Last Bitch Standing (5 page)

"Like instead of us sitting here every damn day
twiddling our thumbs waiting for the fuck to show up,
she may actually be able to tell us an exact day... helpful
like that?"

"I don't know if she could tell us the day, but
something. Maybe Devon got another spot he rests at that
Curtis don't know nothing about. But what I do know is
this Philly drug game is very cliquish, and everybody be
watching how each clique moves."

"But you know mad people here. Ain't nobody else
you can call besides CoCo that might have some useful
info?"

"Yeah, I do know a lot of people here, but with
CoCo I can trust she won't run off at the mouth, making
announcements that I'm inquiring about homeboy."

"So, you trust her?"

Are you jealous? Because you don't have any reason
to be."

"Don't flatter yourself. I just want to have as few
people in our shit as possible. But if you trust her, then
make the call." And that's what he did. I could hear her
through the phone, acting all extra excited to hear from
Nico. I had to admit that it )))as jealousy making me catch
an attitude, because the chick hadn't did shit to me, and I
couldn't stand her ass.

"That was a quick conversation. I guess she didn't
know shit."

"It's not that. She wants us to talk in person. With
her getting caught up in that fed shit and being locked up,
she don't like to discuss nobody who is affiliated with the
drug game on the phone."

"That's understandable. So, are we about to meet up
with her now?"

"No, she's in the middle of some business at the
moment. She said tonight would be better for her. But I
know you're probably tired and could use the rest, so you
don't have to come with me. I can handle it on my own."

"I'm good. We can go together. This a team effort,
remember?"

"Of course, and you know I always enjoy your
company. So, do you want to head back to the hotel, rest a little bit before we head out tonight?"

"That works for me."

When we got back to the hotel, I went in my room and
took a long hot shower. I needed the time alone to try
and clear my mind, if only for a few minutes. But instead
of thinking about absolutely nothing, I wondered what
Aaliyah was doing at the very moment, and if Supreme
was holding her. I missed the two of them to the point
that pain had almost become numb. It was as if my heart
had built a shield around it, because if I actually continued
to feel how much it ached, I would die from heartbreak.

What made it worse was that I knew Supreme had
fucked Maya. I remember vividly how she rubbed it in
my face. Devon held my body firmly while Maya beat
the shit outta me with those brass knuckles, and taunted
me about her getting dicked down by my husband. I
could tell by the look in her eyes and the venom in her
voice that it was true. I also knew that she didn't have his
heart-which belonged to me and always would. But it
didn't make it any easier to accept. But Supreme and I
had been through so much, and this was another hurdle
we would overcome together... or so I hoped.

But I wasn't naive to the fact that a lot of damage had
been done on both parts. He knew about my indiscretion
with Nico, and with all the poison Maya had drenched on
him, Supreme was probably convinced I was somewhere
laid up with Nico right now, getting my fuck on. It would take all my strength and his to salvage our marriage, and
with the more time that passed with us apart, the more
worried I was becoming.

When I stepped out of the shower, the hot water
hadn't washed away any of the burdens placed upon me.
If anything, it made them worse. I stared at my reflection
in the mirror and thought back to being held captive in
that house, and the first time Mike let me take a shower.
When I first saw my face again after all that time, it almost
startled me. I barely recognized myself. Here I was again,
feeling the same way, but this time for a different reason.
No longer were my cheeks sunken, or dark circles around
my eyes, or my complexion dull from being deprived
of sunlight. In fact, many would say I was glowing and
looked radiant due to my deep tan, courtesy of the hot
summer weather. But I knew better. The fire in my eyes
was slowly simmering out, and it was because everything
I loved seemed to be slipping further out of my grasp.

King... ring... ring

"Hello."

"How long will it take you to get ready?"

"I thought you said we weren't meeting up with
homegirl for at least a couple of hours."

"CoCo just called and said she wrapped up shit
sooner than she anticipated and we could meet now"

"Give me thirty minutes," I said, ending the call. I
wondered if CoCo was rushing Nico, thinking he was coming solo, or if she knew I would also be in attendance.
Just in case she didn't, I decided to put on the only one
cute dress I brought with me. All my other clothes were
street gear, since none of my recent trips had been for
pleasure. But I figured for emergency purposes, a woman
should always come prepared with at least one sexy item,
and this one was mine.

Exactly thirty minutes later, Nico came knocking on
my door, and lucky for him, I was dressed and ready to
go.

"Wow, you look incredible," were the first words
out of his mouth when I opened the door. "For the
last couple of months all I've seen you in is sweats and
sneakers. I almost forgot how hot you are."

"Funny!"

"I'm joking. You know I love your casual aroundthe-way-girl look. But this is nice too. I hope you dressed
up for my benefit."

"Let's go. We don't want to keep your friend, CoCo
waiting."

When we pulled up to a restaurant in Center City, I was
actually hungry, which was surprising to me since my
appetite had been pretty much void lately. "This spot is
cute, like they may have some good food in here."

"You're hungry?" I could understand why Nico
sounded astounded.

"Yep! And trust me, you can't be more surprised
than I am. So instead of dwelling on it, I'ma try to enjoy
a fuckin' great ass meal. Hopefully they have a big juicy
steak."

"Damn, you really are hungry. Good for you!"
Nico laughed, playfully nudging me on our way into the
restaurant.

When we got inside, there was a hostess greeting us
with huge smile. "Welcome. Are there only two in your
party?"

"Actually..."

"Nico, over here!" CoCo stood up, waving her hand
before he finished his sentence, but now there was no
need to. The hostess trailed behind us with two menus,
and put them down on the table once we sat down.

After hugging up on Nico, CoCo turned her attention
to me. "Precious, what a cute dress you're wearing."

"Thank you," I said, dryly.

