 
Chapter 1

The past couple of weeks had been chaotic. Dre was held at the Kensington Correctional Facility, waiting for his trial to start. Bunny was kept away in protective custody by the DEA. Ty was in the beginning stages of rebuilding so he could handle the distribution on behalf of Ares. Ashanti was a mess and didn't know how to deal with her husband being incarcerated.

The morning had a cool breeze to it as Dre stood in the jailhouse yard wearing an orange jumpsuit with white tennis sneakers. His facial hair was a bit scruffy and he needed a haircut bad. He walked over to a tan colored bench and took a seat, followed by running a hand against his scruffy facial hair.

So many thoughts entered Dre's mind. His best friend had turned him over to the DEA. He was looking at a lifetime sentence. Someone he put forth the utmost trust in had betrayed him in one of the worse ways imaginable. It wasn't the average feeling one has when they've been stabbed in the back. Dre had been stabbed in the heart by Bunny; his childhood best friend.

A medium height and athletically built Puerto Rican man appearing to be in his late teens approached Dre. "You Dre?"

"Who wants to know?" Dre replied while sizing the man up.

The Hispanic man rubbed his hands together and looked back at a group of Hispanic inmates that were standing by the jailhouse basketball court. "Them boys over there by the court want to talk with you."

"Why?"

"It's about your boy, Ty."

Dre didn't like hearing anyone mention Ty's name. He knew the men would either tell him something about Ty, or they'd try to do something to him for something Ty did. Either way, Dre wasn't about to backdown.

He stood up and looked over at the collective. "Let's chop it up then."

Dre and the Spanish teen walked over to the group by the court and the tension was so thick that a group of African American inmates were watching from the weight shack.

A Puerto Rican man in his mid thirties wearing a tan jumpsuit with white tennis sneakers looked at Dre. No doubt he was the leader of the group. The man held a toothpick between his teeth and extended a hand towards Dre. "Manny." The man said introducing himself.

Dre shook Manny's hand and observed everyone around him. He felt a little uneasy as he didn't know what was about to happen.

Manny read Dre's body language and felt the uneasiness in the man. "Chill. We not here for da bull shit my man." He looked over at one of his foot soldiers and patted his hand against the soldier's chest. "Fall back."

Dre watched the men shift their body languages to those of being relaxed and he raised an eyebrow at Manny. "Ya young boy said that you wanted to holla bout my boy?"

"Yeah. I hear he's been making some moves and I'm trying to have my slice of the pie."

Dre took a step forward only to have two Puerto Rican men step in front of Manny with their fists balled up.

"Relax boys." Manny said and his soldiers stepped back. He pointed a finger at Dre's chest and smiled. "My slice of the pie isn't what you think. I'm tryna eat at da table with y'all. My man, Angel, over in Shore Side owns a barbershop. Send ya lil man over there."

Ty pulled up to the clothing store named Nicky's on the east side in his black GMC Terrain SUV. He exited his vehicle, wearing a black v-neck tee shirt, navy blue jogger pants, black & navy blue Air Jordan Two sneakers with a thick gold chain and gold bracelets on his wrists along with a gold watch. Ty walked around his vehicle and headed towards the front door. He opened the door and stepped inside the cream, peach and black colored venue. His dick got hard soon as he saw the various female employees. They were all beautiful and Ty had to get himself in check.

Bruno was seated behind a counter wearing a burgundy suit blazer, a white collared shirt, navy blue jeans and black shoes. He stood up and motioned with a hand for Ty to follow him.

The duo walked over to a hallway and enter Ares all black colored office. Bruno stepped to the side and watched Ty head over to a black circular wooden table in the middle of the room.

Ares was seated at the table, wearing a navy blue suit with the suit jacket unbuttoned, a yellow long sleeve buttoned shirt, a black, yellow & navy blue striped tie, a yellow pocket square, black leather belt and black shoes all courtesy of Gucci. The kingpin held a Cuban cigar in his possession and looked over at Ty. "Take a seat, TyShawn."

Ty did as told as he sat at the table while Bruno left the office. He cleared his throat and placed his hands together on the table. "I got some niggas that'll be pushing out that blow in no time. I'm ready to move forward as your chief distro."

Ares took a puff of his cigar and blew the smoke out as he stared deep into Ty's eyes. "You trust these men?"

"I do." Ty said with confidence as he scratched his lower arm.

Ares placed a hand on Ty's shoulder. The kingpin took another puff and blew the smoke out as he looked over at a bottle of brandy that was on the table. "Don't trust anyone. Trust will get you killed or placed inside the penitentiary with a lengthy sentence."

The kingpin was teaching the upstart on how to not put trust nor faith in anyone in the game. He wanted the youngster to know the importance of trusting the wrong individual. Ares truly saw something in Ty, and wanted him to reach his full potential.

Ty bit his bottom lip as he scratched his chin. "I feel you. Just like how Dre put the wrong trust in dat bitch nigga Bunny."

Ares nodded his head and grabbed the bottle of brandy. He poured them both a drink and placed the bottle back on the table. "I'm under the assumption that this newly formed faction will consist of those that know how to obtain money and have no problem with putting someone to sleep if need be?"

"Yeah, we got everything situated my G. I got dis team ready to blow niggas melons off if I give da order big homie."

"Where do you know these men from?"

"I grew up with some of dem niggas B. I always was the young buck that hung with the older heads, like Dre. So da niggas my age and younger always felt like a nigga was their big homie. Any word on Bunny?"

Ares slid a glass over to Ty and stood up. "We'll find him in due time. My friends are currently looking for any information of value. Your first shipment will arrive in two days. My sister will be at the exchange to make sure that everything goes as planned." The kingpin picked up his glass while looking over at his employee.

"Ashanti?" Ty asked while raising an eyebrow.

"No. I have a sister by my father. She's younger. She'll be around to make sure that my shipments are handled accordingly." Ares said and took a sip out of his glass.

Ty picked up his glass and raised it as he stood up. He then clinked his glass with the one Ares was holding. "I won't let you down my G." He then downed the brandy and put a fist up to his mouth, cringing from the taste of the alcoholic beverage.

Ares downed his glass and slowly placed the glass on the table. "Our meeting is now over." The kingpin watched Ty leave the office as he smoked his cigar.

Bunny was seated on a chair inside a black colored bedroom in a safe house that the DEA was using in the Dover-Ville area. He wore a red tee shirt, black jogger pants and a pair of black & red Nike Foamposite sneakers. He looked down at the black colored carpet, thoughts of ending himself were filling his mind.

Bunny couldn't believe how low he had fallen. He went from being one of the most respected people in the streets to being a snitch. He gave up his own friends and hated himself for what he had become. Each memory of his time with Dre and Ty, only made Bunny hate himself that much more. He knew that Angelica wouldn't view him the same. She had every reason to look at him differently cause even Bunny viewed himself as less than a man.

The front door opened and Agent Samson walked in wearing a white collared shirt, tan dress pants and brown shoes. He held a white bag in his hand and lifted it up. "Donut?"

"Can't even get a coffee to go with dat donut and I gave you my two closest friends." Bunny replied sarcastically. He scoffed and shook his head at the federal agent.

"Be that as it may, you still got to testify, Mitchell." The federal agent said as he walked over to a brown table in the living room. He placed the bag down and retrieved a glazed donut from the bag. "These donuts are the best in town."

"Fuck dat donut shit. When can I get out and make some moves?"

"You can't. You have to stay here. Then after trial you'll be going to prison."

Bunny removed his tee shirt and tossed it on the arm of the couch. "Toss me one of those donuts."

"I offered already. You have to get your pathetic ass up and get your own. I'm not your friend, Mitchell. I don't give two fucks about you, to be honest." Agent Samson said sternly as he gave an angry look towards Bunny.

Agent Samson could care less about Bunny. He was doing his job and needed Bunny to stay alive for trial. Then whatever happened to Bunny was none of his concern and he wanted the snitch to know that.

Dre felt sick to his stomach emotionally as he was performing pushups in his cell. He wanted to touch Ashanti's face and hold her. She was all he kept thinking about. But Dre knew he had to keep his focus on the fact he would be living inside a cell for the next decade. He had to get himself in better shape due to how barbaric some prisons could be.

A male Hispanic correctional officer stood before Dre's cell with a brown envelope. "Greene, come here." The officer commanded while twirling a nightstick in his other hand.

Dre stood up and wiped the sweat from his face with his white prison tee shirt. He walked up to the cell bars and stared directly into the officer's eyes. "Yeah?"

The officer stuck the envelope between the bars, handing it over to Dre. "Someone wants you to call them." He turned around and walked down the cell block while whistling.

Dre ran a thumb across his chin as he looked at the envelope. He opened it and retrieved a black flip phone. He crumpled up the envelope and tossed it on his bunk while flipping the phone open. He went directly to the contact list and saw a number. Dre called the number while looking down at the floor of his cell while waiting for someone to pick up.

"I see that you received your mail." Nicole said on the phone.

"I did. Thanks."

"No need to thank me. It's all my husband's doing."

"Then send him my gratitude."

"I will. How're you holding up?"

Dre wanted to say his sanity was hanging on by a thread. But he knew that would be a sign of weakness. So he decided to play it cool and hoped that Nicole would deliver him some good news.

"I'm hanging in there. Only two days you do up in this joint. That's the day you come in and the day you come out." He said while keeping his eyes locked on the floor.

"Be that as it may... if you need anything, contact this number."

"I will. Thanks." Dre said and heard the dial tone ringing in his ear as Nicole hung up. He closed the flip phone and smacked it into the palm of his other hand while thinking. "I gotta get out of this shit hole." He then dialed a number and looked around to make sure no officers would catch him in the act.

"Yo?" Ty asked on the line.

"It's me." Dre said in a voice laced with seriousness as he kept looking around.

"How you holding up big homie?"

"I'm cooling. How's things looking out there?"

"She jive going smooth. I got shit covered wit dat girl." Ty said referring to him pushing out Ares cocaine.

"That's what I like to hear. Our boss had this line brought to a nigga." Dre said referring to the phone that Ares had the officer sneak in for him.

"No doubt. Shit good out here."

"I feel that. But we gotta talk, lil homie."

"What's good?" Ty asked in a stern voice.

Dre looked down and twisted his mouth to the side. "Some Ricans trying to break bread. I'm a need you to head over to this barbershop in Shore Side. Some nigga named Angel, runs the joint."

"I know who you talking bout. Nigga seem solid."

"Aight. I'm a hit your line tomorrow." Dre said and hung up. He closed the flip phone and clenched his jaw. "I really gotta get out of this shit."

Chapter 2

Ashanti sat inside an all white visiting room, wearing a blue blouse with black leggings and blue heels. Her hair was tied up in a ponytail as her freshly painted nails were tapping on the divider that separated her from her visitor, Dre.

Dre had a smile on his face as the correctional officers released his wrists from the handcuffs he had been placed in. He took a seat on a black colored chair as the officers went back to guard the door that they let the visitors inside the room from. He placed his hands on top of Ashanti's and leaned across the divider, kissing his wife's lips. "It's good to see you."

"You know I'm always down for you. No matter what, Dre. I got you." Ashanti said trying her best to keep her husband's confidence and self esteem up. She knew he was dealing with a ton and just wanted to help him.

"I know." Dre said while rubbing his thumbs on the top of Ashanti's hands, a sign that he was trying to ease her worried mind. He knew his wife better than anyone and knew she was dealing with a lot given his current predicament. He smiled at Ashanti, followed by kissing her lips again. "So what's been up? How's the babies at the hospital?"

"I have a premature baby that's dealing with some respiratory issues. He's still underweight and we might be keeping him for a couple more weeks."

"That's fucked up. Anything wrong with the mother?"

"She smoked a lot while pregnant."

Dre lowered his head and felt for the child that Ashanti just told him about. "That's fucked up."

"Yeah." She replied with a sad voice while looking down. "What have the lawyers said?"

Dre didn't know how to tell his wife what his lawyers said. He knew it would break her heart. "Let's not-"

Ashanti put a hand up to cut her husband off. Her demeanor was one of being serious and she wanted answers. "Tell me what they said. Or do I need to talk with them?"

"They said that this case is airtight. I could be going away for fifteen. But there's no telling what the judge will sentence me with."

Ashanti's heart felt as if she had been stabbed. She put forth so much into her marriage and for it to endure a roadblock if this magnitude before their first anniversary only made her heart hurt that much more. She knew Dre would go away for a while but she didn't know he would go away for such a lengthy bid.

"We'll get through this, Dre. I mean it." She said with all seriousness while giving her husband stern eye contact. She pointed a finger towards his face, not looking away from him so he could see how serious she was being. "Don't you give up. Don't you stop fighting. I married you, Andre Greene. You hold that head of yours up and handle your business."

Ty walked over to a corner store in the Central-Town area, wearing a black tee shirt, black joggers pants and a pair of black Gucci sneakers. He approached a yellow skinned man that had long hair that was braided with a clean shaven face. The man wore an orange v-neck tee shirt, navy blue jeans with a pair of white & orange Air Jordan Two sneakers. Ty slapped hands with the man and looked around. "Sup Scrappy?"

Quinton 'Scrappy' Bell was an eighteen year old from the Central-Ville side of town that was African American & Puerto Rican. He had been in the game since eighth grade and recently got recruited by Ty. His nickname came from him ending up in tons of fights during his years spent at a juvenile detention center during what should've been his high school years.

"I'm cooling my G. What's good with you?" Scrappy asked while pulling out a blunt from his pants pocket with a lighter.

"Same shit, different day. What's good my nigga?"

"Shit been a little hot with the police out here and shit. Nothing a nigga can't handle."

"No doubt." Ty said and chuckled. "Let me holla at you bout some shit."

The duo walked over to Ty's SUV and they both looked around to make sure that nobody could hear them. They had to make sure nobody would overhead them, especially given the fact that they were about to talk about things pertaining to the game.

"I spoke with Ares. I let it be known dat we ready to be his chief distros. We good money B." Ty said with a grin plastered on his face.

Scrappy clapped his hands and gave Ty a fist bump. "Word my nigga. I'm ready to get shit bumping out in this bitch."

Ty liked how Scrappy was always down to get money. He knew that a man like Scrappy was someone he needed on his team. The fact that Scrappy was also always willing to throw his fists down and let his gun go off only made Ty want him around even more.

"We going to make some major moves. I'm a have everyone meet up tonight when we grab our shipment." Ty said with a smile as he thought about the money his crew would be making and the power that came with being Ares chief distributor for Kensington.

