A Gangster's Dream Read online

  Chapter Two

  It had been three days since Caiden’s shooting and he was recovering well. Carmelo was happy about that, but not feeling that fact that he had given a direct order and none of his men were able to deliver yet. For dudes who were trained to go, Carmelo felt they should have been able to deliver on within the hour that he handed out the instructions. Maybe he expected too much from them. To Carmelo, that didn’t matter. His team was a reflection of himself. When niggas saw them out and about or spoke of the work they put in, it was never Carmelo did this, or Caiden did that, or Shaq did whatever. They were always referred to as the unit they were. Carmelo’s unit to be exact. So hell yea Carmelo expected of them what was expected of him.

  “Why you over there thinking so hard, man? Loosen up,” Caiden said after taking a sip of his water.

  Carmelo sighed and explained to him what was going on.

  “Melo, they ain’t you. They not going to handle shit how you would, and the sooner you stop thinking they would, the sooner you’ll stop being disappointed,” Caiden explained.

  Carmelo was ready to deliver a response in his defense but the ringing of his cell phone changed that thought. Carmelo raised his finger to Caiden signaling that he had to take the call before sliding his finger across the screen and placing the phone to his ear.

  “I really hope you calling me with good news. Anything else would be unacceptable Shaq,” Carmelo bellowed.

  “Yea man, we finally caught up to these niggas and talked them into coming out to party with us and shit,” Shaq replied in code.

  “That’s what I like to hear, I’m on my way.”

  Carmelo ended the call with Shaq and turned his attention back to his brother.

  “Aight man, I gotta get up out of here and hit this party. Rest up, trying to have you home in a few days,” Carmelo said while rising from his seat.

  “Yo bro, be safe man. Oh where Summer? I thought she was coming up here with you.” Caiden inquired.

  “She good, don’t worry. I dropped her off at this store in SoHo where she getting a dress made. She had to go over some things with the designer. Once I handle this and pick her up, if visiting hours still going, we’ll swing back through man. Rest up.”

  And with that, he was gone. Carmelo had been waiting for his team to catch the dudes responsible for putting his brother in the hospital. It may have taken three days, but the day had finally arrived. He couldn’t reach his Jeep fast enough. Niggas throughout the tri-state area knew it would be hell to pay for fucking with any nigga from Melo’s team. Sometimes they just needed a reminder and that day was definitely one of those times.

  <><><><>

  Carmelo pulled up to one of his trap houses located on a dead end block in the East New York section of Brooklyn. He leaned over and retrieved his piece out the glove compartment. After checking the clip, making sure it was full, he hopped out of the Jeep and made his way up the driveway.

  He walked to the back door and used his key to let himself went in. Carmelo already knew where his boys would be, so he headed straight for the stairs that led to the basement. Shaq and the rest of his team were already down there waiting with their guns drawn. When they noticed Carmelo coming down, they backed away from the two dudes because they knew this was personal for him.

  Without saying a word, Carmelo shot the one closest to him in the knee. The man cried out but it was short-lived before Carmelo slapped him in the face with the gun, knocking teeth out in the process. Then he trained his Glock on his next victim.

  "Start speaking or ya boy over here loses his life."

  "It--" the man started, but his accomplice cut him off.

  "Shut the fuck up, don't tell these niggas shit!" he yelled.

  The rest of the unit backed up a little more because they knew the man just signed his death certificate earlier than he was supposed to. Carmelo pulled the trigger and the man’s head exploded. "Wrong answer."

  He turned his attention back towards the other man and shot him in the other knee. "Talk," he simply said.

  "It was Shondrell man!" he yelled out in agony. "He sent us to get at your brother."

  "Shondrell is locked up," Shaq said from the sideline.

  "He was, he got out about two months ago. He just been laying low and he said he was sending you a message to let you know that he ain't forgot."

  Carmelo wore a smirk on his face. He had been waiting on Shondrell for five years, but instead of coming to him like a man, he sent his bitches to do the job for him and they didn't even succeed.

