Charmed By A Steel City Hustler

Nise:

"Be careful with me."

I hummed along to the Cardi B track playing from the DJ. The party was jumping given that Lois went all out for it. The reason for it was weak as ever. Lola was only getting a job so that Bash would not divorce her wanna-be ride or die ass. That broad grew up with the opportunity to be anything she wanted and chose to be a hairstylist.

Lola disliked me because I recognized her game when we were teenagers. She was jealous of everything Lois was and had. She would shit a brick if she knew that Lo also had her husband's heart. Imagine my surprise when I saw Lois coming out of Bash's office. The situation was none of my business, but she downloaded me on everything as we slipped back into the crowd unnoticed.

"Hey Dangerous, how are you doing this evening?"

I looked to my left and Kalvon was standing there looking good enough to eat. Bash's little cousin was fine as hell. Dressed in a NY Giants jersey with matching shorts and Air Force Ones to go with it. The fitted hat was loosely planted on his head tilted to the right.

I had heard of him and Lethal through mutual associates. I never met him until recently and liked what I saw. Kalvon was hot tempered and still wet behind the ears. He had gotten on the shit list of the most dangers gangs in the big apple. He was also aligned with the Vance family and that name carried a reputation as well. Hanging out with Lethal probably didn't do him any damn good either.

I never considered myself a messy woman when it came to men. Flirting with Kalvon would mean friction with Caesar, but so what? I know for a fact he was with Dominque just a few days ago. That fool talked all that good shit in my face and was jealous about Darryl.

All the while he was still tapping a raggedy jump off. I was a free agent and was going to have fun with my time until I returned home. Caesar was on his bullshit, and I didn't have time for repeat behavior. He was about to learn that my petty game was strong.

"Hey yourself. What you drinking? Wait, are you old enough?" I joked with him.

"Ha you got jokes Nise. I am old enough to drink, smoke, and ease all that tension in those shoulders," Kalvon said giving me a devilish smile that could soak any woman's panties. My heart did belong to Caesar, but hey, what he won't do, the next man will.

"Is that so? Well then tell me about yourself Kalvon. I am a busy woman and don't have time for a man who is insecure in his masculinity."

The mindless banter could go on for hours, days, hell weeks if I let it. I didn't have time for all that right now. I saw Cease behind the bar making a drink. His back was to us, and he was speaking to a waiter. I could have been petty and made this situation a whole lot more entertaining, but I took the high road.

"Whoa! You got the wrong guy baby. I love a woman who is on her own path to greatness. I support that one hundred and ten percent. Shit, I will have her back and make sure she straight before my own shit is. What type of man doesn't want his woman to be up on a pedestal?"

"The type of man who doesn't want the next fool all up in her fucking face," Cease's voice boomed in between the two of us and we both looked at him in a bewildered fashion.

"This you Cease? My bad, I had no idea yo. No disrespect."

"I am not any man's property. Now Kalvon what were you saying about loving a woman who is on a path to greatness."

Caesar slammed his fist into the bar so hard my glass of Cîroc tipped over. Kalvon tilted his head at me and stared. I was playing with fire and got a small amount of excitement from it. I was also curious about how he would respond. Caesar did put the fear of God in men, no doubt about it. Especially when it came to those he cared about. I was too grown to play cat and mouse games with him over matters of the heart.

"Nise, you have some unresolved issues with him. I don't do drama baby. Holla at a player when you ready for a grown man."

Kalvon walked off and then turned around on his heels and spoke again. "One more thing. Take my business card, I may have some work to throw your way soon."

He walked away with such confidence that I would call him. He was right on target. Kalvon had my interest to the point I may fuck for a few reasons. The secondary reason was standing behind the bar salty as hell. I picked my glass up, shaking it in his direction, signaling that I wanted a refill.

"You think this shit is a game Nise? I don't like that fool and even more so after that fucked up deal from the other day. How the fuck you are going to do some shit like that in my face?"

"To my knowledge that has nothing to do with you. Who you do and don't like is not my problem? Besides, I will be going back home after Darryl is taken care of anyway."