Scrappy was ready to prove his worth. He always wanted to get down with an official team and find a sense of belonging. He had the perfect opportunity in joining Ty. Scrappy could smell the money he was going to make.

"Let's do it. Just let me know where we meeting up at and I'm a be there. I'm a have my favorite pistols on me, just in case I gotta bust a nigga melon my G." He said while rubbing his hands and ran his tongue across his teeth.

"Dis Spanish nigga should be here soon."

"Who?"

"This boy, Angel. He from Shore Side." Ty said while examining the watch that rested on his wrist.

A black Chevy Tahoe pulled up to the curb and Angel stepped out of the driver seat. He showed signs of getting street money due to the apparel he wore: white v-neck tee shirt with green & red stripes, navy blue jeans and a pair of white sneakers with green & red stripes, all courtesy of Gucci. Multiple gold chains swung left to right with each step he took. Angel had his hair cut extremely low and his goatee was freshly trimmed. The young Hispanic man walked over to Ty and Scrappy, sizing them up as he rubbed his hands. "Sup?"

Scrappy didn't like the feeling he was getting. Then again, he never trusted anyone unless he built a solid rapport with them. Scrappy spit on the pavement and kept his eyes on Angel.

Ty chuckled and gave Angel a fist bump. "My man said you wanted to meet."

"Yeah. My connect got robbed and I don't know how long it's gonna take him to get back on his feet." Angel said as he looked at Scrappy from the corner of his eye.

Ty felt the tension and he liked it. But he knew this wasn't the time nor the place to let the guns go off. "I'm a hit you off wit some joints. My man already let me know how much you looking to grab from a nigga. So shit straight."

Angel slapped hands with Ty, and pointed at Scrappy. "Ya man need to chill. I ain't come here for all that wild shit. We on the same team out here."

"That remains to be proven." Scrappy said as he gave a mean mug towards Angel.

Ty had now recruited Angel's crew which added more bricks to his re-up. His crew could use Angel's soldiers for more firepower if the situation called for it and it also added to him being a street king. Ty was loving his newfound position, and was becoming filled with a rush from the newly appointed crown on his head.

The night had a cool breeze as Ty walked over to a park in the downtown section of Kensington. He saw Scrappy sitting on a black colored bench, and approached his foot soldier. "Where da fuck is everyone at?"

Scrappy held a bag of fries in his possession and was munching away on one. "Boys said dey on da way my G." He lifted the bag up, offering some fries to Ty.

"I'm good B. You don't even got a burger nigga." Ty said rejecting the offer as he looked around.

"More for me then nigga." Scrappy said as he dug a hand into the bag. "I had a burger but I ate the shit B." He replied sarcastically while munching away on his fries.

A short, dark skinned man that was slim walked over to the twosome. He looked to be in his mid twenties, but was the same age as Scrappy. His hair was braided and he rocked a beard with a scar across his forehead, and wore a white v-neck tee shirt, light blue denim jeans that had the knees cut out and wheat Timberland boots. He had tattoos on his lower arms and on both sides of his neck. The man slapped hands with Ty, smirking in the process. "Sup my nigga?"

"I'm cooling B. I said for boys to be here at a certain time my nigga. You fucking up, Gunz."

The man Ty was taking to was Benjamin 'Gunz' Davis, a young buck that got his name for always carrying least two guns on him at all times. He was never one to be caught without his gun and he wasn't afraid to pull a trigger on anyone. Gunz grew up on the east side and had been in the game since his freshman year in high school.

"You need to chill da fuck out B. Niggas had to make some moves on drop of some bitches my G. You know how dis shit go." Gunz said and slapped hands with Scrappy.

An average height and slender Puerto Rican man walked across the grass. His hair was cut short and he had a long scar that ran across his cheek. The man wore a blue tee shirt, tan joggers and blue & tan Nike Foamposite sneakers. He was Anthony 'Flee' Dominguez, a nineteen year old that was from the west side. He had been in the game since his sophomore year in high school and got his name for how fast he would run after he let his gun go off and for how he'd outrun the police whenever they'd chase him.

Ty looked at Flee, and smirked. "Niggas always late and shit."

Flee chuckled and walked up to the trio. "Sup y'all boys?"

"You late. You supposed to be here before a nigga show da fuck up." Ty said with a look of annoyance on his face.

"My bad B. Shit got crazy. I was with this nigga..." He pointed over towards Gunz, and smirked. "We had to drop some hoes off. You know how hoes be acting and shit B."

Ty started feeling like what Ares had told him was starting to be true. They were late and he put trust into them being on time. "I'm a need y'all niggas to show da fuck up. Scrappy was here on time. You niggas fucking up. We dealing with some major shit dis way."

Scrappy felt where Ty was coming from. Everyone should've been there on time. They weren't dealing with nickels and dimes. They weren't dealing with a brick here and a brick there. Scrappy understood that they were dealing with bricks on top of bricks. They were in the makings of becoming street kings. Street royalty.

"He's right niggas. Y'all need to smarten up a bit." He said while standing up and tossing his bag behind him. "We working for that nigga Ares Forster. We bout to be his head distros. So niggas need to get shit together. That nigga is no fucking joke. Straight up."

Ty pulled his pants up and rubbed his hands together as he liked what Scrappy had just said. "I'm a be handling da re-ups wit y'all niggas. I'm a do the money count and y'all push da coke out. Shit is simple. We hitting off dem Serbians, Sicilians, Dominicans and Ricans. We not taking any shorts. Da money not right den we busting asses. Time for us to get dis money. Time for da 'Money Over Everything Kliq' to make shit pop da fuck off. Let's go get dis bread." The four men walked across the park and made their way over to a brick apartment complex. Ty knocked on the front door to the complex and waited as his three underlings looked around to make sure no surprises would be happening.

A brown skinned security guard walked up and opened the door. "Apartment 9B." The man said and stepped to the side.

Ty and his three soldiers were taken aback by how the security guard knew where they were supposed to go. The foursome walked down the white colored hallway and approached a green colored door that had a gold plate with '9B' engraved. Ty knocked on the door in a coded rhythm and had a determined face.

The door opened and Nicole was standing in front of the four men. "I have no patience for tardiness. Next time... I'll see to it that my husband has all four of you removed..." She leaned in with a devious smile while placing her hands on her hips. "From limb to limb." Nicole then walked passed the four men with three Russian bodyguards that wore black suits with black shirts and black shoes.

Chapter 3

Four months later

The past four months had been running smooth with Ty handling the chief distribution for Ares. Ty's crew were making noise and everyone in Kensington's drug game were starting to take notice of the young bucks. Dre was getting prepared for trial and was worried as to why Shawn wouldn't let him plead guilty. He kept contact with Ty, via the phone that Ares had the officer bring to him in jail. Dre often gave Ty advice on how to deal with certain situations.

It was the middle of fall and the weather had some winds to it on this particular morning. Ashanti was preparing herself for her visit with Dre, and hoped to hear some good news from him. She walked inside the visiting room and took a seat while waiting for her husband to arrive.

Dre got escorted by two correctional officers and sat across from his wife. He smiled and was glad to see the woman he had exchanged vows with. Dre leaned in and kissed Ashanti's lips. "Hey beautiful."

"Hi." Ashanti said while smiling. Her eyes were glowing with happiness at seeing her husband. "Trial is coming up, right?"

"Yeah. It's coming up."

"We'll beat this."

Dre had a look of sadness on display and patted Ashanti's hand. "You need to live your life."

Ashanti's face has confusion written all over it as he tilted her head to the side and raised an eyebrow. "Come again?"

Dre was about to do the hardest thing he could do. He was about to do something that he never thought he'd do. In his ind he thought this was the best thing he could do, albeit hating himself.

Dre rubbed Ashanti's hand as he had a look filled with emotional pain. "I need you to live your life. Baby, you don't need to be bothered with me. I'm going away for a minute." Dre said with sadness as he stared deep into the eyes of his wife. "Live your life. Don't let me trusting the wrong nigga be the reason as to why you can't live your life."

Ashanti wanted to strangle Dre. She envisioned herself slapping him multiple times as she stared into his eyes. "Live my life?! LIVE MY LIFE!?!" She shouted in anger causing everyone heads to look at her and Dre. Ashanti stood up and placed her hands on the divider as four correctional officers walked over to them. "YOU DONE LOST YOUR GODDAMN MIND!"

"Ma'am, I need you to take a seat and speak in a civilized tone or I'll be forced to escort you." One of the correctional officers said sternly.

"It's good. You can take me back to my cell." Dre said as he stood up and kept his eyes on his wife. "It's over. Live your life."

Ashanti watched the officers escort Dre out the visiting room as her eyes began watering. She turned around and walked out of the prison, not bothering to speak to anyone. Once she got outside; Ashanti looked up at the sky and had a look of anger combined with hurt and sadness. "He's really ending our marriage."

She was feeling as if the world had come tumbling down. Her soul mate had told her to move on without him. Ashanti never thought she'd love to see Dre tell her that their marriage, their bond was over.

Bunny was a drunken mess inside the safe house he was being held at as he was laying on the floor. He had been trying his best to drink the pain away. He was in a bad emotional state. The pain of betraying those he cared about was taking its toll on him. He stood up and stumbled towards the front door with a bottle of vodka in his hand. Bunny opened the door and stepped back a bit. He took another swig out the bottle and pointed a finger towards the direction of the door. "You never gave a fuck bout me. Just using me."

Agent Stokes was standing at the front door wearing a black jacket that had DEA written in gold, black dress pants and black shoes. The federal agent walked inside and closed the door. "You've been drinking too much."

Bunny turned around and threw the bottle, causing it to smash against a wall. "YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND!"

"I'M GOING TO NEED FOR YOU TO SETTLE DOWN!" The federal agent barked as he placed a hand on the holster that carried his firearm. "SIT DOWN!"

Bunny began weeping as he turned towards the federal agent. "I went back on everything that I swore not to do. You don't get it."

The agent felt for Bunny. But he had a job to do and that overruled any connection he had with any informant. Agent Stokes knew that Bunny was going through an inner turmoil and decided that he'd help the man in order to get him comfortable to where his testimony would be the final nail in Dre's coffin and as a way to move in towards the Forster Cartel.

"How about we settle down and have a long talk?" He asked, hoping Bunny would cave in.

"Fuck all dat. I lost everyone. Haven't seen my bitch and she's the main reason why a nigga is snitching."

"I could bring her here if you can have her join you in protective custody."

"I gotta talk with her first. I'd have to meet up with her and let her know everything."

Agent Stokes rubbed his chin while being in heavy thought. He wasn't sure if he should grant Bunny access to step out of the safe house. "How do I know you won't run if I allow you time to go pay a visit to your girlfriend?"

Bunny wiped his tears away and put a fist up to his mouth as he cleared his throat. "You need me for dis case. To sweeten the deal my nigga... I'll give up da Dominicans after I meet with her. She's a cousin to some of dem Dominican niggas. I can give dem up, and grab information but you can't let it be known I'm da nigga dats giving you da info."

Agent Stokes walked up to Bunny, driving a finger into the snitch's chest. "I'll give you time tomorrow for you to meet with your girlfriend. But don't you even think about fucking me over. You fuck me... and I'll make sure that you'll be doing life in a prison with a cell mate that'll tear your ass each and every night."

Ty walked inside Kensington Cafe, in the downtown area. He saw six black colored barrels in the center of the venue and rubbed his hands together as a grin came across his face. "All dat fucking coke."

Scrappy walked inside with Gunz & Flee following him. They walked up to their leader and each of them slapped hands with Ty. The four men removed the lids off the barrels and each of them had matching grins on their respective faces.

"Dis dat shit. Dat straight pure shit. We bout to be cashing in dis bread and pushing all dis coke out in dis muh'fucka." Ty said as he envisioned the money he'd be making soon as he hit the streets with Ares product.

Scrappy closed the barrel in front of him and placed his hands on top while thinking about how he was going to maneuver under the radar from law enforcement. "We gotta make sure we don't fuck up. Ares will be wanting niggas to show him dat we deserve dis shit. We gotta make sure no feds catch a whiff of us. Straight up niggas."

"We good. Ares gon be tossing boys bricks left and fucking right. Once he see dat niggas can do dis shit; he gon fuck wit boys heavy. Word." Flee said in a cocky voice. He closed the barrel in front of him and tapped it. "Let's get dis shit pumping."

Ty was feeling as if he was on top of the world. He was running the streets of Kensington, and had his crew hustling hard. Ty wanted more though and felt as if he still had to show that he belonged with the major players in Kensington's drug game.

"Let's go." He said in a commanding tone while looking at his underlings. His nose was flared up and Ty meant business. "Get to work lil niggas."

Chapter 4

Bunny exited his red Impala and looked around as he was across the street from Angelica's apartment in the Shore Side area. He wiped his tee shirt and walked down the street, looking around to make sure nobody would creep up on him. He made his way to a tan colored house and knocked on the brown colored front door.

The door opened and Angelica stood before Bunny, wearing a pink tee shirt and blue pajama pants. Her eyes were big and she looked around with a look of fear. "You shouldn't be here. You need to leave."

"I can explain."

"There's nothing to say. You fucking rat."

Angelica's words ate right through the heart of Bunny. His veins started bulging from his neck and he balled his fists. "Get da fuck in ya house and listen to what da fuck I gots to say."

Angelica knew Bunny was serious and she only seen him like this a couple of times. She knew he would hurt her if she didn't comply. So she decided to cave in.

Angelica backed away into her brown colored living room and watched Bunny step inside followed by closing the door. "Bunny, you shouldn't be here. People are looking for you."

Bunny scratched his chin and pointed a finger at Angelica. "We been through mad shit. I flipped so we could be together. I snitched. Say it was wrong but I did da shit for you. Ya ass needs to realize dat I'd do anything to save us. And I mean dat shit."

Bunny wanted and hoped Angelica would see things through his eyes. He only did what he did so that she didn't have to be without him. Plus the fact that he couldn't live knowing she was with another man. Bunny often told himself that Dre would do the same thing for Ashanti, but he knew Dre wouldn't do it, given the fact that De was standing tall during his current predicament.

Angelica tried her best to fight back her tears by it was to no avail. Liquid stream flowed down her cheeks and her face became red. "MY FAMILY VIEWS ME DIFFERENTLY BECAUSE OF YOU! DAMN YOU!" She yelled out at the top of her lungs. Angelica slapped Bunny across the face chasing his face to turn to the side.

Bunny knew he deserved the slap. He rubbed his face and looked at Angelica. "You done?"

