Still Hood (32 page)
Authors: K'wan
IT WAS SAFE TO SAY THAT DENA WASN'T FEELING
much pain that night. During the entire ride down in the limo Ice had rented, they snorted heroin and drank high-end liquor. It seemed like the more Dena danced with the devil the more comfortable she got with it, which seemed to please Ice. Lisa had even warmed up to her and started treating her like family, instead of some square-ass outsider. Though the white girl was still a little too wild for her taste, it made Dena feel good to be accepted.
much pain that night. During the entire ride down in the limo Ice had rented, they snorted heroin and drank high-end liquor. It seemed like the more Dena danced with the devil the more comfortable she got with it, which seemed to please Ice. Lisa had even warmed up to her and started treating her like family, instead of some square-ass outsider. Though the white girl was still a little too wild for her taste, it made Dena feel good to be accepted.
When Dena entered the brownstone she was totally unprepared for what she was about to see. There was nudity everywhere she turned. Girls were running around in their birthday suits performing the most lewd acts while men chased them and showered them with money. They even stepped over a couple that couldn't make it to one of the VIP rooms and were fucking on the staircase. A fat cat wearing heavy jewelry and clutching a fistful of money tried to entice Dena into giving him a lap dance, but Ice marked his territory by pulling her closer.
“These niggaz is off the chain,” Dena said distastefully, looking back at the fat cat, who was still watching her hungrily.
“What do you expect in a house of sin?” Ice rubbed her back. “These niggaz is all in here to blow their cake and their loads, so it's only natural that when the baddest bitch on two legs walks in the joint everyone wants a piece of her.”
“Well, ain't nobody getting a piece of this but the Ice Man,” she told him.
“Loosen up, baby, ain't nothing wrong with showing a lil flesh,” Lisa said, flashing her breasts at a man who was passing. He was so stunned that he tripped over the sexing couple and fell on his face.
The happy little group was shown upstairs to the third-floor VIP section, where they were seated behind a velvet rope. For nearly a half hour Black Ice received people who wanted to either wish him well or offer to buy him a drink. The way they catered to him, you'd have thought he was the president. Dena proudly snuggled next to her man, drawing a nasty stare from the girl who had been introduced as Lexi. She had been shooting Dena nasty looks all night, but knew better than to cut up in front of Black Ice.
After a few drinks Lisa and Lexi went to get changed, leaving Dena, Ice, and Shorty sitting at the table alone. They drank, snorted more heroin, and talked shit, having the time of their lives. The mood was light and jovial, but that changed when Marcus and Raheem escorted an older man that Dena had never seen before over to the table.
“My man, Shooter,” Ice stood up and embraced the older man. “How's it going?”
“Long and strong as when I was twenty-five,” Shooter joked. “And who is this fine young thang in the midst of you sorry muthafuckas.” He let his eyes roll over Dena.
“This is my new lady, Dena. Dena, this is an old and dear friend, Shooter.”
“Pleased to meet you,” Dena extended her hand.
“The pleasure is all mine,” Shooter said, kissing the back of Dena's hand. “So tell me, what would it take for an old man like me to occupy a bit of your time, Ms. Dena?”
“More bread than you're holding onto, Jack!” Shorty bust out laughing.
Shooter slanted his eyes at Shorty. “Little nigga, I don't care how dangerous you think you is these days, old Shooter will still kick ya ass like it was 1985!” he said in a good-natured tone. Back in the days, Shooter used to run with Shorty's father when they were both breaking into the mack game. He had watched him go from a young man who was curious about the game to one of the most dangerous men in New York City.
“Sup, Dena?” Raheem asked, looking at her slyly. “I see you're still slumming.”
“You know what, I'm getting a little tired of your mouth, fam.” Shorty stood up. He was more than a foot shorter than Raheem, but it didn't deter him one bit.
“You clowns knock that shit off. I'm in here to get chose, and if y'all fuck that up cause of this street bullshit I'm gonna kick the both of your asses!” Shooter warned. Shorty returned to his seat, but kept his eyes locked on Raheem.
“I see you've got a packed house tonight, Ice,” Marcus said, changing the subject.
