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Cindy's Glass Slipper & Cherry Thongs

A novel

## By Hassan C. Barry

Another tall tale from Hassan Charles Barry. This book is a work of fiction. The names, characters, places and incidents are products of the writers' imagination or have been used fictiously and are not to be construed as real. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, actual events locales or organizations is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission from the author.

Copyright © 2012 by Hassan C. Barry

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PROLOGUE

Victor Quinones stood on Hunt's Point Avenue holding two six foot link chains and two of the meanest pit bulls in the Bronx, Vanish and Vice. Vice got her nickname because she tore a strippers boot one night at a going away party Angel Sepulveda, formerly of Castle Hill supposedly doing three to seven on Riker's Island for conspiracy of trafficking narcotics.

The dancer, crack-ho, depending on the time of day almost lost half her calf muscle to Vice's powerful jaw. Victor laughed and said the dog was like 5-O and since Millie was trying to sell cho-cho at Angel's going away party she got what she deserved.

Millie didn't take it too well, but she never let Victor know how much she hated him and those fucking dogs. One day this would cost him his life. You see, Millie decided right then to give up crack, she had found something a little sweeter...revenge.
CHAPTER ONE

Saturday morning at Jacobi Hospital, in the Bronx, is like happy New Year...muthafukas everywhere. Millie sat in the waiting room, softly crying her eyes out with a growing puddle of blood in the front of her boot after that stupid dog had bit her. If she had her way his throat would be sliced wide open and She'd be rubbing salt in the wound - slowly - along with the broken glass left over from a bottle of Remy She'd gotten for her sixteenth birthday party before her life turned into the convoluted mess it was now.

Tika sat by Millie and told her to chill with the tears, it was driving her crazy. Montika, aka "Tika", was about 5'5" and built like an exhibit for the museum of sexual history. She had a flawless complexion, a sweet lil' behind, perfect 32b breasts, a dazzling smile and dreamy eyes. Tika could stop traffic at a free ice water convention in hell. She also hated most guys with the fire of a thousand burning suns, especially Victor.

Millie and Tika had been best friends since grade school and there was no separating them. Ride or die for real, through thick and thin, like beans and rice. Tika said, "Look 'B' I gotta bounce cause I gotta get up mad early to take care of my grandma." Tika reached in her purse and slipped Millie a crisp hundred-dollar bill, three twenty's and some odd singles. She told her to call her as soon as she got home from the hospital. And not to hurt any of the cute doctors stuck on the night shift. 'Yeah right", Millie said. "With my luck I'll get the one with the gigantic eye right in the center of his forehead."

Millie's luck with men was not the best, though she could turn heads about as fast as Tika. However Millie was just a little too developed for her own good. She was about 5' 5" like her best friend Tika but she had slightly bigger breasts and more booty. You couldn't count the times they lied and told guys they were sisters even though Millie was a few shades lighter than Tika.

Anyway, Tika gave Millie a hug and said, "don't worry about it girl the doctor will stitch you up real good and no one will be the wiser. Just be glad." "Be glad what?" said Millie. "That dog didn't bite me," said Tika. "Cause I would be in jail right now for manslaughter and who knows what else. But seriously Millie, I saw that look you gave Victor at the spot. That was reckless and I know you want to bathe in his blood, but let it go. He's a fuckin' asshole and one of these days somebody's gonna fix his lil' red wagon, just you wait and see." Millie said, "I ain't gonna do nothing to the boy. But if he should drop dead before morning or maybe choke on a chicken bone, I wouldn't be mad. Peace girl, I'll call you soon as I get home."

So Millie sat in the waiting room freezing to death in the air conditioning while sneezing her head off. She picked up a magazine and started flipping through it and started daydreaming about someplace warm and tropical. She was about to wrap her lips around something thick and buttery when he walked up to her.

Is this seat taken? "I don't want any company papi I had a real rough night already and I just want to' sit here and wait another three hours to see a doctor," Millie said. "Throw it your way Mami, I don't much want to be here either, but I don't feel like holding up the wall all night. Millie said "Well, if you promise not to be trying to get my number you can sit, and I aint your mama", never once looking up from her magazine. He said, "Deal, just don't be trying to get my number either."

Millie said, "What? Oh please. Do I look like I have to pick up boys in the emergency room?" "One, I'm not a boy thanks much and for all I know you do pick up boys in emergency rooms." he said as he sat down.

Millie said, "Sorry mister man" finally looking over at him while trying to suppress her smile, because she was actually enjoying their little dialogue. Had she looked up sooner she would have noticed the towel pressed tight to his right cheek. "Hey, what happened to you," she asked?

Jealously and envy tried to ruin this pretty face my mother gave me. Conceited Millie thought to herself but damn he is fine. He stuck out his hand and said "what's your name"? "My friends call me Millie - short for Milagros." "Millie, what happened to you?" he said and smiled. "I got bit by a pit bull", she said. "How'd that happen?" he asked. "You should have been with me eating popcorn at the movies and drinking up all my soda", he said. "Wish I was but you move too slow, the dog got me first." They both laughed.

The attendant for the waiting room called out, I...I...Ren-dolph O Hor-hum. He stood up and said it was nice talking to you miss Millalia- Milaya - forget it Millie. Hope I see you again sometimes and no you can't have my number. She said, ' Oh yeah, don't make me come find you boy. "There we go with that boy shit again. Baby you don't even know my name, but keep flippin thru that magazine you might find me. Later Millie, I hope you feel better." He walked through the door and out of Millie's sight. Instantly Millie was bummed out because she was feeling homey and his succulent lips.

Milagros? The nurse called out and Millie walked to the treatment room to get her leg stitched up. She was in such a hurry that she dropped the magazine.

Hold still...Ms. Vasquez, you are going to need about 32 stitches, but at least you will not have a scar, said the doctor. This shot I am giving you is to numb the area a little and by any chance do you remember the last time you had a tetanus shot. Millie shook her head no and the Doctor told her no strenuous activity until the stitches come out and definitely no dancing - Go-Go or any other kinds. Millie blushed and said, " I only wear the tight clothes to give the illusion...oh never mind. I just dance for the fellas and it pays well." The Dr. said, 'Hey, I'm not trying to judge you I'm just saying that if you want your leg to heal properly it would be in your best interest to stay off of your legs. Walk slowly and no sex, but if you do have sex...go easy.

Millie said, "The stitches are in my leg doc and nothing is going to happen to them." Yeah okay, just remember to take it easy and don't come back here with a bunch of busted stitches. Ms. Milagros have a good day and see you in a few weeks. Millie thanked the Doctor again and said to herself, don't worry, I'll be good, it's not like I have a boyfriend or someone to get into trouble with.

Millie stood up and walked out the treatment room and went to pick up her coat and bag. She thought about homey and those juicy lips of his and checked for that magazine. Fuck. I lost the damn thing. "Great." How am I supposed to find him and what difference does it make, if he finds out the truth about me, how I'm a dancer, among other things, he won't want me anyway.

She walked out to Pelham Parkway and waited for the car service to pick her up. "Damn." she said, "I wish I had that stupid magazine." She hadn't even looked at the cover so she'd have to look in at least a dozen magazines similar to the one she'd seen. Finally the cab came and she made it to her lonely little apartment. She called up Tika and said, "I made it" and proceeded to take off all her clothes and sat on her bed looking at her flawless legs with the new signature horseshoe shape on the back.

She said fuck it to herself, I still got it and called Tika back to tell her about the guy she'd met. Him and his sexy lips. Yo Tika? "Millie....go to sleep. What is it now mami? I think I met somebody. What? Who? The Doctor from the hospital? The cutie intern?

No, he was a patient. Millie said, a patient?" Tika answered. "I didn't see you with nobody. What, did you hide him under your shirt until I left?" Millie said, "Ha, ha, Tika always with the titty jokes...smartass." Tika said, "Well tell me about him, and give up the juice." "Well somebody tried to slice his face off and I think they damn near succeeded. He was holding a towel over the side of his face when he met me" said Millie. "Word girl? So was he fine?" Tika asked. Millie said, "Oh, hell yeah and cute too...umm hmmm." They both laughed. "Tall, Black, Puerto Rican, Cuban, Dominican, Blaquito? Where was he from?" said Tika. "I'm not sure, but he was a lil' sumthin-sumthin'," laughed Millie. "Ok was he nice to you?" Tika asked next. "Yeah, he was a little sarcastic, but he made me laugh. I almost forgot that stupid pricks dog bit me," said Millie.

Tika said "Okay, last question, cause I gotta get back. Did you get his number?" Millie said, "No, he wouldn't give it to me." Tika asked, "Well did you give him yours by any chance?" Tika then asked, "Did you get his name? "Sneak and take his picture with your cell phone?" Millie answered, no again. "Tika said, damn girl, I know I taught you better than that! Well here's what you do, call the hospital and get the nurse to tell you who was in the emergency room waiting around before you got stitched up." Millie said, "Alright, I'll try it, but I doubt they will just give up that information." Tika said, "Just say he left his glasses and you picked them up by mistake outta the doctor's office or something."

So Millie put on her best Oprah Winfrey voice and found out the cutie with the nice lips was named Ivan Renaldo Humpries. At least that was his government. She also, with a little pleading, managed to get his address and phone number. So she could return his glasses...yeah right! She had lots of other plans for Mr. Ivan Renaldo Humpries.

CHAPTER TWO

Angel Sepulveda sat in central booking thinking, what the fuck am I going to do stuck in a box for three years? I'll go nuts. So instead he reminisced about his going away party and the bad bitches he sexed on the terrace. Marcia' Lago and Lucia at least that is what they said their names were. "Yeah right!" Thanks for the cute sluts, but considering his situation with the Quinones family they definitely owed him. He'd been meaning to pop Moe since '07...fucking buzzard. But business is business. Still Angel didn't do murder, he didn't want anybody's blood on his hands. Figuring God did say thou shall not kill, although sometimes God had been know to kill a carload of teenagers for less than a sip of beer because it had been deemed their time. Twelve seasons - winter, spring summer and fall times three. First bid and he could not stop thinking about Millie...still shook up when Victor's pit bull tore up her boot. His feelings were more hurt that after he had just finished smashing Millie she was so quick to try and sell herself. Like their episode didn't mean anything. But at the time Millie was under the exclusive jurisdiction and influence of the pipe. And even if she had a thing for Angel, It probably wouldn't last. Since then Millie kept her heart to herself. Plus hustlas ain't shit and muthafuckas' always want to play pimp when they see a girl down and out. Very few say hey shawty you know you're too tight to be living so foul and Angel was just like the rest.

Another thing happened at that party – somebody's personal stash went missing and Angel couldn't do anything about it. He had to kick up to Victor's hence bitch Arturo. Angel knew that sometimes work disappears, but he never thought he'd be robbed like that uptown. But there wasn't much he could do about a masked gunman on his terrace with cold steel nicking his earlobe. He wanted to believe that Crazy Anthony or maybe Frankie L (he never could stand him anyway) was at the bottom of this whole scam but he might have to wait until he finished his bid to get to the bottom of things...or climb out the backseat of the cop car-while they were on a donut break...fucking degenerates.

CHAPTER THREE

Six months and no sign of I.R. and Millie was still in and out of every car given hand jobs and sucking off strangers. Whoever heard of a celibate crack whore, but Millie hadn't fucked since Angel's party. As a matter of fact, she was almost horny, but the rock killed most of her appetite, not to mention the despair.

Montika swore she'd help Millie shake off her routine of the daily mushroom cloud, but was always busy when Millie would call her. Tika was either by her grandmother's side or out with her new boyfriend shopping. She was Millie's girl but new dick had Tika spread eagle six days a week plus Sunday. At least that is what Millie thought. Bitch was spring on a tongue or in love. Millie was like, "Damn selfish bitch, you can't come see about a nucca or nothing, this base is kicking my ass." Tika said, "I told you to go to fuckin' rehab but your ass is too damn stubborn. That's why six months later you're still putting those drugs in your system." "I know," said Millie. "But I can't take it no more. I'm going crazy. I'm so lonely and sometimes I think it would be easier to step off a ledge then to go on living for one more second." Tika said, "Damn girl, I didn't know you had it so bad. I'll be right over just give me twenty minutes to catch a cab".

When Tika arrived at Millie's she found the door open and Millie sprawled out on the floor unconscious and sleeping pills all over the floor. Damn, Tika thought out loud, first dial 911; second get rid of all the incriminating things that can get you a damn drug charge. So Tika splashed cold h2o on Millie's face and put ice cubes under her shirt, anything to wake her girl up.

Millie finally sat up straight with the 'where the fuck am I look' on her face. When the ambulance came, maybe ten minutes later, Millie was sitting upright drinking coffee. She had already puked her guts up twice before EMS arrived. Tika sat in the ambulance holding Millie's hand while she kept repeating quietly, " I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I just, I just can't take this shit anymore. I want to' die. I can't live like this." The Emergency medical technician gave her an IV and shook her head dam I wish I had a body and face like this chick. I bet I wouldn't be fucking it up with that damn head crack." But as always - somebody was falling for drugs. Hook line and sinker.

And straight back to Jacobi hospital sitting on a stretcher to the minute in the E.R. who did Millie see. But I.R. standing by a soda machine. Millie tugged Tika's arm "Tik-Tik' that's him, that's him, right there!" "What girl...hold still I'm getting your behind in a damn program. I'm not going through this madness again. I'm not trying to be Ms. Johnny on the spot while you try and overdose." "No Tika, No Tika listen to me that's the Moreno I was talking about." "Who?" Montika asked her. "Right there with the blue cap with the star on it standing next to money with the Yankee jersey." replied Millie.

Millie was like damn of all the times to see him I look a fuckin' mess. " Girl do something." said Millie, but Tika's eyes were fixed on the fine fellow with the Yankee jersey swearing up and down he had to be A-Rods little brother or something. Suddenly I.R. looked up like he overheard them talking or could feel eyes on him and started right toward Millie and Tika. "Mililia-Millions - Milagros...Millie? I'd been hoping I'd run into you somewhere in this naked city and bam, six months to the day here you are. What happened to you now? I shoulda never let you outta my sight." Millie smiled up a I.R. and said, "What took you so long?" and where's my popcorn you promised." I.R. said, 'Millie I think you need more than popcorn but I'm here now and I got you covered."

Meanwhile A-Rod or actually Savario Phillips was making Montika's acquaintance just across the room. Savario was like, " was sup mami what are you here for?" Tika said, "My friend Millie was having a rough night, no she was having a rough life. So I'm here trying to save her from herself."

