“You beat that nigga’s ass or something?” he asked with pure amusement in his face.
“Had to get his ass to sleep somehow.” I got out of the car and we headed toward the back where they had taken old boy.
“Anybody see you grab him?”
“Shit I don’t know, nor do I care. We agreed on a message, right?”
Namari laughed and right when he was about to respond a voice behind us sounded.
“He’s ready, boss.”
Our conversation died and I moved toward the back of the room so I could watch things unfold rather than be a part of them. I wasn't running this show and I was cool with that. Namari seemed more than capable of handling this on his own. I was just here because for as long as I could remember I was my sister and my cousin’s protector. That wasn't something I planned to stop anytime soon. If anything I'd oversee this because they were still my blood regardless of who they were messing with.
“Yeen have to kidnap me for answers, lord.” The young nigga spit from his mouth and looked directly at me.
I shrugged.
“Don't focus on him, nigga. Pay attention to me.” Namari stepped in his vision.
The boy laughed. “You're right. What's good, God?” He now spoke in a cocky tone.
“I heard you took the shots.” Namari wasn't fazed by the boy’s tone.
“Maybe I did, maybe I did?—”
“Aye big Earl come take this niggas middle finger. I don't really have time for the smug shit.”
Of course, by then old boy's eyes grew as big as saucers. Before he could catch himself, he screamed. “You think you put fear in me? I'm hard body.”
Namari laughed. “Nah, yeen gotta fear me.”
Seconds later, who is soon to be Big Earl walked over with a pair of gardening shears. Old boy didn't know what awaited him until he felt his finger being forced between the two sharp edges. Then, before he could protest, Earl squeezed down on the handles and his finger dropped right from his hand and an agony filled yell filled the space.
“Damn, nine to go. Now, do you want to keep that smug tone or answer my fucking questions.”
The niggas eyes must have danced around the room at least five times, where he nodded his head.
“Good. Now go ahead.” Namari folded his hands across his chest.
“I didn't shoot, I just drove my uncle Req and this other nigga around. They told me it would be quick and we would just be hitting a block, but when he saw her in your whip, he lost it. The hit was only supposed to be on you.”
“Why me?” Namari questioned.
“At first Unc wanted to cop from you. Then this nigga came into the bar talking real greasy about taking your place after youdied. He said he knew the ins and outs of your operation and would cut the work price if Req’s crew helped him knock you off.”
Namari nodded his head. “And you don't know the nigga’s name.”
“No, but he was in the car that night during the shooting. He looks like a gargoyle with starter locs. He put the idea in the air and they just ran with it. Old girl wasn't even a part of anything, but Unc said she played him to the left and had to learn.”
To say the build was an understatement. He sold his whole fucking crew out for a peaceful death. Now that was fucked up and the exact reason why I didn't run with anybody in these streets. I was solo for a reason. niggas couldn't be trusted; they would fold to save their own asses in a minute.
I didn't plan on telling my sister, or anybody for that matter, that I had decided to go see her there. It wasn't that I was embarrassed or anything but I felt like this was something that I should havebeen worked through. It shouldn't have been weighing so heavy on me, especially in my adult years. After we left from Namari’sspot, I went straight to the office for my first session or whatever they called it.
“How are you this evening, Mr. Jacobs?”
“I’on know, Doc, you tell me. Am I supposed to give you the rundown of my life or something?”
“If you want to share whatever you're comfortable sharing.”
