Ajani Turner
I looked down at my shaky hands and took a deep breath trying to calm my nerves down. I was eighteen and I'd never been to a night club before but Yoli had talked me into coming in hopes that Kaine would be here because it was a club he frequented a lot with the group of men that he hung with and pushed drugs with.
"Yoli I'm not ready I can't do this. What if he sees me and doesn't want me anymore? What if I'm not what he remembered and he doesn't think I'm pretty?" I questioned placing my hand over my beating heart and my best friend placed both of her hands on my shoulders firmly.
"Ajani, calm down. You're beautiful and you look like a baddie in that dress I picked out. I wouldn't steer you wrong and if he's with another woman then she can catch the right hook, I'll go to jail" Yoli stated.
"It's not lady like to fight gyal. It's actually unattractive" Khan stated as he moved passed us through the crowed. Yoli eyed him in annoyance and for a second I half expected her to push him but she didn't she hooked her arms with me and we went over to the bar.
We weren't old enough to drink but that didn't stop her from getting another man to buy us something. Hearing a familiar deep voice I looked over my shoulder and locked eyes with a familiar dark skin man and Yoli rolled her eyes.
"Don't even pay him no mind. That's Harlem and Ciara is steady chasing behind him" Yoli commented. The mention of his name reminded me of somebody but it's been so long I could barely remember. But if I wasn't mistaken then he was the same bwoy who'd been good friends with both of my cousins.
Yoli picked up a tequila shot and downed it before making a face as she tilted her head back some. I watched Khan look at her and smirk before he focused on the crowed of people dancing and I shifted some.
My fadda agreed to let me come to New York but only if Khan came along and protected me. He didn't want me to get my heart broken but I told him this was what I wanted and I was going to go with or without his permission so he gave in.
"He is looking so right. Who is that?" A woman with short red hair commented as Yoli gasped and slapped my arm leaving a red mark. She pointed and I slowly turned around and spotted him and my heart stopped.
He'd grown a little taller but not by much. His hair had grown out a little more then the last time I'd seen him signaling he often trimmed it leaving it styled the same.
He wore all black and lots of jewelry paired off with a gray fur coat that hung off of his shoulders. Two bottles of champagne were held in his hands and a blunt hung from his lips as three woman hung to him and followed him throughout the club.
"That's Carlito Turner he's a big dealer and he just turned twenty. Everybody wants a piece of his sexy ass" another woman commented to the red head and I sunk into the counter and looked down before turning around loosing confidence.
"His name is Kaine" I said quietly to myself. Yoli made me look at her and when I did she was giving a disapproving look.
"Go catch up with him! Go get your future husband, I need to be a maid of honor!" Yoli said nudging me and I shook my head no and turned back facing the bar.
"I can't. There's too many people around the bwoy and I'm nothing compared to those women, I'd only embarrass myself" I said quietly as I picked up my glass of alcohol and sipped on it.
Yoli spotted Khan and some woman flirting and I could tell it pained her. Giving her a look I nodded towards him wanting her to go but she refused to move.
"Go get him, he's waiting for you to tell him how you feel" I said and she gave me a one arm hug before she went throughout the crowd and snatched Khan by his arm as he smiled at her. She was yelling at him and he leaned down and kissed her lips.
Smiling weakly I glanced at my glass for awhile before pulling out my phone from my pouch. There was a text from my mother wanting me to call her and let her know when I was back at the hotel safe and if I didn't call she'd come to New York looking for me.
I texted her letting her know I was okay before I started to play a game of Two Dots when someone came up behind me. Feeling a shiver go down my spine I glanced at the man who I'd never seen before.
He was slightly overweight and his hairline was running away from him. He had bad teeth and B.O that smelled really bad.
"I'm with someone. Please leave me alone" I mumbled but he sat in the seat next to me and continued trying to spit game at me.
"Obviously he isn't that into you if he left you sitting here all alone" he said as he attempted to place his hand up my dress and I slapped him across the face as I stood up.
Everyone at the bar was looking at us and I threw my drink in his face and grabbed my stuff. Ignoring his cursing and the fact that he had begun to follow me. I moved throughout the crowed and towards the front leaving out of the club.
"Hey bitch!" Someone yelled and before I could turn around I heard people gasped as liquor was tossed all over me by the guy from the bar who'd followed me and before I could grab my mace he was tackled roughly to the ground.
My eyes locked with Kaine and I could feel a lump forming in my throat as his gaze slowly traveled to the man he was holding at gun point.
"Disrespecting her is like disrespecting me and I don't like to be disrespected. Understand?" He questioned eying him menacingly.
"I-I didn't know she was with you" the man stuttered as the women Kaine entered the club with finally exited the club catching up to him.
"You know now. Apologize or I'll have your brains splattered all of the pavement" Kaine demanded as everyone in the line waiting to enter the club watched.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" He cried in a panic and Kaine ordered two of the bouncers to escort the man to the back of the club while he cried and begged to be spared.
"Cmon Carlito lets go back into the club" one of the gyals whined as Kaine fixed his clothes. He watched me for awhile and I turned away from him feeling the awkward tension. It'd been awhile since I'd been in his presence and I didn't know how to talk to him anymore.
After awhile something warm was placed over my shoulders and I touched the fur before side eyeing Kaine who was standing next to me.
He stepped off of the sidewalk and got in front of me with a frown on his face. I expected him to be happy to see me but he didn't seem like he was and it made me feel sick.
"What took you so long?" He whispered and I shrugged my shoulders up and down. A car pulled in the front and the valet got out and tossed him his keys.
Kaine extended his hand and I stared at it for awhile before considering going back into the club to find my uncle and best friend who were off somewhere slow grinding but then I glanced back at Kaine who still held his hand out.
A few women looked at me seeming envious as I slowly took his hand and stepped off of the sidewalk. He opened the door to his car for me and I slowly climbed inside before he shut the door and walked to the other side.
"How did you know I was outside?" I questioned playing with my phone as he pushed the start button to his car and closed the door.
"Harlem came up to V.I.P and pointed you out as you slapped that man" he said pulling off and I stared at him seeing he'd changed more than I thought he did. His face had aged a little for the better and he had a small amount of facial hair.
"You look beautiful by the way" He said and I glanced down at the dress that was wet. Blushing I noticed he was side eying me because of the lack of silence.