"That's awful sweet of you, I thought I saw a halo above your head when you first walked in. Now I'm sure of it," said Savario. Tika smiled, showing all of her teeth and said, "So what is this love at first sight or you gonna' have me up in here blushing and never even tell me your name?" "My name's Savario Phillips the second, named after my grandpa." he told her "And what is your name?" "Montika Mison," she said, "But my friends call me Tika. Come on, taking hold of his hand, let's go see about I.R and Millie." Savario said, "My man Ivan's been telling me about her for the last six months and beside when his eyes lit up when he saw her sitting on that stretcher, I knew it could not be anybody else. That's some true love shit if I've ever seen it." "Oh yea Savario I bet you wouldn't know true love if it bit you on your ear", said Tika. Savario said, "Try me and see what happens." Tika pressed him against the soda machine and told him not to move, she'd be right back. Then she kissed him on the lips softly and smiled up at him.

Meanwhile Millie was holding hands with I.R. and grinning up a storm as if two hours ago she wasn't trying to end it all.
CHAPTER FOUR

Ivan and Savario sat in I.R.'s whip trying to decide how to fix Frankie L. without it coming back to them. Frank Lopez, supposed to be my peoples, he let that nonsense go down at the Atrium. That was my people. I can't believe he tried to shit on me like that. What part of the game is this? Savario said, "Things happen, empires fall everyday." "Yeah, but this is our time. Its up to us to show these cats how it's done.

"How we gonna get to him I.R.?" said Savario. "Don't matter cause I'm going to make that muthafuka so broke he'll tremble every time he hears my name. Fucking' pseudo rap star walking around like he got love in the streets. Bullshit! I never felt him. He's so stingy and selfish, it's a wonder anybody signs with him."

"Come next month at summer jam, when he walks out on that stage...boom. He's gonna get hit dead in his face with a big bag of shit. I mean, it'll be oatmeal but the crowd will think it's shit and you know how rumors fly." "I got to hand it to you Savario you come up with the best ideas. Instead of confetti he's going to get hit wit' the big ole' stinky."
CHAPTER FIVE

Victor sat in his penthouse smoking a cigar and blasting a 50-cent mixed tape. His coffee table was full of coca and drug money all over the place. He had to give himself credit for the way he punished Sepulveda for insubordination. It was strictly a 1-900-Hustler move, plus he didn't much kick much to the stick up kids, they were already in his pocket. In fact, Victor Quinones had a nice chunk of the Bronx in his pockets.

At 11:01 Vic's phone rang like clockwork to let him know Sasha was on her way over to fuck him silly! Sasha formerly of Brighton Beach and currently living on Hoe Avenue not too far off Southern Blvd in the boogie down. She was 5'9", very blond with hair piled up on her head in a beehive. She looked everyday available over fifty-five, but was probably only about forty-seven years old. Victor liked to screw her mostly because she came cheap, gave magnanimous head and acted like a super rich bitch. That turned Victor on in spite of the fact her tits were beginning to sag along with her lower eyelids.

Nevertheless, he always greeted her with a big kiss and a hug. Today he was wearing a silk bathrobe and slippers like he was a big shot running a powerful cartel from the Bronx to the Andes Mountains. To be honest, Victor was a wannabe trying to style like a big dog - but he was just another misguided little pup with strange ideals truth be told.

Anyway, Sasha rang the bell, he looked out the peephole and there she was sporting a diamond tiara with a white mini-skirt and a mink jacket to match. 'Good afternoon Mr. Quinones, long time no see," said Sasha as Victor opened the door for her. Victor smiled and reached for her left breast, which had happened to break free from her blouse. "Damn baby", he exclaimed, "you got 'em all ready for me. We gonna really have some fun tonight." Sasha said, 'business first'. And Mr. Quinones "answered and some butt of course". As they both looked at the two twin towers of bills he had sitting on the table looking like September 11th all over again.

"Thanks for reminding me you stuck up cunt. Now I remember why you'll always be my dial-a-whore." He threw six crisp one hundreds in her face and said get over here and service me. Sasha bent down to pick up the bills and he knocked her off balance with his foot. "Pick that paper up later. Get over here and such my cock. I've been saving it for you all week." Sasha adjusted her wig and started tugging on Victor's prick, while his eyes rolled up in his head. Then she pushed him down on the couch and started sucking him greedily, and then she began switching his testicles from side to side in her jaw. A while later Victor busted in her mouth and fell asleep on his couch, but not before he walked her to the door, and said good night.

CHAPTER SIX

Millie punched I.R.'s number in but didn't have the courage to push send. It had been thirty-six hours since leaving the hospital and here she was getting ready to go into drug treatment for the first time and she was scared to death. If she ever needed a hit of base to cope, this was the moment. A single tear rolled down her cheek as she stared up the stairs. She hit send on the telephone and heard crazy guitars played and then I.R.'s voice sung slowly, 'I'd knew you'd call, I'm ah creep by your window tonight", then a short beep. She sighed and said, ' I.R. it's me Milagros, I'm going to be out of town for a few weeks. When you get a chance call me, I mean if you still want to'. But I.R.'s cell phone got knocked behind a nightstand in the Rancho Hotel, in Cali, Columbia.

I.R. checked out the night before so he could stay at some diplomat's house whose daughter was a big fan. Although, she knew him as Emperor Salacio 320 INTERCONTINENTAL FILMWORKS STAR. She was curvy, beautiful and hopelessly infatuated with him, but he knew it was only fame or the tequila that kept her whispering in his ear all night. Make love to me. I won't tell my father. I won't tell no one, just be mine for the night, she would say. Ivan tried desperately to turn her down easy, cause all he could think about was Millie. The same one that never called him! So he poured his heart out to her for nothing but he still thought maybe they should be together. Then came the crazy party at the Diplomats estate. With paparazzi everywhere and a single picture of I.R. and Angelina winding up on national wire service and on the cover of six magazines.

Though Ivan danced the night away with Angelina and kissed her briefly in her big brass bed he managed to make it through the night with his pants on. Angelina was a little skeptical about whether he was into boys or just not feeling her. Nevertheless as I.R. played sleep, she managed to stimulate herself with her index and forefinger. In the morning Emperor Salacio took a short limo ride to the airport and hopefully out of Angelina's life forever. Meanwhile, she amused herself with the Pool Cleaner Harold after breakfast and got on with her life.

Spending the week in the sun and sand at Rancho only made I.R. miss Millie more and more with each passing moment. He wished instead of giving her his cell number he would have just moved her into his house on the parkway. Listen to your first mind he always said. Like when he decided to drop his demo to his cousin Yogi of the Latin Professionals' and the D.A. (short for District Attorney) and the DR. SE introduced him to Valentino. Now I.R. was On Fuego at 320 with a ninety thousand dollar advance on the strength of his song, "I'm A Creep By Your Window." So far that song had taken him halfway around the world and bought his auntie a nice home in Harlem Manor. He banked the rest and tried to stay as low key as possible, but he was lonely since his first love ran off some years ago with a soccer player from the Islands. He knew he cheated on her and probably deserved it, but Ivan still believed she could have forgiven him. This left him with major trust issues so he went from girl to girl just to satisfy his lust but no one was quite ever able to touch his heart.

At 12:35 his plane arrived at JFK and he checked his bag for his cell phone and came up with a handful of air. He thought about the last time he saw his cell and guessed it was sitting in the first drawer of his room back at Rancho. Even worse, his two way was back at Angelina's. What a fuckin' trip he thought so he called the flight attendant for an aspirin and tried to get some sleep.
CHAPTER SEVEN

Who drives a candy apple red escalade anyway Savario thought to himself while he waited at the airline terminal for I.R.? If another chick gave him her phone number after a thirty second conversation in baggage claim he swore he'd only date college students he met in internet chat rooms after trading emails for six months sight unseen. Of course it really would not have mattered to him if Michelle Rodriquez, Eva Mendes and all the badass girls from the last Luda video where chasing him down I-95 in poom-poom shorts he was still sprung on Montika. And they spent every spare minute they could find together. He even had a couple carats he wanted to put on her finger but he was waiting for the right moment to pop the question, plus he wanted to get I.R.'s opinion. Though he knew I.R. would probably be just as happy as he was. So Savario sat in I.R.'s escalade pumping, "I gotta go right now" by Trey Songz thinking about Tika. There was a sharp knock on the car window and I.R. smile, and said, "What, no Montika? You must be kidding! Please tell me you at least took that girl to the movies or something...my treat. I mean damn what did you come straight from the car wash or did you at least drive this piece of "Shit" to Bay Plaza and let somebody see it?" "Nah man" Savario said, "This is your ride you earned it. What would I look like high posting in your whip?" I.R. said, " I'll tell you why, because when I was driving a taxi all night and bagging groceries at the deli smelling like pickles you were the one who use to come take me to the club and treated me like my money was no good and I appreciate it." "Okay man" Savario said, "One good turn deserves another. I need a big favor." "What? Anything" said I.R. "Whatever you need I got you covered." "I think I'm going to marry Montika. Would you be my best man?" said Savario. "Damn Holmes...you work fast", laughed I.R. "And I thought I was the smooth Casanova. I ought to be pulling pages out of your Mack manual." Savario said, "Nah, it's not like I already asked her and she said yes. It's more like I want to but I haven't found the right time." I.R. said, " I know you'll think of something because you and Tika been together forever it seems." Savario said, "Yeah it kinds feels that way, but its only been a couple of months." I.R. said, "I give up on Millie. I haven't heard from her since that night at the hospital."

CHAPTER EIGHT

Millie walked down the steps and out of that god forsaken drug program. Rehab hell she thought, it was more like a torture chamber with a nice side order of brainwash helper deluxe. Nevertheless, she felt shiny, like a freshly minted, brand new quarter. Just over 30 days had passed and she promised herself she would never touch another crack rock in her life.

When she got to her apartment, the first thing she did was open all of the windows and stare at the pile of bills congregating on her nightstand. She thought about I.R. and wished he was around just so she could jump in his arms, give him wet sloppy kisses all afternoon, squeeze his nuts under the cover of a bubble bath or at least rub some baby oil on his chest in the shower and have a little human contact after being cooped up in detox-ville all month long. Instead she sat on the couch and put her legs up on her little table and imagined I.R. giving her head or sucking on her toes or pinching her nipples or all of the above, like she could sit still for any of that. If I.R. came to her apartment she was going to fucking devour his ass...period...end of story.

By the time she came out of her daydream, she noticed her panties were soaked, her fingers were gooey and her nipples were standing up all by themselves. She had the hottest hot flash a girl could have without prior provocation. She fanned herself with a magazine and said to herself this is ridiculous. Here I am strung out over a guy I'm too chicken to call and who probably won't want me the minute he really gets to know me. She sighed and started flipping through a magazine and long about page fourteen is when she saw them. I.R. all hugged up with some bitch named Angelina in Central America, the caption on the picture said.

Ok, maybe the chick wasn't a bitch thought Millie; in fact she looked more like a Princess or something. Complete with a set of diamonds. Oh great, thought Millie, not only does she have my man, she's royalty as well. Gee, I can't wait to call I.R. and say, hey remember me? Your' little stripper part time, base cocaine abuser? Yeah I was just thinking about you while I was sitting here fiddling with my clitoris. Why don't you come over and maybe I can sit on your face or maybe we could just fuck. Let's just get it over with so I can get on with my life before I go out of my cotton-picking mind thinking about you night and day. So Mille did the next best thing she could think of...she called Tika.

Tika picked up on the first ring. "Millie? What's up girl? Where are you? You didn't check yourself out of...you know where...did you?" "No Tika, I'm home and I did so well they let me come home a few days early." Millie replied. "Oh yeah?" said Tika. "You better not be pulling my leg Millie. "Not this time" said Millie. "I can't. I won't. I just will not let that stuff ruin my life anymore. But I need a big favor Tika." "Sure...anything you need Mills, I got you." Tika replied "You still going with Savario?" asked Millie. "Hell Yeah," said Tika, "He's over here now stretched out, ass all naked," she whispered. "Well never mind all that, he's here with me," giggled Tika. Millie said, "Can you ask Savario to set me up with I.R.? Like...like on a blind date? I mean if he's even in the country." Tika said, "Yo' Mil, what are you talking about? If he's in the country? Where else would he be?" "In Central America with some princess or something. I kid you not," responded Millie. "What? Huh? Mils you always come up with the most incredible stories. You ought to be a novelist because Zane hasn't got anything on you. Come to think of it neither does Nikki Turner nor what's her name that wrote "Let that be the Reason". Even Terri Woods isn't concocting whoppers like the one's you come up with", said Tika. "Montika, I swear on my Aunt Elvira's grave, I have a picture of I.R. in a magazine in my hand right this minute. When I see you I will show you", said Millie. "Alright, okay, if you say so. I'll come through and scoop you in like 45 minutes. Put something cute on. Cause when I get there I want to see my "almost half baby sis". You smell me over here Mils?" "Yeah girl" Millie said. "I smell you over loud and clear. Call me when you are on your way."
CHAPTER NINE

Millie looked in her closet and pulled out the white dress she never quite made it to the prom in. She had a pair of scandalous pumps that hurt like hell, but she knew the minute she slid her foot into those bad-boys she was going to be the bell of the ball and I.R. would be hers for the taking.

9:03 PM

The curling iron tried to attack the top of Millie's forehead but she managed to get her hair to lay down without frying too many follicles.

9:47 PM

Millie sat on the edge of the bed painting her toenails, nervous as hell. Tonight she was finally going to see I.R. after half the summer had come and gone.

10:17 PM

Tika called Millie and said "Come down to the lobby. I'm picking you up in like five minutes." "Alright," said Millie, "I'll be down there, but girl, I'm so scared. I.R. probably won't even be checking for me. I'm like a plain ole Jane out this piece."

10:20 PM

Millie called Tika, "I'm not going, just ask I.R. to call me. Okay?" "Now what?" said Tika, "Millie, If I come down there and I don't see you, I'm going to slap the taste out of your mouth. Now I'll be over there in three minutes and me and Savario, I mean Savario and I are going to dinner with you and I.R. Got me"? Be downstairs or I'm ah' show you what it really be like."

10:23 PM

Tika pulled up at Millie's in a teal Mercedes 600 sedan with a tan interior. She was wearing a Isacc Mizarahi skirt set, same color as the car. Mr. Phillips was wearing a black Mohair suit with a white linen shirt and a pair of black Ferragamos loafers.