"NO!" She screamed and followed up with another slap to Bunny's face, causing his face to snap to the side again. "I FUCKING HATE YOU!"

Bunny rubbed his cheek while looking down at the floor. "I couldn't do dis jail shit with you being wit another nigga."

Angelica gritted her teeth and turned her back towards Bunny. "I would've stuck by you. It didn't matter how much time you got. I would've stuck by your side, Bunny."

Bunny hated seeing the pain he caused on Angelica. He wrapped his arms around her and rubbed his nose across her cheek. "Be wit me now. Stick by a nigga."

Ashanti sat in a chair at the nurse station inside Kensington Children's Hospital. Her mind was filled with so many thoughts about her marriage. Her husband had told her to move on with her life. Ashanti didn't want to move on with anyone. She just wanted Dre, and Dre only.

A Caucasian female nurse that was slim with long brunette colored hair walked up to the front of the nurse station. She placed her hands on the counter and raised an eyebrow at Ashanti. "What done happened now? Had a bad visit with Dre?"

"Not now Rebecca." Ashanti said as she wasn't in the mood to talk with anyone.

Rebecca Lupertazzi was an Italian woman that had been working with Ashanti for the better part of three years. They were close friends and caused many people in their workplace to be envious. Maybe it was their good looks and down to earth personalities. But whatever the reason; plenty of medical professionals hated the two women.

Rebecca saw her friend was pissed off. She reached over and grabbed Ashanti's hands. "I'm here girl. You know I got you covered. Come hang out with me and let's hit your brother's club up."

"I'm not feeling it."

"What's wrong girl?"

"Dre told me to move on with my life. He said that they're gonna give him fifteen years minimum."

Rebecca mouth was wide open as she was stunned. She couldn't believe what Ashanti had just told her. "Girl, you don't need to be here. You need to be at home. Is there anything your brother can do?"

Ashanti put her head down on top of Rebecca's hands and started crying. "I don't even know what to do. Ares is trying but who knows what's going to happen."

"Girl, he just going through some shit. Dre loves you. He just worried about his case. My ex did the same shit when he got busted with all those guns."

"And y'all broke up after he got out, remember?"

"That's cause his sorry ass couldn't get a job or do anything. Sorry ass bastard."

The elevator doors opened and Ty stepped out carrying a brown leather Armani briefcase with Scrappy & Flee standing behind him. The trio walked over to the nurse station and Ty had a surprised look at seeing Ashanti crying on Rebecca's hands. "Da fuck?" He asked while scratching the top of his head.

Ashanti lifted her head up and wiped away her tears. "Don't mind me. Your friend was being a jackass to me yesterday."

"Da fuck he done did?"

"He said that he wanted me to move on."

"He going through some shit. Niggas in jail be tripping yo." He placed the briefcase on the counter and looked at Rebecca. "Sup?"

"Hey! How you been?" She asked in a cheerful voice while lusting after Ty.

"I'm good." He looked over at Ashanti, and tapped the briefcase. "Dats some bread for you to chill off wit. We good round dis way."

Ashanti had a confused look and slightly opened the briefcase. She quickly closed it and tilted her head. "Why you giving me this?"

"Cause he wants to make sure dat you good. Da fuck else wud he be doin shit like dis for?" Flee said as he interrupted and had a cocky look on his face. "Bitches always asking too many questions."

Ty placed a hand on Flee chest, giving his soldier a fierce look. "You know who she is? Dats Dre old lady. Dats Ares sister. She good people. Apologize to her, lil nigga."

Ashanti was now the one with a cocky look as she held a hand out. "Yeah, that would be me. The 'bitch' that you just talked about."

Flee swallowed a lump in his throat. He was feeling a bit worried and knew that Ares could have him chopped up into pieces with one phone call. "My bad." He said in a voice that had scared written all over it as his eyes were big.

"Da fuck wrong wit you? I said apologize nigga." Ty ordered as he balled his fists.

Scrappy rubbed his hands together and was waiting for Ty to pop off. He was going to have Ty's back, and do whatever his new boss wanted him to do.

"It's fine." Ashanti said as she tried to ease the situation. "He knows now."

Ty slid his hands inside he pockets of his cargo pants and looked into Ashanti's eyes. "No doubt. You need anything... just give me a call. Tell da big homie to give me a call. My bad for dis simpleminded nigga."

"It's all good, Ty." Ashanti said as she placed the briefcase down in front of her legs.

"On the real... Dre might just be bugging out in da joint. But if he really not fuckin wit you... he a fool. You jive good peoples, Ma. I fucks wit you."

Dre sat at a table inside a white colored room and stared deep into the eyes of his attorney. "Shawn, have you reached out?"

Shawn sat across the table wearing a black suit, white buttoned shirt, black tie and black shoes. He was fumbling through a stack of papers and didn't even bother to look up at his client. "I did. TyShawn will get one to three for the gun charge and you'll get nine to fifteen. It's the best I could get. The D.A.'s office didn't want the deal. But I knew how to work them."

Dre bit his inner cheek and lowered his head. A look of defeat was on his face and he never thought he'd be going away. "I know this game has its gambles and risks. But I never thought that I'd be in this predicament. Straight up, I never thought that I'd be in this shit. Always played it smart. Least I thought so."

Shawn finally looked up and took a deep breath. "You need to relax. Stay calm. You didn't flip on anyone so you'll be in good hands with Mr Forster."

Dre swallowed a lump in his throat and looked down at the table. He twiddled his thumbs as he thought about Ashanti. Dre missed his wife. In a time like this he needed her, but he also needed Ashanti to live her own life without him. "There's a key that my wife has on her keychain. Tell her to go over to my aunt house and use the key to unlock this treasure chest I had when I was a kid. It's in my aunt's room."

He knew that Ashanti would be happy with what he had inside the treasure chest. Dre figured it was the least he could do. He wanted Ashanti to know that no matter what he always had her best interest at heart.

Shawn placed the papers inside his briefcase and had a look of sympathy. "I'm sorry, Andre. I truly am. I got you the best deal I could. We can go to trial if you want?"

Shawn was hoping that Dre wouldn't want to take things to trial. The case was too good for him to win. Shawn knew he didn't stand a chance and if he lost trial then Dre would end up possibly getting a heftier sentence. He still considered it a win given the fact that the prosecution hated the deal that Shawn had struck on behalf of Dre & Ty.

Club Iceberg was packed; much like every night. The drunken patrons were dancing away as the music blasted from the entertainment speakers and the bartenders were serving drinks like it was no tomorrow.

Ashanti stepped inside the club with Rebecca, and they saw that Ares club was bringing in some serious money.

"Your brother has it made!" Rebecca said with much enthusiasm as she saw the customers having the time of their lives. "We hitting the VIP section?"

"Yeah. I'm looking for Frankie. She's the manager of this spot." Ashanti replied while looking around.

A tall Caucasian woman with blue eyes and blonde hair that flowed down her back walked up behind the twosome. She wore a peach halter top with white leggings and peach heels with jewelry on her wrists, fingers and ears. "Hey girl!"

Ashanti looked back and smiled, followed by sharing a hug with the blonde haired woman. "I was looking for you, Frankie."

Francesca 'Frankie' Hagen was the manager of Club Iceberg, and was devoted to Ares. She had grown close to Ashanti, and always gave her the utmost respect.

"Girl, I been busy trying to keep all these customers and employees happy. We been doing record numbers all week. Your brother knows how to pull shit off. So what's up? Whatever you want to drink you know it's on the house." Frankie said while checking out the customers at the bar.

"I know. I wanted to hit the VIP section."

"One party booked the whole VIP section for the night."

"One party booked it all for the night?" Ashanti asked with an eyebrow that was raised as she was shocked.

"Tell me about it." Frankie said while chuckling. "Some crew calling themselves Money Over Everything. They seem young and dumb. But if they fuck up I'll send you over there, once I kick their asses out."

"It's all good. Don't even worry about it. I'll just grab a drink and head over to a table. My brother's office is good?"

"I'm not even sure if he's here or not. You know how he is. But go have some fun and I'll come check you out a bit later. You got a spare key to my office. Use it."

Ashanti turned around and walked with Rebecca over to a bar counter. "My brother is doing record numbers, Rebecca."

"I heard ole girl mention that. How long she been managing this spot?" Rebecca asked as she looked around.

"About four years. She's good people."

Rebecca eyes got big as she grabbed Ashanti's shoulder. "Bitch! Isn't that your friend from the hospital that came by earlier?"

"What?" Ashanti asked as she looked over at the VIP section and saw Ty, with the men he came to the hospital with earlier. "Oh shit! That is him. He renting the VIP section for the night?"

"Apparently so. We need to get up over there." Rebecca said and gave her friend a look that stayed she wanted to mingle with the men over in the VIP section.

"Naw. They some young boys. Let them have their fun. We came here to get-"

Rebecca pulled Ashanti by the wrist, cutting her off. She walked by several customers that were dancing while pulling her friend with her.

"Let go of me!" Ashanti said while chuckling as she couldn't believe her friend was actually pulling her towards the VIP area.

Rebecca finally made her way over to the VIP area and waved at the men. "Hi! Remember me?!"

Ty was seated in a booth and held a bottle of champagne in his hand. "Sup y'all? Come chill wit ya boy."

"No. We just came over here to say hello. Y'all have fun and enjoy y'all night." Ashanti said trying to get Rebecca away.

Rebecca snapped her head back at Ashanti, and grinned like the devil. "We'll come hang out for a bit. Isn't that right, Ashanti?"

Ashanti clenched her teeth as a sign that she'd be dealing with Rebecca once they left the club. "Yeah, we'll be hanging out for a bit." She said through clenched teeth and smiled at the four young men.

Ty scooted over as the women made their way over to the booth. He poured them both a glass of champagne and slouched in the booth. "What's good wit y'all?"

Before either woman could respond, Flee interrupted as he leaned across the table, extending a hand over to Ashanti. "No hard feelings from earlier? I'm sorry."

Ashanti chuckled and shook Flee's hand. "It's all good. I done forgot about it already."

Scrappy stood up from the booth with a glass of cranberry juice. "Not much of a drinker. Gotta be on point at all times."

Guns laughed at Scrappy. He got a kick out of how serious Scrappy was at all times. "Relax a bit man. We all chilling. Everything is good. We in Ares place. Shit ain't going down up in here."

Flee joined in on the laughter and shook his head. "Man, we doin it big B. We good my G. We got da big dog right here." He patted Ty's chest and picked up a bottle of champagne off the table. "We movin up cause of you. Real shit big dog."

Ashanti saw how each of the men gave Ty a fist bump and she was impressed. He had always been Dre's lil man. She saw now that he had quickly moved up the chain and couldn't believe it. "You the big homie now, huh?"

"Yeah, I'm your brother's distro." Ty said in a low voice that only the two of them could hear while smirking and rubbed his hands together. He examined Ashanti, and liked what he saw. He wasn't sure if it was wrong, but he liked everything about her. "You look good."

"I make it look easy." She replied in a cocky tone, examining Ty. "Distro huh? Boss status now? I see you." She said in a low voice while nudging her elbow into Ty's side. "You done moved up."

If Ty was a bit older then she might've given him the time of day. He had grown into boss status. Ty was working as her brother's distro which meant he was official in the streets. But Ashanti also couldn't make a move given the fact that Ty was Dre's lil man. She'd be wrong for messing with the young man and Ashanti knew it.

Chapter 5

Ty walked inside Club Iceberg and had a grin on his face. He saw Bruno, whom was standing behind a bar and threw up a peace sign. The young buck headed over to a table in the back and saw Ares. Ty smiled and pulled out a chair, taking a seat as he pulled out a blunt from his pants pocket. "Sup my G?"

Ares was in his usual calm state as he wore a burgundy suit with the suit jacket left unbuttoned, a grey long sleeve buttoned shirt, a black, grey & burgundy tie with a grey pocket square, black leather belt and black snakeskin shoes all courtesy of Tom Ford. The kingpin held a Newport in his possession along with taking a puff and blowing the smoke out as he looked at Ty. "You want something to drink?"

"It's a lil too early for a nigga to be drinking."

"My sister informed me that one of yours happened to call her a particular name." Ares said referring to Flee. The kingpin took another puff and blew the smoke out as he looked down at a newspaper on the table.

Ty felt nervous. He tried his best to study Ares demeanor, but to no avail. "He apologized. It won't happen again, Boss."

"I know. You need to keep your friend on a tight leash. A person like him can bring forth the wrong type of attention if he isn't contained."

"I understand. It won't happen again." Ty placed an elbow on the table and leaned in towards Ares. "How do I open up a business to clean my bread?

Ares had a slight grin and patted Ty's upper arm. "You're thinking beyond the streets. I like that."

Ares was going to help Ty, and the fact that Ty wanted to open up an establishment only made Ares want to bring Ty up under his wing and train him. He saw Ty as someone that could very well be in his inner circle.

Ty extended a hand over towards Ares, having a grin of his own. "A nigga is tryna move up in da game B. Real shit. I'm talking bout being your chief distro for Kensington, L.A., Houston and Dallas. A nigga is ready, big homie. I even got someone to take da fall for my gun charge. I should be in da clear if Dre takes da wrap for da drug charges."

Ty was ready to embark on moving his crew into an even higher position. He wanted more money and knew that with great power, came great responsibility. He knew that him having someone ready to take his gun charge meant that Ares would be impressed.

"I'll have Bruno contact you, TyShawn." Ares said while standing up. He then walked down to the bar Bruno was at, and smoked his Newport while watching Ty exit the club.

Agent Stokes looked around the safe house with his hands on his hips. "Mitchell, I hope you have something of value to us?"

"I do." Bunny said while laying down on a couch.

"Then get to talking." Agent Samson demanded as he walked from the kitchen with a coffee mug. He was joined by a Caucasian female agent that had long blonde hair with blue eyes.

Bunny sat up and placed his feet on the floor. He took a deep breath and placed his hands on his thighs. "Who da fuck is she?" He asked referring to the female agent.

"I'm Agent Thomas. It that's beside the point. You have information or not?" The female agent asked and took a sip out of her coffee mug.

"Those Dominican niggas getting dey shit from Ty. I can have Angelica keep feeding me info and when dem niggas get dey next shipment I'll give you niggas da drop." He truly despised what he had become. But Bunny knew he had no other route. He stood up and placed his hands on the back of his neck as he thought about Angelica. "I still have to convince her to join WITSEC."

Agent Stokes scratched his forehead as a look of curiosity was on display. He pointed a finger towards Bunny and had to let it be known that he wasn't in the mood. "I'm not sure what you are trying to pull, but you better not fuck us over, Mitchell."

