Power (12 page)

“She the one for what?”

“I think she’s the one I’m supposed to spend the rest of my life with.”

“Hold up,” Reggie said, rising from the chair. “Slow down. You moving way too fast on this. You have to at least hit it first, before you even think about saying she the one.”

“Says you, not me. I know everything I need to. This weekend I’m actually taking her to go meet my mother.”

“You done lost yo’ mind. You ain’t neva taken a chick to meet your mother.”

“That’s because Dahlia ain’t any chick. I’ve been wanting to settle down for a long time, but I wasn’t rushing it because I hadn’t met the right woman, until now. When you know something is right, it doesn’t take long to see it.”

“You really are serious.”

“That’s what I’ve been saying. You just figuring that out?”

“Then congratulations, man. I’m happy for you. Since I first met you, you’ve always been on your paper chase.  So you the last person I ever thought would meet someone you’d want to settle down with.”

“I thought the same thing, and I was okay with that. But now that I’ve found that special woman, I don’t know how I went so long without her.”

“Foreal though, I’m happy for you, but enough of this mushy stuff. I gotta get used to even having these types of conversations wit’ you.”

“Well you better start getting used to it.”

“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”

“So what else been going on?”

“Same shit. Between you runnin’ all that heroin and Deion moving all that coke, the two of you keep a nigga busy.”

“Yeah, I still can’t believe how Deion just strong-armed himself into taking over Jose’s operation. That nigga got balls, but he always did, even as kids.”

“Well, ain’t much a dead man can do. Speaking of dead men, did you hear about J.D.?”

“What about J.D.?”

“He got killed.”

“We just saw him about a month ago when he gave us back our money. He probably had fucked somebody else over wit’ that counterfeit bullshit, but unlike us, they wasn’t so forgiving.  Do you know what happened?”

“It happened at whatever hotel he was staying at. Somebody came in there and shot him.”

“J.D. had some fucked up ways, and what he did was foul, but I liked dude. I hate he had to go out like that.”

“Yeah, but like you said. When you do foul shit to motherfuckers, eventually it will catch up to you.”

“True, indeed.”

*  *  *

“What up, Demonte?”

“Hey, Uncle Deion. I’m on my way outside to play with my friends.”

“Have a good time. Here, take some money,” Deion said, reaching in his pocket and pulling out a few twenty dollar bills, “in case you and your friends get hungry,” he continued, putting the money in Demonte’s hand.

“Thank you so much, Uncle Deion. I’ll see you later on.” Demonte gave Deion a hug before running outside to play.

“Hey baby,” Passion said, coming downstairs right when Deion was closing the door. “I see why Demonte love him some Deion. You spoil him about as much as you spoil me.”

“Yeah, but yo’ spoiling cost a lot mo’ money.”

“You don’t think I’m worth it?”

“Of course I do. Didn’t I get you off that pole?”

“You sure did. Now let me take you upstairs and show you how grateful I am.”

Deion watched Passion’s ass sway from side to side as she led him upstairs to her bedroom. Due to her masterful skills of fucking and sucking, Deion not only put Passion in constant rotation amongst his chicks, he moved her up to the top as his favorite. Once that happened he had to pull her out the strip club because he wanted her to be on call to please him whenever and however. In exchange, Deion paid all Passion’s bills, gave her a monthly allowance for shopping and other leisure activities, bought her a BMW and even paid for Demonte’s private school.

Although Passion could fuck, was sexy and catered to his every desire, what he liked most about her was her relationship with her son. Since she no longer had to strip to take care of Demonte, Passion gladly took on the role as a soccer mom. But when she entered that bedroom, she became Deion’s personal whore, just the way he liked it.

*  *  *

Deion was in his Bentley Coupe listening to Drake when he noticed his gas light come on. Passion had worn him out so he didn’t feel like stopping. But it was either pull into Exxon or take the chance of running out of gas and having to push his ride. Deion opted to stop at Exxon. When he pulled into the gas station, his eyes immediately became fixated on a pretty chocolate brown beauty who was pumping gas.

Deion pulled up right next to the woman and rolled his window down. “You need help with that?”

The woman didn’t even turn around to acknowledge Deion. Instead she kept pumping her gas, ignoring his question. That infuriated Deion and only made him try harder to get her attention. He pulled his car over to one of the pumps and walked over to his target, determined to get her number.

