Misunderstood (Toussaint Mafia #4)

Chapter 19

“ B oog. What’s good, my nigga?” Ariz asked, sparking up his blunt.

His nerves were so bad he was tempted to light a Newport.

“She is still asleep. She threatened to shoot me, but she was just talking shit. I brought her some Cajun food like you suggested and that was enough for her to leave me alone for the moment. Now she stares at me angrily anytime she passes the living room.”

Ariz sighed. He couldn’t believe the things he’d resorted himself to doing, but allowing for Masami to walk away from him wasn’t an option. Now that she was a part of his life, he was determined to keep her unless circumstances forced him to do otherwise. Masami was asking for divorce papers, and a life away from him. None of those things was something he planned on giving her. She needed time, and he did as well because he had to fix all the things that were broken within their marriage.

Already he’d expressed to his father that he was done with the lick, but now he needed to confess his sins to Ossa and even he was unsure how this outcome would turn out.

“Cool, cool,” he mumbled, thinking of how he tried to kiss Masami earlier that day, and she bit the shit out of his lip, drawing blood.

“If she decides to kick up dust, call me. You don’t hear me call her lil Miss 9 th Ward for nothing. She can get crazy on your ass. Shit she tried to choke me earlier today until she tired herself out then she had me rock her to sleep. Watch the doors and don’t let none of her sisters in without patting them down. They all known to bust they gun, my nigga. Matter of fact, don’t let anybody in the house outside of her mom.”

Ariz’s guard Boog chuckled at the other end of the call.

“You would go marry the daughter of the Don. Of course, her people are known to bust they gun, but it’s all good. I’ma make sure she doesn’t leave the house. I’ll hit you up if she gets to tripping.”

Ariz ended the call and tossed his phone onto his seat. He peered out of the window of his custom Cyber truck and shook his head. The block was hot. Too hot for the location and Ariz could feel the possibility of gunfire in the air. Not only was he about to confess a heavy ass truth, they were in Black Bottoms. Clearly, Ossa was looking for the smoke and damn near pleading for Rocco to come out of hiding as he frequented his hood daily.

“Man, this shit,” Ariz groaned, taking a long hit from his blunt, mind racing as he tried to figure out a way to keep the peace. He grabbed his phone, thumb scrolling straight to Masami’s number. Before he could think twice, he tapped her contact, already knowing her voicemail would probably pick up—just like it had been since he laid all his cards out.

But this time, she answered.

“What do you want?” Her voice was groggy, but to him, still beautiful, like music to his ears.

He hit his blunt again, releasing a cloud of smoke into the air as he let her voice settle in his chest.

“I know things are messed up between us right now, and I’m sorry. I’ll keep saying that forever if I have to, Masami. I need you, even now, when I know you think you hate me. I still need you, baby,” he admitted, emotions twisting inside him as he watched Ossa rolling dice with Nano and a few of the shooters for the Toussaint family.

Masami sighed into the phone, and Ariz leaned his head back against the headrest, waiting for her response.

“What do you need, Ariz? I’m cramping, I’m tired, and I wanna go to sleep. So, what’s wrong?”

Ariz licked his lips.

“I gotta lay it all out for Ossa.”

The sound of Masami coughing into the phone told him she wasn’t expecting that.” Ariz I haven’t told my family, and I won’t. Soon, we will be divorced, and I will act like none of this happened. I might even let you live if you make it easy for us to separate and tell that big ass nigga to stop guarding me.”

Ariz ignored Masami’s rant as he hit his blunt again.

“The same way I fuck with you, is the same way I cut for Ossa. That has been my brother my whole life. I made a mistake agreeing to the things I did and now I have to be real with him too. I have to own up to my shit. Problem is we’re in Black Bottoms and the situation is already tense. Just in case things don’t go well tonight, I want you to know that every word I said to you was sincere. I want you to know that I’m in love with you and that I’m sorry I ever hurt you. You never deserved that and if I survive this, I’ma take you on a trip and make your pretty ass smile the whole damn time. Get some rest, Masami.”

Masami let out a breath.

“Ariz, can you please turn around? You can come home, and I won’t attack you. No bites, kicking or fighting. I don’t have a good feeling about this, and Ossa isn’t thinking clearly right now. Let’s wait and tell him together. Please,” she insisted, but Ariz didn’t have time for that.