"You didn't look like you missed me as much as you said you did. I feel like I'm intruding on your life" I said quietly wondering where he was driving to.
When Kaine came to a red light he lifted my arm up a little revealing the charm bracelet he gave me and my purity ring. He smiled small showing his dimples as he rested my hand back on my lap and focused on the green light.
The rest of the car ride was very silent and I continued to stare at his lips wondering if kissing him would be the same or if I'd still get butterflies in my stomach.
"Is this your place?" I questioned as we came to a brown stone. Kaine turned the car off and took a deep breath.
"I live with Angelo for the time being. Did you want to go back to your hotel?" He questioned and I shook my head slowly and followed him out of the car.
Kaine nervously fidgeted as he placed the key into the lock and turned it before allowing me to enter and he followed and shut the door.
I stood by the door and watched him take his shoes off so I did the same removing my heels. When he turned around he noticed how nervous I looked and glanced away from me and focused on the fish tank.
"What now? We've waited nearly four years and nothing feels the same" I said quietly. Kaine slowly walked over to me and pulled me into a tight hug as I rested my head on the chest.
I smiled small remembering the feeling of being in his embrace and how good it felt. He hugged me tight before he kissed my lips almost like nothing had changed and we still saw each other daily.
"Are you still in love with me?" He questioned and I nodded my head. I still felt the same way my fear was that he didn't.
"I still feel the same but when you stopped calling I thought you met someone else" I said quietly and he quickly shook his head.
"I was busy, I still think about you everyday. Look, I got this done a few months ago" he said unbuttoning his shirt and my eyes widened as I noticed my name tattooed on his chest right over the heart.
I stared at it in shocked as he grabbed my face and kissed my lips again. I wrapped my arms around his neck and hugged him tightly as my eyes started to water, I'd missed him to the point I was emotionally hurting not being able to touch him.
"What about those gyals?" I questioned pushing my tears away. Kaine grabbed both of my hands bringing them down to my sides.
"They aren't you. Wherever you are is where my heart will always be, no matter what. The distance made me love and miss you more and I don't want you to leave ever" Kaine said quickly and I looked down.
"Are you still a virgin too?" I questioned and he nodded his head as I kissed his chin and hugged him tightly.
"I thought when I came you would've forgot all about me. My heart was hurting to bad" I said quietly as he kissed my cheek.
"I'll love you, forever" Kaine said looking into my eyes and I smiled and kissed his soft lips again and kept a firm grip around him.
"And I love you" I reminded resting my head on his chest not even caring about the wet dress I wore. Nothing in the world really mattered to me right now because I was still in love with him and I never wanted to let him go.
I was ready to start my life with him at this very moment.
-
"What's wrong?" Kaine questioned snapping me out of my memory as he wrapped his arm around me and I frowned. There was a few woman watching us inside of the night club as a song by Young a thug played and the crowed below V.I.P danced along.
A blunt hung from Kaine's mouth and his eyes were red and low. He was smiling at me and when he leaned in to kiss my lips I turned my head a little and his lips crashed into my cheek.
Wrapping my arms around his neck he looked at me and pulled me closer to him and kissed my lips being sure to hold me close continuing to kiss me deeper.
"Kaine stop people are watching" I said quietly as he nibbled on my lip and kissed me again. His lips traveled from my lips to my jaw and the gyals continued to watch me seeming envious but when they caught onto the fact that I could see them they looked away and talked amongst themselves.
Taking the blunt from Kaine I puffed on it before passing it back to him as he moved his lips away from me. Wrapping my arms around his neck loosely he kept a firm grip on my ass and I pecked his lips again before we moved to the white couch.
Raheem plopped down next to us as I took a seat on Kaine's lap and he kept his grip firmly around me as Raheem asked if I wanted some champagne.
Lifting my glass up he poured some into it filling it up to the top and Kaine drunk some of it before I could. He eyed Raheem until he got the hint and moved away from us as I raised the glass to my lips and sipped on it.
Hearing someone clear their throat I looked up at a two men who stood in front of us. Kaine moved me off of his lap and stood up from his spot. I watched him say something to the men as he passed his blunt to someone and followed them without saying anything.
Angelo moved passed me going with him and before I could get up a gyal plopped down next to me. She had blonde hair and tanned skin and a short red dress that stopped at her upper thigh making her underwear very visible.
"I liked your dress where did you get it from?" She asked attempting to touch me but I moved her hand and stood up from my spot.
Walking over to the balcony I glanced down watching Kaine walk into the back with those men and Angelo. Feeling someone walk up behind me I grabbed a blade from my pouch and tuned around placing it to Harlem's neck.
He smirked at me as a few people looked at us. Some of my guards glanced at me knowing I hated when they rushed to my rescue for petty things I could handle myself. I gave them a smile signaling I could handle its and they continued to watch me.
"I just wanted to talk, why you gotta act like that" Harlem smiled shows his nice and straight teeth.
"You threatened my husband and have the nerve to come and approach me getting into my personal space" I said dryly.
"When you say it like that it makes it seem kinda fucked up. I think you're beautiful and you deserve a man that's going to make sure you're straight at all times and not walk away to do sketchy business" Harlem whispered and I smiled at him.
"Really? You aren't a man especially because of the way you treat the mother of your children. Kaine knows I can take care of myself and if I needed him he'd come running" I replied and Harlem rolled his eyes as I kept the blade in place ready to slit his throat.
"And you and I together would be unstoppable. Push out a few kids and be running shit, you don't need Kaine and he's only with you for the power" Harlem said as I looked down below at Kaine who had reentered the club.
Angelo and him slapped hands before Angelo went to the bar and Kaine looked up at me and then at Harlem before he pushed through the crowed.
"You have a few moments to get away from me before he gets up here. You're nothing compared to him and you're only angry because you're living in his shadows and everyone in New York knows who the real boss is. Isn't that right bwoy?" I questioned and he chuckled to himself.
"You gotta slick ass mouth, maybe if I shove my dick down your throat you'd stop talking so much. You think you're the only bitch he's been fucking? Why do you think India is so attached and he gets mad when she comes around?" he said blowing a kiss and Kaine grabbed him roughly before punching him in the faces and one of my guards moved me away from the altercation.
I attempted to grab Kaine by his shirt but he sent a glare my way before he proceeded to stomp Harlem out and call him all types of things while security tried to break it up.
