The next day
Royalty flipped over and moaned. Last night her, Cindy and Ming partied like they have never partied before. It had been so long since they just had fun without a care in the world but now her shoulder was killing her. She walked to the bathroom to clean out her wounds.
She started with her stomach since it was easier to handle. Royalty grabbed the disinfectant, poured it onto the cotton pad and began to wipe it. She would have done it lightly but she wasn't no bitch and she wanted it to be healed quicker so settled on gritting her teeth.
"Bomboclaut." She whispered through gritted teeth. She didn't want to scream to have Cindy and Ming run in looking for her.
As she was cleaning her injuries, she had to stop herself from looking in the mirror since she seemed to be pointing out her flaws every chance she got. It also made her feel like Mulan during her 'Reflection song'. She hated how rough she looked. That wasn't her and she was going to make damn sure she didn't stay like this.
Once she was done, she walked back into the room and flopped onto her bed. As she was about to drift back into a dreamless sleep, her eyes shot open. Royalty flipped around and looked at the double bed next to her.
It wasn't touched.
"Shhhiiitttt. Cindy! Ming! Jazzy isn't here!" She shouted as she ran next door.
Where the fuck was Jazmine?
Cold.
That's how she was feeling.
Jazmine stirred as she slowly opened up her heavy eyes.
'Huh?' She thought, confused about her surroundings.
When she took a good look around, she realised she was back in that room again.
Panicking, she tried to jump up and run but then noticed she was strapped down to the chair, again.
'No! Not again!' She shouted in her brain. She didn't want to go through. She couldn't go through this.
"Hello Emerald."
Jazmine's head flew up as she heard a sinister voice right in front of her.
"Ho- how? I escaped from you." She said in disbelief.
The figure chuckled. "Oh darling... no one escapes from Vladimir... not even your friends..." He pointed to the left of Jazmine and a spotlight came out of nowhere and what she saw made her shriek in horror.
On the floor was Cindy, Ming and Royalty but they were dead. Throats slit, blood everywhere, white clothes stained with blood all over their bodies. Their eyes were wide open, looking right back at her with no life in them. She wanted to turn her head but it was stuck. It was like he forced her to keep her eyes on the dead bodies. Their eyes were locked.
"NO! Why...? Let me go! Please..." She begged him.
Vladimir just chuckled again. "No. You all need to be punished."
Jazmine began to cry.
"Plus, I want you to say hello to someone." Jazmine was finally able to look away from her dead friends' bodies as Vladimir stepped to the side and revealed Huey tied up to a chair. The only difference was that he looked tired and bloody.
"Huey!" She called out.
Before Huey could reply back, Vladimir pulled out a knife and held it to his neck. "Ah ah ah. No speaking from you Mr. You've spoken too much. It's time for me to silence you forever."
Jazmine watched the man reach into his back and pulled out a gun. Her eyes grew wide.
"NO!" She screamed but it was as if he didn't hear her because he didn't even flinch.
Huey's red eyes locked onto Jazmine's green eyes. Hers held tears while his held pain.
"Jazmine... I lo-"
BANG
"AAAHHH!" Jazmine screamed as she saw Huey's brains splatter across the floor. His head hung low as the wound began to bleed. He was dead. He died immediately.
Vladimir wiped some of the blood off his gun as he strolled towards Jazmine who was bawling in her seat.
"Jazmine..."
He smirked down at her. "It's your time now. I know your friends and boyfriend will be happy to meet you in the afterlife."
"...Jazmine..."
"Why are you doing this?" She sobbed but he didn't care and just laughed in her face.
"Because whores like you don't deserve happiness."
"Jazmine!"
Vladimir held up the same gun he used on Huey and held it to her temple. She could feel Huey's blood on the weapon and knew hers was about to mix in with his.
"Goodnight." Vladimir chuckled as his finger hovered over the trigger.
'This is it...' Was all Jazmine could think as she came to terms that she was going to die right here right now. 'I'm sorry...'
She closed her eyes and-
"Jazmine!"
"AHHH!"
Jazmine shot up panting and sweating.
'It was just a dream... just a dream...' She repeatedly told herself as she stared at the wall in front of her. 'Wait. Where the fuck am I?' She slowly turned her head to the left and she stopped breathing.
"Jayden?"
He smirked. "Morning JD."
Jazmine flopped back onto the pillow. 'What happened...?' Her eyes widened. Dreading the answer, she slowly lifted up the sheet to look at herself.
Naked.
'You have got to be kidding me.'
She looked over at Jayden.
Shirtless and also guessing, naked.
She didn't want to believe it but when she moved her legs, she felt soreness around her lower body.
'Yup. I got dick last night. But damn I'm mad as fuck. If I remember correctly his dick game was on point so- wait this is not the time Jazmine. Get back to reality.'
Jazmine cleared her throat. "So, um, by the looks of it, we, um, had sex."
Jayden gave her a lazy smile, making butterflies float in her stomach for a strange reason. "Yeah. From the looks of it, you don't remember. We drank, I mean like, a lot and one thing lead to another."
Now a thing with Jayden was that he could get shit faced drunk and still remember everything he did the next day no matter how big his hangover was so he was lucky enough to remember them having sex while for Jazmine at the moment, it was blank.
"I gotta say, you've gotten better since high school." He half joked.
Jazmine rolled her eyes and back handed him on his hard chest. "You're an idiot you know that." She sighed. "I really came here just for my id."
"Don't worry, I put it in your purse."
"Wow, comforting to know you're going through my purse." She joked.
Jayden let out a single laugh. "You know I ain't no damn thief."
Jazmine had to laugh herself. "I see you been hanging out with more of your black friends. I ain't never heard you speak like that."
"I could say the same for you."
"I lived in Chicago for 5 years. You know my ass was gonna pick something up."
Jayden chuckled as he laid back down. The two stared at the celling in silence for a few seconds before he broke it.
"Do you ever think about what would have happened if we never broke up?" He asked.
Jazmine sighed deeply, not really expecting to have such a deep conversation as soon as she woke up from such a terrible dream. "I would be lying if I said I didn't..."
