Gunz and Roses (17 page)

 

Sol's restroom area was unparalleled by any other restroom Gray had ever been in. There was no door, and it was connected to the lounge area by steps. It was unisex and had private stalls for men and women.

Gray stood in front of the sink area with her back facing the mirror and dialed Heidi's number.

“Will you give me the goddamn phone?” Heidi snatched the phone from Jerrod. “I swear you's a nosey ass. Hello?” she answered with an attitude.

“Girl, guess what?”

“What? Your date is over already?” She turned down the volume on her television so that she could hear better.

“I wish.” Gray rolled her eyes. “I'm in the bathroom. His boring ass is out in the lounge area watching the golf game on the widescreen, but that's not why I called. Guess who just walked through the door.”

“Who?”

“Gunz.”

“Uh-oh, you in troublllllllllle.”

“Girl, I'm over here fuckin' shittin' bricks. What am I supposed to do? Should I speak, or act like I don't see him?”

“I would speak.”

“You sure?” Gray was unsure.

“Yeah.”

Gray leaned back and folded her free arm under her breasts. Her heart was racing a mile a minute. The way she handled things was crucial. She couldn't afford to make the wrong move. As she continued to ponder things, Gray noticed Gunz coming up the steps.

“Let me call you back.” She hurried and got off the phone.

At that point, it couldn't be clearer that with Gunz was where Gray wanted to be. She was addicted to him, and if he let her, she'd overdose on him every chance she got. She needed what he gave her. With him, she felt high. What he exuded, no form of money could buy. And yes, everything about him said
proceed with caution
, but Gray was willing to take the risk.

If the circumstances were different, she would've walked over to him, wrapped one arm around his waist, and then run her other hand across his head and down his neck. They'd look into each other's eyes, then her lips would gently kiss his. But that wasn't the case. Things were all fucked up, and their pride was in the way.

Gunz saw her looking like a Maybelline queen, but none of that mattered. His pride was hurt, and more than anything, he was jealous.

“So you gon' walk past me and not speak?” she said.

“It ain't that.” He stopped midway and looked at her. “I see you doing ya thing. I ain't wanna get you in trouble.”

Gray knew he was being sarcastic, but that didn't stop her from reacting. She tried to rationalize the situation. “Why would I be in trouble? I told you—”

“It's cool.” Gunz stopped her. “You ain't gotta explain, ma.”

For almost an eternity, quietness filled the air. Both parties were on pins and needles. Gunz could sense Gray's eagerness through her body language. Her pouty lips quivered every time she spoke. Usually he would calm her tension with a kiss, but not today. The selfish part of him wanted to see her squirm.

Gray stared into Gunz's cold eyes with pain in her own. She needed him to see the pain that lay in the space of her heart reserved for him. The distance between them was unbearable. There still had to be something for her in his heart. Fuck what her friends had to say. What they shared was real. If Gunz wanted to take things slow, she'd willingly take the journey with him, if only she could have him back.

“I know I don't have to explain,” she spoke. “I want to.”

“Okay, well, talk.” Gunz stood back, unfazed.

“Look, I apologize. That night when you came over, I should've listened. It's just that I was really looking forward to you being there.”

“I understand that, but you wasn't even tryin' to hear me. I mean,”—he took a deep breath—“you gotta understand, Gray. I got a lot of shit going on. When I tell you something, take my word for it. Ain't nobody tryin' to play you. Once you get that shit out ya head, we'll be good.”

“I know.” She shrugged.

Gunz hated to see her upset. Even more, he loathed the way he couldn't control the beat of his heart whenever she was around. What Gray gave him was no ordinary feeling. All he wanted to do was take her back to his crib and lay her body down.

“Wipe the sad look off your face and come on.” He reached for her hand.

“Where are we going?”

Gunz smiled his infamous crooked grin. “Home.”

For a split second, Gray wondered was she jumping back into things with Gunz too quick. She had a perfectly nice man a few feet away from her that seemed to be genuinely interested in her, but Ra'Shawn would never have the hold on her heart that Gunz did.

