4. Bullet
May 2025
"Big Bulley! I love it, Courtney. You did your big one with my vest."
My eyes roamed over my new custom-designed vest. Our vests were black and leather, and our motorcycle club emblem was gray and red. It was skeleton bones shaped in an X with motorcycle handlebars on each side. I loved the creativity and artistry behind our emblem.
Courtney looked up and smiled as she handed the rest of the crew their new vests. We were long overdue for some new ones.
"Thank you, Bullet. I tried to bring all y'all ideas to life."
"You did that and more," Crome stated and kissed Courtney on her red heart-shaped lips.
He'd been obsessed with the long-locs, curvy, brown-skinned beauty ever since she took over her family's printing business two years ago. If you needed anything to be printed, her family, the Prices, made it happen. They specialized in many different forms of printing. We were lucky to have a contract with her. I slipped into my new vest and smirked. The smell of leather filled my nose, and the new cut against my body was way better than my first vest. I'd had the same vest since I joined when I was twenty. Now that I was twenty-nine, I was much bigger than I was, and my brothers now. They hated that shit, but oh well. Two blanks were fired, and it was racing time. We held big races twice a month for money, street cred, and respect. As of right now, my brother, Black, holds the title of King of Decatur. He was the fastest motorcyclist out here. I didn't desire to hold that title. I just enjoyed racing.
I slowly rode over to the start line. Candy Apple stood there with her midnight complexion shining under the moonlight and thick curves to keep everyone's eyes on her except mine. Over four and a half years later, I still hadn't laid a finger on her or allowed her to touch me. She'd been my Crystal's nemesis since high school. I never believed in allowing another bitch to play in my girl's face. Crystal and I weren't together, but if and when I decided to move on, it wouldn't be with her ass. I was loyal to the bone.
My bike tire stopped at the sprayed finish line, and I looked at Crystal's brother Marshawn and then back at my destination.
Marshawn was fast, but he wasn't faster than me. I revved my bike, and he followed suit.
Candy Apple stood in front of us and sexily licked her top glossed lip. "You ready, boys?"
"Yeah," he answered.
I nodded my confirmation.
She grinned before raising her red scarf in the air. Her eyes glanced at him and then at me before she hurriedly lowered her arm.
Marshawn and I shot off within seconds. My tire edged forward, followed by his. We took turns being in the front as we headed down the dark road. He made it to the end a few seconds before I did. We swiftly turned around and headed back to the start line. We were halfway to the finish line when that nigga kicked my bike twice, and I swerved badly, causing me to almost crash into a group of bikers, but I quickly regained my composure. Oh, that bitch ass nigga. I had something for his ass. We continued to race until I focused back on my destination and hit the accelerator. I flew past him and the crowd of onlookers until I soared over the finish line.
Everyone cheered and raised their beer bottles. I'd won two stacks and his lid, but I didn't want his ugly ass helmet. I wanted my fuckin' revenge. I swiftly turned my bike around and headed back. My rage had built inside of me, and I was out for blood.
I turned off my bike and parked it when I saw him drinking with a few members of his crew. He thought shit was sweet. I pulled my biker gloves up as I strolled through their crowd and popped Marshawn right in his nose. Blood sprayed from his nose like a spray bottle. I didn't even give him a chance to recuperate. He stumbled, and I uppercut his goofy ass. Marshawn's bitch ass dropped to the group. His crew tried to jump me, but that shit didn't last. I popped two in the nose and gave a two-piece combo to three of his cronies. They all whined and groaned on the ground as I stood over them.
"I guess next time you'll rethink cheating when racing against me." I spat on them and walked away. "Bitch ass niggas." I climbed on my bike and headed home. I'd let my brothers collect my winnings. I had no patience for clown shit no more.
When I pulled up to my house minutes later, Diamond sat on my front porch swing. Her curvy frame and shapely ass were slightly wrapped by her favorite throw blanket as she waited on me. It wasn't cold out. Diamond was just always cold. Her long braids were pulled in a high bun, and her light complexion looked slightly flushed. She wore a glove-tight one-piece, leopard print catsuit that made my dick harder than a rock. I hoped she knew she'd get dicked down tonight.
Diamond was known as a "choker" in our motorcycle club. Women like her filled the sexual needs of the men in our crew. They weren't "ole ladies" or girlfriends, just someone to fill a lonely night or moment. She and a few other chokers had filled the bed in one of my guest rooms for the past two years. I'd let two years ago by before I started to fill my sexual needs. I just couldn't let Crystal go. There were no commitments on my end. One day I wanted to settle down again, but it wouldn't be with no damn Choker.
