Page 18 of Gang of Roses: Kash

Nodding, I poured out some more liquor for my sister. I then put the bag of Twizzlers on her headstone next to the flowers. This was my way of showing her love. I would have to return in a few weeks for her birthday with the girls anyway. I was just glad I was able to have a private moment with her.

I took subtle steps to my bike trying my hardest to suppress the pain. I didn’t lie when I said it hurt. The pain was worse than that of my father’s death. He wasn’t around as much but showered me financially. I saw my bitches every single day since we ran into each other. That was a different kind of bond.

Hopping on, Declan climbed into his whip and followed close behind. I loved him for always being so attentive with a chick. Like, I heard and felt my phone ringing, I just didn’t have it in me to answer. To come to me and not show an ounce of anger but strictly worry and concern said a lot. He was one of one.

The ride back to his condo was a focused one. Tears wanted to continue to fall, but I’d done more than enough back at the cemetery. All I wanted was to genuinely smile and be happy about something for once.

By the time we made it in, it was time for dinner. While he showered, I cooked. Something simple was on the menu. Beef stir fry and homemade eggrolls would fill us both up nicely. Then again, I wasn’t in the mood for anything heavy to begin with.

As I moved around the kitchen, I noticed his briefcase was sitting on the island. It wasn’t in my way per say but I didn’t want them germs around my food. I picked it up carelessly, not realizing it was open. Papers spilled out along the floors and counters.

“Fuck,” I whispered.

Bending down, I gathered everything up with this one particular flyer catching my eye. The paper attached to it listed the pieces, descriptions of them, and value. Declan’s job was hosting their annual Gems of Time jewelry auction. This was perfect for me and my girls. I doubled check to see if D was still showering and once I was in the clear, I banged Dice’s line. Of course, she didn’t answer the first go round or second, so I called until she did.

“I’m confused on why you calling my phone the way you are. We ain’t fuckin’ with each other and you made that perfectly clear,” she fussed.

She had every right to get that off her chest. The last time we saw each other, I popped my shit. Nevertheless, I missed my sister. She was just as much my best friend as Rose and Rebel. Hell, this heffa slept in the same bed as me all through college cause she hated her roommate.

“Anything else?” I asked calmly.

“I’m glad you asked. It’s really fuck you for real. You got two other people to give a fuck about, yet you shut us off like we had the plague. Bitch we going through shit, too.”

“You want to tell me about it?”

She laughed before saying, “Don’t call my phone no more, Kash.”

“I got a heist, Dice. Stop acting like a bitch and listen,” I hissed.

She went quiet like I knew she would. Regardless of what Dice said and did, when it came to a job, the bitch was all gas no brakes until it was done.

“I know you broke by now so what’s up?”

“Stop acting like you know me, bitch,” she commented.

I had to giggle at her comeback. She wanted to be mad at me so bad, but I knew she missed me just as much as I did her. “I do though. Have you heard from Rebel? She needs in on this conversation as well.”

“Good luck getting that bitch to answer. She really went off the grid this time. She ain’t fuckin’ with us in any shape or form.”

“Hold on.”

I clicked over and dialed Rebel’s phone. It went straight to voicemail. That was expected so I sent a text saying I had a job. I had a call coming through seconds later. Answering, I merged it, so I didn’t have to repeat myself a thousand times over.

“Aight, get your pens and paper ready.”

“Where’s Rebel? The bitch ain’t answer, did she? I told you she ain’t fuck with us,” Dice ranted.

“You can call me separately, Kash. I ain’t got time to listen to this hoe run her mouth. I ain’t in the fuckin’ mood,” Rebel chimed.

“No, you gon’ stay put until I’m done. Okay, look. I’m in the Valley right now. I came back to see Declan for a bit. He works for this bank called Ross Savings & Loans.”

“I know it. It’s off Helen and Roosevelt,” Dice interjected.

“Well, him and his team are hosting a jewelry auction called Gems of Time next Sunday evening at six. I want everything there. My father got a chick that owes him some favors that deals in jewelry. From the pieces listed and their value, we’re coming up at least 1.5 mil a piece.”

“Hold on. I ain’t got my pen ready,” Dice said fumbling on her end. I released a deep sigh out of aggravation. This girl gon’ run me ragged. “Okay, say it again.”

“Bitch, get to the Valley by Thursday. We got shit to do. Rebel, where we at with it? We good?” I questioned. She was hit harder than all of us. Rose was her big sister, that bond was deeper than ours.