Luvin' A Certified Thug

Chapter One

Yo Pops, I’m heading out. Cameron stood in the doorway of his father’s office watching him. His father, Terry Sands, or Big Cali as he was known in the streets was standing in front of his oversized bay window, looking out into the garden that his wife used to sit in for hours. Cam didn’t know how to receive this version of his father because the man he knew as Big Cali was the head of Atlanta’s biggest, most lucrative drug empire, BCE and never once showed any signs of weakness.

Cameron felt a wave of sadness wash over him as he felt the pain that surrounded his father. His mother Katherine had taken her last breath late last night, and now his father stood there dealing with the loss of his best friend, the love of his life, the one woman who loved him most in the world. Katherine loved Cali so deeply that it was as if God created her just to love him. Not even his own mother loved him as deeply as Katherine did. Cali’s mother abandoned him when he was just a month old, leaving him in an alley hungry and alone, so Katharine’s love surrounded him in a way that no other could.

Cali stood there silently, with his arms folded across his chest without saying a word, until his son’s voiced filled the room again, pulling him away from his thoughts.

Pops, did you hear me? Cam asked moving inside the office a little closer to where his father stood, but still keeping his distance.

What’s that Cam? Cali asked without looking at Cameron. He knew his son’s voice so there was no need to.

I’m heading out. I’m on my way to go talk to Cane.

When Cali finally turned to see his son, Cam searched his father’s face and realized how tired he looked. It was as if he hadn’t slept in months instead of just days. Katherine’s battle with cancer had come to an end, but the signs of its effects were all over Cali’s face.

Okay, does he know yet? Cali asked, concerned about his son.

Nah, I decided to wait and tell him in person.

Okay, I’ll see you when you get back.

Cali turned to face the window again, so Cam left his father’s office en route to his brother’s downtown apartment. Once Cam was in his black-on-black Range Rover with custom matte-finish paint job, he pulled off his father’s property in silence. The radio was off because Cam elected to ride in silence, giving himself time to think on his drive to his brother’s place. He knew that Cane was going to take his mother’s death harder than anyone, and he wasn’t sure how Cane was going to react, or if he would be prepared for that reaction.

Cam didn’t think it was right to tell his bother over the phone that his mother had finally passed. They had all been there to see Katherine earlier that day as a family, so when the doctors called to tell them that she had finally passed, Cam just couldn’t find the energy to call Cane and let him know. Cane was the younger of the two brothers, so Katherine had pampered Cane the most. Cane, or School Boy as everyone called him, was the good son. He was smart as hell and stayed out the streets, while Cam barely made it out of high school and fell in line under their father Cali, hustling.

Cali ran most of Atlanta, and now his son Cam was equally feared and respected in the streets of Atlanta, while Cane had just graduated from Morehouse at the top of his class a year early because he was on the grind day and night studying his ass off, taking more credit hours than necessary just to stay ahead.

Cam knew that it was Cane’s way of not having to be around to watch his mother suffer. She had been struggling with terminal cancer for the past two years, and Cane couldn’t handle seeing his mother slowly fading away so school was his way out. Therefore, no one ever questioned why he wasn’t there.

Cam and Cane couldn’t be any more different, but the two of them were as close as any two brothers could ever be. Cam loved his brother and was proud of him for working so hard and for becoming the man that he was. He envied him just a little, because Cam never could seem to keep his shit together long enough to accomplish the things that Cane had, graduating at the top of his high school class, a full ride to Morehouse and then graduating a year early.

Cam, on the other hand, was also happy with his life. He was his Pops’ right-hand man and slated to take over the business, which would be happening sooner than later since Big Cali had decided he wanted out.

There was no question about the fact that Cam was the man on all possible levels. He had bitches upon bitches, more money than he could ever spend, and more power and respect than most men dreamed of. People cleared the streets when they saw Cam coming, whether it be because he was Big Cali’s son, or because of the reputation that Cam built on his own. Either way, he loved that shit.

Even though Cam came up under his father, nothing was ever given to him. He had to work hard and earn his way. Cali didn’t believe in giving anything away, and he wanted his sons to understand the value of hard work. Real men build their own and have their own is what he always told his sons, so they worked hard. Now don’t get it twisted, Cali took care of his family and they never wanted for anything, but they also all knew what it meant to work for power and privilege; well, everyone except Chy.

Cheyenne, nicknamed Chy was Cane and Cameron’s little sister, and at 21 she was more spoiled than the two of them combined. Cheyenne was her mother’s twin and Cali praised the ground she walked on. Whatever Chy wanted, she got and whatever Chy said was law. Cali’s princess didn’t have to lift a finger for anything, which meant that she was basically spoiled beyond explanation.