10:27 PM

Tika pulled up to Millies playing lasting "Sincere" A new single by Freddy Dro and wondered why Savario was so quiet in the car after making love to her all afternoon. He hadn't said two words the whole ride over to Millie's and she was starting to feel like a slut because she let him hit it raw for the first time. Quiet as it was kept Tika wanted Savario's love child and she was beginning to think he only wanted her for her sizable ass and perfect titties. Still she knew one day all her outer beauty might fade and she didn't want to end up old and alone. It was six months to the evening they had met and tonight she wanted a ring, something more than a promise of desire - a pledge of the purest devotion. Montika Mison's rule was pretty simple - No way was she going to let any man lay up in her place, no mater how fine, and play house. Nah, she wanted the whole enchilada. She wanted her things legal.

Shoot, she thought fair is fair and she deserved the very best. If Savario wasn't feeling her like she was feeling him, might as well say goodbye while it would only break her heart in a couple dozen pieces. No need in waiting until she was too far-gone. Montika was still hurting from the time Pedro dumped her for Veronica - the new chick from 189th Street. She was a little more mature than Montika at the time and she had bleached red hair to her ass and green eyes, skin the color of Cinnamon ice cream, not to mention she was a straight 'A' student as well as the head cheerleader. So Montika had to admit since Pedro only took her to the movies one time and it was a double date - so Millie's auntie would let her out - he wasn't officially hers, but it still hurt her feelings. The next day at school she walked by Pedro's locker and he brushed pass her with a weak hello, holding hands with Veronica...like Tika was invisible. So ever since then, Montika never gave her heart to any guy much less her body.

Savario, on the passenger side of the car, was deep in thought as well. He had a couple carats in his pocket, enough to make a bunny happy, but his plight was deciding if Montika was really serious about him or did she just like him for his Pena. Half the time they spent together they were boning intimate, actually it was most of the time. Still when Tika wasn't around it was like he could feel her heart beating and he just wanted her to know he was in love with her.

Tika turned off the engine and told Savario she'd be right down with Millie. She also knew it was going to be her final date with Savario. She was falling for him too hard and she couldn't let it go any further. She leaned into him and kissed his lips slowly...laying her hands on his chest. Savario said, 'Ms. Mison what was that for?" Montika replied, "So you always know what love taste like." Then she hopped out the whip and went inside with tears streaming down her cheeks.

When Montika got inside the building she pushed on the elevator for Millie's floor and took it up to her place. Millie snatched the door open on the first knock and Tika almost hit the floor on the way in. She gave Millie a hug and said. "What's good sexy?" Millie said, "Nah, you the sexy one, with the fine ass boyfriend sitting in the car waiting for you. Why is your makeup looking all twisted like you've been crying? Huh? "What's that about?" Tika said, "I gotta let Savario go mami." "What? Why? Did he hit you? You want my joint? I'll break his face because nobody hurts my girl!" said Millie. "Nah, it's nothing like that," replied Tika. "So what is it?" asked Millie. Tika said, "I just can't be with him anymore. He's too quiet, he's all up on me one moment but never tells me he love's me. It's like he just doesn't care. Girl, I don't know." "Did you guys have 'the talk' Tika or did you just start putting teeth marks all over his thang-thang like you usually do?" asked Millie. "You know how you get down. I mean I can't blame you because he is mucho bonita even for a boy, but if you really love him, sometimes you have to have to be the one to say it first. Life is short babe and you never know how long we're going to be here. Remember when that jealous cat shot Vanessa a week before her birthday. He took her away just because he could, and nothing is going to' bring her back. No matter how many flowers we bring up to St. Reynolds; no matter how many prayers we say for her, I always wonder if she rests in peace. So we've got to hold it down for her and ourselves." Millie pointed to the bathroom and sent Tika to fix her face so they could get on the road in time to meet I.R. at the restaurant.

Just then Millie's phone rang, but no information show up on the caller id so she just let it ring until the answering machine came on. I.R. 's voice came on the line..."Hi Millie, I got the popcorn ready for you and I hope you don't turn green at midnight like Fiona cause I'm no Shrek. I wouldn't want you to run off with King Farqua or whatever his name is. Beep...the machine went off. The phone rang again and I.R. said, "I'm going to be the best man at a wedding in a few weeks and I need a hot date. I also need to get lucky...you know any nice girls you can recommend?" Then the machine beeped again and shut off. Millie whispered to herself, yeah, why don't you take princess Angel-weak from Panama or wherever she was from...conceited so and so. I'll be your date alright, but you won't be getting lucky no time soon, so get those thoughts out of your mind Mr. I.R.

Tika stepped out the bathroom with her eyes a little puffy and asked Millie if she had any aspirin. Millie said, 'Sure" and that being the only drug she wanted to be within fifty feet of. Millie told Tika, "While you were in the bathroom, guess who called me?" "I.R.?" asked Montika. "That's right and he invited me to a wedding in a couple of weeks. Do you have any idea who is tying the knot? asked Millie. "Not a clue girl", said Tika, "But I wish it was me...I wish it was me."

Savario sat in the car flipping channels on the radio to pass the time and calm his nerves. Two years ago he would have been on his third blunt of the purple haze or some hydro, but times had changed and now he was sticking to berry juice and other healthy stuff instead. He could not figure out why Montika all of a sudden seemed so cold. It's like she had been done wrong a long time ago and never really got over it. He always said, the finer the girl, sometimes, the deeper the secrets. If you could figure out what motivates a woman, you might also figure out her weakness. Some are as beautiful as they are lazy and some are beautiful but self-centered. There is no living with them. In a word, they are insecure and all they know to do is fret about their horrible mishaps in life. And men are even crazier. That's why Savario was so tight with I.R. I.R. was real, and the show business game just didn't faze him.

Anyway, for some reason Savario felt apprehension about asking Montika to be his wife. Nevertheless tonight he was gonna ask her to marry him and she was gonna accept. If she said no, he was done with her and nobody could tell him different.

Finally Montika and Millie made it to the elevator and down to the car. Savario said, "Hey, it's the two beauty queens. Took yall long enough, I thought maybe you ducked out the side door and left without me. Tika answered, "Oh, so is Mr. Cool trying to say he missed me in a round about fashion?" Savario smiled, "Yeah, you might could say that. However, I was just about to send in the cavalry to rescue you from the mirror, or just stand in the lobby and yell SALE until you and your mini-me, I mean mini-Millie resurfaced." Millie said, "Oh no he didn't just call me mini-me Montika...did he?

As Montika slid into the drivers seat and Millie hopped in the back seat, she said damn mami; it's freezing in here. Let's get out of here quick so I don't have to be stuck with you and big head Sa-Varee nose all night looking like someone who got stood up." They all laughed as Montika put the car in reverse and said, "Yeah, he does have a big snoghe, now that you mention it. Hey maybe we ought to lose him in traffic and go pick up a couple of those cute singers at the Fresh Fest tonight. Whatta ya say Millie?" Millie replied, "Nah, let's take the water head boy with us, maybe somebody will adopt him and give him a home."
CHAPTER TEN

When Victor came to, he showered and put on his favorite slacks and his craziest shirt as he danced around his penthouse to Big Puns "I'm not a player, I just crush a lot." Victor was on top of the world or so he thought, but his luck was about to change.

Frankie Lopez was anxious to go on stage at Fresh Fest and show the radio muthafuckas how to get the paper. He had a crazy tune from none other than the Beat Pope himself and It was going to be so on when he debuted his new single. He called his mini-entourage, made arrangements for security, grabbed his mp3 player and headed to the sound check.

I.R. was sitting in the escalade talking to Angelina and trying to impress upon her that he enjoyed her company but that he had a girl back home and so he could only be her friend. Angelina said, "The picture we took together was kind of hot and you could at least admit that you were tempted to fuck me at my father's house, but you were just probably saving it up for some poor little rich girl in the States. But what you really need is a girl like me to show you the finer things in life. So, why don't' you meet me in Vegas next Friday and let me show you I'm not just a spoiled little rich girl like you assumed last week." "Well" said I.R., "I'm kind of tied up all next week but why don't you call me in a couple of days." "Sure" said Angelina. Then she said, "Are you a homo? You're not into boys are you? Cause I do everything, but stand on my head and you act like I'm invisible." I.R. said, 'No, I'm "strictly chickly" and If you don't believe me I'll come back to Brazil and fuck you on your daddy's bed. But I'd have to charge you." Angelina said, "Sounds like fun, but you don't scare me and I can afford it so just don't be a stranger or I'm ah' have to go on Hot 97.9 and out you or something for mistreating me, maybe tell Wendy Williams and let her run your name through the loop and a see what comes up. "Oh yeah?" I.R. said "If your panties weren't so soaking wet you and you could have showed a little restraint maybe we could have hooked up later. Damn, haven't you ever been in love before?" Angelina, said, "Yes I have, but it's not wise to wait for someone who might not even want you. So I guess I'll be seeing you when I see you and bam she hung up on him." I.R. looked at his phone like damn I know she didn't just hang up on me spoiled little tart. Now I have to teach her a lesson.
CHAPTER ELEVEN

I.R. hung up his phone and dialed Savario. What up man? Did you pick up Montika and my little four eyed blind date? I.R., I'm sorry bro, but she couldn't make it. But Montika has this other friend you might like, although she might not already be in your fan club. So most likely – no happy ending for you tonight after dinner. Maybe you could sit in the front of the car while me and Montika use the back like love seats. I.R. said, "Please, I haven't met a girl I couldn't bump monkeys with on the first date yet and tonight will be no different." Savario said, "If you say so bro, but we'll be at your place in 20 minutes give or take. I'll call you when we're downstairs and you can't bring your ride. And I bet you five grand you gets no play tonight." "Okay Savario you're on, but what's the catch? Does she have a lick her license or something? Or is she a church girl or a virgin? Yeah, a virgin would be a nice change from the brazen sluts you usually set me up with." I.R. laughed and said, "Thanks bro." "Yeah whatever I.R." said Savario, "Just be ready when we get there."

Montika looked at Savario and said, "Why did you tell IR all of that stuff about bi-chicks and church girls? Is there something about I.R. you are not telling my cuz-z-wuz?" He said, "Not a thing. I.R. is pure as the driven snow." "Yeah right" replied Montika.

I.R. stood in the mirror and decided the cream suit he wore warranted him to wear the butter soft Mauri moccasins he'd picked up in Milan. Sometimes he wondered why he was born with such good taste, lucky he guessed.

Montika pulled up to I.R. 's and put the car in park. Savario hopped out and said I'll be right back. Montika turned to Millie and said; "I see that look in your eyes. If you try to run you wouldn't get far." Millie responded, "Try me!" Tika teasing said, "I hope you are ready for your Romeo, I.R." "Girl please, he's probably not at home or the nannies in her panties...lol. "Damn, his crib is bananas and you didn't tell me he had a red truck! You know how much Escalades cost?" Montika said, "Nope, but if you got good credit you can lease one. It might run you $500 a month, but what the hell you're worth it. Plus he probably don't have nobody to spoil or he'd be driving a banged up hooptie instead of a flaming red pimp mobile." Millie said, "You know how I feel about pimps...bad news. Make me a promise that you won't leave me alone with I.R. tonight. I don't trust myself just yet." "What's he gonna do...bite you" said Tika. "You act like he's a vampire or something." Millie said, "Just don't leave me alone with him. I haven't made up my mind whether I'm gonna give him some or make him wait 'til our honeymoon." "Damn, you got it bad. You are right, I better keep my eye on you cause I.R. might be the one in trouble." replied Tika. Savario walked down the walkway and hopped into the backseat next to Millie. "Hey, what's going on here?" Tika said. "I.R. will be down in a minute he's in the can." Savario replied. "Ill...TMI Mr. Phillips. You just ruined the chocolate mousse I was thinking of having for dessert. Plus, you're supposed to be my date. What are you pulling the old' switch-er-rue? No wife swapping either, this is not the swingers club." Millie said, "Where is big head anyway? He trying to stand me up? I'll come back with a motor scooter and make donuts all over his lawn." "Boy, you girls are brutal! Should I call I.R. and tell him the whole things off and keep the two of you to myself? I heard three is a magic number." Tika answered "Savario, you better clam up or you'll be sleeping on the couch for ever."
CHAPTER TWELVE

Tika said, "Millie, you drive. Switch seats with me." Millie hopped out and sat in the front and said, "How do I move this seat back?" "Whatever trick, just make sure you don't scratch the whip. You know I got to have this back by noon the same way I picked it up. By the way, I like the little flower in your hair. I could almost claim you in public now." laughed Tika. "Damn Tika, would you give Millie a break. It seems like you been dogging her all night," said Savario. "Then I guess it'll be your turn next Mr. hairline like a monkey's behind," laughed Tika. "Oh you got jokes Tika? I'm gonna show you my monkey style after dinner Ms. Thing. Oh "No me o" - I see you holding your own like Pee Wee in the movie theater. Savario silently mouthed the words "blow me." Tika responded, "Anytime sweet pea, as soon as dinner is over you can be next." Tika blushed and Millie said for the second time that evening, "There is too much information being disseminated here. You two really need to get a room."

