Wrappin’ my hands ’round his throat, I pretended to be protectin’ Kyope. Pretended to be doin’ my job as a member of his crew. Jarvis’s tongue flew outta his mouth and I could feel his throat close in. He was grabbin’ at my hands and scratchin’ my flesh. His throat was soft and flexible and all I wanted to do was bend it.
His eyes rolled back in his head as he attempted to stop me. I smiled. A warm blanket of satisfaction took over. And as easily as I was takin’ his life, I was lifted off of him…suddenly.
“Easy, man,” Spikes said as he and Prangsta held me. “Everything’s cool.”
Jarvis stood up tryin’ to find his balance while rubbin’ his throat. He was bent over like he had to throw up. His lips were bloody and his eye was already showin’ signs of bruisin’.
“Damn, Kyope!” Prangsta joked. “You got yourself a stone cold killa. This nigga worst than me.” When I turned around to look at Kyope, he smiled. I could tell he liked how I almost took Jarvis’s life.
“Who da fuck is this, nigga?” Jarvis asked pointin’ at me wit’ one hand on his knee.
“He’s new,” Kyope offered. “If you had taken your head out that bitch pussy, you would’ve met him a long time ago.” Jarvis looked at me like he wanted to kill me.
“I’ll deal wit this nigga later,” he said.
“Whenever you’re ready just make a move,” I told him.
“Easy,” Kyope smirked, talking to us both. “Everybody calm down.”
We backed down and I knew we’d have our moment again sooner than later.
“Why the fuck would ya’ll kill that girl?” Jarvis asked lookin delirious. He must’ve fallen victim to Kenosha’s power. I played her games before. But her control over me was isolated to the bedroom. He must’ve allowed her to enter his mind. “That was fucked up, man! You coulda talked to me ‘bout it first! Why you have to kill her?”
“Do you hear yourself?” Kyope said angrily. “Our operation is fallin’ apart! We losin’ millions of dollars! Niggas is takin’ us for a joke and the only thing you can think about is that bitch?!” This was the first time I saw Kyope blow up. And I understood how easy it was to lose control.
Jarvis looked at Kyope and then the rest of us. It was like he finally caught on to the severity of situation. Wit’ one hand on his hip and the other on his head, he walked to the window.
“Hey…let me holla at Jarvis for a minute,” Kyope said to no one in particular. We walked toward the kitchen ‘til he yelled, “Aven.”
“Yeah?” I said turnin’ around.
“Stay.”
I looked at Prangsta, Spikes and Crane. They hunched their shoulders and left us alone.
“Why he still here?” Jarvis asked.
“Cuz I asked him to stay.”
“Do you even know this nigga?” he talked as if I wasn’t in the room.
“I know him betta than I know you lately.” Jarvis shook his head in irritation. “So you gonna ask ’bout him, or tell me why you been out of it?”
“I got a lot on my mind, man,” Jarvis said lookin’ down before lookin’ at me again. “A lot of shit been happenin’. I can’t explain it. It’s like somebody’s fuckin’ wit me on purpose.”
“What you mean?”
“Niggas been slashin’ my tires, I feel like I’m bein’ followed, I drop shit off to the cleaners, go back and it’s gone. I think somebody been puttin’ shit in my drinks when I go to the club cuz I been seein’ and hearin’ shit. I’m fucked up, Ky! For real.”
“I hear you, but what the fuck does that have to do wit’ business?”
Wow. I was impressed. The boy Kyope was straight unsympathetic to his man’s problems. What I really wanted to know was who outside of me, was fuckin’ wit’ him. I needed to shake his hand cuz I wasn’t doin’ all that shit.
“Did you hear me, man? Somebody is deliberately tryin’ to fuck up my life. And every time I turn around, I see this nigga as black as the night lookin’ at me. He be followin’ me ‘round in a black Ford Taurus everywhere!” His description fit the one of the man who killed Kenosha. And I wondered was their situation connected.
“Nigga, we have a business to run,” Kyope repeated. “I don’t want to hear that bullshit! If you felt someone was out to get you, you shoulda came to me! Gettin’ ghost ain’t helpin’ shit!” Kyope’s breaths were heavy. “Either you help me put this shit back together or you cut! I’m not fuckin’ ‘round wit’ you no more, Jarvis. The shit ends here!”
Jarvis looked like a helpless bitch in a room full of pimps and then he said, “I’ma do betta. You just gotta give me some time.”
