Chapter 16
Nas
“I need this car to be delivered to California by Friday,” I instructed one of our drivers. “This is the location and if it’s done by Friday there will be a bonus.”
“I can handle that, Boss,” the driver accepted before grabbing the delivery ticket and leaving out.
I made my way back to my office where Chance was waiting on me.
The recruitment tour was a complete success, and the bricks were particularly flying off the wall.
We’d been back for two months and were almost out, so we were going to have to reach out to Juan for another shipment.
The last thing I wanted to do was be in a container ship for days again.
It was something I would never get used to but for my family I had to do what was needed.
“We are almost cleaned out,” Chance informed me.
“I was just thinkin’ that, but I ain’t tryna be in no damn shippin’ container,” I shook my head.
“I ain’t either but we got more reups comin’ up for these local niggas and on the streets the junkies are askin’ for our product specifically.”
“That’s what the fuck I like to hear. Welp, I’ll have Fernando reach out to Nina ‘bout how she wants us to play that.”
“Cool. Did you ever figure out what was goin’ on with Nessa?”
“Nawl. Like I said when we got back from vacation she had been a lil’ different and it’s confusin’ as fuck.”
“How she been different?”
“Aside from like her attitude damn near doin’ a thirty sixty to the point where I don’t get no attitude at all, but she’s been easygoing like no fight back with nothing I say or try to do.”
“Wait, ain’t that what you wanted?”
“I mean I wanted that plus her to be my girl again, but just gettin’ that is throwin’ me off.”
“Maybe that’s the start of you gettin’ the other thing you desire. Hell, at least you seein’ a difference after the vacation. It’s still the same energy with me and Yas. A nigga don’t know what to do next man.”
“You knew she was a tough one to crack, but you said the vacation was more like a thank you for how she treated yo’ daughter.”
“And I meant that. It just wouldn’t have hurt if she developed some romantic feelings for a nigga afterwards.”
“You know I ain’t gonna tell you to quit ‘cause like me if you feel it’s worth it to keep on fightin’ then do that.”
“I’ma chill out and let her be. You know I’m still knockin’ hoes down so it ain’t no pressure with me.”
“And that could be why she don’t take yo’ ass serious. You do know hoes talk and love to brag on fuckin’ with niggas with money, so yeah keep it up.”
We talked for a little while before we closed up the dealership.
Although the Santiago Cartel name was ringing loud throughout the city, I was happy that neither mine nor Chance’s name was on any radar.
The only thing we were known for was that anybody could come get a decent car for a decent price in the city.
So, my plan was moving exactly as I’d predicted it to.
This would allow me to keep a low profile and keep my family safe.
On the way to my house, I gave Fernando instructions to inform Nina of a reup that was needed.
As I continued my drive, I kept thinking back on how Nessa had been so easygoing these last two months.
Even to the point where she finally took my advice and quit her job.
That shit made me so happy because I didn’t want my lady to have to wipe no old folk’s ass for a living.
Don’t get me wrong, no disrespect to the profession but I know that wasn’t Nessa’s passion.
When I left, she wanted to sing and her voice was so beautiful.
Hell, the lick I was trying to hit before I got pinched was going to go towards her some studio time.
If we could’ve just made her a mixtape, I knew a record deal would’ve followed.
Life had other plans for her as it hit her hard, and she had to choose a more sensible path.
I’m just thankful that the decisions she made kept a roof over our child’s head.
“Yo’ who this?” I inquired as I answered my burner phone that started buzzing.
“It’s yo’ mama damn where yo’ manners?” Nina’s voice pierced my ears. “I know my mama taught yo’ lil’ lite bright ass better than that.”
“Man, what you want Ma?”
“Ooh, shit it only took months, but you finally called me Ma. Ahh, shit what happened?”
“Ain’t nothin’ happened,” I chuckled while rubbing my hand down my face. “I’m just showin’ you that I do have manners. Now you called me so wassup?”
“Oh, that’s right. That trip is gonna be traditional like the others. Send a request to your uncle and follow his instructions,” she spoke in code about the reup.
“Understood.”
“Ooh, how is Nessa?”
“She been nicer to me and I’m confused on the change, but I’ll take it.”
“Nothing else?”
“No, why you askin’ ‘bout her?”
“Dang, I just can’t check on my girl. Well, then I’ll keep ‘bout Nyla. How my G-baby doin’?”