  "You know," Carmelo said. "You talk too damn much," he continued as he headed towards the stairs. He looked over his shoulder at Shaq and nodded his head before turning back around. Before he could even take another step, he heard the gun go off.

  <><><><>

  Carmelo walked in the shop and smiled. You could have never guesses he had just come from killing a nigga and having another one killed. It was like it never happened and everything was all peachy keen. He walked in on his niece and Dream laughing and smiling. Once again, he noticed Dream's dimples that looked deep enough to swim in.

  "Hey, Uncle Melo, I need a small favor," Summer said, batting her eyes.

  Carmelo shook his head at his niece’s antics. "What's up Sum?"

  "Can we add one more name to the guest list? I know you and daddy said no one else, but just one more, pleaseee?" Summer begged.

  Carmelo sighed, he knew Summer had him wrapped around her finger.

  "Who?" he asked.

  She looked behind her and smiled. "Dream."

  Carmelo glanced over at Dream and she just smiled and shrugged her shoulders. He smiled at her before returning his attention back to Summer. "Alright, but that's it Sum, nobody else and I mean it."

  "Thank you!" she hugged her uncle tightly. "You're my favorite uncle."

  "I'm your only damn uncle," he laughed.

  "That's why you're my favorite," Summer laughed with him.

  Carmelo walked over to Dream. "Thank you, I know she can be a little extra sometimes, but she's worth it." Carmelo just used thanking her as an excuse to be close to her.

  "It's really no problem, plus she's easy to work with because she knows what she wants." Dream smiled.

  "I'm sure she does," he said glancing over his shoulder. He turned back around and was about to say something but the ringing of his phone stopped him.

  "Yo," he answered.

  "The cleaners cleaned up after the party," Shaq spoke in code.

  "Good looking,"

  "You been to St. Luke’s?"

  "Yea, earlier, but I'm about to take Summer up there so she can see him," Carmelo answered.

  "Cool, I'll check you later," Shaq said before ending the call.

  "Sum, you ready to go see ya pops?"

  "Yes, thank you again, Dream." Summer smiled.

  "Yea, thank you, Ms. Dream." Carmelo smiled before leading Summer out the door.

  Chapter Three

  It had been two weeks since Caiden had been released from the hospital and even though Carmelo was happy, he was pissed at the same time. It had been two weeks and still no word on Shondrell or his whereabouts. Carmelo had never been a scary nigga and was used to people coming at him, but this shit with Shondrell should have been handled a long time ago.

  It wasn't always like this between the two. They actually used to be boys and worked together until Shondrell started thinking he was better than and above everybody. Carmelo had been thinking about kicking Shondrell out his unit for a while, but before he could even do it, Shondrell got knocked and sent up state. That's what actually led to the beef. Shondrell knew Carmelo was trying to get rid of him and thought setting him up was his way of doing it. Instead of snitching, he did his time but also let it be known that he was coming for Carmelo's head.

  Carmelo knew how Shondrell worked. He knew he liked to move in silence so he knew he would strike again at any time; the only problem was he didn't know when. He wanted to make su
re that his family was straight so he had somebody standing guard outside Caiden's house at all times, he sent his mom to visit her sister Cali until shit blew over and he had somebody with Summer at all times.

  Thinking of Summer somehow made his mind drift to Dream. He found himself doing that a lot lately, which was weird for him. There was something about Dream that intrigued him and made him want to get to know her more. Now just wasn't the right time with Shondrell trying to start a war. He wouldn't dare bring her straight into danger. Ms. Dream, he thought to himself.

  He was shook from his thoughts by the sound of someone knocking on his door. He knew it had to be Shaq because he was the only one that would drop by unannounced.

  "What you want nigga?" he asked as he opened the door.

  "To borrow a cup of sugar," Shaq joked as he walked in.

  "Please tell me you got some good news for me," Carmelo said, turning serious.

  "No word yet. It’s like this nigga is incognito or something," Shaq said as he sat on the couch.

  "No he's a bitch. If he wanna get at me, then that's exactly who he needs to get at; me. He need to leave Cai and everybody else that ain't got shit to do with it out," Carmelo fumed.

