Your Heart Is Mine: A Criminal Romance

1

Come on, Lay! Let me get them earrings. I promise you I won’t lose them, pleaded Ew Baby. You saw I was on fire, and I know you made a few hundred off my run.

Girl… you tripping! My mama gave me these earrings on my eighteenth birthday, and I’m twenty-two, Lay replied. She’d kill me if she knew I gave you my earrings to shoot dice.

But she ain’t gon’ know, ‘cause I ain’t gon’ lose ‘em, whined Ew Baby, trying to assure Lay. They were standing outside the gambling house on McMillian, and Ew Baby was itching to roll those dice one more time to make up the money she’d lost.

Ew Baby, it’s almost six o’clock, and you know we got to get to work, fussed Lay, crossing her arms in front of her. I don’t know about you, but I be tired of getting cursed out by my mama. You know Mama is extra, and she don’t care if we’re her kids or not.

But all I need is ten minutes. You know I was on fire, Lay, until that little weasel looking muthafucker jumped in the game. I was licking them niggas, Ew Baby gloated.

You was killing them, Lay admitted with a hesitant look on her face. But apparently, your arm got cold because you quickly lost all of your money.

I got five hundred dollars, but it’s $1,500 to get in, Ew Baby whined. All those niggas that sell dope over on Walton is in this muthafucka now, and they trying to control who’s in the game. Those bitch ass niggas hate to see a bitch coming ‘cause they know I got them hands!

Or trying to set a muthafucka up to get robbed, Lay replied, rolling her eyes.

"Pleeease, Lay! Let me get them earrings, and I promise I won’t lose them," begged Ew Baby. Lay looked at her best friend of nineteen years and shook her head as she began taking the earrings out of her earlobes. She’d given her earrings to Ew Baby once before and got them right back, so why would tonight be any different?

Ew Baby, you better not lose my earrings, or I’m gon’ beat your ass because my mama’s gon’ beat mine if she finds out I gave them to you to shoot dice, Lay fussed, handing them to Ew Baby. Ew Baby’s eyes glimmered as she clasped her hand around the large diamonds.

Thanks, sis! I promise I won’t lose them! Ew Baby knocked on the door of the apartment then turned the knob. She walked into the house with Lay in tow. I’m back, niggas! shouted Ew Baby. Y’all better get ready! she announced, walking over to Big Daddy. He was the one who ran the gambling house for ManMan, and he knew Ew Baby and Lay quite well.

What’s up, Ew Baby? asked Big Daddy, looking her up and down. You came over here so we can work something out for you to get back into the game? We can go upstairs real fast and take care of that. He licked his lips suggestively as he smiled at her lustfully.

Fuuuuck naw! shouted Ew Baby. You know better than that! What I look like fucking my mama’s ole man?

What she don’t know won’t hurt, he replied. You know we got a special bond.

You’re a whole pedophile! That’s why Ew Baby lives with us now, seethed Lay as she glared at Big Daddy in disgust. I’m gon’ tell my uncles how you talking to her, and you know how they gon’ handle that!

Big Daddy’s face quickly turned from a smug ass smile to frown. You ain’t got to be putting them all up in my bid-ness, Lay, Big Daddy retorted.

And you don’t have to talk to my best friend like that! snapped Lay. Where ManMan at anyway? Ole flunky ass nigga!

Big Daddy looked at Lay vehemently. You got a whole lot of mouth, girl. I bet if yo’ mama wasn’t Big Lee, you wouldn’t be bumping yo’ gums like that. Big Daddy smirked.

It don’t matter who my mama is… Lay frowned, placing her hand on her hip. I got these hands to back up what I say! And if that don’t work, then… She raised up her shirt, exposing her gun as she tilted her head over to the side and smacked her lips. Now what else you gotta to say?

What’s going on? asked ManMan, walking down the steps. Big Daddy always sat at the bottom of them as a guard, and ManMan heard the exchange between him and the girls. That’s what made him come down to see what was going on. Big Daddy was ManMan’s uncle, so his job was given to him by default. He wasn’t ManMan’s favorite person, but he could be quite effective when needed.

I need to holla at you for a minute. Ew Baby smiled. She perked up her titties and pushed her ass out because she had the biggest crush on ManMan.

Ah yeah, Ew Baby. ManMan smirked. He looked around her and winked at Lay. Hey, Layloni.

She threw her hand up and waved nonchalantly at him. She didn’t like the way he always lustfully looked at her. It was like he was undressing her with his eyes, and it made her feel uncomfortable. Ew Baby noticed how he was checking out Lay, and she knew Lay didn’t like it by the expression on her face.