Raheem stood next to me and shook his head at the situation as he continued to sip on another bottle of liquor.
When the fight was broken up Kaine was bleeding from his lip and laughing as Harlem attempted to go at him again angry because he'd lost. Harlem grabbed a bottle and threw it at him causing it to shatter on the ground and bust.
"You can't have my life pussy! Stop trying to be me and grow up!" Kaine yelled as he grabbed my arm and we left out of V.I.P with Harlem still talking shit and yelling.
On the way out the exit I grabbed napkins from the bar and stopped Kaine from walking and dabbed at his cut lip. I clenched my jaw holding back tears as I made him dab at his own cut before I pinched his lip off.
"What was Harlem talking about when he brought up India?" I questioned and Kaine frowned and looked at me.
"I don't know he's just trying to start stuff" Kaine insisted and I grabbed his face and looked into his eyes.
"Don't lie to me. Look me in my eyes and tell me nothing happened and I'll believe you" I said sternly not breaking eye contact.
"I promise nothing happened. I haven't touched that bitch I swear to god!" He snapped looking into my eyes and I nodded and moved away from him believing what he was saying.
Kaine couldn't lie to me, he was to scared of me because I always found out everything and if I didn't Johan would because he and Angelo had a bromance.
Kaine opened the car door for me and I climbed inside and put my self belt on as he shut the door and walked to the other side of the car.
The line to get inside of the club wrapped around the building and it was going on two in the morning.
"Are you going to make me something to eat?" Kaine questioned and I frowned and looked over at him like he was crazy.
"Why do you need to eat this late?" I questioned listening to his stomach growl. He started the car and pulled out of his parking space.
"It's a yes or a no question. If you aren't I could just make myself some noodles, either way I'm going to smash some food" Kaine said as he rubbed at his eyes and focused on the road.
"You just got into a fight with someone you make money with and this is what you're worried about?! I don't want you to work with Harlem anymore and I wish is was that easy but you have obligations and this business is his so you have to deal with this situation carefully or people will turn against you" I remind and he clenched his jaw.
"I fucking get it! But what the fuck do you ant me to do right now? I was defending you!" He snapped and I raised an eyebrow.
"Thank you. You obviously don't need my advice" I replied leaning back in the seat and he sighed.
"I'm not saying that and I'm not mad or blaming you I'm still mad at the situation but I don't want to think about it. When we got married we made a promise that we'd be each other's support system and I don't want it to be all about our drug businesses. First I was the one always talking about it and now it's you" Kaine said quietly and I slowly nodded my head seeing where he was coming from.
"Yeah I know bwoy. It's all I've been able to think about and I'm sorry" I said as he took a hold of my hand and brushed his finger across the top of it.
"Then let's stay in tomorrow and create another life" he suggested and I laughed and glanced at him.
"You just said you weren't ready for another baby a few weeks ago" I laughed and he smacked his teeth.
"That was then and this is now. I want another hijo" he said and I rolled my eyes not knowing if he was being serious.
"Bambino isn't going to wanna share you. But if I did get pregnant I want a likkle gyal she'd be beautiful" I smiled.
"Yeah because she'd look like her mother. A hija would be cool I guess, I'd rather have my two sons first before we start having girls though" Kaine said.
My period was expected to come in the next week so I wouldn't be surprised if it didn't come, Kaine's pullout game was weak.
"Jenny knows about Knox so I'm just waiting for everyone else to start talking. I doubt we'll be able to keep it a secret for much longer" I said quietly.
Kaine nodded his head and we made small talk all the way back to the brown stone we were in the process of moving in to.
Knox and Kaine's brother Aaron were with Johan at his apartment and I knew they'd be asleep right now after driving my brother crazy all night.
Kaine unlocked the front door and we stepped inside. There was moving boxes all over the place and most of the big furniture had been moved in.
I turned the locks and pulled my heels off of my feet. Jogging up the stairs Kaine went to walk throughout the place which he'd done every time we came here out of being paranoid even though we had security cameras installed and a good alarm system.
Once I stripped my dress from my body I ran a bubble bath and pulled my hair up before cleaning makeup off of my face. Kaine entered the bathroom chewing something which caught my attention.
"We still have left over pizza from earlier that I put in the oven on low to reheat" Kaine said I nodded.
He watched me as I brushed my teeth before he walked over to the tub filled with bubbles and stopped the water from running once the jacuzzi tub was filled up enough.
"When you shave do you mind cleaning the sink off? It's disgusting and we haven't even lived here for a full day yet" I said once I spit into the sink and he smacked his teeth,
"I could clean the entire bathroom and you'll get mad if there's one hair on the sink" he frowned and I smiled because he was over exaggerating.
Rinsing my mouth out with water I grabbed a hand towel and cleaned around my mouth. Kaine was still staring at me like a creep.
"Can you leave so I can soak in the tub in peace? I wanna cherish this time before our son comes tomorrow morning wanting to be up under me, even though I love it" I said smiling at the thought of cuddling with Knox.
"No I wanted to talk to you about this Aaron situation. Maybe we can see if Angelo will take him in or something just not here" Kaine said looking away.
"He's staying. The first night he stayed with us he cried himself to sleep and he won't even make himself comfortable because he thinks we're going to kick him out. It's obvious he's sensitive and used to having a stable home with your grandmother but this is your baby brother and we can't kick him out or push him off on someone else. How would you feel if Knox did this to our future baby or babies if God forbid something happened to us?" I questioned and he sighed.
"Aaron is weird okay? He's fifteen but it'll be like raising a child, he's been babied his whole life and he doesn't know how to do anything for himself. He plays with his food, the nigga is just strange and it brings back memories I wanna forget" Kaine said looking down.
"Children who have been abused handle it differently. Aaron's state of mind is him coping and blocking out traumatic experiences just like you being angry and upset or having anger issues is your way of coping and keeping a wall up. It will come to him eventually and he will start to grow up but after the stuff you told me I want him to be safe and have somewhere he knows he can always come to and be safe and he loves you a whole lot and I want custody of him" I said quietly and Kaine tapped his fingers against the sink.
"If we had another baby he or she would still have a nursery so I guess there's room for him here, why do we need custody" He mumbled as I stepped closer to him and smiled small.
"So that nobody can take him from us. I want him to have a safe haven" I tell him and he rolled his eyes and closed his eyes.
