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“This shit is getting too far out of control. We don’t know what Jihad or Shawn is thinking. What the fuck are we gonna do now?” Terry said, hoping that Mack would provide a decent answer. He drove through light Philadelphia traffic. Every occupant of every vehicle that he gazed at appeared to be starting their morning off wonderfully, without a care in the world. Some were involved in conversations, some were singing along to music, and others were simply living in the moment. This was not the case for Terry and Mack. The news of Keith being killed had both of them on edge. Their stress levels had dramatically risen to a peak.
“We don’t have no other choice but to kill ‘em ourselves.” Mack revealed his thoughts, glancing at Terry who looked perplexed. “What else can we do, sit back, and play dumb while they rock us to sleep? We sent a fuckin’ hit out on them niggas and they ain’t dead. You think we can just go back to business like everything’s normal? I know Shawn and you know Jihad. They ain’t stupid or scared.”
“Yeah, you’re right.” The vivid image of Terry putting a bullet into Jihad’s head sent a chill rushing down his spine. The wicked lifestyle of the streets had placed him in such a position that ending the life of his long time friend was now a likely option.
They made their way to Dynasty Rental. Both in deep thought and heavily burdened by their predicament.
Terry finally broke the silence, “There may be another option.”
“What’s that?”
“What if we give Jihad and Shawn the streets?”
“I don’t get it.”
“We’ve been kicking around the idea of leaving the drug game alone for a while now. We’re making a ton of money with Marty, and the company is doing better than we’ve ever imagined. If we give them the plug on the coke they’ll have what they always wanted and it’ll give us a way out of the game.”
“Give them the plug?” Mack asked in disbelief. “The only thing I’m trying to give them niggas is a big bullet to the head. We’re in a quiet war against them and you’re trying to give them the opportunity to make more money, which will give them more power. That goes against the rules of the game!” He stared blankly out of the parked car’s window. “I’m not giving them the money and power to crush us.”
“You’re looking at it all wrong, bruh,” Terry said. “First of all, we’re going to limit what they can buy. Second, we’re washing our hands with the streets. We’re distancing ourselves from them. They won’t see us as a threat.”
“I don’t know about this, T.”
“We gotta get out of this game and this is the smartest way to do it. Look at all the legends of Philly that you told me about: Ace, Giovanni, the Junior Black Mafia. They made it to the top, but they didn’t make it out. We have to learn from their mistakes.” Terry looked over to Mack, who appeared to be in contemplation. “Every time you made a call that I didn’t agree with, I went with you. That’s because I trust you. I need you to ride with me on this one, bruh.”
The momentary silence seemed to last forever until Mack spoke up. “Fuck it. I’ma ride with you. Let’s do it.”
Terry called Jihad, and Mack called Shawn. They were both given instructions to come to Dynasty Rentals right away. Illegal business had never before been conducted or discussed there, but it was one of the only places that everyone would feel comfortable meeting.
Terry and Mack rehashed their plan while waiting for their guests. Within an hour Shawn and Jihad showed up together, which meant it was more than likely they had already discussed the possibilities of why the meeting was called, and devised a plan themselves.
Jihad opened the door and they cautiously entered the private office. There was no denying the tension that lingered in the air like a foul stench.
“What’s going on? Have a seat,” Terry offered.
“Nah. I think we’ll stand,” Jihad countered defiantly.
“I know what went down with you and Keith, but don’t come up in here like we got beef!” Mack spat and stood.
“I think we are beefin’!” Shawn erupted in a rage of his own.
“Nigga, who the fuck you talkin’ to? If I had a problem with you, I’d just blow your fuckin’ head off! Don’t none of you niggas want a problem with me!” Mack was unable to contain his anger.
“So, what’s up?” Jihad stood his ground, right hand close to his waist where a gun undoubtedly rested.
“Move your hand closer to your waist and we gon’ find out who’s the best,” Mack growled. His hand in close proximity to his gun as well.
“Listen, we all know what we can do. But that’s not why ya’ll was called down here,” Terry spoke up in an effort to diffuse the stand-off. “I’m losing too many of my niggas to this bullshit. We used to have to worry about the opposition knocking us off, now we got to worry about the ones closest to us. When I become weary of my own friends, that means something’s gotta change. I know ya’ll think we did some grimey shit. And, keepin’ it a stack, we think ya’ll did some snake shit. But the bottom line is I don’t know, and neither do ya’ll. So what I’m going to do is make myself believe that ya’ll wouldn’t cross us, and hopefully you two will do the same on our behalf.”
“What, we’re supposed to just put our thoughts to the side and act like everything’s perfect? Keep it real, my nigga.” Jihad stepped closer to the desk. “Shit has changed between us. We’re not what we used to be. We’ve drifted too far apart to get back to where we were.”
“You’re right, Jihad. We have different goals now. I’m more focused on building a legitimate empire. You’re still intent on controlling the streets. I’m definitely not knocking that. I’m...we’re just moving in different directions.”
“No matter what we’re going through, at the end of the day we still got love for ya’ll,” Mack spoke up, after allowing his temper to settle. “That’s why we called ya’ll down here. We decided to leave the streets alone, and focus on the legit business. Instead of shutting down the operation and leaving you to fend for yourself, we wanted to see if you wanted to take over.”
Jihad couldn’t believe what he heard. “I don’t believe you, and I don’t know if I can trust you.” He took a step back and folded his arms across his chest.
“Listen, my nigga,” Terry spoke in a direct tone, inadvertently showing a hint of impatience. “The only thing that changed is my game plan. This money ain’t make me soft. I’m still that nigga. If I wanted to go to war with you I would do so, and I won’t stop until blood is spilled – either yours or mine. But I know that all battles must be chosen wisely. I have the ability to choose my friends as well as my enemies. You’re not my enemy. We’re just on a different path. I’d rather for us to go our separate ways than for us to be out here trying to kill each other.”
“So, you want us to believe that you’re just going to give us the connect?” Shawn asked.
“No, I’m not giving you the connect,” Terry responded. “I’m gonna make sure you get ten bricks a month. Nothing more, nothing less. I’m also going to put a ten percent markup on the back end. This is how it’s going to be: Shawn, you have to drop the money off to Julio’s garage. Jihad, a few days later Julio will give you a call to come and pick up the work. During both the drop off and pick up both of you are to be alone. I’ll be calling you every month for my ten percent. If the money is ever off, or you deviate from the plan in any way, I’m shutting it down permanently. I want ya’ll to be mindful that this thing is bigger than me. Don’t allow greed to overpower your common sense. Your actions can impact your families.”
The power of Terry’s words jolted Jihad and Shawn. They understood that he was basically telling them that if anything goes awry, the Zeta Cartel would become involved. Nonetheless, the offer presented to them was accepted. All four men shook hands. Jihad and Shawn left the building knowing their lives were about to shift dramatically. The direction of that shift would depend on their decisions...