One Eighty

by Charity Shane

Luxury is Powers is how we stay legit but it’s not how we eat. Pills and counterfeit bills keep our pockets stacked and bellies full. My father, Senior, and my uncle Lucas entered the drug game in central Florida years ago and took it over.

As the oldest, my role has been dictated since birth. I’m the heir apparent to the Powers empire.

All of it will eventually belong to me. Right now, I handle the sale and mass distribution of our pills—Molly, Percs, Ketamine, Oxys—and our operation is smooth.

Each rig can carry up to ten vehicles, depending on the make and models and each vehicle can be discreetly packed with kilos of pills.

Next to him is a small table with my girl Tangie laying on it. My eleven-inch bowie knife is my weapon of choice when I need to make a statement. She can cut through anything. Because her sheath and handle are orange, Amon nicknamed her Tangerine and I shortened it.

“Damn!” I exclaim. “I want to play.” After focusing on my machine, I see the maximum bet is fifty cents so I reach into my pocket and pull out my mini card wallet.

He raises his hand. “Don’t disrespect me. This trip is all on me.” “Thank you but that’s not necessary.” “I wasn’t giving you a choice, gorgeous.”

“Some are harder than others for sure. However, the original list was much bigger and I’ve done things that some might think are impossible. I still have hope. Sometimes, that’s all a person has.”

She is no longer the woman she used to be. She is now Rhian Powers and she belongs with me. Her safety, wellbeing, and happiness are my obligations and I don’t take any responsibility lightly.

“I’m adding supercilious to your list.” “As long as you added husband, I’m straight.”

I can have movers here in a few hours to pack you all up.”

“This is so solicitous. You put a lot of thought into this for me. I’m adding solicitous to your list. Thank you.”

This world is full of so much beauty. It’s a blessing just to take it all in.” “And that’s one hundred. I have proof of that beauty in my arms right now.”

“If my wife likes lists, I’ll make one forever.” Her lids cover her eyes then she exhales deeply.

“I wasn’t married then. I am now and I want my wife, her soft body, sweet smell, and addictive pussy in bed with me when I open my eyes.” Well damn.

“Rhian Powers.

Make sure that you answer the phone correctly next time, gorgeous.”

For a moment, our eyes lock. There’s so much desire between us. It overpowers any doubt or apprehension I may have about our drunken decision to marry. He is my husband and I’m his wife. As unorthodox as this may be, I want it. I want him.

Senior never shies away from affection with us. According to him, family love is our greatest bond and our greatest strength. A man’s power isn’t weakened by expressing emotions and affection with the ones we love, it only increases.

“You can’t tell me that.” “I can tell you whatever the fuck I want to tell you, but I can show you even better. Please leave before I drag you out of here.”

“The first time? I was bent over picking up my purse. All you saw was my ass.” “And I liked it. It’s part of you, ain’t it?” He chuckles then kisses my neck this time.

Between this and the fentanyl, he’s moving recklessly and signing a death warrant he doesn’t want me to execute. Brother or not, when it comes to my wife and the family business, there’s no compromise.

“I never thought I’d see the day that the two hardest niggas I know would turn soft as damn cotton.”

“That’s cute. I like that.” “This some bullshit,” Amon utters and I chuckle. He doesn’t like anything about this. He’s so serious about guns. They have one purpose and one purpose only, to stop the opp. “They are guns not fuckin people,” he scoffs. “Our guns,” Rhian says. “Right! Our guns not yours, negro!” Brie adds.

“Loving you and taking care of you is natural, like breathing. Don’t thank me for breathing.” “Well, I am. For the rest of my life, I am.” “We got forever, gorgeous.”

Prior to coming, I went to She’s Elite Cutz and the owner, Nyla, shaved my hair all off. Then in a total surprise moment, Gideon sat in the chair next to me and another barber shaved his head too. I cried my eyes out in Nyla’s chair. I’m truly blessed to have the best husband.

It’s too many men up here naked. I’m not trying to see that shit,”