Page 130 of The Ninth

“KENZO! KENZO! KENZO! KENZO! KENZO! KENZO!”

Over and over and over and over.

****

My eyes stayed trained to the floor as I stood, body duct taped together. Both thighs were sore as fuck from shaking. Ass stinging. He fucked me standing up, hanging upside down, sideways, every way.

The music was off now and the lights on. Kenzo didn’t say anything as he adjusted his pants and fixed himself. My eyes ran from his as he looked at me, stepping closer. Roughly, he pulled his shirt over my head like I was a bad ass kid. I quickly pushed my arms through the holes, still looking at the ground.

His fingers gripped my wrist softly, flipping my palm up. He stacked all ten stacks in my hand, causing me to hold all of it with both arms. Frustrated with me avoiding him, he grabbed my face.

My chin slowly rose, forcing me to meet his eyes. Instead of gripping my face or yelling at me, he just smiled softly while stroking my cheek with his thumb. He looked in love. Happy to see me.

“In this lifetime or the next....you’ll never truly understand how fucked up you have me, Cassandra.”

He let go of my face suddenly, lighting a blunt and inhaling deeply. He looked at me once more before blowing smoke towards the stairs.

“Bring yo ass on.”

Strangers

“Is she doing okay?”

I threw back another shot while watching Snow and Cassie head up to the section. She was acting okay, but it was scary to watch. Like witnessing someone force a smile when you know they’re not well on the inside.

“I gave her a perc!” Tatianna proudly said.

Both Kenzie and I scoffed, “A PERC?!”

“Uh-huh! I’m sorry, but I don’t think coming was a good idea. Hearing all them bitches talking and then remembering him and her being here...we all should’ve stayed home.”

“Definitely sucks having to plaster on a smile and a performance. But the way they were gossiping? Ain’t no telling what conclusions they would’ve jumped to...” I shrugged.

They both nodded as Kenzie poured more shots.

Speaking of performances...wow! C-Dollas left it all on the floor tonight at The Ninth. Every single dance or move, she gave it her all. There was a peaceful yet loving look on her face the entire time. Anyone with eyes could see she was going to miss it here.

After two more shots, I went to the edge of the bar by the office. I too thought on how I’m going to miss The Ninth after my short time here. Yes, I’m spraying and wiping the bar down. But I loved this bar. I’ve always felt comfortable and safe in here. Truly a home away from home.

Reminiscing over my time here helped ignore the elephant in the center of my mind. When I stood still and closed my eyes...I could still feel my legs running. The wind smacking against me. The pants from us running. The feeling that someone was behind us or going to pull up.

“WOAH, WOAH, WOAHH!” Timbo yelled loudly, stepping outside of the door.

Those of us close to the two entrances stopped in our tracks, peering on to see what the problem was. There was no way of knowing what exactly was going on...all I know is that at both entrances, several shadows were moving as well as raised voices. My heart immediately sped up.

Oh no. They unlocked the camcorder. They’re coming for us.

BOOM! BOOM!

Both doors burst open at the same time. Several men rushed inside, rifles pointed. Nobody had the chance to run or duck down; they flooded the inside of The Ninth and took it over way too quickly.

Briefly, I thought it was the police instead of some hood niggas. But looking at their clothes, the drums, the switches, some of the handles of the guns in glowing tape, I knew it was exactly that. Just a different type of hood niggas.

Two came directly towards me. One running to the office, the other standing outside of it. I wanted to run, duck down, hide in one of the storage spaces under the bar. But looking up at the section, I couldn’t.

It’s hard to hear the outside world inside the sections once music starts playing in the club. We could easily hear the hoots and hollers, but being up there was like being in a different reality. There’s a chance Cassie has no idea what’s happening. And that alone made me start to build up courage.

The moment I dropped the rag, a figure emerged from the crowd of men. He had Timbo, who was the swollest nigga in the place, by the back of his neck, walking him like a dog. The lights cutting on exposed his rusty brown locks. The matching beard and eyebrows. His tall, dominating frame. The casual blunt on his lips. It’s...K3.