Chevy nodded slowly. “Ladies, stay here.”
Sasha came up to me. “We’ll talk. He’s grumpy but harmless, just like your brother,” she whispered before walking off.
As they headed toward the building, I pulled my phone out to call my mom when I saw my email notifications, and one that stood out was from Tyrek. I had him blocked on my text, so he could only email. When I noticed the time, it was before he showed up at my place. I went to open it, but the gunshots scared me.
Rat-a-tat-tat-rat-a tat-tat!
Chevy was shooting in the air. Moments later, people came running out of the building, and the last person was a woman who had to be Vanessa. I watched as she came out walking up toward Chevy. “What the fuck is going on out here!” she yelled.
“I thought you knew this is where the party is at, sweetheart,” Chevy said back to her.
Braylen stepped in front of Chevy to intervene, as if he were the one who ran the crew. “So, this is what you’re into, Nessa? Huh?”
She smiled at him. “What do you care, Mr. No strings attached. Fucking is all you like to do, with your demonic ass.”
I went to walk over there when Morgan pulled me back, “No! She’s just trying to get to him.”
Papi pointed toward Morgan and me. “Morgan, bitch, I knew you were a—”
Wham!
Scooter hit him. “Wrong girl, my boy. I don’t play like that.”
The other guys went to run up when the Zoo all came forward. I didn’t know what the outcome would be, but I did know that all of this had escalated quickly.
PRESS PLAY
We all stood there facing off with NTR. To see Nessa standing here on some boss shit triggered me. Chevy came around and cut his eyes at me before putting them back on Nessa. “I don’t know which one of you niggas,” he paused as he looked Nessa up and down. “Was the cause of my nigga’s downfall, but tonight we’re not leaving until we find out.”
Six came from behind his sister. “We ain’t do shit to his ass. We simply wanted to race. The nigga owes money, and we wanted him to pay.”
Chevy sucked his teeth while I pointed at Six, “How much does he owe you?”
Chevy cut his eyes at me again. To me, he was moving too slow. I had shit I needed to address with Piggy, so I was trying to get this over with. Chevy leaned in toward my ear. “Ok,King,you lead the race,” he whispered.
My face sat in confusion as I looked at him. He raised his brow and backed away. Foe came next to me and shook his head, “I hope you don’t lose this muhfucka.”
That’s when someone else came from the building, an older guy. “He owes thirty bands, and they want every fucking dime.”
“Nigga, who the fuck are you?” Streets asked.
He slowly came around, and that’s when I noticed it was the nigga from the old folks’ club that Chev had put the paws on. He pointed at us, “The name is Mister. So y’all are the Zoo, huh, looks—”
Chevy came around so fast I almost didn’t see him. He scoffed, “Watch what the fuck you say, nigga. Yeah, we’re the muhfuckin’ Zoo, what’s up?”
The guy smiled. “Oh, you think cause you got a few licks off over that pretty ass piece of pussy I’m supposed to be scared?”
“Pussy yo old ass was praying to taste. Nigga, that’s my wife, and before I embarrass your ass in front of your peoples, I suggest you learn quick. I am the one to send my choppa down your throat and fill your ass up with hot muhfucka led.”
Another nigga came from around Mister, “Nah, Pops, we got this,” he said to him.
Mister’s eyes lowered on Chev as if he were ready to challenge him. Then he shot him a quick smile. “I heard about you. June Calloway and you,” he pointed at me, “Braylen Laureaux. Tell yo’ momma I said hi,” he winked at me.
Nessa came around and stood between them. “Let’s race. Two miles and back, if we win, you give our thirty grand times two. If y’all win,” she paused as she came toward me, almost close enough to kiss. “We’ll back off. We didn’t do any fucking thing to your friend, I can promise you. After this, nothing more.”
Nessa’s eyes didn’t flinch. I knew she was telling the truth, and that had now made me wonder if what Chevy said was true. The hit was meant for someone else. The only demonic person I knew who could be capable of something like that was Fiona. I flicked my nose. “Let’s do it,” I said and walked off.
“Aye, Piggy, if I win, you’re going to let me take you out?” Papi chuckled.
