Chapter 24
Puttin' Down Demos
I didn't think my life could get any worse after being denied attending my mother's funeral by the bitch-ass warden, talking about I was high risk. Ever since that day, I had nothing but revenge on my mind. I knew I had a long time before I got up outta this hell hole but getting at Budz kept me focused and motivated. The only thing I could do to the cookie-ass nigga from here was send him a letter threating him. Budz was underestimating me. I wasn't the same skinny-ass nigga who used to run around the hood being reckless and destructive. I had gotten my ass beat on a regular by niggas in the hood just 'cause they could. I had graduated to the nigga who was handing out the beatings and he would find out soon enough. It was crazy because he had so many niggas on his team, I didn't know who could be trusted, and that's why I stayed to myself. I fucked with my cellie every now and then, but he even seemed suspect at times.
“Damn, Vomo, you still in here doin' push-ups?” Joseph walked in the cell and asked.
“It keeps me calm and helps suppress my anger,” I replied as I continued with my workout.
“Ain't nothin' wrong wit' that.” Joseph laughed.
Truth be told, I also had to beef up because even though Budz was on the streets, he was still constantly sending his goons my way. I stayed in and out of the hole for protecting myself against these ho-ass niggas. I tried to change for the better. Joseph had me reading all these self-help books, which I can't lie had me trying to think on a different level.
“You still thinkin' about gettin' at Budz?” Joseph asked.
“Yep,” I answered as sweat poured off my face.
“Let's say you accomplish what you tryin'a do then what?” Joseph asked.
“I'm not worried about that right now. I'll get to that point after I handle my business.”
“You know firsthand he got cats in here trained like pit bulls ready for him to snap his fingers so they can tear into you. So why don't you just let it go?”
I looked up at Joseph like he was crazy, never stopping my workout. He had been trying to get me to let my beef with Budz go for the longest. I didn't know why he couldn't get it through his head that no matter what he said, I was gonna get Budz. This soft-ass nigga was responsible for my momma's death and I knew it. Let it go, hell naw.
“Look, you don't know this nigga like I know him. Even if I did let it go, he holds grudges, so I'ma hafta get him before he get me.”
Joseph didn't respond. He just shook his head slowly and opened up his newspaper.
“One thousand,” I said, standing up.
“Damn, I can't even do one push-up.” Joseph laughed.
I laughed too as the CO slid the mail underneath our door. I walked over and picked up the letter that was addressed to me.
“I wonder who this from?” I asked, not seeing a return address on it. I opened up the envelope, unfolded the paper and began reading it.
You gon' wish you never tried to fuck wit' me. I heard ya momma was shot down in the streets. You woulda thought that woulda sat your dumb ass down, but I see it hasn't. I don't know what catalogue you purchased your balls from, but you might wanna send 'em back and get a refund! You thought sendin' a letter to my house was gon' scare me and make me back up off you. You didn't do shit but add fuel to my fire! You and ya boy Black can't and will never be able to fuck wit' me. I'm that nigga! Now, you betta g'on and do your bid and leave me the fuck alone! Oh and just know, don't mention my girl again. You only still livin' because I'm lettin' you live; when I'm tired of toyin' wit' ya worthless ass, you will get yours too!
PS: Watch ya back!
I was mad as fuck after reading Budz's letter. I didn't know where he got Black was my boy from and didn't care; all I knew was I wanted to get my hands on this nigga so bad, I could taste it! I balled the letter up and threw it in the trash.
“You all right, young blood?” Joseph asked concerned.
Without saying a word, I climbed back down on the cell floor. “One thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three . . .”
Chapter 25
Temptation Calls
I was at the shop getting my hair done when my cell phone rang. It was an
UNKNOWN CALLER
so I quickly answered. “Hello?” I answered, trying to sound sexy.
“Wassup, beautiful?”
“Wassup?” I asked, smiling
“You busy?” Black asked.
“Not really, why wassup?” I asked.
“Meet me somewhere?”
“Meet you where?” I asked.
“Downtown at the Reggae club,” he replied.
“I don't know, Black,” I said, skeptical. Part of me wanted to go real bad, but the other part was afraid that Budz might find out. But Budz had said out of his own mouth to get close to Black, so me going to meet him would be just what the boss had recklessly ordered.
“What's the problem?”