When Cam pulled up in front of his brother’s building, he parked and got out. As he made his way to the front door, he looked back at his baby one last time before entering the building; his truck was his pride and joy.

Good morning, Mr. Sands. The young girl at the front desk smiled at Cam as soon as he entered the building. Cane lived in a high-rise downtown Atlanta that was nice as hell but overpriced, but Cane loved being in the middle of everything.

I told you to call me Cam, baby girl. Cam winked at Lauren knowing that she was secretly in love with him.

Lauren blushed and turned away until Cam had his back to her, and then she watched him move towards the private elevator that would take him to Cane’s apartment. She admired his tall athletic frame, which was covered with dark distressed denim jeans that fit low around his waist but fit his body nicely, and the smoke-gray linen button-up Polo shirt that he was wearing, sleeves rolled to his elbows exposing the tattoos on his arms. His low haircut was covered with a matching linen Polo hat pulled down low, covering his slanted eyes, exposing only the neatly trimmed beard that was cut low to his face from one side to the other. Laruen loved this man and wanted him so badly that she could taste his lips on hers every time she laid eyes on them.

As soon as Cam stepped off the elevator, he entered his brother’s apartment heading straight to his bar, where he poured himself a shot of vodka.

Where you at School Boy? Cam yelled after he downed his first shot and poured another.

He’s in the shower. Cam looked up when he heard Chelsey’s voice and damn near rolled his eyes at her shady ass. She was moving towards him dressed in a short, silk robe that was barely closed, exposing her breasts and neatly shaved pussy.

Yo, you need to handle that shit, Cam said waving his hand towards her opened robe.

You don’t like what you see? Chelsey asked walking right up on Cam, causing him to step back and move around her.

You need to chill with that shit and cover your ass up, Cam said, getting pissed that his brother’s so-called girl wanted to fuck him and had been trying to for a while now. He was over that shit and really considering telling Cane, but he knew how crazy Cane was about Chelsey and didn’t want to be the reason why Cane ended things.

If you’d just give me what I want then you wouldn’t have to be all shy around me, Chelsey said, biting down on her bottom lip and staring at Cam seductively.

I’m not fucking you so get that shit out of your head, and you better chill with that before I let Cane know about your trifling ass. Cam wanted to slap her ass.

Chelsey just laughed, as she walked past Cam and grabbed a handful of his dick before she let go and headed towards the bedroom. You’re gonna fuck me Cam, trust me.

Bitch, you’re crazy. Cam just shook his head before he sat down on the sofa and picked up the remote to turn the TV on while he waited for his brother.

Yo, what up Cam. How long you been here? Cane stepped into his living room dressed casually in Nike wind pants and a navy Nike hoodie. He walked into his kitchen and grabbed a Heineken out of the refrigerator before he sat down next to his brother on the sofa.

Cam and Cane looked a lot alike, but they were also different in many ways. Cam kept his hair cut low and wore a beard, while Cane’s face was clean and his hair was wild and curly. They both had their mother’s slanted Asian eyes, flat faces, and peanut butter colored skin, but Cane had deep dimples in both cheeks that came out even with the slightest effort of a smile.

Both men were extremely handsome and were always being approached and adored by women, which Cam took full advantage of this sleeping with a different one nearly every night, while Cane chose to stay faithful to Chelsey, his girlfriend of two years who was fucking everything moving behind his back.

Just got here. We need to talk, Cam said getting right to the point of his visit.

Cane looked at his brother and could see the seriousness in his face and had a feeling it was about their mother. For some reason, when Cane left the hospital the day before, he felt like it would be the last time, but he chose not to mention it to his family hoping that it was simply just that, a feeling.

She died didn’t she? Cane asked with as sadness in his voice that pierced Cam’s heart.

Last night.

Cane placed his beer on the table in front of him and sat silently for a minute, before his fist slammed down on the table with so much force that his beer almost fell off.

Fuck man. He lowered his elbows onto his thighs and his head fell into his hands as tears slipped out of his eyes. Cam moved closer to his brother and his arm went around his shoulder, as they transformed back into the little boys who comforted each other whenever things went wrong in their lives.

Cane leaned on his brother and silently released all of the sadness he felt about his mother leaving them and when he was done, he stood and walked to his bar, poured a shot of vodka and downed it.

How’s Pops? Cane asked knowing that his father had to be feeling lost. Their mother was his world.

He’s dealing. He hasn’t really said much, Cam said as he joined his brother at the bar.

Cane inhaled and then released it. Is everything already planned?

