Hakeem & Tasia 2: A Brick City Love Story

  Hakeem and Tasia 2

  A Brick City Love Story

  By

  K.C. Mills

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  © 2015

  Published by Leo Sullivan Presents

  www.leolsullivan.com

  All rights reserved.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental. Unauthorized reproduction, in any manner, is prohibited.

  Acknowledgements

  To my foundation, my husband Mark and my kids, Tamia, Samad and Jaden, you guys are A1! Your love and support make this possible!

  To my readers, you guys are AWESOME! Your support keeps me inspired! You guys are my extended family! I appreciate you! Keep reading and reviewing!

  To my publishing company, and all of my Sullivan pen sisters and brothers, thank you for all that you do!

  YOU GUYS ROCK!

  -1-

  Hakeem

  “Hakeem Williams, open the door, we have a warrant to search this apartment.”

  “Fuck,” I mumbled as I unlocked the door and pulled it open.

  Within seconds, about ten cops forced their way past me. I was beyond heated but knew that I couldn't do shit about it, so I inhaled and played it cool. After I caught the look on Tay’s face, I was more concerned about her than I was about these assholes.

  “What’s this about?” I asked the detective who I assumed was in charge based on the way he was just standing around with a smug look on his face, while everyone else started tearing up the place.

  He had a piece of paper in his hand that he slapped against my chest while he wore a big ass grin.

  “Read it and get the fuck out of my way.”

  I felt my jaw tighten as I grabbed the paper and looked at Tay. I didn’t know what was going on but it didn’t look good for me.

  “Dennis?”

  I turned to see one the officers holding my gun safe as the detective looked at me with a sadistic grin. I could tell that he was thinking he had something on me. I was a lot of things but a fool was not one of them. True enough I had three guns in the safe, but they were registered, legal and most importantly clean.

  His officer set it down on Tay’s desk and then returned to his search. The detective walked over to it and tapped the top.

  “Do you have weapons in here Mr. Williams?”

  I was sure the look I gave him expressed exactly how I was feeling about his intelligence level. I gave his dumb ass a what the fuck do you think stare but didn’t say a damn word. Stupid muthafucker, what the fuck do you keep in a gun safe? Guns right?

  “I’m guessing you didn’t understand the question Mr. Williams, so I’ll ask you again. Are there weapons in this safe?”

  I purposely moved into his personal space and looked down on him because I had him in height by about a foot.

  “I’m guessing you’re not very intelligent. Isn’t that the purpose of a gun safe?”

  His face turned red as he peered at me and his jaw tightened.

  “I’m going to need you to open this safe.”

  A smirk spread across my face as I keyed the security code to unlock my safe, exposing two .9 millimeters and a .45.

  “Do you have the permits for these?”

  “Do you have the permit for that one?” I pointed to the gun on his hip, which pissed him off even more.

  “This is not a joke and I suggest you start taking this serious,” he said, narrowing his eyes at me. I was getting under his skin which is exactly what I was trying to do.

  “Oh, I’m taking it serious but that’s your fucking job to find out, not mine to tell you, so if you want to know if I have a permit then do your fucking job.”

  He stepped to me and pointed his finger in my face. “I’m most definitely not playing with you because this is not a game. Where is your damn permit?”

  “The only game I play is when I have a ball in my hand and right now I don’t see a ball or a court, so get the fuck out of my face,” I spat with all seriousness.

  He was a fucking joke. He didn’t have shit on me and I knew it, otherwise my black ass would have already been in handcuffs.

  His officer walked up to him and shook his head before he whispered something to him. I watched as he clenched his fist and then waved his hand in the air.

  “Let’s go,” he damn near yelled, and the uniforms that were searching the place moved towards the door and left. He stayed for a minute longer and looked around. I could see the agitation in his eyes which made me smile, and of course, I couldn’t let that shit go. “You staying for breakfast of something?” I asked with a big ass grin.

  “It’s just a matter of time.” He looked me right in my eyes before he turned to face Tay who was sitting on the edge of her bed.

  “You might want to watch the company you keep,” he said before he walked out leaving the door wide open. I walked over, shut it and made sure it was locked before I sat down on the bed next to Tay. She had an uncertainty in her eyes that I didn’t like.

  “What was that about?” I followed her eyes as she looked around her apartment. They had gone through everything; the bathroom, closet, dressers and cabinets.

  “I don’t know, but I promise you I will find out.”

  “What did the warrant say?”

  “It was just a general warrant to search for suspicion of illegal activity.”

  “Why though, do they know about you?”

  “Nah, otherwise I wouldn’t be here right now. Look, I know you’re worried and I’m not going to tell you not to be, but trust me. I don’t bring that shit where I lay my head. I never have and I never will. I wouldn’t put you at risk like that and that’s my word. On everything. I never want you to feel like you aren’t safe at home, okay?”