"We can talk about it another time. I don't know" Kaine mumbled and I rolled my eyes and folded my arms.
"Can you at least try and talk to him or bond? I don't want him to feel like you hate him" I said pushing my luck and he started to laugh loudly.
"I'm giving him somewhere to live, he better count his blessings" he mumbled as I kissed his lips and slowly unstrapped my bra and allowed it to fall to the ground.
"What did you say?" I whispered in his ear as I kissed his neck and preceded to suck on it. Pulling back a little I placed my lips on his jaw and kissed it causing Kaine to back into the sink and close his eyes as his dick started to rise.
"I'll try and be not as mean" Kaine groaned and I kissed his lips knowing that was the best I was going to get. I helped him pull his shirt off before kissing down his body slowly until I was on my knees and he looked down at me.
"I'll even give him a pat on the back just because" Kaine said clearing his throat as I unbuttoned his pants. Kissing his stomach I preceded to pull his pants down until I smelled something burning.
"Is that your pizza?" I questioned as I started to laugh, his stomach growled and he clutched it before he cursed under his breath and ran out of the bathroom.
"I'll be back please don't move" he begged and I laughed and stood up. Pulling my panties down I tossed them into the basket before getting into the tub.
I'd been in the mood lately so he'd get lucky tonight.
Johan Powell
"Lebron wouldn't of missed that!" Angelo stated and I slowly looked over at him. He was throwing a fit because I was beating him with the clippers and he had a strange hate for Blake Griffen and was getting all worked up.
"Bwoy shut the fuck up, you always do this shit" I groaned as I sat the controller down after he paused it. Angelo smacked his teeth and leaned back on my couch growing an attitude because that's what bitches like him did when they didn't get their way.
"When the fuck is that pizza gonna get here it's been almost an hour" he complained and I shrugged and stood up. Hearing giggling I walked out of the living room and paused when I noticed Aaron was crawling after Knox making him laugh and run holding his sippy cup nearly falling over.
Aaron stopped when he saw me and we stared at each other. He and Kaine shared similar features including his almond shaped eyes and deep dimples only Aaron was darker and had hazel eyes and kept his hair in long curls that hung in twists stopping at his shoulders.
"Do you know when Kaine is coming to pick y'all up? Jani texted me earlier that he would be the one to pick y'all bwoys up" I said still eyeing him and he shrugged his shoulders slowly.
"He'll probably come for Knox, I doubt he'll come for me" he said quietly as Knox hugged my leg. I glanced down at him knowing it was time for him to take a nap.
"Why doesn't Kaine like you very much? Besides you still pissing the bed" I frowned and he looked away from me and became very hesitant and nervous as he took deep breathes. Aaron slowly stood to his feet and rubbed at his eyes.
"I said I was sorry. I can't help it, I'm just anxious. Are you going to tell Carlito?" He questioned and I cleared my throat.
"Bwoy if he doesn't know now he'll find out soon. Maybe you should empty your bladder before bed" I said and he sniffled.
"I do. That's why I don't understand what's wrong with me" he whispered and Angelo peeked his head from around the corner and eyed him briefly.
Knox whined letting go of my leg. He walked over and lifted his arms up and when Angelo picked him up he rested his head on his shoulder and closed his eyes as his back was rubbed.
Things got awkwardly quiet before Aaron walked away. He was so sensitive and I wondered why, it's not like I hit him or anything even though the bwoy was the one who pissed on my guest mattress and I should be mad.
"Some children grow out of bed wetting and he just didn't. Don't be to hard on him and don't make fun of him especially because you don't know why he's still doing it. He was an abused child and he needs help so don't shame him" Angelo said eyeing me before he took Knox into the living room.
Making a face I decided to take a different approach at the situation. I walked into the kitchen where he was sitting with his head rested on the counter and crying.
"Bwoy it's nothing to cry about, I'm not mad. I've been looking for an excuse to get a new mattress for that room" I explained and he looked up at me and pushed some of his tears away.
"You don't have to lie to me, I'm a freak. Nobody will ever love me" he mumbled and I looked around the kitchen he was so dramatic.
"I mean, I don't love you but somebody will. Eventually and they'll love you even if you piss the bed" I said with a smile and he clenched his jaw.
"No they won't. I should just run away now before Kaine beats me" he said and I leaned on the counter and stared at him for awhile.
"I mean I don't like Kaine at all and sometimes I just wanna push him down a flight of stairs. But I don't think he's that bad, he wouldn't beat you" I explain and Aaron looked away from me.
"That's not his name, why does everyone call him that!? It's weird!" He snapped at me. He regretted it soon after as he slammed his head on the counters, my eyes widened wondering what the fuck he was doing.
"Don't be one of those people who just beats yourself up or I'll walk away" I explain looking at the back of his head.
"Leave me alone. You won't understand it so I'm not going to explain it. I should just go back to the incest house" he said quietly as he sniffled.
Before I could question him my phone started to ring. I pulled it out of my sweat pants pocket and looked at the FaceTime call coming from my mothers phone and frowned knowing she was still mad so she wouldn't be calling yet.
Taking a seat I answered and rolled my eyes when I saw who it was. Ainsley smiled into the camera and I glared at my eight year old brother.
"When I come back to the island bwoy I'm dragging you across the hot sand and punching you out" I stated.
"Listen bwoy just listen!" He explained as the camera shifted some signaling he almost dropped it and I rolled my eyes.
"No I'm not listening. Just because I don't live at him don't mean you can take yourself in my room because it's still mine! Sev told me what you did" I stated and he frowned.
"You get mad over every likkle ting" he said and I heard my mother call his name as Seven appeared and stood next to him.
"Why are you calling my phone. What do you want?" I questioned knowing they were both con artists especially my youngest brother Seven who was five and had perfected his cry so that he could do it whenever.
"Jo how's my bwoy?" Seven questioned and I laughed loudly. He talked like he was an adult or a teenager.
"Knox is fine and he's taking a nap so you're to late. Now get off my line!" I snapped and Ainsley made a face at me so I returned it.
"You hang up first!" He snapped at me and Seven nodded and agreed. Rolling my eyes I sat my phone on the counter.
"You hang up first! You're the one bothering me when I don't wanna talk to you" I smiled and Ainsley glanced at Seven before looking back at the camera.
