Chapter 3 #2
“Yes, gay!” Irish confirmed, shooting bullets with her eyes. “Your wife was a homophobic bitch, who didn’t want any parts of Jovanis. So, she sent him with his uncles, who were terrible influences. She’d rather him be a hood nigga than gay.”
“I would never.” Margie clutched her chest, bringing her tone down.
“Oh, yes, you did. You're the one who ruined your relationship with your son, not me. So don't you dare put the blame on me. And if you ever in your life, repeat that I’m the one that had Jovanis killed, I’m going to fuck you up!”
“Uh, I think it’s time for you both to go so we can process this news,” Alain suggested.
Irish rolled her eyes at Margie, who had returned to her crying fit. She’d never had any ill feelings toward her until now. When Jovanis would express his disdain for his mom, Irish always tried to remain neutral. Yet, seeing how her first go-to was to blame Irish for his death really enraged her.
“Come on, Irish. Let’s go,” Cali said, heading for the door.
Irish followed her but stopped when Margie called her name. Turning around, she peered at the painful expression on her face.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to blame you. I’m just hurt.”
Their pain mirrored each other’s. Irish was in a state of agony, too.
She had lost one of the most important people in her life.
She still had a responsibility to keep it together for the sake of Jovanis.
Irish didn’t respond. Accepting her apology wasn’t at the top of her priority list, so she left without acknowledging it.
As soon as she and Cali got inside the car, Zavier pulled away, heading back to the condo.
“I almost beat another bitch’s ass tonight. Jovanis’ mama better watch her fucking mouth.”
With her face warped in a frown, Irish asked, “Who ass you had to beat?”
“Girl.” She sat back in the seat, shaking her head. “So much shit happened before I got the news about Jovanis. I was at the beach party with my sister and saw Rozalin there. Guess who she was hugged up on?”
“Who?”
“Rio?”
Irish’s hands flew to cover her gaping mouth. Cali nodded, confirming what she’d just revealed.
“That bitch was all over my fucking ex, like we wasn’t cool. She kissed him, and he felt up on her ass. All I saw was red. I went over there and beat her ass.”
“Did you ask what the fuck she was thinking?”
“Ask?” Cali chuckled. “Girl, I wasn’t asking shit when the proof was in my face.”
“What did Rio say?”
“He couldn’t say shit. He tried to deny that he didn’t use her to get back at me but I know that’s bullshit.”
“Yeah, that’s some big bullshit,” Irish agreed. “Wow, Rozalin really ain't shit. That bitch been plotting on him. I remember when he was in the hospital, she admitted that she saw him as eye candy when she’d go see her mother in Havenwood.”
Cali kissed her teeth. “Why you ain't tell me?”
“Because you were stressed out, hoping Rio would pull through. I wasn’t about to bring something that I thought was trivial to you during that time.”
“Well as you can see that shit wasn’t so trivial.
” Cali nibbled on her cuticle. “It woke me up, though. Showed me how vindictive Rio was. I know I fucked up but he went out his way to get me back. I told him we were even. I’m not spending another day mourning our marriage. I’m officially moving on with my life.”
Irish was relieved her friend had come to that conclusion. The depression and isolation Cali had trapped herself in deteriorated her. Irish was proud she had made the decision to fight for her sanity.
“I love to hear that. I wish you could spread that to me. I know the road ahead won’t be easy.”
“It won’t,” Cali muttered, “but I'm here, and we’ll get through it together.”
Irish nodded, wishing it was as easy as Cali made it seem.
“When we go back to the condo, you should try to get some rest.”
Irish chuckled, knowing sleep wouldn’t be her companion anytime soon.
Tuck sat at the table, looking down at the chessboard.
For twenty-two hours of the day, he was confined to a 7 x 10 feet cell.
There was no window, the scent of fresh air was non-existent, and his cellmate was an annoying-ass white man who didn’t know when to shut up.
When the doors were opened, Tuck damn near ran out the cell, hoping to gain his sanity again.
He made his first move, watching closely as Champ made his. He had been in TLM when Tuck was the general. They’d gotten locked up together on a RICO charge. Champ had gotten eight years while Tuck had gotten ten.
“Man, I gotta get some bread. The fucking house ‘bout to go in foreclosure,” Champ sighed in defeat.
Tuck stared at the board. “Word? Wifey better go shake that ass.”
Champ smacked his lips before he chortled. “I wish the fuck she would… Aye, I got confirmation that that move happened,” he muttered.
Tuck smirked, cuffing his chin between his index finger and thumb. “Oh, yeah?”
“Yeah, the word spread quick as a bitch. The whole hood talking about it.”
Out of all the deaths Tuck had ordered throughout his tenure as TLM general, this one was special. Jovanis had forgotten who the boss was. Exposing him for the entire city to see was a death wish that he gladly granted.
