When You Know It's Real: Siah and Nonie (17 page)

I had been doing some research and needed to holla at my pops to let him weigh in on it. The whole deal with Laken had me pissed off, but I saw it coming. What Nonie didn't know was that it was deeper than her, hell it was even deeper than me. This shit started years ago with our fathers and was being passed down.

His father had raised him to hate the O'day family the same way my father raised me to expect that it was going to happen. I didn't really give a fuck because no man put fear in my heart, but my father’s beef was now mine. So I was gonna handle Laken the same way my father handled his father years before I was even born. It was crazy to me how niggas couldn't just accept the fact that some men were built to be leaders and some were simply built to follow them. Just like my pops, I was a leader, so fuck Laken and what he thought he was about to do.

No matter how much time had passed, Laken’s bitch ass father was still crying over shit he couldn't control, and had now brought his son into it. He had another thing coming if he thought that he was about to accomplish something that his father never could. Taking down the O’day men was wishful thinking, and some shit that just wasn't about to happen.

I entered my father’s house to the smell of some good ass food, which meant that Ana was back from visiting her family in the Dominican Republic. She was always on point with the grub, and I was hungry as fuck, so it was perfect timing.

I made my way to the kitchen, where sure enough she was in there standing in front of the stove with something that had my stomach doing somersaults.

“Hey there, handsome.” She smiled when I kissed her on the cheek

“Sup, Ana, you just getting back?”

“I got in last night, has your father been behaving?” she asked with a smile, knowing that I wouldn't tell her if he wasn't, but she was just asking for the hell of hit.

“You know it. Anxiously awaiting your return.”

“You’re such a liar, but I expect that. You are your father's son.” She winked at me. “You hungry?”

“You already know, hook me up.”

“Give me a minute and I’ll fix you a plate.”

“Where’s my pops?’

“Out back smoking one of those nasty cigars.” She scrunched up her face.

I chuckled at how much she hated the smell. So much so that pops couldn't even smoke them in the house. Not even in the privacy of his office or she pitched a fit.

“Aight, I'm about to go holla at him real quick, and then I’ll be back to eat.”

“Trust me, Siah, I know you will. Your plate will be on the table along with Senior’s.”

I laughed and made my way to the back of the house and then out the back door, stepping onto my father’s massive deck. It was huge, just like his house, but my father liked nice things, so it was to be expected. His backyard housed a pool, a tennis court, and a full size basketball court. His yard was well manicured, looking like some Better Homes & Gardens type shit. Like me, my father lived out of the city. Which was another reason why Nonie didn't go see him without me. It was an hour’s drive.

“Sup, old man.”

“Age is a state of mind, Yosiah. You know that, and trust me, I’m far from old.”

“I feel you, Pops.” He was standing in front of the rail that surround the deck with a cigar in his hand. I stopped next to him and we both looked out into his back yard.

“You need something, or you just here because you know Ana is home? I bet you smelled the food all the way from your house.”

I chuckled. “Nah, that was just perfect timing. I’m here about Nolan.

My father turned to me with a stern look on his face. “What about him?”

“Not really him, but his son I guess is the better term.”

“I’m listening.”

“He came to Nonie about hosting an event.”

“You advised her not to do it, I assume.”

“I would have if I had known about that shit, but it was too late. I found out when we ended up at the same restaurant. She was having dinner with that nigga and I almost lost it.”

“He still breathing?” My father asked with no expression.

“For now.”

He chuckled and then got serious. “She know?”

“Nah, there was no point in telling her. I’ll handle it. Long as he stays in New York and away from her, he’ll keep breathing, but if he crosses that line again then that’s a wrap.”

“You don't need to kill him, Yosiah. Sometimes it's better to control your enemies than it is to get rid of them. You kill Laken and then you start a war. A war that you don't need because it puts you and everyone you love in danger. I’m sure you can handle it, but why, when you don't have to?”

“You damn right I can handle it. You think it's okay for him to come at me while I just sit back and watch it happen? What about Nonie? She’s right in the middle of it. Fuck him, if I have to put a bullet in his head to end this shit, I will. It's not gonna get passed down to my son, or his son. It ends with me.”

