The Streets Or Me: A Louisiana Love Story (2 page)

"Dammit Legz, these were my favorite boots, what the fuck!" I yelled as I stepped over the dead body that lay in front of me.

"Chill, I’ll buy you a new pair tomorrow," he replied leading the way out of the warehouse.

"Damn right you will, matter of fact you gon' buy me six new pair tomorrow with matching outfits," I said following him out to our car.

"Aight whatever, just get yo ass in the car and shut up damn," he groaned as Vinny held open the car door for me.

I slid inside the car and lay my head back against the seat as Vinny drove us back to our house. After agreeing to be Legacy's rider, we both kinda jumped head first into this game. I know you thinking, "why the hell you in the game?" The answer is because I would rather be at his side than to be home worrying whether he's gonna make it in safe or not. Quite naturally Killa and Chino were both against me having any parts of the game, but once I told them Legacy wasn't doing it without me they had no choice but to give in. I won't deny that I hate this damn life, but if the man I plan to spend the rest of my life with is gonna be apart of this shit then so will I.

We pulled in the driveway and Vinny helped me out the car. I took my keys and let myself in the house leaving the door opened for Legacy, Chino, and my cousin Luke to come inside. I made my way upstairs still pissed about my boots, I mean these were $1200 custom designed Jimmy Choo boots and this nigga got some dead junkie’s blood on them. smh

I stripped out of my clothes and walked in the bathroom turning on the shower. Once the temperature was just right, I stepped inside letting the hot water burn my body as I replayed the events that took place tonight. It's literally been six months since Legacy rejoined the game and I quickly became accustomed to the lifestyle that I swore I would never fall into.

As Legacy Martinez’s ride or die, I had a job to do just as much as he did. I had to organize and setup meetings, make sure workers in his crew were in their designated areas when they needed to be, and at times travel with Legz to out-of-town meetings. Life was no longer normal for me, and hanging out with my girls was very rare now; I mean I couldn't even have a normal chill day or party without being called to ride with the team. I wouldn't even put up a fight while being pulled away from a party or spa treatment just to handle business. I gave up my job just so I could be around whenever Legacy or even Chino needed me.

This business got extremely messy as we got deeper. The first few runs I went on with Legacy; I was scared shitless. I had nightmares from seeing him kill anybody who decided they didn't have to pay up or just all out played with his money. Once I got used to it, I wouldn't even flinch a muscle whenever he pulled the trigger or if he tortured someone. There were times when I even shot a few people in order to protect him or my brother's head, even Luke’s girlfriend, Miracle became an asset to the team. Whenever they needed us to, we would be at the traps well into the morning hours counting and collecting money, or out making drops. We made good money, but it seems that as fast as the money came, it left faster.

In the first few weeks of us hustling, our stash was already nearly six figures. Once the money rolled in, the splurging began. We moved out of our small one-bedroom house into a 3,000sq.ft. Two story compound in the rich area of the Southside that he had built from the ground up; we had nearly every new car that had yet to hit the lots. Every designer shoe and clothing you could think of was in our closets; we had basically become drug royalty over a short period of time.

Thirty minutes later, I washed up and stepped out the shower putting on some basketball shorts and a sports bra. It was only a little after three in the morning and I wasn't tired so I decided to head down to the kitchen to find something to eat. I walked through the living room seeing Luke, Chi, and Legz all sitting around smoking a blunt. I saw Legacy look my way so I rolled my eyes and flipping him the bird as I walked in the kitchen, his ass better pay for my boots...yella bastard.

Me, Chino, and Luke was down in the living room discussing some business when Khy came downstairs looking good as hell. She glanced my way. rolled her eyes and then flipped me the bird before heading in the kitchen. I know she still mad about her boots, but I can't really blame her 'cause she paid a good penny just to have them customized just the way she wanted them. I also knew by the way she looked at me, a nigga wasn't getting none tonight which makes the second week in a row. It's my own fault though for dragging her into a life that I promised to stay away from.

I wasted no time diving head first back into this game and when I did, it felt like I had never left. Only thing is that I never expected Khy to jump head first in the game right behind me. I tried my best to talk her out of it, but she’s stubborn and hard-headed as hell, so I gave up. I gotta give it to her and Miracle though, they both some real riders 'cause whenever me or Luke call they come ready no hesitation. I just hope this life don't cause more drama and beefs between us.

I snapped myself from my thoughts as Chino ended the phone call he had taken. He and Luke are two of only three people that I can really trust to have my back, and not set me up in this game.  Of course, you know my baby is the other person.

"So what's the business?" I asked.

"Killa done called a late meeting for tonight," he said.

"What kind of meeting and why did he call it so late?" Luke asked.

"He ain't give no details just said to meet him at the spot," he said.

"What time?" I asked.

"An hour," he replied.

"An hour!! It's damn near four in the morning shit can't wait," I said.

"Ha, like that'll happen," Khy walked out the kitchen. "You know how Killa is when he calls a meeting he doesn't care about the time so you might as well go handle that," she walked upstairs.

"You not coming?" Chino called behind her.

