Chapter 11

 

From the roof, Jahad went straight to Michelle’s apartment to drop off some money. With all the drama he had been through Michelle was just the person to help clear his mind. Emma could do the trick too, but there was no one like his mother.

Over the past month, Michelle’s apartment had undergone an expensive makeover, compliments of Jahad. The living room was decked out with a brand new white leather sectional, a large oval shaped glass table, decorated with crystal ornaments, and a forty-two inch flat screen television posted on the wall across from the poster size picture of John Copeland that Michelle had enlarged. The shabby beige carpet had been replaced with white carpet, the walls painted the same white shade.

The kitchen now held new appliances and a second hand dining room table Jahad bought from the same white couple he bought the furniture for the studio from. The carpenters who remodeled the studio came in and tore out the old gray tile floor replacing it with yellow and white tiles that coordinated with the new wallpaper.

All three bedrooms had new carpet, beds, and dressers. Jahad’s old room he shared with Koran was laced with a new computer, stereo system, and television hooked up to a Playstation; a little something extra for Koran since he was maintaining his straight “A” average and staying out of trouble. The best part about everything, Jahad bought most of the furniture and appliances hot off the street, going through Budda.

Michelle was in the kitchen when he came in rambling through her new refrigerator while singing an old Gladys Knight song. Jahad stood in the doorway for a moment, listening as she held the notes to “Midnight Train to Georgia”, almost better than Gladys.

“What up Ma-Duke?” Maybe I should put you on one of my albums. Son and mother collabo.”

Michelle turned from the refrigerator and gave him a warm smile, “Hey boy. I was wondering if you were coming to see me today. I saved a plate for you just in case.”

“That’s why I love you so much,” he crossed the kitchen and kissed her on the cheek, “I got some dough for you too. It won’t be long before you have enough to buy your crib. Thought about where you wanna move to yet?”

“Yes, but you might not like it.” Michelle said, putting his plate of turkey wings, string beans, mashed potato’s, and corn on the cob in the microwave.

“As long as you get away from these slums I’ll be happy.”

“North Carolina.”

“North what?”

“North Carolina. That’s where I plan on moving to. I already priced some houses in Raleigh.”

Jahad frowned, “Why you wanna move way down south for? I thought you’d say Jersey or Connecticut.”

“That’s where our roots are. My grandparents were from North Carolina; I imagine we still have family down there. It might take a while to look them all up. Besides, I’m tired of living in the city. Country life will do me good. It will be good for Koran too. I won’t have to worry so much.”

“That’s were you gon’ catch beef at. I told Kay something along the same lines. Guess what he told me?”

“What?”

“He said if we make him move he gon’ start wilin’ for real. He wasn’t joking either.”

“I’ll beat his ass too!” Michelle said angrily.

“I told him the same thing. He said it wouldn’t stop him.”

“So he expects me to leave him up here with you?”

“Yep. I told him it was up to you. He’s been coolin’ out since I been home so I don’t got no problems with it as long as he keep his grades up.”

Michelle held Jahad’s eyes with a straight face, “I’ll think about it, but if I do let him stay, promise you won’t let him get caught up in the street. Promise me Jahad!”