"You know what I think would have happened." He turned to face her so she did too and he stared deep into her eyes. "I think we would have graduated and gone through college head strong. We would do all the crazy college stuff, experience new things, make new friends. Then graduate again with our dream careers. Maybe even now we would be engaged or even married with a little one on the way."
"Jayden-"
"-You don't have to agree with what I'm saying but this is what I thought JD." Jazmine nodded and let him finish. "I would have treated you like the Queen you are and spoiled you rotten. A house, a car, a big diamond ring that would make your eyes sparkle. Then I will be play with our son James every day."
Jazmine rolled her eyes. "I told you I hated that name. God forbid I name my son that."
"Come on. It's not a bad name."
"It is. It's so basic. My children will never have any type of basic name."
It was Jayden's turn to roll his eyes. "Whatever JD. So you see what I mean. We would be beginning our adulthood good if we never broke up."
"If only life was that simple." Jazmine whispered but he still heard it.
"I know." Jayden decided to ask her something he wanted to ask since she woke up. "You were screaming and fussing in your sleep... want to talk about it?"
Jazmine pulled the covers up closer to her chest and gulped hard. She remembered the dream vividly.
The coldness of the room. The image of her friend's throat slit and all the blood that was covering them. Vladimir's sinister voice laughing at her pathetic please and Huey... him being killed right in front of her eyes and she couldn't save not one of them. She felt useless.
"I was back in the room. The room we stayed in when we got kidnapped." Jazmine began to tell him. She didn't know why she did but she just did. She needed to talk to someone or this would eat her from the inside and she knew Jayden would hang onto every word. "I was strapped to the chair again and I just felt cold. I began to panic and tried to escape but the man that kidnapped us stepped out. He just laughed. He never stopped laughing. It was like he was mocking me for trying to free myself. That's when he told me to look at Cindy, Ming and Royalty. Oh my gosh, my heart shattered." Jazmine took a deep breath as tears began to fall from her eyes and roll down the side of her heads. Jayden was tempted to wipe it away but fought against it and focused on listening to her speak.
"Their throats were slit and covered in blood. They had these icy, dead eyes staring back into my soul but I couldn't turn away, no matter how bad I wanted to. I couldn't. Not until he brought out... Huey." Hearing his name made Jayden angry but he didn't want to dwell on last night too much right now. "He was also tied to the chair also. He looked like someone beat the shit out of him. He tried to talk to me but the kidnapper pulled out a knife and held it to his throat, stopping him. Then the man pulled out the gun and pulled the trigger. I screamed as I watched his brain splatter all over the room before he moved over to me. He was going to kill me too. With the same gun he killed Huey with. With Huey's blood still on it. He held it to my temple as I cried and begged but he didn't care. He didn't waver his decision. He was about to pull the trigger when you woke me up so I guess I should thank you for that." Jazmine let out a humourless laugh as she quickly wiped the tears away.
Jayden was upset. After everything that man put her through, he was still the one thing on her mind. What did he have to do to get him the fuck out of Jazmine's life forever?
"I'm so sorry you had to go through all that. You didn't deserve any of the pain you're experiencing." He told her sincerely.
Jazmine couldn't help it and let out a full-blown cry. She had to sit up so she didn't choke and cried into her hands. Jayden sat up with her and pulled her into a tight hug, scared that she would slip out of his embrace.
"I got you. Let it out." He rubbed her naked back in comfort as she just let all the emotion flow out of her body.
They stayed in that position for about 5 minutes before Jazmine had no more tears left.
"Damn." She sniffed as she sat up and wiped her face. "I know that was nothing like how you thought your morning would go. What time is it anyway?" She asked.
Jayden reached for his phone. "Um 11:26."
Jazmine's eyes widened. "I'm sorry repeat that."
"11:26."
"How?! Shit, where's my phone?" Jazmine began to panic as she searched for her phone.
"What's wrong?" Jayden asked worriedly.
Jazmine found her phone and saw texts and missed calls from her friends. As she sent a text to tell them she was ok, she realised her phone was on silent. She slowly turned her head to Jayden.
"Jayden, why is my phone on silent?"
"You seemed tired so I didn't want anyone to wake you up." He shrugged.
Jazmine took a deep breath to stop her blood pressure from rising. "Jayden. My girls are worried sick because I didn't reply back. I was meant to be back ages ago. I need to go."
Unexpectedly, Jazmine felt a pair of lips on her cheek. "Yeah, I should have known better. I'm sorry."
Jazmine didn't know what to do so she just said the only thing that could get her out of there. "Can you get me an Uber please. I need to get back."
Jayden nodded while Jazmine began to get dressed. She only had the dress on so it wouldn't take her long to get ready. He couldn't help but stare at her amazing figure as she slipped on her clothes.
"Uber nigga!" She shouted when she knew he was staring. He laughed but did as he was told as she tried to make herself look decent and not look like she had a one-night stand.
It didn't take long for the Uber to come and they both stood by his door.
"Thank you for not losing my ID." Jazmine smirked as Jayden chuckled.
Jazmine couldn't deny the charming aura surrounding his shirtless self, just standing there all causal in just tracksuit bottoms in front of her.
"Thank you for an amazing night last night."
She rolled her eyes. "I am just getting some flash backs."
"Well let me know when it all pieces together because I know that shit was bomb as fuck. You'll be back for more, they all do." Jayden said with a high amount of cockiness.
"Whatever. Goodbye Jayden." She waved behind her shoulder as she made her way out of the apartment.
He smirked as he watched her figure disappear down the hall before going back inside. He missed her already. He wished she didn't have to leave.
'I'm so fucking stupid! If I didn't turn off her phone, she properly wouldn't have run off so quick... but at least she opened up to me, that's a start. There's only one problem. Huey. Stupid fucking Huey. Why can't she hate him like she should? Why is he still on her mind?' He questioned himself angrily. He rested his hand on the counter as he stared out of the window as last night's memories flooded his mind.
In the early hours of the day
"Would you like a drink?" Jayden asked as Jazmine viewed his half empty house.
"Hm. I feel as if I want to continue my strong drinking."
He chuckled. "Coming right up." He went into his drink cabinet and pulled out brown liquor.