“You had three fuckin’ months. Our entire operation has been reduced in three months. No more time. You start today.”
“I’ll get it togetha.”
“Are you fuckin’ around?” Kyope asked inquisitively. He must’ve been thinkin’ the same thing I was. He ain’t have the look of someone in they right mind.
“What? Huh? Naw, man!” Jarvis said wavin’ him off. “I ain’t on nothin’ but a lil’ smoke every now and again.”
“Cool, cuz my man Aven here is gonna be workin’ wit’ you,” Kyope told him pattin’ my back.
Niggas in New York did an excessive amount of hittin’ niggas on the back and I was gettin’ irritated. But I had to admit, I did like the new arrangement. I could have easy access to him now.
“I don’t need a babysitter.”
“You sure? Cuz I coulda sworn you just told me niggas is huntin’ you down. Sounds to me like you need somebody watchin’ afta you. Don’t worry, he’s cool.” Jarvis looked at me with hate in his eyes and I matched his stare.
“Whateva!” Jarvis responded. “I mean, you da boss right?”
“I am.” Kyope paused. “Now I gotta package comin’ tomorrow. We changed routes. And since our shops been hit, we pickin’ it up directly from Maryland. Nobody will know when it comes to New York but us. I’ma have Prangsta and them get it and bring it back. Aven here is goin’ wit’ ‘em too. All I need you to do is oversee shit.”
“But he new.” he asked turnin’ up his nose.
“Yeah…but already he doin’ a betta job then the niggas that been ’round me for years. He goin’. It’s final.” Kyope commanded.
Jarvis shook his head.
“You can leave now,” Kyope added.
Jarvis was on his way out the door when Kyope said, “And J, if you ever pull some shit like you did when you came up in my crib, it won’t be shit left to talk about. I’ll just be sendin’ my condolences to your mother and whoever your new bitch is.”
Jarvis slid out the door and suddenly I had another idea. The package wasn’t makin’ it to its destination. But I needed help to pull it off and I knew just who to call.
Friday, 11:33 pm
****
The hardest thing to admit is that you wrong. That’s why I never am.
-Kelsi
I punched the concrete wall so many times I was sure my right hand was broken. I couldn’t believe I came so close to killin’ Jarvis and missed my chance. I know I had a plan. I know it wasn’t the right time. But what if I don’t get the perfect chance again? I parked my black Honda in front of my buildin’ and walked up the stairway leadin’ to my apartment. When I grabbed for the door, I screamed out in pain. My voice echoed through the hallway.
“Aven, is that you?” O asked through the other side of the door.
“Yeah…open up the door,” I told her careful not to let my hand come in contact wit’ any object.
Keysha Cole’s song,
Love
, could be heard a little louder when she opened the door. She looked beautiful wearin’ a red long shirt wit’ the words Victoria’s Secret ’cross her chest. And for a second I was glad she was there.
“Oh my God, Aven,” she said lookin’ at my hand all bloody from hittin’ at the walls. “What happened?” She reached for it and I snatched it away.
“What I tell you ‘bout askin’ me questions?”
“I’m sorry,” she responded softly. Her expression went from concern to anger. “I’m just worried. You come in here all fucked up and I’m not supposed to care?”
“No. You’s sposed to mind your fuckin’ business.” I could tell she was hurt but I ain’t give a fuck. I had too much on my mind to be playin’ house wit’ her. She walked away and I took notice that she wasn’t wearin’ panties. The girl was beyond sexy.
When I walked into the livin’ room, the smell of candles, and cooked food hit my nose. I felt like I was home. O did things my moms used to do. She took care of me. There was always a home cooked meal on the table and if she had to work late, there was one in the fridge. It’s amazin’ the shit you take for granted.
“What you cookin’?” I asked as I took the clip out of my gun and sat it on the table.
“You sure you wanna know? Considerin’ I can’t ask
you
questions.” She responded as most women do when they gotta attitude.
“I don’t know why you gettin’ mad. I laid down the rules before we started livin’ together. I gotta go through this shit wit’ you every night?” I paused. “You said you understood and now you trippin’.”
“So the fuck what, Aven. That ain’t the point!”
“Then what is the point, O? Enlighten me since you know so fuckin’ much!”
“The point is I’ve given up everything for you. Yet you still don’t trust me.”
“Hold up, you act like I stole you from a convent and took your virginity. You was a fuckin’ stripper! Stop feelin’ yourself!”