Uhhh, ManMan, like I said, I got something I want to holla at you about. Ew Baby smacked her lips.

Come on. Let’s go into the kitchen, ManMan replied, still staring at Lay. You coming too, Layloni?

Unfortunately… She sighed, rolling her eyes up in her head.

ManMan laughed as he made it to the bottom of the stairs. Is it that bad? he asked with a smug smile on his face.

Yes, it is. I have to be at work in like five minutes, and if I’m late, my mama’s gonna cuss my ass out, Lay replied with an attitude.

Well, let’s get to it then. I don’t want to make you late for work. ManMan smiled.

They walked into the kitchen so Ew Baby could pawn the earrings to ManMan. He looked over at Lay’s ears and noticed she wasn’t wearing the ones she normally had on. Ew Baby was doing all the talking, so he figured she’d talked Lay into giving them to her. He cashed Ew Baby out without any problem, but he figured this would be his way to get at Lay and convince her to mess with him. He’d been sweating her for years, but she wouldn’t give him any play.

They walked back out of the kitchen, and Ew Baby headed straight to the table. Ew Baby and Lay stood back and watched as they watched a dude name Spud roll until he crapped out. It was Ew Baby’s turn to roll, and she was determined to win big. Lay looked over at ManMan as he nodded his head at James, the person who was running the table. He moved everyone back and told Ew Baby it was her turn to roll. He handed her a pair of dice as she threw the money down on the table.

I’m back, bitch ass niggas! Now let’s get ready to dance! Ew Baby smiled, shaking up the dice. Kiss these muthafuckas, Lay. We about to get paid in this biotch! Ew Baby released the dice out of her hand and then rolled them down the table.

Seven! shouted James, and everyone went crazy as Ew Baby leaned back and screamed.

Hot damn! shouted Ew Baby. I told you, Lay! I got this!

James handed Ew Baby the dice. We got a woman on fire! he yelled. What you betting?

I’m gon’ let it all ride, Ew Baby replied.

Ew Baby! shouted Lay. Ew Baby looked at her and smiled her famous gold-toothed smile. She had two golds on her front teeth and one on the bottom to the right.

Kiss these muthafuckas again, best friend. Ew Baby smiled, holding the dice in front of Lay. I got this, sis. Trust me! Lay kissed the dice before Ew Baby shook them up in her hand. She let them go and watched in anticipation as they rolled down the table. The dice landed, but before anyone could see them, James called snake eyes and snatched them up, causing mass hysteria to break out in the house.

Wait a muthafuckin’ minute! shouted Damon, one of the players sitting around the table. He jumped up out of his seat and started waving his hands in the air.

Aye… Aye… Aye! shouted Ew Baby. How you gon’ call the dice then snatch them up before anyone gets to see them?

Lay’s head fell into her chest as Ew Baby continued to go off on James. My mama’s gon’ kill me! cried Lay, shaking her head from side to side. I done fucked up big time!

2

Y’all better have a good ass reason why y’all twenty minutes late! fussed Big Lee, coming from around the bar.

Mama, let me explain, Lay stammered, tying her apron around her waist. We were out in North County at the Walmart, picking up our cleaning supplies and other odds and ends.

Why didn’t you go around to the house and get stuff out of my pantry? Big Lee questioned, sounding annoyed. You know I always tell you to go get what you need out of there.

I know, Mama, but sometimes, I try to be independent, Lay replied. Big Lee smiled at her baby because she was so proud of her. In a few months, she would be graduating from St. Louis University with her Bachelors in Business and Finance. Big Lee had a big surprise for her baby girl after she crossed that stage, and she couldn’t wait to give it to her.

It was more my fault, Mama, Ew Baby admitted. I was the one slow dragging through the store. Big Lee looked at Ew Baby, her foster daughter. She and Lay had been best friends since they were three years old, when she and her mama, Patricia, moved on the block. Patricia was an undercover dope fiend, but her shit got raggedy when her man got locked up, who just so happened to be married to Big Lee.

See, Ew Baby was Cecil’s daughter, but no one knew except Big Lee, the brothers, and Patricia. Ew Baby’s real name was Cecilia Antoinette Jones, and when the state was about to take Ew Baby from Patricia, Cecil begged Big Lee to take her so she wouldn’t go to a foster home. Big Lee agreed on the condition that no one told Ew Baby or Layloni that Cecil was Ew Baby’s daddy. Big Lee had a secret of her own about Lay’s paternity, but her infidelities would have been exposed, and that was a can of worms that she didn’t want to open. However, this was the driving force that made Big Lee get their marriage annulled.