"I'm not. It's just hard." Bunny said with a look of sadness.

Agent Samson marched over to Bunny, and within an instant he had his hands on the snitch's shirt, giving Bunny a serious look. "My partner allowed you to go see your girlfriend. Think I give a fuck about you, Mitchell? I don't. You try any shit and I'll make sure that your ass will go down for shit you haven't even done. You understand me, you stool pigeon?"

Bunny knew he didn't have a winning chance going up against the federal agent. He'd have to take the lost this round and do as told. Bunny put himself in this predicament the moment he agreed to become a federal informant.

"It's all good. I know my role." Bunny said hoping that the federal agent would let go.

Agent Samson released Bunny and shoulder bumped him, knocking Bunny back a couple of steps. "You better do your damn job." He said with venom in his voice and proceeded to walk down a hallway while adjusting his shirt.

Agent Thomas pulled out a black flip phone from her pants pocket and dialed a number. She turned around and walked out of the safe house, looking around at the various vehicles that were driving by.

"Yes?" Nicole asked on the line.

"The stool pigeon is going to pay a visit to his ex."

"Good. Pay Bruno a visit. You'll receive monetary value for your work." Nicole said and hung up the phone.

Agent Thomas slid the phone back in her pants pocket while having a cocky grin. "I'm great at my fucking job." She said in a cocky voice while walking over to her black Impala that was parked alongside the curb.

Ashanti walked down a hallway inside the hospital carrying a clipboard. She was in high spirits and walked around a corner. She had just finished up with delivering good news to a couple; informing them that their child's operation was a success. Ashanti stopped dead in her tracks at the sight of seeing Shawn. "Is something going on? Did something happen to my brother?"

Shawn laughed and patted his stomach. "No. He's fine. But Andre wanted me to relay a message."

"You could've called me, Shawn."

"I know. But I had to come see how you were doing."

"I'm doing fine." Ashanti said lying. She was worried about Dre, and missed him dearly.

"He said that you have a special key that he gave you."

"Yeah, I know what you are talking about."

"Good. He wants you to head over to his aunt house and use the keychain to unlock his treasure chest. He said that something is in there for you. I'm simply doing my job and delivering the message."

Ashanti didn't know what Dre was up to. Hell, she would always ask him about the keychain after he gave it to her and would never get a response. She wondered and knew it had to be something of importance, especially with Shawn showing up at her job.

"I'll take a look into it. Thank you." She said while extending a hand.

Shawn shook Ashanti's hand and smiled. "Tell your brother that I send my regards. He's hard to reach nowadays."

"You don't have to tell me. Sometimes I think he'll be the one that shows up late to his own funeral." She said sarcastically and shared a laugh with Shawn.

The elevator doors opened and Ty walked out holding a bouquet of roses. He walked up to Ashanti, and handed the roses over. "Just wanted to give you these."

Ashanti was taken aback and smiled. "Why?"

"I like you. You real. You a different kind of breed out in these streets, ma. Real shit."

Shawn twisted his mouth to the side and scratched his temple. "Maybe I should get going."

Ashanti had forgotten that Shawn was there the moment Ty handed her the roses. But the Jewish man's voice made her realize he was still there. She turned her head towards Shawn, trying her best to have a poker face as a way to hide her excitement. "Shawn, I'll be in touch."

Ty snickered at seeing Shawn exit and stepped up to Ashanti. "I fucks wit you. You really different, Ma."

Ashanti was flattered by Ty's actions. "Thank you." She said smiling and then instantly handed him back the roses he have given her. "I'm not what you looking for, Ty. Get someone that's more your age."

"I don't like em. Real shit."

"Then go after someone else."

Ty was starting to become frustrated and his ego had been bruised as he looked down at the roses. "What's wrong wit me?"

"I'm married to Dre." Ashanti said and felt bad for Ty. She knew his ego had been hit, but she had to be honest with him.

"But he doesn't even want you." Ty said looking up at the dark skinned woman. "I do. I'm a boss now, Ashanti."

"I know that."

"Dre was a boss. Now I'm in his shoes. These bitches out here don't want anything. You got a career, Ma. You look good. A nigga Always was feeling you."

Ashanti rubbed Ty's upper arm and kissed him on the cheek. "You shouldn't be doing this. Go find someone more your speed. I'm not what you-"

Ty cut off Ashanti with a kiss on the lips. He had to take his shot and see where things would go.

Ashanti pushed Ty away and had a look of disbelief. "I'm a go now." She turned around and walked down the hallway with a look of shock. Ashanti turned her head back and saw Ty stepping into an elevator. She grinned and shook her head as she got wet between her legs. "Boy isn't a bad kisser."

Ashanti was seated on her couch with her feet plopped up on her living room table. She was looking through various pictures of her wedding day on a tablet and had a look of sadness. "We could've been something, Andre. We were something. Dammit." A knock on the door caused Ashanti to stand up. "Who is it?" She asked while walking over to her front door. Ashanti looked through the peephole and chuckled. She opened the door and saw Ty. "You don't give up, do you?"

"I can't. I'm really digging ya style, Ma." Ty said while extending a box of chocolates.

"This is some corny shit."

Ty laughed and licked his lips. "How was da kiss?"

"If you have to ask then I'm guessing you spend too much time worrying if you know what you doing?"

"You didn't tell me to stop."

"I moved my head back."

Ty liked the game of cat and mouse they were playing. He leaned in towards Ashanti's lips and went in for a kiss.

Ashanti moved her head back and pointed a finger at Ty. "Ty... this is wrong. You're handsome, and I think you are cute. But I can't do this. You're Dre's lil man. It would be wrong."

"Dre was Dame's lil man, and you still messed wit da nigga after Dame got locked." Ty said trying to understand Ashanti's logic.

"There's a difference, Ty. Ty looked after me, when Dame got locked up. Ty and Dame didn't have the bond that you two have."

"It's da same thing."

"It's not."

Ty grabbed Ashanti by the shoulders and slid his tongue inside of her mouth, causing her to moan as he wrapped his arms around her waist.

Ashanti caressed Ty's cheek and then slid her hands down to his crotch, grabbing Ty's dick. She unzipped his pants and stopped. Her eyes became big and she moved away from Ty. A look of shock was on display and Ashanti was feeling guilty. "I can't. I just can't."

Ty's ego had been bruised again by Ashanti. He hung his head and placed his hands inside the pocket of his hoodie. "You can, Ma. You need to get dat nigga out of ya system." His phone began ringing and Ty pulled it out of his pants pocket and answered. "Yo?"

"What's good?" Dre asked on the line.

"I'm cooling." Ty said and turned around, then walked down the apartment complex hallway.

"How's everything looking out there?"

"Shit is going good. How you holding up in there?"

"Only two days you do up in here, Ty." Dre said in a voice laced with sternness.

"That's da day you go in and the day you come out that muh'fucka." Ty said while walking or the front door of the apartment facility.

Chapter 6

Bunny was cuddled up with Angelica inside her home and kissed her forehead. "I lost so many people. I don't know what I would've done if you would've shunned me away."

"You did what you had to do so that I could always have you. I'm not going to lie... I was mad at first. But I see that you would do anything just to be with me, Bunny."

Bunny was glad that Angelica understood his reasoning for giving up his two closest friends. He kissed her slowly on the lips and had a look of gratitude. "You always holding a nigga down babe. Dey don't make em like you, anymore."

"You better believe it." She replied with an arrogant tone while staring deep into Bunny's eyes. "When are we heading to Witness Protection?"

"We aren't." He said bluntly and sat up.

"Come again?" Angelica asked as she sat up and had a look of confusion. She bit her inner cheek and waited for a response while crossing her arms over her chest.

"I went by my mom's crib and grabbed this fake ID that I been keeping. I got a passport and shit too. We can go down to Mexico, and lay low for a minute."

"With what money?"

Bunny climbed out of Angelica's bed and reached down, retrieving a black backpack from up under the bed. "I had some bread put away at my mom's crib for shit like dis. We good babes. Stop worrying."

Angelica climbed out of bed with her ass cheeks swallowing up the black thong she wore and headed over to her dresser. "Can you grab me something to drink?"

"Yeah, I got you." Bunny said and made his way out the bedroom. He walked down to the kitchen and stopped dead in his tracks. His mouth was wide open and his eyes looked as if he had seen a ghost.

Bruno stood inside the kitchen with a black pistol in one hand and a chain in the other. His look was one that said he meant business. "You want your family to meet the same fate as you? Cause we can do this the easy way or the hard way. I'm fine with either."

Angelica walked up behind Bunny with his backpack. "Sorry. I couldn't be around no snitch." She walked away while strapping the backpack on her shoulder.

Bunny felt betrayed and hurt. He had did everything for Angelica. He gave up his friends and broke what he held sacred to appease her. Bunny never would've imagined that Angelica would hand him over, and the pain in his heart hurt deeply. He now understood what Dre was feeling: being stabbed in the heart by someone you trusted dearly.

"What's the easy way?" Bunny asked as he lowered his head and accepted his fate while tearing poured out of his eyes.

"You can write a letter stating that Andre and TyShawn had no idea about the drugs they were caught with. You take the sole blame for the drugs and the gun. You state in the letter that Dame was your connect and that you cut the deal and lied on Andre and TyShawn to save your own ass. You do that and your family will live to see another day. If you don't..." Bruno walked up to Bunny, pointing his firearm directly into the forehead of the snitch. "Then I'll make sure your mother, grandparents and nephew will be dealt with in a slow, painful, excruciating manner."

Ashanti was dining away at a recently opened restaurant named 'Nicole's Palace' in the downtown area with Rebecca. The place was owned by Ares, which meant the two women were being treated as royalty. The resistant had a beige colored ceiling with chandelier lights, a light purple carpet, white walls with multiple beige colored bar counters, booths and tables the color of peach with black chairs.

The two women had bottles of wine and plates of food at their table and were enjoying the time of their lives. They felt good about having the day off and needed some much time with one another.

"How does your brother do it?" Rebecca said in between bites of her cocoanut shrimp that was covered in cocktail sauce.

"How does he do what?" Ashanti asked back while picking up a crab puff.

"How does he run all these businesses?"

"Ares always had a mind for seeing things. He always had to push himself. He just knows how to do things."

"I wished that I had a brother like him."

"It's not what it seems to be. We didn't always have money. I worked and he got into the game. But we've come far. I often worry about my baby brother."

Rebecca took another bite out of her cocoanut shrimp with a look of curiosity. "Really? Why?"

Ashanti picked up a glass of red wine and took a sip. She placed the glass down and picked up a napkin, wiping her mouth. "He's knee-deep into this life. You see the business aspect of my brother. You see the glitz and glamor. But this game isn't a game, Rebecca."

"I see. Does it make you scared?"

"Sometimes. I know he's feared and respected. But not everyone will fear or respect you. I pray daily. I know each day there's a chance my brother could end up dead or in jail."

Rebecca picked up a piece of fried calamari and took a bite. "This shit is so good. But I feel you. I remember when my ex was pushing guns. Shit had me terrified. I thought he was tough shit until I seen your brother and his crew. His wife is one mean bitch."

Ashanti laughed and rolled her eyes. "You funny for that. Nicole is cool. We don't hang much but she keeps my brother happy, and that's all I ever wanted."

Ty walked up to the table and took a seat. "Pardon me."

Ashanti chuckled and shook her head. She admired Ty's never say did attitude. "You're real cute, Ty."

"I hear dat a lot, Ma." Ty said sarcastically and smiled at Rebecca. "How you been?"

"I'm still fucked up from that night at the club." She said jokingly and winked an eye.

Ty laughed and looked around at the establishment. "Your brother did a hell of a job wit dis shit. I'm tryna do some shit like dis. Word!"

Ashanti picked up her glass of red wine and took a sip. "Yes, yes he has."

Rebecca saw the chemistry and smiled while raising an eyebrow at Ashanti. "I can excuse myself, if you two-"

"It's fine. Ty has things to do, I'm sure." Ashanti said cutting off her friend and trying to get Ty to leave. She didn't want Rebecca to get the wrong impression.

"I don't got shit to do." Ty said while picking up a fork off the table. "Can I eat wit y'all?"

Ashanti picked up a napkin and wiped her mouth. "Ty, can I be left alone with my friend?"

"Why? You not feelin a nigga?" Ty asked and dig into Ashanti's plate. He took a bite and grinned at the taste of the food. "It almost tastes as good as you."

Rebecca spit out her wine and began coughing. She picked up her napkin and looked at the table next to them. "Sorry." She wiped her mouth and cleared her throat. "I'm a leave."

Ty watched Rebecca leave and he scooted his seat next to Ashanti. "I know you care for dat nigga Dre. But I'm tryna rock wit you, Ma."

Ashanti finished her glass and stood up. "You never got to taste this. So nice lie you told my friend." She leaned in towards Ty's ear and smiled devilishly. "If you did ever get to taste this pussy, you'd be more sprung that what you already are." She said whispering into the young buck's ear in a voice mixed with confidence and cockiness. Ashanti then stood up and grabbed her purse from the table. "You can pay the bill." She then walked out of the restaurant, while having a good amount of men turning their heads at her.

Inside of a white & tan colored office was a meeting that was taking place. Agent Samson and his partner, Agent Stokes were both sitting in peach colored chairs in front of their commanding agent, Special Agent Miller. The two agents knew they were in deep shit and hoped they wouldn't be losing their jobs.

Special Agent Miller was a no nonsense man that was Caucasian with a bald head and a red goatee. He stood up out his chair and his brown eyes were fixated on the two agents before him. "Samson, Stokes, explain to me how we let this case slip up?"

"I don't know." Agent Stokes said with a disappointed voice as he looked down at his lap and twiddled his thumbs. "I'm sorry, sir."

Agent Samson twisted his mouth to the side and didn't know what to say. He remained quiet and knew he would be in for a verbal lashing.

"Chris Mitchell hangs himself inside of his mother's home with a note saying that he lied on Andre Greene and TyShawn Addams. All the undercover work for what? To have this type of shit come raining down on my goddamn unit!" Special Agent Miller said with a tone that was elevated as he slammed his hand down on his desk. "Now I have my superiors up my ass! My ass is now on the goddamn line! Who authorized for Mitchell to leave his safe house?! Who?!"

The door to the special agent's office opened and Ricardo walked inside. He had a pissed off expression and closed the door. "Someone want to inform me why my star witness is dead?"

"He hung himself." Agent Stokes said bluntly.