“Whatever, Aven! The only time you want to be bothered is if you want me up under you in the bed. And even then you don’t touch me. You treat me like I’m a kid! I got feelings too.”
“A nigga can’t win for losin’. I’m takin’ care of you. I ain’t been pressin’ you ‘bout gettin’ your own spot even though I
know
you ain’t been lookin’. Yet you in my face ’bout some bullshit! This is why nigga’s don’t move wit’ bitches!”
“You treat me like shit, Aven!”
“Look,” I started takin’ off my timbs. “If I was treatin’ you like shit, you’d know. Matta fact you wouldn’t even be here.”
“Oh, am I sposed to be happy?” she asked as she slammed ice cubes into a bowl. “Should I be smilin’ cuz the man I care about don’t give a fuck about me?”
This female is pissin’ me off. And she don’t even know me. Cuz if she did, she wouldn’t be runnin’ her fuckin’ mouth! I had to call Bricks and I was in no mood for a fight. I don’t know why I didn’t just throw her out.
After a few minutes, O came out the kitchen and slammed the bowl of ice on the table. Afterwards she disappeared into the room returnin’ wit’ one of her brand new tiny white t-shirts and some peroxide. She placed the items on the table and aggressively pushed my legs apart. On her knees, she wiggled her small frame between them. For a second I thought I was about to get my dick sucked.
“Gimme your hand, Aven, before I hurt you.” She said as her strawberry scented lotion filled my nose. I love a women who takes care of her body.
I gave her my hand. If she could fix this shit I’d be grateful, ‘cuz I wasn’t feelin’ goin’ to the hospital. There was too much work to be done. She took the cap off of the peroxide and poured it onto a paper towel. She dabbled the towel on my open wounds. It stung a little but she was gentle.
“I don’t even know why I’m askin’ cuz I already know what the answer gonna be,” she said as she ripped the t-shirt apart “But are you goin’ to the hospital? This could be broken.”
“Naw… I’m good,” I told her as she wrapped my hand in the homemade t-shirt bandage.
“I really wish you would, Aven.” Instead of answerin’ right away, I moved my fingers.
“Naw…I’m good. I don’t need no hospital.” I know she cared but right now, I trust no one. If I go to the hospital they may ask too many questions.
As I looked around I couldn’t help but notice that she made this small joint a home. It was cozy and every time I walked through the doors, I’d relax a little.
I reached in my pocket and grabbed my cell phone. Takin’ one last look behind me, I made sure O wasn’t comin’ back before I dialed the number. The phone rang twice before he answered.
“What up, Kels?” Bricks asked.
“Ain’t shit. I got anotha move for us.”
“For real? You mean them New York niggas not on to you yet?”
I laughed. “Naw. I’m still livin’ ain’t I?”
“You right ‘bout that.”
“Look…this lick won’t be as good as the last one, but it’ll be nice. It’s definitely worth the trip.”
“You know I’m in,” Bricks said. “We got all D.C. on our shit now behind that last job. What the fuck was in that dope?”
“I don’t know. They call that shit the “Crown” and niggas go broke fuckin’ wit it. It’s a killa, dude.”
“Well if we can get our hands on some more of that, I’m wit’ it. I still got your piece of the pie waitin’ when you come back too.”
“You broke me off?”
“Fuck you think?” he laughed. “Hold on, Kels. Yvonna, sit your ass down and chill out! We gonna take care of that shit! Calm down! Damn!”
“Who the fuck is that?”
“This new bitch, I met on my way back from New York. She fine as shit but she crazy as a mothafucka! I think this bitch got two personalities.”
I laughed and said, “I heard that… But look, I’ma give you the details later. I just wanted to make sure you was wit’ it.”
“That ain’t even in the talk. You know I’m down and so is my squad. Hit me when you ready.”
“One”
Saturday, 1:00 am
****
I got a sixth sense. And every time I ignore it, I have a brush wit’ death. I’m listenin’ this time.
-Jarvis
Jarvis sat in his living room going over the details of the pick-up with Prangsta, Spikes and Crane. This was a smaller package then they were used to receiving, but they wanted to test the route to be sure things were okay since they’d been stuck up so many times. Usually they’d have designated people handling this duty. But most of the people they trusted had been murdered. Security had been beefed up on the blocks but to Jarvis, it wasn’t enough. Every detail had to be discussed to make sure nothing would interfere with the pick up. When they were done, Jarvis wanted to go over other matters.