Free True to the Game III by Teri Woods Page A

that he had to come up with the money, and he knew that Tony was serious about what his uncle would do if he didn’t. He just needed time. A little bit of time, and a little bit of dope to work. He could hit the streets and make miracles happen, if only he had a little bit to work with.
    Rik scratched his head. Truth be told, he didn’t know how much time he had.
I wonder how long Tony can stall his uncle. Even if I had some coke, I might not have the time I need to flip it. No, I definitely need to pay Tony. But how? I need some major coins to build my stash back up and get the Santeros off my ass.
Rik knew that he would have to dust off his pistol and jack someone.
Damn, who’s holding these days that I might stick?
Most ballers like that had an entourage and bodyguards. And none of them would let him borrow that kind of dough.
Hold up; wait a minute.
A light suddenly went off in his brain. Actually, he did know someone who would let him borrow that kind of dough. She had offered it to him once before. There was no doubt that she would offer it again.
Gena; she’s holdin’ all Quadir’s loot. She’s the one, the missing piece to my puzzle.
    Rik sat back and smiled as the waitress delivered his meal. Everything was going to be all right. He knew exactly where to get the money from to get those fucking Barranquilla Colombians off his back. The only question was how he would get it.
Should I just ask her or should I just jack her?

Resurrected
    G ena listened as Quadir finished his story. Still dazed and unable to believe that Quadir was alive, Gena couldn’t help but think about the series of unfortunate events. Meeting Jerrell at that gas station was the worst thing that could have happened. What was worse was that he was Quadir’s enemy, the one behind killing her beloved Quadir. He was nothing more than a monster.
How could I have been so stupid?
Gena couldn’t help but blame herself. Just then she thought of the baby she was carrying—Jerrell’s baby.
Quadir must not ever know that I’m pregnant. What will I do?
    “So, you’ve been staying here, getting well?”
    “Yes. Amelia brought me here after I was released from the inpatient rehabilitation center at the hospital. Now, I have physical therapy here and I go to outpatient treatment.”
    “And Amelia, where is she?”
    “She’s at work. She’s always at the hospital.”
    “So, you said that you and her became involved after you saw me and Jerrell together.”
    “Gina, listen . . .”
    “No, Quadir, please, just answer me. You are involved with her, right?”
    Quadir was silent, trying to figure out her angle. He honestly didn’t understand her line of questioning, but the look on her face told it all. Her entire world had crashed all around her the night he died. Now, it would crash again when she learned that he was not only alive, but also in love with someone else.
    “Answer me, please. Please tell me the truth, please.”
    “Yes, Gena, yes. I love her.”
    “You love her?” Gena asked, as tears began to stream down her face. She broke down, seating herself gently on the end of an ottoman that was next to a chair. “I don’t understand, I just don’t understand. Why, Quadir, why? Why’d you do this to me? Why? I thought you loved me, please, I would have never been with Jerrell. I didn’t know who he was, please, Quadir. I don’t know what to say,” Gena said, trying with all her might to hold back the tears that just seemed to flow down her cheeks. She wanted to be strong; she wanted to have an ounce of pride. But she had none. The man she adored and loved more than life itself was standing there confessing that he was in love with someone else.
    “I mean, what is there really left to say? You and Jerrell were together, or at least you were with him,” said Quadir, full of frustration.
    “Oh, my God, I can’t believe what you’re saying. I just can’t. It can’t be this way. It’s not supposed to be this way, no,” she