Pitbulls In a Skirt 2 Read online

  A bunch of men I don’t know circle me and feel my body. I fight back tears.

  “Back up niggas,” Ed laughs. “I know ya’ll been stuck in here forever but whatever ya’ll plannin’ gotta wait. Me and Kit caught the fish so we get to eat it first.”

  “I’m fine, man,” Kit says shaking his head. “You go ‘head.”

  “Suit yourself.” He removes the gun from his coat and strikes the back of my head with the handle for no reason. He follows up wit’ another blow across my face which slits my eye and blood rushes inside of it. “I’m fuckin’ this bitch until I can’t fuck her no more.”

  I fall to my knees and he drags me by my hair to the bathroom. My body brushes up against empty pizza boxes, beer cans and trash all over the floor.

  “This nigga actin’ like a caveman and shit! Don’t bash her up to bad!” Someone says. “I want her pretty when I get to her.”

  “Fuck you, nigga, before I make her off guard to ya’ll funky bastards.”

  They laugh and Ed opens the door and throws my body across the edge of the tub. The cold porcelain presses against my stomach. He roughly removes my coat and pulls my jeans to my ankles. Almost naked, he tugs at my panties until they tear apart.

  “Ed, we been good to you,” I say softly. “And if you let me go, I won’t tell anyone about this. I’m the mother of Cameron’s kids.”

  The moment I say Cameron’s name he pushes his dick inside of me hard. “Please…,” I sob. “You’re hurting me!” He violently grabs my hair, pulls it backward and licks my face.

  “Bitch, all this was Cameron’s idea anyway. You callin’ that nigga’s name ain’t doin’ shit but making me hard. So shut the fuck up before I get real violent.”

  He slams my head foreword and it bounces off the inside of the tub. More of my blood exits my body and goes down the drain. For twenty minutes he rapes me until he can’t rape me no more. And one after the other, men enter the bathroom and then my body. I counted about twenty men after Ed left me. Some were gentle while others were rough, nasty and rude. But after the third one, I became numb. There was no more crying and no more begging them to stop. I needed to preserve my energy.

  After they were done…hours passed and the rapes stopped. They carried on conversation like I wasn’t there. In between shitting and pissing in the bathroom, they’d talk to me like I was trash. One of them made me open my mouth while he pissed inside of it. I threw up for an hour until he got tired of hearing me gag and threatened to kill me.

  When I was younger I didn’t believe in hell. I thought it was a place old people talked about to keep you in line. I was wrong. Because there’s no way you can’t tell me that I’m not in hell…on earth…right now.

  Lil’ C

  “I shoulda known you was foul!”

  Lying on his bed in the dark, Lil’ C was still battling with the lost of his closest friend, Nick. To make matters worse, his father wouldn’t tell him what was done with Nick’s body or his car. The moment Lil’ C got home that night, Cameron stopped him from telling anybody he was the last one with him.

  The first day, Lil’ C hated his father for making him lie to Nick’s mother. It was difficult to hear her cry, begging him for any details. Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse, he discovered his mother had been missing for days. Lil’ C was taking things hard.

  “You ready to talk now?” Cameron asks. He turns on the lights in his room and plops down on the edge of his bed.

  Lil’ C, laying flat on his back with his hands behind his head and his legs crossed briefly acknowledges his father. “Not really.”

  “Well we gotta talk anyway, C. Now I know you’re hurtin’ but what’s done is done. You wanted in the life now here it is.” Lil’ C nods. “So how does it feel?”

  “How does what feel?” Lil’ C turns to look at him.

  “Your first kill?” Lil’ C is shocked by his statement. “I know everything. One of the soldiers saw you enter that youngin’s apartment the night her mother found her murdered. Don’t worry ‘bout it. They told me and we took care of everything.”

  “I don’t know how it feels. I mean…the first night I kept seeing her face. So I stayed up that whole night. Now I’m fine. I just can’t get over Nick. He was tryin’ to protect me and they killed him. They had what they wanted, so why didn’t they just let us go?”

  “That’s the game, son. You wanted to be a man and this is how it is. The rules are heavy and if you gonna be in this lifestyle, get ready. Everybody’s a target.”

  “You know ‘bout the drugs too?”

