Chapter 16 #3
Nodding, she closed the space between their lips and rolled her ass into his dick.
“You gon’ make me want to fuck, Bird. You keep going and you ain’t singing shit tonight,” he said, hands on her ass, squeezing, pressing her into his body.
“Stassi thinks I’m being stupid for you. That I don’t know enough about you,” she said, pulling back. “She just doesn’t understand.”
She right, he thought. How he wished this thing with Charlie could be built on truth.
He would be able to enjoy it so much more if he could do so with a clear conscience, but he couldn’t.
If he told her about Lauren and DJ, Charlie would leave him alone and he just wanted her to bother him.
To call him. To crave him. To touch him.
To dirty up his life like only she could.
“It ain’t her business to understand. You understand? Cuz I understand this shit clearly, Bird.”
Charlie nodded. “Me too.”
“Then that’s all that matters,” he responded. “I’ma see you in a little bit, though, a’ight?”
“Okay,” she replied.
“Bitch-ass club owner should be handing you another bag today,” he said. “You still got the rest put up?”
“Yeah, it’s at my old townhouse.”
“Good girl,” he said. Another kiss. His mind was gone. He didn’t even recognize his need for her. He had never put himself in a position to rely on anyone, but he relied on this. Charlie climbed out and Demi looked down at his phone. Day had called him ten times in the last hour.
Demi picked up the phone and dialed him back.
“Niggas got problems,” Day answered.
“We got answers,” Demi responded.
“Half oowee,” Day informed. Day and Demi had known one another long enough to know it was the code they said to one another when they needed to meet in private.
The rendezvous when discussing dirt was always their old recording studio.
The little run-down brick building on the corner of Stewart Avenue and Detroit Street.
They had recorded out of the rinky-dink studio for three years before Day had laid his first hit.
It had been up from there. The only time they humbled themselves and revisited the past was when they needed to tap into some street. Apparently, it was needed tonight.
When Demi arrived, Day was already parked in front of the building.
Demi reached beneath his driver’s seat, retrieving his pistol.
Demi didn’t mind coming to the hood. He was a rich nigga who didn’t mind being in the trap if he was strapped.
His burner gave him a pass in every hood because Demi was known to use it.
He got busy and word had reached the streets that he was ruthless.
Niggas had learned that it was easier to show Demi love than to receive his hate.
“Wassup, boy?” Day greeted.
Demi nodded.
“What’s the word?” Demi asked.
“That shit behind the club owner? Apparently, he’s connected,” Day said.
“How connected?” Demi asked. His mind instantly went to Charlie.
“He’s 5th Ward. His Uncle is Tracy Hart,” Day informed.
Demi stilled. Tracy Hart was an old-school gangster.
Where New York had John Gotti, Flint had Tracy Hart.
It was rumored that the older gentleman had started Benny Atkin’s organization.
Both men were Flint legends. The game had swallowed Benny whole but Tracy still had respect in the city and his reach was long.
“How the fuck we miss that, Day? Huh? You the one put the product on this nigga! You brought him into the fold! You ain’t know who his family was beforehand?!” Demi barked.
“He ain’t mention it! We don’t be in Flint like that! I ain’t know ‘til I knew, but now that I know, nigga, it’s a problem,” Day explained. “He already sent shooters to one of the studio sessions. Followed Lil’ Reo to the crib, wet him up, now I’m picking caskets out with his mama.”
“He did what now?” Demi asked.
“I already got our people outside your crib,” Day said. “Word is, when you beef with this nigga, it’s bloody. Ain’t no rules. Women and kids apply.”
Demi pulled out his phone. His mind went directly to his wife and son. He didn’t know if it were habit, love, or loyalty, but saving Lauren echoed in his mind.
“Hello?” Lauren answered.
“Aye, Lo, you good?” he asked, finding relief in the normalcy of her tone. She was pissed at him, which meant things were okay, she was safe. She was just waiting for him to walk through the door.
“No, Demi, I’m not good. Where are you?” she asked.
“Shit thick out here. I need you to drop the attitude and listen. Grab DJ and go to your mom’s. I got some shit to handle but I’ma come for y’all as soon as I can. Just stay out the way for a few days. Keep DJ home from school and you take a couple days off. I need you out the way. You understand?”
The line was silent. It had been a long time since Demi had handed down those types of orders. She knew what the makings of war looked like. “Demi, come home,” Lauren said. She was afraid. He heard it in her voice.
“I will when it’s safe. I got to handle some shit first, though,” he said. “Take care of my son.”
“I love you,” Lauren said.
“Love,” Demi replied.
Demi looked at Day. “A lot of niggas not gonna make it ‘til morning. You got the alibi lined up?” he asked. They would need an alibi. A good one. When murder was on the menu, they had to prepare the table the right way to avoid being caught.
“Hotel rooms in Detroit already checked into under both our credit cards. Camera system is down, the desk clerk been paid to say we been there all night. We’re covered,” Day informed.
A workable Alibi. Demi never committed murder without one.
His next call was Charlie. His stomach tightened as it rang longer than usual. She was at the club, with the enemy.
If anything happens to her...
Before he could manifest the thought, she answered. “Hey, babe.”
“Bird, I need you to go home. Go home right now and text me when you get there. Don’t open the door for nobody,” he said.
“Why? I’m singing tonight and I still have to...”
“Bird, do what I said, baby. No questions. Go home. That bitch-ass nigga, Frankie, there?” Demi asked.
“Yeah, he’s here, but he’s in his office with the door locked. I haven’t gotten your money yet,” Charlie said.
“No, don’t worry about the bread. Get your friend, Justin, to take you to the condo and wait for me,” Demi said.
There was silence on the other end of the phone, like Charlie was trying to decide what to say next. If Demi was telling her to ask Justin for something, she knew something wasn’t right.
“What’s going on, Demi?” she asked.
“I’ll explain later, just get out of the club,” he responded. “Listen to your man, a’ight?”
More silence. He could practically hear the thoughts in her mind. She wasn’t trained like Lauren. Demi hadn’t been with her long enough. She was taking too long to follow instructions and Demi could feel himself losing patience.
“Demi?” Her voice was small.
“Yeah, baby?” he responded, turning away from Day.
“You know I just got you, so I’m not really trying to lose you, right?” Charlie asked.
“I know, Bird,” he replied.
“Whatever is about to happen… Be careful,” she said. “Because I need you to be okay. I’m in love with you.”
“I’m in love with you, Bird. You don’t even know how much I’m in love with you, girl,” Demi answered. He ended the call after that because Charlie was a distraction. What he felt for Charlie would get him killed. Tonight, was not the night to have her on his mind.
Demi hung up the phone, turned it off and looked over at Day. “Got to get the cells to the hotel so they ping off the nearest tower. Then, it’s time to put in work.”