“You know I want the best for him, just as you much as you do. I got him Ma.” Jahad replied but would swallow those same words years later.

~~~~

On the way to Janet’s apartment, his conversation with Michelle played heavily on his mind. Never once had he broken a promise to his family, but the situation with the Coco Twins could cause him to do just that. If he went through with what he had planned then most likely he wouldn’t be around to keep Koran from trying to follow in his backward footsteps. Jahad had never backed down from any beef, it wasn’t in his blood to back down. Now for the first time in his life he considered trying to make peace. Not for his own sake, but Koran’s.

Entering Janet’s building, as he walked towards the elevator, it slid open and the same arrogant Puerto Rican he bumped into months ago stepped out. His entire outfit was Louis Vuitton. Beige Louis Vuitton slacks, black suede Louis Vuitton dress shoes, and a black and beige Louis Vuitton wool sweater. A split second later, Jahad’s mouth dropped open when another Puerto Rican walked out looking exactly like the first dressed in regular street gear. Black Iceburg jeans, a black hoodie, black Timberlands, wearing a black and white Averix leather jacket.

Instantly, alarms went off in Jahad’s head seeing the two twins. They couldn’t possibly be who he thought they were, but there was only one way to find out.

“Ayo Hector?” he called out reaching under his jacket for the gun he took off Manuel earlier.

Both twins snapped their heads in his direction, but the clad in Louis Vuitton answered, “Yeah, and you are?”

A crooked smile creased the corners of Jahad’s mouth, “Ain’t this some shit... I’m Jah.”

José gave Jahad a hatred filled scowl, while hector studied him with a curious smile. José, ignorant to the fact that Jahad already had his gun in hand, made an attempt to pull his gun. Luckily Hector grabbed his arm, in the process saving both their lives. “I don’t think that would be a good idea José. Our friend here might not agree with your decision.” Hector said keeping his eyes on Jahad, who now held the 9mm beside his leg with the hammer cocked back.

“You know, I could body both of you right now and be done with it,” Jahad addressed Hector feeling in his gut that he was the twin to appeal to, “I’d rather go about it another way tho’.”

“For what reason would you want to kill us?” Hector asked, his smile turning into a sad frown, “We’ve done nothing to you.”

“C’mon man, you know what’s up. Your man beat my man ass, I beat your man ass, and then shit got outta control. That was your mans fault tho’... now from what I heard the Coco Twins ain’t to be fucked with, but I feel the same way about my team, so the outcome will probably go something like this. Since we’re outnumbered eventually my whole clique will get bodied, but not before we merk alotta your people. Or I could merk both of you right now and put an end to the threat, but then I might have to worry about the police.”

Hector nodded, “I see you’re a thinker. That may prove to be valuable for both of us since I plan to turn the park over to you anyway.”

“You what?”

“You heard me. Just a few days ago, my brother and I were discussing you so it’s fortunate we happened to meet before things went too far. And for the record, what happened to your friend Cream wasn’t my doing. Certain members of my family felt he was ungrateful after all the gratitude we’ve shown him and took matters into their own hands.” Hector cut his eyes at José.

Jahad looked at José, “Whoever these family members are, I’m pretty sure they know Cream ain’t built like that. I wonder why they ain’t go at somebody else in my clique? Personally, I think a muthafucka who picks their battles are cowards.”

“You Moreno bastard!” José hissed and started towards Jahad. “If it was left up to me I’d kill all you muthafuckas like I...”

“José!” Hector shouted, snatching his twin by the arm, “Act like you have some damn sense!”

“Obviously it ain’t up to you scrams, if it was tho’ killing us wouldn’t be as easy as you think.”

“Nobody will be doing any killing,” Hector broke in, “Jahad please excuse my brother’s brashness. He tends to fly off the handle at times.”

José glanced at Hector frowning then gave Jahad one last malicious glare before he stormed out the building. Jahad watched him leave to make sure he wouldn’t try to shoot him in the back, then faced Hector.

“So the beef is dead right? I mean, I don’t have to worry about your brother going behind your back, doing some corny shit do I?”

“As far as I’m concerned there was never any beef and José is well aware that I want you on our team. So you have nothing to fear?”

“Fear?” Jahad snorted, “Never that. The worst thing that can happen to me is I get bodied. Like I said tho’, I won’t die easy.”

“I’m sure you won’t.” Hector replied thinking he could kill Jahad tonight if he chose to, “If you don’t mind I’d rather get off the subject of killing and death... Call it fate or whatever you want to call it, but we met today for a reason so I say we seize the opportunity. I’m offering you the park as a gesture of my goodwill. Now, it comes with certain stipulations. You have...”

