Page 31 of Quasim III: King Inferno

I expected some disloyal shit like this to come from the new generations of Gods, not my own. Not someone I handpicked and treated like fucking family. Larry had been in the field with me. We starved together, came up, and fucked bitches together. He took part in witnessing my boys grow up.

He was Uncle Larry, and now I had to put that on his tombstone, because he fucked with the wrong one. To go against the family that claimed you as theirs and would give anything for you was some wicked shit.

That nigga should have tried to tongue kiss me before going against us the way that he did. He almost took my sons out of here, and now I had to take his ass out of here.

Des sat there quietly with war in his eyes. I never had to ask if he was riding because I already knew the answer to it. He was coming behind me like Jean was going behind Mina. Certain shit belonged together, like peanut butter and jelly, or ketchup and mustard, and that was how the Infernos and Delgatos were.

Long before his daughter and my son married, this was how the connection had been forged. On a beach in Staten Island, we promised that we would always come together and remain. Life dragged us all different ways, and we had broken that promise. It was funny how our kids were the ones who brought it back together and truly made us become one family.

Me and Des always considered ourselves brothers. Always riding for one another, never turning our backs on each other, and now we shared a grandchild together. His blood and mine mixed up into one curly headed angel.

“You sat back and remained quiet… show ‘em why you was leaned back. I’m ready, and my boys on whatever you on. We’re on the Inferno’s word.”

I stared at myself in the mirror when I heard the chime for the barbershop door. Through the mirror, I watched as Fawn came in with Yasin behind her.

Fawn always wore a signature red lip. Ever since I met her years ago, that woman always kept the same lip color. I knew Fawn before I met Mina, and everyone always assumed she would be the one that I would lock down.

Certain people were sent into your life to become family. Fawn was one of those people, and I never looked at her as anything other than a sister. Through the years, children, divorces, and life, she had remained loyal to me and my family.

It was only right that her boys became Gods and ran with my son. The new generation was going to do better than we did. When we got Mina’s diagnosis, it was Fawn that pulled up on me and allowed me to cry on her shoulder.

“Why didn’t you tell me that Mina was back out there handling business… it’s been a long time,” Fawn smiled, thinking of all the shit they used to get into.

“Mina is with the boy?—”

Yasin had come in behind his mother, then dipped out when he received a call. “Kiki just called me… shit went down in Delaware… and they got Mina with them.”

When I heard that Mina wasn’t where I left her hardheaded ass, I didn’t give a fuck about the conversation at hand. “Suga Cane just said fuck being a DA, huh?”

“Cappadonna, Capone, and Corleon are with her.” Yasin assured him, because he was ready to leave the shop this second.

I looked down at my hands. “She’s sending a message.”

“Indeed,” Fawn replied.

“Turn it up.” Yasin told Brandon, who turned the news on, and we watched an entire block nearly destroyed. Four houses were burned to the ground, and the block was fucked up with cars tossed any way.

“Good evening, I’m reporting live from Wilmington, Delaware, right here on the 400 block of Howard Street, where a devastating situation is unfolding. Moments ago, multiple homes exploded. Officials believe it’s tied to a long-standing gas issue plaguing this area. Reports indicate that residents had complained about a strong smell of gas earlier today, but at this time, it’s unclear if city officials responded before these explosions occurred. Behind me, you can see the blue home in question. Authorities are concerned that there may be victims inside. Additionally, the other two homes that caught fire were previously abandoned, but police tell us these properties are often used by the homeless population. Search teams will be thoroughly inspecting them for any possible casualties. This is a developing story. We’ll continue to bring you updates as more information becomes available. Stay with us.”

“My girls.” I muttered to myself.

Recommendation: Listen As We Lay by Shirley Murdock

Shirley Murdock played lowly in the warehouse that us old heads used. Fern was for the youngins, and we preferred listening toold jams and having a drink while discussing whatever pissed us off.

Every time I went to Fern, I was reminded of the times when I was younger, and now being older, those niggas pissed me off. Then you had the chicks that frequented because they wanted a chance at bringing an Inferno God home.

Pop may have been King Inferno, but I spoke to each of the Gods and told they asses to be careful with some of these bitches. Some were good, and then it was the others that wanted to trap they asses with a baby.

I took a pull of my spliff and nodded my head to my song while I polished off the rest of my bourbon without a wince. Des stood behind the bar making a drink while Fawn nursed hers. Buck and Sonny came walking in the warehouse with Larry with them.

They were shooting the breeze and bullshitting with him because they knew his ass was done for. I took the longest pull while staring right at him, never choking or blinking my wide eyes. The smell of betrayal had me ready to fucking throw up.

“Why the fuck you listening to this sad ass music?” Larry chuckled nervously, while squeezing my shoulder.

Fawn kicked her foot out to stop me from grabbing that nigga around the throat. “Sonny, how is the grandchildren?”

She tried to make things light. “Driving me crazy as shit… took one of them to Florida to Universal, and spent a grip on that shit… who the fuck knew mythical creatures and worlds cost that much?”

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