"I was gonna tell you somethin' but forget about it. Batty bwoy!" He yelled hanging up the phone and I made a face and muted my ringer.
"See that's what you call having annoying siblings. They call every single fucking day and annoy me and sometimes I just wanna hurt them" I said dryly and Aaron smiled small.
"But at least you care about them and don't wanna see them hurt. If anything happened to me Carlito would be happy. I know siblings are suppose to grow up and have lives of their own but that doesn't mean forget about your siblings unless they do something bad because their your blood and when your parents die you're all they have" he said quietly.
"You aren't missing much, he's a punk" I mumbled and he looked down at his hands. I wondered if he was going to cry again judging by the way his eyes got glossy.
"Is he nice to you? He probably treats you like a younger brother" he said and I laughed loudly and made a face.
"Hell no. The bwoy and I only tolerate each other because of my sister, every time I see him I wanna fight him" I laughed and he smiled.
"He isn't very likable sometimes. I wanted to ask you something" he said quietly and I frowned at him wondering what he wanted.
"Since our siblings are married does that make us brothers too?" He questioned looking at me hopelessly and I looked him over.
"In law" I remind and he nodded his head. There was something odd about him I just couldn't put my finger on it, but he'd get along with my sister but since he was Kaine's brother I had to dislike him by default.
I glanced at my phone that lit up and I looked at the unknown number while walking out of the kitchen and down the hallway into the living room.
"Bwoy you know who's number this is?" I questioned Angelo who was laid back on the couch with Knox sleeping on his chest and he played with his ear. Frowning I realized that's where my nephew got that weird shit from.
He took my phone from me and looked at the number before shrugging and answering it like it was his phone.
"Hello?" He questioned as I watched him carry on a full conversation with someone. After a few moments he chuckled and hung the phone up.
"That was some woman calling to ask if you were free. You got it like that nigga?" He questioned and I rolled my eyes.
"Bwoy what did you tell her?" I questioned folding my arms and he smirked at me evilly causing me to drop down on the couch.
"Remember when you hooked me up with that tranny at the club? This is payback" he whispered and I went to punch him but paused realizing I'd wake up Knox.
"As soon as he leaves we're fighting hoe" I tell him and he made a face as he placed his legs on my coffee table and smiled to himself.
"Yeah whatever. I got places to be and money to make" he mumbled looking at his Apple Watch. Someone began to bang loudly on the front door and when I looked at the security camera it was covered.
Aaron's scary ass ran into the living room and Angelo handed Knox to him as we both got up from the couch.
"Take him upstairs" I ordered pulling out gun. He looked at me like I was crazy before doing as told and I made my way to the front of my apartment.
"Open up its the police!" Someone shouted and I glanced at Angelo who armed himself with the two guns he carried around as I looked through the covered peephole and a smirk crossed my face.
I counted to three before snatching the door open and frowned realizing it was Harlem. He leaned over and started to laugh loudly and I attempted to shut the door in his face but he came in anyway.
He had a black eye and looked like he'd been beat up real bad. Angelo kept his guns out and eyed him making me wonder if something went on while I was babysitting the night before.
"Your bitch ass brother and law isn't here is he?" Harlem questioned standing by the front door and I remained quiet.
He sighed and reached into his pocket pulling out a large vanilla envelope that was thick signaling it was filled with cash.
"If you do something for me you can have this and more" He said rubbing his busted lip and I eyed him briefly.
"Depends on watch you want him to do. Don't try and give him your sketchy business nigga!" Angelo snapped and I snatched the envelope from Harlem.
"What type of business is it bwoy?" I questioned as I opened it up and the envelope and counted the hundreds.
"The details still need to be smoothed out but in all I just need you to rough someone up for me, some wall street nigga" Harlem stated and I nodded my head.
"Yeah I'll do it" I said and Angelo eyed me as if I was crazy while Harlem seemed to be taken back by what I said.
"That's what's up. At least I can count on you, unlike other bitch made ass niggas. I'll text you the details tonight and I'm a need you to handle that soon" he said attempting to touch me but I have him a glare causing him to back off.
Harlem looked Angelo over before he smirked and left out if my apartment like he'd accomplished something.
I shut the door back and locked it feeling the disapproving glare from Angelo. Pulling all of the money out of the envelope I smirked.
"Didn't you just rob him? Why are you being friendly with that clown?" Angelo questioned as he followed me back into the living room.
"I'm not. Who said I was going to do anything for him? I just wanted the money and the batty bwoy is to pussy to take it back. I dare him to say anything, I'll kill him on the spot" I said nonchalantly as I counted out a couple hundreds and handed it to Angelo.
Harlem was a bitch and I never liked him, in fact my sister and I were betting on who'd kill him first and I had a feelings because of all of the sketchy business he did somebody would get to him before anybody we know did.
The batty bwoy had no redeeming qualities and he was not built for the drug world. But until he figured that out we'd continue to bully him and he'd continued to be lame.
Sincere Powell
"You're nodding like you hear me but I don't think you're fucking understanding me!" Zaire snapped as he gave me a glare. I leaned in the doorway of his office and he eyed me before he chuckled to himself and pointed to the chair wanting me to sit down.
"You can't tell me nothing. I'm grown now and I'm trying to do my own shit so what's the problem?" I tell him as I closed his door. I really wasn't in the fucking mood for this shit so everything he was saying was going in one ear and out the other.
"You being grown has nothing to do with anything. You need to chill the fuck out and stop wilding out! You and Sharif are the fucking problem, Q is calm and doing what he has to do and I'm getting sick and tired of picking up the scraps!" He yelled and I rubbed my ear.
"I mean I hear what you're saying, and you're right" I let him know in a bored tone. Looking around his office I grew distracted by the shark swimming in the tank and watched as it ate a few of the fish inside.
"Keep ignoring me Sincere and I'm a toss your ass in there" he threatened and I slowly looked at him and stroked my beard growing an idea.
"Yo where did you get this shark from?" I questioned standing up. Zaire eyed me for awhile before he looked down and shook his head at me growing helpless about the situation knowing talking about it would be pointless.
"Look, you don't have to listen to me and at the end of the day I can't help you, I can only offer you advice but you have got to chill out with the partying and the alcohol or I'll have Jesse beat some sense into you" he threatened.
