide and playful. The boy looked like a different person. His stance changed from standing tall to prissy almost. The boy waved at me. I waved back and was about to speak until this little girl walked to his side. It was weird because she was dressed in a long skirt with a white cardigan. She had on some pearls that she grabbed while looking at me. The girl looked up at the boy with a chastising look.