“What you want me to meet you for?” I toyed, already making it up in my mind that I was going to pay him a visit.
“I just wanna see you; it's been awhile. If I say please will that make you come see me?” he joked.
“Maybe.” l laughed.
“Would you please come and see me then?” Black asked. This nigga sounded so sexy.
“Since you put it like that, gimme about an hour and I'll be there.”
“I thought so,” Black said, hanging up.
After finishing up getting my hair popped, I hurried to my truck and headed downtown. I couldn't wait to see Black. I pulled up in front of the Reggae club and sat for a minute composing myself. I decided to turn my cell phone off so there would be no interruptions. The thought of Budz calling never crossed my mind as I picked up my purse, tossing the phone in and getting out all in one motion. I looked around before walking into the dim, smoke-filled bar and searching for Black. There were only maybe five or six people in the bar including the bartender and none of them was Black. Thinking he was just toying with me like usual, I turned and headed for the exit.
“Where you goin', Blu?” I heard someone call out.
I turned around and smiled, seeing Black coming from the back of the bar. “I thought you left,” I said as he walked over to me.
“Now why would I leave if I told you to meet me here?” he asked.
“I don't know,” I answered feeling silly and young.
Black shook his head and smiled. “What you drinkin'?”
“Let me get a Heineken,” I replied, trying to sound all grown up.
“A Heineken?” Black laughed. “Since when women start drinkin' beer? Heineken at that.”
I was so embarrassed.
“Let me turn you on to somethin'.” Black ordered a double shot of Hennessy with a splash of Dr. Pepper. “Here try this,” he said handing me the drink.
“Thank you,” I said taking a sip from the straw. “I like this.”
“I knew you would.” Brick smiled.
“You think you know everything don't you?” I smiled back.
“Not everything, but enough.”
I studied Black's face for a few seconds. I wanted him so bad. I didn't know if it was the effects of the liquor or what.
“You like what you see?” he asked.
“No.” I playfully frowned.
“Whatever.” He laughed. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Yep,” I said, finishing off my drink.
“Why you wit' that nigga, Budz?” he asked while getting the bartender's attention and pointing down at my empty glass.
“I don't know. I love him I guess,” I replied as the bartender placed my drink down on a napkin in front of me.
“You guess?” he asked confused. “You don't know?”
“Yeah, I know. I mean, Budz is good to me, but I'm not sure if he's good for me,” I said, letting the liquor do all the talking for me.
“When you gon' leave that nigga alone, come join my team, and make this money wit' me?” Black asked.
Working with Black didn't seem like a bad idea, but I knew my loyalty was with Budz. “Black, you know what my current situation is. You already know I'm gettin' money with Budz.”
“I can dig it. But remember this: what's done in the dark will soon come to light. And when it does you gon' be beggin' to be on my side.”
I was kinda sick of Black always talking in riddles; I just wished he would come out and just say what he meant one good time.
“I bet you any amount of money that that nigga tried to sic you on me didn't he?” Black asked.
“No,” I replied shaking my head.
“Whatever. That's why you agreed to meet me.”
I hated the fact that Black could see right through me. “I wanted to see you, that's why I agreed to meet you,” I said stretching the truth. Every time I thought of Budz being willing to pimp me out, I got angry all over again.
“Look, sweetie, I've been in this game way too long to let a ho-ass nigga like Budz take me out. I don't know why the nigga so threatened by me. I'm not tryin'a take over Chicago. It's enough money out here for both of us to eat good.”
“I told him that,” I said, letting it accidentally slip out.
Black shot me a crazy look. “You got a good head on your shoulders; that's why I like you so much.” He smiled. “I need a bitch like you on my team.”
“I like you too,” I said, buzzing from the Hennessy.
“Come wit' me,” Black said standing up from the barstool.
“Where we goin'?” I grabbed my drink and asked.
“Don't worry, I'm not gon' hurt you,” he said, leading me to the back of the bar. We walked through a door and got onto an elevator. When the doors opened up we stepped into a gorgeous studio apartment. It was breathtaking with huge windows showcasing a beautiful view of the city. The apartment was nicely decorated as well.
“This is nice,” I said, walking over to the window and looking out.
“Thank you,” he said, tossing his keys on the kitchen counter. “You want somethin' to drink?”
“Naw, I'm good. I got my Henny,” I said, still staring out the window.
