A little while later the manager, Bobby, came up to tell me my signature was needed for a few orders he was placing the following day so I went upstairs to the offices. On my way back down I saw Ms. Brimm with one of her friends waiting for the ladies room. That’s when I realized there was something about her aura that I found undeniably attractive. Her humility was captivating. I could tell she didn’t like a lot of attention, almost a little bashful even. I offered them the bathroom in my office and her girl quickly said yes but Brimm was a little hesitant.
We went upstairs and while her girl was in the bathroom, I tried to spark up a little conversation. What I really wanted to know was how soon she would be at my fingertips so I asked her. Again she seemed a little shy but I remained inquisitive. Tara called from downstairs asking what the holdup was. I told her I’d be down in a minute trying to get her off the damn phone.
When her friend came out of the bathroom Brimm flew in like she was about to piss her pants or something. We returned downstairs and I was mad as hell, I didn’t feel like I accomplished anything with her. I didn’t even understand why that bothered me. I can’t remember the last time I was on the chase.
A while after coming back to the table Petey received a call that our man, Two-Times, had been rushed to the hospital. We hauled ass out of the club to go and see about him. I parted ways with Tara and her peoples outside of Cobalt. Kid asked if Kim could drop Syn off at home while he and Petey stayed with me. Kid drove Petey and me while they made phone calls trying to learn what had happened.
As it turned out a couple of little ass, wanna-be-gangsters were on one of my blocks trying to make a name for themselves by stealing a corner and shot Two-Times. I hated when situations like this occurred because retaliation was difficult considering the perpetrators. These were kids—kids that needed to be dealt with no less—but kids. They were at the age where they’re feeling themselves and wanted to take over some of the blocks I owned. We were supposed to be meeting about addressing this very issue later on that night. I don’t believe in killing kids. In fact, I’ve been developing and funding programs for fucking punks like this.
According to the report Petey got over the phone, the kid was about sixteen or seventeen years old. In my private thoughts I screamed, “I can’t take this shit no more. I gotta get outta these streets!” I had to keep those thoughts to myself. After all, I was a boss and was looked to for leadership and direction. Two-Times was around my age—thirty-seven years old and had a girl and a few kids. He’s been on staff for almost a decade and was a block general so I had to check up on duke myself. He got his name from not being afraid to shoot at one-time, also known as the police.
After going to the hospital to check up on my man and making sure I got in touch with his family, I went to Marina Del Rey, my safe haven. I needed to clear my head.
What a fucking night.
~~~~~~~~~~
Rayna
Well into the New Year, I’d starting looking for a house diligently. I decided at the end of the previous year that it was time to acquire a piece of property. One afternoon I’d taken all of my real estate books with me over to the cafeteria at the recreation center next door. I was there finishing a chicken Caesar salad and looking over available properties in the L.A. and Orange County areas when someone in a very familiar tone said, “House shopping, are we?”
I looked up to find Mr. Azmir Jacobs flashing the sexiest smirk I’d ever seen. It immediately spoke to my libido and I felt my valley bellow tighten reflexively. My mouth grew dry as I assessed his person. He stood tall and masculine in a very handsome, well-tailored, grey suit with a lavender shirt and matching tie. His hair was freshly cut low as always and once again I noticed his scent. I knew I’d smelled it somewhere before but couldn’t place it because it smelled different on him, enthralling.
I forced a smile and tried to hide my disarray, “Something like that.”
Shit. I quickly used my tongue to brush over my teeth desperately praying there were no debris from my lunch in my smile.
“You’re saying we but the only person here with a book in their hands looking is me.”