The Ungrateful Bastards

By T. Styles

What would cause a mother to contact a hitman to kill her own children? Some ungrateful bastards. When Martha’s husband dies horrifically, she is forced to care for Zoom, Berry and Dodson alone. And although she does all she can to manage their lives, she grows more unstable by the day. When three unrelated incidents occur, she snaps and loses touch with reality. Sensing that his mother is on the brink of a mental breakdown, Zoom, the oldest of the Bastards, does all he can to control his outrageously trouble prone siblings. That is until secrets of the past impact his future. Funny...traumatic and suspenseful, this original storyline is classic T. Styles (Black & Ugly, A Hustler's Son) and bound to entertain loyal Twisted Babies everywhere!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Cartel Publications
• Release date: Mar 15, 2017
• ISBN: 9781945240386

T. Styles

Author. Show Host, Motivational Speaker. Award Winning CEO of The Cartel Publications - an international, independent publishing house, Mean Girls Magazine, Rich Bitch Publications and Cartel Urban Cinema. Toy's publishing house, The Cartel Publications, is the face of today's urban fiction and street fiction industries. In both the digital and print world, the Cartel represents the best her generation has to offer in African American literature. She has aptly been dubbed "Urban Fiction Empress" and "Literary Master". Toy is multifaceted and currently runs an independent publishing company, movie production company and a copywriting agency in the Washington DC and Maryland area. In addition, she facilitates her popular seminar "How To Write A Novel In 30 Days", using her non-fiction novel of the same title. Toy consults authors and publishing houses on what it takes to achieve success and longevity in the industry. She has been featured in The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, Essence Magazine, Don Diva Magazine, Oprah Winfrey's Network and Urban Book Source. She has been awarded Author Of The Year by AAMBC and was voted Most Underrated Author by The Urban Book Source. When not writing, running the Cartel or producing independent movies based on her company's novels, Toy travels and shoots videos for Cartel TV, a show geared toward her publishing house. Her first movie, 'Pitbulls In A Skirt', under her movie production company Cartel Urban Cinema is due first followed by 'Mother Monster'. Her novels include, The End (How To Write A Book In 30 Days), A Hustler's Son (series), Black & Ugly (series), Raunchy (series), Shyt List (series), Pitbulls In A Skirt (series), Redbone (series), The Face That Launched A Thousand Bullets, Quita's Dayscare Center, Reversed, Luxury Tax, and Cold As Ice. www.thecartelpublications.com - www.richbitchpublications.com www.meangirlsmagazine.com - www.cartelurbancinema.com Specialities: Publishing, Writing, Public Speaking (Motivational, Branding, Writing), Copywriting

Book preview

PROLOGUE

Mo murda, mo murda, mo murda…," Martha Gregory sang as she marched down the street on a mission.

A gang of wilted yellow dandelions hung out her brown church hat as she stomped. The service she attended earlier was a blessing and she left feeling inspired.

The edges of her worn imposter leather purse were busted open, revealing a grayish-white cotton fabric beneath. But she clutched it tightly against her, for fear that the many thugs who dressed the street curb of the Washington DC block would relieve her of her possessions, including the twenty-two dollars and sixteen cent she had to her name.

When she made it to a gathering of young men they parted like the Red Sea, unveiling Pierce Guns— a 22-year old hooligan with nothing to lose and limited respect for those he didn’t know.

"You Guns," she asked with authority, clutching her purse closer when a vandal passed the blunt to his comrade that at first she thought was a gun.

"If he is, what you want with him?" Five-feet five Jordan Marx asked, blocking her path.

The moment he stepped her way, Martha raised her tattered purse and knocked him in the head repeatedly until he was as flat as a stick of gum. Although any of the men could’ve pulled her off they were all too intrigued to stop her.

When she was done, with most of her flowers now pressed against the grungy concrete, she stood up, wiped the sweat off her brow and took a few deep breaths.