“You didn’t hear me talkin’ to you?” he asked in a cocky tone.

“Excuse me,” the woman said with an attitude, finally turning around to see the man who was now working her very last nerve.

“Ain’t this some shit. You that waitress chick.”

“Yeah, and the name is Dahlia.”

“Dahlia…I like that name.”

“Thanks. Now can you excuse me? I need to finish pumping my gas.”

“You still not trying to give me those digits.”

“You do know I’m dating Alex…your friend.”

“Ya’ still dating? I didn’t think it was that serious.”

“Why would you think that?”

“Look at what you driving.” Deion nodded his head towards Dahlia’s modest older-model car. “My man can’t be serious about you if he got you riding around in this. See, if you was my girl, you’d have the best of everything.”

“Listen, things are very serious between Alex and me, but even if we weren’t I wouldn’t date you. You’re not my type.”

“I’m every woman’s type.”

“Then you won’t have any problem leaving me alone and going to bother some other woman.”

“You one of those high post broads…but I like that. We’ll see each other again. And after Alex dumps you, I’ll still be willing to give you a try,” Deion winked, before walking back to his car.

Chapter 20

Love In The Sky

“You wanna play again? I never get tired of kickin’ yo’ ass,” Deion mocked Popcorn after beating him for the third time playing pool at The Independent in Midtown.

“Ain’t nothin’, cowboy. I got you this game.”

“Whatever. You been sayin’ that shit the last three games,” Deion said, hitting the solid color ball in the third pocket. Right when he was about to shoot again, he noticed some dude coming towards their table. Deion put his cue stick down and nodded his head at Popcorn. On the low, Popcorn turned his head to see what had grabbed Deion’s attention.

“Oh, what up? This my nigga Tommy I was tellin’ you about,” Popcorn said, speaking to the dude. “Tommy, this Deion.”

“Good to meet you.”

“Popcorn said you tryna put in some work,” Deion said, skipping the formalities. The Independent was Deion’s other office. He liked having certain business meetings here because it was loud and smoke-filled, which meant motherfuckers weren’t paying attention to what you were saying, and if they were, they couldn’t hear shit.

“Yeah, something like that.”

“You down wit’ GMC, why you need work from me?”

‘Them my brothers but I want to branch out on my own. GMC is deep and only a few niggas in the crew is makin’ that bread. The rest of us are basically low-level workers.”

“I get that. My man Popcorn has vouched for you and I know he only fuck wit’ motherfuckers about they business.”

“True, and all I want to do is make some real money. I got kids to support.”

“Popcorn got your information. I’ll be in touch wit’ you soon.”

“Appreciate that, man,” Tommy said before saying bye to both men.

“What you think?” Popcorn asked once Tommy was gone.

“I think I can use him. Young nigga and hungry. I’m positive the top dogs at GMC workin’ the fuck out them boys so he definitely know these streets. Because they ain’t feedin’ that boy right is gon’ be our gain.”

“Yep. You right about that. Between all the coke and heroin you and Alex moving, the two of you are GMC’s biggest competitors. They don’t need none of they crew members coming over to our side.”

“It’s too late now, ‘cause I’m definitely putting that lil’ nigga to work,” Deion stated, before going back to kicking Popcorn’s ass in pool.

*  *  *

“When you said you wanted me to take a ride with you, I didn’t know you meant the airport,” Dahlia said, while sitting in First Class next to Alex.

“When you told me you had a couple days off from work and no classes, I thought it would be nice to get away. It’s only Miami, but a change of scenery is always nice.”

“What do you mean only Miami? I’ve never been there. I’m looking forward to it. Great weather, beaches and most importantly, you.”

“That’s how I feel too.”

“Does taking me on this trip mean we’re serious?” Dahlia questioned in a cynical way before laughing.

“Huh?” Alex gave her a perplexed look, confused by her question.

“It was somewhat of a joke. I ran into your friend Deion the other day.”

“Where?”

“At the gas station.’

“What did he say?”

“He was trying to hit on me and I reminded him I was dating you. He made the comment that he didn’t think we were that serious because of the car I was driving.”

“That sound like some silly shit Deion would say, but he’s harmless.”

“Are we serious?”

“Of course. You know how I feel about you,” Alex said, taking Dahlia’s hand.

“Then why did Deion feel he could try and talk to me?”

