Moves of a Boss: Pablo's Takeover

By Kareem Russell

Chess is a game of capture. Life is a game of survival. Will Pablo be captured or will he be able to survive this game we call life?

Pablo is a certified gangster/hustler who's trying to go legit, but his loyalty to the game is preventing him from fully letting go.

He meets a woman named Red who has risen from the streets and has vowed never to return to the life she left behind. That was until she met Pablo and realized that his lifestyle might threaten the very vow she made to herself. Will she fall for him or will their lives come colliding together before pushing apart?

People are playing both sides of the board... deception and betrayal are brewing, envy is rising, and bodies are falling. Will Pablo make the right moves or will the wrong moves cost him everything and his life?

• Language: English
• Publisher: Kareem Russell
• Release date: May 8, 2015
• ISBN: 9781310445811

Book preview

Chapter 1

Damn, it's been a long fucking eight years, but a real nigga about to hit the streets and turn up. My name is Nashiem Rhyne, a.k.a Pablo. I was born in Harlem, New York, but moved to North Carolina at the age of ten. Living in North Carolina was too much of a difference from Harlem, because life was still a struggle. Good thing Mom was a hustler, plus raising four boys was hard because the streets was calling us all. I picked up them ratchets and turned Rose Hill into a war zone. I was soon charged with Assault with a Deadly Weapon Inflicting Serious Body Injury.

Months Later…

Pablo, what you getting into tonight? Scooter, his younger brother, asked as they chilled in Fishertown. Fishertown is on the outside of KP, about 20 minutes from Charlotte.

Shit, we can hit the city, but first I got to holly at my people, then we can take it from there. Pablo replied. The fiends was out heavy because the block had been jumping all day. Minutes later, Pablo and Scooter's middle brother Ramon Rhyne a.k.a Wise, pulled up in an old school 1970 Monte Carlo sitting on 22-inch Forgiato rims with a custom paint job.

What's good, brah? You ready to paint da city tonight? Wise yelled over the music.

Yeah, but first I need to put you up on game, so give your keys to Scooter and ride with me while he follow us. That will give me a chance to bend your ear on the way.

Wise threw his keys to Scooter and said, Don't fuck up my shit and don't be smoking in my ride. That's a classic right there.

Nigga, ain't nobody gonna fuck your shit up. Take your ass on so we can go to the city. Shit, I'm trying to snatch up a free-throw while wifey out of town with her peoples, Scooter said, before jumping in the old school and slamming the door closed.

Pablo and Wise hopped in Pablo's all white Audi A8, butter pecan seats with Pablo's name engraved in the headrest and carpet. Damn, brah, how much did this joint set you back for? Wise asked as he turned down the August Alsina jam that was playing throughout the cars surround system.

A little something, but I'll put you up on that later. Right now, we have other pressing matters to talk about. First thing, I hollered at my people, and Papi is saying he can fill any order we desire. He took me to a warehouse and told me to pick any block I wanted to sample. Shit is official. Best I've seen in a while; everything jump back. I took Clyde with me too, you know he's an OG, been around for eons. He stamped that shit as some of the best since he was in the game.

So what’s good with those numbers? Wise asked.

Like I said, he want to hit us with them thangs, but I'm not about to work for no one. I've earned my bones and I stand on my own, Pablo replied and added, "Papi, like, if we get 50 he can hit us for fourteen a piece. The lowest we can cop is 25, and the price will rise to $19,000.

Look, with all my bread tied up at the moment, all I can manage myself is 20 of them thangs. But, if you can cover me on those other five I'll have that in about two days or so. Wise said before pulling out and answering his cell phone. Yeah, what's good?

It was Scooter. We got company behind us.

Hold on, brah, Scooter said we have company, Wise said to Pablo.

I know, that black Taurus been on us since we left out of 'The Fish'. Tell him that we are going to take the next exit and head to the Waffle House in Salisbury, and we will lose them there, Pablo said, and Wise relayed the message as they headed down I-85.

Two cars back, detectives Adams and Roth followed Pablo, unaware that he knew they'd been tailing him since he pulled off. Unbeknownst to them, they were only a pawn in his game of chess!

Ring… Ring… Ring…

Hello?

Hey girl! I’m on my way to get your ass ‘cause we about to meet Shana and Chris at the Waffle House. Since you've got that job at the hospital all your ass do is work. Red, you got to get out more—shit, back in the day we used to get it in! Now you done got all self-righteous and shit, said Bee as she pulled up to Red's apartment.