I.R. stepped from his house eager to meet his date. It was like being on one of those hook up shows. When he pulled open the door and saw Millie, he froze. "Oh shit, it's you. I should have known," said I.R. "Millagros meet I.R. - I.R. meet Millagros" introduced Savario. I.R. handed Millie the dozen yellow roses he held behind his back. Millie blushed and said, "Where to?" I.R. sat next to her and said, "Pull out and head out to Fenimore Road from here on Oak lane." Millie said, "Your house is nice. You think it's big enough?" "Well, one day, I'm going to start a family and I want them to be very comfortable," replied Ivan. "That's nice" Millie said. "So what have you been up to lately? Vacation maybe? I thought I might have seen your picture in a magazine sitting on a black Mercedes." I.R. responded, "Nope not me." Well, maybe it was a newspaper or something you must have been out of the country. Possibly in Europe, Spain, Argentina or somewhere" said Millie, "It was a nice picture. You looked like you were having fun." "Maybe and maybe not" said IR. "I have an image to keep up." Millie said, "Yeah, I bet. You always seem to have a princess (she dragged the word out) or an adoring fan with you. Guess you have a rough life Mr. Sex, Drugs and Rock-n-Roll. I bet you have women sending you their Victoria Secrets in the mail." Ivan responded, "Would that be such a bad thing?" "Nah, do you son?" she smirked. I.R. responded, "Nah baby, I never do me. I assure you unless I just want to." I.R. smirked then yelled, "Savario, you alright aback there?" "I'm good, can't you tell?" said Mr. Phillips. "Oh, it's just a little hard to see you with Montika all over you...as usual." I.R. said laughing to himself. "Jealous" said Tika. "I know somebody who wants to be all over you since you can't seem to find a girl." Millie said. "Tika doll, you are blowing my spot up" Millie shot back. "Anyway, which way to the restaurant?" "It's on Central Avenue" said I.R. "A little Brazilian steak house. You'll love it!" Millie said, "You mean, you love me I.R. Isn't that right?" "Always have" said I.R. "But you were always too afraid to go out with me. Even when we met you were like \- 'I just want to be alone, don't talk to me'." "Did not!" exclaimed Millie. "Plus you got to admit you looked a little crazy with a towel covering half of your face. You could have been the boogie man or something." "You ain't scared of me any more are you?" I.R replied. "Nope" replied Mille. "But now that I see you up close, you aren't as cute as I originally thought you were. Maybe I should take you back so you can play with your little red truck." "Only if you come and play with me" shot back I.R. Millie said, "Nope, there ain't gonna' be none of that Mr. Renaldo. But I will enjoy dinner on you since you, oh so graciously, invited me. Probably trying to get into my panties...but I forgive you" Millie replied. "TMI", chimed in Tika from the back seat with her tongue halfway down Savario's throat. "Anyway, where are we going?" asked Millie again. "Braseiro " replied I.R. "Bra - who?" asked Millie. I.R. said, "Braseiro, it's a Brazilian steak house and you will love it. It's not far from the Hartsdale Post Office. Slow down, it's coming up on your left...you missed it. Make a right at the next light and we'll turn around." I.R. looked at Millie and said, "Why are you so nervous? First time on a date in a long time?" "Oh please I.R., It's not even like that. Are you always this conceited?" said Millie. "Conceited? I thought I was being charming. You know, trying to break the ice and make you feel comfortable." "Maybe I am a little tense. Maybe you can find a way to relax me later by sucking on my toes or something." Millie said in her most seductive voice. "Ill. We are about to go into a high-class restaurant and you two are talking all this off the wall mess. Y'all sound like ya need to get a room. Please, no more talk about sucking toes...at least not until after dinner." "I did hear though that you could eat up a storm Montika." I.R. said as Millie giggled in the background. Montika replied, 'It's not my fault that I have a healthy appetite. I need my energy as I'm over here with Superman Returns trying to re-align back every night, thank you very much!" Millie was cracking up. She said, "Aii - Savario, I better not find out that you been giving Montika back shots and the whole nine yards! Ya'll ain't suppose to be going nowhere without a chaperone anyway." Tika said, "Well a girl has to get her a nice cut of meat sometimes in her life. You know what I'm saying?" They all started laughing.

Finally they parked. Montika and Savario locked hands upon exiting the car and headed up to the door of the restaurant. Millie and IR locked eyes and didn't budge. I.R. put his arm out to Millagros and she said softly, "Don't you want to hold my hand?" I.R. smiled and said, "Actually that's not all I want to hold, but since you're too afraid to feel the muscles in this arm that are going to be rocking you to sleep later, I understand. Can you handle it if I put my arms around your waist maybe?" "Look I.R.", said Millie. "You want to get back in the car and try this again?" "In the front or back?" he mused. "Can you behave I.R.?" she said. "Look my little Coco-Dominican, eye candy...how am I suppose to behave around you? Like a perfect gentleman?" I.R. asked. Millie replied, "Yes, I would hope!" "Fine! he replied. Up the stairs they went neither arm in arm or hand in hand.

"Good evening. Reservations for Humprie's please" I.R. eloquently stated as he strode up to the Maitre D. "Hi ya doing Enrique? The place looks great! I'd like to introduce you to some very dear friends of mine. This beautiful young lady to my right is Montika Mison and the gentleman with her, also to my right is my compadre Mr. Savario Phillips. Who is probably the second or third luckiest guy in the room - you of course being the first as you have this beautiful establishment in the heart of two dales. Anyone who can appreciate such splendor will find themselves here eventually at one time or another, depending on the nature of the celebration. And this little angel with the twinkling eyes is my date this evening, Miss Millagro Vasquez. And please, don't tell her you've never seen me here with any other woman beside my mother or she'll think she has me wrapped around her little finger."

Enrique thanked them for coming and said, "Let me show you to your table."
CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Frankie Lopez hit the stage blazing with his new single and as he hoped it was bedlam at Fresh Fest. The money he paid under the table to the Beat Pope was more than worth it. Bitches were screaming his name and heads were nodding from the front of the club to the back. .

It was almost as crazy as the night I.R's face got slashed. Frankie didn't do it himself, but he sometimes wished he did. Considering He pushed quite a bit of the yayo back in the day (An I.R. alias Angel Sepulveda always seem to be in his way) while he was growing up. As a matter of fact he still had money around town, unfortunately Victor still had his hands in Frankie's pocket and there wasn't much he could do about it. Three payments of a hundred thousand and he'd be free of that so and so once and for all. Often he wished Victor would get bumped off the playing field, but he'd been in power so long that the streets nicknamed him Little Castro and he wasn't about to step down anytime soon.

So Frankie L rocked every mic he could get his hand on and scrambled his heart out, but it was painfully obvious to him that he was sinking fast. He was lucky to have the Bacardi ads all over the place. That was a nice piece of change, but every time he got a high charting single some new jacks would bump his song. It was getting harder and harder to stay up in the top of the rap circles. It was just one twisted popularity contest and everything cost like hell. Video, video girls, rented vehicles, jewelry, especially diamonds, an Ouija boards to keep track of the devils out there and certainly body guard money. Frankie need bodyguards for dual a purpose, to hold his guns and to carry out his dirty work.

And Frankie didn't care for anybody but his family and money in reverse order. His ego was out of control since age fifteen. Having been teased about his weight he found something that would give him power over the very ones that laughed at him and called him names, such as Fat Franky and Acne Boy. He would also have at least one fight daily because he'd lose his temper by fifth period from all the agitation sent his way from bullies like Lipp. Lipp would fuck with Frankie non-stop because no matter how hard he'd tried Frankie could never whoop him. Lipp was stronger. For ten minutes they'd be toe to toe and blow for blow, but like clockwork on the eleventh minute, Frankie would be out of breath and reaching for his asthma pump. Actually...it was more like clutching for it with all his might. Then somebody would intervene once they saw him starting to turn blue from a lack of oxygen. This went on until Frankie started out as a runner for Victor. Young and naive, Francis now Frankie L, who loved franks and beans became Lil' Castro. The first time crack aficionado and super salesmen. At first it was just for sneaker money and Le Tigre shirts then Frankie was seduced by the glamour of the gold chains and the loose women fiendish for a hit of base. And they were willing to do anything when the money wasn't quite enough to cop a whole rock with. Frankie became like most kids, caught up in the mix. Ornery and disrespectful although he never let his uncles catch him out there doing the wrong things.

But in school the Littlest Castro hit the big time for about two weeks then he got knocked S-E-V-E-R-E-L-Y. At least in Frankie's mind. The DT's had him with possession of crack cocaine and in tears, in the precinct, he worried about his uncle coming to pick him up and most likely kicking him out the house and dead in his ass, no particular order. So he called Victor instead and Victor pulled a string or two and his charge mysteriously found it's way under a rug.

Frankie the double hit Lil'est Castro swore he'd quit the drug game that very night. He realized first hand he wasn't built for it. Frankie sat at Victor's apartment and asked him to let him out of the business. Victor asked him twice was he sure and Frankie said most definitely. Victor laughed and said, "You're lucky I like you, plus you know how to keep your mouth shut. Otherwise you might be floating in the waters of the Bronx River right about now. But I'm feeling good tonight, I'm gonna give you a pass, but it's gonna cost you." "Anything." Frankie said. Victor answered, "You dam right anything. I'll give you my terms in a couple of days Francis - he dragged out the name like it was a bad word and patted Frankie on the behind and said, you feel better sweet cheeks?"

Make sure I never hear of you involved in anything that is drug associated. Nothing! I better not even hear you copped a bag of weed or I'll send you to meet the man upstairs. Now get the fuck out of my place and the next time you enter into a business, think about the downside as well as the upside...BEFORE YOU GET INVOLVED!!"

Victor told Frankie, "You owe me....BIG TIME." Frankie said, "I have one more request." "What else?" Victor said. "I need a little money for studio time." "Studio time? You got to be kidding me" Victor said. "What you gonna be a singer since you can't flow with the drug game." "Nah...I'm a mc" said Franky. "And I'll be your manger - twenty-five percent of the next five years plus one hundred grand for your little run in with the law."

"Where am I gonna get that kind of money?" Frankie asked. "You said you could mc right? Then I don't see what the problem is. Get busy!" replied Victor. "And my money, I want it under the table...capeche? And remember, that little curly blond hair chick with the mocha skin and the chinky eyes that you're so crazy about? You mess with me and I'll fix it that you will never see her again."

That was six years ago to the day and Frankie was still two hundred and fifty in the hole after Victor's occasional short count and other interest payments Victor liked to call part of the gravy train. The never-ending gravy train if you asked Frankie. Only one way to clear his account with Victor. Lump him up and be done with it. But how was Frankie suppose to clear a quarter million and even if he could why would he turn it over to Victor the personification of the most greed-filled organism you ever wanted to see? Frankie sat and contemplated how he could single cross Victor without getting his name mixed up in the caper.

Frankie looked in the mirror and chuckled to himself after he envisioned Victor and his dogs locked in that trunk of his 300 (Hemi) for a couple of days. Imagine the smell. Pee-uuu...look at Victor now.

Excuse me Q.Q, Mr. Quinone's. But Frankie knew it was just a daydream and nobody was kidnapping Q in the BX, but A.C. was a different story. Frankie turned on his stereo and as the music flooded the room he came up with an even better idea.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Millie stood toe to toe with I.R. at her apartment door. Her chaperone, Tika, was long gone with Savario. Her hallway was so quiet that you could hear a pin drop. I.R. broke the silence and thanked Millie for coming. Millie smiled and poked him in his ribs and said, "But I haven't cum yet. I almost did at the table when you were rubbing my thigh, but I'm sure you you'd finish the job if I gave you a chance. Would you like to come in handsome? I can't promise you'll get lucky, but I will have you for breakfast. I mean I'll make you some breakfast." I.R. leaned close to her and whispered, "You plan on opening the door anytime soon Ms Vasquez? Not that I don't mind watching you play with the locks - a jiggle here and a jiggle there, not withstanding all that activity in the back of your dress." Millie replied, "I.R. you are too fresh. Maybe you should be a little closer to me." "Well, If you open the door I'll show you what close it." whispered I.R. "But wait, one thing before we go in, I want one kiss on neutral turf." Millie said, "You're making this hard for me. I'm supposed to be resisting you." I.R. said, "Yeah , but still your making this hard for me." And he pulled her hand close to his stomach. "Stop playing I.R. One kiss that's all you get. Thanks for showing me such a nice time."

"I've been waiting a long time for this." Millie smiled up at I.R. as she reached up and put her arms around his shoulders, standing on her tippy toes, barely up to his chest. "Damn you're tall. I would've' brought a ladder if I'd known I was gonna be kissing a giant all night. "Millie" said I.R. "What?" she responded "Shut the fuck up and kiss me." I.R. said. "No you shut the fuck up and kiss me." Millie whispered as she closed her eyes and pressed her warm body into his. "Damn you taste good Millie." He murmured. With his tongue stuck halfway down her throat or was it her tongue halfway down his, she couldn't be sure. Her hand was by some miracle down the back of his pants and she was slowly stroking his ass crack with her fingers trying to reach his nut sack. Her skirt was hiked up and her left leg was wrapped around the small of his back. Another miracle Millie chuckled to herself as she stood there balancing herself with her left hand on the door jam and down she went to the floor with him on top of her. The two of them grinding away, a mile a minute. I.R. was ready to nut on himself considering he didn't bother to wear any drawers on his date with Millagros. He considered it bad luck to wear drawers on a first date and Millie left her Victoria's on the night stand as she didn't want panty lines ruining her dress.

Millie and .R. sat on her floor laughing hysterically when her neighbor came rushing into her apartment swing a broom handle over her head. She looked like she had a nightstick trying to save Millie from I.R.'s obvious attempt at Millie's womanly virtues. I.R. stood in shock with his pants halfway down and both Millie and Ms. Ciarletta admiring his unsheathed manhood. Ms. Ciarletta said, "So this is the one you been gushing about all week. Ah...precious youth what I wouldn't give for a visit from my Bonasera. He was my night in shining armor, without the armor. AY-yi-yi-yi..that man could screw!" Millie blushed as she listened to Ms. Ciarletta. "Anyway, thank you for keeping an old lady company with all of your loud attempts at romance. It's time for me to go save somebody else, so I guess I'll just leave you two lovebirds alone."

CHAPER FIFTEEN

Montika and Savario sat on the couch at Tika's. Tika straddled him wearing a corset and a pair of fishnet stockings. The outfit was minus the panties but Savario didn't seem to mind. They kissed slowly - but for some reason Tika couldn't stop crying. Savario held her in his arms and asked her over and over again, "What baby? What's wrong?" Tika said, "Something bad's gonna happen. I had a dream the other night that you, me, Millie and I.R. were at one of I.R.'s shows." "And?" said Savario. "Well, there were gunshots and I couldn't find you. And I dreamed that I was sitting in a river of blood" said Tika. "Who's blood was it Montika?" he asked. "I don't know...that's what scares me. When I wake up I just can't stop shaking."

