Free Prince of the City by Jason Poole Page B

you that I only wanted to deal with you and only you.”
    â€œI know that, but this is my man, my partner. We’re in this shit together.”
    â€œI know how you feel about your man and all, but I stick to my word. Do you remember when I told you the only reason why I stay in this game alive and outta jail?”
    â€œYeah, I remember.”
    â€œDo you really?”
    â€œYeah.”
    â€œWhat did I say then?”
    â€œYou said the only reason you stay alive and outta jail is because you don’t go back on your word.”
    â€œNow I’ve been doing this shit for almost thirty years, and I’ve never broken my own rules.”
    â€œI understand, and still I respect your decision. Although I’m a little fucked up about it.”
    â€œDon’t be, Mike. Now if you want to cop for him, you can do that. But I ain’t doing no business with him personally. And no offense, Mike, but your partner gives me the creeps.”
    â€œThat’s just the way he looks. If you took the time to really know him—”
    â€œSorry, I can’t do it.”
    â€œI understand.”
    â€œGood then. I’ll talk to you later.”
    â€œOkay, but if you change your—”
    â€œDon’t even try it. Nothing could ever change my mind.”

   
    Chapter 10
    -KING OF THE JUNGLE-
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    A
    t eight thirty that night, Black Sam and Gerald began to collect the profits for the day. Sam showed Gerald everything there was to know about the business while still trying to persuade Gerald to take him up on his offer. At the first three strips they collected over a hundred thousand dollars.
    â€œSee Gerald, look at this money. This money only comes from three strips, and we still got five more to go. You mean to tell me you wanna give this up?”
    Gerald didn’t answer because he knew his answer would be offensive. Instead, he stayed quiet. His plan was not to let Sam know how he felt until they got back to Mike’s apartment. Then he would expose Sam’s deep hatred to Mike.
    â€œNigga, are you deaf? You hear me talking to you?”
    â€œYeah, Sam, I hear you, but I’m in another world right now.”
    â€œWell, nigga, you need to jump your ass back into reality.”
    They picked up the rest of the money from the remaining strips and left Wahler Place for last. All together they collected two hundred sixty-five thousand dollars.
    â€œWhere is your car parked?” Sam asked Gerald.
    â€œAround back on Wahler Place.”
    â€œGood. After we collect from Kojack, you can take the money to Mike. I gotta go uptown for a minute, but I’ll be back through.”
    â€œOkay.”
    Sam didn’t pull up on Wahler Place. Instead, he drove around back and parked next to Gerald’s car. The moment they parked, Gerald was happy. This was their last pick up and soon he would meet back up with Mike and expose Sam’s greed. Gerald then got out, jumped in his car, and started the ignition. He felt uneasy and couldn’t wait for their last pick up.
    â€œStay here with the money. I’ll go up and collect from Kojack,” Sam said. He left Gerald sitting in his car while he walked up to Kojack’s stash house to collect. Once Kojack answered the door, Sam held his hand out and asked, “Ay, Kojack, you got that ready?”
    â€œYeah, but ain’t Gerald supposed to pick it up?”
    â€œYeah, but he’s running late. So give it to me, and when he comes past, tell ’im I said next time have his ass up here before nine o’clock.”
    â€œA’ight. Look, this is seventy thousand. I ain’t finished the rest. I got like a hundred more bundles.”
    â€œWell, Kojack, this is your lucky day. You can keep the bundles.”
    â€œGet the fuck outta here, Sam! You mean to tell me you’re giving something away?”
    â€œYeah nigga, and in the future, I got plans for you.”
    â€œYeah well, I