Prince of the City Read Free Page B

his visit with Connie and returned to his dorm to find all of his things had been stolen. He never expressed any anger, but just walked away calmly to another dorm. There, Michael called out for Jason, Connie’s older brother, who was also serving a lengthy sentence for murder.
    â€œHey Jason! I need to holla at you for a sec.”
    â€œYeah. What’s up, Mike? You a’ight?” he asked, sensing something was wrong.
    â€œNah, slim. I need a knife,” Michael replied, looking around to make sure no one peeped his move.
    â€œWhazzup? You got some beef with them suckers in your dorm?”
    â€œAin’t nuttin’ I can’t handle myself.”
    â€œOkay. Give me a minute.”
    Within seconds, Jason returned with the biggest knife Michael had ever seen. “Here you go,” he said, passing him the blade.
    â€œDamn, Jay. What the fuck is this? A sword?”
    â€œNah, young nigga, that’s a lawnmower blade. I call her Betsy. Now look, whatever you do make sure you get away with it. ’Cause once you hit a nigga with that, ain’t no coming back. He’s through,” Jason instructed.
    â€œA’ight. Thanks,” Michael said, tucking the knife away.
    â€œAnytime. Now how’s my nephew?”
    â€œI just got back from a visit with them. He’s chillin’, looking good and healthy.”
    â€œAnd my sister?”
    â€œShe’s fine, as always.”
    â€œTake care of my lil sis, a’ight?”
    â€œMan, Jay, you ain’t never gotta worry ’bout that. I love my wife and son.”
    â€œThen think about what you’re getting ready to do,” Jason replied.
    â€œI already did. But you know how it is. You can’t violate a man, no matter what condition you in. For my respect, I’d go to hell and fight the devil himself.”
    Jason looked at the young but wise man. “I fully understand. Just be careful,” he advised.
    â€œA’ight” Michael said, and then walked over to the other dorm where an associate by the name of Donnie G stayed.
    â€œHey, Donnie G!” he called out at the front entrance.
    Donnie came to the door with two other convicts. He held something that appeared to be a knife covered up with a towel.
    Michael and Donnie G had known each other from the streets. They once robbed a bank together somewhere in a suburb of Virginia and had what one would call a “men of understanding” relationship. Donnie G was known as the kingpin of Lorton. He was responsible for majority of the heroin being smuggled inside the prison. Whatever a prisoner wanted, Donnie G had it. Fiends would come to him with everything just to get high—shoes, sweat suits, snacks, cigarettes, money, etc. Anything dope fiends could get their hands on, they brought to Donnie G.
    â€œWhat’s up? How can I help you?” Donnie G asked Michael.
    â€œAy look, Donnie. I’m coming to you as a man and I respect you as a man.”
    â€œThat’s vice versa. So what’s up?”
    â€œI need to ask you a serious question, and I ask that it be kept between us.”
    â€œOkay. What’s your question?”
    â€œDid the nigga Brutus come and get some blow from you today?”
    â€œYeah, he came ’bout a half hour ago. Had some cigarettes and some brand-new Nikes. Don’t tell me that was your shit, Mike. If it was, I can get it back for you. That nigga Brutus must don’t know who he’s dealing wit’.”
    â€œYeah, I know. Look, I’ll be back to get my shit later, but like I said, keep this between us. A’ight?”
    â€œUnderstood. Go ’head and handle your business,” Donnie G said.
    Â 
    * * * * * * *
    Brutus was Lorton’s worst nightmare and the king of advantage-takers. If another inmate had something he wanted, he was going to take it. No matter the consequences, it was going to be his. Everyone in the prison was petrified of Brutus’s