  “I know everything you do, C. I sent my man to scoop you up from unit D the moment I found out you snuck out of here. Usually I let you be because I know you growin’ up and wanna be with your friends…but not this time. I’ma tell you the truth, I ain’t know shit ‘bout them niggas ‘bout to rob you. They out of town-ers and right now anybody not from the city got the spotlight on ‘em. So when they passed one of the soldiers at the elevator, and said your name in conversation, my man called me right away. I called Paul and had him shoot over there. Sounds like he got there just in time.”

  “Not really…they still got Nick,” Lil’ C says in a low voice.

  “I know, but they ain’t got my son. But look, C, you gotta stay away from Emerald. Shit is heavy.”

  “I ain’t scared of no niggas! I go hard!”

  “I’m not askin’,” he said with a scowl. “You gotta stay the FUCK out of Emerald. And wit’ your mom’s gone, I wanna keep an eye on you to make sure you’re safe. She don’t need to be stressin’ when she come back. Understood?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good…don’t make me catch a body for somebody hurtin’ my only son.”

  “Where you think ma go?”

  “I don’t know. People sayin’ she needed to be alone.”

  “You think she gonna come back?”

  “I think she will. Everybody need to escape sometimes.”

  Lil’ C takes a deep breath and says, “Dad…I gotta rap to you ‘bout somethin’.” Cameron nods for him to proceed. “Lani pregnant.”

  “How, man?” He’s upset. “I get you a pack of rubbers every time I get mine.”

  “I know, but she my main shawty. It just happened.”

  Cameron shakes his head. “How you know it’s yours, C? These young bitches be runnin’ game out here.”

  “I can’t really explain it…I just know.”

  “Well you know what that mean don’t you? You gotta do right by your seed.”

  “I plan to. That’s what I been grindin’ for.”

  “You ain’t gotta grind, C. You know we got you.”

  “I’m a man, dad. I gotta take care of my own seed. How I look like gettin’ money from my peoples for my kid?”

  Cameron smiles at his son and says, “You’re right. How come she hasn’t called?”

  “I don’t know. We ain’t talked since Nick died. I just wanted to be alone.”

  It wasn’t until then that Lil’ C realizes that she hadn’t called him.

  “Aight…but look, I settled your bill on that package you copped from the kid in Unit B. And we caught up wit’ Hawk, broke a few legs and made him tell us where his nephews rest in Texas. I’ma send somebody up there to take care of him next week. He sold it for half of what is was worth to some niggas on Kennedy Street before he left.”

  “Thanks, dad. I got you later on that.”

  “I know, next week you work for me. This way I can keep an eye on you.”

  Lil’ C nods and Cameron leaves the room. Picking up the phone, he calls Lani.

  “What’s up, Cameron?” she says dryly.

  “Look…before you get started I know you mad at me for not calling you. I been goin’ through some shit and needed to be alone,” he pauses. “So I been…-,”

  “What do you want, Cameron? I got company so right now I’m busy.”

  “Company? What you talkin’ ‘bout?”

  “I unders
tand you been gone a while, but it sounds like you still know English,” she says sarcastically. “So let me spell it out, I have C.O.M.P.A.N.Y. And since you like to fuck my friends, I decided to try yours,” she giggles and Lil’ C feels his blood boil.

  “So you fuckin’ other niggas now? That’s how you carryin’ it?”

  “We DONE, C. So get over it, cause I’m already over you.”

  Lil’ C pumps himself up to unleash on her and says, “You know what, it don’t even matter to me. Just as long as that nigga, whoever he is, stays away from my baby when he’s born.”

  Lani laughs and says, “Boy I had an abortion yesterday. Trust when I say you free to go on with your life, boo, boo.”

  She gets off the phone and someone says, “I’ma need you to stop callin’ here. I wasn’t tryin’ to get in ya’ll’s business but you still on the phone, dude.”

  Tamir’s voice enrages C.

  “I shoulda known you was foul!” Tamir laughs. “So you fuckin’ my girl?” he barks.

  “Naw…I’m fuckin’ my girl.”

  Lil’ C tries to understand how he even knew her. Although he rapped to him about Jona, he never talked about Lani because he respected their relationship around his friends. Taking two deep breaths he decides not to let anymore of his feelings show.