He was a man, and the code of the streets was different. He couldn’t approach Ossa with Masami by his side. Ossa wouldn’t respect no shit like that and would be even more angry with him. No, Ariz had to stand on his own two feet and accept whatever came with the decisions he made that led them to that point.

“When I told my mom about our marriage, she was shocked as hell at first. After that, she laughed and said she remembered how you would write me letters when you was a teenager. Calling yourself my wife and saying we was gone have all these kids. Back in the day, that shit was weird, cause you was like my little sister and its crazy how life worked out for us. I never thought we would be here, but we are and now you my wife. I know people misunderstand you and your family all the time, Masami, but I didn’t. I saw you for yourself. Flaws and all. I need that same grace, ma. I’m far from perfect and I fucked up. I fucked up bad when I agreed to come here on that bullshit but I’m trying to right my wrongs. Swear on my fucking life I am, and I want you to know that all the shit I said to you was real. I gotta go.”

Ariz ended the call and tossed his blunt, grabbing his pistol and tucking it into his jeans before stepping out of his truck. He crossed the street, dapping up a few familiar faces on the block, before making his way over to Ossa and his crew.

“What’s good?” Nano greeted, giving Ariz a dap.

Ariz’s eyes scanned the block, catching sight of a few cars he knew for sure belonged to Rocco’s boys. His gut twisted. He shook his head, turning back to Nano.

“Ain’t shit. Aye, Ossa, let me holla at you real quick,” he said.

Ossa was leaned over, locked in, shooting dice against Kyron—a known Southside shooter who ran with the Marceline family.

“Man, I’m on fire right now. Y’all sign them papers yet?” Ossa asked, throwing the dice again without looking up.

Ariz felt his irritation creeping in as more cars started pulling up, parking at the end of the block. Dark colored with heavy tints. He didn’t need to guess who was inside—he already knew.

“Nah, man look. Shits getting hot, let’s go burn off and chop it up about some shit,” Ariz replied. “I know that’s Rocco's boys and gunplay bound to happen. We right in this nigga’s hood.”

Nano chuckled, as well as did Kyron. Kyron nodded his head to the wall behind him and Ariz saw he had an assault rifle leaning against it. Ariz sucked his teeth, feeling like he was getting too old for the bullshit.

“Don’t insult us like that. Trust we out number them and we wanted them to pull up. I been waiting on this man to pull up, took the scary ass nigga long enough. I was getting tired of chilling in his dirty ass neighborhood,” Ossa rebutted.

Ariz posted up against the wall, not wanting anything to get past him, and he scooped out the scene once more before looking at Ossa.

Ariz reflected on his younger years growing up with Ossa and shook his head. It wasn’t until that moment that he got it. The mob life and the streets didn’t love nobody. He wished that life would have taken them down the road that had been planned when they were kids. They could have been in the league, playing the sport that they loved while living a life of peace. Yeah, shit happened, but he would much rather chase a football and run from hoes and the IRS over dodging bullets. The money wasn’t worth the stress of dangers of it. Especially now that he had Masami, he understood why hustlers retired from the streets. They wanted a calm life. A life where they could sleep peacefully at night and honestly, he wanted that, too. He had it in Detroit, but being back in Marcy Falls showed him that the mob life hadn’t changed. It was still kill or be killed, and he was for once glad that Revvy shunned him for being a part of it. Because for Ossa, his life was set in stone. No matter how hard he tried to walk away, it seemed to pull him back in, and that was something Ariz didn’t envy.

“Fuck it. You sliding, I’m right here with you,” Ariz noted, knowing he couldn’t return to his place and tell Masami that her brother was no longer alive. Nah, he would never do something like that. So, if he had to pop off some rounds to ensure Ossa went home to his family that night, then he would, no questions asked. “Pass me the bottle,” Ariz told Nano, referring to the 1942.

“Here,” Nano said, passing it to him, and Ariz poured himself a cup.

He took a generous sip and made sure Rocco’s boys were still at bay before speaking.

“Man, y’all should have seen how nice me and Ossa was with our shit on the field. I was a defensive ass nigga, tackling everybody while Ossa was a runner. That nigga was like Barry Sanders Jr. and shit,” Ariz chuckled, making a couple of men laugh with him. “Once his ass got the ball, it was a wrap. He was dusting niggas, and we won the game every time. Damn them was the days. Then somehow niggas put down the footballs and picked up the guns. This shit is crazy, and I wouldn’t wish this on any of my damn kids. Don’t even want my future daughter to fall for a nigga in the streets. Ain’t that right Ossa?”

