"And they think you did it?"

  Black said, "I don't have the best reputation."

  "So I've been hanging out with a killer."

  "I wouldn't say all that."

  "I wouldn't say all that either."

  "What is that supposed to mean?"

  "Do I think you're soft? No. Do I think you're a gangster? Hell no. I've been around real gangsters and you, my dear, are not a gangster."

  "Damn."

  "Just calling it like I see it."

  The server brought the Tom Collins along with the rest of the food.

  TeTe downed her drink and said, "I wish I knew who did this to us."

  "It's okay, babe. We're here and we're safe."

  "All glory be to God," she said then ordered another Tom Collins. She then made her way over to the other side of the booth and licked his ear, "I wish I'd worn a dress."

  "Why?"

  "So you could fuck me in the car."

  Chapter 13

  When Black limped down into the basement, he found L and Avant holding hands, watching TV. Avant was wearing a hot-pink thong. A bag of buttered popcorn sat between them and there was a plasma TV on a stand. Avant's hands and feet were shackled.

  "L, what the fuck are you doing?" Black said.

  "Watching TV. What do it look like I'm doing?"

  "Let me talk to you for a moment."

  L stood up and then leaned forward and tongue kissed Avant. Then he trailed a wobbling Black up to the top of the stairs.

  L said, "What the fuck happened to your leg?"

  "I don't feel like talking about that right now."

  "Look, man, I know you're tripping cuz I brought a TV and I'm down there watching it with him."

  "That's not the point."

  "What is the point?"

  "You're getting too close to him."

  "You want me here watching him twenty-four seven like I'm in prison or something but you don't want me to have no affection?"

  "I ain't down with homosexual activities, but I couldn't care less what you do. I mean, I can't be here to watch you."

  "What are your worries then?"

  "You're getting a little too friendly."

  "I'm getting paid to do a job. I don't understand why we just don't kill the motherfucker like Kyrie?"

  L had a valid question and the only thing that separated Kyrie from Avant was that Kyrie ratted and Avant hadn't. Also, it wasn't Avant's idea to kill Lani. Avant didn't know Lani, but Black still wanted him to suffer. Black still hadn't decided if he was going to kill Avant or not, but in a sick kind of way, and even though he wasn't down with homosexuality, he was glad Avant was getting torture fucked by L.

  Black said, "Just don't get too friendly with him."

  L said, "Black, I would never betray you. I know what you think about me liking to fuck faggots. I never wanted you to find out about that. I really didn't. That's why I wanted to kill that dude in the park that day. I respect you and you're the last person I wanted to find out. I know you ain't down with that gay shit and I'm sorry that I let you down. I've been trying to leave it alone, but you know this is something that's in me. I guess Fy-Head was right. This is the real me. I thought when I got out that I could find me a woman and leave that shit behind in the pen, but the cravings came back and I just can't resist who I am."

  Tears cascaded down the big man's face and Black felt sorry for him, but honestly he didn't give a damn about what L's sexuality was. He knew L was a killer and that was all he cared about.

  Black hugged L and said, "It's all right, man."

  Tears still rolled down L's face, and he said, "So, are you going to tell me what happened to your leg?"

  "Somebody shot at me and I totaled my Porsche."

  "Who? You know you my dawg, bruh. Just tell me who shot at you and I will handle that. Bruh, you know you my brother, and I'll die for you if I have to."

  Black knew what L said was true and he knew that if L had an idea who had actually done this, there would be hell to pay. Revenge was on Black's mind but not as much as getting paid. His money was tied up with investments and he had to make some cash.

  # # # # # #

  Jada opened the door and saw Fresh standing there. She was smiling hard as hell at the sight of him.

  He said, "I got you a surprise."

  She beamed even brighter. He held his hands behind his back and Jada tried to peek around him to see what he was holding.

  "I loved surprises."

  "Guess."

  "A handbag?"

  "Nope."