Placing her hand in his, Gray followed Gunz out the side door and counted down the seconds until they were back at her place and Gunz could find his way home.

T
hanksgiving was right around the corner, and the holiday spirit lived in everyone. The leaves had changed from green to gorgeous shades of orange, red, and yellow. The sun was in hiding, but a slight glimmer of hope shined from the sky. It was forty-seven degrees outside, but Gray and Gunz enjoyed their evening walk through the West End no less. Gray was stylishly cute in a red wool coat that tied around the waist, red gloves, black ribbed tights, and black ankle boots.

Gunz, being the man he was, sported a more thuggish look by wearing a checkerboard black-and-white button-up black hoodie, leather motorcycle jacket, black distressed jeans, and shell toe Adidas. Black aviator shades shielded his eyes, while the hood from his jacket covered his head.

“I love this time of the year.” Gray inhaled the crisp fall air.

“I'm more of a summer-type dude.”

“I guess I just love winter because of all the holidays and being around your family and friends and stuff.”

“Speaking of family, I know you don't know who your old dude is, but what about your moms? Where she at?”

“She moved back to Chonju a few years ago. It's a city in Korea. A lot of our family is there. I only get to visit her once a year, but we talk on the phone at least a million times a week.”

“You miss her, don't you?”

“Yeah. I can't wait to see her. I'll be visiting her for Christmas.”

“Damn, I'm glad you said something. I thought we was spending Christmas together.”

“I'm sorry. I'll be back for New Year's, though. You can have me all to yourself then.” She stopped and wrapped her arms around him. “That is unless you wanna come with me.”

“Nah, I'm good. I gotta stay back and chill wit' my own people. We can kick it when you get back.”

“Okay, don't say I didn't try. Now give me a kiss.”

“Man, please, I ain't tryin' to kiss you.” He screwed up his face.

“Oh, word? That's how we doing it now?”

“Yep.” Gunz slightly smiled.

“Okay, that's what's up.” Gray let him go.

“Get yo' ass back over here.” He forcefully pulled her back into his embrace.

“Nah, you ain't wanna kiss me, remember?”

“Gray, don't make me fuck you up in front of all these people.”

“Oooooh, I'm shaking in my boots.” She shook her legs while giggling.

“A'ight, think it's a game.”

“So be honest wit' me, Gunz,” she stated as they began to walk again. “Do you love me?”

“You tell me.”

“Sometimes I think you do.”

“Hmm,” Gunz replied, looking ahead.

“So do you?”

“Why yo' ol' soft ass always talkin' about love?” he joked.

“I take that as a no.”

“Whateva. C'mon, crazy ass.” Gunz took her by the hand so they could continue their walk.

“Oh my God, babe, look.” Gray pointed to a parade of people.

It was an entire wedding party coming down the street. Everyone was so happy. The bride looked absolutely stunning in a white strapless taffeta ball gown. Her bouquet was made of lilies and blush-colored roses. The groom didn't look too bad himself. He donned a very traditional Carey Grant–inspired tuxedo. There were only four bridesmaids and groomsmen. The bridesmaid's dresses were a deep, sensual shade of purple.

“I can't wait to get married.”

“Is that right?”

“Ever since I was a little girl I dreamed of my wedding. It's going to be absolutely fabulous.”

“I just bet it is,” Gunz said sarcastically.

“Don't tell me you don't want to get married.”

“I never really thought about it.”

“Well, if you stick wit' me, we gettin' married.”

“How you just gon' tell me what I'm gon' do?” He chuckled.

“I'm just lettin' you know. Marriage is in the cards for me. Whether I'm with you or someone else, I'm getting married.”

“So what do you wanna do when we leave here?” Gunz changed the subject.

“Ummm, we can grab a bite to eat. I am a little hungry.”

“How about Sub Zero?”

“Yes! I have been
dying
for their shrimp tempura salad.”

“Well, come on then.” He placed his hand around her waist. “I ain't tryin' to be wit' you all day.”

“I ain't tryin' to be wit' you either. I just want a meal,
ya dig
.” She laughed.