'Damn. I feel bad. I remember brown liquor turned her on.' Jayden shook his head mentally as he poured them both drinks.
"Oh, you got the good shit I see. Thanks." She commented as she took the glass he held out for her.
"As always and you're welcome. Cheers." The clinked their glasses together before taking sips.
They sat there for about 10 minutes in silence just drinking. They had about 2/3 glasses each before Jayden spoke up. "So, what were you doing to be all dress up like that? I know you love me and all but you don't need to try hard to seduce me." He joked.
Jazmine backhanded his chest as she took more sips. She was really feeling alcohol today. "Me and the girls went job hunting."
Jayden's jaw slightly tightened but he didn't let it show. "Lemme guess, at a club?"
Jazmine sighed. "Yes if you must know. The one Ed and Rummy just happened to own."
Jayden down the rest of his drink before refilling and taking another sip. "JD, why do you still do this to yourself?"
"Do what?"
"Make men look at you as a piece of meat rather than an actual woman with goals and dreams." He said softly.
It was Jazmine's turn to down her drink. "Because I am not in the frame of mind at the moment. When I dropped out of college, my life changed. I didn't see myself going down the path of medicine anymore, it just wasn't for me. I wanted to break free from my parent's intense watch, that's why I went college in Chicago anyway." Jazmine knew the alcohol was getting to her now, she had drunk quiet a lot just before she got there.
"I'm sorry, it's just that when we left high school, you had all these hopes and dreams. Shit, even from what you and everyone told me about you from when you were at least 10, you dreamed of the world and more. It's just upsetting that I have to see you like this but I know you're strong enough to get through it." Jayden reached forward to caress the cheek that held the bruise, careful not to put too much pressure on it. "You're the strongest person I know la mia bella ragazza,"
'Why did he just have to go and say that?' Jazmine thought as she felt herself lean in closer to his lips.
They moved slow, waiting for one to move back but they didn't.
Their lips finally touched but they didn't move. As it connected, the years old memories came to them in a second. Their first date, first kiss, first time having sex and all the times after. Everything. They were overwhelmed and they wanted more.
Jazmine reached behind his head and gripped onto his curly hair to pull him on top of her. Their lips began to move in sync and eagerness. It was fast and heated.
Jayden was having the time of his life and he could already tell his friend was ready to make an appearance.
Jazmine's mind was blank. She didn't think or feel, she just did.
"Off." She said as she slightly parted their rushed kisses and Jayden did just as he was told without any hesitation. He wanted this. He wanted all of this.
Jazmine hurriedly unbuttoned her shirt but before she could throw it down, he picked her up and walked her into his bedroom. As he did, he moved the kisses from her lips to her neck, kissing and sucking the parts he had accessed to.
'This is defiantly going to leave a mark.' He thought giddily as he rested their bodies onto the bed.
Jazmine finally managed to take off her shirt dress and threw it onto the floor and was quick to disregarded her bra.
'Oh shit are we actually doing this?' Jayden had to quickly as himself as everything moved so quick.
"Wait wait wait." He stopped her as she gripped onto his hard flesh. "Jazmine are you su-" Jayden got cut off by her lips. "Jaz-"
"Shhh." She shushed. Jayden had never seen this dominate side of her and it was defiantly a big turn on so he let her take the lead. Jazmine used her strength to flip them over so she was on top. Her hands ran across his body as she trailed kiss down it at the same time. Jayden looked down at her and was grinning from ear to ear. He finally had her again.
Just as she reached his waist, she stopped.
"I'll save that for next time." She smirked as she looked at his dazed face when she climbs back on top of him.
'Nah, I have waited to damn long for this shit!' Jayden thought. He reached down and pulled down his sweatpants, leaving him exposed.
Jazmine's smirk got even bigger and she threw off her last item of clothing to the floor. Jayden grabbed a condom out of his draw quickly and slipped it on and now that the two were completely naked, could finally connected in a way they haven't done it years.
"Damn baby..." Jayden whispered as he entered her.
'I feel like I am home.' Was all he could think of.
They moved quick and urgently. He gripped her hips while she switched between holding the headboard and his shoulder.
"Shiiitt..." She moaned as hit her in the right angle.
A few more minutes passed of moaning and movements and he was ready.
"JD... imma bout to- ugh-" Jayden couldn't even finish his sentenced as he finished into the condom. He would have stopped but he wanted Jazmine to finish too. His energy was gone so he went slower but enough for it to still feel good.
"Oh shit! Hue-!" Jazmine screamed as she reached the end.
Jayden looked up at her closed eyes. As if it was nothing, she rolled up to the side and what looked like she was already drifting off to sleep.
'Hold the fuck up. Did she really just call me another dudes name like I didn't lay down the pipe good? Nah nah. I can't fuck with that.' Jayden said frustratedly. He wanted to shake her ass awake but she looked so peaceful sleeping. 'You know what, imma let that shit slide but this is the only time!'
The man sighed before getting deeper into his cover. As he did, Jazmine flipped onto her stomach and threw her arm around his waist. Smirking, Jayden pulled her into his arms which she subconsciously snugged into.
He took a quick glance at her. 'Damn, this woman is doing something to me! I can't even be mad at her for long... I missed this shit.' Was his final thought as he went to sleep with his high school sweetheart in his arms once again.
Present
Jazmine jumped out the car and sprinted into the hotel. It was already passed 12 and she knew the girls were up and ready to shout at her.
On her way back, she managed to put last night together which caused her to sit at the back of the Uber blushing bright red. The driver must of thought there was something wrong with her. She couldn't believe how easily she slept with Jayden. She never thought she would find her way in his bed again but she did. She couldn't deny how good it felt to have sex again, it had been a long time.
'Should I keep him as a fuck buddy for the time being?' Jazmine shook her head. She couldn't do it. She knew she couldn't string him along just to fulfil her sexual desires, fantasies and needs. It wouldn't be fair to him. Anyone with eyes knew Jayden's feelings had bubbled to the surface again and now that they were older, he was ready for a relationship that would last to old age. Ready to have a child...
