In These Streets

Chapter 4

Even from outside in the perfectly paved drive, we could hear Chris Brown blasting throughout the gorgeous one-story house.

Genesis scooted out of the backseat behind me and clutched my hand.

She really seemed like a nice person to have as a friend, I decided.

"So this is your boss's house, this Iceman?" I giggled, grabbing her arm for support since I was so unsteady from the liquor.

"You really a lightweight Ambra, on God. Just be cool, girl," she whispered as we joined the guys and headed for the front door.

I tried to peer through the beautiful front windows, but there were blackout curtains covering them. We reached the door, me leaning against Genesis's arm and clutching her hand. Cigar casually opened the door and walked inside.

The ground seemed to be blurred and tilted just a little bit, and my limbs felt loose. I was very fortunate Genesis was a seemingly affectionate sort of friend, or it would have been super embarrassing to have to use her as a sturdy support if she wasn't cool with her personal space being invaded.

I focused on the two brick steps we had to walk up and then followed Genesis into the house. There were a few dozen men and women everywhere in the wide, spacious living room. All the men looked in their twenties, were African-American, and wearing gold silk bandannas and black shirts with white outlined black spades.

For a drunken moment it reminded me of the black spade spray painted on the side of the corner store in Watts.

Women were on almost every lap of every single guy, faces full of makeup and curvy bodies in bodycon dresses and latex bodysuits, beautiful women who looked like they should be in music videos.

I instantly regretted not wearing my red bottoms.

The room was beautifully furnished in dark wood and mahogany, and it was hazy, filled with weed smoke. Red plastic cups were in everybody's hands, and there were professional strobe lights sending flashes of multi-colors from the ceiling.

It was like a very posh, private nightclub in a house, and an excited shiver raced through my body at the pure recklessness of the atmosphere.

Genesis pulled me through the crush of bodies to the center of the living room where a huge, plush black leather sofa was situated. A man was sitting in the middle and a woman on either side of him. There was an expensive glass coffee table in front of the sofa, with lines of white powder and bottles of Hennessy on its surface, along with some small straws and dollar bills.

"Iceman, what's good. You looking fly," Genesis greeted the guy sitting on the sofa.

She dapped him up.

"This is Ambra, I thought she'd be cool to come to your place," she continued over the loud music, gesturing to me.

The guy stood up and I was surprised at how tall he was, probably around six foot four. He had on a black jersey with a white crown design and designer brand dark blue denims with some pristine white Jordans. A simple gold chain hung from his neck, but his ears had diamond studs in them. He had a sparkly diamond-encrusted gold Rolex shining on his left wrist.

My breath hitched in my throat as he faced me.

This man was gorgeous. He was dark-skinned and had black glossy waves with a smooth fade and a full beard trimmed short. He also looked like a linebacker. Big, broad, and intimidating, he was built and well defined. His bare arms were thick ropes of rock hard muscle, and they were covered in sleeve tattoos. A pair of gold Aviator sunglasses with a shiny dark tint covered his eyes, so I was unable to see his eyes.