Jordan was about to repay her with a blow to the jaw when a few of the men on the sidelines pulled him away. He would be forced to be the laughing stock of the neighborhood on this one because nobody was willing to see him hit an old woman, not under their watch.

"Are you Guns?" she repeated.

Guns removed a chewed toothpick from his mouth and threw it on the ground. Grimacing he said, You doing a whole lot aren’t you? he asked.

"I come in peace."

He laughed. You call that peace? he looked at Jordan and shook his head. Yeah…I’m Guns.

She nodded satisfactorily. Then you just the man I’m looking for.

He ran his hand over his lips before dropping it at his side. How so?

"Because you’re going to do a job for me. She cleared her throat. A job I can’t do myself, otherwise I wouldn’t be here." She readjusted her church crown.

"And what’s that?"

"You’re gonna kill for me."

He laughed and looked at his homies. And exactly who do you want dead?

"My kids…and you have my sincere blessings."

CHAPTER ONE

TROUBLE COMES TO THOSE WHO CALL

The moonlight filtered through Shane Projects in Washington, DC., shining it’s light on two pre-teens who were in search for trouble. The summer heat was horrendous but a non-factor to fourteen-year-old Dodson Gregory and his cohort Bear as they played behind their apartment building.

Dodson’s cinnamon colored skin seemed to sparkle as sweat drifted through the two stylish shaved lines on the side of his head. His thick eyebrows, sat over a set of wide brown eyes and his nostrils spread with each heavy breath. Although he was fourteen, he acted younger than his age, having developed a slight mental disability earlier in life.

Enveloped in clandestine he was beyond excited about the mischief he was about to dive into. Look at this shit, slim, Dodson said opening the large red firework box before him. He ripped at the sides until it busted open— the sulfur smell suddenly filling the air. It got everything in it!

Bear, who was perched on a yellow milk crate, with a lidded brown box next to him, waddled toward Dodson. Bear earned his signature limp a year ago after he and Dodson decided to ride their bikes down the steps behind the high school.

Bear lowered his body and picked up a large red and silver firework. Wide eyes gleaming with malice he said, Please say you got fire.

Dodson reached into his back blue jeans pocket and removed a book of matches. Don’t leave nowhere without ‘em!

The boys spent the next few minutes going over everything inside. There were bottle rockets, skyrockets, roman candles, sparklers, and shells. But what was also present, and the most dangerous of them all, was six M80’s.

Can’t believe your moms bought you all this stuff, Bear said excitedly.

I keep telling you she do anything I want, he bragged as he focused back on his act.

When the smell of fireworks took over the air Dodson was ready for the next level— extreme violence. Grab the cats, Dodson said pointing to the brown paper box to his left.

Bear slid the box over and removed the lid, revealing five yellow kittens inside. Looking down at them he said, Now what?

Take them over there, Dodson frowned. I don’t want them too close to me.

Bear, who hated to move more than two steps in an hour breathed heavily as he rearranged the box. Hurry up and do it! You acting scared. He placed his hands on his hips.

Suck my dick! Dodson yelled. Grabbing an M80 he rushed toward the cat box. Betta back up!

Bear ran some feet away, just as Dodson lit the M80 and dropped it inside the box. Not even a second later it exploded and small kitten fragments splattered everywhere.

That shit was like that! Dodson cheered, clapping his hands and jumping around, courtesy of no home training. With wide eyes he asked, Did you see it? he looked at the bloody cat and box fragments. I wish we had more cats! I’d do it again.

Bear wasn’t as excited about the gore as Dodson, as a matter of fact he hated it. Whenever they did anything violent it was Dodson’s idea and most times he went along for the ride.

I want to light one, Bear said as he rifled through the box until he located another M80. He picked it up and examined it, understanding full well the danger it held.

Let me do one more first, Dodson said as he rifled through the box.

Aight, but after that I’m next! Bear responded as if he put in on the explosives.