  "That's true, but you know that nigga is known for doing too much, which is exactly why you wanted his ass out in the first place."

  Carmelo sat quiet for a minute. Something that he hadn't thought about before had just hit him. "I'm wondering how the hell those Bronx niggas knew where to find Caiden. It ain't like he into the shit I'm into, and he barely go anywhere."

  "That's a good question Melo. I'm also wondering when he started working with them Bronx niggas. You think he got somebody watching us?" Shaq asked.

  "That, or somebody in our unit working for him," Carmelo said, looking at his best friend. If there was one thing he hated, it would be a disloyal person. He hated snakes more than anything. He could handle a nigga that admitted that he didn't like him, but he wouldn't tolerate a nigga that smiled in his face but stabbed him in his back.

  "Yo Melo, why you had to look at me when you said that shit? I know damn well you don't think I'm a snake?" Shaq bellowed.

  "First of all Shaquille, lower your tone. If I thought you were a snake, ya ass would be sitting there with ya head blown off," Carmelo said in a serious tone.

  "I'm saying I felt you was directing that shit towards me," Shaq shrugged.

  "If you know it ain't you, why you feeling some type of way? All I did was make a statement and you acting like I called you out or some shit."

  "Because I know how you are. You don't put shit past nobody and I don't want you thinking or putting that shit in your head that I'm giving out info," Shaq defended himself.

  "Okay, next subject because I see you’re not doing too well with this one." Melo waved him off. "You picking Summer up from school today?"

  "I was, but Cai called and said someone else was doing it and taking her out."

  "Who?" Carmelo asked with a raised brow.

  "He didn't elaborate."

  Carmelo took his phone out of his pocket and called his twin. He was very protective over Summer; just like she was his own daughter.

  "What up, Melo?" Caiden answered.

  "Who supposed to be picking up Summer?" he asked, getting straight to the point.

  "Some lady she met named Dream. Summer asked me if it was cool. She said you already met Dream and thought she was cool, so I said go ahead," Caiden explained.

  "I'm just checking, you know how I am about her," Carmelo said.

  "Yea, I know and whenever you decide to have one, I'll be the same way," Caiden laughed.

  "Nah bruh, Summer is enough for me."

  "You say that now, but wait until you find that one. You gonna be tryna pop a baby in her so fast."

  Carmelo shook his head. "Okay, it's time to get off the phone. Here you go, talking that love shit."

  "Alright bro." Caiden hung up.

  "She straight?" Shaq asked.

  "Yup, she straight. I gotta go check on her gift later on." Carmelo smiled.

  "That girl is too damn spoiled. I would hate to see how you spoil yo own seed, if you ever have any." Shaq smirked.

  "Here you go! I wish y'all would stop tryna make me a dad."

  Shaq laughed, Carmelo was the only person he knew that didn't have or want kids. He was truly something different. "For real though, I need you to come out with me tonight. Kierra invited one of her friends."

  "Why I always gotta go?" Carmelo laughed.

  "Because you want to nigga. Be ready by ten," Shaq said, getting up and heading for the door. <><><><>

  Since Shaquille's girlfriend decided to ride with her girl, Carmelo rode with him. They pulled up to the restaurant and double-parked like always. They went straight to the front door and immediately gained access. The hostess led them to the back to where they could find Kierra and her friend. Carmelo was shocked. He never would have thought her friend would be the one person he couldn't keep his mind off of.

  "What's up, Ms. Dream?" Carmelo flirted.

  "Nothing much. What’s up with you, Mr. Carmelo?" Dream said, getting up to hug him.

  When she got up, Carmelo got a good look at her. The white dress she had on hugged her body perfectly and the white Christian Louboutin red bottoms she had on made her legs look sexy as hell.

  "Y'all know each other?" Shaq asked.

  "Kind of. She’s the one who is designing Sum dress for the party," answered Carmelo.

  "My girl is bad when it comes to fashion." Kierra smiled.

  "Girl, stop," Dream blushed.

