Crooked G's (3 page)

“If I would have just kept my stupid ass at the slot machines instead of fucking around with that damn crap table bullshit, I would still be out there fucking playing. I could be up right fucking now.”
She screamed in her head. Her chest heaved up and down as she paced the bathroom floor.

She then dug into her purse and pulled out a cigarette. Smoking had been prohibited in all non-gaming areas of the casino, but Shakita didn't care. Getting fined was the least of her worries. Her back slid down the cold wall as the nerve relaxant started to take effect.

She flicked her ashes onto the floor as she dwelled heavily on what she was going to do next. She needed money badly, and her
avenues of opportunity were drying up fast. Now that she was without Kam, there were only two other people she could rely on. She would first go to her best friend, Latrice, for support. If and only if it really got chaotic for her, she would be forced to ask that certain individual for assistance. They would remain her ace-in-the-hole unless she was out of options. She swallowed hard, hoping that her predicament would never get to that drastic level.

“All I got to do is ask her to let me hold a few dollars until I get back up,” Shakita said softly as she lifted herself off the floor.

She quickly headed to Latrice's house hoping her friend would be able to lend a helping hand. Her electricity had been disconnected in her apartment, and she had already been served an eviction notice on top of her other bills. Gambling had truly put everything she had in jeopardy, once again.

L
atrice stared blankly at the ceiling, as Bay dug into her flesh with his overbearing and powerful stroke. The harder he pumped, the more her face tensed in agony. She enjoyed rough sex, but not with Bay. He always unnecessarily took it to another level, somewhat violent. He was a sadist. Bruised knees, bite marks, and bleeding nipples were always part of the outcome. Whenever she complained, more intense pain would be inflicted upon her. Remaining silent and submissive would be her best option. All she ever wanted to do was survive the brutal sex acts, and make him content in the process.

“Open that pussy up for me, girl,” Bay said as he pumped harder. He clasped his hand around her neck and then pinned her left leg up to her shoulder. Latrice grunted as her breathing became compromised. She started to drool all over Bay's hand, fighting to get air into her lungs.

“Come on, girl. If you could get this pussy as wet as your fucking mouth, I might be able to bust, damn!”

Latrice blocked out his callous insult, as she began to lose consciousness. Her eyes twitched, as she choked on the saliva that was trapped in her throat. Right before she blacked out, Bay released the grip on her neck.

“Roll over,” he commanded as he wiped all the slobber off his hand and onto the sheets.

Latrice coughed uncontrollably as she fought to restore her breathing. Tears flooded her eyes as snot poured out of her nose.

“Come on, girl. Stop acting like you can't handle this shit. Now turn your ass over,” he commanded, smacking her thigh.

Latrice slowly turned over on her back as she continued to cough. She had little time to recover, before Bay forced his length back inside her. He held her face down into the pillow as he punished her with strong back shots. Sweat poured off her brow as she continued to endure the severe pain. Bay grunted loudly as he compressed all his weight on top of Latrice's back. His massive frame suffocated her petite body. She felt as if her lungs were touching her spine. His deep groans signaled he was almost ready to bust. All she had to do was hold on a little bit longer, and the demoralizing act would be over.

“Here it comes, baby. Here it…” Bay's words trailed off as he released himself all over Latrice's backside. He slowly rolled off of her while trying to catch his breath. Latrice felt as if a car had merely been lifted off her body. She strived to revitalize herself.

“Damn. Doing three months in the shit hole is going to be rougher than a motherfucka for me. I've never gone that long without any pussy. I wish we could do it again, but I got to go,” Bay stated as he reached on the floor for his jeans.

Latrice rejoiced quietly at the thought of Bay going to jail. Three months wasn't long enough for her, but any amount of time away from him, would help repair her battered core. Her love and detestation for him were equal. She wanted to be his only girl, but hated the level of degradation and womanizing that came along with the dramatized relationship. She hoped after their time apart, she would finally have enough strength to demand more from him.