Dodson clutched the M80 in his palm, struck a match and focused on the fiery tip. He was mesmerized by its glow and strong rotten egg odor. How could such a small thing be so powerful?

He was still in a trance when Bear yelled, You better throw it before it—

His words were halted.

Unfortunately Dodson wasn’t fast enough to hurl it and it detonated before his eyes.

****

The music boomed out of the car stereo speakers with Nicki Minaj’s latest song…

Fifteen-year-old Berry Gregory danced in place inside of her mother’s red Honda Civic, within a crowded mall parking lot. Bags from Macys and Nordstrom, loaded to the rim with clothing, were thrown in the backseat.

Her best friend Liberty was her passenger and a thick blunt was pressed against her lips, while her other hand squeezed her nipple, something she did to gain the ultimate high.

Bitch, we loaded up, Berry said as she pulled out of the parking lot and onto the street. That receipt scam shit worked! She turned the music up so loudly she could barely hear Liberty’s response. Wait ‘til school tomorrow! We gonna outshine bitches!

Berry whipped her long five hundred dollar black weave over her right shoulder as the streetlight bounced against the huge fake diamond earrings weighing down her lobes. When Liberty handed her the blunt, she accepted with her free hand while maneuvering the car with the other. Her light brown skin reddened as she inhaled, sending powdery smoke clouds into the car. The appropriate high in place, she handed it back and grimaced when Liberty pinched her nipple again while inhaling.

Why you always do that gross shit? Berry asked.

With flaming red eyes and a dopey smile she said, Ain’t nothing like your heart pumping and your pussy tingling at the same time. She winked. Try it, you’ll love it!

They danced so hard the car rocked down the street. Arms flailing, hips gyrating and mouths contorted - they looked more like they were fighting than dancing.

So what we gonna do tonight? Liberty asked, lowering the music. I’m not ready to go home. she pulled the visor down and gazed at her light skin in the reflection of the mirror. Let’s ride around a little longer. Maybe we can book some niggas.

Let’s play it by ear, Berry said as she teased her hair.

When she pulled up at a light a black Honda eased up next to them and stopped. Feeling high and devious Liberty said, Watch this shit.

With the announcement made she lifted her waist and pushed her jeans down to her ankles. Her red lace panties were revealed as she buried her knees in the passenger seat— pressing her butt cheeks against the cool window on her side of the car.

Bitch, you so crazy, Berry laughed having been with Liberty when she’d pulled the stunt in the past. I can’t believe you doing that dumb shit!

But you love it though, Liberty laughed as she moved back and forth. And when she was sure the female driver in the next car was watching, she flapped her ass cheeks back and forth like an American flag.

Unbeknownst to them, the joke was over.

Suddenly an angry woman with stones for fists pushed open her car door and made a beeline for their vehicle. Realizing the joke had gone too far, Liberty quickly stuffed her ass cheeks into her jeans. When she glanced ahead the light was still red but how she wished it wasn’t. Oh shit, we got problems.

Berry looked across Liberty and outside the window. Eyes glued on the angry woman who was holding a yellow iron steering wheel lock club in her hand and stomping in their direction, she knew things were about to escalate. When she noticed her angry male passenger still in the car, she pleaded with him with her eyes to stop the woman but there was no haps. He welcomed whatever was about to happen.

Faking tough Berry said, I know that bitch not about to hit my mother’s car!

I wish she would touch this car, Liberty added, equally frightened despite the light barking. I’ma stomp the fuck outta—

Before she could respond the woman brought down the club on the top of the car…multiple times. Although the light was green, and had been for a few seconds, Berry was too stunned to drive. And if the Angry Woman hadn’t done enough, she reached into her pocket and pulled out a switchblade.

Berry turned fifty shades of pink wondering if the woman would take their lives like she had the integrity of her mother’s car. Instead the Angry Woman pressed the tip of the blade two inches from the gas tank and rolled it all the way to the bumper, leaving a deep white scratch in the paint job.