“Gray, don't play wit' me.”

“Who said I was playin'?” she countered.

“A'ight, that's enough.”

 

Unbeknownst to Gunz and Gray, across town in a dark, vacant room, chaos ensued. Four hired henchmen dressed in all black dragged a severely beaten man across a cold concrete floor and placed him into a metal folding chair. He'd survived their kicks, punches, and hits with bats, and never once did he cry, scream, or beg for help. This man was a soldier, and if need be, he'd die like one.

With his hands tied behind his back, he took a couple of deep breaths in and out as blood trickled down the center of his face. Thoughts of his wife, three daughters, and unborn son tormented his mind. He hadn't left home on good terms with his wife, Keisha. She'd begged him to stay, but lady luck was calling his name. Bishop had to hit the casino. He promised to only be gone an hour, but Keisha wasn't trying to hear it.

“You are so selfish! All you do is think about yourself! I ask you to stay at home one time, and you can't even do that! Fuck you! The streets can have yo' ass!”

Bishop didn't even respond. He simply grabbed his coat from out the closet and left without saying a word. Keisha stood behind him with tears streaming from her eyes because she knew she and the kids would always play third to his life allegiance with MCM and the streets. Now here Bishop was, regretting his decision and wishing he could turn back the hands of time.

In the corner of the room stood a man he had never seen before. The devil resided in his soul; it was evident by the ominous look in his oval-shaped eyes. Bishop didn't know who he was or what his beef could be. All he knew was that this man was out to kill.

“Jason . . . Bishop . . . Cruz, you've made this entirely too easy for me, my friend.” The man stepped up closer. His voice reminded Bishop of The Joker.

“Tracking you down wasn't as hard as I though it would be. Every week you follow the same routine. You conduct your business in the streets, on Thursday you go to The Delmar, Fridays you're at Lumier, Saturdays you hit up Larry Flynt, and on Sunday, you spend time with the family. For you to be Gunz's right hand man, I expected more from you.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Bishop barked.

“I'm your worst fuckin' nightmare.” The man laughed hysterically. “No, seriously, allow me introduce myself.” He placed out his hand for a shake. “My name . . . is Christopher Knight. I believe you, a fella named Watts, and the
infamous
Gunz Mar-ci-ano had the pleasure of killing my brother Richard, better known as Rich.”

Suddenly, everything became clear. This guy was out for revenge.

“Ohhhh how . . . I . . . wish you all hadn't of done that. You all have made me very angry, and you see I'm a nice guy. I am.” Truth cracked his knuckles. “But you've pushed me too far. See, first . . .” He walked around in a circle. “I was just gonna take your drugs . . . then steal Gray away from Gunz, of course, but then . . . you all had to go and get all high and mighty on me and kill my little puppet, Fortune. Now . . . you know I just can't let that go undone. There are rules to this. I kill one of your people, you kill one of my people, and so on and so forth.” He flicked his hand. “You get the picture.”

“You're a fuckin' dead man,” Bishop spat, heated.

“See,”—Truth shook his head—“that's where you're wrong. You're the dead man.”

Before Bishop could utter another word, a gallon of gasoline was being poured over his head. The pungent smell made him want to vomit. This was it. There would be no final good-bye to his family. He'd never get to kiss Keisha's pretty face. Like Fortune, he would never get to see his son grow. Bishop only had himself to blame. This was the life he'd chosen. All the dirt he'd done had finally caught up with him, and there was nothing he could do about it.

“Any last words?”

“Yeah.” Bishop looked Truth square in the eyes. “See you in hell, muthafucka!”

Unfazed by his comment, Truth stepped back, lit a match, and tossed it on to Bishop's lap. Seconds later, his body was aflame. The foul smell of burning flesh filled the air, and for the first time since he'd been abducted, Bishop let out a bloodcurdling scream.

 

Gunz sped down the highway doing eighty. While sharing a nice romantic meal with Gray, he received a frantic phone call from Watts, telling him to meet him on the corner of Acme and West Florissant. Unable to drop Gray off before heading in that direction, he let her ride with him. The whole time, she sat in the passenger seat with a troubled look plastered on her face. Gunz could sense her nervousness, but now wasn't the time to ease Gray's fears. He too was in a state of panic.

