Reckless

Epic 1

I took care of all of the funeral arrangements; everything from the location down to the arrangement of flowers that laid beside Terri's casket... Titan didn't have to do shyt and I felt like it was my fault this happened in the first place. It was clear that they were trying to get to me and seven people ended up losing their lives because of it; I looked at Titan as he sat in the front of the funeral home, his expression hard and focused.... he hadn't cried since the night I told him and how he managed to keep it together, it showed me a lot about him. Hell, I broke down when I thought my mom wasn't going to make it, I cried like a child when I was alone but Titan.... he kept his playful demeanor and optimistic outlook telling me 'she was in a better place'. I looked around the funeral, the swarms of unknown faces made me slightly nervous but I spared no expense when it came to security, even going as far as to twist the arm of the Chief of Police for added police presence so that Titan could put lay his mom to rest in relative peace. I made eye contact with my dad who sat in the very back of the pews and nodded once, that brief exchange said a lot but this wasn't the time or place for that conversation. Once again Titan impressed me as he got up and delivered the eulogy, everyone was in tears by the time he finished and yet he didn't shed one tear, I quickly brushed a lone tear from my eye and nodded to him as he returned to his seat.... after that everything seemed to speed up and the next thing I knew we were standing near her final resting place.

"The offer still stands.... Tion said you are more than welcome to come stay with him until school starts, he has plenty of space and I hear Houston has a lot to do, it might keep you distracted from everything." I said as people started heading back to their cars.

"Nah... I mean I appreciate it but Deuce is letting me stay at his place, I might take you up on that offer in mid-July so that my move isn't as difficult. But right now I wanna be here....." Titan said looking down at the coffin and quickly turning his head.

"I'm so sorry man..... this happened because of me and I'll never be able to apologize enough. If i hadn't been there, there's a good chance this wouldn't have happened and I........." Titan silenced me with a look, it was crazy how much he looked like......

"Epic, promise me right now.... here at my mother's grave that the people who are truly responsible will pay, I want them violated in the worst possible way. Promise me Epic, that's the only way I can move in peace, I......" Titan's voice cracked slightly but he quickly recovered. "This is the most important I'll ever ask of you.... please man I....." Titan said and I realized how close he was to breaking.

"Titan, you have my word.... the men responsible will pay. I'll do more than violate them, I'll break them in ways that defy logic." I said knowing that Uno, Preacher, and Santería were already looking for Ondrej and Omerion Fuller. "We don't ever need to speak on this again.... come on, let's go get some of this food and wrap this day up because no offense you look horrible." I said smiling and Titan smiled back, with one last look at his mother's grave, Titan turned held his chin up, and started walking back to the hearse that was waiting for us...........

After spending most of the day with Titan, finally, I made my way home where most of my closest men were waiting.... I say most because of course, Frenchie decided he just wasn't going to show up for yet another meeting. I was tempted to send someone over there but that would only cause more friction between me and Frenchie that I really didn't need right now. I looked at Yaseem, Preacher, Uno, and Santerìa before stepping onto the elevator; we didn't speak but that short ride was filled with tense energy and I knew that once we finished this conversation there was no going back.......

"Uno, have you spoken to Frenchie?" I asked once we were inside, Uno shook his head and continued walking towards the kitchen. I looked at Yaseem and he nodded once letting me know that he had spoken to him.... we all sat at the table waiting on Uno who returned with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. "So what was Frenchie doing that was so important that he couldn't be here tonight?" I asked Yaseem.