The mention of my uncle made me scowl. I turned away from him and took in the weight of his words knowing that lately I'd been going off the deep end and I should relax if only for a short period of time.
I didn't know what I was doing right now, I was rich, handsome and everything was coming easy to me. I had to slow down though before I ended up broke and dead, it was just hard.
Retaking my seat I eyed the man who was like a father figure to me growing up. My father blew his brains out when I was an infant and my uncle was in prison for basically my whole childhood, he, Marco and Darius were everything to me so his advice was something I should take to heart even if I didn't want to because he'd always had my back.
"No more partying. I'm a man of my word" I assure with a smile as I extended my hand. He eyed me for awhile before he reluctantly slapped hands with me and I left out of his office leaving him to get back to his work.
As I left out I bumped into Sharif who was leaning against the wall smoking. He slowly looked over at me with red eyes and I draped my arm around his shoulder causing him to walk along with me.
"Why do you look so sad?" I questioned eyeing him and he sighed obviously annoyed by something but he wasn't gonna say anything.
A group of fine ass woman walked passed and I bit my lip wondering where they were going or who they came to see.
"Did you hook up with another nasty Instagram thot? What's up with you?" I questioned growing annoyed by his lack of silence.
"Nah it's nothing like that, I have writers block man. I went to the studio to record and nothing would come out, it's like I lost my muse" Sharif said lowly and I looked at him.
"I remember you use to make fire music and then you stopped right around the time Ajani and Kaine got married" I tell him giving him a smirk and he shook his head.
"See Here the fuck you go. I don't have feelings for her, it really doesn't bother me" Sharif lied and I rolled my eyes as we walked down the stairs.
I feel like he was repressing his feelings because he didn't want to get hurt. They both helped each other through hard times in life when his family was murdered and when she lost Kaine and our family became divided.
Sharif was good at stepping back and keeping how he felt bottled away. I don't think he had feelings for her before but overtime they gradually grew and now he was stuck.
"Well the only way to get over her is if you admit it to yourself that you're feeling her" I smirked and he sighed.
"How many times do I have to tell you I really don't like her? We're cool and I can go days without even thinking about her until somebody brings her up. Y'all want me to have feelings for her so bad" he said as he scratched his chin.
"The moment you admit you have feelings is the moment you can start moving on and get your muse back. The more you lie the more you're going to feel like this" I tell him and he made a face.
"Feel like what? I'm happy in all aspects of my life it's just my music hasn't been connecting lately and I wanted to branch off and do that but I might as well stick to dope dealing" he said shaking his head as he looked at his phone.
Everyone had been doing their own thing and I was thinking about the future and thinking ahead while they were stuck living in the present.
Sharif tapped my chest and I glanced at him as we walked towards the exit. A smirk grew on his face having me confused as fuck for a second.
"Q is outside, he said he got a surprise" Sharif said and I raised an eyebrow and opened the door up. There was three brand new cars out front and Moriah stood in front of Q with an unreadable facial expression.
"This is a peace offering from Kaine. The cars are ours and he got this for Mo" Sharif said as he held up a nice tailored suit and some jewelry.
Mo squinted his eyes for awhile before snatching the suit from Q and looking it over. He smirked briefly before his face went stale.
"The suit isn't my taste. But he can live another few months for trying" Moriah said dryly and I smirked at him knowing he liked it.
Walking over to one of the nice ass Mercedes I covered my mouth with my fist taking in how nice and smooth the car was.
"That nigga is balling like this?" I questioned and Q shrugged as Sharif touched his chest falling in love with the car.
"You know what. I told y'all we should just go ahead and forgive them niggas, I have always liked Kaine he seems like a good guy, really" Sharif said and I rolled my eyes at his lying ass.
"It's a nice gesture but it's going back. If my grandfather was here he'd be pissed the fuck off" Q said as he went back to being more serious.
"He's right. We don't take bribes that's not how this business works, enjoy the cars for now but make sure it goes back" he said tossing the suit back on the car but I watched him pocket the watch.
"So you're going to just act like we ain't see you put that in your pocket Mo? You're a hypocrite" I stated and he stopped walking and slowly turned around.
"I do what I want the fuck I want to do. The rest of you still take orders and I dare you to say something else to me" he said in a menacing tone.
Clearing my throat I looked away as he walked off and Sharif and Q began to laugh at me. I held up my middle finger to them and glanced at the car we'd have to give back which was bullshit.
"I mean we could just take the cars on a little test run" Sharif smirked and I glanced at Q who shrugged his shoulders obviously down for whatever.
"But before we do that I didn't tell y'all about the surprise yet" Q said rubbing his hands together and I frowned and looked at him wondering what he was up to.
"Nigga I thought this was the surprise?" I questioned and he shook his head and reached into his car pulling out an envelope.
I was taken back by the fancy invitations that he pulled out of it. I snatched it from his hand and long and behold it was invites to the gala.
"This feels like something Ajani would do, not Kaine" I said and Sharif agreed. Q shrugged his shoulders as we looked at the invitations.
"Who gives a fuck who sent it? This will give us insight on some stuff and a better perspective. Are y'all in or not?" Q asked and I looked at Sharif who nodded his head.
We'd been doing some snooping and listening around. As it turns out New York was doing big this but they also weren't very liked and people had money on their down fall.
I wasn't sure what they did to become so disliked but Ajani was my family and she had ties to them and even if I didn't care for Kaine I cared for my cousin and I was going to watch the situation closely.
"You think we should tell Mo?" Sharif questioned and I leaned on the car and shrugged my shoulders. I knew telling him could go one or two ways.
"Let's run it by my pops first and see what's up" Q said and we agreed to see if we had Calvin's blessing first before going to Moriah.
"Now in the mean time who trying go against the street racing King?" I questioned and they both scoffed. I'd been in six police chases with helicopters and all and I got away from it unharmed each and every time.
"Yeah whatever pussy, I got studio time in three hours and I need to kill time" Sharif said and Q and tossed up both a set of car keys.
Might as we make the most of this shit before we sent them back.
Kaine Turner
Knox sat on my lap and whined as the barber cut his hair a little shorter and edged him up. I played music on my phone to soothe him a little bit but he was restless and I could tell it was a mistake to wake him from his nap.
"Hijo you gotta look nice. Don't you wanna look nice?" I questioned wiping his tears away. His barber laughed along with a few other men in the shop. I'd grown accustomed to coming here because there was never any wait and they knew how to cut my sons hair without me explaining it to them.
