Feeling defeated, Norah decided to pull up on the westside of town for the hood. She wanted to grab seven grams of dro to ease her mind. Right now, a good blunt and bath was the only thing her body craved. At this point, all she could do was wait for a call from Hannah. Hell, even if Big Boy called she'd be happy, so that was exactly what she would do; wait.
7
TASIM
"Ijust don't understand what's so exciting about the hood. You young niggas disgust me. You make my ass itch with that dumb hoodlum shit."
"You act like you ain't come from the hood. Man, is this what you called me for, because I gotta go?"
"No. I called you because I want you to track her. Let's have some fun with her." Mr. Kingly pointed to the monitor.
They watched as Norah walked in, was taken into the room, and then talked to the guards. Mr. Kingly knew his guards wouldn't tell her a single word.
"And where I'm supposed to find her?" Tasim asked because he didn't have time.
He knew his father was only doing it out of boredom. She wasn't a winner or one of the regulars.
"The hood. She's just an ordinary hood chick just like her friend. I bet that Kasim is having his way with her. Stupid ass falls in love, she won't be getting a dime." Mr. Kingly smiled, knowing the outcome.
Tasim couldn't do shit but shake his head because he, too, knew that would exactly happen. Kasim was too much for a girl like Dallas. His father knew this and this was what he got a kick out of most.
"Locklane Drive." Mr. Kingly looked from the cameras over at Tasim.
"How you know?" Tasim asked curiously.
"I have my ways." Mr. Kingly sighed.
It was something about the look Mr. Kingly wore that made Tasim wonder how did he know where to locate the chick in such short notice. It didn't surprise him because he knew his father’s capabilities. However, the gleam in his eyes had written another story.
Without another word, Tasim headed for the door. Instead of going to find Norah, he headed down the cold brick hall toward his brother's domain. It had been a day or so since he last checked on him. He figured by now Kasim would have Dallas head over heels, and it made him chuckle.
This was all the Kingly's plan. If the winner fell in love within seven days, they wouldn’t collect their earnings. This was another scheme for Mr. Kingly to gain revenue. The siblings would ask one simple question: "Is it the money or me?" And just like that, the girls would always choose love.
Mr. Kingly would report the winnings to the Federal Tax Bureau to wash his drug money. It was a great hustle, but Tasim knew one day it would cost his father either his life or an indictment. He also knew that he and his siblings would go down, but Tasim always made a vow to himself that he would take the fall so Kasim, Rahim, and Shyim could walk free. Beingthe oldest brother, he couldn't see his siblings sitting in a jail cell behind his father’s demise.
Knocking on the door three times, which was his code knock, Tasim stood back and waited for Kasim to open the door. After a few minutes, the door creaked and there stood Kasim. As usual, they stared at one another, and knowing his brother, Tasim saw this uncertain look in his eyes. This meant he hadn't cracked Dallas, but there was something else that wasn't sitting right.
Tasim stepped into the room and looked around for Dallas. Kasim nodded toward the backroom and this told Tasim exactly what he now knew; Dallas hadn't given in.
"What's up with you? I'm assuming things ain't working in your favor.
"I haven't made a move," Kasim replied, but because he didn't make eye contact, Tasim watched his brother closely.
"It's on day two or three. Kasim, you be having these bitches gone already."
"Well, this one I may not. Bitch could leave for real. Yo’ pops just gon’ miss out on a hunnid bands."
Tasim's head doubled over. Normally he'd retaliate withnigga that's your daddy,but he was to fixated on the fact his brother was giving up. He glared at him and shook his head.
"You like her. Nigga, I know damn well . . ." Tasim stopped laughing mid-sentence.
"I don't like shit. Shut that shit up, dumb ass nigga."
"Nah, youthinkI'm dumb." Tasim continued to stare at his brother.
Kasim looked at Tasim's freckled face, challenging him. He was growing irritated by the minute, but Tasim didn't give a fuck.
"Tasim, shut the fuck up. I said I don't like the bitch!" Kasim shouted with frustration.
