Deadly Vengeance: One up on the Game

Prologue

G et down! Now! Do as I say and nobody will get hurt, The Black male brandishing an AK 47 Assault rifle insisted with commanding authority.

With a gander that looked fit for the criminally insane, those inside the Bank of America on King and Western did as instructed. Frantically they spread out on the floor. Terror of what would happen if this sadistic bastard snapped loomed in their minds.

Put your hands behind your heads and don’t look up! he shouted.

Inconspicuously, the bank’s armed guard tried to reach for his weapon. Heroism consumed him. Duty before reason plagued his mind. Yet he was unaware that the bank robber had jumped atop a table and had a vantage view of all inside the bank. Don’t make me do it, pops, if you wanna see those cute little grandkids of yours, the bank robber warned.

One minute! one of the robbers yelled as two of his constituents emptied money from the tellers’ drawers while a third robber held the supervisor of the bank at gun point in front of the vault.

You have one try. Fail to utilize it, and make the Seven O’clock News, he said while staring at the white female’s hands trembling as she punched in the code on the bank’s vault.

Her heart was racing as the vault opened. There, please don’t kill me. I have a family. Tears streamed down her face. The robber tossed two bags at her.

Ahhh! she whimpered.

Fill them and I won’t have to.

She did as he instructed. After filling the bags, she dragged them out of the vault. Sweat beaded her face.

Time’s up. Let’s go!

Detective Sanchez swaggered over to the TV and shut it off. That was two weeks ago, said Detective Rebelson, We have reason to believe that the Playa’s affiliate are the perpetrators of this crime… I want these bastards. This is the third bank robbery in six months and, on all of the takes, they made off Scott free. He gazed around at all of the other officers assigned to the Special Task Force Unit sitting in the briefing room of the South West Police Department. Need I say keep your ear to the street? Because as sure as my momma lives, they are plotting another heist… our CI’s have informed us that Rafiki Lamont, AKA RL is the master mind of these crimes. I want him… Rafiki’s smart, calculating, and a sophisticated criminal. However none of the men we saw in that surveillance footage are him. And no one knows who they are. Ladies and gentlemen, we need answers because they will strike again.

Chapter 1

T he night air was brisk as Duce and HD hung out under a street light on 41st street.

Leaning up against his 68 Chevrolet Impala, HD checked his watch. Noticing it was 10:32 PM, he glanced at the house adjacent to the one they posted up in front of. Why hadn’t the light gone out? he questioned. That was unusual. Maybe she’s reading or unable to sleep. Whatever it was, knowing it wasn’t the norm, he glanced at Duce.

With one leg crossed over the other, Duce lay on the hood of the Chevy. Caught in his own seduction he smoked a Kool King cigarette. Blowing large white circles through the air, he stared at the starry sky.

Man! What’s taking her so long? She should have been asleep by now. HD reached inside of the Chevy. He grabbed the pack of Newport cigarettes off of the dashboard.

I don’t know my boy. But I do know one thing: if that light ain’t off in ten minutes, I’m headed to the Wine Barrel, buy me a pint of Remy Martin, then take my black ass on 40th.

Fa sho. HD lit his cigarette.

Hearing the pitter-patter of heels clicking on the sidewalk, HD saw Bay Bay and Phil. Both looked jazzy as hell. They waved at him as they got in their car. By their stylish attire he was certain they were headed on 40th.

All of a sudden HD noticed the light was off. He popped Duce on the leg, Come on.

Like cheetahs on the prowl they strode alongside the wood built house. Unexpectedly, a black cat darted from some ivy bushes. Running across Duce’s foot, its surprising appearance startled him.

Ahh! Duce cringed. He thought the cat was a rat. Shut cho scary ass up, HD spun around and laughed, Acting all like a b*#@! . . . ahhh!" Emulating Duce, he then turned around and tapped the window with his finger nail.

Quickly the venetian blind shot up and Cassandra opened the window.

Like a cheetah, HD sprang through the window.

Damn! Duce murmured, He act like he got gazelle in him. He climbed through the window after him.