Tika can I ask you something?" asked Savario. "Of course Papi...anything." she responded. "Are you happy with me? Cause sometimes you seem like you've got all the troubles of the world on your heart." asked Savario. "My grandmother is all I have in this world. My parents, they have been gone a longtime but I never stop thinking about them. They were like Romeo and Juliet always so happy. It made people jealous of them. I don't know how to say it, but I'm afraid to be alone. I want a family to be with on holidays. Not a cousin who takes drugs and tries to steal my grandma's TV so he and his friends can rock it up or a delusional cousin who thinks she's so sexy everywhere she goes sports leotard stilletto's, a little mini skirt and blows strange dudes in clubs because that's her idea of fun. I want my man, my husband or my baby's daddy to go to our daughter's school and pull a M-16 on the girl's soccer coach because he heard he might be a fucking pedophile and he wants to make sure the motherfucker changes his ways. Savario, I'll take you but you gotta give me all your fire daddy. I need to be reminded that I'm alive at all times. If you come home and feel you wanna take the pussy from me then take it. What am I gonna say...you raped me? I have fucking loved you since the moment I saw you. I would have fucked you in the damn hospital right by the soda machine with the whole staff watching cause I feel you like that. Remember when you put your hand under my skirt at the Brasseiro party and you felt that bush? My love box stays wet for you , but you act like I'm gonna break sometime. Enough already Savario. Either you want me or you don't. There is not a lot of room for in between." "Tika shut your mouth. I asked you one question. Are you happy with me?" Savario remarked. "No mutherfucker...I'm not! Cause you should know how I feel about you without me saying a word. Don't ask me any stupid questions Savario. I'm crazy about you, so what are you gonna do about it? You gonna make me a house woman? I know about those little industry chicks swinging off your nut sac. They wont last plus you save your freak shit for me. But I'm not gonna be going with you until you decide what you want to do with your life."
CHAPTER SIXTEEN

Vic took Benny's number and laughed to himself at the mere thought of him having a long lost mini-me walking around as he pushed the silver Lex from the lot at the Golden lady to 138th Street and over the bridge.

Twenty minutes later Victor stood in the line at the Atriums Café admiring all the various and vivacious honey's coating the sidewalk like a super uptown vixen convention. He could have missed the line all he had to do was walk up and slide one of the doormen a couple c-notes and it would have been smooth sailing past the throngs of party people anxious to their swerve on. When he finally made it inside he ran into Glacier, a producer, for Levithan the illest mc duo he'd heard in some years. But Victor was in party mode and hoping Glacier would understand the glass in his hand was not h2o but pineapple and Grey Goose and Monday might be a better time to talk shoppe.

The Atrium was laid out like a tropical paradise, only thing missing were the coconuts and if you equate coconuts with a woman's breasts - then the atmosphere was perfect. Victor smiled at this supa-bad chick he saw standing at the side of the dance floor. She smiled back. That was all he needed to get the courage to go and talk to her. He stuck his hand out and said, "I'm Vic." She replied, "I'm Lacey. Nice to meet you." "Nice to meet you as well Lacey." he replied. "Nice chain Victor. How do you make it through metal detectors with that thing on? Isn't it heavy?" she winked. She had a platinum locket sitting just above her breast line. As Victor looked down into her eyes he said, "May I?" Lacey nodded and he lifted her locket up and said, "This is beautiful. Where did you get it?" It was my grandmother's" replied Lacey. "Who's inside of it?" he asked. "My nana silly. Who did you think it was? A guy or something?" Lacey quipped. Victor said, "No, I was just curious." "No, you were just being nosey. Cause you wanna get with me." Lacey shot back. Victor blushed and Lacey said, "See it's written all over your face. You don't have to say a word. Hey, wasn't that a song a few year back?" Vic said, "And what would be so wrong with me trying to get with you?" Lacey replied, "It doesn't make sense that you should have to try - looking as good as you do. If you want to get with me just do it papi. Life is too short, but remember be careful for what you wish. I wouldn't want to see you get hurt." Victor said, "And why is that?" "Cause I like you? And this shy bit you are giving me...I think it's cute. But look at me Victor don't you know trouble when you see it? I'm not Ms. Goody Two Shoes. I'm black and Dominican. So I'm like a Moreno-minican" Lacey said. "You sure you can deal with all those spices?" Victor said, "Nobody loves spicey things as much as me. Nobody." Lacey smiled and said, "Okay, we gonna see about that."

The DJ Kaos was pumping jam after jam and Lacey stood there just bouncing to the rhythm about a half a foot away from Victor. Finally she shouted over the music, "Did you wanna dance with me and try to get a feel on my booty or are you gonna just stare at the crack of my ass all night to see if I'm wearing a thong or not?" Victor said, "What?" as he turned two shades of purple from embarrassment. Lacey said, "I can see you admiring me all up in the mirror. Look Victor, I already know you wanna get with me, so cut the coy routine before I take you into the VIP and sit on your lap and pinch your nipples until you start screaming my name. Now the sooner you take me out on the dance floor and show me how you move your body, the sooner we can leave this smoky ass club hand in hand. You can also tell me how tonight you left your place looking for an angel and you found me and that you are never gonna let me go. You might even get.... She smiled and stopped talking. Victor put his drink down and said, "It's on." And for the next two hours every song that played they danced to. From the hip-hop, reggae, to that salsa to the merengue and finally to Teena Marie's Portuguese Love. Whilst that song played he held Lacey in his arms and thanked her for being born and for stopping down to earth and helping him remember what it felt like to be in love. He also asked her if she'd grant him one wish...never leave.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Millie woke up in her panties and all gooey between her legs with her hand trapped in I.R's boxers. Panicking because she couldn't find her top and she knew how far gone she was when it came to Ivan. She kissed his eye and sat up to admire his bare chest and stomach muscles wondering how long she would get to call him her own before something or someone came along and messed things up. She slid out of the sheets and walked to the bathroom trying to remember how she ended up in just her bloomies.

She'd done everything in her power not to fuck I.R. on their first date but judging from the teeth marks on her panties it was safe to say that they had gone at it the moment her neighbor had left and didn't stop until they fell asleep in each other's arms. Millie also knew if sixty-nine was a crime then she was guilty of swallowing a couple ounces of heirs of the Humpries' estate. Also, she remembered sitting or I.R.'s face and having his tongue so deep inside her that she blacked out for a while and thought she heard Gabriel's Trumpets. Maybe she was lucky enough to have been eaten alive while she was still in her prime. She rinsed her mouth out and put on her kimono wrap with her nipples sticking out like he was still running his tongue in and out of her lower regions.

Finally, she walked in the kitchen and poured herself a glass of cool water trying to decide if she wanted to take a shower or if she wanted to walk around all week smelling like I.R.'s cologne. She chose the cologne smell and went back in the bedroom and crawled back to bed and curled up in his arms like a satisfied little Kitty, the only thing she didn't say was meow.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

Vic night dreamed in front of the club in his silver truck while Lacey sat on his lap and leaned back into him and kissed him for about the 100th time in the last thirty minutes. At least that's what Victor imagined.

Actually he sat out front of the Atrium grinning from ear to ear when a blue Mercedes Benz pulled up next to him and the window rolled down slowly. He blinked caught by the glare of the window tint. "Lacey, that you?" He asked. "Yes, Victor, were you expecting maybe...Queen Victoria?" said Lacey. "You didn't change your mind did you?" "Nah." Victor said. "I would go with you to the end of the earth." "What about the beginning?" she replied. "I'll go there too", he said. Lacey peeled off and left Victor talking to the air. She made a right and shot down Fordham Hill. Victor was momentarily astonished then he pulled out behind her.

He saw her taillights turn onto 87 North and did his best to keep the smaller, faster vehicle within sight. She took a right at the next entrance and in a couple of minutes he found himself sailing up the Sprain Brook Parkway doing ninety-five miles an hour. Then Lacey just vanished. No little blue Mercedes in sight. Victor was like what the fuck as he drove another five minutes, then spotted her car on the shoulder with the door wide open, the engine running, lights on and everything. Victor pulled over and stepped out of his whip and walked up to her car. He looked inside and saw nothing. He looked at the bushes and tried to imagine where the fuck she could be. Maybe she had to pee or something. Victor heard his own car door slam and stood there while Lacey pulled off in his truck and gunned past him. He jumped in her Benz and gunned back into traffic almost side swiping a mini van which had to be the only vehicle on the road except for his and Lacey's. Lacey took the first exit to the right and make a quick left with Victor right on her tail. She drove another fifteen minutes never stopping for any lights and finally pulling up into this black gate on Kensington Street and fishtailing into the driveway with Victor almost running smack dab into her. Victor put the Benz in park and quietly walked over to his truck pretty much ready to ring Lacey's neck for starters.

But when he opened the door and looked inside Lacey was stretched out in his backseat naked as a jaybird. She pointed in the general direction of Victor's crotch and said, "I want some." From the minute he closed the door till Victor saw the sun come up Lacey fucked him silly. He finally came to with pussy taste on his tongue and nut all over his silk shorts. He could smell Lacy's perfume all over the backseat but she was nowhere in sight...and her car was gone. He thought to himself I always wanted a genuine buck wild chick, but this was ridiculous. He pulled out of the yard slowly and drove back to the South Bronx listening to Stevie Wonder sing about some chick Cherie Amore' and how he wished that she was his. Victor's cherry love was Lacey and he was hoping he would see her again. (With her car stealing behind).
CHAPTER NINETEEN

I.R. woke up to the sound of his new cell rambling all over Millie's dresser with Millie tucked neatly under his right arm. He probably would have ignored it except that particular ring tone signaled big business and he was curious who would call him so early on Sunday.

His Manager Eddie left him a text message that said if he wanted he could make fifty-six grand for an eight bar verse on a new Angie single. He typed back, when? Thirty seconds later, he got a text with the location and a time. 1:00 PM today at H factory. Come alone. I.R. replied, c u then.

Millie looked up for the covers and smiled a the sight of I.R. standing in her bedroom shirtless and fine as all outdoors with the sun shining reflecting off his pecs. "Morning sleepy booty. Did I see you running around in your Victoria's a couple of hours ago senorita?" he said. "It wasn't me". replied Millie. "Maybe you were having a flashback or something. Maybe all that wine you drank at Brasiero's got you a little off balance." she smirked with dimples showing up in both of her cheeks. "You know Milkshake, you have a smile that rivals the sun. But then again I wonder if you are gonna swallow me whole first chance you get. Huh Millie? I mean, so what's the deal Millie. Are you gonna stick around in my life or are you gonna wash away like the tide." "I was about to ask you the same thing I.R." Millie said. Not sure if she really wanted to know the answer. Millie sat on the edge of the bed with one leg crossed staring up at I.R....a little misty eyed. IR said," What's wrong mami? A minute ago you were all smiles, now you look like you lost your best friend." "Nothing I.R., just let it go. If you really want me I'm sure next year this time we'll be having this same conversation from our home." "Damn girl. You play for keeps!" said I.R. "That's right buddy. What's mine is mine and what's yours is mine. Now get over here and service you lady before I break out my whip." He walked over to her. She kissed I.R. slowly and raked her nails across his chest. She then started gnawing on his earlobe and she reached down to touch the obvious swelling of his manhood but he stopped her. She said, "What's wrong? Are you still upset with me because I wouldn't let you hit it last night." He replied, "Nah babe. You're not gonna believe this but I gotta go to a studio session in a little while and I don't wanna start nothing we won't have time to finish." "On Sunday?" Mille shouted. "You are right. I don't believe you. So when your phone rang who was that supposed to be? Your mom inviting you over for breakfast? I seriously doubt it!" Millie spat. "But do what you gotta do. I'll be at the laundry or playing one handed spades to amuse myself. Pendejo, why do I even bother trying to be with you. It's always something coming between us. Why don't you just get you just get your things and go check in with Ms. Thing cause I ain't got time." "Millie wait" he said, but she has already locked in the bathroom and was crying her eyes out. I.R. threw on his jeans and walked out of Millie's apartment bare chested with his jacket slung over his shoulders. He started to go back into Millie's apartment and blow her back out, but he didn't like having his loyalty questioned. He knew he had feelings for Millie, but he didn't much relish the thought of getting cursed out every morning before breakfast. However, he did like the fact that she had a little fire in her. So he decided he'd be part of this little' romance until the end and see where and how they would end up.

I.R. drove back to Scarsdale and hopped in the shower. He didn't want to admit to himself how bad he wanted to fuck Millie or any chick for that matter at that moment. He couldn't decide if he wanted to call someone over, like Stephanie to break him off before his session or beat his dick in the shower. Stephanie was sort of his ex/own private freak show. All this in a studious package. Slim waist, perfect tits and succulent lips - two sets that is. As the cold water ran down his back he decided he'd call her after he finished up his session. Got to make that money.
CHAPTER TWENTY

Millie was so fucking made at I.R. that she could not even think straight. Who did he think he was ditching her after they had rolled around on her carpet all night? So she got pissy drunk and went too far and she found herself sitting on the bathroom floor with a pipe in her left hand.

Tika rang Millie's phone to see how the rest of her date with I.R. went. The phone startled Millie and she dropped her pipe reaching for the phone. "Tik - what's up?" said Millie. "I was just about to call you." she lied. "Me and I.R. just had a fight. I think he went to see some bitch!" "Whoa slow down Mil. When I left you two were practically screwing under the tablecloth at Brasiero's. So what happened?" "Well", said Millie, we went back to my house." "And?" Tika interjected. "He started feeling all over me and kissing on me and we were on the floor and my neighbor Ms. Ciarletta caught I.R. getting ready to fuck me on the floor. And believe me Tik I was sooo ready for some of his juicy penis, but I just couldn't." "You couldn't what?" replied Tika. "I couldn't do it. I was too embarrassed by Ms. Ciarletta catching us and I didn't wanna give it up on our first date like some kind of slut." Millie said. "Chica, you are a grown lady and you can do what ever you want. I saw the way you two look at each other and if you want that onion head go have him Millie" said Tika while snickering to herself. So funny, I forgot to laugh replied Millie.

"And what did you and Savario do for the rest of the evening? "Play spades, butt naked" replied Tika. "Don't hate Millie. But back to you and I.R., Why do you think he's with another woman?" Millie said, "Cause he tells me he's going to the studio - no notice, no invite to tag along. Plus when I woke up and some of the liquor wore off I was ready to fuck the shit out of him. You know when's the last time I had some good dick fuggedaboutit?" " I stopped counting...like three months ago? Millie, what else is wrong?" Tika could hear Millie's misfiring her words, which meant only one thing...she was messing with that damn crack! Tika said, "Are you over there trying to get high Millie? Please say no." Millie sighed and said, "Almost, but when the phone rang I dropped the damn stem." "Millie, when I see you I'm ah' slap the shit outta you! You know those four curls you be rocking over your right eye, they gonna be hanging over your left! And another thing, what is that stuff doing in your house anyway?" "It's residue." replied Millie. Tika fumed, "I got your residue bitch. Go flush that mess down the toilet and If I catch you with tha - tha - the rock, I'm gonna put you outside of your misery. Millie, I got a riddle for you. What happens when a tree falls in your front yard? Woodlawn bitch. And that's where I'm gonna put you if you keep fucking up. Say no to drugs dummy. I'll talk to you later." said Tika and slammed the phone in Millie's ear.

