4. Empty The Safe
EMPTY THE SAFE
D-ROW
Tyler Valorie was downstairs sitting in the conference room waiting on me and two of my tellers to come and assist him. My clothes were sticking to me at this point. I needed a shower amongst all other things, but his difficult, attitudinal ass was ‘bout to fill my pockets for a while.
“Mr. Saint, we’re ready for you,” Angel stated.
Nodding, I stood from my desk with my cell in tow. Once Angel was out of earshot, I called Donnie. He answered immediately with, “What’s up, big bro?”
“We ‘bout to count this money, then it’s on. You ready?” I inquired.
“Nigga $3,000,000 gon’ make everybody and they mama ready,” he voiced hype as fuck.
“Bet that. Give me an hour to get him right. You seen what he pulled up in?”
The line went silent for a second before he said, “Look at what I just sent you.”
I did so and smiled. “I ain’t gon’ hold you, I think I want that, too.”
“All you got to do is say the word, and I promise you we can get that up off him, too.”
“We gon’ talk. Let me handle him. Tell everybody else to get right. We got a safe to empty tonight.” With that, I ended the call and made my way down to the conference room.
The bank was officially closed and ready to handle a discreet withdrawal. Counting this money from the vault took two days, just to have to do this shit again within an hour window. Thank God we had three new money counters come in to make this easier for us.
Entering the room, Tyler Valorie was already cussing out my tellers. “You incompetent people aren’t worth shit. Not only did I have to wait around all day, you brought me in during the five o’clock traffic, and I can’t deposit my money until Monday morning. A real fuckin’ inconvenience,” he spat.
“Mr. Valorie, this is a place of business, not your family barbecue so you will treat me and my staff with respect. Unless you’d rather reschedule your appointment and come back when you got some sense!” I bellowed.
My presence, my voice, and my demeanor silenced the room completely. That salt savage might’ve run other muthafuckas but up in Ross Savings & Loans, I was the head nigga in charge. I didn’t play ‘bout my staff either. They got on my last nerve but the only nigga who was gon’ disrespect them was me.
Walking over to the money counters, there was a row of five.
Three were brand new counting faster than the older ones.
An hour tops, if that, was all we really needed.
I picked up the first stack close to me and inserted it in the machine.
That stack alone was ten bands. I proceeded to count up his…
my money while he sat there red as a clown's nose.
I had his bitch ass upset and that brought a smile to my face.
“You got something to get off your chest, Mr. Valorie?” I asked knowing he was fuming.
“I just want to take my money and go. I’m more than annoyed and would like to remove myself as quickly as possible,” he answered without making eye contact.
“In due time. I mean, we can skip out on counting it out, have you sign the waver, and send you on your way. It’s really no big deal. I assure you that,” I taunted.
He waved me off, and I released a small chuckle. I knew he wasn’t gon’ bite. His bark wasn’t solid enough to scare a nigga. When all this was over, he was gon’ realize his mouth wrote checks his ass couldn’t cash.
Time flew by and before I knew it, we’d filled the three duffle bags he’d brought with him.
He was handed over forms to sign completing the final withdrawal and closure of his account.
When it was all said and done, he walked away happier than how he arrived.
It ain’t make me no never mind ‘cause me and my crew was ‘bout to piss in his cereal one more time before the day was over with.
Me and my security proceeded to walk him out to his car while my staff remained at the doors.
It was protocol to escort clients with large transactions out to make sure no harm came their way.
I noticed Donnie sitting across the street in the throw away and threw him a nod.
He threw one back as he started the vehicle.
“Mr. Valorie, we apologize for your experience here and losing your business. Hopefully, one day you’ll give us another chance,” I said keeping it as professional as I could.
“One day my ass,” he replied throwing his bags in the trunk of his CLE 300 Coupe. From that moment on, I couldn’t help but smile. He climbed in his whip and drove off ‘causing Donnie to pull out and trail behind him.
“Candy from a baby. This shit too easy,” I voiced aloud.
“Mr. Saint, if that’s all, we’d like to head home,” Angel spoke from the door.
“Of course. Go ahead and grab your things, I’m right behind you doing the same. He was the last transaction of the day. I hope you all enjoy your weekend.”
We headed back inside, collected our belongings, and were parting ways in the parking lot shortly after.
