A Gangster's Girl by Chunichi Page A

as all the commotion went on outside my bedroom doors.
    â€œI love you,” Vegas whispered and kissed me. Then, he walked out of the room, closing the door behind him.
    I could hear people coming from every direction, stomping up the stairs, slamming doors, and tossing things everywhere. After a few minutes, the house was silent. I walked in the hall and watched as Vegas walked to the foyer with his hands up. He stood still and spread his legs. The men ran toward him and Vegas laid on the ground slowly. This was it . . . the moment I had been dreading our entire relationship. They were there and taking my husband-to-be away from me. I cried silently as I helplessly watched.
    â€œKeep your hands up! Don’t move!” A dark, heavy man walked up and cuffed Vegas.
    â€œLaymont Jackson, you have the right to remain silent . . .”
    The rest of the words were a blur. I felt faint as I watched the men escort Vegas away. Vegas looked back at me.
    â€œCatch my heart, baby. Catch my heart.” His lips motioned as a single tear rolled down his face. The men pulled him and eventually all I could see was the reflection of the letters FBI on the back of the men’s jackets.
    The next day, I sat by the phone and waited to hear Vegas’ voice, but he never called. A day later, he called right after breakfast. He sounded worse than I had ever heard.
    â€œWhat’s up, baby girl?” he said in a low, dismal voice.
    I couldn’t respond. I just burst into tears. Vegas felt terrible.
    â€œI’m sorry, C. I know I let you down.”
    â€œYou said you would always take care of me, Vegas,” I said forcefully. “You knew this was my worst nightmare and you didn’t prevent it from happening.” His goal in life was to keep me happy and secure, and he failed.
    â€œI never meant to let you down, Ceazia.” I could feel the hurt in Vegas’ voice. “I turned my life around. I did everything you asked of me. This was out of my control, baby. I would never do anything to hurt you.”
    I tried to be strong for him, but I just couldn’t.
    â€œWhat about our twins being without their father and me without a husband? There is no way we can do it on our own.”
    Like always, Vegas had a plan.
    â€œBaby, I need you to get it together. I need you to stand behind me. Everything will be okay. I need you to go downtown and speak with my lawyer. He’ll know exactly what to do.”
    Vegas was charged with conspiracy to traffic and distribute a controlled substance with Leonardo Figueroa. That was Red’s real name. I knew something was up with Red from the day I met him, but I couldn’t understand what the authorities had against Vegas. He had been out of the game for months, and he hadn’t spoken to Red in even longer.
    The next day, I headed for the attorney’s office. Once again, I was in the same elevator, pressing the button for the eighth floor. I never would have imagined I would be taking that trip again. As I walked in, I gave the receptionist my name. It was like deja vu.
    â€œMy name is Ceazia Devereaux. I have a two o’clock appointment.” Right away, I was called to the back. Again, I stood at the door nervously as I avoided eye contact with the handsome, pale man before me.
    â€œHave a seat, Ms. Devereaux,” he said invitingly. It seemed like he didn’t even recognize me, or at least he acted as if he didn’t. He already knew why I was there, so he basically told me the game plan and the price.
    â€œIt seems like Mr. Jackson has gotten himself in a little bind. I’m sure it won’t be a problem to get a deal for two years in a program. The Feds only have a few photographs of him with another dealer in Mexico and some other places, but no real hard evidence. They didn’t recover any drugs or money from the home, and all the money in his accounts traces back to a legitimate source,” the attorney