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the game. That hustler’s ambition is going to kick in sooner or later.

Chapter Three
    Kalil sat in front of Hova and his crew, better known as his twelve disciples. Kalil could feel the tension in the room as Hova’s disciples tried to read him. He sat and waited for Hova to speak. Hova’s stare was intense, but Kalil wasn’t intimidated. He knew that they had unfinished business, but what he didn’t know was whether he was in good or bad standing with the stone-faced white man sitting in front of him. Hova’s aqua blue eyes scanned the room as he sat back in his leather chair, his legs crossed. His blond hair and tan skin would make most men underestimate him. However, Kalil wasn’t one of those men. He’d witnessed firsthand the repercussions of go-ing against the grain and was well aware that Hova was a killer. In fact, he was a cold-blooded murderer. He could touch whoever he wanted to, and Kalil had heard of him murdering innocent women and children just to prove himself to his majority black clientele.
    Bottom line, most people didn’t want to be made an example by Hova. He didn’t have love in New York, he didn’t receive love from the streets—he was feared by them. That was what separated him from his competition. He didn’t seek the street fame. He wanted people to fear him, and most did, but Kalil was one of the few men who didn’t.
    â€œGive us a little bit of privacy,” Hova said to his loyal disciples.
    The men walked out slowly while Hova and Kalil eyed each other intensely. Kalil shifted in his seat. It had been four years since he’d last seen Hova, and the silence in the room was beginning to make him uncomfortable. Kalil was naked in the club. He wasn’t strapped that night because he knew that he couldn’t bring his gun inside. He was well aware of Hova’s tactics and knew that there were weapons stashed in various spots around the room, and that if they’d had beef for whatever reason, he would’ve been in trouble.
    Hova got up and walked over to the sixty-inch plasma television that hung on his office wall and pressed a red button. The TV lifted, revealing a loaded minibar behind it. “You want a drink?” Hova poured himself a glass of cognac.
    â€œNah, I’m good,” Kalil replied.
    â€œI heard about the deal that you were offered.” Hova took a sip of the yak (cognac). “I appreciate your loyalty.”
    â€œI got myself into that situation. Wasn’t no point in pulling another man down with me, nah mean?”
    Hova nodded his head and paced around the room as if he were contemplating a big decision. He pointed a finger at Kalil. “You see, that’s why we get along—we understand this business.” He went over to the bar and pressed the red button again, but this time, instead of the TV sliding back into place, a safe came into view. Hova discreetly entered the combination and opened the safe, revealing the gold mine inside.
    Hova removed a 9 mm pistol and four kilos of cocaine from the safe. He sat the items in front of Kalil and watched as Kalil’s eyes danced curiously on the objects in front of him. “It’s good to have you home, Kalil. That right there is everything that you need to take back what is yours. We can easily put our business together back in motion. Just say the word.”
    Damn! I could flip this . Kalil picked up the gun and admired the chrome. He quickly put it down and slid it back across the table toward Hova. “Thanks, man. It feels good to be home. I don’t have too much use for that, though,” Kalil stated. “I’m trying to keep my hands clean, you know?”
    â€œYou’re a smart man. Never make the same mistake twice.”
    Kalil nodded to acknowledge what Hova had said.
    â€œWell, when you’re ready to step back into the game, I’ll be here. There is a lot of new money to be made in New York.