“You know I don't do nothing half-ass,” Black Ice boasted. “We got every flavor under the sun, all ripe for the plucking, if the bread is correct.”
“Even this one?” Raheem nodded at Dena.
“Nigga, don't play yaself. This pussy ain't for sale,” she shot back. She had initially thought Raheem to be a cool nigga, but he was proving to be more of an asshole than anything.
“Not yet,” Raheem mumbled.
“Nah, cat daddy. Dena is special,” Ice told Raheem, snuggling Dena against him. He knew the man was trying to get a rise out of him, but he refused to step out of his character in front of Shooter or his girls.
“Well, I'm gonna move around a bit and see what you're working with, Ice. If all goes well, we can place most of these bitches, can you dig it?” Shooter said.
“Sho nuff can,” Ice responded. “Y'all go on and have a good time and everything, except the women are on the house.”
“That's a bet,” Shooter shook Ice's hand and led his small entourage back through the crowd. Raheem stopped short and gave Shorty a hard look before falling in step behind Shooter and Marcus.
“Ice, that nigga is asking for it.” Shorty slammed his fists on the table, scaring Dena.
“Yeah, you're right about that, Shorty. Raheem is out of pocket.” Ice scratched his chin in thought. “You know what, go on and give him a dose.”
“Bet!” Shorty hopped up eagerly, but Ice grabbed him by the arm.
“Nigga, not now. Shooter is probably gonna cut out early; and when he does, I want you to split that nigga's shit,” Ice said wickedly.
DENA SAT AT THEIR TABLE,
tossing back glasses of champagne, fuming. For a good portion of her night she found herself fending off advances from men trying to pay her for sex, and it was starting to piss her off. What made her more uptight was the fact that Ice seemed oblivious to it. He continued to laugh and drink with the different guests while Dena was damn near molested. When she had finally tired of being groped, she decided to step up to Ice.
tossing back glasses of champagne, fuming. For a good portion of her night she found herself fending off advances from men trying to pay her for sex, and it was starting to piss her off. What made her more uptight was the fact that Ice seemed oblivious to it. He continued to laugh and drink with the different guests while Dena was damn near molested. When she had finally tired of being groped, she decided to step up to Ice.
He was standing on the other side of the room where Don B and his team were seated, with Lexi at his side. She had traded her street clothes for a thong and some clear heels. The small purse she wore slung over her shoulder was damn near bursting with dollars. With an ass ripe enough to sit a drink on it, Lexi drew more than her fair share of attention.
“Can I talk to you for a minute?” She tapped Ice interrupting a conversation he was having with Stacks Green and Don B. They seemed to be bartering about something, but Dena wasn't really sure what. Knowing those three, it could be just about anything.
“Give me a minute, baby,” he said, brushing her off. He was currently trying to gas Stacks Green to spend some cake on Lexi. He knew that she had the stamina to do his whole crew and still come back for more, so Ice was trying to capitalize on it before the bitch got too drunk to perform.
“I need to talk to you now!” she demanded. This drew stares and snickers from the men assembled at the table.
Black Ice's face remained unmoved, but there was a fire building in his belly. One of the most important aspects of the game he played was appearances. It was crucial for him to appear to be in control at all times, especially at a venue such as the locked-door. If word got back that his hos were back talking or trying to give him orders, he'd be ruined in the gameâand he couldn't have that.
“Damn, where you been hiding that one?” Soda asked, openly admiring Dena. He tried to touch her ass, but she slapped his hand away.
“Excuse you? What do I look like, one of these ho bitches?” she snapped.
“You really don't wanna hear the answer to that,” Cooter snickered.
“Fuck you, too, you country muthafucka!”
“Damn, I like a bitch with some fire. How much, honey?” Stacks asked, pulling out a brick of money.
“More than your fat ass could come up with!” she barked. A look of rage crossed Stacks's face as he tried to raise up from the seat; but Cooter held him back. Seeing the situation about to turn ugly, Black Ice stepped in.
“Hold on, playboy. No need to get hostile,” Ice said pleasantly.
