“Shit, congratulations nigga. But that’s a bet. We on the way right now.”
Hanging up, I turned my music up and bumped it all the way to my destination. I switched lanes like a pro on the way and kept the state patrols off my ass. Them muthafuckas liked to hide in the woods like couldn’t nobody see them. I pulled into the parking lot spotting Ace’s white on white Honda Accord to the back of the lot sitting by itself. I closed the distance taking a spot right next to them.
They hopped out one by one ready to touch Benji’s. I figured now was the best time to let them know I was an Atkins as well. Hulk was the only one that knew and I was surprised his ass kept it to himself for so long. I just knew he was gon’ use it against me in some shape or form.
“Damn nigga. You look like you done stepped into that new money. Diamonds brighter, threads pricy… You sure you giving us a genuine split?” TJ was the first to speak.
Hulk looked me up and down then scoffed. I already knew what he was thinking, and he was right. Junior threw money around like it wasn’t nothing so every time he bought something to the crib for Maaz, he brought twice as much for me. He was making up for lost times if you asked me.
“I’m sure. I ain’t touched the bread since he gave it to me. Hell, to make the deal sweeter, I’m giving you my portion, too,” I assured them.
“Why?” Hulk questioned wearing a sly grin.
“Yeah, what the hell you doing that for?” Ace questioned still confused by my actions.
“Y’all know me as Black Towers, but my government is Genesis Atkins. I been wearing my mama’s last name since I knew what was up with my donor. Hulk found out a long time ago when I left my wallet in the car. I told him not to tell y’all ‘cause I truly ain’t give a fuck ‘bout being no Atkins. They ain’t done shit for me. Junior though, he changed all that and steppedup on some big brotha shit. He was the only nigga over there I respected, to be honest.”
“Small fuckin’ world. You knew you was an Atkins and still let us go up there bothering that man. Is that why you wasn’t down for the lick?” Ace asked.
“Nah. I ain’t go ‘cause that nigga Bentley plan really was flawed as fuck. Any who, that’s all y’all. I got to get back to my wife and kid man. It’s more than enough for y’all to sit tight for a while.”
“I got to hand it to you bro. You really move like an Atkins regardless of not wanting they name. That nigga Royce is a boss for real and the way you run Twenty-One just mirrors him. I see why you be on my head the way you do. We ain’t never tell you thank you for taking that ride for us so this me speaking for everybody. Thank you, Black.”
Another thing I respected when it came to Hulk was, he knew when to bow the fuck down. He was a hot head, so I expected him to buck up at a nigga every time, but I did what I did to protect them and now he saw it. It was Twenty-One or nothing whenever I cooked shit up. Putting money in my pockets meant putting money in theirs as well.
Extending my hand, I leaned in and dapped him up followed by a brotherly hug. He was my boy at the end of the day. He went in and handled business, so this was his just as much as it was mine. I kept my word with them and now it was on them to move with a purpose and not ‘cause they needed a dolla. Hell, if I could convince Junior to bring them in, I would fa sho.
“Ain’t no thang. You still the homie,” I stated. Popping the trunk, I grabbed the duffle bag full of green and tossed it at Hulk’s chest. “Spend it wisely,” I advised.
“Don’t forget who was here for you nigga. Twenty-One or nothing,” he threw back.
“Always. I’ll come back for y’all boys’ fa sho. Let me adjust then it’s up. Ya hea me!”
I was back in my shit pulling out feeling better than ever. Twenty-One was taken care of and them boys could sit without feeling anxious. Forgetting them was like forgetting home. I’d never do that. We was a crew. One that I handpicked them for. Wasn’t no stepping away from that.
CH. 17
CHEYONNE
Life for me seemed to hit a full one-eighty from the second I met Black. There wasn’t a day that went by since I had him back that he let me, or Maaz feel alone. Anytime we needed his attention, he gave it without hesitation. The Black that was introduced wasn’t the man that loved us the way he did. He cared then, but that graduated to an irreplaceable cherish now.
We’d been in parent mode my entire six weeks with no interruptions. I was given the go ahead to live life again and that was exactly what we planned on doing tonight. I didn’t think I’d ever hear him say be ready by such and such time. He shocked me with a new dress that was left with a time and place on the delivery card. Black was showing me more and more why loving him was the better choice.
Stepping out the shower, I wrapped myself in my robe, then slid my feet into my slippers. The dress was a red, tube cut that held a small corset strapping in the center, with the rest being covered in lace. The nerve of this man to have such exquisite taste the way he did. I just knew my body was about to eat down in it. I handled my face hygiene. That was a smooth ten minutes before I was sitting at my vanity preparing myself for a classicbeat. I hadn’t shown off in a minute and tonight was the perfect time to do so.
My hair was silk pressed earlier in the day, so I was back to my normal look. Hair flowed down my back like I had a fresh set of bundles, and my bangs hid my huge forehead. I was back to C’for, and it felt so damned good to get dressed up and be seen again.
I applied my makeup not doing too much. It wasn’t like I needed it in the first place. However, this was a special occasion and with the dress Black picked out, it was only right. It took me a little over twenty-minutes to get my beat right but once I did, I was satisfied. The lashes weren’t over the top and the lip combo was doing everything it was supposed to for my plump lips.
Before leaving my vanity, I moisturized with this body butter from a local creative that went by the name of Delaney. She had a skin care line called Allura Skin and it was really nice to the skin especially those with the sensitive kind.
Standing, I left the bathroom completely and entered the closet. I unzipped the bag the dress rested in and finally took it out placing it across the island. It was so fire I couldn’t wait to have it cling to my chocolate skin. Smiling, I admired the small details of the lace, and it consisted of small vines of flowers. I loved everything about it.
“Knock, knock.” The sound of my mother’s voice caused me to snap back to reality. Her and my father were watching Maaz tonight here at the house while Black and I enjoyed our night.
“Oh, hey Mama. I didn’t hear you come in.”
“Toneshia let us in. She was on her way out. Maaz is with Obasi at the moment. Where are you two going? Did he say?” she questioned.