Girl, I got to get up in the morning and ain't nobody get 'self-righteous’. I’m just trying to do better for myself. But don't get it twisted—if someone get out of line, I know how to turn up! Don't forget who taught your ass how to get down.

Honk… Honk… Honk

Girl, bring your ass outside. I'm here, Bee said as she put the car in park. Red walked outside wearing baby blue Juicy Couture pants and a shirt that left little to imagine, with the matching stilettos. She stood five foot six, light-skinned, honey blonde natural look, brown eyes, juicy lips, nice ass—and when she smiled she would take your breath away! Some people said that she reminded them of Tiesha Campbell from Martin, but badder.

As Red closed the door, she said, Look, girl, I'm not hanging out all night. I got to study for my medical exams that are coming up. If I wasn't starving I wouldn't be fooling with your ass, because I know what you trying to do.

Damn, quit complaining all the time. You need some dick, maybe you wouldn't be so uptight! Since you dropped that clown Dee, all you do is work, study, and stay cooped up in that damn house. Anyways, let me give you the 411! You know they said that wasn't Ant’s baby? It was Lil Mike's and they supposed to be getting’ it on when they see each other, Bee replied dramatically.

Red sat in her seat thinking to herself: This why I don't come out no more. Drama…drama… drama!

Chapter 2

Brah, this muthafucka is jumpin! Shit, we might not have to hit the city tonight, Wise said.

Yeah, that’s why I went this way. I plan on losing Dem Boyz down here, and we can blend in with these cats to make it look like we hang up here. That nigga Kato, from Da Grove, that I be hittin’ with the work told me that this joint be packed every Saturday night, Pablo replied.

Pull over there so we can keep an eye on everything, just in case something jumps off, Wise said.

Great minds think alike, Pablo said as he backed the car in the parking space. Damn, shorty is badd as hell getting out the black Nissan. I got to holla at her, he added, before jumping out of the Audi, leaving the door open. Yo, Ma, can I holla at you for a second? Yeah you… Pablo pointed. The one with the Juicy Couture outfit on.

Well, first off, my name ain't Ma, and I don't need you advertising my clothes for me, Red replied as she applied her lip gloss.

My bad, Ms. Attitude. I can stand a straighten. I apologize for my rudeness. May I have the opportunity to start over by asking you for your name?

My name is Red, she replied.

So your mom named you Red, huh? Pablo said, with a smile on his face, waiting for a response.

No, Smarty! I don't give my name to strangers, plus I don't even know your name. Red replied.

All you had to do was ask. My name is Nashiem, but my friends call me Pablo, he said.

Pablo? she asked, folding her arms.

Yeah, but you can't call me that ‘cause we ain't friends yet, so until then, Nashiem will be just fine. But since we ain't strangers no more, you think I can get that government name?

Red rolled her eyes and said, Sherea.

Wise interrupted, by clearing his throat. Hi Sherea, my name is Ramon, but everyone calls me Wise. I'm Pablo's brother. I figured I'd introduce myself since he hasn't. So tell me, what’s good with your homegirl that got out the car with you?

I don't know, why don't you go holla at her? Red replied.

Do she got a man, ‘cause I’m not trying to go on no goose chase? Wise asked.

She can speak for herself. I'll let you ask her. It ain't gonna cost you nothing but a few minutes of your time to go see, Red said, turning back to look at Pablo.

Imma go do that, nice meeting you Red. I'll give you and brah a few minutes alone, Wise said as he winked and walked off.

Leaning on the blue Honda Accord where he stopped her at, Pablo said, So, Sherea, where are you from and do you have a man?

Boy, you can't just be leaning on people’s cars down here in the Bury—you can't be from around here, Red said, then added, "I was born in Pageland, South Carolina, but I was raised here in Salisbury. Why you all up in my 'B.I'…asking if I have a man?

Damn, baby girl, you got to keep busting my balls, huh? I'm just trying to get to know you, that's all, and if you have a man I'm not trying to disrespect him, Pablo said.

I wouldn't say I got a man—it's sort of complicated—but I wouldn't say I'm looking either, Red explained, I'm just focused on me right now.

I feel you because I'm trying to focus on you right now too. Is that a smile I see? Pablo asked.

Whatever, don’t flatter yourself, Red said. I see you’re very persistent—that’s the only reason I'm still standing here, instead of in there with my peoples.

I'll be whatever you need me to be to be a part of your life. So do you think I can get your number so I can keep in touch and keep you focused on yourself? Pablo said with a smile, showing his gold teeth.