Scanning the bedroom’s amenities, Duce admired Cassandra’s and Vanessa’s tidiness. The way both flat screen televisions were evenly mounted on the wall, the baby blue carpet and interior paint, the lavish oak twin bedroom set, and how every time he came over nothing was ever out of place, was a palpable thing he applauded.

The twins had it going on. Both nineteen, young and voluptuous; though not identical, both were fly. Cassandra wore one of them bleach blonde bobbed hairdo’s. And with a booty like Nicki Minaj, everywhere she went brothers stared at her statuesque figure. She was the chase homeboys in the hood wanted. But HD had it locked. Even cats caked out the game couldn’t pick his magic. Guess he had the magic stick.

Vanessa was petite, Had one of those figures like Beyonce before she met JZ. Her hair was just as long and pretty too. And though somewhat standoffish, she was smart as a whip. With a 3.8 GPA, the vanilla mocha complexion sista indeed was fly. And Duce knew it.

However, as he took his hoodie off and sat on the bed, rather than impede the sista from doing what she was doing, he instead appreciated her womanhood, and ogled the way the pj’s she wore accentuated her baby maker. Yowza.

She was like the diamond in the ruff many men never find, Duce perceived as gazed at her profound beauty.

Nonetheless, feeling the effect of his goggle, Vanessa removed her glasses. Licking her lips, she in turn returned her own gaze. It was sensual. I’m sorry baby, I was just looking at some entry applications for different colleges.

It’s all good, Duce rubbed her leg as she sat Indian style on the bed.

Haven’t seen you all day. What you been up to?

Nothing, just chillin.

OK. Come here… emmmm! I’ve missed you. Vanessa hugged him, And your smell too. She whimpered as she sniffed the fragrance of the Eternity cologne lodged in the fabric of his clothing.

After getting a whiff of his scent, she watched him shake several Tic Tacs from the container. Salaciously, she looked into his eyes as he gave her a few Tic Tacs and afterward popped some in his mouth. Turned on by his intoxicating swagger, paper sack brown skin, slick unblemished bald head, and smooth goatee, Vanessa confessed a feeling. Her body called for what it desired. His hood. That kind of hood that many in the hood hoped for. But knowing his seemed to be an innate thing, confounded Vanessa peered into his soul.

What’s wrong? said Duce.

Nothing… was just wondering.

What? You still haven’t figured out where you wanna go?

Yeah, but I’ve narrowed it down to three. SC, Morehouse, or Texas Tech.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the room, HD wasted no time. In full flow, he was getting his money. And Cassandra was loving his elephant.

Yeah baby, right there, Cassandra moaned.

Duce gazed across the room, Damn! My boy over there getting it.

Mind your business, said Vanessa.

What? Duce grinned.

Come on, I’ll show you. Vanessa kissed his cheek. She then pushed the play button on the CD player atop the night stand. She then turned it down to a moderate level, turned off the night light, then rubbed her hand across Duce’s genitalia.

Set it off then, said Duce when he heard the Isley Brothers sultry sound echo: ‘Oh, I’ve been thinking of you, and you’ve been, thinking of me. Oh, I’ll give, all that I have, if you’ll give, all that I need’.

Vanessa propped a pillow behind the small of her back. She then leaned against the headboard, I’m thinking ’bout going to SC. I don’t wanna be far from you.

That’s what’s up! Southern Cal, for my Southern Cal gal. That’s what we do, said Duce enthusiastically

That’s why I love you Duce. Vanessa smiled.

Why?

Because you know how to keep me smiling, Vanessa removed her pajama top and placed Duce’s hand on her breast.

With the fullness of appreciation, Duce obliged the firmness of her nipples with the tip of his tongue.

Vanessa clutched his rod. He was harder than rod iron. I want you bad, said Vanessa, But I’ve never did this before.

Are you serious… is this really your first time?

Yeah, Vanessa whispered in his ear with a seductive tone.

Do that mean no love for Duce tonight?

You’re so crazy. Come here, Vanessa giggled.

After removing one another’s clothing. Vanessa leaned back on the bed. She took his thrust. And though it wasn’t the first, it felt like it all over again, Emm, she purred.