Her first and only miscarriage really shook her to the core. She felt as if she wasn't worth of being a mother and would never be able to carry children no matter how many times the doctors told her that she was healthy and could carry children in future. It still scared her. She had the normal guilt any female that has been through that experience went through.
'No, I don't want to think of that.' She said to herself as she got inside the elevator to their floor.
As she stood still, she wondered. Did she really have feelings for Huey if she fell into the bed of the first man to give her attention? She reached up to touch the necklace that he gave her which she still hadn't taken off.
She rolled her eyes. 'Of course you did stupid girl.'
It was true. She did have feelings for Huey and they were growing every time she would talk or look at him. They would text all hours of the day, not that anyone knew. If only their circumstances were better, they could have taken the time to build their relationship. She also felt that she only slept with Jayden because of comfort and familiarity or maybe she still had feelings for him.
It was all too confusing for her to think now.
Sighing she walked into her room only to feel a hand drag her and throw her onto the bed.
"What the fuck?"
She looked up in shock at Royalty, Cindy and Ming standing over her with their arms crossed.
"You best start explaining yourself nigga." Royalty said first.
"How your ass just going to drop off the face of the earth like we didn't get KIDNAPPED the other day?" Cindy asked with anger.
"I was ready to find Rummy and beat his ass if something happened to you." Ming told her.
"I know, I was stupid but... I don't even know how it happened but shit happened." Jazmine shrugged.
"You best tell us everything."
They all crossed their arms and stared at Jazmine waiting for her to confess. She felt claustrophobic but she knew she needed to tell, that's the least she owed them. Plus, she needs to vent.
So she did.
"...I mean shit! Why is it so hard? I loved Jayden but I might love Huey. But we weren't even a couple like what the fuck. Maybe I should move on with Jayden but then he is moving to Chicago. Damn. I guess I should forget about both of them. It's all a mess." Jazmine breathed out as she finished telling her friends about last night's activities and morning thoughts.
"I hear that." Cindy nodded.
"I mean, we're crazy right. We've known them for a few weeks and we already whipped on them. It just doesn't make sense but... they did treat us right when they had us so I can't even be mad at them fully." Ming added.
"Yeah... I'm not evening going to lie, there was one point when I thought I was pregnant with Riley." Royalty confessed.
They all looked at her shocked. "Why didn't you tell us?" Jazmine asked.
"Because it was a false alarm." She shrugged. "I didn't want you all to worry over nothing. Riley was with me when I took the test but everything was cool. I dealt with it and we moved on. Thinking about it, I wonder what would have happened if I was. Maybe it could have been something to keep us there. I know they would have protected us, it just now, sending us away was the best and easiest option for them."
Cindy smirked. "I feel like every day we're going to mention how fucked up we are."
"It's becoming a tradition." Ming nodded. "But shit is about to change ladies. We are going to speak it into existence."
"Yeah and hopefully boy trouble doesn't follow. For now, I'm going to wash this sex smell off me." Jazmine was finally able to stand after being thrown onto the bed by her friends.
"Yaa naasssttyyy." Royalty mocked.
"Shut your ass up!"
The girls all laughed but stopped when they looked at the TV which was showing the news.
"Ay yo Jazzy." Cindy called out to her friend as she didn't take her eyes away from the screen.
"Damn I can't even shower now." Jazmine joked as she stepped out the bathroom and saw her friends staring at the tv. Confused, she walked closer as Ming turned up the volume.
"A shocking discovery today. Eleven girls ranging from the ages of 16 to 24, were all found today in Chicago, scared but safe. They are all victims of kidnapping and forced into sex trafficking which some have been involved in as long as two years. They were discovered in Chicago but are from all over the country: Texas, New York, New Orleans, Los Angeles as well as other places. Parents of these girls have been informed and immediately have begun to make their way to have a tearful reunion with their missing daughters. It is reported that a man by the name of Ghost as well as his people, was who saved them from a location we are not aware of. 'Ghost' is a known gang leader here in Chicago but hasn't been connected to any sex trafficking so this could be him exploring his horizons in other crimes, who knows. All we say is stay safe out there and we wish the best for these young and scared girls to recover from their traumatic experience." The report ended as she stood outside the police station where other news reports stood outside, hoping to find out more information to put on the front page of their articles.
Ming turned back down the volume and they all looked at each other.
"Those are the girls Huey saved when he saved us. He got them back to their families." Jazmine said tearfully. She knew he wouldn't keep them for the same reason Vladimir did but it was still shocking. These girls had been through worse and Huey made sure he took care of all of them while dealing with his own problem. The reporter may not have realised it but Ghost was the good guy in this situation who wouldn't dip his hand into sex trafficking.
"Yeah but that bitch is making them look like the bad guys in this situation like the fuck." Royalty said what Jazmine was thinking frustratedly.
"I'm just glad they are safe from that prick and they didn't get left to die." Cindy crossed her arms.
"This world is fucked." Ming shook her head.
They all sat there reflecting on the information they just learned and knew they had to begin to count their blessings.
"Ok, I am actually going to shower now." Jazmine interrupted the short span of silence to finally rid herself the smell of Jayden and sex.
Things were about to flip whether they were ready for it or not.
Back in Chicago, a few days ago.
Huey and the boys had just dropped the girls off at the airport and they were on their way back to the warehouse. He felt a vibration from his phone and pulled it out.
Dad: Come here now.
Huey sighed. Those three words were simply enough to get his ass over there.
"Imma need you to drive to our parents first."
Everyone in the car was pulled out of their thoughts when Huey spoke up.
"Why?" Riley asked, confused.
"Dad just text me. He wants to see us."
"Damn. What you think he gonna say?"
Huey wanted to sigh again but went against it. "Man I don't even know. All I know is that I can't stay long, we got shit to do."
"I hear that man but you know your folks ain't gonna like you wanting to bounce so quick." Caesar told him from the backseat.
"We both know I got shit to handle Caes, I don't have time to sit and relax right now."
"I guess you right. We still need to go see Fire." Hiro said as he pulled up to the Freeman family neighbourhood.
"Yeah yeah. Hopefully this don't take long." Huey said as he pulled up to their parents' house.
