Page 65 of Maceo

“In other news, police have identified the body of a man killed in a drive-by shooting on Wednesday in the downtown area. Thirty-two-year-old David Mathews died at the scene after sustaining sixteen gunshot wounds to the chest and abdomen. Several other people were wounded in the incident; however, police do believe this was a targeted attack?—”

“What the fuck!”

I was so distracted by the bomb that just dropped that I didn’t see the blacked-out SUV pull out in front of me. I slammed on brakes, just missing what could have been a bad accident. I did tap the back of the car, though.

“Son of a bitch!” I groaned as we both pulled over.

I waited until the driver got out before exiting my car.

“My bad, man,” he said, coming to the rear of the car. “I thought I had more time to pull out.”

I examined my front and his rear. It was nothing but a few scratches, nothing to really call the police about. Then again, this was almost a half-a-million-dollar car. Who the fuck was driving around here in this shit? I looked up into the face of a big, black ass nigga that stood roughly my height with a long scar running down his cheek.

“It’s fine,” I said. “I got some news that distracted me for a second. I could have slowed down.”

He looked between the cars. “It’s minimal damage. I don’t think we need to get the police involved.”

“You sure? I mean, that bitch has a nice price tag to it.”

He chuckled, and even his smile was creepy looking. “If I can afford this car, surely, I can afford to cover a few scratches. We good.”

“Shit, I won’t argue with you, my nigga. Say less. You can’t be from around here.”

“Nah. Just here for a little while.” He extended his hand. “Blane.”

“Maceo.”

He chuckled. “I’ve never met a nigga named Maceo.”

“My grandfather on my mom’s side named me after Maceo Parker, the saxophonist.”

“An old head. I got you.” He pulled out his phone and tapped on the screen for a few seconds before looking up at me. “I guess I should let you go then. Be easy.”

He dapped me up, then climbed back into his car and drove off. I got back into mine, sitting there for a moment as my thoughts drifted back to David. It was crazy that I’d seen that shit when I took my sister dress shopping. We’d passed right by the scene, not even knowing it was him.

Now he was gone, and a million thoughts were running through my head about that shit. Who killed him? Who ordered the hit? My brain started working overtime, trying to connect the dots. Where the fuck was Zeno, and was his ass even alive?

I was starting to believe that instead of chasing targets… we’d become the target.

“D-David’s dead?”I whispered.

Maceo nodded. “It was a drive-by shooting.”

“But… how could… oh my God!”

I covered my face with my hands and cried. Over time, I’d grown to love the guys in the crew. They were sweet savages who’d served their country in war and on their homeland. They were good men and very respectful to me as the only woman. I felt just as protected with them as I did with Maceo. I couldn’t believe he was gone.

Maceo pulled me into his chest and kissed my temple.

“I don’t even know what to say,” I said through my tears. “He didn’t deserve that.”

“I couldn’t even say anything. I’d called the others on my way home to break the news, and they were just as shocked. I hated to scare them, but I had to let them know that it was a possibility that they weren’t safe and that they needed to watch their backsat all times. I’m gonna have to bring the family in on this one,” I added, quietly.

I pulled away from him. “I uh… I’ve already got Jaeda looking into something for me.”

“Since when?”

“A few days ago. I told you I saw Charity at the gas station. I got the license plate number of the car she was in.”

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