The Last Kings (5 page)

A few weeks passed since the incident at the trap house, and Ray harbored some guilt for letting Mocha and Sadie see it go down. But because of what he was planning, he knew they had to see it. What he had in mind was big, and he needed to break them into the business somehow. Deep down, he did not want them to be part of the life that he lived every day, but to be honest, besides his best friend Tyler, they were the only other two people that he trusted with his life.

Ray was born and raised in Detroit, so he'd seen a lot of things; death, betrayal, and hatred. He'd rarely seen love or “real.” Real niggas were a thing of the past, only to be replaced by clones of the real thing. Yet, everybody knew that nothing was better than the original. Ray wasn't raised around riches or fame, but once he got the money, he became accustomed to it. He was a hood celebrity, just like everyone major down with Coopa's operation. Sadie and Mocha were well-known as well; Tyler's younger sister Marie too. They were the princesses in the hood. There was a time where Sadie and Mocha couldn't even leave the house without five soldiers with them. With his name growing heavier in the streets, Ray knew they could easily be targets.

The two young women were so much alike, but so different. Sadie was well structured, and he'd always known she didn't want to go to school, but he agreed with Grandma Rae when she said that's where she needed to be. Sadie had something he didn't see in a lot of men. She had a “Go-Getter” attitude and could back it up tenfold. Ray trusted her with everything he had, and her position on his team was already solidified. Just like he leveled Coopa's mind, he knew Sadie would do that for him. She would keep him from making any messy decision that could potentially ruin the uprising of his operation.

Mocha was efficient; she was the type of person who could tell if something was out of place with one glance. Ever since she'd come to stay with them, he noticed how good with money she was. Counting it, flipping it, and doubling it. She was about it; Grandma Rae never had to give her a dime. He needed that on his team as well. Tyler was Ray's right-hand man. Tyler was a man who kept his brain in his trigger finger. Once you crossed him, you crossed him. He'd been bodying his enemies with his. 45 since the age of eighteen. He didn't have a heart, and if he did, it only extended out to the four of them.
Kill or Die Slow
, that was the code that he lived by. He had to fight his whole life, and that fact made him the perfect general for The Last Kings.

The Last Kings . . . Ray had been repeating it in his head for the last few months of planning. He felt as if they were the last real ones in the world, and for that, they should be treated as royalty. The last of a dying breed. He knew from what the four of them witnessed growing up that they were strong enough to endure the hardships that came with the hustle. He knew right away that when brought to the table, Sadie would be down. He saw the look in her eyes when she saw all that money. He also knew that as long as Sadie was down for the cause, Mocha would be too. They were ride or die. He was just waiting for their call. What Jay had said about Coopa losing touch in the streets was more right than anyone even knew, but he had kept that information to himself as he plotted his takeover. He knew Coopa would soon fall off, but before that happened, Ray planned to be well on his way to the top. Never had Ray been a sneaky person, but business was business. He wasn't going to rob Coopa of anything the man had earned during his reign. He was just going to take Detroit by storm, and in no time, Ray was sure that the streets would be calling his name.

Not Coopa's.

“Say, are you all right?”

My mind heard Mocha speaking to me but couldn't register her words. I was lost in my own thoughts, hoping they would fall into place. The only consistent thoughts were of the money in that duffle bag and the blood that had spilled over the kitchen. Ray handled the situation without breaking a sweat, and I couldn't help but to admire it. The power that he held and the money enticed me. Mocha hadn't said a word to me about it. It was like she was trying to put it in the back of her mind. Or maybe she was just waiting for me to bring it up. Either way, there was a strange aura in the air whenever we were together after the incident.

“Bitch, I know you hear me talking to you!” Mocha's voice was finally able to snap me out of my own head.

“Yea?” I rolled over on my bed to look at her. “What?”

“So you were just going to ignore me?” she said sitting, legs crossed on her bed.

“My bad,” I said. “I was just thinking about some things. What did you say?”

“I asked your rude ass if you were OK. You've been acting different.”

“I'm good, Mo. I've just been thinking, that's all.”

“About what?” she asked just like I knew she would.

I shrugged my shoulders, but I knew she wasn't going to let it go that easy.

“About what, Sadie? Talk to me.” She stood up in her sweats and came to sit on my bed beside me. I moved away from her a bit, not wanting her to touch me.

“Mo, chill. I've just had some things on my mind.”

“Like?” Mocha pressed.

I knew she wasn't going to leave me alone until I told her the truth, so I did. Suddenly, I didn't care about what she thought. I took a deep breath and began speaking.

