Inside the apartment, nothing had changed. It was still classy and clean. Men loitered around the room, doing various things. Big D sat in the middle of the leather sectional. A bunt was in his hand and a drink was on the table. He looked deceivingly well as he sat there as if he didn't have a care in the world. He wore a deep red robe and white pajama bottoms.
As I entered the room, he stood up, his robe gapping in the middle, revealing he didn't have on a shirt. He stretched out a hand for me, a smile gracing his handsome face. I smiled as well, but really, I was a little pissed. Did he really think I wouldn't know?
As I got closer, he grasped my hand and gently sat me on the couch. That was different because we usually hugged during our meetings. I guess he either didn't want me to hurt him with a hug or he didn't want me to discover them by getting too close. I watched him slowly retake the seat he vacated.
"You're looking lovely today." Big D said, his voice slightly scratchy and low. "Anything you wanna tell me?"
"I'm feeling better about life and moving on," I told him, not even pretending to not know what he was talking about. "What I want to know is how you are doing."
Big D faltered as he reached to dump his ash. I eyed the older man that I had become so fond of over the last few years. Big D had proved himself as an ally and then a friend. He always came through for me. Whether I liked it, he was always there. He had taken me under his wing and given me the game. Now he was like family and he was like the father I had never had.
"I'm great," he replied as he quickly closed his robe in an attempt to hide the bandage I had already seen. "I'm good. As a matter of fact, I've been thinking about my retirement."
I reached forward, grabbed the remote, and started flicking channels. "Not a bad idea," I told him. "It's about that time, old man. You ain't getting no younger."
He laughed, which must have been painful as it turned into a cough, his hand holding his side. I put down the remote and handed him a bottle of water that sat nearby. "I really came by to make sure you were okay with my own eyes. What I really want to know is if you caught the motherfucker who shot you?"
He drank deeply from the bottle before setting it down again. "Who told you?"
"D, you must have forgotten this is my city, too. Not much is going to happen without me finding out. I got the news late, though."
He eased back onto the couch. "You're too smart for your own good."
"I got it from you."
"I'm fine, sweetheart," he said with a sigh. "Just a little tired. Nothing like a brush with death to put things in perspective. I've served the streets almost as long as I've been alive. I will be retiring soon and I just want to spend the rest of my days on somebody's beach, watching waves."
"Well brick city isn't even close to a beach, but It's your home. Any news on who is responsible for this?" I gestured towards his stomach.
Big D shook his head, his eyes are serious as he says, "I don't want you getting involved in this, sweetheart. My people are on it. They will take care of it."
I scowled and leaned away from him. I felt like I had been smacked in the face. He had me fucked up. "Don't ask me that D. You were shot. Your blood is still on the steps of your building. That is not okay. My people are also looking for whoever had the audacity to fuck with you. If I catch them first, I will let you know."
"Anna," he growled, "You will stand down. These people are different monsters. They prey on people like you. Young women especially. Let me handle this. When I have them, I'll let you know."
"So you know who did this?"
"Yes, and he is a dirty motherfucker. I don't want you near him. Do you understand? When I catch him and I will, I'll let you know."
I relaxed just a little. If he knew who it was, I knew I could relax. Still, I wanted blood. "I don't want to know when you catch him, D. I want to know when he dies, how he dies, and where his family is. This shit just doesn't happen. People don't shoot at you. Have you considered that this could be an inside job? You're not the easiest guy to get close to and they came to your door."
"I thought about that," he said solemnly. "I can't believe my guys would do that. I keep their pockets thick."
That meant absolutely nothing to me. "I learned the hard way that even people close to you can be snakes. You're retiring. Who's taking over?"
"Geo will be taking over. Once these loose ends are tied, he will take control of Brick City."
Of course Geo. As if summoned, Geo walked through the door like he had owned the place. I suppose he does since he's Big D's son, but the truth was he walked in like he owned every place he entered. He stopped to talk to his entourage of five guys and I took him in as I did every time I saw him, and I had been seeing him a lot lately. Geo was built like a Chippendale. He was way taller than me, but so was everyone else. He had a way of making me feel small, especially since he always materialized next to me somehow. He was delicious to look at, but to me, he was forbidden fruit.
He was Big D's son, and it was bad for business for me to do any of the many naughty things I thought of on the regular. But damn if I didn't enjoy looking. He was sexy as fuck and when he turned the bedroom eyes on me, my body responded every time. He was a younger version of his father. He looked bored and uninterested in what they were saying until he looked around and zeroed in on me.
"Well, my day just got a lot better," Geo said lowly. He licked his lips slowly and, never breaking eye contact, he asked, "What's up, pops?"
"Nothing much, son," Big D replied, a look of pride in his eyes as he looked at his eldest son.
"Is Anna corrupting you?" Geo asked.
"Not at all. She's just keeping me company."
Geo stared at me for several more seconds before turning to his father. "You should be resting, pops."
"That's what I'm doing." Big D gestured to his slippers.
I got to my feet, about to leave, but Geo moved quickly and was in front of me in the next second." You leaving?"
He picked up one of my locs and twirled it around his finger. I watched that finger, totally aware that Big D was watching. Geo was getting bolder by the second. It was weird, only because we had been alone on several occasions and he's always kept his distance. He always watched me, but this was different. I had even been to his house to get weed, and he had never even tried to get me inside. His cologne was intoxicating, and I stepped back as soon as it hit my nostrils.
"I got stuff to take care of." I finally said.
"Like the chump in the car?" Geo asked, his head tilted to the side and one side of his mouth lifted a little. I wasn't sure if that was a smirk or a growl. Either way, it was sexy as fuck.
"What chump?" D asked.
"He's my roommate." I told D. "I told you about him, remember?"
"Oh yeah, his name's Tony, right?" Big D asked.
"Terrance." I corrected and to Geo, I asked, "Are you gonna move?"
"Nope," he replied. "I like your attention."
"D, tell your son to move," I said, folding my arms.
"I wanna take you out," Geo said before Big D could say anything.
"No."
Geo chuckled as if I was playing a game. He irked my soul so badly and honestly, I liked his attention. "I promise you won't regret it," he whispered into my ear.
My breath caught and, just for a second, I entertained the thought of getting involved with Geo. His sex was almost legendary, and I knew more than a few women he had screwed. He was the love em and be gone in the morning type. Not that I thought I'd be in my feelings or anything, but I didn't want to chance it. I couldn't kill Big D's son.
I pushed past him before he made my panties any wetter. I rushed to the door and opened it. "Well D, I think it's time I left. I'll see you soon."
"Bye Sweetheart," D called.
"One day, Anna, you're gonna come over to the dark side. I don't give up easily." Geo said.
The dark side is my hood, Geo. I lived there for years."