“Oh yeah,” he said, opening up the refrigerator grabbing himself a bottle of water and opening it up.
“How come you didn't order a drink at the bar?” I turned around and asked.
“I don't drink,” Black said.
“Wow, okay. Do you smoke?”
“Nope, I don't smoke either. I don't do no drugs. I gotta stay focused at all times. I know soon as one of these ho-ass niggas catch me slippin', it's gon' be a wrap for me,” he said before taking a drink from his bottle.
“I feel you. This is a beautiful view,” I said, turning back around staring out the window again.
“It is,” Black said walking over standing next to me. “It's so serene.”
“It is,” I agreed; even though I didn't know what that word meant, I knew it had to be something good.
Black moved up behind me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He then moved his hands up to my breasts and began slowly massaging them. I could feel his erect manhood pressed up against my ass. I closed my eyes and lay my head back on his chest, enjoying the foreplay. My cave was dripping like a leaky faucet as Black planted soft kisses all over my neck.
“Yesss, Black,” I moaned softly as I prepared myself for what I thought was about to happen next. I couldn't wait to feel him inside of me.
Black stopped abruptly, just when I thought I was gon' let him fuck the shit out of me. “A'iiiiight, enough of this freaky shit, I got some business to handle. Don't be a stranger,” Black said, giving me a friendly kiss on the cheek before turning to walk away.
I looked at him like he'd just lost his mind. How the fuck was he gon' just stop after getting me all hot and bothered? I grabbed my glass of Hennessy and followed him back to the elevator. My cave was still throbbing. We walked out of the bar and over to my truck. He opened my door for me.
“See you later,” I said getting in, hoping he would at least let me taste his thick lips.
“A'iiiight,” he said, closing the door and walking over to his truck, never looking back my way.
I felt played as I downed the rest of the Henny in my glass. I'd been so focused on Black I'd walked out of the bar with the glass in my hand. I started up my truck and drove home. Black knew exactly what he was doing: he was reeling me in, not knowing it wouldn't take much more work to get me on his team.
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“Where the fuck you been?” Budz snapped as soon as I walked through the front door. “I been callin' yo' ass for about three hours and it was goin' straight to voicemail!”
I had to think quick because he looked like he was about to maul me.
“I been down at the pier,” I replied.
“Doin' what?” he questioned. I could tell by his tone he didn't believe me.
“Thinkin',” I said, trying to avoid eye contact just in case he could tell I was lying.
“So you really want me to believe you been down to the pier thinkin' all damn day?” Budz asked angrily, walking over to me grabbing me by my throat and throwing me against the wall.
“Get off me,” I screamed, struggling to get out of his tight grasp.
“You fuckin' around on me?” Budz asked as he squeezed harder.
“No,” I said, shaking my head vigorously.
“Well where the fuck you been?” he asked, loosening up his grip some.
“I told you, I been down to the pier thinkin' about my life and how if it wasn't for you, I don't know where I would be.” Fake tears formed in my eyes. “I never told anyone this, but after Bart raped me, I was gon' kill myself,” I said as the tears began falling.
Budz studied my face to see if I was telling the truth. The look I gave off must have had him believing me. “Damn, Blu, why you just now tellin' me this nigga raped you? Your momma know?” Budz asked, letting go of my neck completely.
“I don't know. I never told nobody, 'specially not that bitch,” I said breaking down. I didn't know where the tears were coming from; all I knew was they were definitely working for me.
“Wow, baby, I'm sorry this had to happen to you,” Budz said shaking his head in disbelief.
“It's not yo' fault.” I sniffed, wiping away the tears. I couldn't believe this nigga was buying my performance. He wasn't as smart as I gave him credit for.
“That nigga gon' pay for what he done to you; I put that on my life!” Budz snapped.
I continued crying as Budz continued talking.
“Look, bae, I'm 'bouta go get Miguel and handle some business with him and I'll be back to kiss away your tears, okay?”
How come you can't kiss away my tears before you go? He act like Miguel is more important than me; plus I need some dick after how Black just played me,
I thought as I nodded my head okay.
“Go take a nice hot bath and I'll be back in a few. And by the way, your hair looks nice,” he said in an effortless attempt to bring my spirit up.
“Thank you,” I said as I turned to walk out of the living room, smiling all the way to the bedroom.