  “You can have that slut, but don’t let me catch you on the streets, playa.”

  “Don’t worry, homie. Our time will come.”

  “Indeed.”

  Tamir hangs up the phone and Lil’ C decides to make another call. “Is Monie Blow home?” he asks the woman who answers.

  “Who the fuck is this?”

  “Lil’ C. A friend of hers.”

  The phone drops and the woman yells, “Monie, get this fuckin’ phone! I told you I don’t want nobody callin’ my house!”

  “Ma, shut the fuck up!” she says picking up the phone. “Who dis?”

  “It’s C. From Emerald.”

  “Oh, hey C,” she says in a nice voice. “I’m glad you called ‘cause I ain’t think you liked me. You know, wit you bein’ from Emerald and all.”

  “I fucks wit’ you. That’s why I’m callin’. You know Lani and Sachi jumped your cousin right.” He says hating how petty he sounds.

  “I know…that bitch betta neva let me catch her.”

  “She said she waitin’ on you. I just wanted you to know. Be careful.”

  “Waitin’ on me! I’m from Tyland T all day! We don’t play that shit! Wait till I tell my girls! It’s gonna be on!”

  C got off the phone with her and lies back in his bed. He knew Monie and her girls would handle Lani and he had plans for Tamir. He couldn’t predict how many men he’d kill in the future, nor did he know their names. But he was certain that before he left this earth, Tamir would be put to rest, by his own hands.

  Yvette

  “You and me together would’ve burned this city down.”

  “Kick that mothafucka in!!!” I tell one of the four men with me.

  Boom! Crash! Crash! When the door comes down, a lady feeding her infant quickly jumps up and hides her breasts.

  “Run through this mothafucka and tell me if Mercedes in here,” I look at the frightened mother. “Don’t worry. If she ain’t in here we’ll be out in a second.”

  As I await their word, my hand remains on my weapon. I’ll kill this bitch if I have to. Ever since I heard the way Mercedes left, I felt uneasy. Upset or not she wouldn’t leave us like this.

  “She ain’t in here, boss,” Carson says walking out.

  “Fuck!” I look at the woman and her child. “Look, I’m sorry.”

  “I…I understand,” she stutters. “I really hope you find her.”

  “For a lot of people’s sake I hope we do too.”

  Carson gives her some money for the repairs and we move to the next apartment. We must’ve kicked down twenty doors with no signs of Mercedes yet. I’m losin’ it!

  “Kick it in,” I instruct them at the next apartment.

  When the door swings open, I see a man I always talk to inside. I use to give him his props for taking care of his daughter alone. And here this nasty mothafucka was, sittin’ on the couch and making his ten year old daughter suck his dick!

  “What the fuck?!” I scream.

  “Fuck is this dude doin’?” Carson asks enraged at the sight.

  I don’t have to tell them what to do next because all four of my men stomp him until he’s motionless. I hold his daughter back with my hands so she won’t get hurt.

  “You okay, baby?” I ask.

  “Ye…yes,” she says shaking.

  “Where’s your mother?”

  “Locked up.”

  “Why?”

  “She stabbed him for hurting me.”

  Dirty bastard. “Look, put some clothes on. I’ma take you to the lady’s next door.”

  She trots in the room and gets dressed and we take her to the lady next door.

  “Don’t worry. I’ll take care of her,” she smiles. “Go find your friend.”

  We were just about to knock down another door when Carson says, “Boss, I don’t think she in this building. I think we should try Unit B.”

  “Why? Somebody said the last time they saw her she was over here.”

  “Somethin’ seems weird about unit B lately. I remember walkin’ up on two dudes the other day and when they saw me comin’ they stopped talkin’.”

  “And?”

  “Well…the night Mercedes was shot, Harold came ‘round back when I was on post. He was actin’ funny and seemed weird. It always stuck wit’ me. He said he was on his way to his crib when he happened to see my ride fucked up. I’m tellin’ you, boss, I think he got me to leave my post on purpose. I know it wasn’t the same night Mercedes left, but I think them niggas in that buildin’ up to somethin’!”

  “Harold, huh? Carissa said repeatedly that she didn’t trust them.”