In a good place, she clinched his muscular arms as agony became ecstasy and intimacy became complete. Feeling Duce deep in her spirit, she peered out the window at the fullness of the moon. She noticed Cassandra and HD watching them.

My boy Duce over there killing it, HD mumbled.

And so he was. Vanessa pondered as the Isley Brothers set him off to a groove in between the sheets. He was beating it dry.

I’m thirsty. Vanessa kissed his cheek, Wait a minute, let me go get some Kool Aid. She slipped out of bed, slipped on her pajamas, then walked to the kitchen.

Bring us some too, Cassandra whispered.

Chapter 2

W ith his fingers interlocked behind his head, Duce lay in Vanessa’s bed. He gazed through the dark contemplating Vanessa’a decision to stay in Cali and go to school. It was a win win. Not only for him; but for the both of them. This way she wouldn’t have to endure the hardship of missing family and friends. And he wouldn’t have to deal with congested airports and flight travel going to see her.

Suddenly he heard the door open. He expected to see Vanessa sashay around the closet looking dainty, instead the light popped on. Not good, he said to himself, Vanessa better be playing.

He was unable to see who stood at the door, the closet obstructed his view. Quickly, he glanced at the bedrooms window. In its reflection, he saw Vanessa’s mother. She stood in the door’s entryway wearing a pink robe.

Y’all in here having a f-ing ball, Ms. Collins said angrily as she stared at Cassandra and HD. For the moment, she hadn’t noticed Duce.

Briskly slipping out of the bed, Duce slipped on his Levi corduroys. Instinctively, he gazed at HD. Caught red handed with his hand in the cookie jar, as free as a jay bird, HD was naked with nowhere to fly.

In that time, everything seemed still. If a church house mouse with foot mittens would have crept through, everything was so quiet, it would have got caught. But what was there to say after being caught in such a predicament? Opps, I’m sorry? It was then Duce smarty pants did the unthinkable.

Buttoning his pants the clasp snapped. Click.

Abruptly, Ms. Collins peeked her head around the corner of the closet. Surprised when seeing Duce, she snapped, Dusavian, I didn’t think you were this kind of boy… I’ll be right back. She stormed out of the room.

Like a gazelle, Duce hurtled over the bed, dashed across the room, and leaped out the window.

HD was on his trail.

Swiftly Vanessa and Cassandra swooped their clothes off of the floor and tossed them out of the window.

Duce gathered his garments off the ground. Like flash Gordon he thereafter zipped down the side of the house, down the block with his clothes in his hands to HD’s house, then sat on the porch. Winded, he slipped on his Jordans and hoodie. As he did, he noticed HD walk out of Vanessa’s yard, get into his car, and swerve down the block.

Smoking a cigarette, HD pulled over to the curb and smiled, Come on, let’s go over to 40th.

Duce got in the car and they drove down the block.

Heading down Hoover, HD glanced in his rear view mirror. He then popped Duce’s arm.

What’s up Hot Dawg, I see you peeping, said Duce.

Man! HD grinned.

Man what? Duce glanced at him.

HD opened up his CD jacket and slid out a CD. You was over there digging up in Vanessa; know it had to be good. Was it? He slipped the Funkadelic CD into the CD player.

Rule #3 my boy… never reveal ‘yo’ business, then you don’t have to worry about it being show business. Entertaining the minds of men.

I feel you, HD nodded. He knew Duce wasn’t the type to be slipping or slackin, and gave him dap. They were thick as thieves. And after Duce’s brother died, HD watched out for Duce like a younger brother. They had each other’s back to the fullest. Everybody knew it. Especially after one night at a party when a couple of dudes tried to rat pack HD, and Duce sent a message: if they mess with HD they gotta mess with him. But his skills in martial arts were superior.

Duce checked the time on his Rolex watch. Then gazed at the Chevy’s ‘interior. Man!

What? HD looked over at Duce.

When you gonna put this thing in the game? That’s what. Look at it: the interiors all cracked out! Come on my boy. Bought you the engine, front end, music; now it’s you turn. What? Do I have to fix it up, too? Summer’s right around the corner.

Don’t trip. After the lick I’m fiixing to set it off? Watch me. HD visioned his Chevy with a baby blue candy paint, on hundred spoke rims, original