"Hiro and I will wait for you to come back." Caesar pattered Huey on the none injured shoulder as they pulled up.
Huey nodded before him and Riley jumped out the car and made their way to the door.
They knocked and waited.
The door slowly opened and their stood their father with an emotionless face. Huey had inherited his whole facial expression. He stepped to the side to let his sons in who walked into the strangely quiet house. His mother was sitting on one of the chairs closets to the door so Huey and Riley sat across from her while their father sat next to his wife.
Not liking the silence, Riley decided to break it. "So, you wanna tell us what you called us here for?"
Their mother raised an eyebrow. "You gotta damn cheek to ask me that. You know how many times I tell you the. Streets. Talk. What is this bullshit I'm hearing now? Kidnapping?! You got them girls kidnapped?!"
Huey had to stop himself from rolling his eyes, not in the mood for anyone today. "They're safe now."
Mackenzie scoffed. "Are you sure about that? They got taken from their jobs, their stripping jobs, so the Russian's obviously know who they are. I told your ass not to be fucking with them girls."
Something strange snapped in Huey's head. His temper was on 10 today.
"I don't want to hear this shit."
Everyone looked at him shocked.
"Excuse me young man." His mother held her mouth open as she looked at her oldest son.
"I don't need to hear a lecture from a situation I already know I fucked up in."
"Me and Aunt Cookie told you how many times at the BBQ so I don't think you do-"
"I do! Trust me I fucking do! Why do you think we're all dirty and bloody? For kicks? Nah, we just got through murdering niggas to save their ass and get them the fuck outta Chicago."
"Huey-" Riley tried to stop his brother from talking as he saw his mother anger start to match Huey's. He reached forward and tried to pull him back.
"Nah fuck that." Huey shrugged off Riley and shoot up from his seat.
"Boy." His father stood up to. He understood his anger but he was taking it out on the wrong people.
"I didn't want to come over here, I have shit to do. This is why I am standing here with two bullet wounds, Hiro's limping and them girls are going to scarred for life mentally and physically. I have so much motherfucking guilt already I don't need your ass adding to it. Where was all this energy about being in a relationship when you started fucking dad-"
SLAP!
The room stood still. No one could believe what Huey said and the slap that ripped across his face from his mother's hand. Huey himself couldn't believe what he said and he instantly regretted it.
"You know the difference between me fucking your mother and you two fucking them girls." Christian stepped up to his oldest child so that he was in the middle of him and his equally angry wife. "While I was fucking your mother, her ass didn't spend a second injured or kidnapped by the many fucking enemies I had this whole motherfucking time. You've known this girl in less time and she now has to watch her back everywhere she goes even when she's not fucking you. So, don't you dare come in this motherfucking house and disrespect the people that gave you life. Remember I was in this same position you were in. Remember 5 years ago when that bullet entered my head? Yeah, I know you remember that. Your mother told me that was the first time she has ever seen your hard ass cry. Hearing that I might not live, I might not walk, I might not talk, I might not be able to do shit, crushed your ass so what did you do? You looked your uncle's dead in the eyes and said: 'I'm going to take my father positions. I am going to be the leader of this gang' and you stood your ground. They warned you about everything but you just shook your head and said you're ready. We told you relationships and this gang life was hard but now that it got hard you wanna act like a bitch ass nigga about it instead of being the strong ass nigga we raised your ass to be. Don't let my ass regret putting you in this position by fucking everything up. We never said you couldn't love, you just gotta be careful when you love."
After Christians lecture, everyone stood frozen. Riley was the only one that didn't have anger running through his body as he was shocked. He has never heard Huey talk to their parents like that or his father talk to him like that. He had no idea how this situation escalated.
What Riley couldn't see was Huey's face crumble. Every word his father said held the same amount of pain the bullets wounds did.
He regretted what he said. They raised him better than that. He disrespected his parents when he had no right to do, no matter how angry he was. It wasn't their fault.
Mackenzie and Christian looked at Huey. They knew he was hurting in more than one way, making them realise how special this Jazmine girl was to get him so riled up like he did but that gave him no right to talk to them the way he did so they made sure he understood that they were his parents.
As mentioned before, Huey unexpectedly stepped up to be the leader of the Panther's when Christian Freeman nearly died. His father was shot in the head. Him, his brothers and Mackenzie were all out shopping for a few things when an unexpected drive by happened, aiming for them. Christian shielded his wife which resulted in a bullet entering the back of his head and out his forehead. Dominic and Mario tried to shot at the culprits but when they heard the scream of their sister in law, they knew the situation was bad. He was awake but losing blood so they rushed him to the hospital where the oldest sibling fell into a coma once he entered the hospital.
When Huey and Riley heard the news, they dropped everything and ran down to the hospital where the doctor told them it was a touch and go situation. He may not live, may not be able to hold his wife and children again, may never tell them he loves them again and that broke Huey. Riley always showed a number of emotions so seeing him cry was nothing new but Huey had always had a hard personality so when he broke down crying with Riley, their mother and uncles were shocked. The family stood their crying until Huey jumped up. His sadness turned to anger and he vowed to kill the ones who hurt his father as well as saying he will be the new leader. Dominic and Mario tried to talk him out of it, telling him to think about it clearly but Huey had already made up his mind. He knew he was the next Freeman to carry the gang.
Huey tracked down the men in two days and slaughtered them which was a shock to many people at how quick he managed to do it.
A week past and Christian woke up from his coma. At first, he found it difficult to talk but with the help of his family, he was back to normal. He was blessed to only have one major problem that was fixed over time. Him and Huey had a long talk about taking leadership of the Panther's and by the end of it, Christian was sure of his decision. He was finally able to step down and let someone else take over so he could enjoy his time with his wife.
That is where Ghost was officially put into everybody's mouth.
"We say this because we love you Huey Percy Freeman and you, Riley Escobar Freeman. We are here to keep you as straight as we can. I am here to give you the reality that not everything in the streets is your life. Those girls weren't in the same shit you do so they got caught in the cross fire. I know you're anger but don't ever fucking disrespect me the way you did ever again. I am your mother. If you do, expect another slap across your face. That goes for you too Riley." Mackenzie told her boys as she stepped out of Christian's shadow so she could have a good view of them both.