  "Shoes?"

  "Nope." He grinned and said, "You get one more guess."

  "I don't know. A bracelet?"

  "Nope, but you were close." Then he presented her with a little blue box from Blue Nile.

  Jada beamed with excitement. She opened the box and laid her eyes on the earrings.

  She bear hugged him and said, "Damn. I was just looking at this about six months ago."

  "Dreams come true."

  "They sure do." She smiled and led him into the house, and when they were seated she asked, "How long are you here for now?"

  "Two weeks."

  She made a sad face.

  "Why the sad face, baby? That's a long time."

  "I wish you could stay longer."

  "I told you I'm thinking of getting me a place here."

  "Let me know. I can find you something."

  "For sure."

  "I'm so glad you're here."

  "Me too."

  "Your boy got shot at the other day and totaled his Porsche."

  Fresh knew she could only be speaking of Black. He didn't know of anybody else in Atlanta that they both knew except Starr. "Who shot at him?"

  "He don't know."

  "He must have some idea."

  "Well, it could be Lani's ex or her other ex's brother."

  "I gotta be careful around him."

  "I don't want you hanging out with him."

  "Okay, mama."

  "Can you promise me that?"

  "Hey, I won't."

  Jada was still admiring the new earrings he'd brought and thinking that Fresh was definitely the kind of man that she could see herself with. Gangster and generous.

  "I really love this."

  "I tried my best."

  She smiled and said, "You did and I want to thank you."

  She made her way to where he sat and unzipped his pants and took him deep in her mouth. Suddenly, her phone rang. She removed it from her pocket and continued to deep throat Fresh while glancing at the phone. Unknown number. She figured it must be Shamari. She sent him to voicemail.

  Chapter 14

  Jada entered the visiting room of the United States Prison Atlanta. She heard one of the male prison guards say, "You gotta be a drug dealer or an athlete to have a woman that fine."

  Jada rolled her eyes at the prison guard with the creased prison uniform. There was nothing worse than a broke-ass lame clown trying to holla. She sat at the table waiting on Shamari to come. The visitation room was eighty percent black and every black man in the visitation room, with the exception of two gay men, was looking in her direction with a look in their eyes that let her know that they would fuck her like a wild animal.

  She glanced at her watch and mumbled that Shamari needed to hurry the fuck up. Seconds later, she spotted him strolling toward her in a khaki uniform and some Nikes that he'd gotten from the commissary. His yellow skin glowed, and he was buff from doing pull-ups and push-ups. Jada had to admit the motherfucker was fine as hell. And though she'd just fucked Fresh last night, she missed Shamari's ass.

  She stood and hugged him.

  "You know I wanna grab that ass, don't you?" he whispered.

  She smiled before saying, "I want you to."

  "They'll suspend my visit."

  "Don't do it then."

  He laughed before having a seat. Even though her clothing was baggy because of visitation guidelines, her figure was still on full display.

  She took a seat and he said, "Glad you came."

  "You didn't think I was coming?"

  "You hardly answer the phone."

  "Look, I know I've been a little busy, but please, don't think I've been avoiding you, baby. That's not it."

  "I never said that."

  "You were probably thinking it."

  He was quiet. He didn't want to believe that she was probably fucking somebody else, but he was realistic about the situation.

  "What's wrong, baby?"

  "Your hair's different?"

  "You like it?"

  "I do like it. You never wore it like that for me."

  "I know. I was just experimenting with it."

  "Who you trying to impress?"

  "Excuse me?"

  "Who are you trying to impress?"

  "My damn self."

  "Who's been pulling on your hair?"

  "Nobody," she lied. Fresh had been pulling on her hair as he fucked her doggy-style just last night, but he didn't need to know that.

  "Who are you seeing?"

  "Nobody."

  "You don't answer the phone, Jada."

  "What the fuck is this? An interrogation?" Jada whipped her hair over her shoulder, irritated as hell.

