Charmed By A Steel City Hustler
Chapter 7 — Fear is the Greatest Obstacle

Bash:

"I make this shit seem too easy Caesar," I said to my right hand as we counted the money and shipments. The Russian mob had just bought the entire monthly inventory. They were loyal customers but paranoid as hell. Which is why I was here for the transaction. Caesar had done a fine job replacing me as the face of our organization.

There were a few clients that still requested to deal with me only. I had no problem showing my face here and there. I had explained to them all this would eventually be Caesar and I would fade away. My plan was to be a father. and attending functions at my kid's daycare facility. That shit wasn't happening right now. There was couldn't still get in on the mix every so often.

The Russians were at war with some black gang two states over and needed all they could get. I never dealt artillery to the competition. That shit would bring heat my way.

When the gang leader stepped to me a week ago about doing business, I declined. He was mad as hell trying to play that 'brother we on the same team' card, not even. He sold poison to our people and didn't do shit positive with the blood money.

Gun running was not a respectable career either by far. I donated to several scholarship programs. I helped build two youth community centers in my old neighborhood and coached little league basketball. I was far from perfect and committed sins just like the next person. I made sure to atone for my sins in some way or the other. One of these days I may even step foot in a church.

"Bash! Stop daydreaming about your little jump off man."

Caesar said yelling at me. Once what he said made sense, I start cracking the hell up along with him. Caesar knew damn near everything about me, except who my jump off was. He had covered quite a few times for me at the bar. Caesar didn't pry at all but thought I was crazy as hell for cheating on Lola. He said that my wife was every man's fantasy. I agreed with him, she just was no longer my fantasy.

"Stay out of my business Cease. That is the entire shipment. I know Darryl going be hitting us up for his little bit of hardware. Hit up Nise and see if she willing to deal for a small shipment."

Caesar snapped his head around so fast it nearly did a complete three sixty. I smirked walking away clapping my hands. That fool wanted to clown me. I was going throw it back at him.

Nise was a shorty who dealt guns from D.C. but was local to our area. We had mutual respect and never crossed clients. Nise was the perfect definition of a man-eater. She lived and breathed her hustle, no kids or attachments of any sort. Caesar and Nise had a thing when we were younger until she joined the family business. Cease did not like her being in the streets slanging guns, and rumor had it she was a hitter also. They parted amicably, but they always had that look once they were in the same room together.

"Are you serious? What about Michael?" Ceasar said coming into my office and plopping down in a chair. I could go to Michael, but he was bitch made and gave me a headache. He was always trying to get put on as a branch out from my business. Michael was a man who got handed the keys to his business. That fool was not street at all just bookworm smart.

I could not trust a person who never got his hands dirty, or never bodied a mufucka. I didn't trust shit about him after our first two deals, I kept him at arms-length ever since. The clients who were ghetto and careless got referred to his ass.

"Cease I really am not trying to fuck with that weirdo. Given your funky attitude lately a visit with Nise will do your ass some good."

"Fuck you, Bash. Better make sure your dick stays attached, with all the sticking and moving you doing."

I busted out laughing at his lame come back. That fool was not fooling anyone. He was knocking down Nise every time she stepped foot in town. I went to respond when my phone went off.

The code name for Lois popped up. I cleared my throat to signal this was a private call. He nodded and said some smart shit on his way out closing the door behind him.

"Baby, what's up? How you doing? Lo are you crying? Meet me at our spot now, I'm leaving out now."

The sniffles and barely audible words let me know that she was hurt. I had no idea what was going on but was going to replace out. I reached for my laptop off button, but never even turned it on. I grabbed my car keys and headed out the door. Cease was on the phone, and I bet he was talking to Nise.

I chucked the deuces at him, and he just nodded back. The night air was cool on my skin, so I slung my jacket over my shoulder. Hopping into my BMW I peeled off in the direction of my second bar.

The main one was on the Southside and frequented by every damn body. The second location was located near the hood. I had to provide jobs in my old stomping ground. This was where Lois and I would meet, if we were on short notice. Lois had a key to the upstairs loft and always entered the business on the opposite side and took the elevator up. No one would ever suspect anything, other than she frequented a sex shop often. I heard my text message chime go off and it was Lola. I had put her on block earlier in the day.

Lola had pissed me off this morning but also, I was tired of the charade. I know she was going crazy and assuming the worse. Perhaps this would enlighten her to get right or move around. The phone rang, and her face popped up on it. "Yo," I stated dryly not hiding my discontent at all.

"Hi. I've been trying to reach you all day."

Lola sounded shocked and hurt at the same time. I never addressed her like this on the phone ever. I always used a pet name followed by a compliment before addressing her.