"When I have a son he has to be fly like this little man. How old is he?" A man around my age questioned as I looked at Knox who'd taken a hold of my thumb as his barber finished up.
"He just turned two. Sons are fun to have because they're your mini me" I admit knowing I could do things like this with him and dress him up. I was going to cherish the years when he was young and liked to be up under me because when he was a teenager he'd probably wanna do his own thing and I'd miss these moments.
I wasn't like this with my father and he and I just never bonded. Ironically Malik was close with Josline and Aaron was close with my father, if I should even call him that. The fact that Malik and Josline were so close made me uncomfortable because who knows how long she's been messing around with him and how normal he thinks that shit is.
"See look how good you look bambino" I smiled showing him in the mirror but he wasn't paying any attention and he wanted to be down. I kissed his cheek while his barber finished up and allowed us to get up from the chair.
I placed Knox on the ground and he looked up at me as I placed my phone into my pocket and pulled out my wallet. Once I paid the man I helped Knox put his jacket back on before I picked him up and we left out of the barber shop.
"Some?" He questioned as he pointed to the vending machine with snacks. I glanced at him and he looked at me reminding me of myself as a child.
Tickling his stomach he giggled showing the dimples he got from me and I reached into my pocket and slid a dollar in the machine.
My son pointed to the bag of M&M's and I pressed the button keeping an eye on my surroundings. I was overly paranoid a lot of the time and everyone I didn't know or trust just made me uneasy.
Reaching down I grabbed the candy before walking over to my car where Aaron sat in the front seat looking down at his lap.
I opened the back door and strapped Knox into the seat before opening the bag of M&M's and gave him a little in his small hand before closing the door.
Aaron looked at me as I climbed into the car and I offered him the bag of candy to be nice but he looked away and avoided eye contact with me.
"Are you taking me back to the incest house now?" He questioned quietly as I started the car up and I frowned.
"Do you wanna go back?" I questioned dryly and he looked down. I noticed he became saddened and I tried my best to ignore but he was making it difficult.
"I know you have a family now and I know they come first. I don't wanna ruin your life anymore or overstay my welcome, so I'll go back. It's fine maybe I'll learn to be strong and not weak or cry all the time" he said with his voice sounding hoarse signaling he was about to cry.
"You're so pathetic. Stop trying to make me feel bad for you and guilt trip me" I stated and he nodded his head and looked down.
A few moments later like clock work I could hear him start to cry and it made me uncomfortable. He wasn't normal crying either he was snot nose crying and I could hear him and it annoyed me.
Glancing in the rearview mirror Knox was singing along to the music playing on the radio unaware of what was going on while he tried to reach for an M&M he dropped.
"Stop crying, being weak gets you nowhere. I know that for a fact" I mumbled and he looked up at me as tear drops fell.
"I feel sad, I can't help it. What am I suppose to do? You're all I have and you're the only family that still cares about me" he said and I made a face.
"I don't care about you. In fact before you showed up I wasn't thinking about you at all" I said before Ajani's words replayed in my head and I stopped at a red light and glanced back at Knox briefly knowing he'd develop this attitude from me eventually if I didn't stop or try and change.
"You can drop me off on the corner were Josline lives. I can walk home, I don't wanna mess up your life" he said hoarsely as his face scrunched up.
"Look, you aren't messing up my life. If you want to stay with me then you can stay" I said dryly and he rubbed at his eyes.
"You don't mean that Carlito" he said and I clenched my jaw as I started driving again. I really fucking hated that name and now that I was back in New York people just wouldn't stop saying it.
"Don't call me that! How many times do I have to fucking tell you?!" I questioned snapping at him without meaning to and he sunk down in his seat.
"I get it" he said quietly as he looked down. I took a deep breath not meaning to take my anger for my parents out on him. I was still resentful at the fact that when everything went down with my parents and my family found out what was going on my grandparents took him after he lied and said Malik and I were abusing him and beating him.
He lied about a lot of shit that fucked everything up and I was left in an unhealthy environment and he lived good with my grandparents never really knowing what a struggle was. There was times I'd go hungry just so he could eat because nobody gave a fuck and he pulled some fuck shit like that.
I did hold a grudge still against him and the rest of my family and that's why I was in therapy so I could fix those problems and be a normal functioning adult that can handle anger properly without freaking out and yelling or blurting shit out.
Him being around was triggering and I didn't want him around but the more he cried the more I did feel something on the inside. It wasn't love or anything like that but maybe it was gas or I was really starting to pity him.
The rest of the car ride was silent as I drove back to my place on the other side of town. Aaron's crying had stopped but I still heard him sniffling.
Grabbing Knox who'd fallen asleep I laid him on my shoulder and hit the alarm to my car before walking up the steps with Aaron trailing behind me slowly while carrying the over night bag he took to Johan's place.
Walking inside I shut the door once Aaron came in and turned the locks as he looked around. He hadn't seen the place yet and I motioned for him to follow me up the stairs as he rubbed his face that was red and puffy.
The first stop I took was Knox's room which was what Ajani unpacked and decorated yesterday before she did anything else.
I took his jacket, shoes and pants off before placing him into the crib and a blanket over him. Aaron stood in the doorway watching me and I moved around him and walked down the hall and pushed open another door.
A brand new bed and frame was set up and he walked in and looked at me. The room was bigger than an average bedroom and he had his own bathroom connected to it.
"You can stop crying now, this is your room. Keep it clean" I said dryly and he sat his bag down and looked around seeming amazed.
"I have to switch schools don't I?" He questioned and I nodded my head. I didn't want Josline stalking us and I knew if she caught us picking him up from school one day she'd follow so it was easier for everyone if we thought smart and changed up some shit.
"Let's go over some rules, no friends over, don't talk to Josline unless we talk about it and don't be weird" I demanded and he looked down.
"I don't have any friends you don't have to worry about that. I'll just watch anime and leave you alone" he said and I sighed and walked over taking a seat on the bed.
"Look I'm not trying to lower your self esteem because it's low enough. I'll get use to you being around eventually but it'll take some time, as long as you're here you never gotta be worried about being hungry or not having just give me my space and time" I said and he nodded slowly as he pushed his tears away.
I grabbed the brand new PlayStation four and sat it on the bed along with video games and his bathroom necessities.