Latrice's thoughts were interrupted when Bay's phone rang from on top of the nightstand. She grabbed the phone and tried to hand
it to him, but without warning, her face met the back of his hand.

“Why the fuck you pick up my shit? Don't touch my shit. You don't know who could be hitting me up. Nosey-ass bitch.” He shook his head and then answered the phone. “Hello. Yeah, what's up my, nigga. All right, I'll be down in a minute.” He hung up the phone, then looked over at Latrice as blood trickled from her nose. “You brought that upon yourself. Nobody told you to touch my shit.”

“I didn't even look at it. On top of that I don't care who calls you. You be the one tripping off of shit like that. Not me.”

Bay put his shirt back on and waved her off, as if what she was saying didn't matter. Latrice felt slighted as blood continued to pour from her nose. She sighed out of frustration as blood droplets absorbed into her favorite silk sheets. She decided to use the tainted fabric to suppress the bleeding. She looked up at Bay as her eyes filled with tears.

“Why do you treat me like this? I do everything you ask of me, but yet, you treat me like I'm out to get you. I don't deserve this, Bay. Not at all.”

Bay walked over to her and stood directly over top of her. He arched his brow as he stared into her saddened eyes. “You should be lucky with the amount of attention you get from me. Those other hoes don't get shit but dick and hair money. You don't have to remind me that you'll do anything for me. I already know that. I trust you like shit, girl. All the shit you did for me over the years to keep me out of prison, I respect that. I even trust you over my own niggas when it comes to my money. I don't ever have to worry about no snake shit with you. You're my little angel.” He then brushed her face lightly with his hand, causing Latrice to tense up slightly.

“When I get out, we're going to start this label and everything
is going to be straight. I need you to be strong right now. You're all I got to depend on. I'm sorry that I hit you, but don't make that an issue for us. You understand what I'm saying?”

Latrice nodded, confirming she understood. She hated his apology, but knew with Bay, that's the best she would get from him. He was a hardened thug and never displayed vulnerability to anyone. No matter how much he was at fault.

“A'ight, I got to get up out of here, so I can get this fucking time over with. I'm going to call you as often as I can. I need you to be here to catch my calls. Okay?”

“Yeah, I gotchu,” she replied softly.

Bay kissed her forehead and then headed for the door. He turned around and gave her a fierce glare.

“Don't let anything happen to my money. You protect that shit with your life.”

“Don't worry, Bay. Just go do your time and everything will be in order once you get out,” Latrice assured.

Bay simply nodded and left out the door. Latrice didn't even wait long enough to see if he was really gone before she started to cry. Bay had completely destroyed her sense of worth. She didn't like the weak woman she had become. She prayed that during the time Bay was locked up, she would find herself again. She no longer wanted him to dictate her every decision. Latrice wanted to have as much power as Bay did with the record label. Some drastic changes in her life would have to be made, especially if she wanted to be a boss. She had to come up with a game plan.

Shakita walked into Latrice's apartment building right as Bay was leaving out. Their eyes coldly met as he descended down the steps. The abhorrence they shared for each other was clearly evident. She despised him for how he treated Latrice, and Bay hated her for how she played Latrice against him.

“Kita. Don't be
having my girl out here fucking with no niggas while I'm gone. I know how your crazy ass gets down.”

“Whatever, Bay.” She rolled her eyes and tried to brush past him, but he grabbed her arm.

“Don't fuck with me, girl. I'll have your lil' dumb ass go missing,” Bay hissed.

Shakita's heart pumped with fear. Bay had always threatened her but never to this extent. The thought of her getting killed for interfering with their relationship had gone way too far.

Bay finally released her arm and then laughed all the way out the door.
Damn, I hate that motherfucka,
she said to herself as she quickly climbed the steps. She reached Latrice's door and banged on it as hard as she could.

Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!

