Hold U Down by Keisha Ervin Page A

but no matter how hard he tried, he could never bring in a fourth of Bigg’s cheese.
    Bigg had everything that Cezar wanted: real estate all over St. Louis, two barber shops, liquor stores, a beauty salon, five luxury cars, celebrity friends, and around that time, he had even ventured into the music industry. Business was booming for Bigg. He was living the high life of a young, rich, black bachelor—that was, until he was pulled over with ten kilos of cocaine in the trunk of his car. Bigg was seventeen years old and sentenced to ten years in prison, but he only ended up serving seven. With Bigg gone, Cezar took over and began running the streets of St. Louis.
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    Now fresh out of prison, Bigg was ready to reclaim his spot. He got out of bed, sat on the edge, and looked out into the night sky. The room was pitch black except for the slight glimmer of light shining from the moon up above. It had been seven years since he’d seen the stars. Running his hands down his face, Bigg thanked God once more for bringing him home. This time he was going to do things right. No more jail for him. He would die before he went back.
    Since he had been out, Bigg had been making moves left and right. His one and only desire was to regain his crown on the streets. Bigg couldn’t stand playing second fiddle to Cezar or any other man. He was grateful that Cezar put him on, but Bigg was used to being his own boss.
    As he slipped on his pants and zipped them up, he checked his watch and noticed that he was over an hour late picking up Unique. Bigg knew that he was going to catch hell once he caught up with Unique.
    â€œBaby, where you going?” a young redbone by the name of Brittany purred, half asleep. Poor thing, Bigg had worn the child out. She could barely move after he was done putting it on her.
    â€œA nigga gotta make moves, ma. I’ma holla at you when I get back,” he said, pulling his T-shirt on over his head.
    â€œYou can’t stay a little while longer?” she whined, exposing her honey-colored double D breasts.
    â€œI wish I could, but I’m late. I gotta be somewhere.”
    â€œOkay.” Brittany continued to pout.
    â€œI promise when I get back it’s me and you.” Bigg kissed her forehead.
    â€œCall me!” she shouted after him.
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    An hour later, just as Unique was about to pick up the phone and call Bigg again, she heard a faint knock on the door. Pissed, she snatched the door open. She shook her head and rolled her eyes. Just the sight of him made her sick.
    â€œYo, my bad. I got caught up,” he tried to explain.
    â€œYeah, whatever. Let’s just go and get this shit over with,” Unique said as she pushed past him. His nasty ass was probably out fuckin’ some ho , she thought.
    â€œYou’re forgetting your bags.”
    â€œYou can’t get ’em for me?”
    â€œSay please.”
    â€œNigga, you got me fucked up. I’ll get my own damn bags,” she huffed, walking back into her loft. Unique grabbed her heavy luggage, which was filled to the brim with designer clothes, shoes, and accessories, and lugged it onto the elevator with her.
    â€œYou a’ight?”
    â€œI’m fine.” Unique rolled her eyes as she tried to steady her breathing. I need to get to the gym , she thought.
    â€œYou sure? Those bags look a little heavy.” He grinned.
    â€œI said I’m fine.”
    Unique couldn’t wait to be away from him. Bigg was a self-absorbed, arrogant asshole. Standing side by side, she tried not to notice how good he looked. It was a little chilly out, so he sported a gray Enyce jacket, white T-shirt, jeans, and on his feet were a pair of white-and-gray BAPE tennis shoes.
    This is gonna be one long weekend , she thought.
    Once they reached the main floor, Unique hoped and prayed that Jeffrey was working the night shift. Stepping off the elevator, she spotted him by the door.
    â€œJeffrey,