“I've decided that after this semester I'm dropping out of school. I might not even wait until then. College just isn't for some people, and I'm in that category. You know? And I think you feel the same way. I could stay, but what for? To make Grandma Rae happy? What about my happiness? I want
money
. And I want it now. Like
right now
. I mean, did you
see
that briefcase full of money, Mocha? All that currency. I'm trying to get like that. I feel that I can hold my own against any nigga without an army behind me. I've been around this shit my whole life. It's only right that I take my rightful place in the game. Then take the throne; or one of them.”

When I was done, Mocha didn't say a word. Instead, she stared into my eyes, and I looked back wondering how much of an idiot she thought I was. When she finally did speak, there was something different in her voice.

“Sadie, there's a lot more that comes with that shit. People get put on every day and never make it to Coopa's level. Instead, they usually end up six feet under. You know, you watch the news just like I do. You know that these niggas are snakes, especially if they see a bitch getting paid big money. So are you sure you want to take a blind dive into this shit?”

I didn't even have to think about it.

“Rats are going to rat, and snakes are going to hiss. The game will never change, Mocha, and the potential danger doesn't scare me . . . It excites me. Shit makes me want to cum. I'm almost twenty years old, and I know this is what I want to do.”

“How are you going to do it? Huh? Are you going to be out on the corners selling that shit yourself? So you can get bumped up by the feds?”

I could tell Mocha was getting frustrated, but I also could tell that she knew, like I knew, that my mind was made up. I shrugged my shoulders at her again.

“Ray got me,” I answered her simply.

“Ray doesn't want you to live that lifestyle. Didn't you hear what he was saying?”

“No,” I shook my head disagreeing with her. I thought about my cousin, I knew him better than anyone, even his best friend. “He wouldn't have let us see what went down if he was serious about me not being in the game.” I saw a look of understanding spread across Mocha's face. “He was testing us, Mocha. Don't you get it? I don't know what Ray has planned, but you heard what that dude said about Coopa, and I could tell by Ray's face that it was true. I know my cousin; he's just waiting for me to call.”

It took me a while to put two and two together, but I'd finally figured it out. Ray could have easily dropped Mocha and me off at our dorm before he went to handle his business, but instead, he took us with him. He wanted to see how we reacted to the cutthroat life he lived. He had always been like that, ever since I'd come to live with Grandma Rae. He was always testing me. But little did he know, I was ready. Mocha gave a long sigh and shook her head. Some of her curls hung loosely from her ponytail.

“OK, Sadie, if this is what you want . . . I'm down. But, bitch, if I die, I'm killing your ass.”

While Mocha was in her English class, I decided to pay my Grandma Rae a visit. I felt a little guilty, especially since I was planning to go against her wishes with my schooling, but I couldn't help the fact that I missed her. I always liked to check on her just to see how she was getting along being in the house by herself. I used the key she'd given me to enter her house, and, of course, I instantly smelled a wonderful aroma coming from the kitchen.

“Grandma Rae?” I yelled out into the one-story house, closing the door quietly behind me.

I took my coat off and put it on a hanger in the hallway closet. To my right was Grandma Rae's living room. It was nice size with black leather furniture sitting on the softest tan carpet. There was a black wooden table in front of the furniture, and the entertainment center was against the wall. Her flat-screen TV made the one at the dorm look like a baby. I kept straight, going toward the kitchen where the smell was coming from and saw a shadow bustling around in the light.

“Grandma Rae?” I called out once more.

“In here, chile!” she yelled back at me from the kitchen.

I entered the kitchen and saw my grandmother in a cute peach jogging suit outfit, an apron, and house slippers. Although she had silvery gray hair that fell just above her ears, Grandma Rae didn't have a wrinkle on her body. She had the high cheekbones of a runway model and sharp brown eyes just like me and Ray.

“Mmm! Grandma Rae, what you cooking?” I set my purse on the high six seating kitchen table and went to where she was over at the stove.

“Just some corn bread, macaroni and cheese, yams, and fried chicken,” she told me wiping her hands. “You hungry, baby?”

“You know I am! Did you know I was coming over?” I said.

“I figured you or your hardheaded cousin would make an appearance,” she said with a knowing smile.

My mouth was watering. She made me a plate, and I took it to the table to dig in. The first bite was pure perfection, and I didn't know how I was surviving without her cooking at the dorm. I knew everybody said their grandma could cook, but my grandma cooked as well as Whitney Houston sang. There was no one better. Her dream at one point in time was to open her own restaurant, but then she got pregnant and married a man who felt she would do better as a housewife. Whenever she spoke about her dreams and not being able to follow them, I always noticed the sadness in her eyes. I think that was why she wanted Mocha and me to go to school so bad, to make it and be something one day. I just wished I could live up to her expectations. I didn't have any dreams of a career, well, an honest career, that is. My dream was to lead the biggest drug cartel Detroit had ever seen. I wanted it all, and if I were to tell my grandmother that was the life I wanted to live, I was almost certain it would break her heart.

