Officer Reynolds' Perspective:
Another damn dead end. I should've known Malik would've cleared out, but still, walking through his empty warehouse felt like salt in a wound. The whole raid squad and I were striding through aisles of bare shelves and empty crates that were supposed to be packed to the brim with illegal guns, cash, or something. But Malik? He was always one step ahead, like he got some heads-up or somethin'.
One of my officers jogged over, shaking his head. "Nothing, sir. This place is clean."
I clenched my teeth, turning around to face him. "What about Jamal's and Mack's crew? Anything on those guys?"
The officer shuffled, eyes down. "No, sir. We've been keepin' tabs, but they're not slippin' up. Every spot we thought they'd stash somethin'? Empty."
I clenched my fists, frustration burning in my gut. This was getting ridiculous. It was like chasing shadows, and every time I thought we'd cornered 'em, they vanished into thin air.
"Alright. Fall back," I said through gritted teeth. "We regroup and figure out our next steps. I don't care what it takes – we're gonna get these guys."
As we left the warehouse, I couldn't shake the feeling that somehow, Malik knew exactly where to move every single piece. And the fact that he was always two steps ahead? Yeah, that was gonna change.
1 month later
Diamond's Perspective :
Freedom hit me all quiet-like, just me walkin' out into the morning sun with no one waitin' outside, no phone, nothin'. The guards barely even looked at me as I stepped through the gate. It was cold as hell and they had me wearing my damn birthday dress. My phone was dead, it was 8 in the morning and they wouldn't let me use theirs. So, I just stood there, lookin' around, feelin' like I got dropped in the middle of nowhere.
The closest place was Layla's, so I figured I'd start there. It wasn't far—around a twenty-minute walk—but it felt longer with my mind racin', mad as hell at the fucking police for not letting anybody know I was getting out today. Had my ass walking barefoot, heels and dead phone in hand.
When I got to her place, I was just about to knock, but then I heard her inside, talkin' real low. I leaned close to the door, and her voice came through, shakier than I'd ever heard. She was sayin' somethin' about...Reynolds?
"You had me snitch on her just for you to release her? What if she figures out?" She was panickin' on the phone, then I heard her slam it down.
My stomach twisted. Had Layla been...snitchin' on everybody? Malik, Jamal, Mack, me? One of my best friends, the one person I thought had my back?
I pushed the door open, and there she was, standin' there, starin' at me like she'd seen a ghost.
"Layla," I said, my voice hard, almost a whisper, "fuck did I just hear?"
She didn't say a word. Her hand started shakin', and next thing I knew, she was reachin' under the couch, pullin' out somethin'. My heart started poundin' as I saw the shine of metal in her hand.
"Layla, don't—"
But it was too late. A shot rang out, and pain burst through my stomach like fire, knockin' the breath right outta me. I hit the ground, clutchin' my stomach, the world spinnin'.
Through the haze, I saw her throwin' clothes into a bag, her face twisted in panic. Then she bolted, runnin' out the door and disappearin' into her car.
Everything was goin' dark, and the last thought I had was that I'd never thought Layla'd be the one to leave me here...
Janelle's Perspective:
YOU ARE READING
Gangster's Gem: The Devious Dance
حركة (أكشن)In the heart of the bustling city of Atlanta, two bold and fearless spirits collide under the dazzling lights of Club Eclipse. Devious Diamond, the fearless dancer, and Money Man, the multimillionaire gangster, a force to be reckoned with in his wor...