Back to the Streets by Treasure Hernandez Read Free Book Online

to meet up with Jamaica Joe and Malek. Any other time, he would have been bitter about the young buck rolling with them to handle grown folks’ business, but this time, he was glad that Joe was bringing Malek along with them, so that he could kill two birds with one stone.
    Tariq looked in his rearview mirror and saw his man in the rear hatch with a pistol gripped tightly. He looked straight ahead as he gave nineteen-year-old Poppa some last-minute instructions. “Yo, fam, you have to stay quiet, and don’t do anything until I give you the signal.”
    â€œI got you, man,” the young gun assured Tariq.
    â€œRemember, when I pull into the rest area and turn the music up, bang them.”
    â€œAin’t they gon’ think it strange when you pull over and shit?”
    â€œI’m going to tell them I have to pull over to piss. That’s when you do it, man.” A half smile spread across Tariq’s lips as he pictured the bloody scene. “Two shots to the head apiece. I got the body bags in the back. We gon’ toss them into the river right by the rest stop. It’s a perfect setup. All head shots, got it?”
    â€œI got you, man,” the boy hissed. “We went over this a million times already. If you doubted my skills, then you shouldn’t have put a nigga on, ya heard.” Poppa was lightweight offended. Tariq going over the plan with him repeatedly made it seem like Tariq thought he couldn’t handle his business like the big boys. Poppa couldn’t remember how many times he had told these cats that age ain’t nothin’ but a number. He was like Michael on The Wire . He could take out the best.
    â€œWell, mu’fucka, I don’t care how many times we have to go over this, li’l nigga. You got to hit they ass right, feel me? Any mistakes could cost you your life. Joe stay strapped, and I know Malek’s ass is going to have his banger, so you just make sure you do the shit right. You gotta be quick. I don’t want to have to pull out my piece and cover your ass,” Tariq spat.
    â€œOh, nigga don’t want to get his hands dirty, but wanna be the boss?” Poppa chuckled under his breath.
    â€œWhat was that shit, man?” Tariq turned around and asked.
    â€œOh, nothing, man, I was just sayin’, You the boss.” Poppa smiled and then quickly erased it.
    Tariq turned back around. That’s when he saw Joe’s car pull into the parking lot. He could feel his heartbeats increase, and the palms of his hands got a little sweaty. He wiped his hands down his pants and then calmed himself down, trying to look normal.
    â€œIt’s showtime!” Tariq sang. “This is going to change both of our lives. We gon’ be like Jerry Maguire and shit. We Tom Cruise and Cuba. I got some shit going on with Sweets, and we are all going to come together.” Tariq told more of his full plan. “I’m going to run the North Side and make you my right-hand man, young gun. You ready to become a legend, nigga? This is where you earn yo’ stripes.”
    Poppa got himself into a comfortable position in the back, where his marks wouldn’t be able to see him. “I’m ready.”

    Malek drove Joe’s Lexus coupe into Atlas Restaurant parking lot and noticed that Tariq’s truck was parked toward the back. He then looked over at Joe, who was sitting next to him. “You sure you want to roll out with him, knowing that it’s a setup?” Malek parked the car.
    Joe said, “Do you trust me, Malek?”
    â€œNo doubt,” Malek answered. “You my man.”
    â€œRoll with me on this one then, fam. I got this under control.” Joe grabbed his pistol from his glove compartment and tucked it in his waist. He then gave Malek a look, as if giving him one last opportunity to break out.
    Malek was skeptical and didn’t know what Joe had planned, but he trusted him and was willing to