Can't Leave You Alone 2: A Dopeboy's Love Story

By Brittany R. Harris

Just as Rosh and Egypt begin to heal from the battle a new war has just started. Rosh has become obsessed with keeping his new empire from falling and invites a new man into his circle, Gio a man who he knows little about, but Gio seems to have the right information he needs to take down Hustle and De'Marcus. Rosh, Hill, and Gio think up a risky plan that seems to promise more, but could also shatter the most important things in Rosh's life.

Egypt soon has doubts if this is the life she wants and the lonely nights and arguments aren't making things better. Yet Gio who seems to have his own personal agenda attempts to spark new flames. Will Egypt remain the loyal or find herself in the arms of someone else as Rosh goes back to his old distant ways.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Royalty Publishing House
• Release date: Dec 30, 2016
• ISBN: 9781648402968

Book preview

1

Egypt

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Rosh caresses the bullet hole wound that sits right above my right breast. I can still see the disappointment in his eyes. He has said sorry once, but I can see an apology in his eyes every time he glances my way. He hasn't been able to look me in my eyes for weeks. It wasn't his fault that my brother chose to shoot during my Grandma’s funeral. Now, we have the same enemies, and I hate that he won't let me do anything about it.

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We've gone into hiding. Well… I have. Rosh refuses to let me out. He thinks my brother may try to kidnap me or some dumb shit. I keep telling him that I'm okay, but all he can remember is me being passed out on the ground while white roses fell around me, as if it was my funeral.

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At first, I was naive. I told myself that I couldn't have been my brother's target. He couldn't have shot me on purpose, but he was right in front of me. Rosh would have been shot too, if Hill didn't jump in the way he did and take that bullet for him.

I put a shirt on, tired of him staring at me like I'm some sad case.

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This doesn't change anything, I say.

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It changes everything.

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But you said you would show me. You said we were in this together. I promise, I'm fine. You have wounds too, and it ain't stop you.

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I know what I said. But when you see somebody that you care about hurt, it changes things.

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It doesn't even hurt.

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I smack the wound and try my hardest not to flinch.

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Bullshit.

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Rosh, baby. I just want to be closer to you and be able to understand you.

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Then figure out something else, but you’re not about to be out in the streets. It ain't for you.

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I'm so bored of hearing that tired ass line. Why am I even here, if it's not for me?

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Because I want you.

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He pulls me close and embraces me. I push away and go to pick up his gun off the coffee table.

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What are you about to do with that, Egypt?

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If you won't teach me, then I'll teach myself. I'm gonna get my brother back for all the shit he has caused.

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I hold the gun up and aim it at the vase filled with get well flowers.

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You don't know what you’re doing. Put it down.

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He comes for me and I shoot. I miss the vase and hit the front door, creating another peep hole.

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Shit, Egypt! You’re gonna have us put out of here.

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Rosh snatches the gun from my hand. I shrug my shoulders, as if I've done nothing wrong.

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I think I did well for my first time.

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He laughs.

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Hell nah. Why are you so determined? I told you, let me and my people handle this.

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I want some revenge, too. This is supposed to be my family and they took one of the most important people away from me. I have a right to be pissed and want to go after his ass. People look at my pretty little face and think I'm not cut out for anything, but I am. I’ve been through a lot of stuff that no one knows about. I'm stronger than you think.

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I understand that, but I want you to stay safe.

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I'm safe with you. Plus… who else can have your back better than your girl.

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I turn my head sideways and smile.

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My people got me. Just stay here in this nice little spot I have for us. Chill with Christie. And if y'all want to go out, I'll have some protection for you.

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Fine. Fuck it, I say, finally giving up.

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But watch… one day you’re gonna regret not doing what I say.

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Yeah, I bet.

He kisses me on the forehead and wraps his arm around me.

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Get off me, scrub.

Scrub?

He picks me up and places me on the counter. He starts to softly punch on me.

"I’ve got your scrub."

I burst into laughter, begging him to stop.

Alright, I'm sorry.

That's what I thought.

His phone goes off and his face turns serious.

What's wrong?

Nothing. Just let me be the man.

He gives me a quick peck on the lips, then answers the phone as he walks out the door. I hop down off the counter and follow him out to the porch. He gets in his car and drives off. I sigh deeply and walk back in the apartment.

I don't know what to do next. I might as well had stayed where I came from. Yes, this is a much nicer part of town than where I'm from, but it's so boring out here. I think about calling Christie, but she's been so busy babying Hill like he's on his death bed. I know if my man is gone on the run, most likely, hers is too. She's probably already on her way over.

I plop down on the couch and turn the TV on.

Breaking News! The body we have found earlier this morning has been identified. Jonathan Belfort, also known as Big J, has been found buried in a wooded area. Officials have not yet confirmed if there are any suspects, but it's clear what has happened here. A man who has been at the top for so long, has finally fallen. Officials had been investigating Mr. Belfort for some time, and were close to solving the case on several charges. Now, the investigation has come to a halt, and any remaining family will try to be contacted. Thank you for tuning in. This is Cindy Lewis with Channel Two news.

