20

By the time we made it to the party, it was not jumping but surprise, surprise, my boys were there. When I walked in, they all cheered and started yelling "gang, gang!" I smiled and appreciated the small party. I didn't feel like dancing, anyway. I didn't socialize with the few people that were there. I sat next to my boys and someone pressed a beer into my hands. We drank a few drinks and joked around. They had me cracking up.

"So I told that Bitch to get in line," Dales says cracking up.

Camilla had what could only be described as the dick look, and Sara looked like she was going to be sick. We were all drunk, including Camilla's non pregnant ass. There were also some no names hanging around, mostly chicks who gave me the evil eye until the boys explained I was their sister. Now Dale and Montel were sharing stories about how many chicks were in love with them. The moral to their stories was, they did not love. Since they had quickly cut the chicks off after the L word.

"You just need a real woman," Says the girl hanging off of Joey's arm. "Joey would never do me like that."

Everybody laughed harder. While Joey looked like he would strangle us all. Joey was probably the biggest player of them all. Looks like she was next on his notch.

"So I been thinking it's time for us to work on getting out of the hood," Joey said, looking serious. "I'm trying to live better, start an empire or some shit."

"So what you want to start an organization or a business?" I asked jokingly.

"Exactly Anna," He says smiling, "That's why I fuck with you, you catch on quickly every time."

"What kind of business?" Asked Dale.

"Not sure yet," Joey said, drinking from his beer. "But I'm trying to ride like the president... I'm talking presidential shit."

"And who would be running this little empire?" Reese asked, looking uninterested. Yes, Reese was still around. He and Christian were not best friends, but they tolerated each other. Reese had also buried his dream of ever being my guy and everyone was better for it.

"I was thinking, Ann." Joey said seriously.

I was almost not listening anymore, but my ears perked up when I heard my name. "Who?"

"You" Joey said.

"Why? I don't know the first thing about running anything." I said, looking around for someone to second that. Nobody moved.

"We can show you everything," Joey said, sitting back on the couch. "None of us could do it. We would be at each other's throats. But we all have a soft spot for you and you always know how to deescalate when we be tripping. We handle the heavy stuff and you...you'll be like the decider and keep the books. If we can't agree with a plan, you make the final decision."

"So you want me to be the ringleader?" I laughed. Y'all must be drunk as fuck. I want to get out of the hood as bad as anyone, but I don't want to be in charge of y'all shit." I said, sitting my beer on the table.

"Just think about it, Anna." Montel said. "I think it's a good idea. We are all alphas. You balance us out."

They looked so serious. I could come up with so many reasons that this would be a bad idea ...too many reasons to count them. Problem was, I could also picture myself as Tony Montana doing it big with a fountain in my house and shit. I could imagine my mama not work two to three jobs at time. Of course, you only live once. I found myself saying, "I'll think about it."

The boys all cheered and Todo says, "We can call our organization "The Family" you know because none of us are really kin but we call ourselves family."

Everyone looked at me then. And I knew they were waiting for me to agree. "The Family it is," I said, shaking my head. They all nodded their heads, and I felt a rush of empowerment run through me. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

I grabbed my beer again just as a tall young man entered the room we were in. He came from somewhere in the back of the house. He had dark eyes, which immediately landed on me. I didn't feel totally uncomfortable. I just wanted to know what he was on. The boys were still laughing and talking, but I was focused on dude. He was cute. He stopped in his tracks and looked for a second too long before disappearing behind another door.

"Who was that?" Dale says, now paying attention.

"Bruh," Joey said, standing, "Want me to go find out?"

"Christian is going to kick his ass. He better sit his lil skinny ass down," Montel says.

"He looked at me weird," I said, standing as well. I guess we were leaving. That was cool with me. This party was dead anyway.

As I was walking out the door, I was pulled into a bathroom by none other than mystery guy. "You're cute," he said, coming a little too close for comfort.

"Not interested," I said, backing up.

"Well, that's fucked up," he said, coming closer. "You smell so good." He leaned up to kiss my neck, and I jumped like a scared cat, "and you're sweet too."

"Back up nigga, I don't know you," I said, pushing him away. "Are you high?"

"No, but you're curious," he whispered.

"No," I denied, "I'm not." This nigga definitely had some screws loose. If he didn't abandon whatever mission he was on, I was going to try to knock him the hell out.

"But I can make you feel real good." He inched closer. The look in his eyes was almost desperate. He wanted something from me. I knew this was not a coincidence. All of my hackles rose as I took a defensive stance. Time to play ball.

I grabbed his throat and pushed him away yet again, this time with more aggression. His back hit the bathroom mirror, causing a crash. I should be more respectful of someone else's home, but now I was mad as hell. "What do you want?" I asked.

"I just want a taste," he whispered as he brought his hand up.

I saw the knife before he could bring it down and I caught his hand with hand, not choking him out. The sound of the knife dropping was blissful. Threat terminated, I thought. Then I asked, "Who sent you?"

"You're strong for a girl." He sneered.

"Maybe you're just a pussy. You were going to stab me, and I want to know why. You will talk and maybe if you cooperate, you get to live." I said, before punching him in the face twice. He was out like a light after that.

I drug his heavy ass out of the bathroom, thankful that there were no people around. When I got him outside, the guys all looked shocked. I told them what happened in the bathroom. They all felt bad for walking so far ahead and not coming to check when I took so long in the bathroom. I assured them I was fine.

They guys figured this boy may know something about my recent accidents. I agreed.

The dude went home with Reese that night. I wasn't sure what the deal was with him, but Reese would find out. I put that in the back of mind though. All I could think about was that I was going to die a virgin if I didn't have sex soon. The streets were wicked and apparently I had enemies that were not showing their faces. Tonight seemed like as good a time as any.

I was mad at Christian, but I couldn't imagine giving my v-card to anyone but him. It was about that time.