“Bay must've forgot to tell me something,” she said softly as she approached the door. When Latrice opened the door, she was surprised to see Shakita.

Shakita looked at Latrice's blood-smeared face in shock.

“What the fuck did he do to you?”

Latrice's face became flushed. Shakita was the last person she expected to see.

“Why did he hit you this time, Latrice?”

“I really don't want to talk about it,” she cried softly. She covered her face and then sat on the couch. She was so embarrassed. She always had to make up an excuse for Bay's abusive behavior.

“Him hitting you every week is getting real old. You need to press charges on his ass like that other bitch, so he could stay in jail longer.”

“I can't do that.”

“Yes you can. Don't be scared. I'll even go down there with you.”

“No, I can't do that. I need him to come out.”

“Come out for what? He needs to stop hitting on you. Why do you feel like you need a man like him?”

“I don't need him for what you think. We're going to go ahead and start that record label together.”

“You don't need him to start no label. You can do it by yourself. Damn that. You and me can start one if that's what it will take for you to leave him alone.”

“You know we would not be good in business together. On top of that, neither one of us have any damn money like that to start a label.”

“How do you even know Bay got money like that anymore? What if he's just trying to spin you to keep you around?” Shakita asked with concern.

“No, he has money. I know this for sure.”

“And what makes you so certain of this? Just because he said so?”

“I'm holding his money here until he gets out. I'm the only one he trusts with it.”

“For real? Did he give you a lot?”

“Let's just say he gave me enough. It's enough to make this thing really work.”

“Girl, stop teasing me and tell me how much.”

“Two hundred fifty thousand.”

“Are you serious?”

“I'm so serious. I hid the money in the vent in my room. I'm only telling you this just in case someone comes looking for it. I'm not sure who Bay's enemies are, but if something ever happened to me, I want someone to know where it is.” Latrice saw a diminutive glimmer in Shakita's eyes and could tell exactly what she was thinking. “Shakita. You can't use this money to gamble with. I want to make that very clear. My life depends on it.” Latrice
emphasized the seriousness of her situation. Shakita was an impulsive gambler and being around money was her Achilles' heel. Latrice really had no one else to trust with the money. She had no choice but to tell Shakita.

“Latrice, I would never do anything to jeopardize your life. I know how crazy Bay is. He just threatened to kill me over some bullshit, so I know what he'll do about his money,” Shakita said with sincerity.

“He did? When?” Latrice asked in shock.

“I ran into him downstairs. He told me not to have any niggas around you. I blew him off and he grabbed me up and said he would kill me if I thought he was playing.”

Latrice shook her head in sadness. She was hit with the realization that Bay had more control over her life than she did. Even in jail he would still be her oppressor. An impious puppeteer pulling her strings as he saw fit. She had to find a way to get the upper hand, or at least become his equal. Without her independence, she would be swallowed up in the music world. Bay's jealous and reckless temper would stop her from establishing any connections. No one would want to do deals with her if violence was how Bay conducted his business. She looked at Shakita as she thought about her future.

“That's why his money can't be touched under any circumstances. It's not ours to die over. Promise me you won't do anything stupid.”

Shakita stared Latrice in the eyes and felt ashamed for even thinking about taking the money. As much as she would have loved to use it for her own personal gain, she couldn't go through with it. She hated Bay to the core, but crossing him would be death to both of them. She had to do what was right to keep Latrice out of harm's way. “I promise I won't touch the money. You have my word.”

Latrice could tell that Shakita was being honest by the mood of
her eyes. They were no longer narrow and filled with complicity. They had changed to being broad and lenient. Now that Latrice had Shakita's sworn word, she could focus on getting her life plan together. The record label was her main priority, and she had to learn more about the industry, she was so desperately trying to be a part of. She had to make moves quickly, so she would be at the top of her game by the time Bay got out. Swollen nose and all, she was determined to make every second count. She was ready to leave out since the bleeding had ceased, and remembered that Shakita must have stopped by to see her for a reason.