I drape my jacket over the chair and set my luggage by the desk. I booked a hotel because I don't want to head straight to the hood. I need to get a feel for the environment first. I grab my phone and dial Chris' number.
"Wassup man I just landed."
"Straight up ? Where you at bro I'ma pick you up ?"
"I'm in the front of the Starbucks in the 3rd Avenue."
"Next to Walmart ?"
"Yea."
"Be there in 15 minutes."
"Aight." I hang up.
This Starbucks store is located in front of my hotel. I have a good view of the area from my room. I need to make sure that he's coming alone. I trust Wendy's intuition, which is why I wanna be careful.
After a few minutes, I spot a black car pulling into the Walmart parking lot. Chris steps out and calls me.
"I'm here."
"Aight I'm coming."
It only around three minutes for me to reach is location. Chris is smoking a blunt when I walk to him. We dap up.
"Long time no see brother. You looking big and shit."
"Got a wifey you know. Gotta give the best version of myself."
"Fasho. Where is she ?"
"At work. She couldn't free herself."
"That's coo. So... Gotta keep you in the loop. A lotta shit happened."
"I'm listening."
"So when you got locked up, Zel took your place. He reunited all the boys and said there was a snitch among us. He said that snitch had been killed by your ex. Then he said that nigga was giving info to the cops. That's how he explained that you been locked up."
The actual reasons for my incarceration were possession of a firearm, criminal conspiracy and obstruction of justice. I didn't kill the man but shit got messy real quick. The cops pinned everything on me because I was hosting the party. And I know Alicia cooperated with the police. I swear I'll make her pay one day.
"I knew he was up to something but I couldn't contact you." Chris continues. "He threatened to kill me if I tried to go against him. I couldn't raise an army cause all the boys pledged allegiance to him. I had to wait a few months to be off his radar. But that nigga was still on my dick. He said I could visit you and shit but all the money had to come from him. He told everybody he was the one supporting you. For all em niggas, Denzel and you are brothers."
"Fuck outta here." I smack my lips.
Finding out that he's been playing the good old friend for all these years makes me sick.
"If I knew the money came from him, I wouldn't have taken it. Why didn't you tell me ?"
"Man I tried a couple of times but he had me on 24/7 surveillance. You know Ion work and shit, all the money always comes from the streets. He blocked everything. I couldn't even get no food without having him informed. Shit I coudn't fuck without telling him."
Something doesn't make sense but I refrain myself from showing my confusion.
"Does he know you here ?"
"No."
"How can you be so sure ? You just said he follows all your moves."
"Long as I aint gone for too long, I'm good."
"Aight... Why he wanna meet me ?"
"Ion know. That's why I wanted you know everything that happened. Denzel's name is feared in the streets. To be honest with you bro, he got bigger than you."
