at the time, but we soon found out.
Another Saturday had rolled around and Javon and I were coming out of Scales 925 after having lunch when a black Hummer rolled up and stopped us from crossing the street. Instinctively Javon pushed me behind him and I stuck my hand inside of my purse. The last week had been tense. We had been walking on eggshells the whole time, always looking over our shoulders to make sure nothing popped off.
When the door opened and three Italian men dressed in black suits stepped out, my heart rate sped up. âBaby,â I said low so only Javon could hear me. I had to admit, I got scared. I wasnât used to this kind of fanfare.
âShh,â he said without turning to look at me. âI got you,â was all he said to me.
âYouâre Javon McPhearson, Claudetteâs oldest son, right?â one of the men asked.
âWho wants to know?â Javon asked off the cuff.
The three men fanned out as if they were about to attack us. People looked on, silently wondering what was going on, but went about their day while casting curious glances over their shoulders. The weather was the nicest it had been in days. The sun was shining, birds were chirping. The smell of grilled steak and other spices filled the air around us. I clicked the safety off the gun in my purse and gripped my gun.
âWe donât want any trouble, but the Syndicate would like to meet with you,â the man answered.
Javon stiffened, his head tilted to the side as if he was in deep thought. I hadnât told any of the others, but the past few days with Javon had been hell. He was moody. He snapped at me if I said the wrong things and God forbid I mention Mama or the Syndicate at all. He wasnât trying to hear it. The man I loved was all fucked up. One night he didnât come to my place like he said he would and I got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. When I asked him where he had been and why he didnât show up like he said he would, his only answer was that he needed some space. I said nothing. I respected it and left him to his own devices. Javon was a ticking time bomb and I knew once he was detonated we were all in trouble.
âLet me get this straight,â he said as he set his briefcase down then opened his suit jacket.
I saw one of the men push the ends of his blazer back revealing that he was armed. I was sure the other men were as well. While I was confident I could take them all out, I didnât want to do it in public. âJavon, baby,â I said, trying to get his attention.
âThese people in the Syndicate sent for me like what? Iâm supposed to be at their beck and call?â he asked, ignoring me.
âYou can come peacefully or we can force you to come,â the man responded.
âIs that right?â Javon asked then chuckled.
I prayed to Mama and God that none of those men was foolish enough to try to force Javon to do anything. Once turned up, there was no turning him down. The next few seconds were a blur. Shit happened so fast I didnât really have time to blink or think. To the left of me, I saw Lamont rush in. One punch to one of the menâs jaw sent him to the concrete. He was out cold. While the other two were distracted and going for their weapons, Cory came around the side of the Hummer, snatched the other manâs gun away then whacked him across the head with it. That left the leader who had been talking. He drew his gun on Javon and I aimed mine at the manâs head so quickly, my nervousness and fear no longer mattered.
âShe doesnât miss,â Javon warned the man.
âI said we didnât come for trouble,â the man spat, face reddened.
âThatâs too damn bad. You tell me youâre going to force me to do anything and itâs trouble. You run up on me and my girl while coming from lunch and thatâs looking for trouble. Tell those motherfuckers donât send for me unless I
Another Saturday had rolled around and Javon and I were coming out of Scales 925 after having lunch when a black Hummer rolled up and stopped us from crossing the street. Instinctively Javon pushed me behind him and I stuck my hand inside of my purse. The last week had been tense. We had been walking on eggshells the whole time, always looking over our shoulders to make sure nothing popped off.
When the door opened and three Italian men dressed in black suits stepped out, my heart rate sped up. âBaby,â I said low so only Javon could hear me. I had to admit, I got scared. I wasnât used to this kind of fanfare.
âShh,â he said without turning to look at me. âI got you,â was all he said to me.
âYouâre Javon McPhearson, Claudetteâs oldest son, right?â one of the men asked.
âWho wants to know?â Javon asked off the cuff.
The three men fanned out as if they were about to attack us. People looked on, silently wondering what was going on, but went about their day while casting curious glances over their shoulders. The weather was the nicest it had been in days. The sun was shining, birds were chirping. The smell of grilled steak and other spices filled the air around us. I clicked the safety off the gun in my purse and gripped my gun.
âWe donât want any trouble, but the Syndicate would like to meet with you,â the man answered.
Javon stiffened, his head tilted to the side as if he was in deep thought. I hadnât told any of the others, but the past few days with Javon had been hell. He was moody. He snapped at me if I said the wrong things and God forbid I mention Mama or the Syndicate at all. He wasnât trying to hear it. The man I loved was all fucked up. One night he didnât come to my place like he said he would and I got a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach. When I asked him where he had been and why he didnât show up like he said he would, his only answer was that he needed some space. I said nothing. I respected it and left him to his own devices. Javon was a ticking time bomb and I knew once he was detonated we were all in trouble.
âLet me get this straight,â he said as he set his briefcase down then opened his suit jacket.
I saw one of the men push the ends of his blazer back revealing that he was armed. I was sure the other men were as well. While I was confident I could take them all out, I didnât want to do it in public. âJavon, baby,â I said, trying to get his attention.
âThese people in the Syndicate sent for me like what? Iâm supposed to be at their beck and call?â he asked, ignoring me.
âYou can come peacefully or we can force you to come,â the man responded.
âIs that right?â Javon asked then chuckled.
I prayed to Mama and God that none of those men was foolish enough to try to force Javon to do anything. Once turned up, there was no turning him down. The next few seconds were a blur. Shit happened so fast I didnât really have time to blink or think. To the left of me, I saw Lamont rush in. One punch to one of the menâs jaw sent him to the concrete. He was out cold. While the other two were distracted and going for their weapons, Cory came around the side of the Hummer, snatched the other manâs gun away then whacked him across the head with it. That left the leader who had been talking. He drew his gun on Javon and I aimed mine at the manâs head so quickly, my nervousness and fear no longer mattered.
âShe doesnât miss,â Javon warned the man.
âI said we didnât come for trouble,â the man spat, face reddened.
âThatâs too damn bad. You tell me youâre going to force me to do anything and itâs trouble. You run up on me and my girl while coming from lunch and thatâs looking for trouble. Tell those motherfuckers donât send for me unless I
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