  “Yeah…I really don’t trust him or Ed. And somebody said the night Mercedes left, that Ed wasn’t on post. Said he was gone for ‘bout thirty minutes.”

  My breaths are quick and I try to slow them down. I’m on the verge of a panic attack. I had to plan a better raid. We could go over Unit B to kick down doors but that could backfire. I’m gonna have to play it smart .

  “Look, when I tell you to, I want you to bring Ed to me, tonight.”

  “What you want me to say?”

  “Tell ‘em we tryin’ to find Mercedes and we havin’ a meetin’ with only the people we trust. I’ll take care of the rest.”

  “Got it.”

  “Gimme a hour. I have to set a few things up and I’ll call you.”

  “Okay. And I’m sorry I ain’t tell you earlier, boss. I guess I thought he was just slackin’ and it wasn’t a big deal.”

  “Never wait to tell me somethin’ again, Carson. Trust your instincts. Always.”

  “I won’t. It’ll never happen again.”

  “Why you leave without me?” Kenyetta asks when I run up the stairs. “You can’t be on a mission alone. What if somethin’ would’ve happened to you?”

  “I wasn’t alone, Kenyetta. But I gotta find, Mercedes.” I look at her worried face. “Okay, Kenyetta, I’ll be more careful, but I gotta plan to find her that I think will work.”

  “What is it?”

  “I think she’s here. In Emerald. So we’re gonna hold a meeting with our most trusted men. Somethin’ in my blood tellin’ me some shit is goin’ on, especially after Mercedes said Cameron and Black were together. I think Mercedes missing and that meeting with Cameron and Black are all tied together.”

  “Damn…so what you want me to do?” Kenyetta asks.

  “I want you to invite twenty people you trust and Carissa you invite twenty,” Carissa was so quiet I forgot she was here. Her face was in her cup. “If you can’t trust them fully, don’t invite them. You wit’ me, Carissa?”

  “I can’t do this,” she says under her breath. “I’m tired of being
afraid.”

  “So you wanna abandon us? At a time like this?” Kenyetta responds.

  “I just wanna raise my kids wit’ 'Velle. I don’t want any of the money.”

  “Money? Fuck you talkin’ about.”

  “This not me no more, Kenyetta.”

  “I can’t believe this shit!” Kenyetta screams.

  “Please don’t be mad at me,” she cries. “I’m still your friend. Please!”

  “A friend? Who abandons?”” Kenyetta responds. “No such thing.”

  “Let her go,” I say gently touching Kenyetta’s arm. “Just let her go.”

  Kenyetta looks at me and shakes her head. “Whateva happened to the pact we made? Right after Thick dumped you? We said nobody could break our bond. So why are you leavin at a time like this. What about Mercedes, Carissa?! She needs us.”

  “It’s over, Kenyetta. If she wants out we have to let her go.” Kenyetta walks away and down the stairs. I grab my phone and call Carson. “Look, keep an eye on Kenyetta. She just left Unit C upset. Make sure nobody hurts her.”

  “I got it, boss.”

  After the call I think about Carissa. I saw the breakdown in her eyes a while ago.

  “You free to leave, Carissa,” I smile. She gets up and hugs me and I hug her back.

  Before leaving she tells me, “I love you. I love all of you.”

  “I know you do. Now go take care of yourself.”

  When she leaves, I see Derrick rushing up the stairs. His eyes are bloodshot red.

  “Why you ain’t tell me, Yvette?!!” he yells. “Why you ain’t tell me Mercedes been missin’ all this time?”

  “Calm down!” I say with my arms out in front of me, so he couldn’t approach me. “I didn’t tell you cause you and me together would’ve burned this city down. But don’t worry. I got another plan. We gonna find her, Derrick. Trust me.”

  Carson

  “Must be nice to be so relax.”

  The weather was cold but the stars shine brightly on the field of Emerald city. Carson found Kenyetta and Yvette was thankful. She then had him go get Ed.

  Carson walks toward the guard station where Harold and Ed are standing post. But before reaching them, he approaches two soldiers who are a few feet from the gate. He considers them cool because the girls hired them all and they got their chances together. Most of the other soldiers were hired on Cameron’s watch.