Thug Lovin' (21 page)

“That’s fucked up. Something is up with you and you won’t even tell me,” was all Tasha kept saying. “I know it was some nigga.”
Tasha snatched up the phone and checked the caller ID, fumbling through the numbers. “Who called my phone, Kyra?”

“Do you know the girl that did that is working at the club?” she asked, wanting to change the subject.

“That did what?”

“That picture over your bed.”

“What?”

“Yeah, I met her earlier. She’s a college student and, get this, she’s from Newark. She is the one who just called. We need
to check that whole situation out because the shit is suspect to me.”

“What? She called here? What did she want, Kyra? Why didn’t you let me talk to her? Don’t answer my damn phone anymore. I
can’t believe you didn’t let me talk to her,” Tasha spat. “What are you thinking?”

“Chill, Tasha. It could be nothing other than her checking in. Because she is working at the club. But then again there’s
no such thing as a coincidence.”

“What does she look like?”

“She reminds me of you.” Tasha shook her head in disbelief. “And,” Kyra continued, “did you know Trae is living in that last
condo we bought?”

“He’s living in it?”

“Yeah, Marvin’s ass said he got tired of seeing him sleeping at the club so he gave him the keys. His ass probably didn’t
want Trae to see him getting high.” Kyra looked at her watch. “I gotta get out of here. I got some homework I haven’t even
looked at.” She stood up. “Thanks for letting Aisha stay over all of the time. You don’t know how much I appreciate it.”

“Her little grown behind might as well move in. She tried to talk me into letting her spend another night.” Tasha ratted her
out.

“Oh yeah? She didn’t even ask me. She can forget about it.” Kyra forced out a smiled. “Oh, and guess what else?”

“What?”

“I was at the gas station and Rick was there. He said he’ll take me away from Marvin before he allows him to take me down,”
Kyra said, purposely leaving out the part about her sleeping with him.

“What? How did the conversation move to Marvin?” Tasha wanted to know.

“He saw the dope in my purse and knew it wasn’t mine.”

“How did he see the dope, Kyra? Why are you carrying that shit around? That’s stupid, Kyra.” Tasha was clearly agitated with
Kyra.

“I needed it to confront Marvin.” Kyra felt like a child being chastised.

Tasha sucked her teeth in disgust. “Go dump that shit in the toilet right now.” Tasha stood there with her arms folded across
her chest while Kyra immediatley got up and did as she was told. When Kyra came back into the bedroom, Tasha said, “Now regarding
Rick, don’t get any ideas, the nigga is married. Now the same way you said you feel weird about the chick that drew this painting,
I feel the same way about Rick. So we both need to be on point and on guard. Do we have a deal?” Kyra didn’t respond. “Kyra,
do we have a deal or what? Don’t fuck with him. I saw his number on my caller ID.”

“I heard you, damn,” Kyra mumbled.

“Now why was that chick at the club?” Tasha had to backtrack.

“She’s painting a mural.”

Just then Trae eased the bedroom door open to both Tasha’s and Kyra’s surprise.

“What are you doing here?” Tasha snapped.

“I live here, remember? What the fuck you think?”

“What’s up, Trae? Tasha, I’ma grab your little babysitter, Aisha, and be on my way.” Kyra could sense that things were about
to get ugly, got Aisha and left.

“This is my house, you are my wife and
we
do have a family.”

“You obviously never told that to the Asian bitch you creepin’ with.” Before Tasha could turn around good he had snatched
her up around the neck.

“Daddy, Daddy.” He was interrupted by their three sons, who were running through the bedroom. He let Tasha go and ran both
hands over his face.

“Get your shit and leave.” Tasha was relieved that she had probably just escaped an ass-whupping.

“How long do you think I’ma put up with this shit?” Trae gritted.

“How long do you think I’ma put up with your bitches coming by and calling my house? Who is Sabeerah, Trae?”

“Sabeerah?”

“Yes, Sabeerah.”

“She’s the girl I hired to do the painting.”

“Nigga, the ice you are skating on is getting thinner and thinner,” Tasha said before she stormed out of the bedroom.

Marvin looked at his watch. It was almost noon. He hadn’t been home all night. It was a homey’s birthday party and he had
been invited. After it was over they had just hung out. He took another hit of his demon and swore it would be the last time.
“Fuck cocaine,’’ he mused. “Heroin is a helluva drug.”