Yeah, for Saturday. Most of the family is flying in tomorrow. Pops wants us to stay at the house. Cam looked at his brother to see where his head was at.

Aight, we’ll be there tonight. I’ve got some shit to do today.

You’re bringing Chelsey?

Cane looked at his brother confused about why he would ask him that. Chelsey was his girl, and it should have been understood that she would be there for him since his mother died. Cane knew that Cam and Chy didn’t care for her that much, but under the circumstances, he felt like they would expect her to be there.

Yeah, why?

No reason just asking. Aight. I’m heading out. I need to go handle some business so I’ll see you tonight.

Cam hugged his brother before he left his apartment. He was pissed about the fact that he and Chelsey had to be under the same roof. He just was just hoping that she cared enough about Cane to respect the fact that their mother had just passed and not be trying to fuck him while they were dealing with the loss of their mother, but knowing her trifling ass, Cam knew better. That bitch was scandalous and Cam planned to stay as far away from Chelsey as possible.

As soon as Cam stepped off the elevator into the lobby of Cane’s building, he felt Lauren’s eyes on him, which made him smile. Lauren was cute with her mocha skin and almond eyes, but she wasn’t his type. She was bad as hell though, standing at 5’7" with a tiny waist, nice, toned thighs and breasts that made you want to bury your face in them, but Lauren was green. She was a good girl, way too shy and no experience. Cam knew that he would hurt somebody like that because she would fall fast and hard, and Cam wasn’t settling down anytime soon.

You leaving already? Lauren asked before Cam could make it to the door.

Yeah, I got moves to make, Cam said with a slight smirk making Lauren blush. He chuckled to himself as he moved towards the perfectly polished glass door to leave.

It was good to see you Cam, Lauren called from behind him, so Cam looked over his shoulder and winked at her. You too, ma. Stay beautiful.

He knew she would be over-the-top giddy about his comment so he didn’t bother to look back at her again. He just walked through the door in route to his truck. Cam had to go pick up money from his people because unfortunately, business didn’t stop no matter what the situation.

Chapter Two

Cane walked in his room and found Chelsey dressed in a gray, laced thong and matching bra, standing in front of her mirror admiring her own body. She was truly beautiful with her honey colored skin and dancer’s body. Chelsey kept her hair, cut short, accenting her small, oval face that housed round, hazel eyes and thin, pouty lips.

Chelsey caught Cane’s reflection and smiled, as he walked up behind her wrapping his arms around her body and then lowering his chin onto her shoulder, causing him to lean down because he towered over her small frame.

You okay baby? she asked Cane as she let her body fold into his.

Cane didn’t answer; he just kissed her on the neck before he pulled her back with him, as he sat on the edge of his king sized bed.

My mom passed last night. Cane looked up at Chelsey who was now positioned on his lap.

Awe baby, I’m sorry. She genuinely felt bad for Cane because she knew how much he loved his mother. Chelsey was unfaithful to Cane but that didn’t mean that she didn’t care about him. She might have even loved him a little, but Cane just wasn’t what she wanted. Chelsey held on to Cane all these years secretly hoping that one day he would step up and fall in line with Cam, to run their father’s business. See, the thing with Chelsey was that she loved the power that Cam held in the streets. It was sexy to her and she wanted that same thing for Cane, but he was content with going to school and keeping his hands clean.

My pops wants us to stay at the house. I want you there with me. Cane looked in her eyes briefly before Chelsey leaned down and kissed his lips.

Anything for your Cane. Is Cam going to be there too?

Cane gave Chelsey a strange look, wondering why she was asking about his brother. He knew that the two of them didn’t really get along, so he was curious why she would ask about him being at their parents’ home.

Yeah, we all are, why?

You know he literally hates me, Chelsey pouted, trying to cover up the way she had just slipped up asking about Cam.

Don’t sweat that. He’ll be cool, Cane said feeling a little more relaxed about her asking about Cam.

Okay, well I’ve got a few things to do today. What time do we need to be there? Chelsey asked as she stood and walked into the closet. She had scheduled to meet up with Robert in an hour. His head game was on point, and he promised her a few stacks if she fell through. Chelsey was money hungry and although Cane brought her nice shit, he never really just laced her with cash like her other niggas did.

I’ll call you. You meeting up with Tasha? Cane questioned assuming that Chelsey was spending the day with her best friend. They were always together, or so he thought, because that’s what Chelsey always told him when she was out fucking other niggas behind his back. Since Chelsey hit Tasha off with a few stacks every now and then, she was more than willing to cover for her girl.

Yeah, we’re doing a girls’ day, Chelsey lied. She