Power Read online

  “This is not the drug business. Most people would be happy making a hundred thousand a year legally.”

  “I wanna give you another three million and this way I can make 400,000 a year off my investment.”

  Danny sighed as if he really didn’t want to take more money from Alex. Alex had just given him a million dollars a few weeks ago to invest in the new subdivision. “Where is it?”

  “In my car.”

  “Is it all there? I don’t want to have to count all that cash like I had to the last time.”

  “Yeah, it’s all there. It may even be a little more.”

  “I like you, Alex, and I want you to leave that other business alone. You have a lot of potential and I don’t want it to be wasted because you end up behind bars.”

  “Believe me, I’m trying, but I wasn’t born rich, you know.”

  “I know, but you’re smart, and that’s what I like about you. But if somebody ever finds out that I’m cleaning this money, we’re both getting shipped to the Feds.”

  “Listen, I know that and believe me, I ain’t trying to go there.”

  “And I’m not trying to go back,” Danny added.

  “Let’s get the negative shit out of our heads,” Alex said before walking to the car to retrieve the money. While making his way back towards Danny, Alex noticed a black guy in a red Porsche Panermera driving past them. He blew his horn and waved at Danny. “Who the fuck is that?” Alex inquired.

  “Oh, just the architect. The one that designed the homes.”

  “I knew he looked familiar,” Alex said, staring at the car. The tag said ArkTEK.

  “Alex, I don’t want you to worry about your money. It’s in good hands,” Danny reassured Alex, getting back on topic.

  “I Googled your ass and did my research,” Alex admitted, giving a slight smile. “Net worth of seventy-five million dollars. Pretty damn impressive.”

  “I try,” Danny chuckled.

  “Trying has definitely paid off for you. Now I’m trying to get my shit lovely but on a legitimate tip.”

  “That’s what I’m here for. But speaking of getting things lovely, how is that pretty young lady you had with you the last time?” There was an awkward silence between the men and Alex wondered where Tierney was. He hadn’t heard or spoken with his on-again, off-again girlfriend for weeks.

  “She’s good,” Alex remarked, not caring to share his concerns with Danny. Business was business, and when it came to Tierney, that was personal.

  * * *

  Tierney Mobley opened the door of her condo with a towel wrapped around her naked body. “What the hell are you doing here? I haven’t spoken to you in weeks, but you decide to pop up at my crib unannounced. Why should I be surprised? Typical Alex,” Tierney scoffed, blocking the entrance.

  “I’m the one that paid for everything inside this crib.”

  “And…you still haven’t told me why you are here. What you doing, an inventory check?” she smacked.

  “Can I come inside?” With reluctance, Tierney stepped aside so Alex could enter the condo. She led him to the living room area. She sat on an armchair and he sat on the sofa across from her.

  “Talk fast, Alex. I have somewhere to be.”

  “Who is he?”

  “What the hell are you talking about?” Tierney questioned while she applied lotion on her long, shapely legs.

  “I know you’re seeing somebody. I can just tell.”

  “What makes you think I’m seeing somebody?” she asked nonchalantly, putting the lotion on the table in front of her.

  “Patterns.”

  “What do you mean by patterns?”

  “Your patterns changed. You used to call me every morning on your way to work. Then you stopped calling me.”

  “Alex, I stopped working, remember?”

  “Yeah, and I thought that was strange.”

  Tierney stood up from the sofa and dropped her towel on the floor. Now naked, Alex stared at her impeccable body. She had just a mouthful of breasts, a tiny waist and an impressive ass. But what Alex loved most was Tierney’s dark brown skin that was now glistening from the lotion she’d just applied. If she was trying to remind Alex what he was missing, Tierney had succeeded.

  She disappeared into the back room and came back carrying a pink thong, some baby powder and a pair of jeans. She slipped into the thong and it complimented her enviable complexion. At that moment, Alex would’ve given almost anything to be inside of her.

  “So let me get this straight. It’s okay for you to do whatever the hell you wanna do, but when I decide to follow your lead and do what you do, it’s a motherfuckin’ problem?”

  “Not a problem at all, I just want to know the truth.”

  “What are you talking about, Alex?”

  “Are you seeing somebody?”

  “What difference does it make? You’re not my boyfriend, or are you? I mean, you change our relationship status whenever the fuck you feel like it. I can’t keep up with the shit, so I’m just doing me.”

  “So you are seeing somebody?”

  “I didn’t say that.”

  “So what are you saying?”

  “I’m saying you’re not my boyfriend, so why are you stressing me?”

  “I got six years invested in this relationship. I deserve to know the truth.”

  “Alex, six years of off and on bullshit. Plus, you’ve made it clear you ain’t tryna put a ring on it but you want to regulate me. You can’t have it both ways. But call me the dumb one because it took me six years to finally figure that shit out.”

  “So now you got me all figured out…huh?”

  “Yeah, pretty much. You’re just like your boy, Deion; both of ya’ll players that never want to grow up. I want more than this on and off girlfriend bullshit. I wanna get married and have kids one day. I don’t see that happening with you.”