  "Let me just stay in the moment. I really do appreciate you coming to see me. It's hell in there."

  "Ain't nobody been fucking you?"

  "No." He laughed. "You know I can handle myself. I mean, prison is not where it's at. You know the first time I was in state prison, I knew I was going home. Right now, I have no release date and some days that shit really bothers me."

  "I know, baby. You tell me what you want me to do, and I'll do whatever it takes to get you out."

  "There is no way I'm going to get out."

  "We'll get another lawyer to find some loopholes. There has to be something we can do."

  "I'm just lucky I didn't get the death penalty."

  "I'm so glad Black came through for you."

  "How is he doing?"

  "He came over the other day."

  Shamari said, "Why does he keep visiting. What does he want?"

  "You think I would fuck Black? You can't be serious. Actually, one time he came over for you. Saying that you had reached out to him asking about me, so he came over to check on me for you."

  "Look, I'm just asking you a question. No need to get all bent out of shape."

  An inmate with gray cornrows, carrying a Polaroid camera, approached the table. "What about a picture of you and your girl?"

  "Not right now," Shamari said.

  The man eased away but not before stealing a glance at Jada's boobies.

  "Look, out of respect for you and for my dead sister, Lani—"

  "Lani is not your sister."

  "We were like sisters. I would never fuck anybody she's had. Before Lani died, she was seeing this fine-ass nigga named Shakur. Tall, over six foot tall, and a body to die for, but I would never, ever, fuck even him and you think I would fuck Black. Who I know you were close to."

  He sat there in silence. Their eyes met and held. Jada was unflinching and he believed her.

  "Look, I'm sorry."

  "Look, baby…" She rubbed his hands and he pulled back.

  "So I can't touch you?"

  "They will suspend my visit. You know you only get one hug in the beginning of the visit and one hug at the end."

  "My bad." She paused and then said, "Look, I'm sorry that you're in here but it's not my fault."

  There was a long awkward stare between them and then he said, "You're all I've got and I don't want to lose you."

  "Oh, baby. You're never going to lose me," Jada said. Fresh had total control of her body but her loyalty was with Shamari.

  Chapter 15

  Fresh had just gotten out of the shower and after he had lotioned up, he slid out of the bathroom. From his penthouse suite in the W, he looked at the Mayfair building across the street. He would have to make it a point to check out the building the next time to see what the amenities were like. He liked the area and Midtown seemed like a perfect location for him.

  Black tapped on the door. When Fresh opened the door, he gave Black a pound and then spotted the cast.

  "What happened to your leg?" he said.

  "Jada didn't tell you?"

  "I wanna hear your version. You know chicks can be so dramatic."

  Fresh led Black to the living room area of the spacious suite. Black grabbed an apple from a bowl in the center of the table and bit into it.

  "So, what happened?" Fresh asked again.

  "Got shot at and I crashed my car trying to get away."

  "You have enemies?"

  "Don't we all?"

  "I suppose so."

  "This has nothing to do with you. If you decide to work with me, you'll get all your money."

  "What do you mean by that? If I decide to work with you, I'll get all my money?"

  "I need consignment."

  "You're broke?"

  "No. It's tied up. I invested in some restaurants."

  Fresh stood and strolled over to the other side of the room before pulling the drapes back slightly. He glanced out at the Atlanta skyline.

  "How much can you come up with?" Fresh asked.

  "How much do I need?"

  "A hundred thousand."

  "So Trey was buying all his work?"

  "I knew Trey, but I never dealt with Trey. He's actually a friend of my partners. What does Trey have to do with us? Trey's dead."

  "Word in the streets was Trey had a connect in Houston that was fronting him all the work."

  Fresh lit a cigar, then asked, "Do you mind if I smoke this?"

  "I don't."

  "I have more work than you'll ever need, but I can't just give you my shit. I don't know you. Just come up with some money and I'll take care of you."

  "What's the ticket?"