I stood up and walked in the direction that Kalvon was in. I meant everything that I had just spoke and then some. Caesar could not have it both ways with me. I tapped Kalvon's shoulder taking his attention off the hood chick standing in front of him. The shorty rolled her eyes and sucked her teeth with no success.

Her bum ass lace front and Rainbow outfit had nothing on me. I twisted my hips to let him know I wanted to dance. He smiled and grabbed my hand pulling me to the dance floor.

I winked at the random and fell in line to the beat. I didn't usually show out at parties, but this was a special occasion. Caesar was in his feelings and Kalvon was fresh meat.

Kalvon had some nice moves on him. He was eyeballing me the entire time. He pulled my body close and whispered in my ear.

"This is playing with C-4 shorty. Caesar and I got a rocky association as is. The way he is looking right now let's me know you are not a regular jump off."

I bent over and twerked my ass all over his pelvis. There was no major rise in his crotch area, no matter though. He could control his libido, which made him more intriguing.

"You may be right about that, but it doesn't change what we are doing right here and now," I said spinning back around and placing my arms around his neck. Kalvon was about to speak when I felt my body being pulled away. "Denise, you got me fucked up showing out up in my damn establishment!"

"Yo this is not the place or time for all that shit Cease. Lower your voice fool!"

Cease had never made a public spectacle of himself.

"Fuck all that, you need to get your cousin. Nigga causing all types of trouble both ways."

"Yo, Cease, I am grown as hell. You got some words to say spit that shit at me not Bash. Cousin, I'm out. This ain't really my thing to be arguing in public like some high school bitches."

That last word sent Caesar on a rampage. He lunged for Kalvon but was caught by Bash, who was restraining him. I shook my head in disgust. Then it hit me that Cease may be drunk. He had a temper but rarely made public scenes. I went over to his side as Bash tried to calm him down.

"Caesar stop it, this is embarrassing! All of Lola's friends and family are here."

"Don't even Nise! You don't give a fuck about Lola, or these fake ass guests. Half the bitches in here want to fuck Bash. The other half probably already did!"

Gasps and mumbled comments rang out from the crowd. I hung my head in shame. Bash let him go and gave an unknown expression. The sound of clacking heels and then Lola yelling was next. She demanded Bash get his 'ghetto friend' under control.

Had this been any other place. I would have snatched her wannabe hood ass the fuck up. I had a few clients in attendance just like Bash. I did not want to be exposed any more than I already was.

"Sebastian, is this the type of individual you do business with? A man that will disrespect your wife and business all in one breath? I would have thrown him out on his ass. Honey, it was great seeing you and your sister. Come by the house some time for dinner."

Leo spoke and then walked away my skin got a slight itch to it. Leo Jennings was bad news for anyone that knew him behind the mask of father and businessman. I had heard stories of his cutthroat tactics and sneaky deals. He was never a threat to me. I always made it my business to know a potential ally or enemy.

Lola had to have been beyond pissed as people started leaving and making excuses. I didn't give a damn about her raggedy ass and was happy to some degree her night was ruined. Lola never liked me or made any attempt to be cordial. Kalvon had also excused himself. I turned my attention back to Bash and Caesar who were at a small stand-off. Bash had a rock in his jaw that mirrored Caesar's face. Neither were going to back down and I prayed this did not lead to a fist fight or shooting.

"What is our motto Cease?"

"I don't wanna hear that bullshit right now man!"

"What you say to me? Yo, I don't know what is going on with you lately but fix that shit asap."

"Do I look like your child fool? You don't tell me what the fuck to do!"

"Mutha...you know what, you are absolutely right. You are a grown ass man. So, walk your grown ass the fuck up out of here before I forcibly remove you. Go home and chill the fuck out."

This was going nowhere fast. I grabbed Caesar's hand and began to tug on it. I had to get him out of here before someone said something that couldn't be taken back. He was hesitant at first, but then fell in line. Not in my wildest dreams did I think events would unfold like this.

Lois had her hands full with family drama and adultery. Here I was caught between Caesar and his damn ego, again. We made it out back to my vehicle, I was not about to get into his car with that temper. He was liable to either put me out or drive like The Fast and Furious. Soon as I started the engine, he went off ranting again. I just cranked the radio up to tune him out.