Free Prince of the City by Jason Poole

responded.
    They shook hands and embraced. Afterward, Sam looked into the jungle and took a deep breath before the two returned to the living room.
    â€œWell Gerald, welcome to the organization. You ’bout to witness more money than you ever seen in your life,” Sam told him.
    â€œYeah, I know,” Gerald replied, “and believe me, I appreciate it.” He extended his hand for a shake. Sam left him hanging.
    â€œI know your ass does. Now, you ready to roll? ’Cause as of right now, your ass is on the clock.”
    They laughed.
    â€œYeah, let’s go.”
    Ten minutes later, as Gerald and Sam rode up Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue in Sam’s Mercedes. Sam turned down the music on his radio.
    â€œSo, how do you feel about Mike?” he asked Gerald, taking a quick side-glance at him.
    â€œI got a lot of respect and love for Mike. For real, Sam, Mike doesn’t know it, but I look up to him in a father-son type of way.”
    â€œYeah, I can see that. So what you plan on doing with a funky-ass million dollars when you quit?” Sam asked.
    â€œI plan to get a few soul food restaurants out here. Then chill and lay back.”
    â€œOh, yeah? You got a girl? Any kids?”
    â€œNah. All I got is Mike and my man Carlos down Lorton.”
    â€œDamn, slim, and you mean to tell me you wanna quit and give up all this money you’re gonna be making?”
    â€œShit, you know this don’t last a lifetime.”
    â€œYeah, I know, but don’t you want more than one mil’?”
    â€œSam, I ain’t ever had a mil’. To me, that’s filthy rich,” Gerald replied with a chuckle.
    â€œNah, young nigga, two hundred mil’ is filthy rich.”
    â€œI agree with that. So what are you getting at?”
    â€œLook, Mike is gonna quit. There’s no doubt about that. But me, I’m still gonna be moving and making a lot of money. I’m a take over Southeast, and I need a good, young nigga like you in my corner.”
    â€œI dunno ’bout that—” Before Gerald could finish his sentence, Sam cut him off.
    â€œFuck what Mike says!” Sam shouted, instantly irritated. He slammed his foot down on the brake, almost stopping the car in mid traffic. “I’m talking about getting rich. Mike’s talking ’bout living happily ever after with his wife and kid.”
    At that moment, Gerald knew he could no longer share his true thoughts with Sam. Gerald saw deception in Sam’s eyes the same way he saw it in Donnie G’s eyes down Lorton. He knew Sam wanted to take Michael’s place, but he didn’t know just how badly Sam wanted to be Mike, or the things he was willing to do to be placed in that position.

 
    Chapter 9
    Â 
    -THE CONNECT-
    Â 
    Â 
    A
    t 5 pm, Connie called home. “Hey baby, what’s up?” she asked Michael.
    â€œNothing. I’m just standing out here on the balcony,” he replied.
    â€œDamn, Mike, you stay out there. You ain’t planning on jumping one day, are you?”
    â€œCome on. You know I’ll never leave the two of you. I don’t care what I’m facing, and anyway, only suckers take their own lives.”
    â€œBaby, I’m just playin’.”
    â€œI know. So are you ready for tonight?”
    â€œYeah, I’m ready, baby. Did you get the tickets?”
    â€œYeah, I got two seats in the front row. A nigga had to pay extra for that.”
    â€œI bet you did pay extra. I better not see you lusting over Patti LaBelle either.”
    â€œBaby, the only woman I got eyes for is you.”
    â€œYou better. Well, I’m ’bout to go pick up Malik from aftercare and take him over to Linda’s.”
    â€œIs Linda gonna be home to watch him?”
    â€œYeah, baby. Why you say that?”
    â€œCome on, Connie, we both know Linda’s a top-flight whore.”
    â€œMichael, don’t talk about Linda like that.