I walked past her and unlocked the door. She stood from her spot and walked behind me. In record time, we were in my guest room and ass naked. I gripped her throat tightly as I fucked her hard and fast. There was nothing gentle or loving about my strokes. I was pissed that I couldn't make love to the woman I still loved. There was no access to her at all. Love was completely absent from my life. Crystal had made me the lover boy that I am, and I hated not being him.
"Ooh. Fuck, Bulley. Right there, baby," Diamond cried out loud.
I stilled. "Don't call me Bulley. My name is Bullet to you. Am I clear?"
She nodded with a small smile. "Yes."
"Aight." I sped up my strokes.
Diamond loved this rough shit. Her small hand gripped my wrist as she enjoyed every stroke. Her body shook under me, and she came hard like she always did. I fucked her harder until I came. Diamond fucked me from the bottom as I pushed against my headboard. My body shook slightly as I busted a big nut. We both took deep breaths as I rolled off her, and she rolled to the side.
I walked into the bathroom and, removed my condom, then flushed it. After a quick piss, I washed my hands before walking back into my room. Once I was comfortable under my covers, Diamond laid on my chest, and I gazed out the window.
Minutes later, her light snores filled my ears, but I continued to look out my bedroom window. I always wondered what Crystal was up to this time of night. Was she dating someone? Married? Had kids? I tried my hardest not to think negative thoughts, but I couldn't help it. I'd lose it if somebody else clapped the cheeks that belonged to me. Her smile, loud laughter, and caring nature all belonged to me. It was nights like this where we held our deepest conversations. I wanted her and our routines back like ASAP. God, I need a sign.
I listened to my pops, Josiah, explain how Razzi Inc. was interested in our weapons and ammunition, but they were also in talks with the Views. That didn't surprise me. Them savages jumped on any and everything that smelled like an opportunity. This up-and-coming new company had planned to open a few gun stores in several different states. He expressed how Razzi Inc. wanted to work with us because we were a one-stop shop. We made guns and ammunition, but they were interested in the Views because they offered them a cheaper rate. I hated when companies wanted to go the cheaper route. Quality would always be a better alternative than quantity. My family and I took gun- making seriously. Them cheap ass weapons the Views made were ass.
Their guns either jammed, fell apart, or misfired more often than usual. They were a joke in the gun-making business. I hated it when they joined the conferences with us and other weapon makers because they were clowns. The love for the craft wasn't there. It has never been if you asked me. My great-grandfather Sigman made his first gun when he was fifteen years old from materials and scraps he'd found at the junkyard he worked at. When he killed the man who attacked my great-grandmother coming home from school one day, it was then his love for weapon making was birthed. He tried to share that knowledge with his best friend, Raleigh, Crystal's great-grandfather. Things went south when Raleigh scammed him and started his own company. There was more to the story, but I think the rest of the story was lost as time went by and family added their own narratives.
It was unfortunate because I really wanted to know what happened. Somebody had to know, but my great-grandpa and grandpa were both gone, and my pops didn't have all the facts. He didn't care to know. My pops' only concern was keeping our business running smoothly and making sure our legacy continued for generations.
"Bullet!" my pops shouted my name, pulling me from my thoughts.
"Yeah, Pops."
"Did you hear anything I said?" he queried.
"Yes, sir. We have a meeting with the CEOs of Razzi Inc., and this is the account you want me to handle."
"Correction. I want you to close it. I'm still on your ass after the almost war you could've caused because of the beating you gave Tyrese's soft ass. Now, are we clear?"
"Crystal clear." I hoped he didn't hear about last night's ass whoopin' I handed out.
"Good. Moving on. Now, for the next order of business, let's talk about the expansion of our MC. We have a lot of new recruits, and we can use the extra space next door. There's only one problem."
"What's that?" I questioned with merged brows.
"My registrar connect in the mayor's office told me that the Views bitch asses plan to bid for the space as well," Pops disclosed.
"Those muthafuckas!" Armor yelled and slammed his fists on the table.
"Now that's some petty shit. What the hell do they plan to do with the space?" Woady probed.
"Apparently, it makes for the perfect location for a daycare center," Pops stated and shook his head.
"Who in their right damn mind would put a daycare in the entertainment district, next to two MCs, a strip club, and a casino? I know the mayor ain't gon let that fly," Crome chimed in with an attitude.
