Page 56 of Only if You Catch Me
I was in cuffs, but Ryder’s bitch ass was still free. It was all good though. I’d rather do my time with my head held high than to be walking around in the streets being labeled as a rat. I was pretty sure, Lox and the other guys he snitched on told people who was on their paperwork and warned them to steer clear. When shorty finished reading me my rights, she ushered me toward a black Escalade. I got comfortable in the backseat, and she got in the front. One of the guys that had been standing back watching got in the passenger seat.
The female stared at me through the rearview mirror. “Bet you didn’t think you’d have to worry about this when you stopped selling drugs, huh? Unfortunately for you, we’ve heard your name too many times, and you had way too much clout on the streets to slip through the cracks unscathed. I’m sure your plug is still working. Go ahead and think about giving us what we need because I have to be honest with you, you’re kingpin status my guy. This won’t end well for you.”
That bitch was so thirsty, she couldn’t even wait until we got to the station. I stared out of the window ignoring her.
“You’re a tough guy. I expected some resistance. But I’ve seen even the thoughest break.”
If she was trying to get underneath my skin, she was going to have to try much harder than that. Hell nah, I didn’t want to spend years in a prison cell, but every day that I hustled, I knew it was a possibility. I lived a damn good life. My ass had traveled to more than ten countries, spent hours on my yacht in the middle of the ocean admiring God’s creation, ate the finest foods, fucked the baddest bitches, drank the finest liquor, and smoked the finest cigars. I had memories out the ass. The only thing I would miss out of everything I got to experience besides the freedom to come and go as I pleased would be Persia. She would be the hardest part about this bid, but not even Persia would turn me into a rat.
I would miss the fuck out of her. That was a part of the game, however. The thought of her, my mother, and my sister crying was enough to make a nigga’s chest tight. Hustling was what I knew, and it was what I chose. I should have left the game long before but even with my success in real estate, I wouldn’t have the things I did without drug money. Even if I got twenty years, I’d still be around fifty when I came home. Shit, fifty wasn’t dead. Hell, maybe I could even still have a kid at fifty. That would be some shit.
Dumb ass in the front seat finally stopped talking to me. After a forty-five-minute drive, we pulled up at the federal building that I was going to be processed at. I got out of the back of the truck with my head held high. I knew that more than likely, I wasn’t getting a bond. I also knew that if they had already built a case, there wouldn’t be much my lawyer could do but try to get me a good deal. As much as I paid him, I was confident that he was on the way. It was understood they mightbe coming, and he was well aware that when they did, he was to get his ass there ASAP. I didn’t care if he was in the middle of fucking his wife. He better stop and come do his job.
I didn’t even know if Ray Ray’s ass was locked up, but I prayed I’d run into him if he was. Waste of space ass nigga. And when they finally got Ryder’s ass, he damn sure better not ever cross my path. Police didn’t give a damn about the safety of informants. Once they got what they needed out of Ryder, I doubted they’d go above and beyond to keep us apart. I didn’t care if ten years had passed when I ran into his ass, he was going to get done dirty. And I put that on my mama.
CHAPTER 23
PERSIA
The momentI finished my drink, Tesha picked my cup up off the end table and went to refill it. It had been twenty-four hours since they picked Kastian up, and I hadn’t heard from him. I was going crazy. We knew it was coming but in the back of both our minds, I knew we were both hoping that they didn’t have a case on him. I had no clue how long it would take for him to get the motion of discovery to see just what kind of evidence they had against him. I had only cried once, which was shocking. I was sad as hell, but I hadn’t been doing a bunch of crying.
“Thank you,” I took the cup that Tesha handed me.
“I can’t believe Ryder. Like, I’m really trying to process this shit. I knew he wasn’t loyal when it came to me, but you couldn’t tell me that man didn’t love Kastian like a brother. I don’t even know how he could do Kastian like that. Had Kastian been picked up first, he would have never told on Ryder or Lox. I’m glad we’re already broken up because he not shit for this, and I’d wake up every morning telling him about himself.”
I sipped my drink. I had many hateful thoughts toward Ryder, but it wasn’t going to change anything. It was done and couldn’t be undone. My phone rang, and I almost broke a nail trying to grab it thinking that it might be Kastian. I didn’trecognize the number. With a racing heart, I answered the phone.
“Hi, is this Persia?” I rolled my eyes when the voice on the other end of the phone didn’t belong to Kastian.
“Yes, it is.”
“My name is Roland, and I’m Mr. Miller’s lawyer. I apologize for calling you late in the evening, but would it be possible for us to meet tomorrow or the day after?”
“Sure, I can meet with you tomorrow. What time is good for you?”
“I can do 10:30.”
“That’s fine.”
“Can I text my address to this number?”
“Yes, you can. Thank you.”
“You’re very welcome. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Tesha watched me anxiously as I spoke on the phone. When I ended the call, I looked over at her. “That was Kastian’s lawyer. He wants to meet in the morning.”
“I pray its good news, and I’m glad Kastian gave his lawyer your information so you can know what’s going on with him. I used to get mad at him every time I found out Ryder was doing dirt, but I know Kastian is a good dude. I’m praying for y’all.”
And I absolutely believed that she was genuine. I offered a sad smile. “I wasted so much time running from him. Time we could have been using to spend together.”
“No ma’am don’t do that,” Tesha shook her head. “You see how I almost ruined things with Qua. You had a very good reason to take things slow with Kastian. You two came together when it was right for the both of you. Don’t ever regret that.”
All of my friends had been keeping me sane through Kastian’s arrest, and I thanked God for them. He had already told me it wasn’t likely that he’d get a bond because they would probably deem him a flight risk. I was still going to his first courtappearance just to be there for him. Tesha’s phone vibrated against the couch cushion, and she picked it up.
“Hello?”
I finished off my drink and enjoyed the slight rush that I felt. I didn’t want to get too drunk because I had to drive, but indulging would be the only way I would be able to go home and get some sleep. Life didn’t stop because the bitch ass Feds had got my man. I had a meeting at work the next day, two viewings, and an inspection. Even though mentally I didn’t feel like getting up, getting dressed, and dealing with every day issues, I was glad that I had something to keep me busy.
