“Nigga, yes, she did. You had a lapse in judgment. But I’m here now, telling you to clear your head and wake up. Venus is a snake.”
“What you want me to do? Cuz my impulsivity is what got me locked up. I lost 4 years of my life. I’m not doing that shit again. If I find out Venus on some bullshit…shit, the only way to kill a snake-”
“Is to cut the head off. I feel you. But that's where you can decide to move differently. Bro, I know niggas grow, so I'm not asking you to be that nigga you once were, reckless with no questions asked. But I am telling you, if a portion of the old you don’t make an appearance, shit gon get even more out of control. And I won’t be here to clean it up.”
“Where are you going?”
“Back to Monaco. I gotta get Crimson and Scarlett out of here. I can feel she’s ready to thrive. We can’t do that here if I can’t trust the people around her.”
“That’s what's up.”
I sat there, silent, the blunt burning slowly between my fingers.
“Bro,” I said finally. “You had no right going to my mama. I ain’t feeling that.”
Jahsir nodded. “Maybe I overstepped. But I’ll tell you this: feel how you feel. I’ll respect it. Just respect this, too. Crimson is my woman, and right now, it looks like I’m the only one protecting her. If that means doing shit you don’t like? So be it.”
The blunt was out now, and neither of us moved to relight it. The lake lapped against the rocks outside, calm as ever, but inside that car, the air was thick with my anger.
“So where do we go from here?”
“We don’t do anything. You keep your head clear and focused on your tattoo shop. By the way, I never fully told you congratulations. That shit is dope, boi!” We collided knuckles in the car. “But I’m getting ready to ride down on Que. He had something to do with the bank robbery. I’m not letting shit else slide.”
“Nah,weriding down on Que.” I reiterated.
“No doubt.” Jahsir nodded as he pulled off. “I know exactly where he is.”
I stared out at the water as my mind raced. Nothing was adding up. The money, the visits, Que, everything Venus intervened in hurt Crimson. I’ll admit, I’d brushed off so much over the years just because I was overwhelmed. I let Venus take over. I told myself Venus had my back and that she was solid. I let her tie up loose strings, move my money around, and even communicate for me. That’s what stung most. I put her in the position to play me like a fool. But not anymore.
I didn’t say a word, but something inside me changed. I was already not feeling her as much, and this little piece of information nailed the coffin shut. The version of me that let shitslide died with this conversation. Venus was in for it; I was on her ass now. Shit was about to change, all of it.
rashad
. . .
Music blastedover the speakers as we stepped into the club, bass shaking the floors like the drums on Jumanji. The lights pulsed red and purple across velvet walls, and the scent of cigar smoke, liquor, and perfume hung heavily in the air. It was loud, hot, and damn near unruly, just how these places liked it.
Venus had been getting on my nerves so much lately that the dancers up in here knew me by name. I wasn’t one of those thirsty, perverted ass niggas, though. If anything, I’d throw a few bills just to get 'em to stop shaking their ass in my face. And now, a few girls tried it, strutting up like they knew what time it was. But I sidestepped and kept it moving. I wasn’t here for the distractions tonight.
Tonight wasn’t about fun. It was about strategy. Jahsir had made a quiet call on the ride over. Now, he gave a slight nod to a man posted up near the DJ booth. That was the green light. We were clear to move. We slipped into the VIP section; pink ropes and plush booths made for intimate dances and whatever else these niggas could afford. Back here, money moved in silence, and names were never whispered or spoken out loud.
Bingo. We found Que. The sexy redbone slowly grinded in his lap while he sat damn near naked, eyes closed, probably thinkinghe was untouchable. She was doing her job too well. Nigga didn’t even realize we were there.
Jahsir peeled off three crisp hundreds and slid 'em into her hand. I raised a finger to my lips. She nodded, brushed Que’s chest one last time, and slinked away into the night. It took a second for Que to feel the difference. His eyes opened, and when he saw us, he sank back into the leather like it could help him disappear.
“Pussy got your guard all the way down, huh?” I stepped forward, calm. “Where your security at, nigga?”
“Ra—Rashad. Jahsir. What the fuck, man?” Que stammered, already scrambling for his pants.
“Yeah,” Jahsir barked, eyes burning. “So, what was all that shit you was talkin’?”
“When? I-I ain’t said nothin’…”
“Bro,” Jahsir turned to me. “You know this nigga came up to Crim’s shop? Talkin’ crazy. Like he forgot who the fuck I was?”
Que stood up slowly, sliding into his jeans. My eyes didn’t leave him once. Que was quick and conniving. He may have been caught off guard, but he could have very well still had the upper hand.
“Careful,” I warned. “Any funny shit, and I’ll lay you out myself.”