Pops chuckled. "Money talks."
"So does sex." I looked at Woady.
Woady mugged me. "Fuck you lookin' at me for?"
I cleared my throat. "The mayor is a beautiful BBW. Now, you've always tried to hide your love for BBWs, but it's pointless because we all know, my nigga."
Crome and Armor laughed.
"And he ain't lying. Remember how Laila's daddy made him jump out the window when he was supposed to be in Sunday school with us?" Crome probed, laughing like a hyena. Armor joined in on his laughter.
Woady rolled his eyes. I knew he hated that memory because he had a deep gash over his eyes as a reminder.
"Crome, chill. I ain't say that to make fun of him. It's an opportunity for us. While Woady is wining, dining, and tattooing his name on her ass, she'll be more open to the bribe and us bidding and buying the building. She gettin' her own payout and consistent dick. Ain't no way this won't work out in our favor. What do you say, bro?"
We all looked at Woady. He exhaled and nodded. "What if I grow some feelings for her? I'm not sure if I'm the relationship type."
Armor snickered. "Yo' ass sounds soft as hell."
"Grow up! Ain't shit wrong with him expressing himself," I shot back.
Armor shook his head and called me a pussy under his breath. Oh well. He knew not to say that shit to my face. In the past four and a half years, I've grown bigger, meaner, and stronger. Two years ago, Armor and I had a big fight. Once liquor hits his system, his mouth is reckless as hell. That Julio hit his system, and he said Crystal had longed forgot about me and bounced on another nigga's dick. Why did he say that? The rage that lived in me fueled me to beat my own big brother like he was a stranger. I couldn't help it. The anger in me took over. It damn near took the whole crew to get me off his ass. After that, my brothers realized I was now the strongest and not to be fucked with.
"Anyway, ain't nobody saying you got to marry the lady, but if you want to get serious with her after we secure this deal, then by all means. Let's make sure we get this deal first. You agree or not?" I quizzed.
Woady nodded. "Hell, yeah, I'm in. Mayor Bishop is fine as hell."
"That's what we need to hear. Pops, you need to reach out to your connect in her office to get the mayor's schedule ASAP so that Woady can make his move," I voiced.
Our pops nodded with a smile. "Now that's fuckin' leadership right there. I'll get on it," he stated.
"Armor, you and Crome need to prepare our soldiers because I gotta feeling there will be a shit storm when we snatch that weapons contract from the Views and the storefront from them. We have gotta make sure all our security is amped up at all businesses, and everyone is always on point. They fuckin' snakes, so we need to be prepared for whatever."
"Real shit, though, Bullet. We got it handled," Armor expressed.
"Yes, sir," Crome agreed.
"Okay, cool. This meeting is adjourned." Pops banged his fake gavel. We all stood to leave, but he stopped me. "Bullet, stay back." He ushered for me to take a seat.
My brothers performed our brothers-in-arms coded greeting before exiting Pops' office.
"Pops, if you're worried about me securing this contract, then don't. My head is in the game, and I've bagged every deal we have in the last four and a half years. I got this."
"I know that Bullet. I'm worried about my son, not about money or contracts. It's been four and a half years since Crystal left, and you ain't entertained not one woman seriously. Yeah, you fuck them but have made no attempts at a relationship, marriage, or even kids."
"Pops, not this again."
"Yes, this again."
"Why are you not hounding Armor, Crome, or Woady?"
He went silent and lit his cigar. After a few pulls, he made himself more comfortable in his office chair.
"Out of all my boys, you're most like me. You're tough, focused, goal-oriented, and you know what it's like to have the woman you love most ripped from you. I love your mother. God knows I do. I'm in love with her. No other woman could ever take her place, but before I met her, there was another woman. Kora was my high school sweetheart. She set my soul on fire whenever we touched. I was young and filled with lust, but I knew I was in love with her.
"Kora was the woman who I wanted to spend the rest of my life with and have all my babies, but it wasn't meant to be. Melvin Views was so jealous of me. He did what he did best, snaked my ass. When I looked up, she was gone, and a few short years later, he married her. He didn't even want her. Melvin's bitch ass just didn't want me to have her. I said all that to say this even if by some divine reason Crystal pops back up, remember he will never let you have her. Never . You can't have what's his, but he can have what's yours. Since I couldn't have Kora, you best believe I plan to snatch those deals from his bitch ass."
