37

Word about Magic being murdered at his place of business spread quickly throughout the city and everyone suspected that Harlem was the killer. Still, no one would speak to the cops about it. They feared Harlem and didn’t want to be next on his list. Many took Magic’s death really hard—including Angel, who had grown close to him over the years he’d worked at the club. He was the one who found the body when he went to work that afternoon. Angel was emotionally distraught at the sight of his dead boss but he immediately called police.

When Rufus heard the news, he knew it was time to step up his gunplay and security on the streets. He had a gut feeling that Harlem would be coming for him soon and didn’t want to take any chances.

Rufus put out a $10,000 contract on Harlem’s head and hoped someone would bite at the chance to put that nigga in the ground. He started to carry two guns plus a shotgun for extra fire power just in case he got into a heated gun battle with his enemies.

However, the threat of Harlem didn’t deter Rufus from doing business. He still ran his organization with an iron fist and wouldn’t hesitate to shoot a man or woman down if they fucked with him or his money.

When Rufus heard the news about his Aunt Monica’s execution, including nine shots to the face, he was furious. He knew it was Harlem’s doing and vowed to hunt the madman down and murder him for what he did to his family.

He put extra soldiers out on the streets to hunt Harlem down. He upped the bounty to $60,000 and made sure security around him was tight. He also tried not to be too predictable in his movements around town. Rufus’s wrath would be felt throughout the city, and he wanted people to know that he was the man in charge.

The news of Monica Toma’s murder made the evening news. Many viewers were appalled by the gruesome death she suffered in her home. Police were all over the scene and declared that they would find the persons responsible for her death.

The homicide rate in the city was high, and the mayor wanted the violent murders to stop. He made an on-air statement in front of the city of viewers about forming a task force for the drugs and gangs that plagued his city. He seemed highly upset about the death of Monica Toma, as if he took her death personally.

With the police stepping up their investigations and patrols, Harlem decided to take a time-out from his killing spree and rethink his plans on exacting revenge. Rufus was his number-one target and he wanted the man’s head on a silver platter to serve up to his boss.

Everyone thought that Crown was dead when, in fact, he was alive and well. He wanted to keep his condition a secret and had Harlem pay off the doctors and staff to keep their mouths shut or else there would be hell to pay. When Harlem came to see Crown to report the murders, Crown smiled wickedly and said, “You are one cold muthafucka! I heard the news about YB’s mom. You shot the bitch nine times!”

“The bitch pissed me off,” Harlem replied.

Crown laughed. “I want YB and Rufus’s deaths to be even more gruesome. I want them two niggas to feel pain, and I want that bitch Chaos brought to me. Fuck her up in the process if you have to.”

“I’m on it. They’re in New York,” Harlem informed Crown.

“New York?”

“I checked the mother’s phone and noticed a few incoming calls from a 718 area code. I figured it had to be from her son.”

Crown smiled. “The fuckin’ Bronx.”

“What about the Bronx?” Harlem questioned.

“That’s where that bitch is from, the Bronx. Them two fled there for safety because it’s the only borough that bitch knows and calls home. So far yet so close,” Crown stated.

“You ready to take a trip out there and deal wit’ them bitches?” Harlem asked.

“Fuck yeah, but before we leave here, I want Rufus dead and in the dirt. And we need to pay Chaos’s cousin Bubbles a little visit. I’m sure she can give us some personal information about that bitch.”

“It’s already done,” Harlem smirked.

Crown smiled. Day by day, he was becoming his old self again. He’d been out of the game for a long moment now and planned to return to the streets of Philly. He would redeem his throne again and make those responsible for his fall suffer a wicked death by his right-hand man. Crown wanted to come out stronger and fiercer. Once his enemies were dead and gone, he would run the west side with hoes and drugs and have his name ring out once again.