"I told you this morning that I had meetings. Since I was late, that required me to be tied up longer than originally scheduled. What's up something wrong?"

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The silence and heavy breathing was annoying as hell. She was stalling to try and get a feel of my mood or hear a female's voice in the background.

"No nothing is wrong. I was just worried about you and wanted to know what time you were coming home?"

Ha, this whole conversation was a joke. Lola was acting like a kid who got put in the corner for the day. I was not about to apologize or pacify her in any way. She needed to be a woman about the situation, period.

"I can't give you an exact time as an unexpected deal came up. I am going to handle that tonight.”

"Okay um, I didn't think-no fine. I'll see you whenever then babe."

"Alright bye."

I hit end on the call just as I pulled into the back parking lot area. Lola was a whole mess right now, and it did not bother me. Usually, in these situations, I would feel like shit and make it up to her.

A shopping spree, dinner, and dick would get us back right. This time was different, and her mental was not my concern. I hit the locks and went in through the back door. The manager on duty Gerald waved at me. I walked over to spit business quickly with him.

I took the steep ass steps up to my loft and let myself in. The maid service that kept the place clean was doing a bang-up job. I had her clean and keep the fridge stocked. This place was my third home and rarely used.

I put my keys down on the counter and walked down the hall to my bedroom. Pushing the door open I saw Lois mindlessly watching a reality television show. She never watched that shit, so this had to be bad. I removed my Jordan's from my feet and climbed into the bed. The remote was in her hand, so I eased it out muting the show.

"Baby, tell me what happened," I said, and the tears began to roll. Lois was very sad as she spilled the events out of her mouth. Adonis was the worst kind of black man. The fool did not appreciate what he had right in front of him. A part of me wanted to go to that restaurant and tune his ass up.

I pulled her into my arms allowing my body to calm her hyperventilating. I really could not do shit for her as she didn't want this to go public. Lois was so afraid of soiling her image, her sister, and that sour ass fool. If she knew what type of person he really was, she might think twice about that.

"I can't believe he would do something like that to me. Ugh!"

I shook my head and laughed a little. Lois looked at me with a tilted head in shock. I thought she had a bad day at work. To call me because her asshole husband was being himself was a waste of my damn time.

I had it out with Lola about her behavior earlier. Big sister was sitting at home sulking because the truth hurt. Lois needed the lights turned on in her attic as well. Now I must tell baby girl the hard truth. She was not going to be happy with me either.

"Lo, real shit after this stunt you need to get a damn divorce. It is very clear that fool don't care about your feelings. He got another bitch calling your fucking home phone! I know you are not that blind to see what is going on. The least you could do is grow a pair and boss up on him. What's that old saying, if you stay then you are accepting the funky behavior."

"Excuse you! I called you so that I could get some comfort. I did not ask for you to talk down to me. You are yelling and cussing as if I did something wrong. Men are all the same. I bet if I was waiting in here to suck your dick you would be nice as ever."

Oh, my fucking god these women should have been twins. Fuck is wrong with them talking to me any kind of way. Want a fool to placate their fucking feelings.

I counted down from ten in my head and was still pissed off. So, I decided to stand up and put my damn shoes on. I did not come here for this shit. Lois wanted me to be her therapist and side fool. Tomorrow morning, she will wake up answer that fool's calls, and run back to him. I was not about to turn into that fool she only called when her main was out of pocket.

I ran shit in this affair and that was how things went. I didn't want to go home to Lola either. She was still in her damn feelings. Lola was way more emotional and whinier as hell. Given she was in full-blown sad puppy mode. I took a deep breath and sat back down on the bed. I removed the one shoe I did get back on. I raked my hands down my face and then blew out a forced breath.

"Look obviously it has been a long hard day for both of us. So why don't we just take a hot shower, relax, and talk like civilized adults," I said in a calm voice. I truly wanted to knock her in the head, and maybe she would get some clarity. Lois looked to my eyes and nodded. Sex was not the cure-all to every relationship's problems.

That bedroom action did lessen the stress and emotional blows that came with the drama. Lois got up and walked into the bathroom. A text came through on my phone from Lola.

The wife: I luv you

The attachment was her in a new silk teddy we purchased on our last vacation. My dick didn't jump at all. That let me know that my marriage was dead and gone. I sent a text back telling her that I was working late.

The bubbles popped up for a second message, but it never came through. I shook my head and went in the direction of the bathroom behind Lois. The happiness of others has always been my priority, not anymore.

I was going to be Lois' shoulder to cry on, and dick to ride on tonight. Tomorrow was the start of me putting myself first always. These women were getting entirely too comfortable with my giving in to their needs and wants all the time.