“Not much. We gotta go.”
Jio’s truck rolled off the curb. He winded his tinted windows back up as the engine purred.
Slick felt free. The real challenge would begin now. Could he be strong enough not to touch what he now called poison? He’d drilled that word in his head, hoping it would force him to mentally not chase after a drug that could kill him easily.
Slick snorted softly. “Damn. No welcome home?”
Jio leaned back against the cream leather seats. “Nigga the welcome home is the two hundred K I spent for your ass to get in the program.”
His brother knew that he had to shut up after that comment which made his
other brother Salim laugh, but he needed to be careful back there. His body was in dire pain, but thankfully, the gunshot wounds were healing, just not fast enough for his liking. Two months in the hospital. Weeks in rehab so that he could learn how to walk long distances again without feeling dizzy. The real challenge had been to learn how to sleep without reaching for pills. Salim had witnessed firsthand what addiction did to families. He had kids to live for, so as hard as it was, he fought through the pain as much as he could. He knew that it wouldn’t be like this forever. It was only a hurdle that he had to get over, but he would in due time.
For a minute, neither of them spoke.
Jersey blurred past the windows in gold lights and wet pavement as they headed back towards their own hood. Jio was in all black as usual, diamond studs flashing every time the streetlights hit him.
Untouchable was the word people used for Jio.
Slick looked over at him quietly. He seemed different but he couldn’t put his finger on it. He’d witnessed Jio navigate through many different seasons, which warranted all types of emotions. He’d seen him hungry for more while being broke and trying tomake it on his own. Jio used to be violent to the point where he’d pull a couple of triggers without thinking twice. He’d fucked bitches with him and popped bottles on yachts that cost more than all of their cribs put together.
But this version of him? It was new. Jio was calm, quiet, and rather controlled. Little did he know, his brother had reached another level. It may have seemed as if it happened overnight but that’s because he’d been grinding on the low and keeping to himself.
“I’m hungry.” Salim broke the silence.
“You need to eat.” Jio looked over at him and commented, “Rehab got your ass skinny.”
The truck went quiet again until Slick turned from staring out the window and said, “I’m done.”
Jio didn’t say nothing at first. “Done with what?”
“The game.”
Jio kept his eyes on the road and Slick kept going before he could lose the nerve.
“I can’t do this shit no more bruh. It’s too much temptation. I can’t keep fuckin’ up. I’m tired.” His voice dropped lower. “I’m done for real.”
Jio stayed quiet so long that it forced Slick to glance in his direction to pick up on his mood, but per usual, Jio’s facial expression was unreadable.
Slick rubbed his face. “I know how it sounds but…”
“Nah.” Jio stared ahead. “It’s cool. We’re going to find you something else to do.”
Jio was smiling on the inside but he kept his cool.
“Shit gon’ hurt a lil’ bit,” he admitted softly. “You my right hand but I’ll be alright.”
Salim didn’t say anything in the back seat.
Slick laughed weakly, “Man, shut the fuck up.”
Jio grinned because deep down this was exactly what he wanted.
Ever since Salim got shot, Jio had been moving pieces quietly. He didn’t plan on giving him any more plays anyway, but if he could get Slick away from the game too, then this was perfect. Jio had gradually been giving his most loyal members of the Mob more and more responsibilities. He didn’t trust anyone but he had to start dividing up tasks to see who would fold and who would step up to the plate and prove themselves worthy.
He loved both of his brothers, but Slick tooting that powder made him a liability, especially once the streets found out. A nigga’s weaknesses were always his girl, his kids, his family, and his money. Those things would make any man fold. Although his brothers’ last name wasn’t Gotti, they were still made men, and that wasn’t something just any nigga with a gun and some dope could claim. It was an accolade that had to be rightfully earned. His brothers were some of the realest men he’d ever met and that’s because they’d been raised by his daddy too. They were loyal to the code and Jio knew that eventually someone would try to use that against him.
So Jio played his role perfectly.