  “But they were here for a reason—”

  “They also left and I’m still here. I’ll figure this shit out.” I placed my arm around Tay and pulled her into my side before I kissed her on her forehead.

  “I’m just worried about you,” she said barely above a whisper.

  “Don’t be Tay. I’ve been doing this for a long time. I’m smart and I’m good at it.”

  She didn’t say anything which let me know that she wasn’t convinced. I couldn’t make her believe it, but I was damn sure going to make sure this shit didn’t happen again.

  “Come on. Let’s get some sleep.” I stood up and reached for Tay’s hand. Once she was on her feet, I pulled her into a hug. After I kissed her one last time, I let her go and pulled my shirt over my head and stepped out of my jeans. Tay followed my lead, pulled off her leggings and we both climbed into bed. Once we were settled with Tay’s back pressed firmly against my chest and my arms tightly around her waist, my mind began to wander. I had no idea how the fuck the cops ended up here but I was damn sure going to find out.

  This meant that I needed to switch things up and be extra careful for a while, until I found out what was going on. But I was always cautions so I wasn’t really worried about anybody having eyes on me or how I operate.

  I was so stuck in my head that Tay’s voice sounded like a whisper.

  “Keem?”

  “What’s up?”

  “I need you,” she paused for a brief second, “here with me.”

  I kissed her on her shoulder and let my arms mold around her body. “You got me Tay and I’m not going anywhere. I promise
.”

  I felt her body relax against mine and I tried to let my mind settle enough for me to go to sleep. I needed the rest because I had shit to figure out.

  The next morning, I woke up to Tay’s lips on my face as her hand moved down my chest.

  “I’m about to leave.” She kissed me again and tried to stand, but I grabbed her around her waist until her body was against mine.

  “Keem, I have to go baby.”

  “I think you need to stay,” I said and let my hand slid up her thigh.

  “I want to stay but I have to go,” she said and then pecked me on the lips before she managed to pull away.

  “You gone all day?” I asked as I sat up and moved to the side of the bed.

  “Until like six, why?”

  “Can you get away for lunch?”

  “Maybe. I’ll call you and let you know.” She was moving around the apartment collecting things and once she had everything, she moved to the door.

  “I’m meeting with the contractor today about the club and if you can get away then you can start figuring out what you wanna do with your space.”

  A smile spread across her face that had me feeling accomplished. I loved being the reason behind her smile.

  “I’ll try. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  After Tay was out the door, I made my way to the bathroom to take a piss and then jump in the shower. It was only eight o’clock so I threw on sweats because I hadn’t planned on heading out for a while. After I got comfortable on the sofa with the TV on, I looked around the apartment and got pissed all over again, thinking about that bullshit that went down last night or rather early this morning. I grabbed my phone to call Jodie.

  “The fuck you doing up so early. I figured your ass would still be comatose after all the pussy you got last night. I know Tay wants to have your baby after she found out your brought her a fucking building.”

  Jodie didn’t have any filters. I just laughed. “Mind your fucking business Jodie.”

  “Fuck that, you are my business nigga. I’m trying to get a niece or a nephew.”

  “In due time, but we both got shit to accomplish first.”

  “I feel ya bruh. What’s good though? How is shit running over there.”

  “That’s what I called you about. Anything odd over there?”

  “Nah bruh, shit is gucci. What’s up?”

  “A detective and ten fucking cops showed up at Tay’s apartment last night, or rather early this fucking morning, with a warrant.”

  “The fuck Keem?”

  “Yeah, I know. With me being the upstanding, law abiding citizen that I am, they didn’t find shit but something’s not right. I’ve got shit to do today, but I’m heading your way tomorrow so we’ll talk.”

  “Aight bet. You need me to handle anything?”

  “Nah, I’m good for now but I’ll hit you up later.”

  “Aight bet.”

  Shit wasn’t adding up. It seemed like someone was specifically coming after me. The operation we had over here was small in comparison to the power we had over in Jersey, so something damn sure wasn’t adding up.

  I just didn’t have a clue where to start looking to figure that shit out, and that needed to change ASAP.

  *****

  I had been with my contractor for the past two hours trying to make plans to get shit moving so that I could get my club up and running. Tay was swamped at work and couldn’t get away, but she invited Josh and Sky to have dinner with us later to discuss her plans for opening her office, which of course I wasn't thrilled about. I tried my best to get out of it, not wanting to be around Sky, but Tay insisted that I be there and I damn sure was not looking forward to it. Sky was trouble that I didn’t need in my life.

  “Okay Mr. Williams, I have a general idea of what you want and I don’t think it will be a problem. It will take some time to get all the changes you want completed but I feel like we can definitely handle it.”

  “Call me Hakeem,” I said to Ron, my contractor. He was a tall brusque looking white guy, the son of the guy who owned the company, but he seemed cool as hell and I liked his style. He was very professional and didn’t seem like he was trying to beat me over the head with unnecessary shit. In fact, he made several suggestions to save money, but still get the results I wanted and most importantly, he treated me like a business owner and not just a typical street thug so I had mad respect for him already.

