Luxe by Ashley Antoinette Read Free Book Online

the reason why Noah had opened up his small, humble abode to her. He would hold her down as long as she was willing to stick around, but he knew that his moments with her were short-lived. His hope was to make enough money so that she would choose to stay home, in Flint, with him, where she belonged. He wasn’t naïve, though. Bleu was the type of girl who deserved a big-city life. If he held her back she would grow resentful, so he would just have to settle with the time they had left. As soon as she was better, he would have to kiss the only girl he had ever loved good-bye. The thought alone caused a dull ache to spread through his chest. Hopping in his ’85 Cutlass, he started the raggedy car and pulled away from Black Wall Street, the infamous projects that he called home.
    *   *   *
    Noah walked into the smoky trap house; instantly the smell of weed invaded his nose, lifting him slightly as he took a seat at the table next to Keon. Keon, a local kingpin in the making, dabbled in heroin. While the rest of the city was making it snow with cocaine, Keon had carved out his own little niche and was getting money while building a small empire for himself. Noah wanted in and had been getting hit with small amounts on consignment. He needed product, however. Keon had him on some small-change shit. Noah was ready for a come-up and Keon could smell the thirst coming off the young wolf from a mile away.
    â€œWhat up, bro?” Keon asked as he focused on filling the vials in front of him. He trusted no one and still bottled up his own product himself. He didn’t need the cook-up spots or the naked women with doctors’ masks. He was his own factory. He had it under control. It may have taken him longer to get the job done, but he knew he wouldn’t steal from himself. “Hit this,” he said as he extended a Kush-filled blunt.
    â€œWhat up, K?” Noah greeted as he shook his head and waved his hand, declining. He pulled a small knot out of his pocket and put it on the table. “I know it ain’t much, but I want in. Don’t play me with this little nigga shit. That’s five thousand dollars. I need to flip it ten times over. I’m not trying to be a worker, my nigga. I don’t want no consignment and I’m not trying to move your work. I’ll get my own spot so I’m not taking your custos, but I’m ready to build my own,” Noah stated.
    â€œNigga you in high school what you know about building your own?” Keon said mockingly. Noah knew he was young, but he was also hungry and had the tenacity of a man twice his age.
    â€œI pump more of this shit for you than you do for yourself, bro. You either bring me all the way in or I’m out,” Noah proposed with a straight face. Keon, known for his gunplay, was silent as he absorbed the young buck’s words. Noah knew that his ultimatum could create hostility and the small .45 that he gripped in his lap ensured that he had the advantage in case Keon wanted to pop off. Noah had never used it, but he wasn’t afraid to and would body Keon without a second thought if he felt threatened. There was a tense silence between them, and Noah held his breath until he saw the corners of Keon’s mouth melt away into a smirk.
    â€œYou young niggas want it all,” he said with a bit of displeasure. “A’ight, we can work something out, but if you want in you going to have to put up half of the buy-in. This little five thousand dollars ain’t going to do it,” Keon said as he tossed the small knot back to Noah. “You trying to come sit at my table you gon’ at least have to put up twenty. If you trying to make some paper, I’ve got a job for you. A little something fell across my lap. I’ll pass it to you and take a small fee off the top.”
    â€œWhat’s the move?” Noah inquired. He was interested. It was only a matter of time before he had to get