"No shit." Ricardo said sarcastically. The federal prosecutor walked over to the side of Special Agent Miller's desk and loosened his tie. "Shawn Goldberg is going to eat this case alive. If he files a motion to have the charges dropped then the judge could possibly grant it."

Special Agent Miller removed his tie followed by unbuttoning the top four buttons on his shirt. He was pissed and didn't know how he was going to convince his superiors to not fire him. "We need something to come up with. We need a game plan. Otherwise, we'll be in the unemployment line."

"Goldberg is probably celebrating as we speak. He's going to win against us and I can't afford to lose again to that cocksucker!" Ricardo said while flaring his nostrils. "He has us by the fucking balls!"

Ricardo stared across his black colored desk at Shawn, and had a look of anger as he sat up straight in his black leather chair. "You have to be kidding me? You must be out of your goddamn mind. I'm not buying into this suicide."

Shawn had a smug look and gave a cocky smile over to the federal prosecutor. "I'm serious. My client had no idea the gun was there. He happened to find it before the DEA arrived. Neither of my clients even knew about the drugs being there. I could have trial pushed up but then that wouldn't be such a smart move, would it?"

"You're a real piece of work, Shawn."

"Ricardo, stop taking this personally. You have the person who the gun belongs to. The same person that is responsible for the narcotics. He even gave you his connect."

"A dead connect that was beaten to death with a woman."

"It's still a connect. Take your loss and victory. You lose to me once again and you gain some closure and a victory with a confession."

Ricardo's cheeks got big and he let out a deep breath followed by rubbing his temples. "Shawn... you know this is bogus."

"The fact remains is that if you don't drop the charges then I'll be forced to kick your ass during trial."

Ricardo pointed at his door and had a look of anger. "Get the fuck out, Shawn. I'll see you four months from now."

Shawn stood up and buttoned his suit jacket. "I'll see you in less time then that. Be prepared to have your ass kicked. But how would Judge Thompson feel once word reaches out that you had a confession and still decided to prosecute my clients?"

Chapter 7

Ty exited his white Range Rover and looked around as he was in the Shore Side area of Kensington. The young drug boss had on a white leather jacket that was unzipped revealing a white tee shirt, light blue denim jeans and a pair of wheat Timberland boots. Ty headed over across the street and made his way down to a park. He placed his hands inside the pockets of his leather jacket and smirked as his thick, gold chain swayed with each of his steps.

Scrappy was seated on a blue park bench wearing a black hoodie, black jeans and black Nike ACG boots. He stood up as Ty walked over and the two men slapped hands. "Sup my G?"

"Same shit, different day. I see we been pushing shit out like crazy." Ty said while looking around to make sure no law enforcement was around.

"Place is clear. I checked shit out before you even got here." Scrappy said as he knew why Ty was looking around.

"I'm thinking bout talking wit Ares. I'm thinking we could make dat next move and run all his shit. I'm a see if he could still help us with starting a business."

"You ready for us to make dat move, Ty?"

"Hell yeah nigga. We eating out here and we got his backing. Niggas been pushing more coke out than a muh'fucka."

"You trying to open up a spot to clean our money, huh?"

"Hell yeah."

Scrappy rubbed his hands together as he thought about what Ty had said. "I'm with it, my man."

"I gotta talk to you about some shit, Scrappy." Ty said while running a hand over his head.

Ty knew he needed to speak with his boy about Ashanti. He wanted her, and wasn't going to stop until he got her.

Scrappy embraced himself for what his number boy was about to say. Scrappy pulled out a blunt from his pants pocket with a lighter and began sparking up the blunt. "What's good?"

"I'm tryna fuck wit Ashanti."

"Ya boy, Dre's wife?"

"Yeah."

Scrappy shook his head and took a pull on his blunt. He blew the smoke out while having a look of concern. "Isn't he ya boy? How you think he gonna respond if he finds out that you want his wife? This ain't you messing with a side bitch. You not talking bout messing with some nigga main bitch. You trying to fuck ya man's wife. Shit like that gets niggas melons knocked the fuck off."

"I could build some shit wit shorty. She just wat a nigga be needing. Ashanti jive right." Ty said with lust in his voice while grabbing the blunt from Scrappy. "I need her."

Scrappy knew what could happen if Ty messed with Ashanti. He saw the bigger picture. Scrappy knew war could be on the horizon, and he feared what Ares would do if word got out to him.

He rubbed his hands together while biting his inner cheek, twisting his mouth in the process. "Let's just keep this between us. Ares finds out and no telling what he'll have done to you. We should just focus on pushing this blow and keep getting this money." Scrappy said trying to talk some sense into his boy mind. He grabbed the blunt from Ty, and pulled out a wad of cash from his pants pocket that were bundled by rubber bands in the middle. "We hitting up our boss club tonight?"

"Fuck partying. Boys got court in the afternoon. Trial set to start and shit."

"Thought boys would be good since Bruno had Bunny snitch ass hang himself?"

"Dat Jew lawyer be winning cases and shit. I'm good B. But I'm not worried bout partying."

Scrappy chuckled and shook his head. "Ares a ruthless and smart nigga. I respect that shit. But what if your boy, Dre, beats his case? Y'all got the same lawyer. Where does he fit in at with us? I know him, but I don't know him. I know he was your big homie but what about now? You holding down the fort. You ready to give that shit up my nigga? You ready to still be by his side as he fucks the bitch that you want? You ready for all this shit?"

Ty rubbed his chin as the blunt was between his lips. He wasn't sure what to think. He had came so far without Dre. But Dre was his big homie and had taken care of him when he didn't have a family. "I'll deal wit dat bridge my nigga when it's time."

Dre sat in a chair behind the defense table with Ty seated to his left. He had heard what happened to Bunny, and received confirmation on the phone from Nicole that Bruno had done the deed. He felt hurt due to the fact they shared much history. He loved Bunny, but hated him at the same time. But Dre also felt relieved knowing he had a chance to win his case. Dre looked over at Shawn, whom was seated to his right and leaned in towards his lawyer's ear. "You think the judge is going to drop the case?" He asked in a whispering voice, hoping Shawn would give him positive feedback.

"I do." Shawn replied in a whispering voice of his own as he looked through a stack of papers. He looked ahead at the judge and waited for things to begin.

Judge Thompson removed his glasses and yawned. "Mr Goldberg, the floor is yours."

Shawn stood up and walked to the center of the floor. "Your Honor, the charges brought forth against my two clients should be dropped. They're innocent and should be acquitted."

Ricardo stood up from behind the prosecution table and placed his hands on his hips. "Your Honor, the defendants were caught in the act of receiving a whole supply of narcotics that they planned to distribute. We have a source of information that gave knowledge and information to the DEA, which led to the arrests."

Shawn looked back at Ricardo, giving the prosecutor a cocky smirk. "Source of information? Who or what would that source of information be, Mr Sanchez?"

"That's irrelevant, and you know it." Ricardo stated with a tense look.

"I'd like to know." Judge Thompson stated as he placed his glasses back on.

"My source of information was an informant." Ricardo said in a defeated tone as he looked down at the floor.

"And the status of the informant?" The judge asked as he leaned back in his chair.

Shawn sucked his lips in to stop him from smiling. He walked back to behind his table and folded his arms behind his back.

"My informant is dead. He hung himself." The federal prosecutor said in a disappointed voice as he couldn't look at the judge before him.

"His informant is Chris Mitchell. A known drug dealer that was caught in the act of selling multiple kilograms of cocaine to an undercover DEA agent. Mitchell, wrote a suicide note confessing that he set my clients up so he could have his sentence cut short. He also stated in the letter that his cocaine supplier was a man named Damon Watson, also known as 'Dame' and that my clients had no knowledge of the narcotics or firearm inside the place which the arrests took place in. He also said that 'Dame' broke into the arresting venue and placed the narcotics there. Mitchell, also stated in his letter that he told my clients to go over to the arresting venue so that he could 'talk with them about issues with his girlfriend' whom also happened to work at the beauty salon where my clients got arrested inside of." Shawn said and gave the prosecutor a cocky smile.

"Mr Sanchez, were you aware of this suicide note?" Judge Thompson asked while staring at the prosecutor.

"I did." Ricardo said as he knew what was bound to happen.

"Did Mr Goldberg reach out in an attempt to have the charges dismissed?"

"He did."

"Then why are you still pursuing this case? Do you have something of relevance pertaining to this case?"

"I don't, Your Honor. But I know-"

"I'm acquitting the two defendants of the charges that were brought forth. Mr Greene will head back to Kensington Correctional Institute where he'll be processed for release. Mr Addams can leave." Judge Thompson said and slammed the gavel down.

Ty and Dre embraced one another with a hug. The two brothers in arms grinned at each other before a bailiff separated them. They gave each other looks that stated they were happy to have pulled off the inevitable. Not many people could face the federal government and win, but they managed to do it.

Dre looked over at Shawn, and extended a hand. "Thanks. I mean it."

"This is what I get paid to do. But you know who the real credit belongs to." Shawn said referring to Ares. He smacked the back of his hand into Dre's chest and smiled. "Be careful. I'm not trying to be back here for you no time soon." He said half jokingly and grabbed his brown leather briefcase off the table. "Give it a few hours and you'll be released after processing."

Ashanti walked across the hospital parking lot and was fumbling through her purse trying to find the smart key that belonged to her car. She finally found the item and walked towards her black BMW 760LI. Ashanti pressed a button on her smart key to unlock her car and opened the driver side door. A hand being placed on her shoulder causing Ashanti to instantly turn around while quickly retrieving a chrome .45 revolver from her purse. Ashanti's eyes got big as she saw Dre, standing before her. "JESUS-FUCKING-CHRIST!" She lowered her weapon and placed a hand on her chest. Ashanti took a deep breath as her chest moved up and down. "You could've gave me a fucking heart attack, Dre!"

Dre chuckled and placed his hand on top of Ashanti's. "You moved out?"

"Yeah. You didn't want anything to do with me, remember?"

"I'm sorry about that."

"I stuck by you, Dre. I had your back through it all. Then you tell me to go 'live my life'? Take your apology and kiss my black ass."

Dre deserved what Ashanti was saying and he knew it. He felt dissed as Ashanti pushed his hand off of hers. "Don't be like that, Ashanti."

She pointed a finger towards his face with a scowl look. "It's taking everything in me to not slap the shit out of you." She said through gritted teeth as tears formed in her eyes. "You have no idea what it's like for your HUSBAND to not want you anymore! You have no idea what you put me through!"

Dre took Ashanti's words to heart. He'd hurt the one woman that he swore to always protect. Dre knew that he couldn't put up an argument against his wife. He hated himself for the pain he had brought upon Ashanti.

"Baby, let me explain." He said in a sympathetic tone while staring into her dark colored eyes. "I didn't want you-"

"I would've stuck by you, regardless of how much time you had gotten! I'm your WIFE! I'm not the next bitch, I'm not the previous bitch! I'M YOUR FUCKING WIFE, ANDRE!" Ashanti said cutting off her husband with a raised voice. Tears rolled down her chocolate skinned face which showed how much she truly was hurt combined with how angry Ashanti really was.

Dre lowered his head and bit his bottom lip. "I'm sorry."

"Tell that to the next bitch."

Dre looked up at Ashanti, raising an eyebrow. "Come again? What's that supposed to mean, Ashanti?"

"I filed for an annulment, right after the judge dismissed your charges. I'm done, Dre. It's over." She said and climbed in her car. She never wanted to end things but Ashanti had no other choice. Ashanti rolled down the driver side window and tossed a key over to Dre. "That's the key that Shawn told me to use. I went by your aunt's house. I didn't want any of the money that was inside your treasure chest. I was making it before you, and I'm a make it after you. Hell, I don't need your goddamn money and I don't need you!" She then started her car up and sped off, signaling the end of their marriage.

Dre felt as if the wind had been sucked right out of his chest. His woman had filed the legal paperwork to end their marriage. He watched Ashanti drive off and tears rolled down Dre's face as he was stunned, hurt and in disbelief.

He never thought Ashanti would do such a thing. Ashanti was the rib to his body. The Eve to his Adam. They were meant to be together in Dre's mind. The pain he was feeling was one that a man in love could only relate to.

Chapter 8

Three days had passed and Dre had been trying to get in touch with Ashanti, to no avail. He had been worrying about her and even tried reaching out to Ares and Nicole, whom were enjoying their time alone in Jamaica. Bruno delivered a message to Dre; which was for him to wait for the power couple to return from their vacation, which happened to be today. Ty had been discussing with Scrappy over what to do with Dre, since both men didn't know how Dre would fit into the equation now.

Dre walked inside his apartment in the Central-Town area. He had on a black leather jacket, black jeans and a pair of black Timberland boots. Dre turned on a light switch and tossed his keys on a nightstand and chuckled. The feeling of being back inside a place he never thought he'd see only made him appreciate life that much more. "Damn, it feels good to be back here." He unzipped his jacket which revealed a black tee shirt. Dre walked over to his kitchen and opened his refrigerator. He looked at the emptiness of it and sighed. The empty refrigerator was a reminder of Ashanti no longer being there. Dre slammed the door shut and placed his hands on his refrigerator while lowering his head as he thought about his wife. A knock on the door made him turn his head towards his living room door. Dre walked over and opened his living room door, staring at Ty. "What's good?"

"I'm cooling. What's good wit you? You gonna let a nigga in?"

Dre stepped to the side and watched his boy walk in. "What's good with you, lil homie?" He asked while closing the door and locked it.

Ty sat down on a leather couch and tossed his head back. "Another day, another dolla. Feel me?"

"I do."

"Ashanti's on your mind, isn't she?"

"Naw." Dre said lying as he walked over to his television and turned it on. He saw the dust on his hands and noticed his entertainment system had collected quite a bit of dust. Dre wiped it off on his pants and looked back at his lil man.

"Nigga stop fronting. I know you thinking about her while ya ass was locked da fuck up. You don't gotta front for ya boy." Ty said while calling Dre out on his shit. "She been hanging wit dat bitch from her job."

"White bitch?"

"Yeah."

"Bitch is Rebecca. She cool people."

"No doubt."

"I got something to tell you about Ashanti." Ty said as he prepared to let Dre know that he kissed Ashanti. He didn't know how Dre would react but Ty was about to let it out.

"Okay. What's up?" Dre asked as he walked over to a cabinet next to his entertainment system.

"She was hurt when you broke up with her. Shorty was hurt like hell." Ty said as he decided to not tell Dre about what happened. He decided to play it cool, and hoped Ashanti wouldn't run her mouth.