I.R. was admiring Angelina's apple bottom ass in her Apple Bottom jeans and was feeling like Adam stuck in the Garden. He knew he was gonna bite the apple eventually, it was just a matter of timing. He was still pissed that Millie left him with no coochie and three stupid hickies. He liked his body, fine, the way it came out of the box. With one birthmark, a nice caramel complexion, no tattoo's and definitely no got dam passion marks. What would his fans think? That he was not single and available to every chick that wanted to use him for her personal fuck fantasy? Not to mention the babes who sent him money, plane tickets and elaborate invitations to private parties and countless self - portraits taken in and out of fresh panties. Ivan felt like a prince in the city and he knew he put in work to be somebody special, even with that scar across his cheek.

He sat at the studio console listening to Angelina's vocals, impressed if not completely swept up in the moment. Angelina stepped out the booth and brushed past I.R. like she didn't know he was there. They locked eyes for a minute and then she went over to the couch, dug in her bag and came out with a juice. I.R. watched her gulp it down and couldn't figure out what made him pass up on all that body when she all but threw herself at him. "I.R....close your mouth...you're drooling. You had your chance with me" Angelina said. "Why don't you get your ass in the booth. You know this studio time is a little pricey even for a diva like me. She laughed and said and I like your muscle shirt. You got nice titties...I mean pecs and nice nipples too." I.R. smiled, the engineer smirked and the interns were just happy to be in the session with a dude that sold over four hundred thousand records and probably would sell ten times that with his next album. He stepped into the booth and scooped up the earphones and called the engineer to roll the track from the beginning. The engineer scrunched up his face and asked I.R. would he like a taco. I.R. scrunched up his face and said, "A taco?" Then he realized the engineer actually knew the in's and out's of running a session and asking to hear the tape from the beginning, at this stage of the session, it was kind of boneheaded request.

The beat instantly flooded the speakers and I.R. nodded his head to the raw rhythm Nicholas Eastah had hooked up for Angelina's big debut. I.R. listened for about thirty seconds {and stomped outta the booth}, he held is hand up and the engineer stopped the track. He stepped out of the booth and walked straight over to Angelina and said, "A word please" Matter of fact Yo Angie, c'mere and pulled her out into the studio lounge area}. She looked at I.R. and said "What's wrong?" He grabbed her by the hand practically dragging her into the hallway. I like your little song Angie. The lyrics are real cute. He looked her in her eyes and said, "Do you really wanna play in the big leagues? She nodded her head yes. I.R. said, "Good, cause that's were I'm heading." He gave her a kiss and took a squeeze of her fabulous ass and said, "Remember, you asked to be in my world."
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

I.R. got three phone calls since leaving the studio, not having uttered a word on Angie's track. The first was from her manager who was dumbfounded when I.R. told him he would be unable to complete the project without further negotiation. Her manager laughed and said he was blowing the opportunity of a lifetime. I.R. replied, "The only one getting blowed is me, by your artist, and I must admit she has a very wet and moist mouth through out. Call me tomorrow and I'll let you know how much it will cost you for me to push Angie's record triple platinum." "Triple?" replied her manager. I.R. repeated, "Triple." "Who do you think you are Jiggaman or something?" "No" I.R. replied. "But we were born about five days apart and you can quote me on that."

His second call was from Angelina asking him what happened. He hung up on her as well and hadn't been near his phone since the session the day before. Then he received a text from Millie. "Why'd you leave me?" said Millie. "Cause I gotta work and besides I don't play cock-tease games with nobody mamita." "Oh so I'm a cock teaser. Well, you ran off to see your Princess and said to hell with me." Then Millie called him. He put her on speaker as he rode up the FDR on his way to the Bronx. Millie said, "Really Why did you leave all of a sudden?" "What?" I just told you replied I.R. "I had business to mash out and I got fucking bills to pay and women to lay and you my dear are giving me a fucking headache." "Oh, but you wasn't saying that last night when you had your tongue halfway up my vagina. Who the fuck do you think you are anyway? I'm not some toy you can play with whenever you feel like slumming. Why don't' you admit that you are full of shit like all the rest of the guys. All you wanted was to fuck me. I actually thought you liked me. Silly me. I feel so stupid. Next time you get mugged or whatever happened to you, go to another hospital. I wish I'd never met you." I.R. got quiet for a minute while Millie went off on him and finally when the smoke cleared he rang the doorbell. Millie looked through the peephole and snatched the door open with her eyes full of tears and said "What do you want? What...you shouldn't be here." She closed the door and started walking back to her bedroom when I.R. grabbed her hand. "Do you wanna love me? Do you wanna fuck me? What? What? What? I can't take this mi' amor. I can't handle it. Just leave me alone. Find somebody else to torture." "Please"...but as she turned to face him the words died on her lips when I.R. grabbed a handful of her hair and sunk his teeth into her neck. Millie wanted to protest but all she could do was let out a guttural moan that was almost a yelp. She could feel the burning down to her soul and she knew in her heart she wanted I.R. to have her any and everyway he desired. I.R. ran his fingers in and out between her thighs and came up with wet fingers for his troubles. Millie tugged at his jeans, frantically aching to have him inside of her. The wife beater she wore became a memory, along with the cherry thong right beside it on the living room floor. She ripped at I.R.'s linen shirt sending buttons flying every which way and raked her nails across his now bare chest. She grabbed his ass and told him directly, "If you don't lose those jeans and give me some of this good penis I'm gonna hurt you." I.R. said, "Oh yeah Millagros, you gonna hurt me? How you gonna do that?" She smiled at him and said, "I'm gonna blow your brains out." "Promises, promises, he replied. So Millie pulled him by his nut sack and practically dragged him down the hall to her bedroom.

She dropped to her knees ready to taste his manhood, but he stopped her and said "Let me do you." He gently picked her up, laying her on the bed and proceeded to lick Millie slowly from her love spot to her ass crack and back again. She shivered as sensations ran up and down her spine like a thousand tongues were congregating on every nerve ending in her spinal column. His tongue was paralyzing so she just rubbed the back of his head and moaned with pleasure. I.R. swirled his tongue with precision as he enjoyed the flavors of Millie's cherry box. He held her by her calf where she had the scar with her other leg wrapped around his shoulder. She pleaded with him to give her his cock meat but he continued to violate her with his tongue. She felt like she would pass out as he sucked on her very being. Then the first wave of orgasm hit her and she blacked out for a couple of seconds. When she opened up her eyes I.R. was in the next room looking for his pants. She stood in the doorway, cheeks flushed and she said to him, "Are you gonna leave me like this?" I.R. smiled and said, "Now you know what it feels like Miss Millie-a-gos. You're a champion cock-teaser. And right now I wouldn't fuck you if you were the last bitch on earth. In fact, I'd rather beat my Pena until blindness sets in and my hair falls out than spend another moment with you." Millie said, "Fine I.R. If that's the way you want it. Two can play that game. I even got a wager for you. You won't last thirty days without begging me for some." "Millie please. I turn PUCCI down six or seven times a day. What makes you think I can't turn you down as well?" Millie replied, "Because you love me papi. I can see it all in your eyes and I can feel it when you touch me. When I go to sleep at night and you're not there I don't know how I make it through a minute. I belong to you. I just wish you would let me bend to the curve of your dick and get it over with." "Is that so?" replied IR. "Yup" answered Millie. "I don't know what to say Ms. Vasquez. This complicated things...immensely. And your little bet sounds like fun. I do love to gamble. But my house is a wreck and my maid fell in love with my neighbors' pool guy and gave me one weeks notice about twenty-four hours ago. Millie smiled showing all thirty-two of her pearly whites and told I.R. she'd take over the maid position at quadruple the salary. "Yeah right" he replied. "Plus I need a cook and as sweet and petite as you are I know you can't possibly have any kitchen skills. "I can cook blockhead. You just never gave me a chance, always trying to take me to some fancy restaurant trying to impress Me." replied Millie. They both were smiling and Millie said, "think about my offer. I'm a little frio' standing here naked with juices running down my legs and since my knight in shining armor is too afraid to fuck me, maybe I should go and put back on my chastity belt." "Whatever you say chica, but after our little bet is over I'm gonna tear your little sexy ass up." said I.R. "No I'm gonna tear you up Ivan - the Terrible." "And Millie, the position is live-in, so I suggest you pack your things and be ready to start tonight at 6pm. I'll be back to pick you up then." "I'm not giving up my place I.R." replied Millie. "You don't have to. How much is your rent?" asked Ivan. Millie answered, "$775 a month." "Well here's $3,800 to pay like two months in advance and I'll give you some more money later." "But", Millie said, "I can't accept this." 'Don't worry", said I.R. "I'll make sure you earn every bit of it."
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Montika giggled to herself standing in the mirror looking at her little tummy and checking out her butt. Her breasts were on fire and she knew right then she was gonna be having Savario's baby or one all by herself. About a minute later her cell began to vibrate as if doing a two-step on her vanity table.

CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

Millie was dying to give Tika the blow by blow from her wild morning with I.R., but her phone rang a few times and went to voicemail. Millie practically screamed into the phone, "I got a real job Tika. Call me!!"
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

Victor's phone rang and it was that young kid Benny talking about how him and his little man were gonna re-invent the hustle game. First thing Victor told him was never discuss business over the phone. Then he promised him and his man a primo assignment in thirty days and to be patient. Benny was ecstatic. Happy to be down with Victor's click or any click for that matter. But he wondered what the big assignment was. Hell, he would have knocked over Fort Knox if that meant he could graduate from skid row, sleeping on rooftops, stairwells and the noisy ass shelter with the little cots that was almost beginning to feel like home.

Victor had other things on his mind. Like where the fuck was Lacey. He use to like games when he was younger, now they irritated him to no end. He was angry with himself for falling for Lacey so hard. But damn she was his dream girl. Hell, he even asked God to give him a break this one time and bring her back to him.

He decided he would let the dope game go before he found himself incarcerated or worse. Victor was tired of sitting home thinking of ways to find Lacey. Usually, you get the phone number before the panties and usually you wait a while before you fall madly in love. USUALLY...but since Victor wasn't the usual guy and Lacey wasn't the usual girl, hey why not?

Vic looked at his whip and thought a little soap and water wouldn't hurt it. After his tussle with Lacey, it's a wonder he hadn't turned the car into his own little love shrine. He pulled into the car wash off Burke Avenue and White Plains Road clutching his cell like he was expecting a call at any moment. He pulled up to wait his turn and as he reached into his glove compartment for a free wash and all that came with it. Hell it was his tenth time being there in the last two months and a perk is a perk. He froze when he saw a tangerine thong with black piping with a note attached, sitting on top of his black racing gloves. The note said only - Thank you for a funky time. Call me up whenever you wanna grind. Signed LA. PS and if you really know what to say these drawers will always belong to you. 914-You gotta guess the number. Hint...the beginning of your name and the other half kind of rhymes with horny. Victor smiled because he knew the panties had to be Lacey's. To make sure he put them right up to his nose and deeply inhaled. He could smell her perfume as well as her pucci juice. Considering the aroma had been swirling through his synapses every hour on the hour for the last three days. The car wash attendant tapped on the window and broke Vic out of his revere. Even though he only had to walk through the vestibule to see another fucking headache coming his way from the Supermarket across the street.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

Onin the Super Wanna Be Label Executive, Wanna Be Promoter and Wanna Be dead if he keeps fucking with me, thought Victor. Onin thought he was slick but people get hurt sometimes over the simplest things. Onin's transgression was blending the name of Onin's company with Victor's without his consent. Try pulling that maneuver on SUGARNITEFALL, you might wind up in a car trunk along I-95 or 287. Hell you might even end wind up in the cold and muddy waters of the Hudson River.

Victor wondered if Onin ever thought about how easy he could be made to disappear. Victor knew if he called Benny right now, they could have Onin under water in as little as thirty-five minutes. Totally unaware of Victor's presence Onin stood next to the cashier at the car wash holding a bag of lollipops. It figures thought Victor, Onin was a textbook sucker with his too tight silk screen Harter-Field record jacket on. Looking like nine pennies short of ten cents. He nodded at Victor like he was the purveyor of proper funk and continued bobbin his head like he was listening to something hot on the radio.

Victor walked up to Onin and said, "What's up. Are you Onin Nathin, who put out that crazy new artist Signal Ops? I love your joints." Onin was like, "Thanks man. I put a lot of work in on that joint and I was lucky to sign that kid. He use to fuck with the Major Ming Dynasty out in Brooklyn.

Victor grinned in his face and said, "I really like that one with gospel piano hymn that was some bomb ass production. Did you hook that up with Pro tools?" Onin was feeling himself now, not realizing he was talking with the actual creator of the track. Victor finally introduced himself and said we can settle out of court. I want $120,000, which I will take in installments if you can't come up with cash. "What did you say your name was?" Onin asked. "Victor Quinones." Vic replied. "Signal Ops...I put a lot of time in on them and you could say I remember when they were a baby act and I produced a lot of songs they didn't half pay for. So let's just say you inherited their debt since you didn't' find it prudent to speak to me when I was so gracious as to call you on your phone. But these things happen. Miscommunications, misunderstandings, missed royalty payments and now you get to miss $120,000."

Victor handed Onin his business card and told him, "If you decide to go to court, expect to be audited and expect the three letter representatives to come snooping around your financial records, looking to see what's what. Have a good day." Dumbfounded, Onin stood there while Victor climbed into his whip and turned up his Signal Ops tape, the unreleased homemade version.

Savario held onto the box that held Montika's ring so tight it was a wonder the box didn't become part of the Princess cut that lay inside. He was pushing her Mercedes across town and stopped on the Hutch at the last station by Connor St. He knew that after today his life was going to change for better or it would go the other way. As far as he was concerned and as much as he hated to admit to himself, he had it bad for Montika. The first time they almost broke up a thought flashed in his mind to hurt her, but he cut his foot on a nail or something and felt it was god talking directly to him. You harm a hair on that child's head and you don't wanna imagine what will happen to you. He knew in his heart of hearts before he could hurt Montika he'd see the water beneath the Tappan Zee Bridge as his final resting place. All this on his mind at the ripe old age of twenty-three. Savario usually told I.R. exactly what was on his mind from the bad to the good. Hell, they'd made it through some crazy times growing up in Westchester County and the Boogie Down. Scarsdale Mafia was their little click. There was this one party at this little hole in the wall on Bainbridge Avenue in the Bronx where Savario slapped the shit out of this goofy promoter. Fortunately for the joker it was in a backroom of the spot so nobody had to see it go down. The promoter kept tossing his phone from one hand to the other like he was out of his mind. I.R. looked at Savario and they both, if you read their eyes the caption probably said is this guy serious? Then he says "all you had to do was call me. Savario went ape shit after he said that. Bing-Pow. I.R. thought he was watching Goodfellas when Billy Bats got worked over in the bar. The promoter's partner/bodyguard, stepped in the room and saw his man crying, but too late. I.R. hit him between the eyes. Lights out.