“What sense does that make, son? If you kill him, there’s ten more waiting to take his place. You already know that, so you spend all your time taking lives instead of living your own. Just neutralize him. He has New York and you have Jersey. He can do his thing and you can do yours.”

I looked at my father for a minute, trying to figure him out. I wasn't sure what was up with that. The same way I never understood why my father never killed Nolan. True indeed, he had chased him out of New Jersey, which is how Nolan got started in New York, but it seemed easier just to handle him permanently.

“Is there more to this than you’re telling me, Pops? I get the feeling like there is.”

“No, I just don’t see the point in you sitting in the middle of a war that's not necessary. Now let's go eat. Enough about Nolan and his son. I’m more concerned about spending time with mine.

I still wasn't convinced, but at my father’s request I let it go, for now anyway. I had a feeling we would be revisiting the conversation soon.

*****

“You see that nigga has his eyes on you,” Jock said as we both watched Nonie and Kizzie handling business.

I could guarantee that Laken wasn't happy about the fact that we were up in there, but who the fuck was gon’ stop me? He damn sure wasn't, and even if he had, all that meant was that he’d be doing this shit on his own. I wasn't letting Nonie anywhere near his ass without me being within arm’s reach. I was already pissed that she did this shit behind my back, but I also wasn't about to embarrass her by shutting it down. As long as I was there to make sure she was good then I’d let her do her thing.

“Man, fuck him. He can have the whole got damn city watching me for all I care. Long as he keeps his punk ass over there and away from Nonie, then we good.”

“Siah, you looking good tonight. Can I get a dance?” Vanessa walked up, sliding her body against mine, but I wasn't in the mood for that. I was here about business and that business damn sure wasn't her.

“Nah, I’m good on that. You know that ain't my shit.”

“How about a trip to the bathroom then?”

I chuckled. “Nah, I’m good on that too.” I grabbed her wrist and pushed her away from me which made her pretty face scrunch up. My eyes moved down her sexy body, and for a minute I thought about changing my mind, but then Nonie popped into my head.

“So it's true, huh?” She stepped back and placed her hand on her hip, glaring at me.

“What’s that?”

“Nonie got you wide open. Since when do you turn down pussy, Siah?”

“All the damn time, and it don't have shit to do with Nonie. It's more about bitches like you constantly throwing it at me to the point where I don't have no choice but to turn it down. I’m only one man, baby.”

“Oh, so I’m a bitch now?”

“Did I say that?”

“You might as well have, but it’s cool, though. Good luck with that because I know her stuck up ass can't and won't do half the things that I will do for you.”

“You sound dumb as fuck right now. Your nasty ass,” Jock said, frowning at her.

“And wasn't nobody talking to you, Jock, so mind your business.”

“I’m talking to you, though. Your desperate ass standing here auctioning off your pussy even after this nigga told you no, and you’re mad ’cause he’d rather fuck with someone that has class. The fuck outta here with that bullshit, Vanessa, and let me hear you say some shit about Nonie again, and you ain't got to worry about Siah cause Imma fuck you up for talking about my sis like that.”

“Sis? You sure you not fucking her too?”

Jock was on his feet quicker than I expected, but I held my arm up to stop this nigga from choking the shit outta her.

“Chill, Jock, she good. Her ass is just bitter. She can say what she wants, but it don’t change the fact that I ain't fucking with her.” I turned to Vanessa. “Are you done? ’Cause I’m tired of looking at your dumb ass.”

“Fuck you, Siah. Remember that shit ’cause we both know you’ll be hitting me up soon.”

“Bitch please, when have I ever hit you up? I don't even know your got damn number. I fucked you twice. Once in my car and once in the bathroom at Spotlight. Don't act brand new, you were never anything but a quick nut. Now get the fuck outta my face.”

Her mouth flew open, but she was too embarrassed to say shit, so she just walked off while Jock laughed.

“Yo, you need to be more selective, ’cause that shit right there is just sad.”

I just laughed. “I usually am, but the first time I was drunk and horny as fuck, and she had some bomb as head, so I gave it another shot. The next time I realized her damn head wasn't that good, and I was just drunk as hell the first time.”

“You dumb as fuck, Siah.” Jock turned up the bottle he was holding and then finished it off before he shook his head at me and laughed.