Dre opened the cabinet and pulled out a bottle of brandy along with two glasses. Dre poured himself and Ty a glass while thinking about Ashanti. "She's been on my mind." He said confessing that he really had been thinking about Ashanti.

Ty chuckled and received his glass. He clinked it with Dre's and drunk out of it.

"What's going on with Ares?" Dre asked with a a serious look. He walked over to a brown leather recliner and took a seat.

Ty had been waiting for this moment. He knew it would come. Ty rested his glass on the living room table that was in front of him and sighed. "We still pushing his coke out."

"No shit." Dre said sarcastically and waited for his little man to elaborate.

"We still doing what we doing, brah. I got da crew out there grinding."

"I heard of your young boys. Niggas in jail know about everything that's happening on the outside."

"I hear dat. But on some real shit... I been thinking dat we could be partners and shit. I been holding down shit and I'm thinking dat you could handle shit here, and I handle shit out in Cali and Texas."

Dre raised an eyebrow and was interested along with a bit of curiosity pertaining to what Ty said. "Come again? Cali? Texas?"

"Yeah." Ty chuckled and rested his elbows on top of his knees. "I been getting guidance from Ares. A nigga is tryna move up to being Ares chief distro in L.A., Houston and Dallas. Fuck da bull shit. I handle shit out there and you handle shit here."

Dre didn't know if he should slap his friend or be proud of him. Dre wasn't used to being the lil homie. He knew that if Ty were to be Ares head distro then he'd be up under the man that came up as his very own lil man. He didn't like it at all.

Dre downed his glass and stood up. "Ty... you came to me for advice while I was in jail. You still don't know what you doing. There's rules to this shit and being in charge comes with a lot."

Ty stood up with his face twisted at Dre in disbelief mixed with anger. "Da fuck you saying, Dre? I been running shit since ya ass got locked up. Nigga..." He pointed a finger at his friend, showing that he wasn't afraid of Dre. "I'm the one that's been making sure that everyone is straight, not you. I tossed ya wife $150,000 out of my stash! I'm da nigga dat been pushing all dis coke wit my crew! You put ya trust in da wrong niggas, Dre! You got us jammed up by trusting dat bitch nigga Bunny!"

Ty was feeling some kind of way. He never thought that he'd be at odds with Dre. He always viewed Dre as the man he wanted to be. But now Ty viewed his friend differently. He tried to give Dre a way to be his partner, but since Dre rejected it; Ty felt as if they were at the point of no return and he wasn't going to back off.

Dre pointed a finger back at the man he raised. "I'm a let you leave. I'm a let you leave only cause I got mad love for you, Ty. But shit isn't over between us. I'm climbing back in my spot whether you like the shit or not, lil nigga. Remember, my wife posted your bail with my money, lil nigga."

"Last nigga dat let me leave ended up six feet deep."

"I'm not Dame."

"Yeah, it shows. I killed him, not you. Fuck outta here talking dat dumb shit." Ty said in an attempt to punk Dre.

Dre stormed over and grabbed Ty by the throat, lifting his lil man off his feet. "Who the fuck you talking to, lil ass nigga?!" He threw Ty onto the floor and placed a knee right in the middle of Ty's chest, causing his lil man to grimace out of pain. "You been holding shit down for a few months and all of a sudden you the man?" Dre picked up Ty by the collar of his jacket and stood him up. "Get the fuck out, lil nigga!"

Ty had a look of anger and straightened his jacket once Dre let go. He opened the living room door and slammed it, causing the hinges to crack.

Ty sat on a green park bench in the Dover-Ville area trying to gather his thoughts. He looked prepared for war with his army camouflage jacket, black jeans and brown Timberland boots. "I'm not sure what to think bout dis nigga."

"Who? Dre?" Scrappy asked as he sat to the left of his boy, wearing the same outfit.

"Yeah. I got love for da nigga. But I got a feeling he coming for a nigga, B. We got into a minor scuffle."

"Don't beat yourself up. This the game, Ty. Niggas always want to have the crown. Niggas don't like it when a nigga come up in this shit. You know that."

"I know. But I got love for da nigga."

Scrappy stood up and placed a hand on Ty's shoulder. "It hurts to kill a nigga you love. You tried to talk to him. He didn't want to listen. You both gotta strap the fuck up and let the guns go. You talk with Ares?"

Ty couldn't believe that things had gotten out of hand with him and Dre. His love for Dre ran deep and he felt bad over the things he said when they had their confrontation. "I haven't spoken with dem. But Bruno said dey coming back tonight. Which means dey should be here now. I'm a pay dem a visit soon. Let everyone know we got a shipment coming in tomorrow. Bruno gave me the time and location. We slinging double now."

Dre walked across the parking lot of a yellow colored diner in the downtown area and had business to attend to. He looked more like the grim reaper in his attire: black hoodie, black jogger pants with a pair of black Nike ACG boots. Dre opened the glass door and stepped inside the navy blue, orange & light purple venue that housed nine booths with a countertop. He approached the counter and smiled at a Puerto Rican woman that was the diner's server. "Is Juan here?"

"Yeah, he's in the back. I'll get him." The woman said and turned around towards an expo counter that held a couple of dishes covered with food. "SOMEONE GET JUAN!" She yelled out.

Dre covered his ears and chuckled. Then he looked over at a coffee pot that was brewing and licked his lips. "Let me get a cup of coffee with one sugar and four creams."

"No problem. You want anything else?" The server asked as she grabbed the freshly brewed coffee pot and poured Dre a cup. She handed him the cup along with a packet of sugar and a jar containing powdered coffee cream.

"You got a spoon? And I'll have an omelet with chicken sausage and toast. And maybe a small order of pancakes."

The server wrote Dre's order on her notepad and stuck a pen behind her ear. "I got you, honey." She turned around and grabbed a spoon that was handed to her by one of the cooks across the expo station and handed it to Dre. The server handed the ticket order to the cook and smiled at Dre.

Dre mixed his sugar and coffee cream slowly with the spoon he was given. He wondered where Ashanti could be and knew he needed to win his wife back.

Juan walked out from a door on the side of the countertop and looked more like a chef than a known drug boss that had cocaine being pushed in the east side, west side, downtown, Shore Side and the Dover-Ville areas. He was obese, with a receding hairline and a beard that resembled one of a lumberjack. His white polo shirt was covered in stains as were his navy blue jeans and black restaurant shoes. He approached Dre, and rested his side against the countertop. "Welcome home."

"Thanks." Dre took a sip of the coffee cup and placed it back on the counter. "I wanted to talk with you."

"You wouldn't be here for no other reason." Juan shot back sarcastically and laughed.

"Your food isn't half bad. I kinda like coming down here for your food, Juan."

"But you also are here to see if I need any sugar for my diner, right?"

"Something like that."

"Then let's talk."

"What if I give you a fifty five-forty five split in my favor? I need someone to be my partner and you know that in the food industry you need a good deal from your vendors to reap some kind of monetary reward."

Juan rubbed his chin and thought about the possibilities of being partners with Dre. He liked it and saw only profit. But there was a catch that Dre wasn't telling him. "I would be in but you keeping some shit from me."

"Juan, the catch is that I'm bringing Big Grease into the mix. I know you getting sugar from that French shop. But you got allies in the food industry that'll have your back."

Juan wasn't sure if he should stop pushing coke for the French mob and gave a skeptical look towards Dre. He didn't like Big Grease, and too much bad blood was there. "You know I don't fuck with Big Grease. We been at each other throats for some time."

"True. But think about the money at stake. Besides, my cousin did your brother a favor back in the feds. And you know that I always respected your brother. Nigga was a good dude."

"True. He was a good dude. Too bad he caught AIDS." Juan tapped a finger on the counter and thought about everything Dre was saying. "Is this the same type of sugar that you are accustomed to dealing with? I've heard some great things about your sugar."

"I would only supply you with the best." Dre said while extending his hand. "My meal is free this time."

Juan shook Dre's hand and laughed. "Next time you'll pay. Let Big Grease know that our beef is over. Tell your cousin to keep his head up."

Chapter 9

Ty stood inside Kensington Cafe and dropped two duffel bags in front of Bruno that were filled with money. "I'm ready for my re-up. I got everything ready."

Bruno bent down and unzipped both duffel bags, thoroughly expecting them to ensure that all of Ares money was inside. "This feels light. It doesn't look like it's the right amount."

"Stop fucking wit me, Bruno. When have I ever been short? My money always been on time and in full."

Bruno zipped both duffel bags and stood up, holding the bags in each hand. "Where's your partner Dre?"

"Let's not talk about him."

Bruno chuckled and shook his head. "I'm guessing he doesn't like that you've stepped into his role?"

Ty placed his hands inside the pockets of his jacket and took a step towards Bruno. "I suggested we be partners and he wasn't feeling it. You ever bodied a nigga you got mad love for, Bruno?"

Bruno could tell that Ty was hurting over his situation with Dre. He had spent many years in the game and experienced his own situations where he'd have to do something to someone that he loved. It was all in the game.

Bruno looked up and thought about all the things he had done. He felt what Ty was feeling and bit his upper lip. "I have. It wasn't easy. I still think about him. I came up under this guy, Meech. Meech was a gangster, a thoroughbred. He went away for a little bit. He came home and I had already placed myself in a position above what he was able to do. He felt some kind of way and he shot me, after refusing to be my partner. He still viewed me as his little man. So we went to war and I ended him."

Ty got the moral of the story. He hated it and gave Bruno a fist bump. "I see what you mean. I just can't find it in me to do this."

Try knew if he did something to Dre that it would haunt him. He wanted them to sit and talk, so they could reach a common ground. But Ty knew that Bruno's story mirrored his very own and that he'd possibly have to be haunted for the rest of his life.

Dre walked across the street in the Central-Town area and walked inside a barbershop. He looked around the white colored establishment and rubbed his hands together. Dre saw a few customers getting their haircuts and walked down to a grey colored jukebox that was in the back of the shop. "Anyone know where I can find Big Grease?"

A brown skinned man wearing a barber shirt stopped lining up a customer's beard with a razor and looked at Dre. "He's in the back."

Dre nodded at the man, showing much respect. He then walked down the hallway and saw a door at the end. Dre opened the door and stepped outside. He raised an eyebrow at the sight of seeing two dark skinned men wearing all black standing at attention while Big Grease had just hung up his Galaxy phone. "Big Grease, whats good?"

Big Grease was dark skinned, tall and wide, hence his name. He had his hair cut low to where you could see his waves and rocked a goatee. He was a bit flashy and it showed with his thick gold chain, gold bracelets and diamond earrings. His black leather jacket, navy blue jeans and black Gucci sneakers also showed he was getting street money as well. He held a decent sized stake in the cocaine flow of the east side, west side, north side, south side and Central-Town areas of Kensington. Big Grease slapped hands with Dre, and had a grin on his face. "My nigga Dre! Welcome home my nigga!"

"It feels good to be out."

"I hear that. I remember when I did that nickel and never thought a nigga was coming home."

"Hell yeah, I feel that."

"I know you didn't come here to talk about jail my nigga. So what's good my dude? How's your cousin doing? Heard he's coming home."

Dre rubbed his hands and bit his bottom lip as he prepared himself to make an offer to Big Grease. "He good. He'll be home soon. But yo, you still dealing with the white girl?"

Big Grease chuckled and slapped hands with Dre again. "Hell yeah. I'm still fucking around with that girl."

"What if I cut you in on a nice deal?"

"What you talking about homie?"

"Fifty five-forty five in my favor. You be my partner, and we eat together."

Big Grease thought about what Dre said. He liked the offer but knew there was a catch to it. "What's the catch my nigga? Shit sounding a little too good to be true."

"You in or not?"

"You know I'm pushing that girl for them Turkish motherfuckers. So if you want me to hop sides you gotta give me the full spectrum of things, my man."

"You gotta end your beef with Juan. He's already on board with everything. We talked and he's ready to make shit happen. If the Turkish mob do come at your head... you got allies with me and Juan. Straight up."

Big Grease didn't like what he was hearing. He didn't like Juan, nor the crew of the Puerto Rican drug boss. "You know that's some bad blood. We beefing and shit. Niggas done lost some homies on both sides."

"I know. Both sides done lost good niggas B. Both sides. Put that shit to bed my nigga, and focus on this bread out here. My cousin did you a solid in the feds. He held you down. You owe B." Dre said while noticing the two bodyguards tensing up as if they were ready to knock his melon off. "Tell your goons to chill."

Big Grease bit his inner cheek and pinched his nose. "Y'all niggas chill. He good people." Big Grease gave Dre a fist bump reluctantly and shook his head. "You owe me one. I'm in. This only cause your cousin helped me out when I was locked up. Nigga looked after me."

"No doubt. I got you, Big Grease." Dre said and walked around to the sidewalk. He pulled out his iPhone from a pocket in his jacket and dialed a number.

"Yo?" Angel asked on the line.

"I'm a make you an offer." Dre said as he looked both ways, then crossed the street.

"I'm all ears, my G."

"Switch sides and I'm a give you the best sugar that any vendor will give you at a better price. I'm talking fifty five-forty five in my favor."

"You know I'm big on loyalty. I been breaking bread wit ya boy. He's good people."

Dre climbed inside his black Chevy Tahoe and reclined his seat. "I know. But I'm talking about a long term deal. Something to benefit both of us. Besides... I'm the brother in law of the CEO that has the sugar I'm looking to give you at a discount."

"You got a point. I'm in."

Dre hung up the phone and tapped it against the palm of his other hand while smirking. He had one upped Ty, and was showing that he could beat his lil man in a variety of ways.

Ty walked up a flight of stairs that led to a brown colored attic inside of Scrappy mother's house in the Shore Side area. He slapped hands with his three boys and motioned with a hand for Scrappy, Flee & Gunz to all take a seat. After the three young bucks took a seat Ty sat down himself. He ran a hand over his fresh wave cut and sighed. "Listen up... I gotta met up wit da nigga Dre. I'm a chop it up wit da nigga and if he not wit us den we knocking his melon off. Don't do anything until after I done spoke wit dat nigga."

He hated the words he had just said. But Ty knew what had to be done, even if it meant ripping his heart apart. Ty hated how the game could be so cruel and force people at each other throats. But he loved it enough to do what he had to.

Flee & Gunz gave each other looks with fist bumps. They liked what Ty said and they wanted to get Dre out of the way. They viewed him as someone that wasn't with the team, so it was nothing for them to put bullets in his head.