Savario finished reminiscing over the good ole or was it the bad days, when he was a little more carefree. But that was a long time ago. Back before Savario met Jessie his sixteen-year-old sweetheart who died giving birth to their son Angelo who died in Savario's arms one hour to the minute after his mother Jessie. Savario didn't speak for a year after that night in the hospital. He went to school everyday and even graduated in the top third of his class, but he was catatonic at best. Savarios' only pleasure was shooting free throws with I.R. Philly Phil Phillips was the local terror along side I.R on the school team. I.R. couldn't remember a game where Savario has less than twenty points or ten assists. There wasn't much need for rebounding on the Scarlet Knights as they didn't miss. On average sixty points on a hot night eighty-five to ninety points. They put three players in the NBA and had a gym full of Banners.

After a fast break dunk while playing the Tigers from White Plains, I.R. wound up with a fractured bone in his right foot. The coach switched Savario to point. He dropped thirty, but the real fun was the crazy orgy they had with the opposing teams' cheerleaders. This one named Carmelita had the hots for Savario. She was a bronze color mixed Hawaiian and black with reddish blond hair to her ass. Almond shaped eyes and she stood toe to toe with Savario except for humungous tetas that separated the two of them. She flashed him her little orange briefs she wore under her cheerleader skirt and Savario rode home with her and poor I.R. got stuck with her two friends. A pair of blond mixed with somethin' twins that stood a little over six-foot.

The five of them drank Kool-Aid, fucked, roasted marshmallows, swam in the twins pool, had a pussy eating contest which I.R. won and finally Carmilita stuck her finger in Savario's asshole until he started screaming her name. I.R. later told Savario, "If all you needed was a finger up your ass to get you started back talking, I could have got you a free check-up with my proctologist. {He's a great guy - a real life saver...believe me.} They both fell out laughing, but none of the cheerleaders knew what was so funny. Didn't mater though, they all sprawled out in the twins' parent's bed and slept like babies. (Flash forward to da now.)

Savario's cell rang on the dash and the sound of Tikas' special ring tone filled his ears. He was almost afraid to answer it, but he managed to hold off the anxiety attack long enough to say "Hey babe." She told him she missed him all day and that shit just about melted his heart considering how miserable he was feeling just a few moments before. Tika wanted to blurt out that she was having their baby, but she had to give him the news in person, no matter the outcome. She said she was a little hungry and maybe they could take a drive to Queens to a restaurant called the Smile of the Beyond or something like that. Plus she needed to introduce Savario to her grand mom's out in Astoria. She's been meaning to bring him out there for months but every time they got together one thing led to another and here she was jones'n for him again. She started rubbing her vagina slowly while she listened to Savario breathing on the other end of the line. She said to him "come and get me" and gently placed the phone on the cradle.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

I.R. 's House Guest

I.R. couldn't figure out why Angelina's panties were down around her ankles or why she was squeezing his balls as he was gliding his dick in and out of her snatch with an enormous amount of punny cream building up on his shaft. At one time he actually believed she couldn't pay him to screw her. What the fuck was he thinking? So she had money, was that an excuse not to like somebody? Hell, it was actually sexual discrimination with a minor in double standard. He squeezed her apple bottom with one hand and pulled her hair with the other and Apples, which she loved him to call her was loving it. I.R. pumped thoroughly with long even strokes until he realized he might actually be in love with two chicks at the same time. Complications.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Millie tossed a few things in her little suitcase and she knew her whole life was about to change. She loved I.R. with all her heart almost from the night she met him. There was definitely no denying the fact. But he was young and she was as well and she knew a lot of women would be after him. He was fine, no doubt, definite eye candy for her soul and she knew once he got a few more records under his belt he would be the one with the big money. Millie thought about the times she would find strange numbers in his pants and probably smell another woman's perfume mixed in with the smoothness of his shoulder blades. Oh well, I guess I'll just be ringing alarms because she thought, because Mr. Man belonged to her now. Fuck what the next bitch got to say about it. Who was going to be by his side looking as fine as her? Who could rock a fuchsia dress with matching lavender, fuchsia and purple pumps while stopping all traffic going in and out of the Waldorf Astoria? The Red Carpet needed her, and more importantly I.R. needed her. She could see the hurt he carried around from the past. Finders' keepers she thought to herself. Mama's here now and mama feels good. She knows how to please her man even if she has to tease him from time to time to make him appreciate when she's not around.

Ivan's Diary

That's why a guy like me doesn't fall in love - it never works out. And I'm done with being lonely. I wish sometimes I could acquire the self-preservation skill called selfishness. Funny it just ain't in my make-up.

Ninety days and I'm gonna turn my life around one last time. I'm way past the changes I go through on the regular daily basis. I should be making major money and major moves. I have too much talent at my disposal.

So here begins the next chapter of my days. Hustle out the box.

Your Number 1 Fan,

Ivan The Terrible

Scarsdale Mafia

[SCARSDALE MAFIA]

THE INNOCENT REIGN OF IVAN THE TERRIBLE

"SCIPIO'S PANTIE SLAUGHTER"

Ivan listened to the last track he put together for Apples. To coin a phrase it was sick, matter of fact madness with just the slightest whisper of her smoky contralto floating through the speakers. He knew he found his Pygmalion. And she lay upstairs sleeping in his bed and soon he would join her - with Millie laying next to him as well.

He had told Angelina what was on his mind and in his heart before she went to sleep. Amazing as it sounded she agreed to give it a shot. Hey, it worked for Jack Tripper, Chrissy and Janet. Why not her? Maybe it was his calm manner of speaking while like a confident lawyer at summation or it was the fire in his eyes when he spoke of conquering the whole world and the laying of it at her feet. She laughed to herself to think she would be a willing participant in a love triangle between a boy and a girl...and another girl.
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

I.R. sat in front of Millie's waiting patiently for Millie to emerge from the building in boy shorts and one of his old' basketball jerseys. (Fuckin' wow he thought to himself – look at this lil' sexy mutha- hubba I'm the luckiest guy in the world). As soon as he got her strapped into the front seat he threw his tongue down her throat and then he told her, "I don't need a damn maid. I'm the neatest person on this side of the mason-Dixon line." She looked at him puzzled and asked him, "but you said..." He cut her off mid sentence and said, "what was the point of having the fabulous pussy if she wasn't going to share it with her man she loved." Millie blushed and looked away, but I.R. turned her face to him. He said, "Look, Angelina's coming to live with me while I work on her music career. People are gonna say she's my wifey, but here's my dilemma. I think I found my little boo-boo. But she's kinda stubborn and she barely let me sit next to her in the hospital. Told me not to try and get her number. Then get this, she's been cock teasing me ever since, but I think I finally got her figured out." "Oh yeah", said Millie. "You've been teaseing me since day one and besides I can't live with you and some chick. People will say all kinds of crazy things." "Like what?" said I.R. "That you're in love with the little one and the princess is just someone you like to fuck on the regular. So what are you saying I.R.? You all ready to start a harem and you just decided to count me in as backup? I don't think so. You can't have me" replied Millie. I.R. said, "But I have had you before Millie, for two rocks, but you don't remember that." "What!? " Millie shouted almost shattering the car windows because she screamed so loud. I.R. replied, "My name is Angel Sepulveda. Well, at least the Po Po's think, but it's only an alias. Victor is my half brother and is prone to jealous reactions from time to time."

"A cop slit my face open Millie and it was all over you." Millie replied, "over me?" Millie had tears welling up in the corners of her eyes. She was embarrassed from her secret being out. She wanted to be the one to tell I.R....on her own terms. Now the tears flowed freely from her eyes. Ivan continued...the cop called you a dirty little slut whore and a junkie bitch and I told him to watch his fucking mouth. Bam lights out. Assaulting an officer and his partner. The fucking asshole cracked me across the jaw with his club and slit my face open.

One of my boys Fredrico Aka Freddy Dro caught the faggot mutherfucker in a chokehold and after that it was Bedlam. Chairs and bottles flying – all kinda shit. They took Victor cross-town and booked him. I wound up in a squad car unattended - slipped out and went straight to Jacobi and who do I wind up seeing? Little miss Cherry Thong. I should have just took you with me then, but you was acting all "Stanka A Dank" like you wasn't feeling a brother. I started thinking about my ex and I just couldn't see myself falling for nobody new."

Millie said, "So you got your face split open, cause of me? I'm sorry. I'm lucky Victor's dog bit me. It was God talking to me and he was saying I needed to change my lifestyle. But I could barely see it. I was getting crazy money stripping, but it was like nothing was enough. Tika use to warn me I would get caught up, but I wouldn't listen."

"So Millie, I'm going to ask you again. Are you coming to stay with me? Or else" he said. "But what about Angelina? I can't compete with a damn princess and I don't want be your second choice...your back up bitch. I can't sing, dance, none of that. I'm just little Millie, former drug abuser and I'm not doing that anymore. So what do you want with me?" she asked.

"I want that fabulous pucci." I.R. grinned. "Nasty" said Millie and punched him in the arm. "For real. What do you see in me? Why you trying to wife me? Matter of fact, wife-in-law me?" "Cause you make me happy" replied Ivan. "I like the way you touch me. Besides if I can't have you, nobody else can. I'll put you in Woodlawn row three. Shit, Tika will do if for me. She told me about you and your last collision with tha-tha rock. We made a pact me and her that if we catch you smoking, we putting you out of your misery. So you see, it's my way or the highway." Millie sat there looking astonished with her mouth open. "Nice tongue ring." said Ivan. "Now climb your little cute self into the backset and service me before I pull a R. Kelly on one of these little fast-ass Catholic schoolgirls with the white panties and the miniskirts all up in our conversation." I.R. started up the whip and Millie took hold of his zip. Next stop Scarsdale Mafia studio, Kensington Ave.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Savario was on one knee holding Tika's hand for the second time in a month and Tika was trying to tell him she was with child and he didn't have to marry her because of that situation. But he wouldn't listen. All he wanted to hear her say was yes. She asked him a half dozen times was he sure and finally he said, "Yes." Not once but three times.

Then Savario asked her could he bathe the new mommy and Montika answered only if she could bathe the new daddy. She led him to the bathtub (el bano) by his pena with a big kool-aid smile on her face. "Tika" stop playing" Vario said. Then she bit down on him.

CHAPTER THIRTY

VICTORIA'S SECRET

GALLERIA MALL

Victor walked into Victoria's Secret half wanting to strangle Lacey, half wanting to pick her up and spin her around like lovers in a 1950 or 60's, Joan Crawford and John Barrymore film. Lacey walked out wearing a crème bustier or some kind of formal female contraption that held breasts up as if to say teeth marks are not an option and strutted right up to Victor and kissed him flush in his mouth.

He blushed and before he could say another word she had him in another lip lock. This time when she came up for air she told him how much she'd missed him. He handed her a pair of door keys and a letter written on parchment held together with a blue ribbon and a business card. "My address is on the front."

Victor then asked her what time she'd be off. Lacey replied, "7:30." "Good, I'll look for you around 7:45pm then" he replied. "Don't I need to go home and change or something?" asked Lacey. "Nah, you look good just the way you are. See you later babe. And this time, he kissed Lacey fully on her lips. Victor turned and headed out the store. Lacey's co-workers were like, Yo mami, where you been hiding him? Do he got brothers and shit? Victor stopped and turned saying "I almost forgot." and pushed a little box covered in red velvet into her hand. Lacey said "What's this?" Open it and see. "And don't stand me up chica", said Victor.

Lacey's manager was like "You stood him up? I'd like to stand him up against that wall and do him like that chick should have did Kobe in that hotel room Cute, rich, tall and built. That works for me. Shit, I wish I had pretty boys running up in here swapping spit with me every five minutes like your ass. Shoot when I grow up, I wanna be just like you. I obviously have the wrong position. You should be the manager and I should be your assistant. Girl, if you don't open that box, I'm going to hurt you."

Lacey held it in her palm and ran her finger across the smooth surface and said, "Not here. He could be playing a trick on me." "Girl please" her manager Natasha said did you not see the way he was looking at you?" Lacey fingered the box one time more and quickly flipped it open. Blinded by the light...WTF. They both said, "DAMN, would you look at the size of that thing? Cupid must have ran up on your man and hit him up lovely." Even the customers on line were like "Shit, look at the box, Tiffany is in da house."

Lacey slipped the ring on her finger and waited on the lady which was the last customer who was struggling around the store with a Neiman Marcus bag on one arm and a Nordstrom bag in the other. Guess she never made it to Bloomingdales to pick her up some bloomies cause she almost bought half the store.

Victor called Ivan and then Savario and asked them to meet him for drinks at his new place. Ivan walked into his house and called out to Angelina who was sitting on the couch watching videos on the big screen. She was sipping on some Lemonade and flipping through a photo album Ivan always left on his table to remind him of his mom and dad back in the days. He said I want to introduce you to Millagros and Angelina said, "What's up girl? So you're the one he's so crazy about. Shit, I though I was a pretty bitch. No wonder I practically had to mug him to get some of that sweet stuff. He was saving it all for you." Millie blushed and said, 'Nah, I saw you and Ivan in Peep Whooz Magazine all hugged up and I figured I'd be lucky to get an invite to you alls wedding. Guess we just gonna' have to work something out cause he had me at hello and Angie said, "Same thing happened to me."

They both looked at Ivan and said, "You got game huh?" Ivan said, "I guess I do, don't I? Look we need to go shopping. My brother is having a party in a couple of hours. I need to grab a bath, anybody care to join me?" Angie smiled, then Millie smiled and Ivan felt like Akeem, the Prince of Zamunda. He figured he might have to send out for some rose petals. The two new ladies of the house took him upstairs and loofa sponged him and caressed him and baby oiled him until he was talking in tongues. They then took turns posturing gobbling fishes and soaking his lingam with their noni juices while Phyllis Hyman crooned 'Betcha By Golly Wow" on the radio.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

YOU KNOW HOW TO LOVE ME

Ivan sat in his Tony Montana chair brushing Millies' hair, while Angie was sitting on the floor, lotus style, with Millie braiding her hair. They laughed and told dirty jokes and talked about fashion and shoes.