  Carmelo sat in the seat next to Dream while Shaq sat next to his woman. Carmelo couldn't help but to stare at Dream. She wore her hair down tonight, but he was still mesmerized by her slanted eyes.

  "I heard you kicked it with Summer today," he said, sparking up a conversation.

  "Yea, she asked if she could come kick it with me at the shop today." Dream smiled.

  "She has always wanted to get into the fashion business, but me and her dad are the wrong ones to help her with that."

  "She told me," she laughed. "I told her that I don't mind her coming down there to get a feel for it."

  "Do you do a lot of custom work?" he asked, trying to learn more about her.

  "Only for special occasions. So what do you do?" Dream retorted.

  "I’m sales," he simply replied.

  Dream gave him a look letting him know that she understood what he was talking about.

  "I got you."

  "Do you?" he asked.

  "I'm not one to judge. By any means necessary, right?" she asked.

  "Yea," he laughed a little. He had never heard a female respond to him like that. Most females didn't even care as long as he hit ‘em off with a couple of dollars. He didn't get that vibe from Dream though. She actually seemed as if she got where he was coming from.

  "So how long have you been in the business?"

  "Too long to remember," Carmelo answered.

  "That's a long time, Mr. Carmelo." She smiled.

  "A very long time." He smiled back at her.

  The waiter came over to take everyone's orders, so the conversation was momentarily put on pause. Once their orders were placed, the party of four eased back into their conversations as if they was never interrupted.

  “What’s the likeliness of us meeting up like this, huh?” Dream asked.

  “It’s fate. The universe’s way of telling us to skip the bullshit and just make it official,” Carmelo joked.

  He smirked as he watched the smile spread across Dream’s features, making his dick twitch. Fab’s lyrics instantly came to mind, “You know it’s beauty when her best curve is her smile.” That pretty much described Dream.

  When their food arrived, none of them wasted anytime digging in. Between enjoying their meals and each other’s company, the four of them laughed and joked about everything under the sun. From sports to the latest music that was out, Dream and Carmelo
seemed to be engaged in enough into the conversation but were doing a great job of multitasking. They were so wrapped up in each other, that if it wasn’t for Kierra and Shaw’s constant talking, they would have forgotten they were there.

  Even if they didn’t directly speak to each other, it was obvious that Carmelo was checking for Dream; just as obvious as her checking for him. That wasn’t surprising though, most woman did. Carmelo was somewhat of a ladies man and all of that was attributed to his looks. He stood six foot three, and wore his height very well. His small, round head was perfectly proportioned with his almond-shaped eyes, narrow nose, and full lips. His light brown complexioned skin was dressed with tattoos that ranged from sleeves that covered his arms to a mural chest piece which could only been seen either when his shirt was off or if he was rocking a V-neck. His swag was on a bean, even for a thirty-year-old. Carmelo stayed dressed in the latest designers. His clothes game and kick game were on point. That was obvious since he was rocking a Kenzo crewneck and Balmain jeans. To a regular chick, the clothes would have meant nothing; but to a girl who was very much into fashion like Dream, she already knew what it was. He watched as her eyes lingered a little on his lips, forcing him to lick them just to get a reaction out of her. Nervously, she averted her attention to his swimming waves that were lined neatly with what was obviously a fresh cut.

  “You like what you see?” Carmelo asked

  “Huh?” Dream said, slightly embarrassed that she was caught.

  “I’m saying, I sat here for a minute and watched you take in my look. I pass or nah?”

  She chuckled nervously. “You decent,” she replied before biting a piece of steak off her fork.

  “Oh bro, she said you decent,” Shaq instigated.

  “Mind your business Shaquille,” Kierra spat.

  Melo nodded his head. “Yea, listen to your girl bro.” He turned to Dream. “I’ll take that.”

  Melo knew she was fronting but wasn’t going to call her out on it. He could already tell that she was nervous and he wasn’t out to make her feel uncomfortable. He definitely planned on bringing it up at a later time, though. The rest of their evening progressed the same way it started, laughs and drinks. Even after their food was done, they all sat around talking. Dream was the first to want to call it a night.