The Face That Launched A Thousand Bullets (The Cartel Publications Presents)
Read The Face That Launched A Thousand Bullets (The Cartel Publications Presents) Online
Authors: T. Styles
The Face That Launched A Thousand Bullets
Copyright © 2009 by The Cartel Publications. All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form without permission
from the author, except by reviewer who may quote passages
to be printed in a newspaper or magazine.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE:
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses,
organizations, places, events and incidents are the product of the
author’s imagination or are used fictionally. Any resemblance of
actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
Library of Congress Control Number: 2009907456
ISBN:
0-9823913-2-3
ISBN 13:
978-0-9823913-2-7
Cover Design: Davida Baldwin www.oddballdsgn.com
Editor: Right Way Editorial Services
Typsett: T. Styles
www.thecartelpublications.com
First Edition
Printed in the United States of America
What’s Up Fam,
First and foremost we are overwhelmed with the continued support, well wishes and sometimes hugs we receive from our fans and followers. Ya’ll have no idea how much we appreciate it. Believe me, all that we are and do is for you. Aight, enough of the mushy shit, let’s get on wit’ the reason for the letter. It is my Honor…My duty…My privilege to announce and introduce to you, “The Face That Launched 1000 Bullets”. In my humble opinion, I believe this one is goin’ be a CERTIFIED street classic. These boys are mean, but they didn‘t start out that way. Circumstances can make or break you or just form the person you become!! “T” put her heart into these youngins’ and this story. Trust me, you will not be disappointed, I guarantee it!!
As always, in each book we pay homage to an urban street legend doin’ his or her thing in the industry. This book is no exception, so without further delay, we show love and respect to,
“
Deja King”
Deja is the authoress of the street classic, “Bitch” series. She has penned several other titles such as, “Stackin’ Paper”; “Trife Life To Lavish”; “Stackin’ Paper 2”; “Dirty Little Secrets”; “Hooker to Housewife” and “Superstar”. She also co-authored wit’ “T” along wit’ Miasha & Daaimah Poole on, “Diamond Playgirls”. Deja is the truth and The Cartel recognizes and congratulates her on all her success!
Ok Fam…I took up enough of your time. Get comfortable and get it in. I’ll kick it wit’ you again soon!
Charisse “C. Wash” Washington
VP, The Cartel Publications
Follow us on twitter @
Dedication
This is dedicated to my customers at the Cartel Café & Books store.
Thanks for holding me down in everything I do.
Acknowledgements
I
done put so many books out this year, I feel like I’m blogging when I write my acknowledgments. So I’m gonna keep it short and sweet.
I
acknowledge all those who seek their dreams.
I
acknowledge all those who fulfill their destinies despite naysayers.
I
acknowledge all those who respect their fellow peers in the book game and beyond because they realize in order to legitimize this industry, we
must
form alliances.
I
acknowledge all my babies behind bars who although you may get a little freaky in the letters you write me, support my work. I know it comes from a good place. LOL!! And just so you know, I don’t read the freaky ones.
Sorry fellas
.
Well, I hope you enjoy this novel. The Face is the novel, which sparked the creation of The Cartel Publications. It was this very book, which gave me the inspiration to do it on my own. And now, a little over a year later, we’re ten books in and getting stronger by the month. We don’t intend on going anywhere but the top. I’m in it to win it. Thanks for staying by my side.
T. Styles
President & CEO, The Cartel Publications
Visit our book store at:
Cartel Café & Books
5011 Indian Head Highway
Oxon Hill, MD 20745
240 724-7225
Every Saga Begins Somewhere
The Face That Launched A Thousand Bullets
The love of money brought them together.
The love of a woman tore them apart.
Prologue
Present Day
Ten Days Before Christmas
“
You’re askin’ a lot from me right now, Daddy! I just don’t love him!” The young woman paused momentarily to place her Gucci black purse on the counter and to plop down in the seat one over from him. She didn’t mean for her voice to carry so loudly as she spoke into her Blackberry cell phone, but she was extremely upset.” What about me not loving him? And what about what I want?”
Her eyes met a stranger’s who was staring at her and she spoke a little lower. “I love you, too, Daddy.” She sounded defeated. “I’ll see you soon.” She tossed her phone onto the counter.
Although her face was wet from the snow mixed with rain outdoors, the man sitting across from her at the restaurant counter could still tell she’d been crying.
“
You okay? Can I get you somethin’?”
“
If you can convince my father to let me marry who I want instead of some rich ass boy from my college, that’ll be a start. I’m in love with a man he can’t stand and it’s killin’ me!”
The wind outside whipped around Kristina’s Diner, interrupting their conversation momentarily. When it settled down, the Temptations CD could be heard amongst the customer’s cheerful chatter. It was truly a frosty winter day.
Moments later, the waitress came out and placed a slice of pie and a cup of hot chocolate in front of him before addressing her.
“
Can I get you anything?” she asked, wiping the wetness from her leather coat off the counter.
“
Yes…a cup of coffee, please.” When the waitress left he addressed the distraught woman again.
“
Why don’t you put your foot down, shawty? You can’t be layin’ up with somebody you ain’t feelin’. Tell him how it is and let him sort that shit out.”
“
You don’t know my father. He’s paying for grad school, my apartment and my car. If I don’t marry him and leave Trent alone, he’ll cut me off for good! I don’t have the courage or the money to support myself.”
“
What about the man you love?”
“
Who--Trent?” she asked dismissively. “He just got a job as a teacher. He can barely take care of himself, let alone me. I don’t know what to do.” Her fawn eyes searched his for an answer and she reminded him of his woman.
“
I feel you…but you can’t worry about that. Naw mean? You got to do what’s best for you. Straight up!”
“
It’s easier said than done.” She rested her elbows on the counter and threw her face in her hands. “I’m confused.”
“
Let me tell you a story about my shawty. She went through something similar. Got time?”
She hunched her shoulders. “I guess so. I ain’t doin’ nothin’ else.”
“
What’s your name?” he asked.
“Tammy.” She was hesitant.
“Well, Tammy, you’re in for the story of your life.”
Thinkin’ of a master plan
…
‘
Cause ain’t nothin’ but sweat inside my hand…
So I dig into my pocket, all my money spent…
So I dig deeper but still comin’ up with lint…
So I start my mission-leave my residence…
Thinkin’ how could I get some dead presidents…
-
Eric B and Rakim