"You handling it right," she said quietly, a rare compliment. "But don't underestimate Zach. Stupidity makes niggas dangerous, not smart."
"I know," I replied. "That's why we gotta be ten steps ahead."
She studied my face, seeing too much as always. "Your father would've been on the streets tonight, guns blazing. No plan, just him and his damn pride." She stated shaking her head.
"And that's why he's never getting out," I finished for her.
"Exactly." She squeezed my shoulder; her gold rings cool against my skin. "I got that meeting tonight. Do you need me to postpone it, or you need me here for this?"
I shook my head. "Nah, go handle your business. We good."
Shit was changing. And unlike Zach, I knew the most important rule, You don't win by being the most violent, you win by being the most valuable.
My mom’s grabbed her purse and headed for the door, before she opened it she paused, watching me with knowing eyes. She'd taught me that rule, just like she'd taught me everything else that kept me alive in these streets. For all our differences, for all the times we butted heads over petty shit. I was definitely my mother’s son.
"Be careful, son," she said, but there was pried mixed with the concern. "And whatever you do, make it count."
I didn’t respond, I only nodded my head. I knew I had to make it count; it was the only way.
* * *
Two hours later, I was pulling up outside Tiona’s crib in Englewood, my mind immediately shifted gears.
I checked my phone one more time, I popped a mint, straightened my chain, and grabbed the small bag from my passenger seat. To anyone watching, it looked like I was bringing some gifts. In reality, the Louis Vuitton bag contained a small camera I'd picked up from my tech guy on 63rd. Expensive shit, wireless, and so small you'd never spot it unless you were looking for it.
Tiona opened the door before I even knocked, like she'd been watching for me through the blinds. Five-foot-seven with curves that could stop traffic, hair freshly done in long braids, wearing nothing but a pink silk robe that barely covered her ass.
"Heyyyy daddy, I thought you wasn't coming," she said, trying to sound casual but the neediness leaked through. Her eyes darted past me to the street, probably checking to see if anyone had seen me slide in her crib.
I stepped inside, locking the door behind me. "I had some business to handle. You know how it is."
Her apartment was small, but she kept it nice. The sixty-inch TV on the wall, the designer purses on the rack, the fresh flowers on the coffee table, all my contributions over the past three months since I'd started hitting it.
"Where's Teairra?" I asked, referring to her four-year-old daughter.
"At my mama house for the night." Tiona smiled, sliding her arms around my neck.
I kissed her, deep enough to get her going but keeping my mind clear. This wasn't pleasure; this was strategy. Tiona wasn't just any ole bitch, she was Zach's baby mama, his weak spot. Theone thing he still cared about despite having three other kids by two other different broads.
And for the past three months, I had been fucking her brains out. At first it was just to spite him, but then I realized she could be valuable to my operation. She knew his routines, his stash houses, his patterns. All I had to do was keep her satisfied by giving her some pipe and sprinkling enough gifts to keep her loyal.
"I got something for you," I said, handing her the Louie bag. Her eyes lit up as she opened it, pulling out the Chanel perfume I'd placed on top.
"Ohhhh Okayyyyyy, I love this baby!"
"That's not all." I nodded toward the bag. She dug deeper and found the red lace lingerie set I'd bought specifically for tonight. Her smile widened.
"You want me to put it on?"
"Hell yea, Ma" I said as I pulled her closer my hands finding her ass under the thin silk robe. "I been thinking about that pussy all day."
That wasn't a lie. I had been thinking about her ass but not like she thought. I was thinking about how tonight's recording would be my insurance policy if things went south with this bitch ass nigga Zach. Thinking about how easily bitches like Tiona could be bought, and how they'd betray a mufucka for some designer bags and good dick.
Tiona’s hands were working on my belt buckle, thirsty as fuck to get my dick free. three months in and she still fucked like she was auditioning to be my main bitch in charge. She was desperate to keep me interested in her. And I let her think I was on her ass bad. I let her take the lead, watching as she dropped to her knees right there in her living room.
"Let’s go to the room," I said, stopping her.
She looked up, pouting slightly. "I can't wait that long…"