Page 22 of Sugar Baby
“Yeah. It was the truck that was delivering to Sko and his team. That was a heavy load to lose, boss. I ain’t even gon’ front.”
“How much was on it?” I asked through gritted teeth, tightening my grip on the steering wheel.
“He ordered four hundred pounds.”
That information caused me to swerve into the turning lane so I could park the car. I couldn’t even respond rightaway. The last thing I wanted to do was take my frustration out on Dre just because he was the messenger, but that would have been a six hundred thousand dollar delivery.
“How much was taken?”
“I got Omar handling the count. I’ll give you the final count, but so far, a third of that was taken.”
The laughter that escaped me was not from amusement at all.
“How did this shit happen anyway? How many men were on the truck? Why they ain’t fill them niggas with bullets? You telling me my team of men let somebody take my shit? Are they still breathing?”
“Aight, so I’ma just tell you exactly what Rafeal told me,” he said, and I could tell he was tired of my questions, but I didn’t really give a fuck. “He called and said the truck had been hit. I asked him how and where and he said right before they got to the drop spot, a pickup truck hopped in front of them. Apparently, there was a shootout. While they were shooting at who was in the front, there was another car cutting the lock in the back. They threw some kind of substance in the back that put Rafeal nem to sleep. My assumption is that the commotion drew attention to them and that was why they didn’t get more, because by the time Rafeal nem woke up, police were on the way and there was a crowd. A few people that were standing around were taking pounds out too, but they stopped when Rafeal started bussing.”
“I want everyone that was on that truck at the warehouse. Now.”
“On it.”
After ending the call, I didn’t even bother calling Rhakeem back. I just sent him the numerical code via text that meant blood was about to be shed, and he told me he was on his way.
Chapter
Thirteen
SUGAR BABY
Even when Cash’s presence wasn’t around, he still made an impact. He told me that he wanted to take me out on an official date and hired a stylist to come and show me a few outfits. I’d shared with him that my favorite colors were yellow and orange, but because red was my signature lipstick shade, he was curious about how I’d look in all red. The bulk of the outfits were red, burgundy, and orange. As I sipped my mimosa, I looked over the rack again.
“I honestly can’t decide,” I said, running my fingers over the red silk dress. “I also don’t know where we’re going and what we’re doing.”
“You don’t think he’s going to tell you?” Rittany asked.
She’d come over earlier to help me plan a menu for a start of the summer event I’d been hired to cater. I really didn’t want to do it, but Aunt Terry said she’d do the bulk of the work. I’d gotten to a place where I was really starting toresent my catering jobs. I was grateful to God for them because they were how I paid my bills, but I really just wanted to bake. With the money that Cash gave me, I could take some time off from catering gigs personally and let Aunt Terry and Tyreek handle it. That would also keep more income flowing for their household as well. Before I made that decision, I wanted to talk to Aunt Terry and she how she felt about it.
“I’m not sure. I guess I can call and ask.”
“Take your time,” Melanie said. “I cleared my schedule this morning when Cash called, so I’m in no rush to get you taken care of.”
“Okay, great,” I said with a smile as I grabbed my phone off the coffee table. I knew he was probably busy and was prepared to leave him a voicemail asking him to text me an itinerary for the date, so I was surprised when I heard his voice.
“Suge.”
“Hey, bae. I know you’re busy, but I just wanted to see if you could tell me where we were going for the date. I think that will help me choose an outfit better.”
“Melanie there?”
“Yes.”
“Just get it all, pussy cat. You don’t have to choose just one.”
“Oh. Are you sure?”
He chuckled. “Did you forget who your man is, Sugar Baby?”
“Quite frankly, I didn’t know you were my man. You didn’t ask me to be your woman. But no, I didn’t forget who you are, Cassius. I just didn’t want to appear greedy or assume you wanted me to have it all.”