Huey gulped hard. This was not how this was meant to go. If only he learned to keep his mouth close and not take it out on the people who were the first ones to tell him they loved him. It seemed as if he could only hurt the ones he loved. Unexpectedly, Huey began to tear up. He was drained and could no longer hold onto his emotions. Seeing this, Mackenzie pulled Huey down to sit next to her and put his head on her shoulder.
"Don't think that. I know what you're thinking. You're not a bad person baby. We all make mistakes and I know you will learn from it. You just got to be the strong man we raised you to be." She held her arm out for Riley to join which he happily did. "Let me remind you of something. We are motherfucking Freeman's. Our name means something. Those motherfuckers ain't got shit on us so I want you boys to carry the name with pride and defend your shit. I know your father is thinking the same thing and I know you are more than capable of handling your shit. So go out there and do what you gotta do." Mackenzie told her sons.
Christian looked at her surprised, he thought he would have to do the pep talk but it seemed as if she had it on lock.
"When did my wife become such a bad ass?" He joked.
Mackenzie smirked, showing off her dimples. "Since the day I was motherfucking born nigga."
He shook his head before getting serious again. "Huey. Riley. Or should I say Ghost and Reezy. I hear you have business to do so I suggest you get to it."
Huey and Riley nodded and stood up with their mother following. They all shared a needed group up before pulling away.
"I suggest you keep your eyes and ears open. They play dirty and I don't want any more people I care for hurt." Huey told his parents.
Christian smirked. "You know I keep that thing on me." He lifted his top to show the gun resting on his hip.
"I hear that." Riley mirrored the same action of his father and showed off his gun. "Ite we gotta bounce bro."
"Yeah, I will see you all later... I'm sorry again." Huey sighed.
Mackenzie gave them both kisses on the cheek. "I love you too so much. Be safe... and make them pay."
Huey smirked. "Trust me. They will."
With that, the siblings walked out and left their parents' house.
"You know they loved them girls right." Christian said once they saw their car speeding down the street.
She sighed. "I know. That's why I made sure I drilled it into their heads. Riley was out here acting like a man whore but that Royalty girl was the only one on that kept him level. He actually showed his genuine sweet side rather than his gang banger side to get girls swooning at his 'bad boy' attitude. Then Huey... he never looked at Raven the way he looked at Jazmine and she was his only serious relationship. He looked calm and happier... am I a bad mother?" She suddenly questioned herself.
Her husband looked at her strange. "Don't even start with that nonsense. You will and never been a bad mother. You do what you gotta do to protect them the best you can do in this world. Believe it or not, they get their smartness from you."
He smirked while she pushed him playfully.
"I hate you."
"No, you don't."
"Yes, I do."
"Stop playing girl." Christian suddenly lifted Mackenzie and began to give her a sweet kiss. Despite having two grown kids, they still acted like teens themselves. "How 'bout we take this argument upstairs?"
"No."
"Too late!" He said as he began to walk to their bedroom. All Mackenzie could do was laugh and prepare herself for an amazing adventure.
"Let's go."
Immediately after leaving the Freeman's home, the four made their way to see a man called Fire on very important business.
They walked into a car garage where there were a few people working on cars. When Huey, Riley, Hiro and Caesar all walked in, everyone turned to watch them walk into the back, know exactly what they were here for.
Huey walked straight ahead with purpose despite all the stares. It has been a while since he had been at this location.
"Damn. Niggas can't even do business in peace anymore." Riley commented as he looked at all the other workers. He wanted to screw them all but he didn't feel like fighting right now.
"Cool off Reezy." Hiro told his friend.
"Nigga I am cool damn."
They finally reached a door that was blocked by a large man.
Huey had to slightly look up at him.
"I'm here to see Fire."
The man looked at Huey and the people behind him.
Hold in his annoyance, Huey lifted his arms to let the man search him. As he did, he pulled out his gun and two daggers. The man raised an eyebrow at him.
"You know who I am." Huey simply told him.
The other three got search, much to Riley's disgust, before walking inside the room, bare.
"Well well well. Look who found their way back to these parts of town. It's nice to see you Ghost. I guess that's why they call you Ghost huh." The man chuckled.
In front of them sat a muscular, dark skin man who wore a large smirk on his face.
"Fire." Huey greeted back.
"It's lovely to see you, as well as Reezy, HO and MC. What do I owe the pleasure of having all four of you here at once?"
"We need equipment."
"Well you've come to the right place." He smirked.
The man who goes by the name of Fire, is what people would call an arms dealer. Needed a gun, he had it. Assault rifles, submachine, pistols, snipers, all of that. He even had ammo, and all types of grenades. The car garage was just a good way to keep his business as hidden as possible.
"What do you need, friend?" He stood and walked in front of his desk to lean on it.
"Grenades, including smoke and flash ones, submachines, ammo, sniper and a few pistols." Huey listed off.
Fire whistled. "So this war is real. The streets have been talking. I guess I should be hearing from you soon again."
"I guess that's right."
"Hm ok." He picked up a remote, pointed it to the wall and pressed a button. The wall then began to turn in and a row of gun spun into view.
"I love that shit every time." Riley smirked.
"Same. You know I was always the one for flare... you got your bag?" He asked.
Hiro and Caesar stepped forward and handed him the large black bags.
"Perfect." Fire went over and began filling up the bags. "So word on the street is that you got yourself some Wifey's."
They all got tense.
"You can't believe everything the streets say." Caesar told him.
"Oh, but I do." He smirked. "We all know when the streets talk, 93% of the time, the shit they talk is truth."
"Well maybe we got lucky with being the 7% this time." Hiro shrugged.
Fire laughed. "I see what you're play at. I respect that."
"Whatever nigga. These streets need to mind their motherfucking business sometimes. All on a niggas dick and shit." Riley crossed his arms.
"Welp from what I heard, that wasn't the only thing on your dick."
Riley anger flared. "Whatchu say nigga?!"
Huey stepped in front of his brother. "Reezy. Cool off."
