Keep Your Friends Close (A Makaveli’s Prince Novella) Page 2

  Cameron returned with the logs and set them down next to the fire pit before placing them on the dying fire one by one.

  “You ladies feelin’ some music?” He hardly had to ask and Tiana was up and dancing to the first thing he played. She was the life of any party and soon her sister was dancing with her. Cameron was a little too tipsy to dance and just sat watching them, enjoying how sexily their bodies moved to the beat of the music. After a couple of tracks Tiana confessed that she was tired and disappeared to bed.

  Laila collapsed onto the double seat beside Cameron and they looked out at the ocean. The awkwardness about what had happened earlier in the bar had dissipated. They sat and talked until the fire had died down completely. He’d once been so close with Tiana that, for some reason, he also felt close to Laila. He thought nothing of it. He enjoyed the company of a woman who could hold a good conversation and was being decent to him. They talked about everything and Cameron even asked Laila about growing up in New Orleans. He’d never understood what had happened with their mother and asked Laila what it had been like to be raised by their stepfather after their mother had left to go back to the Bahamas without them.

  The conversation was so personal yet the body language was so comfortable. Cameron noticed Laila getting closer to him as the night air cooled and he found himself fighting arousal. After their conversation eventually died down they both retreated to their rooms just before the sun came up.

  TWO

  Cameron woke up to the sound of his cell phone ringing. He looked at the time as he picked up the call and realized he’d woken up late.

  “Yeah, this is Cam,” he said with a rough morning voice. The voice on the other end immediately caught his attention. “No problem, I’ll be there fo’ sure,” he replied.

  It was the voice of his contact in the music industry and he’d just been invited to a session where he could demonstrate his lyrical talent for one of the leading producers in the Miami hip-hop business. It was just what he needed to move his music career forward.

  He hung up the phone and was reminded again of the time by the clock on its display.

  He was late.

  He threw on some clothes, splashed some water on his face and grabbed his gym bag. On his way out of the house he could hear a shower running and a female voice belting out ‘Girl On Fire’ by Alicia Keys. He knew it must have been Laila. Tiana could sing but she never brought the house down like that.

  Cameron smiled as he closed the front door behind himself.

  The Griphouse, a mixed martial arts gym, was a five mile drive north to Coral Gables. Cameron shifted through traffic as fast as possible, driving was his thing, and in no time at all was pulling into the parking lot.

  Inside, the group training session had already started. It was something his crew did every Saturday and he tried to slip in unnoticed. That wasn’t likely though because there were only six of them, himself included.

  It was only a couple of seconds before Tyrone gave him a look that told him he was in trouble. Part of Cameron didn’t care because soon Tyrone wouldn’t be his boss anymore. But he still had a couple of months left on his probation and he had to serve that out without any trouble or he’d be right back in jail. If that happened his music career was going to take a nosedive and who knew if it would ever recover. That’s why he swore to himself the job they pulled a couple of weeks back had been his last.

  He was here at the gym to serve out his time. Technically, it was where he worked. Tyrone owned the place and had given him a job to satisfy one of the conditions of his probation. Cameron was down here often enough but rarely ever worked. He was either working out or plotting the next job with the crew and that was what Tyrone wanted. Everyone in the crew was on the hook with him for a probationary job and that assured their loyalty.

  Loyalty was also gained through the good money they made and the imposing figure Tyrone cut. He was thirty-eight years old and had plenty of experience in the game. He had a prison yard physique, shaped by too many hours pumping iron, something he’d never lost on the outside.

  Everyone in the crew practiced mixed martial arts but Tyrone was by far the most lethal among them. He was a great stand up fighter but once he got you to the deck he’d put you in a choke or crush a submission out of you.

  At the end of the session Tyrone came over to Cameron, beads of sweat running off his shaved head and down his thick neck. A gold chain around his neck, which had a pair of diamond encrusted gold boxing gloves hanging on it, glimmered brightly against his dark brown skin. Even Cameron’s tall muscular physique stood in the shadow of Tyrone.

  “No excuses Cam, just know it’s your share of the take that’s on the line next time you’re late.”

  “I’m out Tyrone, I need to keep things straight to make sure I don’t fuck anything up with his record deal I’ve got in the pipeline.”

  “You out but you still here.”

  “I’m here to serve out my probation, you know that.”

  “That’s right, you work for me right up until the end of your probation.”

  “I respect you and all you’ve done for me but can’t we wrap this up professionally and keep our friendship?”

  Cameron’s friendship with Tyrone was superficial. Also, he had a feeling it was Tyrone that Tiana had been fucking with behind his back. He knew what Tiana was like, she wanted more money, more power and this nigga had it all and more muscle too.

  Cameron didn’t know for sure. He wasn’t going to give Tiana the satisfaction of asking and she sure wasn’t going to tell him unless he did ask. That left him trying to play it cool with Tyrone while the time on his probation ran down.

  “Listen up, this next job is worth the risk,” Tyrone said.

  “I ain’t feelin’ it. I’ll find you another guy and school him in how we do things around here. Whatever you need.”

