That drew a few snickers from the onlookers, but Paul didn’t feed into it. “Rhonda, why don’t you go play in traffic?” Paul turned to walk away, but she wouldn’t have it.

Rhonda grabbed him by the neckline of his shirt. “I said, don’t walk away from me!” Using both hands, she tore Paul’s shirt clean off his back.

The whole corner roared with laughter. Paul looked like a complete ass, standing there in his tank top, with strips of his shirt hanging off him. Rhonda stood there smiling, but her face went slack when she saw the fire raging in his eyes. As quick as lightning, Paul slapped the shit out of Rhonda. She spun around twice and collapsed, holding her cheek.

“Bitch, what the fuck is wrong with you? I’ll murder your chickenhead ass out here!” he bellowed. He tried to move in for the kill, but Larry grabbed him about the waist.

“Be easy, my nigga,” Larry whispered in his ear.

“Fuck that, Larry. I’m tired of this bitch!”

“That’s my cue to leave,” Ice said, shooing his women back into the car. “I’ll get wit’ you, cat daddy. I don’t need this kind of heat.” Ice hopped into his Caddy and spun off.

“Nigga, why you hit her like that?” Reese jumped in Paul’s face. When she saw the madness in his eyes, she backed up.

“Fuck you, Paul!” Rhonda screamed, while Reese tried to help her up. “That’s the last time you’re gonna put your fucking hands on me. I’m taking P.J. and leaving. You ain’t never gonna see your seed, muthafucka!”

“You threatening me, bitch!” Paul struggled against Larry’s grip, but he held fast.

“Reese, why don’t you take your friend and get up out of here?” Larry pleaded.

“Fuck that, he shouldn’t have hit her!”

“That’s a’ight, nigga. You gonna get yours,” Rhonda threatened, wiping her clothes off.

“Get whoever you want, bitch. When I’m done with him, I’m gonna put something hot in your ass!” Paul snarled.

“Watch your mouth, kid, there’re people out here,” Larry warned. He looked up the block and saw two uniformed cops making their way through the crowd. “Time to go.” He tapped Paul and nodded up the block. Paul was angry, but he wasn’t stupid. The two of them made hurried steps across the street and disappeared into the projects.

“What the fuck was that all about?” Billy asked.

“Paul clocked her again,” Yoshi volunteered.

“What the fuck set him off?” Billy handed Rhonda a paper towel.

“Yo, I was just going to the liquor store and this nigga started spazzing,” Rhonda lied. “He was out there trying to stunt for Larry and that pimp-ass nigga Ice.”