Read Online Out a Order by Evie Rhodes - Free Book Online Page A

didn’t know if he would make it through.
    Without realizing he was going to he yelled out loud, “Aw, Jesus, why’d you have to take her? Why?”
    Engulfed in waves of pain he decided to pray. He hadn’t prayed since before the night Jazz was murdered. He prayed for the resting of her soul in peace. This child he loved so much.
    A branch swayed in the wind over his head. Shannon looked up. He could have sworn he’d heard his daughter’s voice. Grief-stricken, he knew he was really losing it. Right next to his ear, he had felt Jazz’s soft breath whispering, “Daddy, don’t cry. I’m here, Daddy.”
    Shannon bowed his head between his legs. He knew as long as he lived, he would forever hear her voice.

Chapter 13
    T he following day Rico, Temaine, and Milkbone, another one of Rico’s crew members, sat in Rico’s Jeep on Springdale Avenue watching a hot dice game being played out on the avenue. Money was spread out all over the ground. There was lots of shoving, yelling, and rivalry going on.
    Rico moodily stared out the window of his Jeep. “Them niggas don’t ever get tired of ripping each other off.”
    Temaine burst out in laughter. “That’s because they ain’t got no real cash kicking in. It’s the way of the world. What you ain’t got you take. Them niggas be real bored, man.”
    Milkbone cleared his throat. “Temaine, you never fail to surprise me. I know by now you heard Ballistic is going ballistic. You know what I mean? And here you sit like you ain’t got a care in the world laughing at some silly niggas instead of spreading a plan that’s gonna keep this wacko at bay.”
    Disgusted, he hit the back of Temaine’s seat. “You is one amazing nigga, man.”
    Rico shot Milkbone a cold glance through the rearview mirror. “Chill, my man. Ain’t nobody ignoring that fool. Just ain’t nobody worrying about him either.”
    Temaine jumped in. He was livid with anger. “And why don’t you get on the right page, Milkbone? Shannon Davenport is being harassed by the police right now because his daughter’s dead, and because his house got shot up.”
    â€œWhich means, you dense-ass nigga, he may be looking for some answers of his own. And niggas like Ballistic used to wet their pants at the sound of his name back in the day. He’s a legend. An O.G., man, that nigga created the game we’re playing. You with that?”
    Rico sighed. He banged his hand on the steering wheel. Temaine with his two faces was making him sick. He couldn’t believe he had grown up and been best friends with this double-crossing weasel. He was a walking dead man. This punk was going to find out soon that Rico knew that the only allegiance he paid was to the almighty dollar.
    He actually sounded like he looked up to Shannon Davenport. He was worshipping that old-school punk in his presence. The only name on the streets of Newark that was gonna inspire fear and awe was his. Temaine would know that soon enough.
    Not ready to lay his cards on the table yet, Rico said, “Shannon Davenport is a liability I can’t afford. He won’t be around long. He’s going to be one less mama’s son. Believe that. I’m gonna do him. In the right time and in the right place. The police are all over him.”
    Milkbone grimaced. “When?”
    Rico locked gazes with him in the rearview mirror. “I don’t answer to you, Milkbone. When I’m ready and when I say so. That’s when.” He spat out the car window.
    Milkbone rolled his eyes, staring out the window, avoiding further eye contact with Rico. “You know what? I didn’t mean nothing by the question. I was just asking. I’m out of here. Okay?”
    Milkbone hit the door handle on the Jeep. He stepped out. Just as he did his attention was drawn to a shadow on the roof. But it was too late. An eerie, weird