​Chapter 15: The Setup Unveils

Meanwhile... Across Town

Lia stepped back into the living room, rolling a blunt between her fingers, humming some Aaliyah .

But Dante was already standing. Waiting.

Before she could react, he grabbed her by the ponytail, yanking her head back so hard her neck dam near popped.

"Who the fuck that number belong to?" he growled, eyes dark, voice deadly calm.

Lia gasped, hands gripping his wrist, trying to ease the pressure. "W-what number?"

Wrong answer.

CRACK.

His fist smashed straight into her eye, knocking her back onto the couch.

She yelped, “Joe!” hands flying to her face, pain flushing through her skull.

"Bitch, don’t play with me." Dante raised his fist again, like he was ’bout to straighten her up some more.

"Who the fuck is Joe?"

Lia swallowed hard, her voice trembling. "It’s just some guy...  The clown nigga."

For a second, Dante just stood there.

Then—

He laughed.

Long, deep, ugly.

"You fucking a clown ass nigga behind my back? That nigga a certified crackhead." he chuckled, pacing, shaking his head. "You just a hoe, huh? Out here fucking niggas who juggle balls for a living?"

Lia glared at him through her swelling eye, spitting blood onto the floor.

"He fuck me better than you."

Dante snapped.

His hands wrapped around her throat, squeezing, pressing, fury twisting his face into something monstrous.

She choked, clawing at his hands, kicking, trying to breathe.

Then, just as suddenly, he let go.

She collapsed, gasping, coughing hard, eyes watery, body trembling.

Dante took a deep breath, running a hand down his face.

Then, calm as ever, he crouched down beside her, tapping her cheek lightly.

"You know what? I’ma take this clown nigga out."

Lia shivered.

"You can’t fuck a dead nigga."

She looked up, terror in her eyes.

Dante smirked. "Here’s what we gon’ do."

"You gon’ call that nigga," he said, sitting back on the couch, like he ain’t just damn near kill her.

"Tell him you ditched me. Tell him you wanna see him. Get high, get his clothes off."

Lia’s stomach twisted.

Dante leaned in, smirking.

"And while he think he about to get some pussy..."

He gestured toward the closet near the stairs.

"I’ma be right in there."

He cocked his fingers like a gun. "And I’ma blow his ugly ass head off."

Lia’s breath hitched.

She knew she ain’t have a choice.

She nodded.

Dante grinned. "Good girl."

Meanwhile...

Back at Kiesha’s crib, we was posted up, high as hell, feet kicked up, vibin’.

Kiesha blew out a thick cloud of smoke, laying back on the bed.

"Aye, I heard somethin’ interesting today," she said, passing me the blunt.

I took a hit, exhaled slow. "What’s up?"

"Some big-time artist’s manager gonna be in town. Loves carnivals. Might stop by this week."

Kirk raised a brow. "And?"

"And I wanna make a good impression," she said, sitting up, eyes serious. "You never know, man. This could be my shot."

I nodded, feelin’ that.

"Shit, let’s make it happen then," I said. "Nigga might see you sing and sign you on the spot."

"Or at least gimme some connections," she grinned.

Kirk nodded, rolling another blunt. "You got the talent. You just need the right eyes on you."

Kiesha smiled, lookin’ more hopeful than I seen her in a while.

Then, I leaned back.

"I been thinkin’ bout takin’ my clown gig on the road, too."

Kirk laughed. "Nigga, I can see that. You gone be the greatest entertainer of all time."

I smirked. "Shit, might as well dream big."

Kirk leaned back, cracking his knuckles. "And I’ma sell enough dope to get into real estate. Go legit."

I chuckled. "Nigga, you been sayin’ that for three years."

"And I mean it this time."

"Yeah, aight."

​

Mid-laugh, my StarTAC buzzed.

I checked the screen.

Lia.

I grinned. "Look at that. Told y’all she’d be callin’."

I flipped it open.

"Was up, baby girl?"

Lia’s voice was soft, playful.

"I ditched that nigga. Come see me."

My smile faded.

Somethin’ about her tone... felt off.

Too forced.

Too careful.

I narrowed my eyes. "You ditched him?"

"Yeah, come through. Let’s chill, get high, just us."

I paused, chewin’ the inside of my cheek. “ Ok cool, see you in a bit.”

Somethin’ wasn’t right.

Kirk and Kiesha were watchin’ me, waitin’ for my move.

I exhaled, runnin’ a hand over my face.

"Yoo, listen."

I looked at Kirk. "I’ma leave the door unlocked. Wait in the cut close by. If you hear anything funny... or I don’t pop my head out in an hour to say everything good...."

I tapped my chest.

"Come in guns blazin’."

Kirk nodded, expression turnin’ serious.

Kiesha, on the other hand?

She just grinned, takin’ another hit of the blunt.

"Damn, nigga. You really livin’ like a movie now."

Then, casually as hell, she exhaled a cloud of smoke and asked—

"So when we hittin’ the pipe again?"

I chuckled, shaking my head.

"You read my mind."