We chilled for a little longer, and I kept my eyes on Nonie. A few times that nigga, Laken, tried me by putting his hands on her or getting to cozy in her personal space, but each time, Nonie’s eyes met mine and she made sure to step away. I knew she was just trying to keep the peace and me from nutting up, but as long as he kept his hands off her we were good, for now.

I knew my pops didn't want me to kill this nigga, and that might have worked for him, but Laken was quickly climbing to the top of my list of people that needed to be handled. It wasn't going to be long before I was gonna have to take care of him one way or the other, and if that meant permanently, then so be it.

I had survived the night, but I was stressed and ready for it to be over. Trying to keep my distance from Laken so that he and Siah wouldn’t have a gun war in this club had me ready to drink something heavy and call it a night. Laken was aggressive, and I knew the fact that Siah was watching his every move made him even more determined to make a statement, but I had a job to do, so I got through it the best way I could. Kizzie ran interference as much as she could, but being that Jock was there, she wasn't much help because she was dodging him due to the issues that she was having.

There were a few times when Laken would touch my shoulders or my back just enough to make a difference, but only when he knew Siah was close. I quickly stepped away from him to make sure Siah didn’t feel the need to try and intervene.

I knew it was pissing him off, but I also knew that he respected my job enough to keep his distance unless Laken went too far. For the most part, I managed to keep the two of them separated and was still able to do my job. Now it was over and Kizzie and I were about to settle up on the bills and then head home.

I guess Jock and Kizze where still having their little issues because they didn't even speak to each other all night, but he damn sure made a point of knowing her every move. I could see him watching her just as hard as Siah was watching me. The two of them paid for a VIP area and stayed there most of the night unless Kizzie and I got too far and then you best believe, they were moving somewhere they could keep their eyes on us. I swear the two of them were doing the most, but this was how they did things, so I was used to it.

“We need to head up to the office to make sure we got everything covered before we head out of here. I’m going home with you, so you can't go home with Siah and he’s not coming to your house, okay?”

“Kizzie, will you please tell Jock about Red? You need to stop hiding. I love having you, but we both know that if Siah decides he’s coming home with me tonight then there really isn't anything that I can do to stop him. And the way he’s been up my ass all night, I can guarantee that’s exactly what he’s doing.”

“That's foul, Nonie. You're choosing him over your girl?” Kizze frowned, but she knew better. It wasn't about making a choice, it was about Siah getting his way and about her needing to handle her business.

“I’m not going there with you. Let's go.” I glanced at the bar, where I found Jock and Siah both watching us. I rolled my eyes and he winked at me.
Arrogant bastard.
I couldn’t even be mad at him because he was so damn sexy.

Kizzie and I made our way through the club and Kizzie had to stop to go to the bathroom, so I waited outside for her. I was leaning against the wall when I heard what sounded like Laken’s voice coming from around the corner. I walked over to it and sure enough he was with one of his homeboys and they were deep in conversation. So much so that they didn't notice I had even stuck my head out to peek at them, but I quickly stepped back and was about to walk off until I heard Siah’s name. That, of course, got my attention, so I decided to listen.

“You really don't think that nigga knows?”

“Nah, my pops and his pops ain't claiming each other, so there was no way he’d tell his son.”

“And you really ’bout to try and take down your own cousin? That’s family, bruh, fuck what your pops and his pops had going on, if you two merge that shit you can be a got damn power house. Why not just talk to him?”

“Fuck Siah, I ain't running shit with him, but I’m ’bout to take what he’s got. Even if it means killing that nigga.”

“You really gon’ kill your own cousin?”

“Hell yeah. He don't mean shit to me, and my pops and his pops are only half-brothers. So it don't mean shit. They don't even like each other, in fact they hate each other, so I’m good on that. Ain't no family ties with me.”

“Bruh, that’s some foul shit, but I’m good with it if you good with it. I guess we’ll be running Jersey and New York soon.”

“Fuck yeah, we will. So we really got someone on his team that’s willing to work with us on this?”

“Hell yeah, that nigga burned a lot of bridges, and money talks. It wasn't even that hard to turn ’em.”

“Aight then, I guess we make this shit happen.”