"Man I'm not a motherfucking baby. Everyone telling me to cool off. Shiiittt. A nigga is chill. Stop saying cool off before I actually get heated. Shit man."
Huey rolled his eyes as Fire walked over with the full bags. Him and Caesar checked through to make sure they had everything they asked for.
"Price?"
"2 grand."
Huey raised an eyebrow at him.
"Nigga this is standard shit. Those ain't your prices."
Fire shrugged as he popped a gum in his mouth. "Prices are rising. Plus, you seem pretty desperate. These going to have hella bodies on it so I might as well get my money's worth."
Huey took a deep breath. "1600."
"1900."
"1750."
Fire thought for it for a second. He knew that was the best he was going to get out of Huey. "Deal."
Hiro pulled out the money and began counting before handing it to Fire who counted it himself.
Once he was sure he had the right amount, he smiled at them all and held out his hand.
"Pleasure doing business with you. I will see you soon."
Huey nodded and shook his hand before picking up one bag while Riley took the other. They walked out, collected their weapons from the large man and made their way to their warehouse.
"Damn a nigga tired." Caesar said from the back seat.
The last few hours have been draining on them. The only time they could rest was right after they got shot at in front of the club because Huey was still passed out. They had yet to rest properly.
"We just got one more thing to do and then we can rest." Huey told hm from the passenger seat.
Riley kissed his teeth, a habit he picked up from Royalty. "I need a massage or some shit. Body sore as fuck. I don't know how you two are doing it and you got shot."
"Trust me. My leg has been throbbing like crazy since we left the airport." Hiro told him as he continued to drive.
"Should have let one of us drive." Caesar said to him.
Hiro shook his head. "Nah. We all know I am the best driver here."
"Hell no. I am ten times better than you!"
"Sure, that's why you're in the backseat."
Caesar went quiet while Riley laughed. "You know I sit here cuz Huey here."
"Don't drag me into this."
Hiro chuckled as he looked at Caesar's defeated face. "It's ok bro. It's ok."
"Whatever. Just get us back already." Caesar said in defeat as he crossed his arms. Hiro shook his head at his friend and then went back to paying attention to the road.
Not long later, they were back at the warehouse and people were busy. They were rushing around doing different things and Huey was proud to see it. This was a business.
"Hey MC. The new flavour is ready." One of the women came up to him and handed him the small bag that had the Panther logo (the head of a Panther) on it. He opened it and breathed it in.
"Hmm yes. This is going to be a hit. Continue growing and get this packaged and out in the streets asap. Let the dealers know we got product which is going to be high in demand." Caesar instructed her, she nodded and raced off to who knows where.
Huey handed the bag to Riley. "MC, go check on product. HO, check on the money and Reezy, handle weapons. Make sure everyone is at least strapped with something."
They nodded and made their way to where they needed to be. Huey walked to the infirmary where he heard laughter.
He knocked and walked in.
"Hey Ghost." Faith greeted.
"Hello Faith. Thank you for your work earlier."
"No problem. It's my job."
"Can I talk to Midnight alone for a few minutes? I'm sure Dee is somewhere around here." If it wasn't for her dark skin, they would have seen her blushing.
"Um yeah ok. I'll talk to you later Midnight." She gave the girl a slight hug.
"Alright. Thank you so much for taking care of me." Midnight smiled as she hugged back the best she could.
Once she left, Huey took the chair she was once sitting in.
"How you feeling?" He asked.
"As good as I can get with a bruised, nearly fractured rib." She shrugged. "You?"
"Surviving."
"They gone?" Huey nodded. "Do you know where?" He shook his head. "Damn. We just started to get along too."
"Never thought I would hear that come out from you." Huey smirked.
Raven smirked back. "I guess being locked in a room for about 12 hours makes a bitch crazy." She laughed a little, careful not to hurt her ribs too much. "You know this is the most I have been injured in a very long time. Last time was when we were 15, remember."
Huey sighed. "Yeah I remember... that's when we first kissed."
10 years ago
"Huey! Do you have my bag?"
"Yes."
15-year-old Huey and Raven were making their way-out of school. It was the first day of spring break and she was excited.
"What plans do you have for the holiday?" Raven asked.
Huey shrugged. "I don't know. Parents are working. You?"
"Same. I guess we're gonna have to find some trouble to get into to entertain ourselves." She lightly shoved him as they walked down the street home.
"You sound like Riley."
She rolled her eyes. "Man fuck Riley. I know he's your brother and all but he's a piece of shit as well as annoying as fuck."
"I would have used worse words to describe him." Huey told her truthful as he shook his head. The 13-year-old was a handful.
"Anyway. I want you to train me properly this time. Dad has been talking about doing more lessons since the streets are getting a bit heavy again so he wants to make sure I'm ready. Like, I want you to actually try and hurt me." Raven saw Huey raise an eyebrow as they turned a corner.
"You know I won't hit you with full force."
"And why is that?" She questioned.
"Because I might seriously hurt you." He stated to her.
She stopped and crossed her arms in annoyance. "Are you calling me weak?"
"No-"
"What I hear is you're calling me weak Freeman and I don't appreciate it."
"Raven just calm do-"
"I will race you to the top of that tree. We'll see who can get up there first." Raven challenged her friend.
Huey sighed. Knowing she wouldn't give up until he said yes.
"Fine."
Raven smirked. Her challenge was accepted.
"On your marks... get set... Go!"
The two raced to the tree and began to climb as quickly and skilfully as they could. Within a few seconds, Huey was sitting on the thick branch and a few short moments later, Raven was sitting there too.
"No far. You cheated." She breathed out in frustration. She lost her own challenge. How does that even work?
"I did not cheat Raven."
"Yes you did Huey."
"No I didn't."
"Yes, you did."
"No."
"Yes!"
The held an intense gaze long enough that they didn't realise how close they had become.
'Damn he smells so good...'
'She looks cute...'
They thought. They moved a few more inches before their lips connected lightly.
Their first kiss.
It felt weird but comfortable.
They couldn't believe they were kissing their best friend! They knew each other from birth.
Huey pulled away first and slowly opened his eyes. He actually was brave enough to kiss a girl. Did he like her or was it just in the moment? Nah, he was not one to kiss random girls and she wasn't not random.