“Ayo, hold up man. Before you get it twisted, you ain’t gon’ be pimpin’ me like you were doing my mans. Another thing, we won’t be out there too much longer either. What we doing now is just a stepping stone for something greater.”

“And what might that be if you don’t mind me asking?”

“The music industry. It’s only a matter of time before we blow, so in a few more months you can have the park back.”

“That’s really not my concern.”

“What is?”

“You are. My brother is short sighted. Me, I can see your potential. Now hear me out, for the past few months you’ve been making money in my park free of charge. I personally held my brother back from...”

“Your park?” Jahad cut him off frowning, “When did it become your park?”

“I said hear me out!” Hector snapped sternly, holding up his hand, “The Park I’ll turn over to you and your family, and pull my people out. All I ask is that you buy your product from me. As far as your music, there’s no reason for me to put on any airs. I know all about what you have planned; the studio on Webster Avenue, down to the people you bought your stolen equipment from. So I’ll be blunt, I want in.”

Jahad’s answer would decide his fate.

“You want in?” Jahad raised the gun, “I know you ain’t trying to put pressure on me. Ain’t shit sweet here Duke!”

“No, no. You misunderstood me,” Hector said quickly, “I’m speaking about a partnership. I have contacts with some heavy hitters already in the industry who I can turn you on to. Advertisement and promotion, I’ll handle. All I ask is for a small percentage; say thirty percent.”

Jahad’s mind raced wondering how Hector knew so much about him. The implication led to a thought he couldn’t fathom. One thing he was certain of though, there was no way in hell he would let Hector get his hand mixed up in his record label. The thought, he kept to himself. The twins, Hector in particular, carried a very dangerous aura, like that of a scorpion, quiet and deadly, despite his polished articulate manner and five thousand dollar outfits. “How you know so much about me man?”

“There isn’t too much that goes on inside the Bronx period that I don’t know. That’s not the issue. Are you gonna let me help you or not?”

“Let me sleep on it. I’ll get back at you.”

“Certainly.” Hector smiled, “Unfortunately the park isn’t up for discussion. You said from what you heard that I’m not one to be fucked with. Let me assure you, what you heard is exactly right. It’s my product you move or nothing. If I continue to let you do it, before long someone else will try it, then another. That would be a lot of unnecessary murders. I’m sure you understand.”

“No doubt, I understand. You still putting pressure on me, only from a different angle.”

This was the first time anyone had ever tried to force a decision on him and Jahad didn’t like it. Didn’t like it at all.

Hector shook his head, “You’re looking at it all wrong Jahad. Sometimes you have to bend a little in order to get ahead. Look at what I’m doing, I’m offering you a whole lot in exchange for so little out of respect for who you are.”

Warning bells went off in Jahad’s head again by the way Hector said, “Who you are”. It was on an intimate level like they had history together.

“Put yourself in my shoes,” Hector continued, “if you were controlling these streets would you allow someone to move in on your territory without paying taxes. All I expect is that you buy your product from me. I’m going beyond being reasonable.”

“On the strength of who I am, right?”

Hector nodded, “And your potential. I shouldn’t say this with you having that gun in your hand, but anyone else would be dead now.”

“Is that a threat?”

“No, not at all. I’m speaking facts.”

“So, if I don’t buy my coke from you, what you sayin’ is I’m dead right?”

Hector held Jahad’s stare without answering, his mind already made up that Jahad would have to die. He had qualities Hector admired, qualities Hector guessed were installed by the same person he himself mimicked. It was those same qualities though, that made him come to his decision. Jahad was too cocky, too head strong, and wasn’t willing to bend, not even an inch. This could prove to be a problem in the future. He was also smart enough not to tell Hector no, when it came to a partnership, although it was written all over his face.

“You know, I ain’t feeling this shit, I’m a rock with you tho’, and don’t get the idea like I’m a be your lieutenant either. I’m telling you now, when I say I’m done, I’m done. Now with the coke, I’m paying fifteen dollar a gram for some now. I ain’t go no problems agreeing to your prices, as long as the coke is good. If not we gon’ have to work something out.”

Hector smiled, covering his anger. Jahad acted like he ran the show, “Whatever you suggest. Tomorrow we’ll get everything settled.”

“No doubt. You want my cell number or should I take yours?”

“There’s no need. I’ll be in touch.”

~~~~

The white CL600 Mercedes Benz, idled quietly as Hector approached, his thoughts on the perfect way to end Jahad’s life. Hector wanted him to suffer. Not physically, but mentally, so the pain would be much worse. The most important thing to Jahad he figured was his music. That’s where it would begin. Once his dream was destroyed, next would be his friends, then his family. Before he ended his miserable life, Jahad would know the cost of challenging the Coco Twins.