  “It’s too late for that. You know how we work, you got the skills and experience. I can’t trust anyone else. You know how it is.” Tyrone paused and let his words sink it. “And with the size of job we’re talking about at such short notice, you won’t find anyone.”

  Cameron didn’t like the way Tyrone talked about trust. He bet Tyrone hadn’t been thinking about trust while he had been giving it to Tiana.

  Cameron and Tyrone walked through to the locker room and hit the showers. If he didn’t make it through his probation then showering was going to be very different. He wouldn’t end up anyone’s bitch in prison though, he’d fight and make the right associations to avoid all that, but he just didn’t want to even think about going there. His life wasn’t about that anymore.

  “What sort of job are we talking about?” Cameron asked.

  “It ain’t the usual high value burglary, that’s fo’ sure. We’re talking a quarter mil pay out on this one.”

  “What’s unusual about that?” Cameron asked, turning the shower from hot to cold to help him cool down.

  “Each. A quarter mil each. Armored truck takedown.”

  “The risk on that is…”

  “Worth it, I’ve got a guy on the inside.”

  “I’ll look over the plans and that’s as far as I can commit right now.”

  Tyrone didn’t say anything and he didn’t look too pleased either but he wasn’t going to argue the point when Cameron appeared to have decided already.

  They finished showering and as they got dressed Tyrone proceeded to tell Cameron about some girl he’d been sleeping with. Cameron could feel his blood boiling because he was sure Tyrone was talking about Tiana. And what’s more, he was sure Tyrone was doing it on purpose. He bit his tongue because he was done with Tiana and soon he’d been done with Tyrone.

  He hung around the gym for a half hour talking to the other members of the crew, who he mostly got on well with, and a few of the regular customers. He checked his watch and when he saw it was nearly midday he knew it was time to go. He drove straight home because he was fixed on some meat after such a hard workout a
nd he knew there was plenty leftover from the barbecue.

  He pulled up in the driveway, grabbed his gym bag and was in the kitchen in front of a barbecue steak almost before the sound of the Mustang engine had faded. Laila walked in as he was tucking into the steak and she set her laptop on the kitchen counter.

  “Help yourself to a plate,” Cameron offered as he nodded in the direction of the leftovers he’d set out on the counter.

  “Thanks, I will.”

  “Tia up yet?”

  “She’s gone already, said she had some business she needed to handle. But no problem for me, I needed some time to go through all these jobs and try to find a couple of houses to view.”

  “Any luck?”

  “I’ve got one interview and a house a viewing lined up for this afternoon.”

  “You need a ride?”

  “Sure, if that’s no trouble?”

  “I’ve got one thing to do but if we get our plans straight it’s all good with me.”

  As they sat and ate they double checked schedules. After eating Cameron changed into some fresh clothes, something a little less sporty and fit for a trip to the studio. Laila was already changed and he couldn’t help but notice how good she looked as she slid into the passenger seat beside him, wearing a tight fitting dress.

  They drove up to Brownsville and pulled to a stop outside a small shack located on northwest 45th street. The real estate agent was on her way and they had ten minutes to kill so they got out to stretch their legs and immediately missed the air conditioning of the Mustang.

  “I don’t have a good feeling about this neighborhood. What do you think?” Cameron said, looking around to make sure there was no one close by who might disagree. The last thing he wanted today was beef in a neighborhood he didn’t even know.

  “It ain’t a scratch on your ‘hood,” Laila replied and Cameron raised a single eyebrow in reply. He’d fought hard to get where he was and reminded himself he’d lose it all if he didn’t square things with Tyrone somehow. He looked the quiet section of street up and down. There were signs right outside this place that told people not to dump trash. There had obviously been some kind of littering problem. Who wanted to live in a place where people dumped trash right outside your house, he thought. The street was quiet right now but was probably a very different place at night. He wondered how safe it was.

  “Tia still thinking of moving in with you?” Cameron asked.

  “I think so.”

  “You must think I’m so selfish,” Cameron said, sitting down on the curb in the shade and hanging his head.

  “You got to do what you got to do,” Laila said ambivalently as she sat down beside him. Cameron took it hard and shot a glance over at Laila.

  “It ain’t like I really got a choice. She’s the one who cheated on me. I loved her ass,” he shook his head, “and I never… I never…” He was choked up and stopped speaking before his emotions made him look like a fool. He stood up and walked away, his back to Laila. She couldn’t understand, she was Tiana’s sister and would always have her back, he thought.

  He stood still for a moment on the other side of the street. He took a couple of deep breaths with one foot resting on the curb. Tiana’s betrayal was the most painful thing he could remember. He’d been prepared to ride and die for her. He’d been good to her, provided for her and more than that. He’d been true to her. He was the exception to the rule in the group of niggas he ran with. They all got pussy on the side. Was he the fool for thinking he should have been different? No, he knew deep down he’d just been played. Why the hell had he got down on one knee for her? Cameron cursed himself inside for being so stupid.

  He turned around, his raw emotions barely contained beneath the surface, and expected to see Laila still sitting on the curb. She was stood right behind him and saw the look in his eyes as he turned. Cameron saw the look in hers. What he saw was unexpected and he knew immediately she understood his pain. Maybe she’d been hurt like this too. She put her arms around him. He didn’t say anything and neither did she.

