Page 20 of Hooked On A California Kingpin

“She will be on board with the syndicate that I have in the states soon. I was simply waiting on her answer.” Inferno looked at me then back to his dad like he was waiting for his answer.

“Well, it’s good you two are here, we were discussing the new Golden Triangle. You two will get married by next week and then we can pledge our new alliance with one more head of Mexico before things start flowing-”

“No!” Inferno and I spoke at the same time. He looked at me with a disgusted look that instantly ticked me off.

“Next week, I have birthday plans and business concerning my Syndicate.” Inferno explained.

“I have a couple of things back in the states to handle as well.” Truth was, I needed more time to get the fuck out of the fucked-up position I was in. No way I was marrying this nigga standing before me.

“Three days to wrap your affairs up, this will take place by next week. No if ands or buts.” My Abuela took the lead on speaking up.

“Find another wife dad, she’s overweight and can’t take dick.” I looked at Inferno and stood to my feet, I was ready to take his fucking head off.

“She doesn’t even know her place as a wife. Ghetto trash, struggling ass, wanna be Queenpin.” He continued his verbal assault as I took a step towards him and was held back by my Abuela.

“She can lose weight, and she can be trained. She will be a great asset to the empire we are building.” She reassured them, while yanking my arm. I took a seat and slowly bounced my leg. I chewed on my bottom lip until it felt raw. A laugh was bubbling up inside of me and I fought hard to contain it. I wanted to laugh my anger off so badly to keep from spazzing. Instead, I zoned out and forced my thoughts on Aiden and Caiden taking turns devouring my center. I needed to get away from Mexico and figure some shit out and I needed to do it fast. They talked as if I wasn’t sitting there making plans and setting dates for more meetings.

The more and more they talked the angrier I became. Once the meeting was over, I found the nearest exit and marched my ass to the busy street and hailed a cab to the airport.

Chapter Ten

SOULFUL HURTZ

I hate when it was close to summer, people always started asking questions, like why I had on so many clothes. School was long and boring; I end up getting suspended for snapping and punching a nigga in the face for testing my gangsta. I let these hoes talk shit, they were females and emotional creatures. When it came to these niggas, I wasn’t pussy, no nigga was gone disrespect me and get away with the shit. I was on edge and not because something was wrong.

Everything was actually going right. My mom was home more, she had her slip ups but was still trying and my sisters were ecstatic about the effort she was putting in. I finally turned eighteen the other day. That shit didn’t matter much because I was heavy on my grind and trying to stay focus. I still had a family to provide for. I smoked a blunt and hustled from sun up to sun down. A couple of my niggas popped up at my house with blunts. Clapback and Murk’um dropped off shoes, I was thankful but didn’t know if they were trying to be funny. It didn’t matter because I was rocking fresh shoes finally. It felt good to have my feet in some kicks that weren’t used and worn down.

I really didn’t give a damn about image, all I cared about was taking care of my sisters and making sure we never starved again. My mom cooked a big birthday dinner and played music and reflected all day long about the special day she gave birth to me. Same night she disappeared for a couple of hours. I stayed up waiting for her and didn’t say much of nothing when she came in stumbling. She apologized the next morning and things went back normal.

I sat on the raggedy steps in front of my house, smoking. I really didn’t have shit to do since I was suspended, and it was still school hours. The block was dead, didn’t hear nothing but birds chirping and older people laughing. A lot of people looked down on the projects, but we were a tight knit community. People talked shit but still looked out for you. We had so many charity events and the holidays were cheerful. Celebrities always came and dropped off loads of toys for kids. Free hair cuts and hairstyles were giving as well. I didn’t even want to look at my own damn hair cut. I looked grimy as fuck, my hair had grown out into a mini fro.

I noticed two cars creeping on my street, I automatically reached for my .44. I relaxed when I saw Queen’s Audi behind an all-black Chevy Impala. I stood up and couldn’t hold back my cheesy smile. I was worried about Queen and niggas wasn’t telling me much.

She hopped out of the Impala, looking beautiful and serious as hell.

“This a twenty sixteen, bitch fresh, ain’t it?” She smiled wide. I nodded my head and thought that this was probably a whip that she planned on putting work in.

“It was only fifty-five hundred, can’t beat that at all.” She stepped away from the driver’s side and walked around to the passenger door and leaned on it. Today she had on all white and I thought she was bold as hell leaning up against the car.

“This shit is fresh Queen.” I smirked and walked up to her. We slapped hands three times for the gang and pulled each other in for a hug.

“I want you to drive me somewhere, Clapback gone take my car home.”

“Alright, let me go tell my moms I’m leaving.” Queen looked like she wanted to say more but she didn’t. I ran in the house and to my surprise my mom was sitting up on the couch smoking a cigarette laughing at family feud.

“I’ll be back a little later Ma. Can you make the girls dinner?” I really needed her to come through for me today. Queen was our bread and butter, and I was very anxious to ride with her.

“Soulful handle your business, I’m not doing anything today but lounging.” She smiled up at me then ashed her cigarette. I went to kiss her on the forehead and said a silent prayer. I was trying to trust my mom more and so far, she had been doing better.

When I got back outside, Queen was sitting on the passenger side with her eyes glued to her phone. I knew how to drive thanks to her; she taught me a while ago. It still didn’t take away the nervous feeling I had. Queen was a woman of few words; she showed you more with actions so I wouldn’t question why she wanted me to do the driving. I got in on the driver’s side and watched Clapback speed off. Buckling my seat belt, I pulled off slow.

“How did your birthday go?” She never looked up as she typed away on her phone. I had no clue where I was going, but I drove until we were on the busy street away from the projects.

“Same shit different, day. I smoked with a couple of niggas and hustled the rest of the day.” She nodded her head and told me to get on the freeway and head over towards her clinic.

“I see your mom is back home, were you putting the work?”

“The work secured and moms trying to get clean.” I reassured her.