Sovereignty of Spades

By Cameron Hines

Ever since Khalif Kendrix was little, he has played his cards like a king. Labeled as gifted until he transforms into a rebel while in high school, seventeen-year-old Khalif shuns everything he has ever been taught, drops out of high school, and journeys down a dark path into the unknown.

Now a lost soul wandering through the shadows, Khalif is moving loafs and bringing home a few thousand a week. His mother is gone—brutually murdered during a weekday bible study by a white supremist. His father appears to be clueless about how Khalif is making a living, despite living in the same house with him. But everything changes one day when the feds bust five of his drug buddies. Now as Khalif unfurls a new plan to survive, he has no idea that he is about to be led in a direction he never could have imagined in his wildest dreams.

Sovereignty of Spades is the gripping tale of a street-smart kid on an unforgettable journey into the unknown where he hopes to eventually reach his destiny—and more importantly, his true potential.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Archway Publishing
• Release date: Mar 11, 2020
• ISBN: 9781480888326

Cameron Hines

I majored In English to pursue my plan on becoming an author. I skipped senior year in High School, then enlisted into the United States Air Force. Completing Basic and Technical School Training, earning the honor of distinguished grad all at 17 years old. I am from Columbus, Ohio and I love art in all forms. UPDATE 1.30.2020: Cameron Hines was born in Columbus, Ohio in 1999. As his twenty first birthday approaches over the horizon, the young King comes baring gifts to whoever dares to explore the other side of his star. With that being said the unorthodox author reveals his first masterpiece of many.

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Copyright © 2020 Cameron Hines.

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ISBN: 978-1-4808-8831-9 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4808-8832-6 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020902877

Archway Publishing rev. date: 02/17/2020

Table of Records

Dedication

Chapter 1 Let the Beat Build

Chapter 2 Respect

Chapter 3 Ghetto Gospel.

Chapter 4 Getting It

Chapter 5 Through The Wire

Chapter 6 2K20 614 Cypher

Chapter 7 Right or Wrong

Chapter 8 Evil Kenivel

Chapter 9 First Place

DEDICATION

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CHAPTER 1

Let the Beat Build

Ever since I was a kid, I played my cards like a king. Something like Musa the Sultan to be exact. Acknowledged as the most prestigious sovereign of the Mali Empire to this day, his name gained fame from the fourteenth-century gold and ivory trade. Unlike your average ruler, he wasn’t born into royalty but was appointed deputy when his forerunner, Mansa Abu Bakr II, sailed off into the Atlantic to pursue his 14,000-mile journey to Mecca. He then officially gained his throne when it was clear Abu would not return. Worth approximately $400 billion in modern American dollars, the Malian king still holds the crown for the wealthiest human being to ever live. He was immortalized by many for his extravagant pilgrimage to Mecca. Sharing his riches every step of the way, he depressed the monetary value in Egypt well into the next century.

With a goal like mine, some would say I’m full of myself. And they are correct. Who shouldn’t be? Self-love is the best love. With a head that big, you don’t have a choice but to hold it up high at all times. Hence my deep inclination for stars. My theory is that they are portals to other dimensions that the Great Architect of the Universe created for whoever dares to explore the unknown.

Before I continue to take you on a voyage through my world, I would like to properly introduce myself. My name is Khalif Kendrix. Khalif is for Khalifa, a name that originated from Islamic culture, meaning successor or leader. My father gave me my name to speak positivity into my fate. He was big on that, speaking things into existence. He would imbed into my head a life lesson I will never forget: You reap what you sow.

My father practiced what he preached. He became a therapist because he believed his life’s purpose was to heal damaged souls. Other than Mansa Musa, my father will always be my role model. He was also a true king. No one could convince me that he wasn’t a divine being reincarnated. His name during this lifetime was Keith.

When it was time for me to leave my father’s wing and fall into the mix of my fellow peers, I admit that I was anxious. Through grade and middle school, I was labeled as gifted. Passing with As and Bs, I was an honor roll student. But when high school came along, I began to hang out with the wrong crowd. My grades plummeted to Ds and Cs. I faithfully smoked weed and tobacco, and it was as if I lost a fuck every puff taken, until there were none left to give.

What has gotten into you? my father once asked.

Life, I replied in a smart manner.

So, you think you’re a man now, huh?

I don’t know what I was thinking. I couldn’t have been, because I automatically replied, Something like th—

Before I could even finish, the wind was knocked right out of me.