"Hell no!  You can update me tomorrow...hate bein' around him anyway," she yelled.

"Well can you at least call the clean-up crew to go to the warehouse and-"

"I’m already on it...have fun!" she replied.

*One Hour Later*

"Where's Khyia?" Killa asked.

"You know how your little princess is Pop," Chino said.

I sat back in the chair in Killa’s office waiting to see what was up. I honestly felt like shit could've waited 'til morning 'cause a nigga tired and I hated leaving Khy alone this late, even tho she can protect herself.

"Hmm, I figured she'd be wit' ya’ll since she follows Legz every move," he said.

"Thought we was here on business not about Khyia, Killa," I said.

"You right. Business it is then young blood," he said. "I’m getting out of the business soon. I’ve had enough plus queen wants to move down to Miami," he added referring to his wife.

We all kinda stared at him in shock 'cause we never heard nor did we think we'd ever hear Killa say he leaving the game, shit crazy.

"Pop, you can't be serious. What about the business? You just gon' shut it down?" Chino asked.

"Don't be stupid Chi, why would I shut down the business when I got you, Luke, and Legacy to take it over when I leave. That is if want it," he said.

"I’m down to take over. What about you Legz?" Chi asked.

Taking over half of the business means me staying in the game longer than I planned which also means Khyia staying in the game as my rider. I don't wanna put more pressure and stress on her than I already have.

"This wasn't supposed to be permanent for me. Khy already having reservations about the game and I promised her it'll only be temporary," I said. "Half of the business means more money, power, and control of the northeast as well as other parts of Louisiana but-"

"Don't stress on it young blood," he cut me off. "Let me talk to my daughter and explain things to her, I can make her come around," he said.

Killa talking to Khyia might work and it might not, seeing that she really hates dealing with her father because of the life he chooses. Growing up, Killa was never really around much for Khyia and Chino because he was always doing business. Chino was always close to him, but Khy is a whole other story. She felt like Killa neglected her for his business, and that he would use his money or gifts to try and buy her love. So, like I said that relationship is pretty much shit.

Chino spoke knocking me from my thoughts. “How you expect to talk to Khy about this when she barely like being in yo' presence pop, think about it?" he asked.

"Think about what? Look I’m still Khyia's father whether she likes it or not, if I have to force her ass to sit wit' me and talk then that's what I’ll do," he replied.

"What do you mean force her to talk to you? You not gon' do nothing crazy to her?" I asked.

Look I respect Killa like he my own dad, but I'll be damned if I let him do something crazy to Khyia. I'll go to war with Satan and God behind Khy, and that's real.

"Don't be dumb, I’ll never hurt my baby girl physically. I already put too much on her emotionally, but I will get her to talk to me," he said.

"Well handle that then Pop and let us know what's up on the business," Chi said.

"I'll get back with you in a week to discuss everything since me and Queen going to Miami later this evening to look at houses, but I’m going to setup to meet Khyia later today," he said

"Cool so is that all you wanted to discuss?" I asked kinda impatient.

A nigga was tired and I just wanted to get back home before Khy got worried or sent a search party out for a nigga. I'm not scared of Khy, I just love her ass like crazy and I hate making her worry 'bout me.

"We got some new niggas that came from down South tryna move in on our territory, I need to handle that asap," he said.

"Say no more, it's handled," Luke replied.

"Good. Now that's out the way, we good to go. Young blood don't make no plans wit' baby girl until later 'cause after I meet with her, I wanna see you," he said.

Fuck he wanna see me for? It's very rare that Killa wants to meet with one of us alone so this must be something big.

"Just let me know and I’ll be there," I said.

"No problem," he nodded. "Chino, you stay, I need to talk to you." he said.

"I'll get up wit' later bruh," Chi said.

I dapped him and walked out with Luke as we discussed this takeover.

"So what do you think my uncle got planned for this takeover situation?" Luke asked.

"Shit, I don't know. I'm just as curious as you bruh. I can't believe Killa actually giving up the game though." I replied.

"I know man. Unc been in the game since before we were born though, it's ‘bout time he hung up his crown to be with Auntie. Who you think he gon' let take his spot though?" he asked.

That's a good question. I mean quite naturally I would expect it to be Chino since that's his son, but Killa's mind works differently than any other dealer. In this matter he'll probably be looking for who he thinks got the stronger mentality to control Louisiana so that could be anyone of us.

"That's probably what he wanna talk to Chi about. You know how Killa mind work, so who the hell knows," I shrugged.

"Yea you’re bout right, but look I'ma fuck with you later so we can handle that shit on the East," he dapped me.

"Aight my nigga, stay up," I replied.

He nodded then we went our separate ways. I was tired as shit and I just wanted to lay under Khy’s stubborn ass and get some sleep. I walked in the house then headed up to our room and found her hugging my pillow while she slept. I chuckled at the sight, no matter how stubborn and crazy she is, she’s got a good heart and she loves a nigga no matter how bad I fuck up. I stripped down to just my boxers and climbed in bed as she moved in close to me, I wrapped my arm around her waist and kissed her on her head before I drifted off into a deep sleep thinking bout this takeover.