Climbing into my ride, I immediately removed my blazer and tie. It was too hot outside and inside this muthafucka to be bundled up. Normally, I would go to the family home to decompress and relax but from the day I had, but today my condo a few blocks over was the best option.
I pulled out into traffic hoping and praying niggas didn’t irritate me any further than I already was. I just needed them to drive their automobiles and stay the fuck out my way for two to three minutes. I had a Glock full of bullets, and I wasn’t afraid to use it.
Magnolia Towers was more my speed, but my family would lose their shit not seeing me every damn day. My mother would be at the top of the list with her worries. Speaking that we all participated in a dangerous game, she slept better at night knowing we were only a few feet away.
As I pulled into the parking deck, a call came through on the dash. Seeing that it was my ole lady, I perked up knowing all it took was to get around her and peace would be restored. I answered with, “What’s up beautiful?”
“Hey, you got something going on tonight?”
“I do, but I’ll make time for you. What you need, Sol?”
“Just you. When you’re done with your plans, you’ll swing by the room?” she inquired.
Shaking my head as if she could see, I said, “Nah, I’m tired of that room. Get yo’ shit and come to my condo. Magnolia Towers, unit 522.”
“I know where you live, D. Why can’t you come to the room? I’m already settled,” she whined.
“Let that room go and just move in. I’ll come home to you every night without question if I had you there,” I assured her.
There was a silence on her end, and I wasn’t gon’ rush her. Solenne wasn’t the kind of woman that could easily be persuaded but somehow, I knew she was gon’ give a nigga what he wanted. I was the only man bold enough to let her be her and still have dominance.
“Okay.”
She gave me nothing else after. The call ended, and I carried a smile that stretched from ear to ear. That woman had me down bad, and she knew it.
Parking, I grabbed my things and stepped out my whip.
I took the elevator that was a couple rows over from my assigned parking.
I took the ride up to the fifth floor and walked casually to my door.
I hadn’t been to my condo in damn near three weeks.
I guess I had a reason to show face more often now.
Swiping the key over the lock, it turned green granting me access.
I entered and the smell of Tuscan Leather from Tom Ford filled the quarters.
Dumping my keys in the bowl at the front door, I then went straight to the master bathroom, stripping immediately.
Once I was underneath the cool water, I began to relax.
With closed eyes, I inhaled deeply resetting my mind.
It was the weekend indeed, but I had a lick to get out the way before I could enjoy anything, including my woman.
A nigga also needed a fuckin’ nap. My cell went off once more causing me to take a moment of stillness.
I was understanding the overstimulated complaints from my staff more and more.
I quickly showered, wrapped up in a towel, then stepped out to call him back.
It wasn’t nobody but Donnie checking in.
“Aye big bro’, he got two cars pulling in. What you want me to do?” he questioned. One thing I could count on Donnie to do was keep me in the loop on every move that was made. When it was time to work, games weren’t played.
“Sit tight. I just showered and shit at the condo. I got to scoop everybody else before I head that way. Give us ‘bout an hour. We gassing muthafuckas this go ‘round, Donnie. You good with that?”
I only asked cause he had asthma.
“As long as we masked up, I’m straight, bro’. Hit me when y’all on the way.” He disconnected the call, and I was hitting Dray seconds later.
He picked up with, “What’s up D-Row?”
“I stopped at the condo to get me right. I need you and Deonna to get the gas shit together. I’m ‘bout to scoop you. She went and got the throw away, right?”
“Yeah. She went and got it this morning.”
“Cool. Donnie said he got some guests over so pack enough. I need y’all in all black and everything covered. You know how this go,” I instructed.
“You ain’t telling me something I don’t already know, bro’. We’ll be ready.”
Hanging up, I handled my face and mouth.
By the time I stepped into my bedroom, there was a loud knock at the door.
Sol was the only person I was expecting.
She had a key so I was confused as to why she was knocking.
I went from covered in a towel to covered in a robe within seconds.
I could greet her the same way she greeted me at the room, but I really did have shit to do.
I was opening the front door moments later. In her hand was a large suitcase and a small duffle bag sitting on top of that. I took it from her and stepped to the side so she could enter. She did so, stopping briefly to show me some affection.
A gentle kiss was placed on my lips with her saying, “Hi baby. You look handsome.”