Prince of the City Read Online Free Page B

Michael got his crew together and his connections with Slim James’s older brother on the outside, he put hismove down on Donnie G. Donnie had raw dope coming in by the ounces. In Lorton, you could make some real money, but you had to have your operation tight. And Donnie G’s operation was skintight. He had a lil crew from Northeast that held him down, but there was no other team as vicious as Michael’s. Michael realized he needed to have some start-up money when he got out, and the only way to get it was hustling while he was still locked up. After all, his best friend Black Sam wasn’t doing too well on the outside, and surely, he didn’t want to come home and have to rob a bank after doing seven years.
    One morning, Michael and his crew got up and strapped themselves with knives at breakfast time. They went into Donnie G’s dorm while he was still at breakfast. The two youngins from Simple City, Gerald and Carlos, stood outside the dormitory as lookouts while Slim James and Jason waited in the back for the signal. Michael broke into Donnie’s cell and hid under the bed. When Donnie came back, the youngins gave the signal. Slim James and Jason let him through, but cut off any familiar faces in Donnie’s crew. Donnie didn’t even realize what was going on. He thought they were there to bring someone else a move, not knowing he was the victim all along.
    As Donnie walked into his room, Jason and Slim James stood in front of the cell blocking the door.
    â€œHey!” Donnie said after looking back. “What the fuck y’all doing?”
    At that moment, Michael rolled out from under the bed with two knives taped to his hands. “Surprise, Donnie! I came for what’s rightfully mine.”
    â€œHeeeeeeeey, Mike . . . if you’re talkin’ ’bout that thing with Brutus, you ain’t gotta go like this.”
    â€œDon’t tell me what I don’t gotta do. I’m the one in charge. I’m the aggressor in this situation, and I make the calls. Now sit your ass on that toilet and listen carefully,” Michael said. Donnie did as he was told. “Now look, Donnie. I want everything.”
    â€œEverything? What you mean you want everything?”
    â€œIf I have to repeat myself, you’ll be the next nigga they’ll be sending home in a box. Now, like I said—everything. Put it in the pillowcase.” When Donnie went to reach behind the toilet, Michael said, “Don’t even think about making a move. You’re outnumbered. I got two niggas out front holding off your crew and two niggas holding this cell, and I alone have two knives on you. That’s five against one. Either way, you come out dead.”
    â€œI ain’t that stupid, Mike. I’m just getting out the dope. Here, that’s one ounce of raw dope.” Donnie reached into a hollow brick in the wall. “And that’s one ounce of weed and a half ounce of coke.”
    â€œOkay, now where’s the money?” Michael asked.
    Donnie went into his locker and pulled out about fifteen cartons of cigarettes. “There’s fifty dollars in each pack. That’s all I got, slim. I swear. You can turn this muthafuckin’ cell upside down.”
    â€œOkay, but before I leave, I’m gonna let you know something. I always knew you were a cruddy nigga. I knew you set up the move for Brutus, but I also knew when we robbed that bank with them uptown niggas, you stashed some money in your nuts.”
    â€œMike, man, that was years ago.”
    â€œYeah, but I’m letting you know that you ain’t get nothing past me, nigga. I’m like God. I see everything. Now move your bitch ass the fuck outta my way.”
    Relieved that his life had been spared, Donnie quickly moved out of the way to let Michael pass.
    With his back facing Donnie, Michael said, “I want to thank you for something.”
    â€œWhat’s that, Mike?”
    When