“Man, I thought you was a mack, but how you macking and ain't got no control over your bitch?” Stacks accused.
“Man, don't never mistake my game from not being together. Ol' girl is new, but I'll straighten this whole mess out,” Ice told him.
“Had it been me, you'd have probably broke your foot off in my ass,” Lexi said slyly, while sipping her fourth glass of Hennessey.
“And I still might if you don't mind ya fucking business,” Ice said coldly before turning back to Stacks. “Look, y'all have a bottle on the house while I go straighten this shit out.” He grabbed Dena by the arm and dragged her back to his table.
“Iceâ,” she began.
“Bitch, don't you say another fucking word,” he hissed. “Now, I don't know what the fuck your problem is, but you better damn well fix it.”
“My problem is that you ain't making these niggaz respect your lady. Muthafuckas keep grabbing on me and shit.” The drinks had her feeling herself.
“Are you fucking blind? Every bitch in here is getting felt up, and you're the only muthafucka complaining, coming out ya mouth like some square-ass bitch.”
“I'm complaining because I didn't come here for that, Ice,” she told him.
“Then what did you come here for, to look good on my arm and say you've been with the Ice Man? Dena, look around you.” He motioned to the various girls trying to hustle up a buck. “Some of these girls in here are gonna turn tricks until their pussies feel like they're gonna fall out they assess, all so we can live a step above the rest. You looking down on hos, but you ain't looking down on ho money. How the fuck does that sound to you?”
“Ice, I just ain't used to niggaz coming at me like I'd sell my body for money.”
“Dena, did I ask you to fuck any of these niggaz? See, that's where you got it fucked up. Sure, a lot of these niggaz is in here paying for a shot of honey, but a lot of them just wanna talk some shit and maybe feel a little ass, but your prissy ass is too good for a lil chitchat, huh? I don't need no prima donna on my team, I need bitches that's about a dollar. You know what, I think I'm gonna have Shorty run you back to ya mama's house, cause you clearly ain't built for the fast lane.”
At the threat of being cast out of heaven Dena began to panic. “Ice, I'm sorry, Daddy. This shit is just so overwhelming.” She flopped in the seat. “I just need a little time to get used to it. I'll be okay.”
Ice knew he had her right where he wanted her. He knew that there was gonna be fellas hitting on Dena, but he hadn't expected them to come on so strong out of the gate. Dena was green to the game and had to be broken in gradually, but the plan had changed. He saw the money-making potential in her that night and formed a deliciously evil plan in his mind.
Ice sighed heavily. “It's cool, baby.” He sat next to her. “I didn't
mean to snap at you. There's just a lot going on right now and I'm under a tremendous amount of pressure.”
mean to snap at you. There's just a lot going on right now and I'm under a tremendous amount of pressure.”
“I know, baby, and I don't mean to add on to it.” She stroked his face. “I just thought for a minute that you were gonna toss me to the dogs like some tramp.”
Ice pulled her close to him and nestled his face in her hair. “I'd never toss away such a precious jewel. You just gotta understand the hearts of men in this game. My daddy used to always tell me never to let an opportunity pass you by, because you never know when or if another one is gonna come along. I'd never ask you to do anything you didn't wanna do, Dena, but I need all my ladies reading from the same page. If a nigga comes up on you and wants to spend a little paper for some conversation, let him. Do you think you can do that?”
Dena hesitated. “I don't know, but I'll try.”
“That's my girl.” He kissed her on the cheek. “Shorty,” he called to his man, who had been watching the exchange, trying not to laugh. “Go to the bar and see if you can scare up one of them Blue Diamonds for my girl.”
“I'm on it,” Shorty said, knowing how the story was going to play out. It was rare for Ice to resort to outright trickery, but when he did it always got results.
“MAN, THAT BITCH BARKED ON
you, Stacks,” Don B teased him.
you, Stacks,” Don B teased him.
“Fuck that bitch; hers ain't the only pussy floating around this joint,” Stacks spat.
“I know that's right, big time,” Lexi lowered her big ass into Stacks's lap and began grinding on him. “Don't stunt that uptight bitch, she probably don't know what to do with her little pussy anyway.”
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