  “Okay Hakeem, what do you think of everything we’ve discussed?” he asked, now looking me right in the eyes.

  “Sounds good to me. I want it done right but I also want it done as soon as possible. I will pay for quality and also for getting me up and running in a timely manner.”

  “I can handle that.” Ron extended a hand to me which I shook.

  “Alright then. I will have my guys here first thing in the morning. You have my number so you call me if you have any issues at all. I’m working on a lot of projects right not, but trust me when I say that all of our customers are a priority, so if you don’t see my face every day, don’t think that I’m not in touch, making sure my guys are taking care of business.”

  “Sounds good. I trust you. You do your job, make this shit happen then we won’t have any problems,” I said.

  “What about the office building next door? Do we need to take a look at that today?”

  I looked down at my watch; it was after two so I knew for sure that Tay wouldn’t be able to meet me today.

  “Not today, that’s my girls spot and she needs to be there. She couldn’t get away today so I’ll set something up when she’s free.”

  “Alright, well if we’re done here, I hope you’ll excuse me. I have a few more appointments today, but like I said, my guys will be here first thing in the morning. If we can just have you meet them here to let them in, then they’ll be all set.”

  “Aight, that will work.”

  I walked Ron to the door and we said our final goodbyes. I locked up the club and hopped in my truck to head back to Tay’s apartment, but I wanted to swing by and check on Rasta first. I needed to make sure shit was running smoothly for him after the situation with Craig.

  When I pulled up on the block, one of Rasta’s guys nodded at me after I parked, called one of his corner boys over and whispered something to him. I assumed he was sending word to Rasta that I was here because a few minutes later, Rasta appeared on the front porch of his house as I walked up the stairs.

  “What’s good Keem?” Rasta asked as he grabbed my hand and pulled me into a brotherly hug, after which he leaned against the rail lining the porch, looking out over the block.

  “Shit, just checking in. We good over here?” I asked, now examining the block myself.

  “Shit is lovely. It’s been a busy day so I can’t complain.”

  “That’s what I like to hear. I moved some shit around and I have you a new runner. Her name is Stacy and she’ll be making your drop next week. Let me know how if you have any issues with her.”

  Rasta didn’t say anything but I could tell he was thinking. “A female?”

  “Yeah, she’s good people. She’s been with us for a minute so you should be good.”

  “I trust you,” was all he said so I left it at that.

  “Aight, well I’m heading out. Hit me if you need anything; other than that, do what you do. Seems like you’ve got shit under control.”

  I dapped Rasta and left him on the block. I was about to head back to Tay’s spot and catch me a mean ass nap. After all the bullshit last night and this morning, I was running off only a few hours of sleep and it was finally catching up with me, so hopefully I would be able to KO until Tay got home and I had to go deal with this bullshit dinner she had planned for us.

  -2-

  Tasia

  “Are you excited love?” Jacob asked as he helped me pack up for the day. We were both moving through the room collecting clothes and trying to get things organized so that we could leave.

>   “About what?” I asked, not really looking at Jacob because my back was to him, while I placed two dresses back onto a rolling cart.

  “Starting your own company.”

  I turned to face him and smiled. “Of course I am. I’m nervous as hell but I’m excited.”

  “Trust me love, you have nothing to worry about. You’re going to be great. Hell, we are going to be great. You’re fabulous, I’m fabulous and everybody knows who you are. Your name is Platinum right now. It’s just up to us to make sure it stays that way.”

  “Well I’m glad somebody has faith in me.”

  “Girl stop. That sexy chocolate masterpiece you call your man has all the faith in the world in you, obviously. He brought you a damn building.” Jacob was standing in a diva pose with both hands on his hips, leaning slightly back with a cocky grin on his face as he peered at me.

  “Yeah, well that’s more about the fact that he loves me versus his faith in me.”

  “We still meeting at eight o’clock?” Sky asked as she joined me and Jacob in the room.

  “I think so, if that still works for you guys?” I asked looking from Sky to Jacob.

  “Honey, you know I’m down. I would never miss an opportunity to lay eyes on our man,” Jacob said and winked at me.

  “Oh my God, please tone that down before dinner tonight. I don’t know how Keem will handle you lusting over him.”

  “Trust me love, he will never be the wiser that I want to have his babies.” Jacob said as he grabbed his messenger bag and headed towards the door. He hugged Sky and then disappeared into the hallway.

  “He is too much, I swear,” I said and shook my head.

  “So Jacobs got a little man crush I see,” Sky said as she walked over to the rolling cart and started moving clothes around.

  “Little?” I laugh. “Let’s try really over-the-top obsession.”

  “Sky laughed. “Well I can see why. You have the real deal, boo.”

  I smiled thinking about Keem. “Yeah, he’s that guy,” I said confidently.

  “You two seem good together.”