"Um. I um. Sorry." He apologised.
"No no. Don't apologise... I actually kinda liked it." She lightly blushed from embarrassment.
'This could not get anymore worse.' She thought to herself.
She spoke too soon.
A territorial squirrel jumped out of nowhere and landed in Raven's hair.
"Ahhhhhhhhhh!" She screamed. Huey's eyes grew wide as he watched her panic and thrash around.
Suddenly, she jumped off the branch without realising but when Huey tried to catch her, she slipped through his fingers.
"Ahhhhhhhhhhh-!"
Raven went crashing to the ground.
"Raven!" Huey shouted her name with wide eyes. Quickly and safely, he climbed down the tree and raced to her. "Are you ok?" He asked stupidly.
"Hmmmm. My arm." She moaned in pain. She rolled on her back and lifted her arm. It was defiantly broken.
"Shit. Um. I'll call your dad to come pick us up ok. Just relax." Huey pulled out his phone and began to dial his number.
Raven nodded and cradled her arm. This was not how she pictured her first kiss ending.
"Yeah, that was terrible. First kiss and first broken bone in the space of 1 minute. We love to see it." Raven said sarcastically.
"Maybe if your pride wasn't so high, you wouldn't have spent the whole of your spring break in a cast." He smirked.
"Maybe if you didn't call me weak, I wouldn't have had to spend the whole of my spring break in a cast."
Huey rolled her eyes. "No I didn't."
"You really did Huey. Like, indirectly."
"Can we not start this again?" He sighed.
Raven smirked. "Why? You gonna kiss me again."
Huey scrunched his eyebrows together. "You kissed me."
"I have no energy to carry this on so let's just say we kissed each other."
"Whatever and I wouldn't have kissed you. The feelings aren't the same. I still have love for you but not in that way." He told her seriously.
She nodded. "I know. As much as it didn't seem like it in the last few weeks but I moved on too but you know, girls are not the best humans to be around."
"I ain't no saint." Huey snorted.
"I know but still. Got a business to protect."
Huey nodded. "I hear that... thank you. For always having my back. Seriously. You were the first person to realise the mistakes I was making and I should have seen it before."
Raven shrugged. "I'm your friend. That's what I do, no matter how shitty you've been to me." She smirked at his eyes roll.
"I said sorry once. That's all you're getting out of me." Huey went to stand. "Oh right, I always want to give you take control of The Blue Moon. You more than deserve it and you handle Empire well."
Raven looked at him shocked.
"Seriously?"
"Dead ass."
She thought about it for a second. "I could deal with that. It shouldn't be that hard to run a strip club, right?" She questioned.
Huey shrugged. "That's your problem now. Plus, this keeps you out of the action for as long as you're injured. I want you fully healed. No half shit. I need one of my best soldiers fight and ready for when the big fight comes."
Raven became angry. "Trust me. I want to be ready for that fight. I got a bitch named Natasha to fuck up."
"I'm guessing she's the one that fucked up your ribs." He added together.
"Yup. And hurt the other girls. I would like to kick her down to size... by taking out her knee caps of course." She smiled innocently causing Huey to shake his head.
"Let me know if you need a ride home. I'll see you later Midnight."
"Later Ghost." She waved as he walked out the room. Seeing as she was still tired, she decided to rest her eyes for a bit longer. She needed the sleep.
Later on in the late evening, Robert Freeman was drinking his favourite orange juice.
"Hmm. Them boys actually got me something good this year. Great way to end the day." He said to himself as he took a sip of the freshly squeezed juice.
Ding dong.
"Who the hell is at my door at this time?" He thought angrily as he set his glass back on the table in front of the tv. He walked over to the door and swung the door open. "What the hell do you- oh. Hello cutie pie."
The woman smiled sweetly. "Hello, are you Robert Freeman by any chance."
The man grinned. "Why yes, yes I am. How can I help you?" He asked as he looked at the beautiful woman in front of him.
"That's great. My names Natasha... and I have a message for your grandsons." She smirked evilly.
Roberts smile instantly dropped and he began to panic. With wide eyes, he tried to slam the door shut but two men burst through the door. Robert began to scream but one of them was quick to slap tape over his mouth as they dragged him into the living room. He tried his best to fight but he was much weaker than the younger people.
Natasha chuckled as she slipped on her favourite weapon: her brass knuckle.
"Time to have some fun."
She kicked the door shut and walked into the living room, ready to send a message while the glass of orange juice was left untouched.
...Happy New Year! I am so sorry I took so long, I have just been very very very lazy. I haven't even been focused on my education which is to get back into the swing of things. Anyway I hoped you enojoyed this chapter after I left you all hanging for a very long time lool. Again, sorry.
Shout out too all you that reviewed. I already messaged you guys so thank you. Sorry to the guest that didn't want Jazmine and Jayden to hook up... whoops? You all seem to like Jyaden which is crazy. He is a very charming young man I tell you that.
To Honestly (since I could directly reply to you): Thank you for your long ass review. I love to see it. I accept your apology lool I'm sorry but I get what you mean as a writer and all. The detail you put in your review is what I need. Trust me, your questions will be answered soon just gotta let it flow for a while. I can tell you this a time jump will happen, just not years. Weather it be days, weeks or months, you'll have to see. Everything you suggested, I take into account, like with Chel29 (hey girl), she suggested Jazmine holding a dance class which I added in and it fit nicely into the story. I saw the Jennifer Lewis thing as well and that would be the best direction to go in if they had to sadly let go of the Grandad. Maybe have the pree recorded things as flashbacks. Who knows. but the rest of the characters (mainly Jazmine) NEED to be involved.
BTW. I finally joined Wattpad. You can find me under the same name. I posted on Boondocks chapter and another one is coming soon, just finishing it up so if you would like, you can head over there. The story isn't the same. Different age from this and T&T, different plot. Idk how I'm going to keep up but we move.
Well hopefully I don't take too long with the next chapter (I say that but it will prob be a month since school is about to kill me, sorry) but I can't wait to hear what you think.
Until Next Time
-TBG