“I can’t be mad at you. I’m glad you can get that from her. I know shit ain’t been so much with your mom, so I get it. How is she doing?”
“She is good. Just a little frustrated that her hands and legs are not coming along as she thought. We walked down the TV room and this big crazy guy flipped the hell out. Smashed a TV and all.”
“Damn, for real?”
“Yeah, she's ready to get out of there. And Crystal came and saw me.” She slid the last part in quickly and tried to walk by me to the fridge. I extended my arm to stop her.
“What you mean she came to see you?”
“Exactly that. She came to see me and said she wanted to see MJ. She has been trying to call you.”
“Hell naw! Especially after what I just found out.”
“I understand, but MJ loves his—"
“No,” I said firmly. Dyami looked away from me, and I felt her body tense in my grasp.
“I’m not saying no forever. It’s too much shit going on to allow her to see MJ right now. I don’t even know if she is working with that nigga or what.”
“I get it. I don’t trust her. I didn’t want to keep it from you.”
I kissed her again. “I gotta handle some stuff.” I tried to leave her embrace, but she tangled her arms around my torso.“Be careful, baby,” she kissed me again and let me go. I grabbed the keys and walked out the door. I was pulling up on Slash tonight. Apparently, I owed him for old and new. As I reached my car, my phone rang, and Crystal's name flashed across my screen. I hit the answer with such force that I thought I was going to break my iPhone.
“What the fuck is your problem? Don’t ever go to my woman’s job!”
“Please don’t hang up. Please.”
Chapter 37
Kole
Itook a swig of the fifth of gin that I had in the car under the seat. What was about to happen was long overdue. I couldn’t believe the shit I uncovered about this man. If I hadn’t already lost respect, I certainly would’ve lost all of it after what I found out. After much digging, I discovered that my father’s name was mentioned in so much paperwork that it was overwhelming. This nigga was a well-paid snitch. That’s how he put his own flesh and blood behind bars. This man couldn’t be fucking trusted. It was time for me to take my rightful place.
I opened my car door, got out, and stretched myself to the heavens. I laid eyes on my father’s house for a moment. I knew this would put a few worlds on tilt, but I wasn’t worried about the particulars. It was time for me, and anyone who wasn’t willing to accept that would have to accept death. There wasn’t a place in the world that I couldn’t adapt to and dominate, so my options were endless. My father could thank himself for that. He groomed a chameleon. Too bad he was a snake. I would have retired him, but it was too risky to keep him around. If you would cross your own brother, there was no limit to what you would do.
I didn’t even bother knocking. I let myself in, and he was in the living room with three of his workers. He was giving a speech about how he didn’t like what they were producing, but I didn’t give a shit about what he said.
“Why don’t you tell them how much of a snake you are?” I chimed in as all heads turned to me. I caught a glimpse of my father’s anguish before he quickly tucked it under a laugh.
“Well, if it isn’t my son. I’m sure you have heard about him. Give us a moment.” After he spoke, his little entourage moved in unison. He lived off the power.
“Your own brother, huh? He is the reason that you didn’t want me to kill this nigga? You sent me here on a fuckin’ dummy mission all because of what?”
“You are the one who got personal with this, not me? Kole, what the hell do you want? I’m conducting business, and you need to find some of your own to tend to.” He tried to dismiss me with a wave, and my feet stayed planted.
“You should at least tell me why the fuck you sold your brother out before I kill you. At least die like a man if you couldn’t live like one.”
“I don’t know what type of game you are playing. And even if you are my son, I don’t take too kindly to threats.”
“You think I’m playing?” My eyes bore into his, and he couldn’t call his people in here quickly enough.
“Gentleman. I see my son is having an issue leaving. Please help him to the door.”
The three men came and approached me as I took a deep breath. It was time. I pulled my nine and, in three quick shots, his goons were disposed of without much effort. Where the hell was he getting these niggas from? I looked at him, and he wasshaking in his damn boots. He was too proud a man to run, even though I saw the idea dancing in his head.
“What the hell is this, Kole? What did my brother put you up to? He got caught with his own drugs! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!!”
“Try again!” I said, throwing the paperwork to the floor that I retrieved from one of my dirty cops. “Pick it up!” He slowly picked up the paper, and I saw all the color drain from his face.