“Who you got to do that shit?” Champ asked.
Tuck moved one of his pawns. “My secret weapon.”
“Get the fuck outta here.” Champ chortled. “I already know who it was but I’ll let you believe that I don't know. You think Noble gon’ feel some kinda way about you ordering hits without his approval?”
Tuck snorted. “Man, fuck him. TLM is my shit. He’s only there temporarily. Shit, he lucky I ain't packed his ass up outta there since I'm done with him.”
“Why?”
“‘Cause he’s a hoe-ass nigga who only cares about himself. He done shitted on me one too many times. I’m done with him.”
“I feel you, fam.”
They continued playing until Tuck won the game. Afterward, he excused himself to go make a call. Skipping the line, he stood in front of the man who was on a phone call.
“Hey, baby, I’ma call you back, alright,” the man said, focusing on Tuck.
He then hung up the receiver and stepped aside. Tuck grabbed the phone and dialed a number. When the operator put him through, he heard the sweetest voice that had ever graced his ears.
“Hey, bae.”
“What’s up, baby? You good?”
Hallie sighed. “No, I’ve been arguing online all day with people who are coming at you crazy.”
“Fuck them,” he said in a dismissive tone. “Them mothafuckas gone believe what they wanna believe.”
“I know but it makes me mad that they can look at a clearly doctored video and believe it. I’ve been cursing those bitches out all morning.”
Hallie was the only girl that had Tuck’s heart.
Only a few knew of her, and he preferred it that way.
She was a suburban girl who grew up in a two-parent home and was shielded by the realities of Tuck’s world.
Being the only girl that had his heart, Tuck invested in her nail salon that was located in Emerald Village.
He kept her out of the city in a four-bedroom house that he had purchased before he got locked up.
“Aye, I told you to ignore they ass. You don’t need to be on the front line for me. I’m supposed to protect you.”
“Yeah, you're right.”
It was so easy to game Hallie. She didn’t know when men were full of shit. Admittedly, she was gullible and Tuck used that to his advantage.
“You know when I get out, I’m going to marry you. What colors you want our wedding to be?”
She giggled. “Tuck don't be gassing me up. You know getting married is high on my priority list.”
“I’m serious,” he stated, meaning every word.
Tuck dabbled with men in his spare time but he wanted to settle down with a woman. Time was ticking and years were being added onto his life. He didn’t want to be released from jail and live like a bachelor. He wanted a woman that would love him, unconditionally. Hallie was that girl for him.
“You my heart, baby. There’s nobody else I’d rather settle down with. You know that.”
“Yes, bae. I do.”
“You know I love you, right?”
“Yes,” she gushed, eating up his sweet words. “I love you, too.”
Tuck smiled, relishing how innocent she sounded. “Good girl. Keep it tight for me. You need anything?”
“No, I’m good at the moment.”
“A’ight, I’ll hit you up later. Be good, ma.”
“Okay, bye.”
Tuck ended the call and walked to his cell.
Closing the door, he looked out the small window to ensure no one was lurking.
When it was safe to proceed, he reached under his mattress and grabbed his burner phone.
Powering it on, he noticed a few text messages but didn’t reply right away.
Quickly, he dialed a number and leaned against the wall.
“Yeah.”
“You big dawg now,” Tuck teased.
“Don't call gassing me up, nigga.”
“Nah, I’m for real. I didn’t think you would pull it off but you surprised me, fam. I’ma have to make you my bodyguard when I get out.”
“Ha, ha, ha. Bitch, you ain't funny.”
“Nah, for real. You handled that shit, my nigga. I heard mufuckas acting like they were really sad over Van and shit.”
“I wouldn’t know. Out of sight out of mind. But I think we should handle something else.”
Tuck’s brows rumpled. “What’s that?”
“Noble. He gotta go. I tried to kill his bitch but she was protected. He’s gonna come for you so you should clip him before that happens.”
“Fuck you mean? That’s on you ‘cause I’m covered. Noble knows not to fuck with me.”
As contentious as their relationship was, Tuck was confident in Noble not retaliating against him. For one, he didn’t care for Jovanis and two, they were family.
“Listen, shit is only going to get worse between y’all. If you're expecting to reclaim your throne, he’s gotta go.”
Tuck briefly mulled over that thought. Noble claimed his position was only temporary but he hadn’t made any moves to leave.
“Yeah, you might be right. I’ll think of something.”
“No need to. I’m already on it. When you get that confirmation that it was done, you’ll know who it was.”
Tuck grinned. “My nigga. I knew you was a real one.”
“Shut the fuck up, Tuck.”
Chuckling, he powered the phone off and slid it under the mattress. Knowing he was still in power behind bars gave him an adrenaline boost. Noble was his blood but he had ultimately fucked him over. It was time for him to pay for his lack of loyalty.