  Alex tried his best to keep his composure. He hated it when she said this because it was so far from the truth. He did want kids and a family, but he didn’t want to be in the drug game when he got married. He wanted to be one hundred percent legit.

  “Alex, do you think we’ll be married in six months?”

  Alex looked away before saying, “No.” Though he loved Tierney, he knew she wasn’t the woman he wanted to settle down with and marry. Alex wasn’t in a rush to settle down and thought Tierney was a good alternative until he found who he thought would be the perfect woman for him. Alex reasoned it was a beneficial arrangement for both of them. Financially he kept her straight, they traveled the world together and whatever she asked for he pretty much gave her. In turn, Alex had a woman that pleased him physically, he enjoyed her company as long as it wasn’t for an extended period of time, and she stayed out of his business. Unfortunately for Alex, that was no longer enough for Tierney. He was satisfied with their pretend ideal relationship; she wanted the real thing.

  “Then what difference does it make if I’m seeing somebody or not?”

  “I just think you owe me the truth.”

  Tierney slid into her jeans, and the way they gripped her ass made Alex want to take them right back off and bend her over. But he knew that there was no way he was going to get any pussy, judging by her tone.

  “So you say you want the truth?”

  “I’d like that?” Alex said with a serious look on his face.

  “So let me tell you the motherfuckin’ truth—all you’ve done is lie to me.”

  Alex looked confused. “When did I lie to you?”

  “Alex, what’s the reason you can’t marry me?”

  “I’ve already told you why I can’t marry you.”

  “Don’t give me that ‘you wanna be out of the game’ bullshit. Tell me the truth. I’m not
what you want.” The conversation had now gone completely left. Tierney called Alex out and he wasn’t sure how to react. He knew he had no intention of taking their relationship to the next level, but he didn’t want anybody else to have her either.

  “That’s just what I thought. You don’t have to say it. I can just tell. “

  “Who the fuck is he?”

  “Nobody.”

  “Yeah, right. I heard about all those fuckin’ pictures on Instagram you postin’ tryna show out. That’s cool though.”

  Tierney didn’t respond. She disappeared to the back room and came back wearing a pink Hello Kitty t-shirt and no bra, with her nipples piercing through. Alex was convinced Tierney was purposely trying to get his dick hard knowing he wouldn’t get the pussy and that was making him even more pissed off.

  “So what if I’m posting pictures on Instagram? Again, what difference does it make what I’m doing?” Tierney asked as she sat back down, crossing her arms.

  “Why the fuck you keep repeating the same question? Just answer my fuckin’ question. Is the truth that hard for you to give?”

  “I’ma need you to leave.”

  “You fuckin’ around. Just like I thought,” Alex gave a slight laugh, trying to suppress his anger.

  “In order for me to be fuckin’ around, I have to be in a relationship,” Tierney shot back. She opened her door for Alex to leave.

  “This is going to be the worst mistake of your life. I promise you,” he cautioned, before walking out the door.

  Chapter 6

  Get Your Mind Right

  “This motherfuckin’ Lamborghini, is gon’ be the reason you go to jail,” Alex stated to Deion. Deion smiled and tossed the keys to the valet, as if paying Alex no mind. “What the fuck are you thinking driving around in this flashy-ass car?”

  “Yo, calm down. It’s a rental, man. My white homeboy Matt at A-Town Exotic Rentals gave it to me for a good rate,” Deion explained as they entered the restaurant. Once inside, the hostess led them to a booth in the back.

  “We gotta be smarter than this,” Alex said when the waitress left.

  “Quit trippin’.”

  “This ain’t trippin’.”

  “Yes it is, and for what? You drive Range Rovers and Benzes and shit. What do you think we do this for? You think I’m gonna be out here risking my life and not having fun? All motherfuckers need to know is that I’m a legitimate business man.”

  “The fact that you have to use the word legitimate is gonna let people know yo’ ass ain’t legit.”

  ”I got this, ‘cause soon as my rapper 2Glocks hits big, this drug game is over for me and you.”

  “You been saying that for the last two years.”

  “It only takes one hit,” Deion informed Alex with confidence.

  “And it only takes one drug bust and it’s over.”

  “Don’t put that energy in the air, man. We gonna win at this game.”

  “We can’t win being stupid.”

  “So you want me to take the Lambo back to the rental place?”

  “That would be a good start.”

  “Consider it done, big bruh. No sense in stressin’ the small shit. So what did you want to talk about?” Deion questioned, keeping the conversation moving along. Alex passed Deion the heroin under the table. Deion examined it without being detected, then he said, “Coke?”

  “Nope. Heroin.”

  “So you tell me to leave coke alone and you’re fuckin’ with heroin?”

  “Look man, Isabella brought this from California.”

  “Who?”

  “Joaquin’s wife.”

  “The gorgeous bitch with the nice ass?”

  “Yep. See if you can get rid of it.”

  “I can get rid of this with one phone call.”

  “Really?”

  “Dude, I been telling you we needed to get into this.” Alex took a swig of his water. He knew if anybody could get rid of heroin, it was Deion. “Can you get anymore is the question.”

  “Yeah, what do we need?”