Ossa shot the dice several more times before lifting his head. His eyes narrowed as he stared at Ariz. Eventually, he nodded and stood. Ossa joined his side, and they dapped one another up as Ariz kept his eyes on Rocco’s men that were sitting at the end of the block.

“Don’t come over here trying to take a nigga back down memory lane and shit. That’s the past,” Ossa frowned, sparking up a blunt.

Ariz nodded.

“Yeah, and it would have been lit if we would have made it out. We used to watch all the old heads hit the block, even your people, and judge them. We never wanted that type of life,” Ariz remembered.

Ossa blew smoke from his mouth while nodding.

“Yeah, but life happens. What’s going on? I know your ass wanna talk about something,” Ossa smirked.

Ariz looked down the street at the cars lining the corner and Ossa blew weed smoke from his mouth.

“I was shot, and I can’t let that ride. I’ma make that nigga face me whether he wants to or not,” Ossa replied.

Ariz took another sip of his drink.

“And if you don’t walk away this time, what I’ma tell your family?”

Ossa looked over at him.

“I would expect for you to be there for them like I would do for you. This is not my pride talking, this is how life works. If I let a nigga slide that tried to kill me, he won’t stop coming and you know this shit. I know you close with them but I’m your fucking brother!” Ossa raised his voice and Ariz nodded, feeling his heart race.

He wasn’t scared of much. Losing his mom or his granny? That thought alone could stop his heart. But aside from that, nothing rattled him—until now. The weight of revealing his lies to the people he loved was creeping up on him, fast. He could feel the sweat running down his back like the walls were closing in. He didn’t wanna expose his secrets, but it was out of his hands. He wasn’t a coward, and no matter how much it stung, he had to face what he did head-on. Looking at Ossa, he gave a slow nod.

“And so is he,” Ariz finally said, his voice steady.

Ossa chuckled, thinking it was a joke, but when Ariz didn’t crack a smile, his face changed. He looked down the block, then back at Ariz.

“You serious?” Ossa asked, all humor gone.

Ariz tossed his cup into a trash bin nearby.

“Yeah. That’s why I could live in your neighborhood without being affiliated. Why my pops was always ghost. His wife hates me, still doesn’t even acknowledge me. He was there sometimes, but mostly? Nah. I never got a chance to meet my sisters because his wife refused for them to know me. Cage and Rocco? Same thing. They were around, but I never felt like they were really my blood,” Ariz paused, his emotions creeping up in a way he didn’t want. He stared at the ground for a second before looking back up at Ossa. “I guess I always felt like they weren’t ever gone’ fuck with me like that. I never belonged. But when I met you? It was real, right from the jump. You accepted me, no hesitation. That’s all I ever wanted from them. But even with all that, I still wanted Revvy’s approval. Like I needed it. When he told me to walk away from football and push for the family, I did. I made him a lot of money. When I wanted out, though? He was heated. So, I left Marcy Falls cause he promised to pull me into the mafia life and never did.”

Ariz shook his head, hating that time of his life. He regretted to that day walking away from football to sell drugs for his father. Sad fact was, he didn’t know any better and Revvy was so powerful that even his mom talking shit couldn’t stop it. Now, as Ariz spoke out loud about the things Revvy had done to him, he could see why his mom despised him so much. Like Carlos Toussaint, Revvy Chery was out for self.

“Damn, nigga I didn’t know that. But trust we not gone ever be like them niggas, you can believe that,” Ossa spoke.

He stepped up to dap up Ariz, and the screeching of the tires captured everyone’s attention. Ariz didn’t have to think as the bullets started flying and he tossed Ossa to the ground.

“How do you feel, son?”

Hearing his mom’s sweet voice was enough for Ariz to open his eyes. His blurry eyes adjusted to the lights in the room, and he saw it was decorated with flowers and cards. For two days, he had been in the hospital recovering from a gunshot wound to the chest. Thankfully, he was struck by a bullet that was easily taken out. No life-threatening damage was done and most of all, he was alive. Ariz had been in and out for the last twenty-four hours, but alert enough to know that Masami and her family had showered his room with their presence. Especially Ossa, who his mom had to force to leave so that he could get some rest.

“I’m good, ma. Don’t keep looking like that, young lady. You know I’ma bounce back,” Ariz spoke, slowly sitting up in the bed.