704-223-5928… And don't be having no chickens calling my phone ‘cause I don't do drama, she replied.

As Pablo typed her number in his phone, Wise came walking out of the Waffle House towards them. Sorry to break up this love affair, but we got to go, brah. Dawg and Freaky say that they in the city already and they gonna text me the location when they decide where we gonna link up.

The phone started vibrating.

Wise said, Yo, where your ass at, Scooter?

Nigga where do you think I'm at? I’m always on point, but I’m about to cause a little diversion. Tell Pablo if he can wrap that convo up with shorty, we can get up out of here. You with this 'Pussy Attractor’—I can't even blend in, these broads are so thirsty up here for real. Scooter said before getting out the car in search of a decoy.

Scooter found a white Ford Fusion and jimmied his way into the car unnoticed by everyone. He hotwired the car, a trick he picked up when he would go to New York for the summer and his cousins, Pat and Trent, would take him across the bridge to Jersey where they would sell stolen cars to the chop shop. Scooter said to himself: I got something for they ass.' He dialed Pablo's number and said, Get ready to hit the highway—I peeped our tail. It's Roth and Detective Adams, dem fuck boys. Imma do my thing so tell your lil honey-bun to go inside now, until things die down. With the click of a button he hung up.

Meanwhile, Wise got in the driver’s seat of the Audi A8; he was a better driver, or so he claimed to anyone that knew him—you would have thought he drove for NASCAR. He claimed to have beat Dale Earnhart Jr. in a street race on Moorseville Road in Kannapolis, NC. Still there were no witnesses to confirm the story—he only got an autograph that said Good Race.

Pablo hung up the phone with Scooter and said, Look baby girl, I'm gonna need you to go inside and stay until I call you and say that it's safe to leave.

Oh, so now you’re my daddy? You telling me what to do and when to do it?

No, Red, I'm asking you. Please go inside until you get a call from me saying that it's safe to leave, Pablo said, looking into her brown eyes.

So we are friends now? You callin’ me Red?

Please, Sherea, give a brother a break, Pablo said, exhausted.

Well, since you asked nicely, Pablo, I guess I will, but I'm not going to be in there all night, so if you haven't called before I eat my food I'm leaving anyway. Call or not, she replied.

So you really feeling me, huh? Rushing me to call, Pablo said as she walked off and added, Goodnight baby girl. I'll call you shortly.

Red yelled back over her shoulder, Do that, and strutted into the Waffle House, hips swaying, ass looking plumped. All Pablo could do was shake his head at the thought of being inside of her.

Detectives Roth and Adams hadn't noticed Scooter breaking into a car three spaces down from where they were parked, backed in. As Scooter jimmied his way into the white Ford Fusion, he hotwired it and hung up with Pablo before pulling out of the parking space. He pulled in front of the black Ford Taurus as if he was leaving, blocking them in so they wouldn't be able to pull out. Before they realized that they were blocked in, Scooter was out of the car, running back to Wise’s old-school car. Right before he jumped in, he pulled out his burner and let off a round of shots into the air: BLOCKA…BLOCKA…BLOCKA.

Mayhem set in and people began running and screaming as they looked for shelter.

That's our cue! Wise said before pulling off, making their way towards the highway. As they drove out of the parking lot, Pablo made eye contact with Detective Adams although there was tint on the Audi's windows and Adams couldn't see him. A faint smile appeared on Pablo's face and he said to Wise, Check, before turning up the August Alsina 'I Luv This Shit' jam.

Red entered the Waffle House, she couldn't help but to think to herself: who is this mystery man Nashiem, a.k.a Pablo? Where was he from? She had forgotten to get his info from him, and that wasn't like her. She was used to being on point, but his presence threw her off ‘cause something about him caught her off guard. Red was used to controlling things, but his character commanded control no matter how much she tried to resist. He made her feel butterflies in her stomach. She wasn't used to this feeling, in fact she was anxious to receive his call, although she had told him she would leave if he didn't call. But she was willing to wait all night for his call; he'd made an impression on her and didn't even realize it.

Red was missing him already. She loved a man that was rough around the edges, but intelligent as well. She'd seen that and more in Pablo. Was it his arrogance or confidence that drew her to him? Or was it his swagger? Was it how he took control? Maybe all of the above. She started thinking about how she didn't get his number and hoped that he would call soon. The sounds of BANG...BANG...BANG... brought her out of her zone as she rushed into the Waffle House and over to the table her girls—Bee, Shana, and Chris—were sitting at.

Ten minutes later, Pablo and Wise were driving down I-85 on their way