“You my heart, baby. There’s nobody else I’d rather settle down with. You know that.”
“Yes, bae. I do.”
“You know I love you, right?”
“Yes,” she gushed, eating up his sweet words. “I love you, too.”
Tuck smiled, relishing how innocent she sounded. “Good girl. Keep it tight for me. You need anything?”
“No, I’m good at the moment.”
“A’ight, I’ll hit you up later. Be good, ma.”
“Okay, bye.”
Tuck ended the call and walked to his cell. Closing the door, he looked out the small window to ensure no one was lurking. When it was safe to proceed, he reached under his mattress and grabbed his burner phone. Powering it on, he noticed a few text messages but didn’t reply right away. Quickly, he dialed a number and leaned against the wall.
“Yeah.”
“You big dawg now,” Tuck teased.
“Don't call gassing me up, nigga.”
“Nah, I’m for real. I didn’t think you would pull it off but you surprised me, fam. I’ma have to make you my bodyguard when I get out.”
“Ha, ha, ha. Bitch, you ain't funny.”
“Nah, for real. You handled that shit, my nigga. I heard mufuckas acting like they were really sad over Van and shit.”
“I wouldn’t know. Out of sight out of mind. But I think we should handle something else.”
Tuck’s brows rumpled. “What’s that?”
“Noble. He gotta go. I tried to kill his bitch but she was protected. He’s gonna come for you so you should clip him before that happens.”
“Fuck you mean? That’s on you ‘cause I’m covered. Noble knows not to fuck with me.”
As contentious as their relationship was, Tuck was confident in Noble not retaliating against him. For one, he didn’t care for Jovanis and two, they were family.
“Listen, shit is only going to get worse between y’all. If you're expecting to reclaim your throne, he’s gotta go.”
Tuck briefly mulled over that thought. Noble claimed his position was only temporary but he hadn’t made any moves to leave.
“Yeah, you might be right. I’ll think of something.”
“No need to. I’m already on it. When you get that confirmation that it was done, you’ll know who it was.”
Tuck grinned. “My nigga. I knew you was a real one.”
“Shut the fuck up, Tuck.”
Chuckling, he powered the phone off and slid it under the mattress. Knowing he was still in power behind bars gave him an adrenaline boost. Noble was his blood but he had ultimately fucked him over. It was time for him to pay for his lack of loyalty.
Four
2022
Irish bobbed her head to “Spin Bout You” while looking out the window. She and Jovanis had just come from dining at the newest restaurant in Downtown St. Parklynn. After indulging in fresh seafood and two old fashions, she was in her zone. Pulling up to a light, she peered at the cemetery to her left.