“Oh, I know, I just hate this happened. I don’t ever in my life wanna get a call like that again. You hear me, Ariz?” his mother’s voice was shaky as her slanted eyes watered over.

Ariz nodded as he exhaled. The last thing he ever wanted was to have his mom in tears behind him.

“I hear you and I’m sorry you got that call. I’ll do all I can to make sure that never happens again.”

When the door to his room opened and Revvy strolled in with his wife, Ariz felt his stomach knot up. Revvy’s wife stood near the door looking like she’d swallowed a sour grape. Revvy came over to the bed and Ariz saw his mom’s mood shift as she rolled her eyes.

“This is my time with my son. Take your ugly ass wife and leave,” his mom added furiously.

Revvy smirked.

“Good to see you, too. Did you forget this is my son as well? I mean, I did participate in making him.”

“Revvy, hurry up,” Revvy’s wife spoke in an uneasy tone.

Revvy looked at his wife.

“Go wait outside, baby. I won’t be long,” Revvy told her, and she promptly did as he asked. Revvy rested in the seat on the other side of the bed and looked from Ariz to his mom. “Feels like old times, doesn’t it? I really miss our family time.”

Ariz frowned, not looking to play games, especially when his mom was involved.

“Chill with all that,” Ariz frowned.

Revvy continued smirking as Daniella cut her eyes at him.

“You have neve r been a part of our family. Fuck you, Revvy. My son, the heir to that shitty ass fortune you have, was shot in Black Bottoms. This is nothing to laugh about. If I have to call my Familia up here, they aren’t gonna do any talking. Where the hell is Rocco? Does he know what happened to Ariz?”

Revvy sat back and stared at Ariz’s mom like she was speaking another language before smiling.

“I always admired that feisty side of you, but no, Rocco is clueless as to how this happened. He’s actually on a run to Miami for me. Clearly, if our son wasn’t standing with the Opps, this wouldn’t have happened. They didn’t see him, so calm the hell down with the threats. No need for you to run to your daddy.”

Ariz shook his head, not believing that shit. Where he was standing on the block was under the streetlights. The men were close enough to know who was on the block and he was positive they seen him. So, If Revvy or Rocco gave the okay to do the shooting anyway, it told him all he needed to know. They didn’t give a fuck about him, and now the feeling was mutual.

“That’s bullshit! Malditos mentirosos!” Daniella cursed, becoming angrier.

“It’s cool. Mistaken identity can be used on both ends,” Ariz replied, getting comfortable in the bed.

“You’re damn right it can be,” Daniella agreed. “And my father shooters don’t miss.”

Revvy stopped smirking as he looked at Ariz.

“Now Ariz, don’t forget whose blood is running through you. I said it was a mistake and the niggas that did it is pushing dirt. Now, back to the matter at hand. I need for you to get back on board with our plans. If you could get Masami on tape admitting to what happened to your brother, we could take it to the Founding Members.”

“I’m not doing that shit and I’m done talking about it,” Ariz snapped, so angry the veins in his forehead were showing.

Revvy’s eyes widened in shock before he glared at Ariz.

“Who the fuck you think you talking to?”

“Oh, my goodness! They found Carlos’ body. It washed up on the shore in Corktown. It’s online, even pictures of him and he has a Colombian necktie my goodness,” Ariz's mom said, gawking down at the screen on her phone.

Revvy hopped up and yanked the phone out of her hand. After reading over whatever she was looking at, he did a fist pump before dropping her phone into her lap and leaving out of the hospital room. Ariz looked at his mom as she put her phone away, and he shook his head.

“I’m done with that nigga,” he announced.

His mother sighed with relief.

“If you even think of going back around them, I’m calling your grandfather and having him put an end to all of this shit,” his mother threatened him, speaking of her father, who was a retired Sicario.

“On everything I love, I’m done with them. Now I need to be there for Masami. I can’t believe somebody finally caught Mr. Toussaint slipping,” Ariz shook his head, stunned to see that the infamous Carlos Toussaint was dead.

His mom peered at him with narrowed eyes.

“Revvy won’t be far from him. Listen to me clearly son, stay away from the Chery family. Revvy is as grimy as Carlos is. They are cut from the same shitty piece of cloth and Revvy’s time is almost up as well,” she grumbled, and Ariz nodded, feeling the same way.