“Good she’s lovin’ VPK. That lil’ girl too smart for her own good sometimes but I’ma let her be great.”
“As you should! Tell them both that I said hey and that I’m thinkin’ ‘bout them always. I gotta go.”
“Alright, I will and be safe Ma.”
“Always.”
I was pulling into my driveway just as our call came to an end.
My relationship with Nina improved tremendously during the vacation.
She dropped a couple of gems on a nigga about dealing with Nessa.
Speaking of Nessa, her car was parked in her driveway and as bad as I wanted to go over there I decided against it.
With me having to tell her that I’d be going to Puerto Rico again, I figured that would be better done over the phone just in case she flipped on a nigga.
After I finalized my arrival plan with Juan I decided to give Nessa a call.
“Hello,” Nessa groggily answered.
“Yo’ you ok?” I wondered as I stopped in my tracks ready to turn around and go to her house.
“Yeah, I’m good, Nas. I was just takin’ a nap. What’s goin’ on?”
“Ooh, ok. You know if you need anythin’ all you gotta do is just ask, right?”
“I know, Nasir. Now what’s goin’ on dang? If it’s nothin’I’m goin’ back to sleep.”
“Ooh, I just wanted to let you know that I had to run back to PR. My mom also checked in on you by askin’ how you were doin’.”
“And that’s all she said right?!”
“Yeah, why you so wound up?”
“No reason. Tell her I’m fine.”
“Um, ok. We’ll I’ma let you go back to sleep. Don’t forget to get Nyla and Chanel because Chance will be with me.”
“I know. This is something I’ve gotten used to. Bye Nasir.”
When we made it to Puerto Rico this time felt different.
Aside from Juan waiting on the steps outside for us, he was really chatty.
He’d been yapping but it didn’t hold much substance.
I wanted to cut it short because I really wasn’t trying to be here longer than I had to.
Clearing my throat, he stopped talking as he stared at me.
“Yo’ lil’ glory days stories all nice and shit but I’m tryna get my work and get the fuck on,” I made it crystal clear as I held his gaze.
“Tuh, I guess Nina was right about you being a money maker,” he tilted his head slightly. “You want the same amount for the reup?”
“Maybe best if you double it so I ain’t gotta come back here for a lil’ minute.”
“Oh, you don’t like my country?”
“Nawl, it’s cool and all but it ain’t nothin’ like the 305. So, when is the next shippin’ container goin’ out.”
“The work will leave when you do but you won’t be with it.”
“Why the fuck not?”
“Being a money maker comes with some perks. Like you don’t have to ride with the work anymore.”
“Perks huh? That explains why you were chatty earlier.”
“Just tryin’ to put you up on game in case you inspired to be more than a worker. Eh, you don’t have it in you, so I doubt you inspired to grow.”
“Oh really?”
“Yeah because gettin’ to my position takes extreme measures. Yo’ work ethic only gets you so far. You don’t give that you’re willin’ to go that far.”
“And how far is that?”
“Far like not allowin’ anything or anybody to stand in your way.”
The way he emphasized the word anybody piqued my interest. Before I could get deeper into what he was alluding to, one of his workers came in and whispered in his ear.
Juan’s face went cold for a moment before the smile returned.
For the first time he granted us access into the mansion that sat on the ranch.
He left us in the foyer while he walked away with the worker.
I looked around to take everything in, and these Spanish niggas were living large.
The sounds of footsteps hitting the marble floor grabbed my attention as I turned my head in that direction.
In walks Rafi, Nina and three other dudes dressed in all-black.
“Nina, take the men to my office,” Rafi instructed her as he stopped in front of me. She spoke no words but carried out her order as she continued on. “I hear you will be makin’ amends on our behalf.”
“Just handlin’ my business,” I acknowledged.
“The way you handle your business reminds me of someone.”
“I mean real niggas be hard to come by. So, maybe I remind you of a real ass nigga you once knew.”
He didn’t respond but instead squinted his eyes as he continued to look over at me.
My mind wondered if he’d put two and two together but decided not to show my hand.
If he knew I figured he’d ask Nina before just assuming.
When he walked away I released a breath I didn’t know I was holding.
Looking over at Chance his facial expression spoke exactly what I was thinking.
We continued to wait for Juan in silence as we stood there.
It took him about twenty minutes before he returned, and we continued with our business.