Lo nudged him, interrupting his nod. “Man, cut that phone off or answer it. You got the shit turned up too damn loud.”

Marvin felt around, finally finding his phone. “Yeah,” he answered.

It was Kyra. “Daddy, when are you coming home? I have a surprise for you.” She sounded very jubilant.

Marvin thought that he was hearing things. “Baby girl, Daddy loves you no matter what.”

“I love you more. Come on home to your baby girl,” she cooed. “How soon can you get here?”

Marvin stood up. “I’m leaving right now.”

“Promise?”

“Right now.” He ended the call.

“Gotta get that ass home, huh?” Lo was preparing to take a hit.

Marvin looked around at his shoddy surroundings and shook his head in disbelief, trying to figure out what had caused him
to backslide. “Yeah, it’s time for me to head on out.”

“You comin’ back later, right? Smoke and ’em gonna be here.” Rok was sitting in the corner smoking crack.

“I’ll be here,” Marvin said.

“That nigga ain’t coming back. You hear how weak he sounded?” Lo teased.

“I’ll check y’all out later.” Marvin gave them both dap and headed out the door.

“You leaving?” MiMi asked as she blocked his way.

“Yeah, my baby girl wants me to come home. I’ll catch y’all later.” He gave MiMi a hug and went out the front door.

When he pulled up into his driveway he fought the urge to take another hit. He fingered the packet in the ashtray and decided
to leave it there. He got out of the car and went around back.

He entered the house through the back door. Kyra’s back was to him as she sat in the kitchen chair. Her head was back as if
she was asleep.

“What up baby girl? Daddy’s home.” He stepped in front of her and his heart felt as if it had dropped to his feet.

Her eyes popped open and she smiled at him. “This is what you wanted, right?” Her eyes closed and her head rolled to the side.

“What the fuck are you doing, Kyra?” he screamed as he yanked the syringe out of her vein and untied the cloth she had tied
around her arm. But her whole body started convulsing and she went limp.

“Kyra,” he screamed out, tears running down his cheeks. He picked her up and ran up the stairs into the bathroom and turned
on the cold shower.

Trae was in his temporary condo. Marvin had it set up like a bachelor’s pad. It had only the bare necessities. Ever since
he had been staying at the condo he hadn’t been able to sleep. He was now sitting on the couch in the dark trying to figure
out what was happening with his life.

He froze when he heard a car pull up into the driveway. He glanced at his Bulgari and saw that it was ten minutes to one.
His burner was on the coffee table next to him. He grabbed it and then put it down. His heart filled with glee when he heard
heels click up the walkway.

“Tasha,” he mumbled. “My baby misses me.” He jumped up and went to the front door. As soon as the bell rang he opened it with
a huge smile that instantly turned into a frown.

Charli pulled open the screen door and waltzed right past him. “Hello to you too.”

Trae stood there in shock.
This bitch. How in the fuck do she know where I rest my head?

Her flowery perfume filled the room, which only made him angry. He wanted to smell Tasha’s perfume. “Charli, what are you
doing here? It’s one in the morning.”

She gave him a smug look as she slid the shawl she had draped around her shoulders off onto the couch, revealing a skimpy
blue silk strapless dress. The matching bag she set on the coffee table. “Why else would I be here at one in the morning?
It was all good when I was swallowing your kids. It’s always business with you. I make you millions and you can’t even show
me a little bit of appreciation.”

“What?”

“You heard me. I want to be shown a little bit of appreciation.”

“Oh, I’m supposed to fuck you, just because.” Trae came across the room in one fluid motion. “You don’t know who you fuckin’
with do you?” He had one hand planted firmly around her neck. The other one was pulling up her dress. He tossed her around
and pushed her over. “This is what you want, right?” He spread her legs roughly as she tried to stand up. He pushed her back
down and pulled out his dick. “Naw, this is what you wanted, right? You want to be appreciated, right? What daddy’s little
girl wants to feel appreciated?”

“Ouch… wait. Not so fast,” she moaned. He was already inside of her banging against her tight walls. She was tight as hell,
but Trae didn’t care, he wasn’t trying to enjoy the fuck.
Maybe now she will leave me alone.
He knew that was wishful thinking.
This bitch got the nerve to be throwing it back at me.
This was only making him madder and his dick harder. When she started coming he pulled out of her and pushed her onto the
couch. He watched as her body trembled and legs shook before putting his dick back inside his sweats.
Bitch.