"Nico, I'm glad you were able to meet up with me. I
know this is supposed to be strictly about what's going on
with you, but I couldn't help but try and take advantage
of this time and discuss a little business."

"I wouldn't expect anything less from you, CoCo. If
you didn't do that, I would say you were slipping."

"And you know that ain't happening. I'm always
about my business. Speaking of business, here comes my
partner now"

My back was towards the door so I couldn't see who
her partner was, and honestly, I didn't fucking give a shit. Nico might've not cared that she managed to turn this
dinner into her own personal business meeting, but I
wanted to reach across the table and slap the chick so hard
it would knock out the two carat clear rocks adorning her
ears.

"Nico, Precious, this is Genesis, my business partner."

The very first thought that popped into my head
when my eyes landed on Genesis was God had truly
been good to that man. He was unbelievably gorgeous.
And trust me, I knew gorgeous men, because both Nico
and Supreme were running strong in the race for the
looks department. But the dude standing before me had
something special that I had never witnessed in another
man. I don't know if it was called swagger, the X-factor...
but whatever it was, Genesis was winning the race with it
hands down.

"It's a pleasure to meet you both. CoCo has spoken
very highly of you, Nico," Genesis continued, as he
shook Nico's hand. "I hope we'll be able to do business
together."

"Same here."

"I apologize for running late, but I had to put my son
to sleep. He's so stubborn," Genesis said, affectionately.

"No problem, we just got here ourselves," Nico let
him know.

"How is my baby?" CoCo smiled, gazing lovingly
into Genesis' eyes.

"You all have a child together?" That shit slipped out so quickly that I hoped it didn't come off as if I
sounded surprised.

"No, but I always refer to Amir as my baby."

"Truth is, you have become like a mother to him
since the day he was born," Genesis stated as he gently
touched CoCo's hand.

There were so many questions running through my
head, mainly like; where was the child's birth mother?
Because there was no way in the world any sane woman
would leave a man like him. But that was none of my
motherfuckin' business, so I opted to keep my mouth
shut.

"Thank you. You know I love him like he was my
own." I was trying to get a read on their relationship but
it was tricky. I couldn't tell if they were fucking or if the
closest CoCo had gotten was only making love to Genesis
in her mind.

"That's a beautiful thing, CoCo. It's nice hearing
about this motherly side of you. Normally with you, it's
straight business, but I see you got a sensitive side for the
babies," Nico teased.

"Enough of this. Let's get back to business," CoCo
slightly giggled. "So, before we discuss the proposal we
have about our shit, let's discuss what you need to know"

"Ms. Armstrong, will you be having your customary
bottle of champagne for the table?" the waiter asked,
interrupting my curiosity of needing to know if CoCo
and Genesis relationship was platonic or not.

"Yes, unless the two of you would like something else instead."

"Champagne is fine with me. How about you,
Precious?"

"It's fine with me too."

"Wonderful. I'll be back shortly with your champagne
and to take your orders."

"Thank you, Roberto."

"My pleasure, Ms. Armstrong."

"Now, back to you," CoCo said, directing her
attention back to Nico. "You wanted to get some
information on Delondo."

"I really needed some information on someone who
works for Delondo. His name is Devon."

"I can easily find out that information for you.
Delondo is a major player out here. One of his lieutenants
is actually very cool with one of our top workers. We're
considering merging on some business together, but
details haven't been worked out."

"Well, I'ma be straight up with you. I have no
beef with the dude Delondo, but the nigga, Devon is a
problem that needs to be taken care of. I'm letting you
know in case that will jeopardize whatever you're trying
to make happen over there."

"No, I can't see that being a problem. The nigga,
Devon can't be an important member of his team,
because I haven't heard of him. Have you, Genesis?"

"No, I haven't."

"If you don't mind me asking, why is finding this
Devon person so important?" CoCo inquired.

"Because we're looking for a young lady named
Maya Owens, and Devon might be able to help us locate
her."

"Maya Owens," Genesis said, with a hint of interest
in his voice.

"Yes, do you know her?" I directed my question
right at Genesis, locking eyes with him.

"No, I don't."

Without skipping a beat, Nico continued on, and
CoCo was giving him her full attention, but Genesis, not
so much. He had now become lost in his own thoughts,
and I knew it was because he was lying. He did know a
Maya, and I had a strong feeling it was the same Maya we
were looking for.

"Excuse me for one second, I have to make a
phone call," I heard Genesis whisper to CoCo before
excusing himself from the table. The two of them were
so enthralled in their conversation that when I told Nico
that I had to use the restroom, he smiled at me, nodded
his head, and kept talking.

I couldn't get out my seat fast enough. I made a
direct beeline to Genesis, who was in the corner of the
hallway trying to have a discreet conversation. His back
was facing away from me, so I tried to sneak and see if I
could hear anything he was saying, but dude was talking
too low. He kept the call short, and when he was done, I
made my move.

"Genesis, how do you know Maya?" I kept my tone
even and firm.

"I told you, I don't know a Maya. Now, if you'll
excuse me..."

I shifted my body, positioning it so that I almost had
him boxed in. "I know you don't give a damn about me."

"I don't even know you."

"Exactly. That's why I know you don't give a damn...
and it's cool. But what's not cool is if you don't tell me
what you know about Maya. Her treacherous ass is with
my husband and my daughter, and I need to find them
before it's too late."

"I don't understand."

"What the fuck don't you understand? Your little
son that you were just gushing over a few minutes ago,
well that's how the fuck I feel about my own daughter!
And Maya has schemed to the lowest level to keep me
away from her and Supreme. Now, if you have some
information that can get me back to my family, then you
need to tell me."

"So you're Supreme's wife."

"That's right, I am."

"Precious Cummings-excuse me-I mean Precious
Mills. It's nice to finally place the name with the face."