ASHLEY

47

Kenneth P.O.V.

   After leaving Bria's house I head straight for the familiar run down building used to do business out of. Anyone could easily overlook this building. Even if they were to somehow find their way inside despite the heavy security surrounding the house. How obvious would that be for someone to sneak into an "abandoned" building and find nice furniture and money lying around. Pretty obvious. That's exactly why no new furniture had been put in place. It is only used for meetings and bag drugs.

Two expensive looking care are parked off to the side far enough away from the house that nothing looks suspicious. I park my Lamborghini off to the side as well as proceed to the house by walking the rest of the distance. I rack on the door in a way that only members would know how to do.

The wooden door opens up to reveal a tall, too-bulky-to-be-found-attractive-by-any-female man standing with his arms crossed. I don't waste time with conversation. Instead greetings are exchanged with a simple nod. His veiny arm sticks out in the direction of which I should go as if I actually needed the reminder. I keep this to myself and proceed in the direction ushered. I spot Omar's chunky frame standing off to the side of the small room biting down on his already short nails. I give a simple nod.

Darius-a tall, older black guy with a slight afro and dry lips and an aura about him that makes it hard to miss his need for power and money-stands against the desk with his arms crossed and his guards beside him. Reminding me of a pack of lions. Ready to pounce if need be.

"I got word of some new gang stepping door on my territory. You know how much I hate when people try to play me for a fool," his voice comes out deep and filled with malice. Dealing and being involved in gangs is something that always followed me. Even in childhood. It was never about the money. My father has plenty. It was about something more meaningful. Something like family and being able to surround myself with people that have my back and being the scrawny kid that I was, having people to fight my battles was a major plus. So it came as no surprise when Darius accepted me in the gang even after I left and came back.

There was no way I could work for him all the way in another state.

Most of my folks say I'm trouble. Some of my friends would second that.

Makes me wonder what Bria would think if she ever found out. No. I know what she would think. She would feel betrayed and lied to. She cares about me despite how much she acts like she hates me. It would kill her if something were to happen to me because of this and I would hate to put her through that.

That thought alone makes me want to turn around and slip back through the door which I came and run to her. And that...that is what scares me.

"...Kenneth? You here?"

I swat Omar's hand away from my face. A scowl forming on mine. "I'm listening." I really wasn't.

"This is not going to fly with me. I want these men gone and quite frankly I don't care how you do it. It doesn't matter as long as they're gone," Darius says in a low nonchalant tone. Despite this I can still tell how upset he is by his knitted together eyebrows and lips pursed into a thin line.

I give a slight nod, fully aware of all eyes on me. "No problem." My eyes flicker to Omar who now has his hands crossed over his chest and an intense look on his face. "We'll get right on it boss."

"I want this done as quick as possible Kenneth."

"Of course," Omar confirms, speaking up for the first time since I entered the room.

"Better." At his dismissal I give a slight nod to Omar and he follows me out. We wait until we're out of the run down house to start talking.

I run my fingers over my shaved head. Frustration seeping from my tone when I speak. "How the hell are we suppose to find these guys? Out best bet now is to ask around but that'll only get us so far. You know people around here won't say shit about shit." With a sigh I reach in my phone and turn it back on. Bria kept blowing up my phone earlier. I know she only wants to know where I'm at and to explain why I left so fast. Wjem Darius wants to make moves you get up and come to his aid without any exceptions. Darius is already paranoid enough. No reason to give him any reason not to trust me.

Omar nods in agreement. "Yeah, you right. I say we keep our eyes open for anything that looks suspicious. Anyone making single moves."

"You right. I'll just-" My phone starts buzzing off with unanswered text, calls and voicemails.

"And I thought I was pullin'."

"Nah it's-" I open up the texts from Bria;

Kenneth where are you?

Kenneth!

Please pick up the phone. I need you.

I don't know what to do.

My brows knit together in confusion. None of her texts make sense until I open up her voice messages. "Kenneth some guys are outside my house! They're trying to get in-"

I slip my phone deep in my pocket and take off running towards my car. Omar got on my heels yelling out questions. I give him a brief and that's all the information he needs before he's hopping in his car and following me down the highway to get to Bria. I make it there going more than a little over the speed limit. We get out and run to the house.

The living room is disheveled. Definitely not how Jackie and the girls keep the place. Nothing seems to be missing which alarms me even more because it means only one thing. Bria was targeted specifically.

"You check her room. I'll search the others. She has to be here "

My heart beats so fast I'm not sure if it's actually beating. Before I can register what's happening my feet are carrying me off I'm the direction of her room. It's as big a mess as the living room. The bed has been flipped over and the closet plundered through. She's not here. She's gone.

I don't believe it. I can't...

Wait! Bria is missing? What?
How did you like this chapter? What are your thoughts on Kenneth being a thug? How would you react if you found out your boyfriend was a thug? I would probably leave him. I can't do thugs. Sorry.