  Cameron didn’t know what was happening between them but before he could think any more on it the realtor pulled up and was calling over to them.

  “Are you here to see the house?”

  “Yes ma’am,” Laila replied and they broke from the embrace.

  The realtor showed them inside.

  “What do you think?” Cameron asked as he glanced around. It was so small, the whole thing open plan. Kitchen-diner into bedroom-living room.

  “It’s small, that’s for sure,” Laila replied. The realtor immediately picked that up.

  “Perfect for a young couple like you. Not too expensive either,” she said, looking at her notes. “You might have an opportunity to save a little if you want to get a deposit together to buy. Are you thinking of any young ones?”

  Laila looked at Cameron and smiled. He also recalled their conversation twenty-four hours before and nearly laughed.

  “We’re definitely thinking about it,” Cameron lied to the realtor.

  Five minutes later they were back in the Mustang and their serious faces broke into smiles as the realtor pulled off in her car.

  “I ain’t about to have you living up in a place like that,” Cameron said, turning serious again.

  “Not if we’re still thinking about having kids,” Laila teased. They both laughed as Cameron turned the Mustang around in the street. The engine roared and they shot off to Laila’s interview at the Miami Downtown Development Authority.

  Cameron dropped her out front, found a place to park and then took a walk along the waterfront. He had to get his head in the game. Laila had her interview but his was next. He pulled a small pad and pen from the back pocket of his jeans. Ideas started flowing through his mind and he jotted words down on the pad. It didn’t feel like long before an hour had gone by and his cell phone started buzzing.

  “Yo,” Cameron said, picking it up.

  “I’m done.”

  “I’m just round the corner, I’m on my way.”

  Cameron jumped in his car and pulled up alongside the curb outside the Development Authority. The afternoon was rolling on and the sun was starting to hang low in the sky. Shards of light shone through the gaps between the tall downtown buildings. Cameron watched Laila walk towards the Mustang, the light catching her features in such a way he could really appreciate how hot she was. Laila opened the door and got in.

  “You get it?” Cameron asked as he pulled away.

  “Nah, they said they were looking for someone with more experience.”

  “Fuck ‘em, you know you’ll get something soon enough,” Cameron said with a confident smile.

  “Sure, so where we headed now?”

  “It ain’t far from here. My girl Nia has a club and she’s the one who set me up a meeting with a producer I can’t say no to. Gonna lay something down and see how he likes it.”

  “You rappin’ at the club?”

  “Have done before. Every week they hold freestyle battles but today it’s probably gon’ be up in the studio. A lot of talent goes through there and Nia’s always promoting fresh talent. Ninety-nine per cent of being successful is about being in the right place at the right time. The other one per cent is bringing it when you’re there. I’ma do both.”

  “But you’re successful already.”

  “Not how I wanna be. I’m thinkin’ long-term. I can’t keep doing what I’m doing or I know I’ll be back in jail before long. That’s what Tiana doesn’t understand. Yeah, I admit it ain’t like I’m robbin’ mother fuckers in the street or doing shit I’m risking my life for. I drive and make sure we get away safe from whatever fancy home we just turned over. But if I get caught and they send me back to jail I might as well be dead.”

  Cameron could sense Laila taking that thought on board. He didn’t know if she’d spent time in prison but doubted it, otherwise she’d just understand. They drove the rest of the way with their conversation muted and the radi
o filling in.

  “Don’t know how long I’ll be so you might as well come in,” Cameron said as he parked up the Mustang.

  “That okay?”

  “Sure.”

  Minutes later they were inside the club and met with the owner Nia Rodriguez. Cameron introduced Laila and caught up briefly with Nia.

  “They’re up in the studio waiting for you,” Nia said, pleased she’d hooked Cameron up. Her own music career was taking off and she knew how he’d be feeling.

  Cameron and Laila took the elevator up to the studio level. She took a seat in the lounge area that adjoined what was in fact two recording studios. It was kitted out with comfy sofas, a big screen TV and most importantly decent air con.

  Before Cameron knocked the door to the main studio it opened and he was greeted by a Latino man in his late thirties called Tony Watts. He was the producer Cameron was there to meet.

  “I’ve been hearing big things about you,” Tony said as he shook hands with Cameron.

  “Hope I can live up to them,” Cameron replied as the door closed behind them.

  “Yeah me too. I wanna hear you spit on a track I’m working on right now and if it sounds good to me then we might go from there.”

  “I can do that.”

  “You have something prepared?”

  “Let me hear this track so I can get a feel and I’ll be ready.”

  “Alright then, take a seat.”

  Cameron sat next to Tony behind the mixing desk. There were other people in the room who he hadn’t been introduced to. He didn’t know who they were but guessed they were probably the ones who were going to front the money to make an album if he made the cut.

  The track started pumping out of the Warfedale speakers and Cameron liked it. It was fresh and edgy. He felt the flow of it and let his mind absorb the beat. As soon as it had played through he was ready.

  Two minutes later they’d checked the levels for him in the vocal booth and the track started playing through his headphones. In his hand he had the small note pad on which he’d jotted down a few more ideas.