I.R. was like, "Hey guys, we've got a party to go to in less than seventy-two hours. Don't you think we need to go shopping?" "Okay Richie rich, you're on. I know this brazen little boutique near Jimi Hendrix's old recording studio - .The Electric Lady." "We can't go there".... said Ivan. "Why not?" the girls both asked. Ivan said, "Because I just got a better idea. Why don't I go by myself and pick you up some flip flops so you won't have to walk around here barefoot and pregnant with your dirty little feet bottoms messing up my rug."

Then it got quiet. They looked at I.R. I.R. dropped the brush and tried to make it to the door, but Apples and Cherries (Angelina and Millie) caught him by his second step. Their play fight didn't last long before it turned into another make out session. A half hour later the three of them piled into Ivan's candy red truck and headed downtown to shop. Millie had on booty riders and Angie had on cootie cutta's and Ivan teased both of them about walking around with camel toe jeans. They told him if he didn't like it he didn't have to look. He was like, "Yeah right, I got eyes and I like thighs, so me looking at you should be no surprise." They all laughed an Apples called him a nasty boy and Ivan replied, "You damn skippy."
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Victor had his real estate broker on the line going over a few minor things concerning his new house. The only thing that really mattered to him was the picture of him and Lacey that they'd taken at the Atrium the night they met. He had it blow up but he couldn't decide where to put it so he left it covered up by the front door. His house warming was going to be off the hook, to say the least, but he was just happy to have Lacey in his life. He daydreamed about all the good times they would have together and how he was going to make it out of the drug game once and for all.

His cell went off and there was Benny again for the third time in the last half hour. Victor picked up reluctantly annoyed at the interruption of his over eager protégé. He leveled with Benny, "Dude I'm out the business. I only do music now. Do you want to help me put together a street team for my label?" Benny was like "What? I thought you were gonna hook me with some real work. I don't wanna be a damn flunky while you live out a Dame Dash fantasy. I oughta fuck you up for lying to me man - if you just didn't want to put a cat on just say so fucking faggot. I oughta put my foot in your old ass that's what I need to do." Victor couldn't believe what he was hearing. Benny had crossed the line with Victor. Not only was he without out of a job, he had made a grave mistake. Yo-youse a sucka Benny keep repeating and hung up.

Benny stormed around his 90 dollar a week -weak room. His feelings were hurt and so were his pockets. He spent his last bit of change on a prepaid cell phone and his big time dreams. His pockets were getting lighter by the minute. He did everything but bend over and take it in the ass to get on welfare and for all troubles he got a first hand view of loneliness and an inside view of despair. Maybe he went too far barking on Victor, but Benny was already living off hand-me downs and scraps and was even contemplating suicide or homicide as a way out.

Who carries a rusty twenty-two he thought to himself. Benny Montoya, that's who. And whom could Benny trust? Benny Montaya, that's it.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

I.R., Millie and Angie purchased half of the available lingerie merchandise in H & M's on 125th,

Two dozen pair of shoes from Saks Fifth Avenue, Nine West, Jimmy Choo's and even a couple from Payless.

Angie and Millie put on a fashion show everywhere they went. Perfect strangers begged to take pictures with them. I.R. was wearing a wife beater with linen slacks and some dark shades. You would have thought he was a rock star and you would have been close, very close.

Finally, they just went out for drinks and dancing at Pufs Pub in Manhattan. The food was okay, a little dry, Ivan thought. So they took a few bites and I.R. called the manager over, a few words were exchanged and off Ivan the Terrible and the Spoiled Brats went. They landed at QBB's in Time Square, had a couple of the Omaha size drinks (Margarita's) with a extra shot of rum and they were back in the game.

I.R. got to eat Angie's cherry and Millie's cherry (from the drink, don't let your mind wander all the way to the gutter. What kind of story do you think this is?) They had ribs, shrimp, cornbread, greens and macaroni and cheese. What they could not eat they took back for the Scarsdale Mafia.

I.R. told both Angie and Millie he loved them and then he took the time to explain why. There wasn't a dry eye in the house, even the hostess standing in the aisle was crying. By the time the special delivery of white carnations hit the table it was a wrap. I.R. could have slit both their throats and they would have said he is so fucking romantic and attentive.

They piled back into I.R.'s truck and took the west side highway back uptown. Ivan played a new mix of one of Angie's songs. One that in three months would go platinum and in six months platinum one additional time. But nobody knew it at the time except Ivan the Terrible.

Angie drank too much as she laid across the backseat sounding like the peanuts gang...arrgh!!! Millie was curled up under I.R's arm and she finally asked him, "Why do they call you Ivan the Terrible anyway? You gotta be one of the sweetest guys I've ever met." He replied, "Simply because it's terrible not to be my friend and even more terrible to be my enemy."
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

Savario hung up the phone and dialed I.R.'s special line. He picked up and said one word and hung up. A short while later Victor, Savario and I.R. sat in a beat up little jalopy near a strip club in Hunts Point.

At midnight Benny stood next to his building on the Concourse. At 12:01 Victor crept up behind him and asked him one simple question, "Do you think you are Biggie Smalls? Because you called me earlier speaking like you was ready to die." Before he could answer, he woke up in the trunk of the jalopy. How did he know he was in a trunk? A tire iron was sticking him in the spinal column and a steel belted radial was sitting flush against his jaw. From the trunk he pleaded for his life. Thru a small vent cut out by Victor for just such an occasion. "You were planning on shooting up my engagement part, were you not?" Victor asked. "It wasn't like that," said Benny.

If you had a chance to live again, be reborn, what would you do? Would you be grateful or resent the fact that you had your life spared?" asked Victor. "I'd be grateful" Benny managed to blurt out. "Ya sure", said Victor said. "I don't know I.R.?" "Give him a pass. I.R. responded. "He obviously fell and bumped his damn head. He wanted to be a big-time rock-dealer or something. Or maybe his jump shot is just trash and he can't think of a better way to make money.

Savario sat in the front seat and said, "Funny, about a month ago my lady Tika told me she had a weird nightmare that someone was drowning in blood.

Savario spoke in the brief moment of silence - "So let me guess, Victor, he wanted you to put him on - the whole consignment package a couple packs and a little piece of turf to call his own. Is that right Benicio? You got ambition, but you ain't real enough to hand out 85 hundred flyers for your man? Nope-You are a fucking liar and what the fuck were you gonna do with that rusty twenty-two?"

Your man who you stalked undercover, deep cover style talking about put me on". What muthta- fuka- pardon' my Haitan, is supposed to trust your dumb ass. And by the way my dude the trunk ain't locked. So don't think you going to get a kidnapping charge to stick, cause it's not. Now push open the trunk and go the fuck back wherever you came from, and if you ever show your face around these parts again, you toast.

NOW GET THE FUCK OUTTA THE TRUNK, ya Benedict - Benicio, what ever ya damn name is, get gone go take a ride on a dogs back to Wiskansen...maybe hang with T-Pain.

Benny climbed out of the trunk and turned to head toward Southern Blvd and 163rd. Ivan held the rusty 22 up and tossed it at Benicio's feet. Tears crept down Benny's cheek as he realized his life had been spared but to what end? What, to go flip burgers for the rest of his days? To sell ice cream bars at Knick games? Now he really wanted to go somewhere and sleep it off...permanently.

Victor leaned over to I.R. and said, "Yo' son, that kid got heart man. He just needs a friend. Savario leaned in the front seat and said, "So what, you gonna give him another chance?" Victor stepped out of the car and walked up to Benicio and said, "Yo, Yo, Yo B - if you ever talk sideways out ya mouth to me again I will cut your lips off your face. You understand me?" Now tomorrow at 9:00 I want to' see you at the studio. It'll be closed but you keep the fucking riot door company. "You with the Scarsdale Mafia Now", you need to find your way back into the world. Here, put this in your pocket. See that club over there, that's the got dam Wedge, yeah like the sandwich. I want you to go inside and find the baddest bitch in there and by daylight she needs to be all up on your dick. Later tonight there's an engagement party for Lacey and me. Bring the one you find with you. Dress sharp and I'll see you.

Benny said, "I'm sorry about earlier. I must of fell and hit my head. Nobody ever looked out for me before like this man. I don't know what to say." Vic said, "Remember this one thing if you don't remember nothing else, you never go against your family, never. And what is a family made of, friends." Victor turned and walked back to the Nova.

Benny felt the knot in his pocket, but he didn't bother to count it. He knew it was more money than he ever had in his whole life. Fuck, what cats saying about being hungry he thought to himself. He already lived that shit three times over and he was never going that route again. In twenty-four hours he'd become the fourth man on the totem pole of Scarsdale Mafia with a tat to match, emblazoned inside and front side of his heart.

# CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

9:30 am – I.R. and Millie went to open up Scarsdale Mafia's studio in Washington Heights, off union.

Benny was sitting on the steps with a mini Akai - MPC, a pair of headphones around his neck along with a dancer he'd encountered about 3 am in the club. She'd just stepped off stage; ready to change when she locked eyes with Benicio. "Did you used to go to Riverdale Country day school a few years back?" she asked. Benny said, 'Yeah, but when my grandmother was alive, my mom's got sick. We used to be in the same class. Yeah, it was art or something." They paused for a moment eyeing each other. Small world. Benny said, I use to be so in love with you." "Oh yeah", she said. "What's my name?" Benny replied, "Judy Truhart" and I was too shy to tie my shoes back them. July said, "Yeah, I remember, but look at you...you filled out kind of' nice. I always thought you were a cutie but since you never talked to me I figured you liked Tracy Primavera." "The cute little blonde girl?. She and I were best friends. She told me a dozen time to just go and say hello to you, but I..." Judy sat next to Benny and her tits brushed against his arm, sending a couple dozen chills down his spine. She whispered in his ear, "I even remember that corny little anonymous poem you left on my desk. I knew it was from you, but when I came to school the next day to thank you for writing it for me, you had transferred out." Do you remember how it went?

"Benny cleared his throat and started"

I'm easy to miss

But you are an angel

That's come to earth

I bet your kisses taste like sunshine

Your skin is made of cinnamon

And God sprinkled you with apricot

And if I never get a change to hold your hand

Maybe someday I hope you understand

Every time you walk by I start running a fever

And if you get any finer

One day I'm going to steal ya

Judy smiled and said, "Boy you had it bad huh? Would you like to test your theory about my kisses?" She leaned toward him and kissed him on the lips. "Can we go now, I think I had enough of this place. And how come you never signed the note? Judy said.

Benny smiled and said, "Come on, I was way over my head trying to get with you. And you still look like a movie star to me. Thanks for spending time with me. It was good to see you. Maybe, I'll come a little earlier next time and catch your show." Benny ran his finger around the rim of his glass then added the cognac to his blood stream. "Good night sunshine." said Benny. He stood up, made a move for the door. Judy stopped him. "Hey corny poem writer, you need to pick up your bullshit soliloquy." "It wasn't bullshit chica," he said. "So then why are you trying to walk out of my life again with the long face? What's the matter? You don't know the hero always gets the girl in the fairy tale?" she replied. Benny smiled and said, "Yeah, but with my luck your man's coming to pick you up at the end of your shift and if I ask you for your number You'll politely say, "I don't have a phone or..." "I don't" she interrupted. "You don't have a phone?" Benicio asked. "No, I don't have a man and if you don't mind waiting for me to change and settle up my account I'll make you some breakfast at my place and we can watch the sun come up." Benny smiled. "Are you serious?" Benny smiled and sat down. "Holy shit" was all he could say.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX

VICTOR'S PARTY

Angelina Apples Torres stood by the piano and sang "Betcha' By Golly Wow", her new single - reminiscent of Phyllis Hyman. Then Victor proposed for the second time to Lacey in front of everybody he knew and the other two hundred crashers that managed to find his little mini-castle. Where he got the Napoleon Bonaparte tunic jacket and the hat to match would become cause for speculation and conversation in every magazine printed that June.

Ivan had on the Bolshevik revolution fuzzy cap with the walking stick and a black satin cape to the floor. Millie had her hair swept up in a French wrap with pearls and rubies intertwined to match her dress. The princess her late Nana always envisioned was back. Proud to drug free and doing life big with no regrets. She finally had her dream guy, even though she had to share him, but she didn't care because she knew he loved her more than she probably loved herself. And never again would she find herself hankering for a hit off tha-tha rock.

THE END
EPILOGUE

Savario and Montika got married at a double ceremony later that summer. Witnessed by the two thousand people - who didn't get to Victor's engagement party in time. Montika's water broke one day while she was at the supermarket with Savario and a big Kool-Aid display flipped over turning the floor red. Savario lost his footing and Tika cried tears of joy when she slid straight across the floor into his outstretched arms. Seems that her old nightmare was just a vision of a slip-up on isle number three and nobody was trying to murder her amore'. They named their newborn Slip. At least that was his nickname. His real name was Slippery Phillips the 1st.

Lacey and Victor were blessed with a son in December. Seems he had a direct hit in the Kensington driveway of their first cousin Ivan's big sister's house. But that's a story only Ivan, his sister and Savario have heard. Lacey's still too embarrassed to own up to it and Victor still won't give her panties back from the glove compartment. . And he politely refuses to let anyone remove them from his rearview mirror.

Angelina must have sold at least ½ a million records between tours and movie deals. Yet she always flew with Ivan and Millie though they had long decided it was way too much confusion for the three of them to live together. Millie was with child and she declared she was having a baby girl, no matter how much she loved her godson, Slippery Phillips and no matter how much Ivan told her they were going to have a son. So they refused to look at the baby's sonogram. They wanted the baby's gender to be a surprise. They also had a ninety thousand dollar bet on who would be correct. Millagros wrote a book loosely based on her life and her temporary possession by Monster Crack like the Kool Moe Dee song.

On the 13th of January at 2:40 pm, a little girl was born to Ivan Renaldo Humpries and Millagros Vasquez Humpries named Deynada "Dumpling" Humpries. At 2:50 pm, Angelina Apples Torres was on her way to a concert in her native country of Argentina. And at 3:20 PM Angelina Apples Torres was ready to board a flight to her native country Argentina, but she had morning sickness so bad she took off running through the airport to the ladies room. She never caught the plane. It seems Ivan might be having more than one baby mama.
