Chapter 3 Bentley #2
“Now read this,” Aunt Daisy demanded handing over another envelope, except this one was worn out.
“I ain’t reading shit until you tell me what the hell this nigga...” The letter was back in my face as I searched for the name I needed. Finding it, I continued with, “Yonnis talking ‘bout.”
“Bentley Atkins, I’ve said it once already. Don’t let me say it again,” she sassed with a tight lip. She was still on my ass ‘bout my mouth and speaking to her with some respect.
Clenching my jaw, I pulled back and tried to gain a lil’ composure. However, she had some explaining to do. I wasn’t reading shit else until she explained this letter. I never asked and she never told but now wasn’t the time for all that secrecy shit. As much as I let her do her, she owed me this.
“Ma—”
“Read the letter Bentley!” she yelled. The one she extended from the pile of letters was the only one in a black envelope.
Snatching it from her, she reached up and slapped the back of my head. I got up and moved to the other side of the sitting area where the single chairs were. For her to be so little, she had the biggest dog in her. She really feared no one and my big ass was of no exception.
I pulled the letter out and saw it was addressed to Daisy.
It was a letter from Rose and apparently, she was Daisy’s older sister.
She was apologizing for not going to see her lately but also begged her to take in my mama and watch over her.
She sent my mama down with a check of fifty grand and promised they’d live a quiet life.
How she’d send money monthly and keep them off Royce’s radar as well.
Once again, Sage Springs was mentioned, and I was clueless as to where the fuck that was.
“Who the fu… Who is Royce? Who is Rose? And where the hell is Sage Springs?” I inquired.
She reached over to the side table and picked up a metal case.
Opening it, she pulled out a pre-rolled joint and lighter.
She was getting right while I was sitting on edge.
She ain’t said too much of nothing, and I was slowly but surely starting to turn that dial up on the disrespect meter intentionally.
I was quiet throughout life giving her no problems. If she wanted to see that side of me, she could.
Taking a good puff of the weed, she let it course through her lungs before starting with, “Rose and I were the only two children my father had. Rose and I were also close even though we were ten years apart. I was a surprise for her and her mother for sure. Any who, she was the one who had kids for us both. I never desired them or a husband. I am the product of an affair so that alone baby boy caused me to become a loner. I didn’t want to reap any karma my parents sowed. ”
Affair? Damn, I guess the only thing that changes is the day of the week. Niggas really ain’t shit.
“My father traveled from Sage Springs and Florida like it was an ordinary thing. Rose came into the picture once he died taking those trips for him. She never let me forget her. She came married to a man named Geter Atkins when she was around twenty-one. I thought he was a dog from the first introduction, but she loved him dearly. Over time, she gave him three children. Royce, Ryan, and Rhema. I never met them in person because Geter wouldn’t allow them to travel, and I didn’t have the means to do so.
Rhema was her baby girl and her most rebellious.
I can’t tell you how many times she called me venting about that girl,” she said smiling.
I know that shit right Mama. Let niggas know you ain’t nothing to play with.
“She give you a hard time too?” I questioned. I was curious to know if my mama gave her hell too.
“Oh God, no. She came to Florida, moved in with Bentayga, and lived a good life… short but it was hers. He spoiled her and me at times. She visited damn near every day and always came looking for a home cooked meal. Your father couldn’t stop her from being so quick tempered either.
She was in the streets by his side every day.
She did not care and was such a risk taker.
She only settled down a few weeks before giving birth. ”
“She was wild like that?” I asked chuckling. It was the first time I heard about her personality from Daisy. She really wasn’t the type to volunteer information.
“Just as wild as they came. She used to ask for me to put guns in my name all the time for her. Thankfully, Bentayga was good at what he did and kept both Rhema and I protected. He was such a good man to her. The love he showered her with was truly fairytale like.”
Hearing how my father treated my mother only made me respect him more. I didn’t know how a nigga would feel ‘bout him hearing he did my mama dirty. With them two being the talk of the city, Miami must’ve loved them. Making them proud was all I focused on, to be honest.
“So, who rocked Pops? Why he ain’t here to see his baby boy supply the city? I understand it ‘bout my mama but what happened to that nigga?”