When she had first walked in not a hair was out of place. Now it was covering her face as she slowly got up off the couch.
“Why are you so angry?” she asked, out of breath.

“You got some dick. What else do you want?” He went to the front door and opened it, letting her know that it was time to
go.

“I can’t believe you. Your club is going to be raided and”—she paused and got her clutch bag and pulled out a check. Trae
looked it over. It was for 270,000 dollars. “Before you say anything, I know it’s short. But give me some time.”

“Short is an understatement. Bitch we talking eight million!” Trae was beginning to foam at the mouth. “Charli, don’t fuck
around with my money.”

“Calm down. You aren’t the only one who came up short with this last deal. We all did.”

“Charli, eight million? You got me fucked up. I suggest you get on the phone and talk to your father or see whoever it is
you gotta see and get me my fuckin’ money.”

“I am. Give me a few days.” She waltzed by him and left.

T
rae, I have a meeting at four-thirty. Concita had an emergency and Marva went on her bus ride. It’s almost three, can you
get here in half an hour?” Tasha pleaded as she swallowed her pride.

Trae was at Marvin’s condo that Marvin allowed him to use. It was only fifteen minutes from his house. He was on his way out
to meet up with Rick to see if he could stop this raid bullshit.

“Trae, are you going to answer me?” Tasha rolled her eyes. She hated the fact that she had to call on him. But an emergency
had come up only minutes ago. “Trae!” she snapped. “Are you there?”

“I’m here. It’s just that you kicked me out my house, won’t speak to me, won’t even talk to me about our situation, but now
that you’re in a jam, who do you call?” He was trying to sound pissed but he was actually enjoying himself.

“C’mon Trae, these are your kids as much as they are mine.”

“Then how come I can only come by in the mornings to get them up and at night to put them to bed? Don’t be talking that yours-just-as-much-as-mine
bullshit.”

“Because I will never deny you the privilege to see your kids just because we are beefing but I am angry with you and I honestly
can’t stand the sight of you. Now are you coming to pick them up or what?” she snapped. “I need a babysitter.”

Trae put a smirk on his face. “What’s in it for me?”

“What do you mean what’s in it for you?” Tasha asked in disbelief. “What do you want? You want me to pay you to watch your
own kids?”

“Of course not, I want forty minutes with you. That’s it.”

After several seconds, Tasha said, “Fine, Trae,” and hung up.

Trae laughed out loud, grabbed his keys and headed over to pick up his kids. They would just have to ride with him while he
talked to Rick.

“Don’t do this to me, baby. No, not now,” Marvin cried as he placed Kyra’s limp body in the bathtub and turned on the cold
water. “C’mon, baby girl, snap out of it,” he pleaded. He felt for her pulse and got nothing. “God, no. Please!” he screamed
out. “No. No. No.” He began pumping down on her chest and giving her mouth-to-mouth. “God, why? Take me instead.” He gave
up and began praying. Shortly afterwards, she started coughing and choking, and then she vomited.

“That’s it baby. Get it out. Get it all out.” He held her trembling body upward, watching her hurl. Once she finished he said,
“C’mon baby. Let me get you out of this cold water.” He was filled with glee as he snatched a towel off the rack and then
lifted her up. He wrapped her in the dry towel and held her tight. “Why, baby girl? Why would you do this?”

“This is what you wanted, right?” She looked up at him sounding like that innocent girl he had snatched up when she was fourteen.
“I thought it was what you wanted,” she cried.

“Nooo, baby.” He squeezed her. “Hell no. You should have known better than that.”

“Then stop it, baby. Stop it,” she sobbed.

“Okay, baby.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

The following day Trae was having a staff meeting of his own. Since Charli and Rick had both put a bug in his ear that a nice
amount of E and heroin was moving out of Club New York, what he really wanted to do was bust some heads. But since Rick had
said he would handle it, he would settle on talking some shit.

Everyone was seated on the dance floor with confused looks on their faces. Trae was the only one standing up and it was obvious
that he was livid. Stephon had never seen this side of Trae, but Marvin had. He was the only one out of the bunch who wasn’t
nervous.