Page 15

T he walls of my apartment seemed to close in around me as I paced, my fists clenching and unclenching with each step. My mind was spinning with thoughts of revenge. Damier had crossed the line this time, and I couldn’t let it slide. My friends—my own damn crew—had been strung up in my grandmother’s backyard like animals, their bodies lifeless, their blood staining the rose bushes she loved. I couldn’t stop seeing their faces, their bodies, the horror etched in every detail of that moment.

That was Damier’s doing. He’d taken them out, made them an example, just to send me a message. A message I wasn’t ready to receive.

Damian, the bitch ass nigga, had left me to rot after he took everything. The money, the plan, everything. I did all the work, and that mark ass nigga took the reward and fled, leaving me and my boys with the bill. Not a fucking dime. I should’ve known better than to trust him, but I did. Now, I was on my own. And it was personal.

The plan had already started to form in my mind. I wasn’t going to sit back and wait. Damier was going to pay for what he did to me, to my crew, and to my family. I didn’t care what it cost. This was no longer just about money; this was about respect. And Damier had taken that from me in front of my own family.

As I was lost in my thoughts, planning the next move, there was a knock at the door. It was hesitant, almost as if whoever was outside knew they were walking into something dangerous. I swung the door open, and there she was—my girlfriend Marlow. Her face was a mix of concern and exhaustion, and I could tell she had been pacing just like me.

She stepped inside without waiting for me to invite her. “Troy,” she said, her voice soft but urgent. “You need to let this shit go. Damian’s gone, and Damier is going to kill you if you keep pushing him.”

I slammed the door behind her, not even bothering to hide my frustration. “Let it go? After what he did to my crew? After he humiliated us in front of my own family?” I turned away from her, shaking my head. “I can’t back down, Marlow. I won’t.”

“Troy, you’re risking everything,” she pleaded, taking a step closer to me. “Think about your grandma. Think about me! Damier already gave you a warning. He’s not playing around.”

I clenched my fists tighter, my anger rising. “You don’t get it, Marlow. You weren’t there. You didn’t see what I saw. I can’t just walk away. I won’t let Damier think he can do this to me, to us.”

I grabbed my jacket off the back of the chair and made my way to the door, hoping that if I just left, I could shake the thoughts out of my head. But she wasn’t having it. Her voice followed me, pleading, desperate. “Damian already left you hanging. Can’t you see he doesn’t care about what happens to you? You’re on your own, Troy. Don’t do this. Please.”

I stopped in my tracks, her words hitting harder than I wanted them to. But my pride wouldn’t let me show it. “Shut the fuck up, Marlow,” I snapped, spinning around and shoving her out of my way. “I don’t need Damian. I don’t need nobody. I’m handling this. Alone if I have to.”

Marlow flinched, her eyes filled with hurt, but I couldn’t back down now. I had already made up my mind. This wasn’t about her or anyone else. This was about me, my respect, and how far I’d let this shit go before I took it all back. I needed to make Damier feel the heat. I needed him to know what it felt like to lose control.

Marlow stepped back, tears brimming in her eyes. I didn’t care. She was just another distraction, another piece of the puzzle I couldn’t afford to lose myself in. “You’re wrong, Troy,” she whispered before turning to leave. “But I’m scared for you.”

I didn’t respond. I couldn’t. I had already made my decision. Nothing would stop me now.

I didn’t waste any time. As soon as Marlow was gone, I met up with Danni, one of my last loyal soldiers. His face was flushed red, a mix of fear and determination in his eyes. He glanced around nervously as if expecting Damier’s men to jump out of the shadows at any moment.

“You sure about this, my nigga?” Danni asked, his voice low, cautious. “Shit’s getting too hot. I ain’t heard from North since this morning, either, and he was supposed to be here.”

I looked at him, annoyance flashing in my eyes. “North is probably hiding, too scared to show his face. We’re not gonna be like him, a’ight?” I spat, my anger bubbling up. “If we want Damier to feel the heat, we have to hit him where it hurts. We’re going after his family and his club. You with me or not? You sounding like all these other niggas that left me hanging.”

Danni nodded, determination hardening his jaw. “I’m with you, my nigga. Whatever it takes. But I feel like we need to lay low and watch this nigga. We can’t afford to make emotional moves.”

I glared at Danni and chuckled. I pulled the blunt I had out my ear and lit it. The weight people were putting on me to stand down was killing me.

“A’ight… We don’t move tonight , and only because of the women. But this ain’t over. Even if I gotta do the shit by myself.”

I drove through the city of LA, mad, grieving, and ready for war. But since the closest people wanted me to lay low, I would. For now…