  “As much as you can get. Just bring me back however much you can and we’ll split the profit 50/50.”

  “Cool, and don’t forget…get rid of that Lambo,” Alex said, before opening up his menu to figure out what he planned on eating.

  * * *

  A cloud of smoke hovered in the studio in Southwest Atlanta. A dark-skinned rapper with ashy lips and gold teeth named G-5 sucked the blunt like a vacuum cleaner. He routinely did this every time they smoked in the studio, thus earning him the nickname Hoover. Reggie and Deion looked on as 2Glocks waited for his turn to smoke.

  “Hoover, can you pass me the fuckin’ blunt? After all, I did pay for this shit and it’s expensive as hell,” 2Glocks spit.

  “You need to get your motherfuckin’ money back, homie, cuz this shit ain’t even all that good,” G-5 retorted, passing him the blunt.

  “Just like a greedy nigga after he’s done smoked almost the entire blunt, then he want to complain,” 2Glocks laughed.

  “Seriously, it ain’t all that.”

  “Yo ass probably burnt out,” Deion said, adding his two cents.

  “I guess so,” G-5 said.

  “Amigo texted me, said he got some low coke prices,” 2Glocks said, changing the subject.

  “What’s his price?”

  “Why would you even risk dealing with somebody else? Besides, you know how Alex feels about fuckin’ wit’ people outside the circle,” Reggie nudged Deion and said.

  “Ask him when can we get with him,” Deion said, ignoring Reggie. 2Glocks shot him a text back and seconds later his phone was buzzing.

  “He wants to see us tonight, says he has ten,” 2Glocks informed him.

  “The price?” Deion asked again.

  “They probably gonna say twenty-five stacks or some high-ass number,” G-5 said, after inhaling the haze.

  “This ain’t good,” Reggie said, shaking his head.

  “I don’t see why not,” Deion remarked, wanting Reggie to shut the fuck up.

  “You don’t know these people,” Reggie said, not getting a good feeling about the situation.

  “First of all, Alex ain’t my daddy. Plus, I need to look out for my dudes. They gotta eat, man,” Deion countered.

  2Glocks’ phone buzzed, “Amigo said ten apiece.”

  “Those are Texas prices. How the fuck can he do that?” Reggie asked, as he shook his head in disbelief. “From past experience when things seem a little too good to be true they usually are.”

  “These are Mexicans, nigga. They control the prices,” Deion rationalized.

  “Yeah and this dude has a warehouse off Old National. I’ve seen the shit myself,” 2Glocks said, vouching for his man.

  “So why won’t they give you shit?” Reggie wanted to know.

  “I ain’t got the loot, dude,” 2Glocks admitted.

  “Well why don’t you go pick up the work then?” Reggie suggested.

  “I ain’t sending nobody my money,” Deion said, shutting that idea down.

  “He wants to know when can we see him.”

  “Tomorrow.”

  “He said it would be better if we came tonight.”

  “It ain’t happening. I said tomorrow,” Deion stated, not budging.

  “Cool. Tomorrow it is,” 2Glocks said, after sending the text and getting a response.

  “I still think it’s a bad idea,” Reggie huffed.

  “Luckily for me, what you think doesn’t matter,” Deion said before continuing his conversation with 2Glocks.

  Chapter 7

  Run This Town

  “Damn, this line long as fuck,” 2Glocks barked, when they arrived at
Club Onyx.

  “You know I don’t do lines,” Deion said, as he made his way to the front of the line with Reggie and 2Glocks right behind him.

  “What up, D?” the lady up front taking the money said as she nodded her head to the security guard to let Deion and his people through. A scantily clad waitress was at the door to greet them. As she led them to a table in the VIP section, Fuck With Me You Know I Got It was blaring throughout the club. Deion nodded his head to the beat as if he felt the song was speaking specifically about him. When they were seated, he ordered six bottles of champagne.

  A pretty girl named Sapphire and another dancer Deion didn’t know approached the table. Sapphire sat on 2Glocks’ lap and began to stroke his braids. The other girl’s face wasn’t anything special but she had a body built for the stripper pole: fake tits and a mule ass. She stood in front of Deion, hands on her hips. “I’m Paris.”

  “I’m D,” he said. He’d never give a stripper his full name.

  “What can I do for you?” Paris eyed Deion and then her eyes went to 2Glocks and Reggie. She figured Deion had the money because he was the one paying for the champagne.

  “We chillin’ right now.”

  “Are you chilling or I’m just not your type?” Paris wanted to know so she wouldn’t waste her time.

  “Ma, with an ass like that, you every nigga’s type, unless they don’t like pussy.”

  Paris laughed and said, “I didn’t ask would you fuck me, I asked would you go out with me?”

  “Depends.” She smiled when she noticed Reggie and 2Glocks staring at her ass. The lime green G-string brought even more attention to her already massive ass.

  “Depends on what?”

  “If you a cool chick or not.”

  “If you saw me at the mall would you holla?”

  “Probably not.”

  “Why is that?”

  “I don’t holla at bitches. They holla at me. Everybody in the ATL know who I am.”

  “Really? I’ve never heard of you.”