"We got a shipment coming in for tomorrow. Everyone stay on point. We can't be having shit fuck up wat we got goin on up in dis bitch." Ty said as he looked at each of his three cohorts. "Let's get dis money niggas." He turned around and walked away from his crew, sliding his hands inside the pockets of his jacket while hoping Dre would listen to whatever he had to say.

Scrappy stood up and rubbed a thumb up under his chin as he watched Ty. "Gunz... you and Flee handle Dre. I know he has an aunt that stays in Dover-Ville. Ty has too much love for Dre. We can't let that stop what we've built."

Scrappy wasn't going to take any chances on Dre moving in on what they had acquired these last few months. He needed to eliminate the problem or face the possibility of Dre eliminating all of them.

Agent Samson and Agent Stokes were seated at a brown table inside of an all white conference room, and both men had looks that ranged from fear to worry. They knew that this meeting would determine if they would still be able to keep their jobs or not.

Special Agent Miller stood at the head of the table and had a look that said he was pissed off. He loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top button on his shirt. "We're in deep shit. I have my superiors up my ass. Do you two know that my unit is the laughing stock? Do you?"

"Sir, I can explain." Agent Samson said trying to plead his case. "We had a good plan."

"A good plan? Really?" Special Agent Miller asked sarcastically while crossing his arms over his chest. "We lost an informant, and we lost a goddamn case!" He pointed a finger at the two agents and his veins were bulging from his neck. "I'm reassigning you both."

Agent Stokes stood up and placed his hands on the table. "We can bring down Andre Greene. Just give us-"

"NO! We lost a huge case! This case could've gotten us the Forster Cartel!" Special Agent Miller said as he slapped a hand down on the table while seething with anger. "Now we have nothing. So we are leaving Andre Greene, and the Forster Cartel alone. If our friends at the Bureau want to conduct their own investigation then so be it. Unless there is sufficient evidence then we won't be bothering them."

Agent Thomas walked inside the conference room and slapped a tan folder on the table. "I got us a new case. Shit is going to be a career case." She said in a cocky tone while pointing down at the folder. "We're going after the Chinese. Lu Xen's nephew has decided to come forward as an informant. So we're gonna handle this case. No need in worrying about how we let this last case slip up."

Little did anyone know but Agent Thomas was the reason as to why Bunny was dead. The men all decided to go along with this new case, which worked well for the female agent. Looks could be deceiving and none of them were expecting Agent Thomas to be a crooked federal agent.

The night had arrived and Dre walked inside Pretty Nails Inc and saw the most beautiful women working behind nail stations. His dick got hard and he didn't care if anyone saw his bulge. He saw gorgeous women getting their nails done and Dre was starting to feel the temptation settle inside him.

Nicole walked from behind the receptionist desk wearing a burgundy pantsuit with a low cut black tee shirt that showed enough cleavage and a pair of black heels. Her custom jewelry made her appeal more as you could tell Ares was taking care of her financial needs, and the glow on her face showed that he was also taking care of her sexual demands. She walked over to Dre, and snapped her fingers which brought him back to reality.

"Oh, hey." Dre said while shaking his head in an attempt to get his mind right. "How does your husband not fall prey to all this ass up in here?"

"Cause he has me, that's why." She said in a cocky voice while crossing her arms over her chest. "Let's talk outside."

Dre opened the door and followed after Nicole. He looked around to make sure nobody outside would be able to listen to the conversation. "I'm trying to get back in the loop but Ty-"

"TyShawn has been the one running the arrangement my husband had with you, Andre." Nicole said in a stern voice as she interrupted Dre. "TyShawn has been very valuable to us." She pulled out a Newport from her purse with a lighter and looked over at Dre. "I think you are capable of picking up where you left off at." She lit the cancer stick and took a deep drag while studying Dre's demeanor. Nicole blew the smoke out and patted Dre's chest with the back of her other hand. "Things aren't going well between the two of you. You pay what you owe to my husband for the shipment that was seized the day of your arrest and I'll convince him to take you on as a distributor so long as you also have something of value to bring to the table."

"I kind of figured you would say that." Dre said while rubbing his hands together and walked over to his black Lexus that he had parked on the curb in front of the nail salon. He popped the trunk open and retrieved three black duffel bags and carried them over to Nicole. "This is the money I owe your husband." He dropped the bags in front of Nicole's feet and slid his hands inside the pockets of his pants. "I got Juan and Big Grease ready to jump ship. I just need a pipeline. I managed to bring Angel over as well. Figured Ty could learn a thing or two about underestimating me."

Nicole snapped her fingers and two brown skinned men that were sitting at a bus stop bench across the street walked over. The two men grabbed the duffel bags and nodded at Nicole.

Dre was surprised to see the men he thought as regular civilians were in actuality Nicole's bodyguards and foot soldiers belonging to Ares. "Y'all got men everywhere, huh?"

Nicole took another drag and grinned at Dre. She blew the smoke out while watching the men head inside the nail salon as another man dressed as another regular civilian made his way over to the bus stop bench. "Seems you've brought something to the table and my husband's money. We can continue with everything. I'll have a shipment for you come tomorrow morning. How much do you need, Andre?"

"I need triple the amount you gave me before. I'm a have to hit the streets like I did before and make some moves."

"I can tell you are rebuilding your network. TyShawn has your old network which is why you needed to get others to jump ship. You needed leverage, Andre. Let's hope this feud between you and TyShawn doesn't end badly."

Chapter 10

Ty stood inside a basement in his cousin's house and was in awe of the amount of cocaine he was looking at. He had nine barrels with bricks of cocaine filled to the top. Ty rubbed his hands together and licked his lips as he only saw money in his eyes. "Dis a lot of coke."

Scrappy walked up to the right of his friend and closed his black flip phone. "We got some bad news, my G."

"Da fuck kind of bad news could we get? You see all dis product we got nigga? Ain't no bad news when you got dis kind of coke baby."

Scrappy placed a hand on Ty's shoulder, and had a concerned look on his face. "Angel backed out. He not fucking with us. And the Sicilians just got hit by the DEA and ATF."

Ty felt as if a boxer had knocked the wind out of him. He didn't know what to think. He had a look of shock as he turned his head towards Scrappy. "Da fuck?! You serious my nigga?!"

"Very serious. Angel is fucking with ya boy, Dre. Angel ain't fucking with us anymore and told me that he wasn't paying us our money for the last shipment, right before you came here. The feds caught the Sicilians with some bricks and guns this morning. I don't know what the fuck is going on, but something isn't right."

Ty looked down at the barrel in front of him and wondered how he was going to push the shipment he had received. He had asked for it and knew what could happen if he took too much time to move Ares cocaine. "Ares is gonna want his bread. Best believe dat shit my nigga."

Scrappy looked at the row of barrels and knew they were fucked if they didn't start making moves. "You right about that, Ty. We need to start pushing it out."

"To who, muh'fucka?!" Ty turned his head towards Scrappy, and a feeling of nervousness crept in. "All we got is da Dominicans and da Serbians. Dey not pushing all dis weight!"

"Then we gots to come up with a plan, Ty. We can't just talk in your cousin basement with a shitload of blow. That's for damn sure. Plus, we need to get the money that Angel owes from the last shipment."

Ty placed a lid on the barrel in front of him and gripped it tightly while closing his eyes. "We may have to reach out to Dre and call a truce."

Scrappy gave his boy a look of confusion and leaned his side against one of the barrels. "Say what?"

"We need Dre. He's capable of pushing dis shit out my nigga. He'd know what niggas should do up in dis bitch."

Scrappy tossed the hood of his hoodie on his head and placed a hand on Ty's shoulder. "You fucking with me, right?"

"No nigga. We need em. He managed to get Angel to stop fucking wit us. We in a bad spot my G. I don't even know how to deal wit some shit like dis, Scrappy. I need some time to think. Drop these barrels off to dem Serbian niggas and to dem Dominicans."

Scrappy ran a thumb up under his chin as he had a slight grin. "Dre is a smart nigga. He's trying to show you that he got one up over you. He cut off Angel from us. He's not to be underestimated. No telling what else he's capable of doing. I say you talk with Ares, and try to see if you could get the green light on Dre."

Dre walked inside his aunt's basement in the Dover-Ville area and saw six barrels lined up in a row. He walked up to one and removed the lid, smiling as he saw kilos of cocaine filled to the top. Dre knew he'd be back to running the streets soon as Ares product hit the ground and he imagined all the money he was about to cash in.

Juan and Big Grease both walked up with the corner of their eyes fixated on one another. The bad blood between them wouldn't die overnight and the two drug bosses made sure to not be caught slipping around one another.

Dre looked back with a smirk and was glad to see that neither one had killed the other. "We got Ares blow. Best shit in the city."

Juan removed a lid off a barrel and whistled at the sight of seeing so much cocaine. "That's a lot. This more then what we can handle. Who we pushing this out to?"

"I made a deal with Angel, to bring him in as our partner." Dre said while smiling as he knew he had gotten one up over Ty.

Big Grease looked at the barrel in front of Juan and even he was amazed at seeing so much product. "Never thought I'd see so much. Damn!"

Dre closed the barrel he was at and leaned his side against it. "Juan, drop the last barrel off to the Angel. Then hit your territories with this shit."

"No doubt. You heard about the Sicilians?" Juan asked as he closed his barrel.

"Naw. None of my business." Dre stated and walked over to the basement steps.

"They got raided by the DEA and ATF just a couple hours ago." Juan said as he pulled out a Galaxy phone from his pants pocket.

Dre stopped dead in his tracks and looked back at Juan. He thought about Ty, and knew that his former friend didn't have a network strong enough to push out Ares cocaine with the Sicilians getting raided and by him taking Angel away. Dre knew that Ty would end up in a bad spot with Ares if he couldn't move the coke. "Just move this shit and I'm a holla at y'all later." He walked out the basement and made his way to the cream colored kitchen. Dre grabbed a can of pop out of the refrigerator and opened it up.

Juan and Big Grease each had four of their men come inside and take the barrels out as they were dressed up in tan delivery uniforms. The two drug bosses kept their eyes on one another as they walked into the kitchen and gave Dre a fist bump each.

Dre's phone began ringing as he watched the two drug czars leave and he pulled his iPhone out from his pants pocket. "Yo?"

"You got a black Yukon sitting out front. They ya boy peoples. Niggas talking shit about how they gonna hit you." Angel said on the phone.

"Good thing I'm paying you to watch shit from across the street. Stay put." He then hung up and tossed the phone back in his pants pocket. Dre retrieved a black 9MM pistol from the back of his waist and walked out through the back door. He cocked the weapon back and stormed around the side of the house and saw a black Yukon Denali that was parked alongside the curb. Dre opened fire, shattering the passenger seat windows.

The truck pulled off with Gunz in the driver seat. He was panicking and looked over at Flee, whom was slumped with his body leaning out of the passenger seat as his white leather jacket was turning red. Bullets had riddled his chest and he was no longer breathing.

Angel exited a blue colored abandoned house across the street and looked at Dre. "I got you covered. Get da fuck up out of here my G."

Dre nodded his head and stormed over to his black Chevy Tahoe that was parked in the driveway and began backing out.

Ty walked inside his navy blue colored apartment in the Shore Side area and tossed his keys on a black colored nightstand as he had a look of anger on his face. "What da fuck happened?!" He asked while fuming with enough anger that not even the best anger management counselor could deal with. Ty's jaw was clenched and his fists were balled.

Gunz sat on the arm of a black leather couch and was sliding a clip into an AK-47 assault rifle. "Ya boy killed Flee. Dats wat happened nigga."

"Who da fuck you talking to, lil nigga?!" Ty asked while walking towards Gunz, readying himself to give a thorough ass beating over to Gunz.

Scrappy walked up from a corner in the living room and grabbed Ty. "Chill my dude. Just sit and let's talk."

Ty pushed Scrappy off of him and wanted to knock Scrappy the fuck out. "TALK?! YOU NIGGAS WANNA TALK?! WHAT THE FUCK HAPPENED?!"

"He was meeting up wit some niggas. We followed da nigga from his apartment. We tried to go at da nigga. But somehow dis nigga got da drop on us. Someone had to have been watching and gave us up to da nigga. Someone had to know dat we were there." Gunz said explaining himself with a look of annoyance.

"Who da fuck told you to make a move?!" Ty asked while stepping closer to Gunz.

Before Gunz could say anything Scrappy stepped up and got in Ty's face. "I told them to do the job. Nigga wasn't going to just sit down and keep things peaceful. So I made the call. You wanna be mad at someone then be mad at me." Scrappy said adamantly while staring into Ty's eyes. "I took that burden off you and placed it on me. You couldn't do it. You too blinded by your love for that nigga. So I did the shit, Ty. You don't need to even think about this. We got too much shit going on, so it's best you don't have this on your mind."

Ty pointed a finger towards Scrappy while his eyebrows lowered in anger. "DA FUCK YOU KNOW WHAT I NEED ON MY MIND, MUH'FUCKA?! WE NEEDED HIM TO HELP MOVE DIS COKE NIGGA!"

"What's done is done. Ain't no going back. We in a war with just Dre. Shit is no big deal." Gunz said in a cocky voice as he cocked back the assault rifle in his possession.

Ty wanted to kill Gunz and Scrappy. He couldn't believe they had the audacity to make a move after he said not to strike at Dre. His closest friend, his mentor, had almost been killed by his crew and that didn't sit too well with him.

Ty thought about what Ares told him about trust and wondered what his crew would do. He tossed the hood of his hoodie on his head and slid his hands inside the pockets of his pants. "We in a war now. I gotta see Ares, and smooth dis shit da fuck out. He's gon want his bread. We putting up all our bread to cover da bread he looking to get back from dis shipment. And I'm willing to bet dat Angel gave y'all up. Do the math. Nigga is fuckin wit Dre. Who else would know dat y'all were there? Dre had dat nigga scoping his scene. Chances are he was getting ready to do a re-up. I know how da nigga thinks." He turned around and walked out of the attic while hoping his crew didn't put him in a bad position when he would go see Ares.

Ashanti turned on her living room light and saw Dre sitting in a chair in the corner. She scrunched up her face as she wondered why he was inside her living room. "Dre... you shouldn't be here."

Dre had a bottle of brandy in his possession and lowered his head. "Ashanti... you're the only person I can trust." He said in a voice that was filled with sorrow. "I never meant to hurt you. I just wanted you to live your life. I didn't want you being stuck with a nigga that's locked up like a fucking caged animal."

Ashanti knew her husband and could tell that something was bothering Dre. "What's wrong?" She asked in a concerned voice while walking over.