What the fuck? I say to myself out loud. I wonder if that's what the call was about… probably so. I become worried and wonder how Rosh feels about all of this. It's weird how Big J decided to leave and ends up dead. Maybe he knew someone was after him and had to pass his mess off to the next. Whoever killed him is probably after Rosh, too. Damn, maybe it was my brother and that's why he hasn't been able to be found lately. I don't like this shit. Now, I wish we could just pack up and leave all this behind. I don't want Rosh to die. I understand now what he means about seeing someone you care about, hurt. The thought of him being dead makes me sick to my stomach.

There's a loud knock at my door, and it scares me out of my thoughts.

Open up, girl, I hear Christie’s big, small voice on the other side of the door and relax. I get up and open the door. She comes rushing in like somebody is after her.

Egypt, girl. I can't do this no more.

Huh? Do what?

Every time Rosh tells Hill to jump, he's asking how high. Like, we have a life of our own. You need to tell your man to chill sometimes. Hell, put some of that good on him and make him stay home.

I laugh.

You already knew how it was. Why are you tripping now? What happened?

She plops on the chair.

Man, we were getting it in good, and I was so close. Then guess what happens? His phones rings, and he hops off me without even finishing. Like, damn! He had me feeling some type of way.

I laugh harder.

Well, it's business. I just saw on the news that they found Big J dead. Maybe that's why he had to rush off.

That's old news to me.

She waves me off and starts to change the subject back to her and Hill. I cut her off.

Wait. What do you mean old news? You saw it on TV earlier or something?

No.

She twists her lips up.

Rosh, Hill, and some other random people ran in on Big J and finished his ass. Don't you know?

My mouth falls open. I'm confused and angry at the same time. I’m angry that Rosh didn't trust me enough to tell me, but Hill trusted Christie enough to tell her everything.

Umm, no. I didn't know. Rosh mentioned something about Big J wanting to walk out on his empire. And I asked him if there was something he wasn't telling me. He said no. I can't believe he lied to me.

Oops. Maybe he just felt like it was better that you didn't know. He probably didn't want you thinking of him differently.

But Hill told you.

Only because he was high of all the drugs the hospital gave him, from when he took a bullet for your man, she laughs. Girl, he was telling me all type of stuff, all the way back to his childhood. He was tripping. Don't even be mad at Rosh.

I guess. He still should have told me.

Ugh! I didn't come over here for that. Let's go out and do something. I'm tired of all this sadness, killing, and shooting.

Rosh said I shouldn't go out without someone protecting me. You know it's not safe out there right now.

Christie sighs deeply.

I don't want some random nigga watching over us. How does he know he can trust these other people working for him? Damn, this is too much stress.

You were all for it at first. Now you want out.

No. That's not what I'm saying. I just want to relax and get away for a while.

I guess that would be nice. I changed my mind. I'm about to go take a shower. Then, we can go.

I leave Christie in the living room. I step in the shower and wonder if Rosh really knows what's best for me. Why wouldn't he tell me? We are supposed to be in this together. Now, I can't make any moves without letting him know. I don't even know if my brother is more concerned about killing me, or Rosh anymore. I wish I could just talk to De' Marcus and sort all this out. I don't want this for my life. Even though I've moved, I still feel like I'm in hell. I wonder what my Grandma would say right now.

I close my eyes and lean my head up toward the shower head, letting the warm water run on my face.

I start to think about college, and if it will really be best to go. I would probably be getting all type of stares, walking around with some big ass muscular black dude between classes. I would probably get much respect though, but I would not be able to make any friends. Rosh probably wouldn't let me have any new friends anyway. I shake my head, wondering if I now have another God to answer to. I've become a part of the game. I wouldn't be surprised if sooner or later, I'm the one making calls to flip whatever drugs and setting up deals. I laugh at myself. Rosh would probably never let me do that, unless everyone has turned on him and I'm his last option.

I shake my head, hoping I made the right decision to be here.

2

RoShawn

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I burst through the double doors with my strap in my hand, ready to put a bullet in whichever person screwed up. I got everyone to meet up. Hill stands on my right, with a gun in each hand. I walk back and forth, and pinch the meat between my eyebrows.

I'm not in the mood for this shit today. Who the fuck doesn't know how to dispose of a damn body! I yell.

Everyone shifts their eyes all over the room.

When I said get rid of his ass, I meant chop his ass up and feed him to some damn dogs or some shit, so that he can be gone for good. I didn't want him buried. Who was the smart ass that handled this mess?

Everyone still remains quiet.

I swear to God, if somebody doesn't stand the fuck up, I'm just gonna pull the scariest looking nigga and torture his ass. Y'all think this shit is a game? Y'all think I can't do this shit, huh? Y’all are trying to play me. It's obvious, but it’s unfortunate, that I need to prove some shit to y'all. Hill, get this shaking ass nigga right here.

Hill steps up and pulls the dude up front by his shirt. It’s a young kid who looks like he's about sixteen. He fights against Hill as he points the gun up to his temple.

It wasn't me, man. I swear, the kid whines.

What's the call, Rosh? Hill asks me. I look around the room, and nobody seems like they’re gonna speak up. I nod my head and Hill cocks his gun, ready to fire.

Damn, man! Wait! A brown skinned, scrawny dude yells.

This shit ain't necessary. It wasn't him, alright?

Was it you? I ask, aiming my gun.

Hell nah. It was those dumb asses over there.

He points to the corner where two dudes have their backs turned.

I swear, Rosh. Let the kid go.

The dudes don't even bother to turn around, too deep