Since the car was only two months old Berry knew her mother would never allow her to use it again, and as far as she was concerned without wheels her young life was over. To make matters worse Berry had to pick her up from work in a few hours.

Outraged, Berry pushed her door open and stomped toward the woman harshly. What the fuck is wrong with you? She yelled, spit bubbles flying from her lips and onto the woman’s nose. You a crazy black—

Suddenly Berry was thirsty…

Her momentary delirium was due to the Angry Woman slapping her so hard in the mouth that her lips flattened under the blow. When Berry got her wits about herself and attempted to hit the woman back the Angry Woman raised the knife and pressed it against the vein of her throat.

Do it, young bitch, she threatened. She swallowed as if she was a rabid dog salivating. Put your hands on me so I can have a reason to go back to prison. I got ten more years in me easy.

Berry was as still as stone.

When the Angry Woman saw that Berry was afraid she lowered the weapon. Word of advice. The next time you and your friend want to tease a bitch’s husband, please be sure she didn’t just get out of jail for attempted murder. She gazed at Liberty whose forehead was squished against the window in anticipation, before focusing back on Berry.

Having said her piece, the Angry Woman sauntered back to her car and pulled off, leaving Berry stuck and stupid in the middle of the street.

Cars whizzed by as she turned around to observe the damage made to her mother’s car and her jaw dropped after realizing how bad things really were. Oh my, God, Berry said covering her mouth. Mama’s gonna kill me.

Real danger out of the way, Liberty slowly stepped her punk ass out and stood next to her friend. Together they discerned the obvious, that the car was ruined.

Move ya’ll’s funky asses out the middle of the street, young bitches! a woman yelled, having to drive around them.

Berry and Liberty rushed back into the car and pulled to the side of the road. Distraught about her circumstances she parked and leaned her head against the steering wheel. I can’t deal with this shit right now! She farted due to her stomach twerking causing Liberty to frown.

You gonna be alright, Liberty said, feeling slightly guilty at her part in the problem. Although not guilty enough to apologize. Had she not pressed her naked ass against the window none of this would’ve happened.

Berry raised her head and looked outward. She told me the last time I crashed her car that if something happened I would be cut off. It took her three months to let me drive this one.

Girl, Ms. Martha loves you. She can’t stay mad at you like other people’s mothers’. She dug into her purse, grabbed a rolled blunt and lit it. If I would’ve crashed my mother’s car like you did hers she would never let me drive. She paused pulling on the weed. Trust me…even if she punishes you, you’ll be fine.

The party is in two weeks. How we gonna get there?

Who gonna stop you if you sneak out? Your mother can’t be in the house for five minutes without falling to sleep. Zoom always in the shower and Dodson too busy with his gay best friend to check for you. All you gotta do is take the keys.

Naw, this time gotta be different. She paused gazing at the man walking two German Shepherds in front of the car.

Frustrated Liberty sat back into her seat and folded her hands. Then what’s your plan?

Berry’s eyebrows rose. If she think I got hurt then she won’t ground me. She swallowed and blinked a few times— her plan coming to life in her mind. 

Okay, so what you want me to do? Slap the shit out you or something? Liberty asked, a little too excited about the prospect.

Berry stared out into the street. No, it gotta be worse…

What’s worse than me beating your ass?

Slowly Berry’s head rolled toward her. I don’t have all the details yet…but I’ma tell her I got raped.

****

Huddled in the corner of a DC Project, a game amongst thugs was in session…

The white dice felt cool in eighteen-year-old Zoom’s hand as he shook them several times. His long black cornrows hung down his back and were dressed with one black crystal bead apiece. Since it was rare to find him wearing anything other than long jean shorts, a pair of new Nike Foamposites and no shirt during the summer, today was no exception.

Zoom was definitely easy on the