were doing more business. “Mami, I have some major moves to make. I got a spot off of Southern Avenue that I have on lock, and I am looking to move a few more bricks through that way. I need to venture out a little more too. There is a drought on the Southside, and I am trying to get these thirsty ass niggas a drink. You feel me?” I nodded to let her know I was listening, but I was more focused on the neat stacks of cash that were in front of me. I finished my count and placed the bundles into the briefcase I had come in with. “Expanding with what?” I finally asked after locking my briefcase. “I was thinking of moving some green through this way. I know you only fuck with that powder, but I know your man Papi got that green.” At the sound of his name I shuddered. I didn’t want anyone associating him with me. I knew I could take another angle to get the green so Corrine could expand her growing mini empire. Sheik was known to keep some fire on him. That would be just the excuse to talk to him on the regular. “That is not my man. I will make some calls and see what I can do for you. I will call you later and let you know what I have worked out.” I said. We walked out through the living area and Corrine’s company had switched it up a bit and was engaging in random sex acts on the couch. Corrine all but pushed me out of the door. She wanted to get back to her homemade porno. She gave me a knowing smile and I left. Once I hit my car, I was thinking about Sheik; and more importantly what I was going to do about Papi. I hated when I started thinking about my problems too much because even as a child I didn’t handle pressure too well. Bad shit happened when I got into tight situations. I knew I couldn’t just make a move on him because I didn’t know exactly what he was up to.
Chapter 12 Holiday’s Bar and Grill Branch Avenue Temple Hills, MD
A few months had gone by and I had successfully arranged to buy green exclusively from Sheik. I was officially handling all the business on the Southside. The Parklands and the surrounding areas of Congress Park and The Valley were being locked down. I also had most of Benning Road, Trinidad, and Saratoga on lock too. With the help of Corrine, Southern Ave was well on its way to becoming infested with my brand, and Caesar couldn’t be happier. Week by week we were upping our orders, and he respected me bringing him more money than he had seen even while my father had been running shit in the hood on his own. I hadn’t heard too much from Papi. He had tried to call me several times and each time he was forwarded to voicemail. I knew he was pissed. He was mad because I hadn’t returned any of his calls and I had also taken over his beloved Saratoga operation. I knew there was going to be blood shed. I was constantly on watch. I always had my heat and Oscar and his goons in tow. Business was going well and I know with me making that kind of money and with haters all around, someone was bound to test my gangsta’. I was taken away from my thoughts by the sound of my cell phone ringing. I didn’t bother to look at the caller ID which I should have. “Talk to me.” I said, answering the call blindly. “Oh, so now you can talk. I haven’t heard shit from you!” Papi said sizzling into the phone. “Papi, I have been tied up. You know I am busy.” I yawned into the phone. I sounded bored and uninterested and I could tell he knew I didn’t care about what he had to say. “YaYa don’t fuck with me! I know you have locked down the major areas in the Parklands and most of Benning Road right into NE. You moved right into my fucking spot! Since that pussy was good as a mutha fucka, I am going to let you out easy.” He said knowingly. “What do you mean, ‘let me out easy?’” I laughed. “I will get out when I am ready or someone takes me out.” I sneered. “YaYa since we have some past, I will let that shit go. Just return what you