“… I don’t know why you even lyin’ like dat. You know I always win. I can’t even remember the last time you beat me,” Tender stated. They were having a friendly argument about who beat who last time in a game on PlayStation 2. “Oh, yeah!” Goldie said. “Then bet somethin’. I get serious when money’s involved.”

“We can bet whatever,” Tender agreed. “You ain’t said nuttin’ …”

Kat pushed the automatic starter and her truck’s engine purred to life. Her truck was boxed in by two other vehicles. She didn’t like other cars being so close to hers—because that’s how dents and scratches happen. Opening the doors, she hopped in the driver’s seat while Goldie and Tender climbed in the backseat to do battle. She let her truck warm up, gently easing her foot down on the gas … While she revved the engine, she blasted a classic tune by rapper Jay-Z and Foxy Brown, “Ain’t no nigga like da one I got. No one can fuck you better …”

Meanwhile, behind them, Jules had quietly slipped out of his car. Crouched low, he crept up on the truck, gun in hand. He bypassed the passengers and went straight to the driver’s window. He raised up, pointing a nine-millimeter Taurus at Kat’s head.

“Open dis muthafuckin’ door, bitch, befo’ I blow ya fuckin’ head off!” he commanded. She froze. Then her bladder gave way. She peed on herself.

“Bitch, you got two seconds to open dis before I start bangin’!” he barked again.

Fear spread through the truck like chicken pox in grammar school. Kat didn’t know whether to do what he said or take her chances and try to pull off. Either way, this was a bad situation. Only God knew what he was going to do to them. Where were the cops when you really needed them?

“One … Two …” he counted as he clutched his gun. He didn’t want to murder them right here without getting any money. And he didn’t want to run the risk of getting caught. He hesitated.

“BBBOOOMMM!!!” The bullet ripped through the back window, shattering the glass. It came from inside the truck and lodged in the side of Jules’s head. He crumpled to the ground instantly, never knowing who or what hit him.

Kat snapped out of her daze and threw the truck in gear. She peeled off into the night.

BACK AT THE HOUSE, Goldie sat and shook while Kat paced the living room rug. She had to figure a way out of this mess. Tender was feeling the strain too but tried not to show it the way Goldie was. She didn’t want to be considered the weak link.

“Yo, listen up!” Kat suddenly spoke. “We gotta get da fuck outta here. We gotta leave Philly … At least till shit cools down …”

“Where to?” Tender asked. “Where do you have in mind?”