“Nonie, what you doing?” Kizze’s loud mouth ass damn near yelled, causing me to run to her and drag her down the hall.

“The fuck, Nonie? Why you grabbing me like that. You gon’ make me break my damn neck. Do you see these heels, hoe?” Kizzie snatched away from me and straightened her dress.

“Your big ass mouth was about to get me caught up,” I said, looking back over my shoulder.

I didn't see Laken, so it was likely he didn't hear her, thank God.

“Caught up, how? Your crazy ass man is over there,” she said, pointing to the bar where Jock and Siah were laughing about something.

“Not by Siah, by Laken.”

“Really, Nonie? You survived the night without having those two fools kill each other, so I know you’re not dumb enough to try and talk to him now.”

“No hoe, I was listening to a conversation that he was having.”

Kizzie looked at me course. “About what?”

“About…”

“Hey beautiful, I just took care of the bill, so everything is handled. I appreciate all your hard work and I hope you let me personally thank you,” Laken said, scaring the shit out of me when he walked up on me and Kizzie.

“No, I told you. This was just business, and you don't need to thank me. You paid me, and that’s good enough,” I said, looking over at the bar.

Sure enough, Siah’s eyes were on me. I took a step back from Laken, but that didn’t change things. Siah still looked pissed and Laken wasn't letting up. He gripped the back of my neck with one hand while he used the other to pull me into his body. He looked right at Siah and that was all it took to set him off. He had been patient all night, more than I had given him credit for, but seeing the way Laken had just handled me wasn't going to fly.

I pulled away from Laken just as Siah made it to us. I could see him as he moved and his gun was already in his hand. His crazy ass didn't care that we were in a club full of people, most of whom were Laken’s people since this was his event. Of course, Jock was right there with him.

“Muthafucker, I already warned you about this shit right here, didn’t I?”

Laken laughed and folded his arms across his chest. This nigga was either crazy or he had a death wish. “What you said was that she was not available, but I also told you that I would take that shit up with her. She hasn't said that she wasn't so in my opinion that makes her fair game.

“Is that right?” The look Siah gave me sent chills through my body. “Pretty, I think this nigga here is a little confused about your availability. You wanna clear that up for him.”

I glanced at Siah and then focused on Laken before I answered. “I told you this is just business, nothing else.”

“That don't sound like you’re not available, that just sounds like you’re reciting the transaction we made.”

This nigga was trying to get us both killed. Siah leaned in and planted his lips to mine before he turned back to Laken, who looked mad as hell that Siah had kissed me.

“She ain't available, my nigga.”

“That don't mean shit, trust me. If I want her I can have her. It's just a matter of time anyway.”

I needed to put an end to this before one of these fools got shot. I didn't want that on me, especially after what I just heard. “Look, I’m not available, so this little show isn’t necessary.”

“You felt real available when I kissed you, so what you’re saying now don't mean shit to me but that you scared of this nigga. You don't have to be though, because I got you, Pretty,” Laken said, mocking Siah.

That was the one thing that pushed him too far. His gun was cocked and pointed at Laken’s head so quick that I stepped back to make sure I wasn't in the way. Jock followed suit, and had his gun aimed at Laken too, which caused a few of his people to draw their weapons. I froze because I was out in the open with guns everywhere.

“Nigga, you must have a death wish or something, but trust me, I don't have a problem making that happen. The fuck you wanna do?”

“Siah, stop it. This club is full of people, and you’re holding a gun.” I looked around and we were quickly drawing a crowd. It was just a matter of time before security showed up, so I placed my hand on his arm, but he shoved me behind him.

“Nonie, get the fuck back,” he yelled, but kept his eyes on Laken.

At this point, I was desperate, so the next thing that flew out my mouth had better put an end to this nonsense. If there was any truth to the conversation I had overheard Laken having, it was about to help me shut these two idiots down. Laken might not give a fuck about killing family, but hopefully Siah would. At least enough that he wouldn't do it right here in a club full of people. I took a deep breath and let it fly.

“Siah, you can't shoot him, not in here, not like this.” I paused for a brief moment and then let the rest roll out my mouth before saying a silent prayer. “He’s your cousin.”

To be continued…