Page 12 of Cove City: Volume II
Drug Lord or Money Launderer? Can this one guy be a mass criminal?
James Avery is known to rule the inner city with his mischievous ways. Could the rumors be true about the known history of the Averys? For two decades, the Averys and Merciers have been at war with each other, or have they? As things begin to unfold for the two families, the federal government has become silent in its investigation. Locals say that James Avery is a neighborhood hero as he has provided for them in more ways than the city officials. He has given back to his community, which could be a win for Mr. Avery.
However, there are rumors that he and other wealthy families are involved in a scheme that could backfire not just onhim but also on his community. As the story unfolds, we will see if James Avery has the upper hand.
So, it was Naheem’s family who had been scheming. It wasn’t making sense, and this Mercier family seemed to be in on something, too. The shit was frustrating me because I didn’t know what any of it had to do with the goddamn Cove and Lake Hill. I closed my laptop and then stared at my phone. I missed my man, and hearing his voice would do me some justice right now. As soon as I picked up my phone, there was a knock at my bedroom door. “Come in, Ma,” I called out.
The door slowly opened, and she wheeled herself in. I could see a look of concern on her face. What I didn’t need was more bad news. I was already trying to keep my game face on, and here it was, she was about to give me bad news. I forced a smile on my face. “What is it?”
She dropped her head, “Every day I regret that I couldn’t be a better mother to you. I was supposed to be your superhero. The one person who was supposed to be able to provide all of your needs, and I failed you, and I’m sorry.”
I knew my mother did her best. When my father left, she could never get herself together. She allowed that man to take care of everything, and just as he walked out the door, he took everything with him, including her integrity. I didn’t want to be like her. I refused.
My mother pulled a paper from her lap. She went to hand it to me, but the lights went off.“Shit!”I spat.
“I had been meaning to tell you the lights were about to get disconnected.”
“Really, Ma?”
“Tuesday, I’m sorry. I thought we were moving.”
I wanted to explode. Why did I have to be chosen for this? I didn’t want to be one of God’s strongest soldiers. I wanted to be in a soft girl era. I wanted to be shopping every other day, be inmy empowerment mode, and getting fucked on a daily. Instead, I was taking care of someone who was supposed to be helping me on my bad days, almost violated by a nigga whose cousin I was fucking, and doing an article on some shit I didn’t know about just to keep my fucking job.
I was at the point where I didn’t have anything left to give.
SASHA
Indigo had invited all the girls to her gallery. She said she wanted to have a sip and paint event. I almost rejected the offer because of what Zeus and I were going through, but I knew I couldn’t be stuck in a slump forever. Zaria asked if I wanted to ride with her, but I chose to come alone. I had just pulled up to the gallery when I spotted Bishop leaving with anger written all over his face. I heard about what Chevy had done to his spot, and I knew he was plotting and planning; however, he hadn’t made any moves, and that was the scary part.
I put on my big girl smile as I got out of the car and went inside. Everyone was here, and I was almost shocked to see them all laughing, talking, and dancing amongst each other. Indigo had black lights throughout the gallery, featuring mid-sized canvases, as well as a drink and food table. I stepped further inside to see Zaria dancing her way toward me with her belly swaying with her. “Hey girl, welcome to girls’ night.”
“Hey boo,” I replied.
Navi and Yana were leaning over, giggling about something. Tania was sipping her drink, rocking side to side as she sat in front of her canvas. She must have been feeling good because this was the first time I’ve seen her in a good mood. There was another girl there I’d never seen before, and she and Harvey were talking.
I strolled over to the open canvas seat which was in between the girl I’ve never seen and Zaria. “Hi,” the girl said to me.
“Hi.”
“I’m Synai.”
Tania’s head shot our way as she rolled her eyes. I nodded. “You’re Bleek’s girlfriend?”
“Yes.” She smiled.
Zaria came over, sitting next to me. She leaned in to say something, but the music suddenly became softer. “Ok, ladies, since Zaria hosted the last girls' night, I thought I'd give it a shot. I know there are a lot of egos outside the building among our men, but we want to show them that we can get along, so they can too. We all can co-exist in the Cove.”
Yana threw her hand out. “You got that right. Now what are we painting?”
Indigo giggled. “This painting will be what you feel but let me give you guys something to work with.”
Indigo clapped her hands, and from the back emerged a man, a fine one at that. He had a medium-brown complexion, a chiseled face, a low-cut taper, sleepy eyes, and nice full lips. He came into the circle of canvases and removed the robe he wore.
“Goddamn!”Yana shouted.
I laughed and laughed hard.“Shit!”I blurted out.
Synai pointed. “Mm…k… he’s fine as hell.”