Pulling up at the corner of Acme, he spotted Watts and placed the car in park. An eerie quietness surrounded them. No one in the neighborhood seemed to be out, even though it really wasn't that late. The only thing wandering the streets was a black stray cat in search of food and shelter, and a small crew of his men.

“Gunz, you're scaring me. Can you please tell me what's going on?” Gray pleaded.

“I can't right now. Just take the car and drive home,” he instructed.

“What do you mean take the car and drive home? What the fuck is going on? Where are you going?”

“Gray . . . please . . .” He took a hold of both of her hands. “Just do as I said. Take the car and go home. I'll be by there later.”

“But, Gunz, wait a minute—”

“Gray, just go!” He opened the door.

“But, Gunz!”

“Go!” He stepped out and slammed the door shut.

“My bad. I ain't mean to interrupt your time wit' your lady,”—Watts greeted him with a pound—“but we got trouble.”

“What kind of trouble?” Gunz asked as they proceeded to walk around the corner to the alley.

“It's all bad, G. I don't know who did it, but it's fucked up, yo.”

Gunz followed Watts into the trash-infested alleyway, and before his eyes, hanging from an electrical pole was Bishop. Gunz was shocked. For the first time in years, tears entered the brims of his eyes. To stop himself from feeling, Gunz took his eyes off the body and looked down.

“They found him an hour ago,” Watts confirmed.

“GET HIM DOWN!” Gunz growled, infuriated.

Swallowing hard, he pursed his lips together tightly and allowed a tear to slide down his cheek. This was his fault entirely. He'd brought Bishop into this life, and now because of it, he was dead. Bishop was not only his homey, but his best friend. They'd been through everything together. Since the age of seventeen, they'd held each other down. How was Gunz supposed to go on living when Bishop would no longer be right there by his side? Things were now better than ever. They were financially back on top and both happy in their personal lives; but now he had to tell Keisha that the love of her life, her husband, and the father of her kids was dead and gone. Unwilling to show any sign of weakness, Gunz wiped his face.

As he turned around to face Watts and his crew, he saw Gray turning the corner. The look on her face said it all. The reality of what he did for a living was no longer just a figment of her imagination or something she could just sweep under the rug. It was screaming in her face, loud and clear. Gunz was a monster. He killed people on an everyday basis. Lies, deceit, and mayhem were all a part of his world, and somehow she'd infused herself in it without even a care or a bat of the eye. Gunz knew from that day forward she would look at him differently. The man she'd gotten to know would just be a shadow and imagery of the man he really was underneath the surface, but his eyes still begged for her to understand.

“What are you doing here? I thought I told you to go home.”

“I . . . CAN'T . . . DRIVE!” Gray screamed before throwing his keys at him and running off.

 

Hours later, as rain poured from the sky, Gunz stood outside of Bishop's door, unprepared to do the worst. Reluctantly, he rang the doorbell. Gunz could hear the sound of Keisha coming down the steps.

“Who is it?” she asked nervously.

“It's me, Keish. Gunz.”

Perplexed by why he was at her house so late, Keisha tightened the knot on her pink robe and quickly unlocked the door.

“Hey, Gunz.” She smiled warmly.

“What's up, Keish? I'm sorry to be stopping by so late.”

“It's okay, but I was gon' say if you're looking for Bishop, he's not here. The last I know he was at the casino.”

“Oh, I know. I actually came to speak to you.”

“Is there something wrong?” She placed her hand on her protruding belly.

Gunz knew that he should just spit it out, but for a minute, he got caught up in the reality of the situation. On any given day, Keisha was due to pop, and what should have been a joyous occasion would now be filled with loss and regret. He couldn't do it to her. Everything in him wanted to give her a little bit more peace.

“Gunz, are you okay?” she asked softly, taking him by the hand.

“Keish, I got something I need to tell you.”

“Uh-uh.” She shook her head, fully knowing what he was about to say. “No.”