Cartels

chapter 7―city

❝ i feel like a whole brand new bitch ❞

-tay money

❐ ❐ ❐ ❐

"GRANNY! I'm home!" I call when I walk through the door. I visited dad again, and was content with the improvement he was making.

Hearing the bell chime, a giant man adorned in scars appears from behind the counter with a megawatt smile. It's really funny to see the most gigantic man in the world working in a small store such as this one.

"Chanel! Sweetheart! What can I do for ya?" he asks. Fitz is the leader for one of the most notorious gangs in the streets of New York. Growing up in regions which outsiders call 'deadly' can help you befriend all sorts of people. I met him when I was speeding through the city in my Toyota, successfully running away from the cops. Living on the streets has taught me how to be a badass driver and self-defense. Turns out, I'm a natural with dealing with knives, so Fitz took that to his advantage and had me master the skill, because you never know when it can come in handy. Anyways, Fitz is literally my grandmother. He always has a fresh batch of cookies waiting whenever I come up to the shop. 

"Nothing much. I just need you to filter this money. How's Berry and Blade?" I questioned while popping a mini-chocolate chip cookie in my mouth. I closed my eyes to savor the chocolate explosion that I have missed so much. They're so good, that I begged him to give me his recipe so I could bake them for Papa, but they never turn out the same, so I stick with making pastries and cakes.

"Beretta's been earning a shitload of money from the street fighting circuit and Blade's been a leader to the gang," he responds as he takes my suitcase from my hold. I met Blade and Beretta, Fitz's kids, shortly after I met their father. They aren't my besties, that spot is taken by Cass, but I consider the twins my siblings, even though we aren't related by blood. Cass knows very little about my street life, so she's never met Fitz, Beretta, or Blade. 

"Is he going to take over soon?" I inquired, leaning over the display of the transparent counter, filled with various items. 

"Yeah, he's doing a great HOLY MOTHER OF MOTORCYCLES!" Fitz yells when he opens the case filled with cash.

"SHHHH! I don't want all of New York to know!" I shushed, clasping a hand around his mouth.

"Where did you get all this?!" Fitz whisper-yells as he feels the bundles of money.

"I did a job to pay for my dad's hospital bills," I whisper-yell back.

"Your dad's in the hospital?" Fitz asks, his eyes softening immediately. He's quick to pull me into his embrace and rub my back comfortingly.

"Yeah, stroke," I clarified, "but the bills are going to be taken care of if you just cash this in for me." I stepped back to gauge his reaction.

"You know I don't wire money nowadays," he sighs and closes the case.

"Please, Fitz! You know my dad's the only parent I have left," I stated hopefully. He took a few moments before answering me.

"Fine. But only one time," Fitz says sternly while pointing a finger at me. I breathed a sigh of relief and smiled gratefully. He takes the suitcase and disappears through the door behind him. I busy myself by dialing Cass's number.