Dre finished whatever was left of his bottle and dropped it to the floor. He laid his head back and slouched. "I thought he was my boy. I thought you were my wife. I thought I could be in this game and win. This shit don't love a nigga. Bunny... couldn't handle the pressure of being a real nigga. Ty... let his ego get the best of him. Shit is fucked up."

Ashanti felt for Dre. She knew he was hurting and the last thing she wanted to do was hurt him. She kneeled down in front of Dre and grabbed his hands. She gave him a sympathetic look and wanted him to know she was right there with him, no matter what they had been through. "I'm here for you. What's been going on? I got some calls from Bruno. He said that you were in good standing with Ares."

"I don't know for how much longer."

"Why? What happened?"

"This nigga Ty... he sent his goons to kill me earlier."

Ashanti felt bad and envisioned herself shooting Dre. She kissed one of Dre's hands and started to cry. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry baby."

Dre wrapped his arms around his wife and kissed her on the top of her head. "You shouldn't be apologizing. It's all my fault. I never should've told you to move on without me. You did right be me. You would've held me down no matter how much time I got."

Ashanti wiped her tears away and cleared her throat. "There's something I have to tell you, about Ty. It's about me and him."

"So tell me." Dre said while running a hand through Ashanti's long hair.

Ashanti swallowed a lump in her throat and didn't know how to tell her husband that she shared a kiss with his former lil man. She didn't know how to tell him that Ty had been lusting after her. "I... we both missed you. That's why all this is fucked up. He told me that you didn't mean any of the things you said." Ashanti said halfway lying. She kissed Dre on the lips and couldn't bring herself to tell him what all had truly happened.

Chapter 11

Ty stood by the elevators inside of the building that housed Ares penthouse and had on a different attire that what he normally would wear. Ty looked the part of a corporate executive as he wore a grey suit, red buttoned shirt with a black tie and black shoes all courtesy of Salvatore Ferragamo. He had a look of determination. He had plenty of things on his mind and the last thing Ty wanted was to be at the wrong end of Ares wrath.

The elevator doors opened and Ares calmly walked out, dressed the part he rightful had earned: wearing a burgundy suit, a purple long sleeve buttoned shirt with a navy blue tie that had burgundy & purple designs, a purple pocket square, black leather belt and black shoes all courtesy of Brooks Brothers. The kingpin adjusted his custom made watch and bracelets that rested on his wrists as he gave a calm yet menacing look over towards Ty. "You come by my building early in the morning. I presume, you must be here due to the situation between yourself and Andre?"

"Yeah. Things have gotten out of hand." Ty said knowing he was on thin ice.

"Why did you order your crew to make such a move against Andre?" Ares asked as he took a step towards Ty.

Ty knew he had to come clean about his crew. He hated it, but he wasn't going to back away. He placed his hands inside the pockets of his pants while standing straight in front of Kensington's most powerful cocaine kingpin. "My crew did shit on dey own. Niggas thought Dre was gonna try to get at boys. He wasn't rockin wit me being da distro and shit."

"You don't have control over your crew?"

"I can handle them. I'm a keep a close eye on them."

"He was your friend. You were a groomsman at his wedding. He's married to my sister which means something."

Ty felt sick to his stomach. His nose flared as his fists were balled up. "I know but-"

"You are going to cease all hostilities you have with Andre." Ares said bluntly as he interrupted Ty, giving a stern look while demonstrating his power over the young man.

"I understand."

"Now how do you plan on moving my product?" Ares asked in a serious tone as he studied Ty's body language.

"I'm a talk wit da Albanians. I'm a see if dey can help move dis shit. If not... I'm a force niggas to move dis shit."

Ares ran his tongue across his teeth and then scratched his chin. "If you can't move my product then I'll have no further use for you." The kingpin placed a hand on Ty's shoulder and stared deep into the soul of the young man. "You need to make things right, with Andre. I'm not sanctioning a hit on the husband of my sister."

Ares wasn't going to let his two distributors go at each other. He wasn't about to lose money behind their egos and would rather eliminate them himself as opposed to them waging war in the streets of Kensington.

"I understand." Ty said as he was agreeing to oblige with what Ares has ordered for the time being, unbeknownst to the kingpin. "Sup wit dat shit that happened to them Sicilians?"

"One of their own decided to flip on them to reduce his sentence. He was caught with multiple firearms when the police arrived due to a domestic violence issue. He'll be handled before the night arrives inside Kensington Correctional Institute." Ares said in an arrogant tone as he looked over at an elevator that was about to open. "This meeting has concluded."

Ty rubbed his hands and walked out of the building as he was in heavy thought over how he was going to remove Dre.

Nicole exited the elevator while holding Selina, whom wore a green onesie made by Louis Vuitton. She kissed her husband on the cheek and handed Selina over to Ares. "The boys should be here soon."

Ares kissed the top of Selina's forehead and slightly grinned. "Good."

Another elevator opened and Maxwell, Carter and David all exited wearing matching outfits: black leather jackets, black jeans and black leather sneakers all made by Gucci. The boys each gave their father a fist bump.

"Sup Pops?"

"We still going to Aunt Ashanti's?"

"I'm trying to bring both my girlfriends to Aunty house."

Ares chuckled at his boys and looked at them each. "Let's go." He then walked out of his building while holding his daughter as his wife and three sons joined him.

Dre stood in the kitchen of Juan's diner and rubbed his hands together. "We bout to be in a war."

"The fuck you mean?" Juan asked as his back was pressed up against a sink. "I thought this transition was supposed to go down smooth?"

"It was supposed to." Dre said as he looked down at the floor. He knew that Juan might back out if he didn't come up with a way to convince him to stay. "Let me be honest for a second..." Dre looked up at Juan, and placed his hands inside of his hoodie pocket. "Shit was supposed to go down easy. But Ty isn't making shit easy. He sent his crew at me."

"The same lil nigga that was up under you? So your lil man is putting pressure on your ass, Dre? Your lil nigga? You serious?" Juan asked in a tone of disbelief while twisting his face at Dre.

"He had taken things over when I got jammed up. So the boy was making some moves. I got out and he wasn't trying to play his part. Straight up."

"And you reached out to me and Big Grease So we could move your shit, cause your lil nigga had taken your whole network, huh?"

"Yeah."

Juan chuckled and pointed a finger at Dre. "How you let some lil nigga-"

Dre cut off Juan as he walked up. His face was one that was serious and he wasn't in the mood. "I had love for the nigga. I snatched Angel away just to let him know that I still could outsmart his ass. Don't forget who you talking to, Juan. How many of your niggas did Big Grease's crew body? They dropped a few of your people. Who got that shit squashed? Me!"

Dre was making his point. He wasn't one to be pushed over and had come too far to let anyone think that he had grown soft. Dre put blood, sweat and tears into building the reputation he had.

Juan tilted his head and scratched his chin as he studied Dre's body language. "So what's the plan?"

"I'm shooting and putting niggas in the ground." Dre said coldly as he walked up to the Puerto Rican drug boss. "Have your people sell the coke and I'm a pay Ares a visit. You, Angel and Big Grease focus on the blow and bread. I got the rest of this shit covered."

The afternoon had arrived and Ty stood in front of a black colored barbershop in the Shore Side area of town. He was puffing away on a blunt and felt as if he had no way out. The world was against him. He couldn't get the green light to kill Dre, but knew he needed to even though it was something he didn't want to do. Ty flicked the blunt onto the street as he blew the smoke out. He turned around and walked inside the barbershop, feeling out of place due to seeing a bunch of Albanian individuals inside.

The barbershop was all black with lights built into the ceiling. Several men wearing black colored barber shirts were standing behind several chairs and were occupied with different customers. The men kept cutting hair as an athletically built, tall Albanian man walked up from the back of the shop. He wore a black suit with a black polo shirt and black shoes. The man walked up to Ty, extending a hand. "Ty?"

"Yeah." Ty said while shaking the man hand. "Is Yeti here?"

"Follow me." The man said and turned around. He led Ty down to a hallway in the back of the shop and the two men exited through the back door.

Yeti was rubbing a pigeon and looked stunning. Her long brunette hair flowed down her back as her green colored eyes added to her sex appeal. Yeti wore a black leather jacket with a pair of black leggings that hugged her toned thighs and firm rear end. Her black colored knee high boots added to her look as she turned her head, looking at Ty. "You need me to fix a situation, correct?"

"Yeah." Ty said as he took a step forward. "Yeah. I need y'all to do some shit for a nigga." He removed a wad of cash from his suit jacket pocket and handed it over towards Yeti. "I need Dre to get hit. Make it quick, clean and keep shit quiet."

Yeti continued to rub her pigeon and looked over to the man that brought Ty to her. "Bujar, show him the way out."

Bujar nodded his head and patted Ty on the shoulder. He grabbed the money and smirked at the feeling of it in his hand. "This feels light."

"Half now, half after the job gets done." Ty said while looking over at Bujar. "You can get da nigga tonight. He'll be at one of these spots. I guarantee da shit niggas." Ty pulled out a piece of paper from his pants pocket and handed it over to Bujar. "I'm a cut you in on another deal. Fifty-fifty."

"I'm all ears." Yeti said as continued to rub her pigeon.

"I know you getting shit from dem Chinese niggas. But I can give you da best blow in da city. I have a pipeline to Ares Forster. We could be partners. Fifty-fifty, we all eat good." Ty said hoping that the Albanian mob boss would accept his offer.

Yeti walked over and extended her hand. "So long as you can give us the amount we need then all is well. I'll even take care of Dre personally. I heard that Ares product is pure."

Ty smiled and shook Yeti's hand. "I can give you whatever it is that you need, and his shit is pure. Da best shit you'll ever come across. My word on dat."

"Then we have a deal." Yeti said and turned around, looking up at the sky while massaging her pigeon.

Yeti's Albanian crew distributed cocaine all through Kensington's east side, west side, Central-Town, downtown, Shore Side, north side, south side and Dover Ville; which meant they had their hands in every part of the city.

Ty walked inside the attic of Scrappy mother's house. He slapped hands with Gunz and did the same with Scrappy. "I got da Albanians to hit Dre."

Scrappy bit his bottom lip while wondering what the backlash would be with this latest move made by Ty. "How you think Ares is going to respond?"

"He doesn't know, so we in da clear B." Ty said while walking across the attic floor. He grabbed a bottle of brandy off the floor and took a sip. "We good."

Scrappy wasn't liking the feeling he was getting. He felt butterflies in his stomach and placed his hands on the back of his neck. "Ty, we gotta be prepared. Dre is protected by Ares. We protected by Ares too. This shit-"

"We got dis." Gunz said while walking over to Ty. "How we gonna still push dis coke out though?"

"I got da Albanians." Ty said in a cocky voice with a matching grin. "Dem niggas our partners. Fifty-fifty and shit is all good. Then we gonna rob Angel's next shipment and drop his ass. Then I'm a get Ashanti. I been laying off her cause Dre's bitch ass came home. But I'm a snatch her ass up and make her mine."

Ty was trying to hide his pain in front of his crew. He didn't want to kill Dre, but had no choice. He'd look weak if he didn't make a move. But Ty hoped that Ares wouldn't catch wind of his plan to remove Dre. He knew that he could have Ashanti if Dre was out of the picture, and planned on making his move once she was placed into an emotional state of vulnerability.

Dre was seated inside of Ashanti's living room and scratched his cheek. "They tried to kill me. I can't let that shit slide."

Ares was standing with his back pressed against a wall. He held a glass of cognac and took a sip. "War amongst my distros are bad for business."

Bruno was seated on a couch and held a glass of cognac. He took a sip while watching his boss and Dre.

"I know. I'm not asking for a war." Dre said and stood up. He picked up a glass off the living room table and sipped his glass of vodka. "I'm just trying to get the green light, so I could get rid of Ty and his crew."

Ares took another sip and calmly walked over to Dre. The kingpin placed a hand on Dre's shoulder, giving his brother in law a stern look. "I'm giving you the green light to perform a hit. But... you need to keep my sister happy. If you and Ashanti should ever get an annulment or divorce... it will lead to your demise."

Ares had to let it be known that he wouldn't tolerate Dre trying to end his marriage with Ashanti. The ruthless kingpin had to let Dre know that Ashanti was the sole reason as to what was keeping Dre in good standing with him.

Dre understood what Ares was saying. He figured this wasn't his hill to die on and decided to let things be. Dre wasn't a punk but he knew that he didn't stand a chance against Ares. He had more to gain with Ares alive than he'd ever have with the kingpin being dead.

He scratched his chin and extended a hand over to Ares. "I'll make it quick. My cousin is coming home from prison in a couple of weeks. I'm going to place him as my partner and when this situation with Ty is over, I'd like to open up the business venture that me and Shawn had discussed. I'm going to place my cousin as the manager."

Ares finished his glass and patted Dre on the shoulder. "Good. Cause I'll be looking to have you be my chief distro for here, L.A., Houston and Dallas. It appears your cousin coming home is going to help with you being in a newly appointed position, Andre." He handed the glass over to Dre, and walked out the front door with Bruno behind him.

Dre rested both glasses on his living room table and rubbed his hands together as he conjured up a plan to remove Ty. He was feeling good about himself and reveled in his glory. He picked up a glass bottle of vodka and poured himself another drink. Dre began drinking out his glass and picked his iPhone off the table. He dialed Ashanti's number, only to hang up once it went to voicemail. Dre finished his glass and grabbed his leather jacket off the arm of the couch. He tossed his jacket on and walked over to the front door. Dre opened it and stepped out. He looked around to make sure nobody would catch him slipping.

A black Malibu pulled up and the passenger window rolled down, revealing Bujar in the passenger seat. He climbed out and closed the door. "Dre, right?"

"Yeah. Who you?" Dre asked while pulling out a chrome .45 pistol from the back of his waist.

"It's not even like that." Bujar said as he held his hands up. "Someone paid me a visit to come handle something."

"The fuck that got to do with me? How you know where I stay at?" Dre asked as he walked down to Bujar, keeping the pistol firmly pointed at the Albanian man. "Sup with you?"

A loud gun shot filled the air causing Dre to fall on the sidewalk, face first as he dropped his firearm. He was gasping for air as his he struggled to breathe. Dre rolled over onto his back and cringed out of agony.

Yeti walked up wearing a black hoodie, black leggings and black combat boots. She held a black 9MM in her possession and was the one that had fired the bullet. Yeti then opened fire and hit Dre several times in the chest.

Bujar grabbed the gun from Yeti and tucked it in the front of his waist as he looked around. "Let's get out of here."

To be continued

Coming soon

Married To The Cartel 3