  "Twenty-two."

  "That's a little high."

  "Really, I don't think so. I sell for twenty-eight all day in Houston and I know you can get forty over here on the east coast. Actually, that's a deal."

  What Fresh was saying was true, but Black didn't know that Fresh actually knew the prices for coke in Atlanta. He would come up with the money somehow. He'd made great money with the heroin, but there was too much to worry about. Too many people OD'ing and it had made his job harder than it needed to be.

  "You want a hundred grand?"

  "If you can come up with it."

  "Why not eighty-eight? That way I can buy four."

  "Give me a hundred grand and I'll give you two hundred grand in inventory. Give me a hundred thousand and I'll give you ten ki's. You can pay me the rest on the back end.

  Fair?"

  "More than fair."

  * * * * * * *

  It was nine thirty at night and Sasha was lying on the sofa crying when Black walked into her house. She was crying so hard that she didn't notice Black walk in.

  He startled her when he asked, "What are you crying for? What's wrong?" He sat in the chair on the other side of the coffee table.

  She sat up and grabbed a tissue from the table. "I don't wanna burden you with my problems."

  "You're my friend."

  She avoided his eyes.

  "What happened?"

  Silence.

  "How is business?"

  "Better than imagined."

  "So what's wrong?"

  She was quiet again and Black searched her eyes trying to find clues. She stood and Black noticed that she was commando underneath the big T-shirt she was wearing and then it hit him—the smell of sex.

  "He touched you again."

  She reached for another tissue and said, "I don't want to talk about it."

  She was easing her way into the kitchen and Black followed her. She grabbed a wine cooler from the fridge and passed it to him to twist the top off for her. He used his shirt to get a grip and twisted it off with one motion then passed it back.

  "Look, don't lie to me. He's touched you again."

  "What if he did? I mean what are you going to do about it? Confront him? Tell him to stop? Kill him? He's the mayor of the goddamn city and you're just a—." She stopped.

  "I'm just a D-Boy. Go ahead and say it. I'm a hood-ass nigga that you think you're too good for. That's what you want to say, princess? I tell you what? I might have come from the slums, and my daddy might have been a drug dealer too, but what your daddy is doing is wrong."

  She looked at him with sad eyes. "Who am I going to go to? What am I going to do?"

  "You're a grown woman. You can't let this man keep doing this to you."

  "I know."

  "If you know, why do you keep giving in to him?"

  "I don't know."

  "Do you like it?"

  There was a long pause and the she took a swig from her bottle and said, "I don't know."

  Chapter 16

  Starr had been calling Q for the past two days and his phone was going straight to voicemail. She wanted to go to his building to see what was going on, but decided against it. Instead, she called Jada and asked her to meet her for Mimosas. Starr noticed Jada's earrings and said, "I love your new earrings."

  Jada smiled and said, "Fresh got them for me."

  "When is the last time you talked to him?"

  "A few minutes ago."

  "When is he coming back to the A?"

  "He's here."

  "Huh?"

  "Yeah, he's been here for a couple of days now. Q didn't tell you?"

  "I haven't spoken to Q in a while. He hasn't called me or returned my text."

  "I didn't know. Perhaps he's busy."

  "Maybe." Now Starr was pissed the fuck off. She'd been calling that motherfucker and he hadn't answered her. It was obvious that he was ignoring her and that wasn't cool to her at all.

  Jada ordered another round of Mimosas and when the server dropped the drinks on the table, Jada said, "I think I'm falling for him, Starr."

  Starr stared into space. Thinking about the fact that days had passed since the last time she'd spoken with Q. What was he doing? Was he seeing somebody else? What the fuck was going on?

  Jada said, "Did you hear me?"

  "No."

  "I'm falling for him."

  "Falling for who?"

  "Fresh. Crazy girl."

  Starr laughed and said, "I'm sorry, Jada. I was lost in thought. You say that you're falling for Fresh?"