Page 44 of Juke
“Exactly,” I said. “We keep it quick, keep it quiet. Nessa’s gone be the bait. Soon as he takes it, we move.”
“She ain’t gone like that shit. You know she loves that nigga.” Tay smirked.
“She ain’t gotta like it,” I said flatly. “She just gotta do it.”
We went over the timing, who would be where, and how we’d block his exits. The plan was shaping up. I could already see it playing out, but in my head, I knew Nessa wasn’t built for this. She was in love with that bitch ass nigga. If she had any fucking sense, she would jump at the opportunity to pay him back for the bullshit he put her through over the years. Family or not, she was just another piece on the board, and I was about to move her exactly where I needed her to be.
***
a few days later…
Me and Tina were strolling through the mall, moving at her pace while she ducked in and out of stores, picking up every other thing like she might buy it. I didn’t mind. Watching her in that fitted dress was worth the trip.
“You’ve been staring at me all day,” she leaned in and whispered.
“That’s because I’m plotting on a place I can take you and bend you over right quick.” I smirked.
She grinned, and about to answer before my phone buzzed with a call from Nessa.
“What?” I answered.
“You said this was supposed to be easy.” She snapped. “But every time I turn around, Juke’s got that Sophi bitch up under him. How am I supposed to do what you want if he won’t even pay me no attention?”
“That’s sounds like some shit you need to be figuring out, but you better figure it the fuck out. Do whatever you’ve been doing.”
“You ain’t hearing me,” she shot back. “That bitch is always with him. He ain’t checking for me like that.”
“I’on care if he checks for you. I care about him being in the right place when I say so. Do whatever the fuck you gotta do, Nessa. I’on care how you gotta do it either. If that means getting that Sophi bitch out the way, then do that shit.”
She was quiet for a beat, then said, “You asking me to do this, but you’on see?”
“Cut the bullshit,” I interrupted. “You worried ’bout the wrong shit. Just do what the fuck I said.” I didn’t give her a chance to respond before I hung up.
Tina tilted her head at me. “What was that about?”
“Nothing,” I said, slipping my phone back in my pocket.
We’d barely made it three steps before this dude stepped out from near one of the stores. He was tall, broad, and clearly sizing me up like he was trying to figure if he wanted to approach me or not.
“Aye, you know a girl named Sophi?” he asked.
“Who the fuck is asking?” I snarled.
He lifted his hands slightly, smirking like he knew he was stirring some shit up. “She’s my girl. Least she was, ’til she dipped while I was locked up. I’m just tryna find her so we can talk.”
I stared him down for a few seconds. “What makes you think I know her?”
“’Cause I heard her name when you were on the phone.”
That’s when it clicked. I let a slow grin spread across my face. “Yeah… I know exactly who she is, and I know who she with now—a nigga named Juke.”
“Oh, yeah?” His jaw ticked.
“Mhm.” I stepped in close enough for him to catch my meaning. “You really want her back? I can help you, and you can help me in the process, by taking that nigga out.”
He didn’t even hesitate. “Bet. What’s your number?”
We swapped info, and I typed his name into my phone… Rio.
