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.One day he sat me down and schooled me."Precious, understand something.The only way you become rich is surrounding yourself with rich people.I know this might seem like a bit much to you, but pretty soon instead of you worrying about who all these rich people are around you, they'll be trying to figure out who you are."Nico was right.After a while a couple of ladies in the neighborhood would see me pulling up in my 6-Series convertible and would try to make conversation with me.They was curious about who I was.They swore down I was in the Entertainment Industry.When they got to asking me a million questions, I would slightly tilt down my Jackie 0 shades and say, "Sorry can't chat.I must be going," real Hollywood like.I said to myself, let it stay a mystery.If I have anything to do with it, they will die trying to figure that shit out.It was bananas because in Brooklyn Heights, Nico and I were looked upon as a respectable couple who was just doing it, but the ghetto ran through our bloods.We both lived for the streets.I didn't normally go with Nico when he was handling business, but this particular day on our way to do some shopping in the city we made a stop at one of the many blocks Nico had on lock for a spontaneous spot check.It was his way of making sure his workers were doing their part and holding it down.Nico was the man, and when he pulled up in the hood with rims spinning all shenanigans came to a halt, and everyone stood in attention.Although his best friend Ritchie was his right hand man, he didn't garner the same level of respect as Nico.The whole borough knew that Nico basically handed large portions of the business over to his best friend out of loyalty, not because Ritchie earned it, although Nico didn't see it that way.As far as he was concerned he and Ritchie were brothers."How's it looking, my man?" Nico asked his field lieutenant, Tommy."It's all good.It's Friday, so you know the clientele is steady and the money is right," the stocky worker bragged."That's what I like to hear.I was checking up on you.You seem to have everything under control, so I'm out," Nico said giving Tommy a pound."Hit me later with those numbers.""I got you boss." Right when we were pulling off, Ritchie pulled up."What's up, my nigga?" Ritchie said as he knelt down on Nico's side of the car door.He then noticed I was in the car, "What's up, Precious?""The same thing, Ritchie.""When you gon' hook me up wit' one of your girls?""I told you I don't fuck wit' bitches like that.The only chick I fucks wit' is Inga.""Well hook it up.""Ritchie, every time you tell me to do that shit you always cancel at the last minute.""I tell you what.You and Nico come, we can do it fo' sho' tonight.""Why we gotta come?" I smacked.I knew Inga would want it that way, but I wanted to make Ritchie feel like I was doing his ass a favor."Com' on.Stop trippin'.It'll be fun, right?" He playfully punched Nico's shoulder, trying to get him to cosign on the outing."Yeah, it'll be cool.""R'ight', I'll call her.We can go to the Harlem Grill.I heard they have some good food."If I had to be bothered with Ritchie's silly ass at least I could get a good meal out the deal."Put her number in your phone so you can make the arrangements to pick her up." After Ritchie plugged Inga's number in his phone, he noticed Tommy and told him to come here."Tommy, make sure you don't leave until all business is dried up.We don't need nobody slacking off," Ritchie said, trying to execute some authority.Tommy nodded his head as if agreeing with what Ritchie said, but I knew he gave it no merit.From the few occasions I observed Ritchie, he had a way of making unnecessary comments in an attempt to make his presence known.I wondered if Nico ever picked up on that, but since he never mentioned it maybe he didn't.He had a blind eye when it came to Ritchie, anyway.Because I knew for a fact that Ritchie was straight jealous of Nico; it was written in his eyes."Man, you too lax with these niggas.They be coming at you like ya friends instead of your workers," Ritchie said with agitation."Nah, it's not like that.They know who's boss, but I prefer for them to feel comfortable around me.""Comfortable.Fuck that, you better make them goofy niggas fear you.They need to know if they step out of line it can happen.""Man my temper is legendary so they all know it can happen.But fear brings about lies.Our crew is the eyes and ears of the streets.They gottta believe they can tell me anything, whether good or bad.Without the information from the streets I'm powerless.If that means making my crew feel at ease then so be it.""I hear you, but I still say you need to put your foot in they ass every now and then," Ritchie stressed.As I listened to them exchange words, I knew that Ritchie didn't understand that Nico had a different style of dictatorship.Ritchie's browbeating style actually worked well for many bosses in Nico's position, but Nico vehemently opted against it.See, Nico wasn't big on bluffing.If he had to instill fear in you, that meant your time was up, and your life was over.He maintained a calm, cool and collected persona that made even his worse enemies respect him.When the dark side of Nico appeared everyone knew to stay away."I'll think about what you said," Nico answered, trying to get off the subject."What time do you want to meet up at Harlem Grill?""Nine is good.""So we'll see you there, and don't have us waiting on you neither," Nico added with a smile, knowing how it was nothing for Ritchie to be late or not show up at all [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]