Cameron 6 by Jade Jones Page A

machinery. With a purple and silver theme, it was every mechanic’s utopia. Benzes, Lexuses, and Porsches were on full display with changed VIN numbers. Roxie felt sorry for the suckers who’d become victims. She hoped like hell they had great insurance coverage.
    Two beautiful, topless dancers performed on a small, circular stage for the fellas working on stolen cars. One of the women smiled flirtatiously at Roxie when she caught her staring.
    Roxie quickly looked away in embarrassment. “Has anyone seen or talked to Jude lately?” she asked to no one in particular.
    Everyone shook their heads at her question. “He ain’t been here all week,” one said. “Nobody’s seen the nigga.”
    Roxie huffed and puffed as she continued through the Warehouse, determined to get answers. Jude practically lived there, and it was odd that no one had seen him. Something was definitely up. There was no denying that.
    Roxie stopped at a closed door in the hallway. The window was fogged out so she couldn’t see inside, but she did hear voices on the opposite end. Without warning, she barged inside uninvited.
    Jude’s enforcer, Mike reached for his piece, but relaxed when he saw it was Roxie. Motherfuckers knew better than to interrupt a vital meeting. Well… most motherfuckers knew better. Then again, Roxie had always been the unruly type.
    Everyone’s heads whipped in her direction. All of Jude’s workers were seated at a long oak table. It was the same one King had beaten Vado on after finding out he was undercover. Seated at the head of it, like a father to his family, was Magyc. Right next to him was his older brother Michael.
    “Where is Jude? Why hasn’t anyone heard from him? What is going on with Cameron? I can’t get in touch with either of them. Can someone please fill me in?”
    “What the fuck is she doing here?” a member asked with a nasty attitude. First, Jude’s desertion and now this; the business was surely going to hell. There seemingly was no order present.
    “Aye, chill, I got her,” Magyc said, standing to his feet.
    Roxie watched as he swaggered over towards her. He was incredibly handsome that day in a Helmut Lang tee, designer jeans, and Martin Maison Margiela sneakers. His dreads were neatly tied to the back, and his gold jewelry shiny. Magyc’s swag was on a thousand.
    After steering her back out into the hallway, he discreetly closed the door behind himself.
    “What’chu doin’? You know you shouldn’t be here.”
    “I have every damn right to be here as you do!” Roxie snapped. “I was friends with them when you were still jimmying locks on cars.”
    Magyc frowned but remained calm after her fiery insult. “Feel better, ma?” he asked.
    Out of nowhere, Roxie broke down crying. “We talk everyday. I just don’t know why they cut me off. I don’t know if I did something wrong.”
    Magyc gently pulled her close and held her. “ Ssh. You ain’t did nothin’. Listen to me. What they goin’ through ain’t got shit to do with you. You hear me?”
    Roxie sniffled and nodded her head. When she realized how ridiculous she must’ve looked and sounded, she quickly straightened up.
    “I’m sorry,” she laughed nervously. “I know I’m being extra as hell now. Cameron’s my best friend. She’s like family. I just didn’t know what else to do — or who else to go to.”
    “Nah, you good,” he told her. “Look, just relax. Everything gon’ be good. They just need time and a lil’ space, a'ight. Have you eaten anything yet? You look a lil’ weary, no offense,” he quickly added.
    “No…”
    “Well, this what I want you to do. Pick a place — any place you might have a taste for. I’ma meet you there in ‘bout an hour. I need to finish handlin’ business with these niggas first. You got ‘em waitin’ on me,” he laughed.
    Roxie smiled and gave him a knowing look. “Is this some slick way of taking me out on a date?”
    Magyc chuckled, revealing the cutest set of