Daisy scoffed and pulled on her blunt as she tapped her foot. The look in her eyes was of hurt and disgust. I could tell she cared a lot ‘bout my parents. She smiled unknowingly when she spoke ‘bout them. I was curious to know who took him off the map. He must’ve been a hell of a threat.
“That’s something you’re going to have to ask your uncle Royce Sr.” This was the first time I saw defeat in her eyes as well. “He’s as mean as they come but he’s also the man that brought street wealth to the Atkins family.”
I didn’t give a fuck ‘bout what they had going on in fuck ass Sage Springs. None of my wealth came from them. This was blood, sweat, and tears from a nigga with Bentayga blood.
“How the hell you become an Atkins if yo’ sister was the one that married one?”
“She paid for my name change so that you wouldn’t question my role in your life.
There’s so many secrets floating through the Atkins bloodline, it don’t make no sense.
Come to think of it, I’m glad I never visited Sage Springs.
They’ve altered that city to cater to them, and I want no parts.
My sister is no longer a part of it so there’s really no use in leaving Florida at all now,” she confessed.
Seems to me like Rose was the brains of the family.
Sending my mama away because of the shenanigans back in her hometown was nothing but a mother’s love.
Keeping everything my mother left for me in her care and handing it over afterward was love.
There was a catch to this shit though, I knew it.
I was thirty-one years old and ain’t nobody told me shit.
“You never answered my question on who Royce is. Why Rose ain’t been down here to give me what my mama left me? Who these people Ma?” She thought I ain’t notice but just because she gave me a lil’ backstory I was gon’ let my initial question go.
“Royce Sr, is the reason you’re here baby boy.
He’s also Rose’s oldest child. Rhema developed a love hate relationship for him, but their relationship isn’t for me to speak on.
Like I said, you’ll have to ask your uncle about this.
Sage Springs is hell on earth, and I’ll die on that hill.
You’re successful and that lil’ $10,000,000 is chump change to you.
I’m not telling you not to claim it because it is Rhema’s gift to you.
I am saying, get it if you want it, and come home! ”
Tears filled her eyes, and I could tell she was scared of losing me.
She ain’t have nothing to worry ‘bout though. I was gon’ get what was mine and bring my ass back to the orange state.
I trusted her words more than anyone else’s.
She was the only person I could love unconditionally and vice versa.
I knew where home was and it damn sure wasn’t in no bullshit ass Sage Springs.
“Oh, that’s without a doubt. If I can get this Yonnis nigga to come to me, then that’ll be even better. Fuck all this though. I done made my mama wait long enough. You ready to go see her?”
Nodding, she stood and left without a second thought.
I eyed the pile if letters on the table and felt something shift in me.
That demon a nigga harbored was awakening and I had no idea as to why.
From the way Daisy spoke on the family, I just knew I was ‘bout to catch a body or two before walking away.
Hell, anybody that had beef with my mama or daddy had beef with me.
Seemed to me like Royce Sr. was that one.
Walking into the warehouse, the many niggas that lined the walls, as well as the stairs all waited for my arrival.
It was that time of the month for niggas to check the fuck in and pay what they owed.
I had over a two hundred niggas waiting for a bonus.
When it came to feeding families, I was feeding plenty. My empire made it possible.
My path was cleared as I walked deeper into the grand space. The women that were working the tables stopped working and cleared the room. It was time to talk business, and their presence wasn’t needed. They entered the backroom that was set up specifically for them.
I didn’t stop moving until I was upstairs standing at the banister. I had eyes on everyone in the room. Each zone stood separated so when the funds and shit got collected, I’d know who to blame. As usual, Kong stepped up and started regulating shit.
“Y’all know how this shit go. Shut the fuck up and listen!” he yelled.
When the room went quiet, I knew I had their undivided attention. Everyone was in attendance, even fuck ass Enzo. Locking eyes with him, my head fell to the side while a sly grin graced my lips. He was relentless now that he’d been replaced. It was obvious he had words for me.
“You lost?” I questioned. I didn’t give a fuck ‘bout embarrassing a nigga. I’d already beat his shit in at Sin, but clearly that wasn’t enough.
“I need to holla at you Bentley,” he said loud and clear.