“What's wrong with you, girl?” Grandma Rae stood over me staring with a concerned expression. “You look like somebody stole your man or somethin'!”

“No, I'm fine, Grandma Rae,” I laughed at her comment. “I was just focused on my food.”

Grandma Rae gave me a skeptical look, but she left me alone.

“Where's that girl Mocha at? I barely ever see the two of you apart! Like two peas in a pod you two are,” she said and sat down at the table with me.

“She had class, and I just was tired of being cooped in that dorm,” I told her.

“Well, make sure you take that girl a plate. You know she loves my corn bread,” she waved her finger at me.

“Her ass does too,” I said under my breath, taking my last few bites of food.

“What?” Grandma Rae asked, not hearing what I said.

“Oh nothing,” I told her. “How have you been, Grandma Rae? I see Ray is still keeping you fly.”

“Yea, you know that boy loves spendin' his money on me.” Then she shook her head and stood up to start cleaning the kitchen. “I keep tellin' that boy to save his money! Buying me all this designer shit. I'm sixty-five years old! What do I need Gookie for?”

“I think you mean Gucci, Grandma Rae.” I giggled at her horrible pronunciation of the word.

“That's exactly why I don't need it!”

“You're right!” I said still laughing.

“I just wish he would settle down. When I don't hear from him, I can't help but to worry. I know what he does, and I don't like it, not one bit!”

I felt my head fall slightly; I couldn't look her in the face. I heard her sigh and continue sweeping.

“But he's grown now and has to find his own way. I know that money is addictive, but it's dangerous. Patty down the street just got a call last week saying her grandson was murdered. He was two years younger than Ray. I don't know what I would do if I got a call like that.” She put her hand on her heart. “I thank God every day that you and Mocha are safe at the dorm getting your education. I just wish Ray would have stayed and got his! He's a smart boy, too smart to be running the streets!”

I didn't speak; I couldn't. I felt too guilty and that was a feeling I was trying to avoid. I knew my actions would hurt her, and I didn't know if I was strong enough to handle that. Grandma Rae had always been there for me and given me everything I needed, and there I was planning to basically betray her. I felt like a snake in the grass, and I wanted to leave before I had to lie to her too. I finished the rest of the food on my plate and prepared to leave.

“How's school comin' along, honey?” Grandma Rae's voice was back to being soft and sweet.

Well, so much for not wanting to lie.

“Umm, it's OK,” I answered. Not completely a lie.

I'm just planning on dropping out to start the biggest drug cartel Detroit has ever fuckin' seen
, I confessed in my mind.

“That's good. Make sure you and Mocha are keeping them grades up,” she said.

“Yes, ma'am.” I grabbed my purse and stood to leave. “It was nice seeing you, Grandma Rae, I'm about to get back before Mocha think I got kidnapped.”

“OK, honey, take this plate to that girl!” she handed me a heavy plate covered in foil. “And it was nice seeing you too. Oh, and if you see Ray, can you give him this?” She handed me a few envelopes that had Ray's name on them. “He keeps forgetting to take them. Call me to let me know you got home safe, you hear! And baby?”

“What's up, Grandma Rae?”

“You have a special heart,” she started with her eyes staring into mine lovingly.

“And I'm going to do great things, Grandma, I know,” I finished for her, smiling. She said that whenever she saw me. I gave her small frame a big hug and made my way to the front door. “Love you!” I called back to the kitchen before closing the door.

I walked quickly to my two-door coupe in the cold with the plate warm in my hands. I got in my car, set the plate on the passenger seat and began to eye the mail. I had the strongest urge to rip both envelopes open just to see a part of Ray's life I wouldn't see any other time.

Don't open it, Sadie
, I told myself.
Don't. Open. It.

After about one minute of a great debate in my head, I couldn't help myself. I ripped the first envelope open. What was inside made my eyes bulge. It was a bank statement that said Ray had just shy of half a million dollars in his account. I wasted no time in opening the second envelope. Inside that one was also a bank statement, that one with only two hundred thousand. Just as I was about to pull off en route to Uncle Rojer's auto shop, my phone began vibrating in my back pocket.

“Hello?” I said knowing it was Mocha calling without looking at the caller ID.

“Where are you at?” Mocha asked. “You never go anywhere without telling me.”

“Damn, Mom, I didn't think you would be that worried,” I said pulling off away from the curb in front of Grandma Rae's house.

“Shut up, bitch, after the mess you were talking, I thought you had gone out and done some stupid shit,” she said.

She sounded as if she was seriously worried about me so I couldn't even be agitated.

“No, not yet anyways. I haven't talked to Ray yet. As a matter of fact, where are you at right now?” I asked.

