CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
Yatta
I pulled up to Paradise Lounge around eleven, my rented Durango sitting clean in the parking lot.
Detroit was cold as fuck in November, the wind cut through my jacket soon as I stepped out.
But this trip was necessary, Business been booming ever since me and Sosa started working togethere a year ago, and Banks was one of my most solid customers out here.
I walked through the front entrance where the bouncer nodded at me. he knew who I was by now. The club was jumping, music thumping, strippers on stage doing they thing. But I wasn't here for none of that. I was here to handle business.
I spotted Banks in his usual spot, VIP section in the back corner.
He was a big nigga, dark-skinned, dreads hanging past his shoulders, gold teeth shining when he smiled.
He ran the East Side of Detroit, had his hands in everything from the clubs to the trap houses.
"Yatta!" He stood up when he saw me, dapping me up and pulling me in for a quick hug. "My nigga! Right on time."
"You know how I move. I ain't never late when it come to this money."
"That's what I like to hear. Come on, let's go to the office."
I followed him through the club, past the bar and the stages, until we got to a door in the back. He unlocked it and we stepped into his office, nice setup, leather furniture, big ass desk, money counter on the side table.
"You got that for me?" I asked, getting straight to it.
"You know I do." Banks walked over to a safe in the corner, punched in the code, and pulled out a black duffle bag. He tossed it on the desk. "Hundred and fifty bands, just like we talked about."
I unzipped it, seeing them stacks of cash rubber-banded together. I pulled out one of them money counters I always kept on me and started running through a few stacks, just to make sure shit was right. Banks ain't never shorted me before, but I ain't get to where I was by being careless.
"It's all there," Banks said, pouring himself a drink. "You want one?"
"Nah, I'm good. I gotta hit the road soon."
"You driving back tonight?"
"Yeah. I got shit to handle in the morning."
Banks nodded, sipping his Hennessy. "Business been good on your end?"
"Real good. Sosa got that fire, and niggas is loving it. I'm moving weight like crazy, bro. Shit is sweet right now."
"That's what's up. Sosa good people, and his shit is top tier."
"Facts." I zipped the duffle bag back up after I was satisfied everything was straight. Then I reached into my jacket and pulled out my own bag, a smaller one, but heavy as fuck. I set it on the desk.
"That's your re-up. Same shit as last time. You know how it go."
Banks opened it, pulling out one of the vacuum-sealed bricks. He examined it, nodding in approval.
"Yeah, this that good shit right here. My niggas is gon' eat this up."
"No doubt. Just hit me when you ready for more."
"Bet." He dapped me up again. "You sure you don't wanna stay for a minute? I got some bad bitches in here tonight. I can set you up real nice."
I laughed, shaking my head. "Nah, I'm cool. I got somebody waiting on me back home."
"Oh word?" Banks raised his eyebrows, grinning. "Yatta got a girl? Since when?"
"It ain't even like that. We just... Chillin’."
"Mhm. A'ight, nigga. Whatever you say."
I grabbed the duffle bag full of cash and headed out. "I'll hit you next week."
"Bet. Drive safe, my nigga."
I threw the duffle in the trunk of the Durango and got in, starting it up and letting the heat blast. My phone was sitting in the cup holder and I saw I had a missed call from Zurie. A smile crept on my face without me even meaning to.
I called her back, putting it on speaker as I pulled out the parking lot.
She answered on the second ring, her voice soft and sleepy.
"Hey."
"What's good, mamas. You up?"
"Barely. I was dozing off but I heard my phone ring." She yawned.
"You done handling your business?"
"Yeah, I'm leaving Detroit now. About to hit the road."
"You driving back tonight? Yatta, it's almost midnight."
"I know. I'll be straight though. I done drove later than this before."
"You be doing too much," she said, but I could hear the smile in her voice. "You need to rest."
"I'll rest when I get home. I got shit to do tomorrow."
"You always got shit to do. When you gon' slow down?"
"When this money slow down."
She laughed, and damn, I loved that sound. "You so stupid."
"Nah, I'm just focused. But I'm tryna see you when I get back though."
"Yeah?"
"Yeah. It's been a minute since I seen you."
"Whose fault is that? You the one always out of town."
"I know, I know. But I'm making it up to you. I'ma come see you tonight."
"Yatta, it's gon' be like three in the morning by the time you get here."
"So? You gave me a key for a reason, right?" She was quiet for a second, and I could picture her biting her lip the way she always did when she was thinking.
"You really coming?"
"Yeah. I'm coming."
"Okay," she said softly. "I miss you."
I felt my chest tighten a little bit, that feeling I always got when she said shit like that. I ain't used to this, caring about somebody this much, wanting to be around them, missing them when I'm gone. But Zurie did something to me.
"I miss you too, mama."
"Drive safe, okay? Text me when you get close."
"I got you."
"Okay. Goodnight, Yatta."
"Goodnight, Zurie Maddox."
I hung up with a smirk still on my face as I merged onto the highway.
My mind was already on how she looked the last time I saw her, how she smelled, how she smiled at me when I said some slick shit.
Zurie was different from all the other females I used to fuck with.
She wasn't pressed, she wasn't on no drama shit, nor was she trying to trap me or get in my pockets. She was just... her.
We had a connection, real shit. But we ain't cross that line yet.
She was still healing, still getting herself together, and I respected that.
Plus, I was always on the move, always out of town handling business.
But that don't mean I ain't want her. Because I did. And I wanted her in the worst way.
* * *
The drive back to Chicago was long as fuck, but I was used to it by now. I stopped once to get gas and grab some snacks, but other than that I just drove straight through, my mind on Zurie the whole time.
By the time I pulled up to her condo in Hyde Park, it was damn near three in the morning. The building was quiet, all the lights off except for the streetlamps outside. I parked in the guest spot and grabbed my phone, texting her.
Me: I'm outside
She ain't text back, she was probably already sleep. I got out the car, locked it, and headed up to her floor. When I got to her door, I pulled out the key she gave me a few months ago and unlocked it, stepping inside quietly.
The condo was dark except for the little nightlight she kept on in the hallway. I locked the door behind me and kicked off my shoes, making my way to her bedroom.
The door was cracked open, and I could hear her breathing, soft and steady. I pushed it open slowly, letting my eyes adjust to the darkness. She was knocked out, laying on her side, her bonnet on, the covers pulled up to her chin. JJ was in his room down the hall.
I stripped down to my boxers and slid into bed next to her, moving slow so I wouldn't wake her up. But soon as I laid down, she stirred, turning over to face me.
"Yatta?" Her voice was groggy, sleepy.
"Yeah, it's me. Go back to sleep."
She scooted closer, her body pressing up against mine, and I wrapped my arm around her, pulling her in. She fit perfectly, her head resting on my chest, her hand on my stomach.
"You made it," she mumbled, half asleep.
"I told you I was coming."
"Mhm."
I kissed her forehead, my lips lingering there for a second. "Go to sleep, mamas. I'm right here."
"I'm glad," she whispered, her voice barely audible.
I felt her body relax against mine, her breathing evening out as she drifted back to sleep.
I just laid there, holding her, staring up at the ceiling.
This felt right, being here with her, holding her, taking care of her.
It was different from anything I ever felt before, and that shit scared me a little bit. But it also felt good.
I closed my eyes, letting myself drift off, my hand rubbing her back slowly. For the first time in a long time, I felt at peace.