Page 53 of Always Been You

Kole

I took a swig of the fifth of gin that I had in the car under the seat.

What was about to happen was long overdue.

I couldn’t believe the shit I uncovered about this man.

If I hadn’t already lost respect, I certainly would’ve lost all of it after what I found out.

After much digging, I discovered that my father’s name was mentioned in so much paperwork that it was overwhelming.

This nigga was a well-paid snitch. That’s how he put his own flesh and blood behind bars.

This man couldn’t be fucking trusted. It was time for me to take my rightful place.

I opened my car door, got out, and stretched myself to the heavens.

I laid eyes on my father’s house for a moment.

I knew this would put a few worlds on tilt, but I wasn’t worried about the particulars.

It was time for me, and anyone who wasn’t willing to accept that would have to accept death.

There wasn’t a place in the world that I couldn’t adapt to and dominate, so my options were endless.

My father could thank himself for that. He groomed a chameleon.

Too bad he was a snake. I would have retired him, but it was too risky to keep him around.

If you would cross your own brother, there was no limit to what you would do.

I didn’t even bother knocking. I let myself in, and he was in the living room with three of his workers. He was giving a speech about how he didn’t like what they were producing, but I didn’t give a shit about what he said.

“Why don’t you tell them how much of a snake you are?” I chimed in as all heads turned to me. I caught a glimpse of my father’s anguish before he quickly tucked it under a laugh.

“Well, if it isn’t my son. I’m sure you have heard about him. Give us a moment.” After he spoke, his little entourage moved in unison. He lived off the power.

“Your own brother, huh? He is the reason that you didn’t want me to kill this nigga? You sent me here on a fuckin’ dummy mission all because of what?”

“You are the one who got personal with this, not me? Kole, what the hell do you want? I’m conducting business, and you need to find some of your own to tend to.” He tried to dismiss me with a wave, and my feet stayed planted.

“You should at least tell me why the fuck you sold your brother out before I kill you. At least die like a man if you couldn’t live like one.”

“I don’t know what type of game you are playing. And even if you are my son, I don’t take too kindly to threats.”

“You think I’m playing?” My eyes bore into his, and he couldn’t call his people in here quickly enough.

“Gentleman. I see my son is having an issue leaving. Please help him to the door.”

The three men came and approached me as I took a deep breath.

It was time. I pulled my nine and, in three quick shots, his goons were disposed of without much effort.

Where the hell was he getting these niggas from?

I looked at him, and he was shaking in his damn boots.

He was too proud a man to run, even though I saw the idea dancing in his head.

“What the hell is this, Kole? What did my brother put you up to? He got caught with his own drugs! WHAT THE FUCK IS WRONG WITH YOU?!!”

“Try again!” I said, throwing the paperwork to the floor that I retrieved from one of my dirty cops. “Pick it up!” He slowly picked up the paper, and I saw all the color drain from his face.

“Where did you get this? This is some mistake!”

“The man I looked up to is a fucking snake. Why did you do it?” I pressed.

“What the hell is it to you? Get the hell out of here!” he growled and approached his fireplace. I was on him with every step. I knew what he was trying to get to.

“Move again muthafucka!” I growled as my nine found its way under his neck.

“Okay! I wanted his woman and his position. He was always on top, and my father loved Him more than he ever loved me. His head got too big and he forgot that he was part of the operation, not the operation itself. I regret it, but I can’t undo it.

I put money on his books every fucking month.

He is living like a fucking king in there! ”

“Pussy? Nigga really? You snaked your brother, and you snaked me, too. If you giving this nigga money, it must mean he got something on you. What he got, pops?”

“Not a damn thing.” He spat indignantly.

“A snake to the end, huh?” I cocked my gun.

“NOW WAIT I’M YOUR—” His voice was cut short as my bullet sang his last song.

His body collapsed to the ground. I stepped over his ass like the trash he was and walked to my car.

He deserved every fucking thing he got and then some.

I didn’t have any loyalty to my so-called uncle, but my father damn sure should have.

I couldn’t trust a man like that. Then he set me up on a dummy mission.

How the fuck did he expect me to take over and not lay this nigga Terror down?

I cranked up and headed toward my house.

Crystal better have some good shit to say.

I pulled into the driveway on ten. I opened my door and found Crystal’s lazy ass on the couch, taking a nap. She didn’t fucking work or anything, so why the fuck was she even taking a nap? I went to the couch and shook her awake.

“Damn, Kole!” she sat up with a frown on her face, and I shot her a look to let her know I wasn’t with the shit. When she gathered me with her eyes, I saw her fear-riddled expression. I didn’t change my clothes, and I was sure I had blood on me.

“You need to call that nigga NOW!”

“I’ve been calling. He doesn’t answer.”

“You better hope he does for your sake. CALL THAT NIGGA!”

She swallowed hard and reached for her phone. “Put it on speaker!” I demanded. She did, and I heard the phone start to ring. When he picked up, I didn’t know if I should slap the fuck out of her right then for lying so much. This nigga wasn’t dodging her like that.

“Please don’t hang up. Please!” she cried into the phone as I stared a hole in her head. I grabbed her phone and muted it. “Tell him you want to see MJ, and you can meet him right now.” I gave her the phone back.

“Terror, please! I just want to see MJ. I can meet you anywhere right now. Please, I miss him,” she was laying it on thick.

“Fine. One hour at the park on Averill.”

“Really?” She sounded surprised.

“That’s what the fuck I said, right?” He disconnected the call with her.

“Get dressed,” was all I said to her before I walked into the bedroom to change myself. It was only two people leaving that park alive. My son and I. It was time for him to become a man.