Loyal To You

6

Phoenix King Harris

"Iight baby. Listen to me. When it hits 2:50, make your way over the light post on the corner by McDonald's" I said, fixing her black mask.

"The one across the street from the bus thing right?"

I chuckles and nodded "Yea baby. That one"

"That's in downtown though "

"I know. You be seeing all them homeless people right? They on drugs and would do whatever it takes to buy some. But if you're against going, let me know now and we'll just come back home."

"You're asking me if I'm fine with it?" She asked.

"Yea ma. We're a team"

She looked at me for a while and I put My hands on her waist, pulling her closer. "Yea we can do that"

"Iight cool. Don't forget what I said" I pulled her mask over her mouth and kissed her which seemed like forever. "Be safe ma"

She nodded and pulled her mask back down over her mouth before we parted ways and went in different directions.

Before I left the house, I put coke in a few tiny viles and put some weed in dime and nickel bags. I kissed my cross necklace and prayed that Nariah and I got home safe.

I have another cross necklace similar to mine stored away in my dresser. I want to give it to Nariah but Ion know if she'll want it. She might think I'm moving to fast or some s**t.

The necklace belonged to my moms.

My mom was a prostitute but she always kept her personal life away from her work. She didn't think I knew what she did but I did.

I never really talk about her but i did to Nariah. I keep off the subject though cause every time I do, I get mad as f**k. I'm not sure who murdered her but I do remember walking in on her dying. Blood was everywhere and when I walked in the room, we locked eyes.

"Mommy what happen?" I asked, rushing to her side. She said nothing. Just chocked up on blood and stated at me. Tears ran down my face "Who did this?"

"I love you" she said lowly, her hand living over her cross necklace. The same one I have around my neck.

"I love you too" my eyes followed her hand movements. I took the chain off and held it in my hands. I looked at the cross and when I looked back at my mom, her eyes were closed and her chest wasn't moving.

I was only 9.

I shook my head of that memory and thought about something else to keep my mind off it. Nariah. Just thinkin about her made a nigga smile. I can't believe I'm saying this s**t but she making a nigga go soft.

Ion know if its her smile that can make any situation go from bad to good or if its how she so gently with me. Sometimes a nigga living a life like this need a girl like Nariah.

I'm happy as f**k I found her first though. She down for whatever, beautiful and she pure. Can't no nigga say he f****d her, or even kissed her cause she loyal to me. That's all a nigga need.

"Lemme get 3" I sized the female up and down before looking around and pulling 3 from under my tongue. She gave me $80. "You might wanna be careful out here. I was just around the block and seen this nigga get robbed and popped like it was nothing"

I nodded "'preciate it" when she walked off, I smiled. Yea that's my baby puttin in work.

Nariah Ayche'a Washington

I walked didn't the sidewalk going to meet Phoenix by McDonald's. I had my head straight ahead, looking nowhere but straight.

I hit at least 6 niggas tonight and after I capped them, I took all they money and product and stuffed it in my backpack.

I made sure to stay off Phoenix block but hit every block in front and behind his. Yea I'm still a little shaken up but once I'm with Phoenix, I'll be fine.

A few minutes away from McDonald's, I hear sirens behind me. My heart rate sped up but I stayed calm hoping they'd pass me. "Stop right there" I heard behind me. Without looking back, I took off running.

Instead of making a left to McDonald's, I hit that right. I'm not sure if Phoenix still had anything on him and I ain't want him to get caught. I looked at my watch quickly. 3:00.

I jumped a few fences and gates before hiding in some bushes. I felt something cut through my leg and it stated stinging. I feel blood running down my leg but I stayed quiet.

I watched as the officer slowly walked pasted the bush. He didn't even look my way and soon he was gone. I looked around the corner of the house I was behind before limping to Phoenix.

"What happen ma?" Phoenix asked, crouching down and pulling my jeans up. I looked down and see a huge gash in my calf. "Who did this?"

"Nobody. I was hiding from a cop in the bushes"

"Iight." He said, grabbing the backpack and picking me up. "You better be lucky you light"

I laughed and laid my head in the crock of his neck "Thanks baby" I kissed his neck.

"No problem"

***

Phoenix King Harris

"I heard about you" I said looking up at Nariah. She smiled then I smiled. "You was out poppin niggas like it was nothing"

"Well you know I gotta make my baby proud" she shrugged. I finished wrapping up her leg then stood up, between he legs. "I know where we could get some other stuff to get more money"

I rubbed up and down her thigh while she wrapped her arms around my neck and ran her fingers through my hair.

"Where at?"

"Well there was this nigga on 2nd and he was trying to negotiate. Saying if I don't kill him, he'll tell me about where I could get some real stuff that'll make us more money. Then after I said I won't kill him, he said we could find some Meth on the west side of Fort Lauderdale and that'll make us at least $40,000 depending on where we sell it"

"Then what?" I asked.

"I shot him" she shrugged. I shook my head and smiled, then frowned when Nariah looked upset.

"Talk to me baby"

"I feel so bad" she mumbled, her eyes getting watery "I'm out here killing people. That's not me Phoenix."

I pulled her to the edge of the counter and wrapped my arms around her waist "I know ma but its something we gotta do. I'm doing this for you to get back at Lucky for what he did to your mom. That's it. If you wanna get this out the way, we can just go right after Lucky but that's to dangerous. What we doing now is practice. Getting you ready for later"

I wiped her tears and pecked her lips.

"We ain't gotta do this s**t no more if you don't want to"

She shook her head "I want to"

"You sure?"

She nodded "I just don't wanna feel guilty after"

I pulled away from her and walked out the bathroom, to the bedroom. I went through my top dresser and reached in the back for my moms jewelry box.

I pulled it out and dusted the top off. It was a simple wooden box I made for her when I was in 5th grade. It was a Mother's day gift.

The top was a picture of me and my mom the same day I gave this box to her. Damn, I miss her so much.

Arms wrapped around my waist "She's beautiful Phoenix" Nariah said looking at the picture. "You have her eyes"

"I've heard" I said, smiling a little and opening the box. I bypassed the diamond ring and pulled out the cross necklace. I closed the box and push it behind all my clothes.

I put the necklace up against Nariah neck and she backed away. "I can't wear that Phoenix. Its your moms"

"No come here" I grabbed her hand and pulled her close. Putting the necklace around her neck, I smiled. "It looks beautiful on you"

She looked did at it and smiled "Thank you" she said.

I pulled mine from behind my shirt "Before I go out and do dirty s**t, I say a quick prayer and kiss it."

"For good luck?"

"Naw more like protection"

Nariah walked over to the bed and sat in the middle, still looking at the cross. I got in bed with her, leaned back against the headboard and pulled into my lap making her straddle me.

"What's the prayer you say?"

I run to you, Lord,for protection.

Don't disappoint me.

You do what is right, so come to my rescue.

Listen to my prayer and keep me safe. Be my mighty rock

The place where I can always run for protection.Save me by your command!

You are my mighty rock and my fortress.

Come and save me.

Lord God from vicious and cruel and brutal enemies! i depend on you, and I have trusted you since I was young.

I have relied on you from the day I was born.You brought me safely through birth, and I always praise you.