Read Down by Law for Free Online Page B

car, stripped it, and taken it to the chop shop, but obviously Face didn’t think of that. And there was no time to toss a monkey wrench in the plan, so I did as I was told. In the glove compartment was a nine and a thirty-eight. Under the seats was pounds of weed and two more guns. And in the trunk was two pots of gold at the end of the rainbow: one duffel bag full of money, mostly hundred-dollar bills. And another duffel bag filled with raw dope.
    Cha-ching!
    When I hopped out the car, I saw one of the dudes on the ground inching his hand around toward his boot. I rushed over to him, kicked away his hand, then kicked him in his side. “Word is bond, you ’bout to have two choices: this three-fifty-seven to the dome or this forty-five in your throat!”
    Click-click ! Face readied the gun.
    I carried on, “Now try some sucker shit again and see don’t yo’ mama be dressed in all black.” I snatched a twenty-two from the side of his shoe.
    I looked up at Face and could tell by the way his eyes shined that beneath his ski mask he was grinnin’. “Hurry up. Run they pockets!” he spat.
    I hit up all of their pockets, including K-Rock, ’cause I had to make it seem like he wasn’t a part of the plan.
    I snatched wads of money, baggies filled with vials of crack, and two more guns. Afterwards, I made them take off every stitch of jewelry they had on: gold watches, gold chains, and rings. “And spit out them grills too!” I said and out came two diamond-clustered grills on the ground. I tossed everything into the duffel bag.
    A few seconds later, we were back in the car. We tossed the ski masks into the street, and sped off into the distance.
    I swear I’d never felt no high like this before. I felt like I was . . . on top of the world. Walking on clouds. Like I was in Oz. I couldn’t believe I’d just pulled that off. Truth be told, I wanted to go again. My heart thundered in my chest and although I wanted to ask Face how he thought I was, I couldn’t stop smiling long enough to speak.
    When we got back to Da Bricks, K-Rock was waiting for us in our building. We didn’t make no eye contact with him; instead, we were silent, and walked quietly to our apartment.
    Marvin Gaye’s “Sexual Healing” serenaded us as we walked into the living room. Daddy was holding Queenie’s hand and leading her to their bedroom, leaving the turntable spinning.
    Me and K-Rock followed Face into he and Schooly’s room. Schooly was sleeping or at least pretending that he was.
    Face flicked the light on, and just as he started grinning at me, K-Rock gave me a hug so tight that I didn’t ever want him to let me go.
    God, he smelled delicious .
    I wrapped my arms around him and sank my head into his hard chest.
    I wonder if he have a six- or an eight-pack.
    â€œYooooooooo, Icy, you be illin’!” K-Rock smiled.
    Icy? Did he just call me Icy? That is soooooo hot. . . . I think I wanna change my name.
    â€œWord is bond, you the illest lil sis in the world.”
    Illest lil sis . . . ? I dropped my arms, held my head up, and stepped out of his embrace.
    â€œWord up,” Face said. “You did that. I was so proud of you, I ain’t know what to do. I got another drop I’ma need you to hit up with me! Straight up.”
    Face yanked one of the duffel bags from the floor, while K-Rock picked up the other.
    I stood there, tapping my foot, as K-Rock and Face divvied up the goods. I was getting pissed by the moment, but instead of spazzing out I simply said, “Y’all tryna play me or somethin’?”
    They both turned and looked at me. Even Schooly quickly opened his eyes and then closed them back.
    Face and K-Rock looked surprised. “Nah, Icy,” K-Rock said. “Wassup?”
    â€œFirst of all Ke’Ron , my name is not Icy. It’s Isis. And what you mean, wassup? Wassup?” I frowned. “You know what