I sat quietly and processed what he'd just dumped on me. My pops and Crystal's mom were a couple. That shit was wild all by itself. I knew Pops and Melvin had bad blood between them, but the fact that a woman was involved surprised me big time. "Pops, I'm sorry you experienced that. It hurts. I know that pain all too well, but I'm still not ready to let Crystal go. She's my sweetheart, and one day, I'm going to get her back."
I stood from my seat, placed my right hand over my chest, and nodded. It was our brothers-in-arms coded greeting. He returned the code with a nod. I left my pops in his office and exited the house. When I made it outside to my bike, my phone chimed. I read over the message, and it was Crome letting me know they were at the Wet Cat.
It never failed. When business was handled at the compound and our clubhouse, you could find them fools at the Wet Cat. That's not how I wanted to live my life, lusting and thirsting over bitches I didn't want. However, I was hungry, and the food at the Wet Cat was top-tier next to the fine dining establishments here.
I hopped on my bike and left the grounds of our compound. I shot down the dirt road faster than a bullet. My leather vest blew in the early evening air. I wanted to secure that weapon's contract something serious. The rage that coursed through me desired desperately to take every fuckin' thing from the Views. They have been the bane of my existence since I was old enough to understand what a feud was. This deal would bring millions to my family and continue to help solidify our position in this town. However, it would help to push my bourbon line even further.
Crystal Bullet Bourbon was small and local, yet the citizens of Decatur loved it. I bought a small distillery two years ago, and I'd distributed my bourbon in local bars and convenience stores, but I was ready to go national. Creating bourbon was a hobby I stumbled across to take my off Crystal. It temporarily worked because I still named my bourbon after her. Hell, she was the inspiration, after all. One day, she'd see how serious I was about us.
The scenery changed as my bike traveled through the medical district. I slowed down and braked when I halted at the red light. I flipped the lid of my helmet up when two black SUVs sped to the hospital's entrance. They looked as if they belonged to the Views, but I wasn't sure because of the distance. Men in black rushed out and guided a beautiful vixen and a little girl to the entrance.
The wolf-cut styled curls, curvy frame, and natural switch when she walked screamed it was my girl. My love. My Crystal. Hurriedly, I shot off and cut over to the next lane. Horns blared frantically, and tires screeched, but I didn't care. I had to see if that was my Crystal. My motorcycle turned into the driveway and behind the SUVs. I killed the engine, then raced after the crew with my heart pounding and sweaty hands clenched at my side.
The hospital buzzed with patients, medical staff, and visitors as I zoomed past them. The men in black were ahead of me and darted around the corner. I was a ways back, so I broke out into a quick jog. By the time I caught up and rounded the corner, the elevator doors had closed.
"Fuck!" I shouted and smacked the door.
My heart said it was her, but my head said to be logical. I didn't get a good look because I was far away, and Crystal didn't have a child. Well, to my knowledge, she didn't have one before she left. Did she have a kid now?
My mind ran rampant with questions as I left the hospital and hopped back onto my bike. I sped away from the hospital and entered the entertainment district. I felt it in my gut the woman was Crystal, but what if my mind played tricks on me? My emotions were good for that.
I pulled up in front of the Wet Cat and parked. My heart still raced as I strolled inside the strip club. All eyes were on me per usual. I was well over six-foot-three, muscular, and deadly. These last four and a half years, I'd been kickin' ass and didn't even bother with askin' for a name. Niggas wanted to be me, and bitches wanted to claim me. I wasn't down with either. My brothers and crew did our coded signal, and I returned it. I moved past them and the strippers that entertained them and took a seat at the bar.
"Let me get a Crystal Bullet with a light orange twist. Also, tell the chef I want hot wings and fries."
"Coming right up, Bullet," Sam, the bartender, replied. He yelled through the small window before preparing my drink. I swirled around in my seat and surveyed my surroundings. Nothing had changed. The routine was the same. I looked to the left side of the strip club, and those bitch ass Decatur Devils partied like it was 1999. My eyes clashed with Melvin. He sat back against his chair as Candy Apple danced for him as if her life depended on it. They were an item. Well, more like he was her sugar daddy. He sported her thotty ass around like she was a trophy when she was nothing to call home about.
Our eyes connected, and he gave me a smug grin before she pulled him up from his seat. They were going to fuck in one of the private rooms. I could easily barge in and make him tell me if Crystal was here or not, but we had way too much on the line to make careless moves. When the time was right, I'd find a smarter way to get my answers.