"You got three options for how the sheets and covers on your bed look" I said nodding towards the different comforter sets Ajani had gotten for him.
"Thank you" he said quietly and I nodded and closed the door. I checked on my son one last time making sure he was still sleeping before going downstairs where Ajani was shredding cheese.
I walked up behind her and kissed her neck before pushing her hair to the side revealing her tattoo with the words 'Old Heart' going down in small letters and angel wings that stopped where her neck and back met.
"Knox is taking another nap and Aaron is in his room doing whatever it is he's going to do" I said and Ajani smiled.
"What time are you leaving? I'm cooking chicken Parmesan" she said as my stomach growl. I could smell the chicken cooking already but I knew I'd have to leave soon, Angelo was already blowing my phone up probably preparing to try and scold me.
Turning her around I leaned down and kissed her lips passionately. Pulling back some I rested my forehead against hers as she smiled and kissed my cheek.
"Go, the quicker you do what you have to do you can come home" she said quietly and I smirked and kissed her again before grabbing my keys.
We exchanged I love you's and I left out wondering what the fuck Angelo wanted.
-
I walked up to the window of his car and knocked twice. Angelo glanced up at me and then eyed the woman who was sitting in the passenger seat speaking with his eyes.
The door opened and she got out as I climbed in the seat she once sat and shut the door. My cousin started his car and pulled off before I could even put my seatbelt on causing me to frown and lean back.
"Why didn't you hit me back last night? I was trying to figure out what the fuck was going on nigga" he snapped and scratched at the back of my head.
"Harlem was starting shit like always and I snapped on his ass. He deserved it and the reason I didn't hit you back was because I was deep in my wife" I said dryly and he chuckled and looked at me.
"I'm the good guy remember? You're the only family I got and I'm trying to play this smart, you look up to me just like I look up to you so there's no need to be so hostile. I'm here and I'm not going anywhere no matter how bad you piss me off or try and make me leave, I'm loyal" Angelo said and I rubbed my jaw.
"I'm aware you aren't going anywhere it's just sometimes I feel like snapping and killing Harlem but I know I can't do that without consequences. I fucked up last night and I realize what you're saying" I explained and he cut the radio off.
"Don't let these niggas knock our hustle. They worried about us and we aren't worried about them. They on some other shit and Raheem is cool but only when he isn't following up behind Harlem" he explained.
I nodded my head and looked out of the window watching everything go passed. The more drugs we moved the more overwhelmed I felt and now with shit being hot because I knew we were being watched.
"The fast money is amazing but it's getting to risky" I mumbled as I looked down at my phone while the screen lit up.
"But I know you aren't going to walk away. You're just like O in that aspect, as paranoid as you are you'll stay exactly where you are" he reminded and I smirked.
"That's true. I got bills to pay and I refuse to sit back and let my wife do all of the action" I smiled and we both started to laugh.
"So on to something more chill. How are you and the wife? I'm still waiting for Jesse to die from old age so I can be a shoulder to lean on and become Ajani step daddy" he smiled and I clutched my stomach and laughed loudly.
"Jesse isn't even that old he's in his forties and that isn't going to happen. But hopefully baby number two comes soon, I've been struck with baby fever maybe because it's close to holiday season or because I want her to relax some" I explain.
Angelo nodded along as we drove and made small talk. When we got to the meeting spot Clintus was pacing back and forth in front of his car while the connect we were suppose to be meeting was packing drugs back into his car.
I looked at the time on my watch wondering what the fuck was going on. We weren't even late in fact we were an hour early because I knew about this niggas strict rules.
"Yo what's good Tony?" Angelo shouted and the man looked at us. He approached and held his hand up stopping the men he was with from coming any closer to us.
"When we talked business over the phone you didn't tell me how messy this situation is becoming. Harlem is a liability and you are connected to him therefor I refuse to do any business or break bread with you. There's a large hit out on your head" he said and I paused.
"So what you're saying is you're scared? Let us worry about the hit, you aren't the only one breaking bread with us Tony" I stated and he ran his fingers through his hair.
"You get rid of Harlem and then we talk business but he's sabotaging you. Word on the street is this organization is about to fall and I refuse to fall along with it" he stated and I shared a look with my cousin before shaking my head.
"You're a fucking coward Tony. We're suppose to be boys and you do me like this?" Angelo questioned stretching his arms out.
I backed away from them and motioned for Clintus to come over to me notcing he seemed nervous. He was always afraid I'd be mad at him or get annoyed and kill him or something which wasn't the case.
"Talk to me Clintus, explain this to me" I stated folding my arms and he sighed and removed his glasses from his face using his shirt to clean them.
"I tried Kaine but he wouldn't hear me out. Business is going to start taking a decline the more Harlem fucks up. He's a liability for you" Clintus said lowly and I rubbed my chin.
"I've noticed. We gotta gradually cut him out, start small first so he doesn't see it coming" I explain as Clintus out his glasses back on.
"Kaine you're smart, but what do you need me for?" He questioned and I eyed Angelo as he negotiated with the connect.
"What I want you to do is do some digging around. We don't play dirty, we play clean and keep our hands to ourselves unless they come looking for trouble" I said quietly knowing exactly where that hit came from and it had nothing to do with California is had Jenny's snake ass written all over it.
Angelo and Tony exchanged a few more words before they slapped hands and he rejoined us while Tony and his crew left rescheduling a meet up when it was less eyes watching.
"This is unprofessional. What do you suppose we do?" Angelo questioned and I glanced at Clintus watching him go take care of what I asked.
"There's only one thing we can do right now and you know exactly what that is" I said eyeing him and he sighed.
"Hate to see it go down like this. So how are we going to kill Harlem?" He questioned bluntly looking down at his gun and I smirked and rubbed my hands together.
"We use him as a pawn for now and let him be his own down fall and then while he's down. We handle him, however you want" I said and Angelo smirked.
The drug business was shady and everyone had different motives. I was almost positive Harlem was already plotting, I was expecting him to because there was no way he could be this stupid and not see it coming.
I use to think Moriah was boring because he'd sit and play chess for hours and now I found myself doing the exact same thing and it made me more alert.
Harlem was a pawn in the game and we didn't need him anymore and he knew that. So he had to go and the only way out was death.
-
Authors Note -
COMMENT & VOTE