“The dorm, obviously, bitch. How else would I know you aren't here?” I could hear her eyes rolling.

“Well, get in your car and meet me at Uncle Rojer's shop. You know Ray always helps out on Thursdays. I would rather talk to him about this face to face.”

“OK,” Mocha told me. “I'm leaving now.”

“I'll see you there.”

“Say?” she asked just as I was about to hang up the phone.

“What?”

“What if he says no? Then what?” she asked in all seriousness.

“Then nothing,” I told her. “He's not going to say no.”

* * *

“Well, look what the cat done dragged in!” Uncle Rojer greeted both Mocha and I when we walked into the garage. He and Ray were in the middle of working on a raggedy-looking green pickup truck when they heard our footsteps.

Ray turned around and smiled when he saw us.

“I was wondering when you two were going to come looking for me,” he said wiping his hands off on a rag hanging from the pockets of his dirty overalls. “About a day late though.”

For some reason, seeing Ray was different to me. For once, I didn't look at him as my big cousin who protected me and kept my pockets filled. I saw him as the street saw him. His presence demanded respect. He was the epitome of a boss, and I knew then that soon, Coopa's mistakes in the streets would get him caught up. I was at a loss for words with my cousin for a moment, but quickly, I regained my composure. He might've thought I was shook; but really, I was in awe.

“How are you doing, Unc?” I asked my uncle, not knowing what to say to Ray.

Uncle Rojer was a forty-four-year-old heavyset man, which was odd due to the fact that he was almost as tall as Ray.

“Tired!” Uncle Rojer's loud voice boomed. “Seems like every motherfucka in this city done broke their car!”

“It's what's bringing in your money, though, Unc,” Ray chuckled.

“Yea, yea.” Uncle Rojer began walking to the door leading to the inside of his shop. “Just make sure you lock up the place.”

He waved bye to us. When I heard an engine start and the car drive off, I knew he was gone. I went and sat on a chair next to the truck that was previously being worked on.

“I have to go to the ladies' room.” Mocha excused herself from the garage, and I knew what she was doing. “I'll be right back.”

She shot me a look as she exited to the inside of the shop, and I knew she would be gone until things with Ray got squared away.

“So much for being ride or die,” I said. I was hoping I would have her support in the matter of the conversation with Ray

“So, what's up, shorty?” Ray threw his towel to the side and pulled up a chair directly in front of me.

He knew what I wanted. He was testing me again. I wasn't going to let him intimidate me, especially with what I was asking for. What I wanted wasn't just given; it came at a cost. I had to prove that I was worth it.

“You know what's up, Ray. You've known since that day at the restaurant,” I started. The way he was looking at me with those sharp eyes again I was almost unsure of myself. “Regardless if you help me or not, you know what lifestyle I want to live. The lifestyle I'm going to live. I'm not like my mom. You know the shit I dealt with coming up in Grandma Rae's house. Everybody knew about my momma being a hoe and was sure I would be just like that.”

Ray's eyes stared intensely into mine; I could tell that he was latching onto every word escaping my mouth. He knew all of the stories about my mother. He probably knew some that even I didn't know, so I knew he understood what I was saying. But I needed him to
feel
what I was saying. I was only nineteen, but in my mind, I was double that.

“In some ways, I'm just like her. We're obviously attracted to the same things. But the difference is that I plan to be on top, never on the bottom. So what's up, boss? You gon' put me on or nah?”

I looked at Ray to see his exact reaction, but all I got was a look of sadness.

“Don't look at me like that,” I said sternly to him. “Don't you fucking dare look at me like that!”

Ray sighed before finally nodding his head.

“OK . . . OK, it seems to me whether or not I help you, you're determined to make it into the game somehow. I would rather you be with me than against me. I know your drive. But just give me a minute, a'ight?”

“How long, Ray? When Coopa has your ass laid out in a ditch?” I asked him becoming upset that he was really trying to give me the runaround. “Real shit, Ray, the time is now or never.”

I didn't like the fact that it seemed like Ray was Coopa's flunky, especially when Ray was the brains behind every operation. He was the reason Coopa's pockets stayed filled, and I didn't understand why Ray stood for it. Ray never had it in him to follow; he always had to be in the lead. But Coopa had a team and a connect, while Ray had only himself. So it seemed. If he was going to start, it was going to have to be from scratch, and I was willing to help build with him. Instead of responding to my words, however, Ray stood up and grabbed a duffle bag.

“I have to go get dressed. I'ma fuck with y'all later, OK?” he said, and with that, he left the garage.

I sat there dumbfounded, staring at the green truck. I couldn't believe he had just cut me off like that, like my conversation wasn't worth his time. I heard the door open to the shop once more, and I looked up to see Ray standing there staring at me.