Page 24 of Quasim III: King Inferno

I smiled, choking back my tears. “Thank you, Bia.”

Salah came walking in the middle of the street, while everyone looked on. “They came for one of our own… we all co-exist respectfully, never stepping on each other’s toes. We have our own families, but we’re extended family and ride for everybody. King has been there for every one of us… never asking questions, always riding. Quameer, always with his follow up, never questioning shit. Time for us to do the same shit… Blair… Queen Inferno is to remain safe.” He looked over at me.

“I’m not as experienced or know my way around a gun like all of you. Neither will I pretend to know everything just because my title is Queen Inferno.” I took a deep breath. “They tried to take him from me… it can’t be ignored, and I won’t sit pretty while you all put your lives on the line.”

“Queen, you don’t need to be as experienced or skilled, because you got a bunch of hood niggas riding out on your word.” Salah said.

“Thanks, Salah.”

“Never have to mention it.”

Capri leaned against her bike and remained silent. Her silence hadn’t gone unnoticed. It was an eerie silence that I knewwasn’t good. There wasn’t much she needed to say because our feelings were mutual.

We were married to brothers, and both men had saved us in a way. Meer was her entire world like Quasim was for me, and we both held them above anyone. If Ellis never jumped in front of him, we would have been attending Meer’s funeral instead.

It was a reality that either of us wanted to think or talk about. It remained in the back of our heads, and the constant ache in our chests that we couldn’t stop.

“Aimee been talking to one of those Del Devils… nigga freaked out,” Capella said, and looked down at his wife, who was leaned against him.

“He talks too much. Not enough where I know everything that’s going on… however, I do know that they have a house that they conduct business out of… I know the area, too… my grandmother used to own a house over in that area.” Aimee told us. “It’s funny because the Del Devils used to always come out on their bikes and really give back to the neighborhood.”

“Baby, who side you on?”

Aimee shook away her trip down memory lane. “Stop playing with me… you know my last name.”

Capella kissed the top of her head.

“We’re moving differently this time. They know how we can shut down a block. I want them scared, never knowing who they can trust. Scared to the point that they don’t know how we’re coming,” Capri said as she stared off into space.

Corleon came over and stood next to her, roping his arms around her shoulders, pulling her into him. He could sense that his sister was straying away and going to a place that Capone and Cappadonna had wanted to keep her from ever knowing.

“We’re on Lady Inferno’s word… she knows more than me. Knows more about this life and has put in way more work thanI have ever… Pri, whatever you feel needs to be done, then we’re going to do it.”

We all turned heads when we heard the sounds of engines and saw two corvettes turn and slowly cruise down the block. Cappadonna walked over as Karter jumped out the passenger seat.

Cappadonna dapped Karter. “What up?”

“King’s death got everybody fucked up… I’m already knowing that ain’t the case, though.” He looked at Cappadonna for clarification.

“Already know.”

He paused for a minute, as if he was taking in that his friend wasn’t dead. “I’m not here as a Cromwell… we’re here as Kew… whatever needs to be done.”

“It will get done,” Star walked around the car, standing next to her husband.

She walked over toward me and Capri and hugged us both. “Hey, Star.”

Her hands wiped the tears that had been coming down my face. “It could have been any one of our husbands or brothers… we take care of our own here.”

She went over and hugged Capri, then went back over toward her husband. “I’m hearing that nigga Brock is related to him or some shit… homie might try to get into the racing scene.”

“Word?” Capone said.

“Yeah, Brock’s little brother out there undefeated… heard he been talking big shit about the Cruzari siblings.”

Salah laughed. “I saw Zuri race… different beast.”

He held his hand out and chuckled. “You already know… I also got my ear out for your cousin… nothing yet, but I got you whenever I hear something.”

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