What am I going to do with you, Ew Baby? Big Lee fussed. Your ass is always dragging through this muthafucka, but you better make sure those grades are poppin’ this semester! I’m not paying good money for your ass to go to cosmetology school, only for you to fuck it off!

Yes, ma’am, Ew Baby replied. I’m doing much better since I got a study partner.

That’s good, Big Lee replied. She settled on her usual seat at the bar while Lay wiped it down like she did every day before she started her shift. She liked to sit in the corner, where she could watch everything that was going on. There was another side to the lounge with a dance floor and tables set out around the space. She had video cameras set up all around the lounge, where she would watch them behind the bar. She wanted to see who was coming in and out of her lounge just in case some shit might pop off. There was a room upstairs where you could shoot pool, throw darts, or have a private party.

Also, Big Lee owned the apartments next door to the lounge, and you could get into the one that was connected to the building through a side door. That was considered the clubhouse apartment for the brothers when they got too drunk or were sneaking around on their women. Big Lee was very protective of her six brothers, and she had beaten up plenty of women and lost a lot of friends over them.

Whisper, Big Lee’s driver and right-hand man, came through the door with his cocky demeanor. He smiled when he saw his favorite goddaughter behind the bar, and it looked like she was barely working. Whisper, a.k.a. Jamal Thompson, was best friends with Ralph and Rico, Big Lee’s twin brothers. He grew up around the corner from the Wilson family and was a permanent fixture in their household. He had a little brother, Josh, who was doing life in prison plus a hundred years for a double murder. He and Whisper were still very close even though Josh would never see the streets again.

What’s up, princess? Whisper called out. He noticed she had a sad look on her face and wondered what that was about.

Just the person I needed to see! Lay shouted, perking up when she saw her godfather approaching. Whisper smiled, showing all six of his gold teeth as he made his way to the bar. Normally, he’d have his bottom grill in that was covered with diamonds. The top gold teeth were permanently in his mouth, but he only put the bottom grill in when he wanted to stunt. Lay and Ew Baby were secretly infatuated and in love with Whisper because he was fine as hell to them. His complexion was caramel brown, and he had strong, chiseled features. His light-brown bedroom eyes made women weak at the knees, with a broad nose and mouth that was surrounded by a full beard and mustache that was well kept. It was obvious that he really cared about his appearance, because he was always put together. Whisper had his low Caesar cut lined and faded with waves that flowed like the ocean. All the ladies wanted to get a taste of this handsome thug, but he was no easy target to get to. He stood about five feet eleven and was cocky and bow legged. His muscles rippled through his upper chest and back, and when he wore tank tops, it absolutely drove the women crazy.

What’s the word? Whisper asked. Lay looked over at her mother nervously.

I can’t talk right now, Lay stuttered, continuing to stare over at her mother. Mama’s sitting right there, and I don’t want her to hear.

Have somebody been fucking with you? Whisper asked and frowned.

No, Whisper, Lay replied, smiling. She loved it when he got overprotective about her. It made her feel special and safe. But I am in a bit of a jam.

Whisper raised an eyebrow at his goddaughter because he didn’t like her response.

You must need some money, he replied, smirking.

Not quite, she replied. But I’ll talk to you in a minute. You better go check in ‘cause I see how mama’s looking over here at us.

Whisper smiled as he looked up at Big Lee, and their eyes met. Whisper winked and blew a kiss at her, and Big Lee frowned as she looked around the bar. Big Lee got up and walked away because she didn’t feel like playing with Whisper.

You better quit playing with her, Ew Baby mentioned then smirked, sliding up on the side of Whisper. Mama’s gonna fuck you up about your messiness!

Whisper looked down at Ew Baby and grinned. Let me worry about Ann, lil’ mama. Whisper laughed. I got this under control. Ew Baby looked over at Lay, and they both turned their lips up at the same time.

You ain’t got nothing, Whisper. Ew Baby scoffed. ‘Cause we all know Mama’s running things.

Whisper looked at Ew Baby and shook his head because he knew no matter what he said to them, they were always going to ride with Big Lee. Now what is it you want to talk to me about? Whisper asked, studying his goddaughter. He sat down at the bar as she put a glass of ice in front of him. She pulled a Kiwi Strawberry Mystic out of the cooler and opened it before pouring it into the glass.

Whisper, you have to promise that you won’t tell my mama, Lay pleaded, looking around the bar. KeKe, the head bartender, walked by, eyeing them as she leaned over to grab a beer.

"Hey,