“Deion is my best friend and business partner but I don’t really discuss my personal relationships with him. He hasn’t seen me with you and I haven’t mentioned you to him since we met at the restaurant, so he probably assumed nothing ever came of it.”

“I see,” Dahlia said, turning towards the window and looking outside at the clouds.

“Baby, just because I haven’t talked to Deion about you don’t mean shit. You met my mother and I have never brought a woman to meet my mother. And I did tell my friend Reggie about you. I told him you were the one. I love you, Dahlia,” Alex said out loud to her for the first time.

“Really?” Dahlia turned back toward Alex and he could see the sparkle in her eyes that had left for a second had now returned.

“Yes, and if I have to buy you a new car or house to prove that to you or any other non-believer, I will.”

“You don’t have to do that. I don’t need material things for you to show me that you love me. All I need is this right here, us being together, because I love you too.”

Alex felt truly blessed to have Dahlia in his life. She represented the goodness that countered all the bad in his life. He’d felt it before, but this very moment confirmed to him that he was ready.

When they arrived at the W South Beach, Dahlia instantly fell in love with the over 1,300 square foot bungalow they were staying in. There was a beautiful shell chandelier hanging from the nine-foot soaring ceilings with amazing artwork on each wall. After looking around the three floors, Dahlia stepped through the expansive private glass balcony that showcased breathtaking views of the beach and ocean.

“This place is beyond beautiful. Thank you for bringing me here. No one has ever done anything this nice for me before.”

“I want to do so much more. Let’s go for a walk on the beach.”

“Sure.” Alex took Dahlia’s hand and they headed toward the beach as the sun began to set.

“Could you get used to this?”

“What do you mean?”

“Allowing me to spoil you?”

“Alex, I don’t want you to feel like you have to spoil me in order to make me happy. Of course, luxury living is like having a dream life. But if it was just the two of us living in a one bedroom apartment, I would be just as happy.”

“I know you would, but I want to spoil you. It’s my way of showing you how much I appreciate you coming into my life and making me so happy.”

“You make me happy too. This is like heaven on earth. And this warm sand feels so good on my feet. I wish I had a week off of work instead of only a couple days so we could stay longer.”

“No worries. When we go on our honeymoon maybe we’ll travel the world for sixty days.”

“What did you say?”

“I said, Dahlia Duncan, will you marry me?” Alex was on bended knee.

The beach was quiet except for the soft crash of waves against the shore and the faint call of seagulls. The wind was blowing lightly and what was left of the shimmering sunlight had the sand sparkling like thousand tiny jewels. Alex was holding an eleven-carat radiant cut diamond.

“I don’t know what to say,” Dahlia said, as her eyes swelled up with tears.

“Say yes, unless you don’t want to marry me.”

“Of course I want to marry you. I just can’t believe you’re ready to marry me.”

“I do, with all my heart I want you to be my wife. So I’ll ask you again. Dahlia Duncan, will you marry me?”

“Yes! Yes! Yes! I will marry you.” Alex slipped the ring on Dahlia’s finger and he felt like it was the happiest day of his life.

That night Alex and Dahlia made love for the very first time. He took his time exploring every inch of her body. The softness of her skin felt like the finest silk. When Alex entered inside her warmth, with each stroke not only was he looking forward to Dahlia being his wife but he also hoped they were creating a child together.

Chapter 21

Lust, Envy…Greed

“Alex, I’m so happy to see you. I know business is booming but I haven’t seen you in weeks. The last time I did it was only briefly to give you your new shipment. I hope you finally have time for me today,” Isabella said, as she sat down on the couch in the sitting room of her hotel suite.

“Actually I don’t. I came over to talk to you about something.”

“This sounds serious.” Isabella reached for her glass of champagne on the table and took a sip.

“You know these last few months I’ve made millions and millions of dollars because of you.”

“I told you, you would.”

“And you were right, and I thank you.”

“From your tone it sounds like you’re about to end things between us.”

“I am. I’m about to head in a new direction in my life. I’m ready to finally give up the game.”

“I’m surprised. I thought you were enjoying your newfound power.”

“I was, but I found something, or shall I say someone, that I enjoy more.”

“You met someone?” Alex could hear the pain Isabella’s voice, but he knew she deserved to hear the truth from him.

“Yes. Her name is Dahlia. We’re engaged to be married.”