Read Online Prince of the City by Jason Poole - Free Book Online Page A

punk-ass two thousand a week. Nigga, I had the money, the plan, the connect, the moves, the respect, and most of all, I got my loyalty. Where yours at? How come I gotta find out from other niggas uptown that you losing a hundred to two hundred thousand shootin’ craps, huh? Nigga, the last two months you lost over five hundred thousand of our money! You think I ain’t know? But Sam, I see everything. So nigga, don’t ever try to talk to me about equal partnership. I’m the CEO of this organization. I built this shit from prison, had a vision, took it to the streets, and made it reality.” While the two friends argued, Gerald sat back and watched in amazement. Things started to get so heated that he began to question if Michael’s idea was a good one.
    â€œI understand that. All I’m saying is that you made the decision without me. Personally, I like young Gerald. I have no problem with him, but when you make a decision like that, it should be conducted properly,” Sam advised through clenched teeth.
    â€œThat’s the reason why we’re sitting in my living room now, Sam. Making a decision. All we got is a couple months left. So what we do from here on out is make as much money as possible. No spending and no lavish gambling. Agreed?”
    â€œWhat about Gerald? What position is he playing?” Sam asked, pointing at Gerald.
    â€œGerald is gonna handle the collection from every lieutenant and turn it in at the end of the day.”
    â€œDamn Mike. Not only did you make him a partner, but you gave him my job,” Sam replied with confusion and disappointment. Instantly, he felt betrayed.
    â€œI did that for a reason, Sam. I want us to spend more time together. I gotta keep you focused before you go off the limb with this gambling shit.”
    Wrinkles formed in the center of Sam’s forehead. “I’m a grown-ass man. I don’t need you babysitting me!” he snapped.
    â€œSam, sometimes grown-ass men make mistakes. Now I want you to take Gerald around and introduce him to all the lieutenants on every strip,” Michael said, turning his attention to the new addition to their family.
    â€œGerald, after 9 pm, your job is to collect whatever money has been made for that day, then find out how much blow didn’t sell. Whatever is left over; give it to the lieutenant for half the price. That way he can pay his workers. Can you handle that?”
    â€œYeah Mike,” Gerald responded.
    â€œNow, at nine o’clock, I don’t care where you at or what you doing, make sure your ass is at them strips picking up that money. I don’t care if you have to get out of some pussy to do it, but bring the money straight over here and take the remaining packages out for the morning. At five thirty in the morning, you’re gonna pass off the packages to the lieutenants. The only lieutenant that has the right to request more blow is Kojack. Whatever he wants, give it to him. He moves the shit.”
    â€œI don’t know about that, Mike, ’cause Fats been moving a lot of shit too,” Sam said.
    â€œYeah, but did you know Fats had a warrant out for violation of his parole? Ain’t no sense giving him a lot of shit and then finding out he got locked up. That’s like giving it away.”
    â€œYeah, I see what you mean,” Sam agreed. “Ay, Gerald, you think you can handle that?”
    â€œYeah, I got it like clockwork.”
    â€œGood then. Mike, let me talk to you out here on the balcony in private,” Sam said.
    â€œOkay. You want a drink?” Michael asked Sam.
    â€œNah, I wanna be levelheaded when we talk.”
    They went out on the balcony and sat in silence for a moment while overlooking the Jungle of Southeast D.C.
    Michael finally broke the silence. “What is it you want to talk about, Sam?”
    â€œYou’re my best friend and I love you, but what you said to me in there was disrespectful.