The Finale by Treasure Hernandez Page B

introduced him to the “birdman” and put him in a position of power, just as his deceased mentor, Jamaica Joe, had done for Malek when he was younger.
    He kept visualizing Halleigh’s face when she told him Rodriguez was blackmailing her. The hurt in her eyes was like daggers to his heart. He never second-guessed his decision to give himself up for his girl’s freedom. He knew that when he walked in his own house it could be wired, starting off a domino effect that would land him in jail for a very long time.
    Malek’s heart began to ache as he thought about his son growing up without him. Nevertheless, it was better than his son growing up without both mother and father. He’d always told Halleigh that he would keep her out of harm’s way when they relocated to Baltimore, but he’d failed to do that, and the guilt was weighing heavy on his soul.
    â€œRemember everything I have taught you,” Malek preached to his protégé. “You are too smart to stay in this game long enough for it to consume you. Don’t be like me and let the allure of the money keep you in. Make money and exit. That’s the key. Timing is everything.”
    Dayvid just sat back and listened closely as Malek hit him with a few last words of encouragement and instructions.
    Malek dropped Dayvid off to his block and watched as he exited the car. He grabbed him just before he got completely out and hugged him tight.
    Dayvid was confused and didn’t know why Malek was acting so funny.
    â€œI love you, my nigga,” Malek said as he held on to Dayvid for a couple of extra seconds.
    â€œLove you too. What’s up, nigga? Why you acting all different?”
    Malek released him. “Don’t worry about it. Just be safe out here, all right? And one more thing.”
    â€œWhat’s up?” Dayvid looked at Malek dead in the eyes.
    â€œIf I’m not around, I want you to look after my son and Halleigh just as I did for you.” Malek looked forward, avoiding eye contact with Dayvid.
    â€œI got you,” Dayvid said as he exited the car.
    Dayvid was taken off guard by Malek’s comments, but he decided not to say anything about it. He noticed that Malek seemed to be stressing lately, and decided to address it at a later time.
    Just before Malek pulled off, he caught a glimpse of the pinky ring he had given Dayvid and smirked. He knew Dayvid would hold it down in the streets and carry on his legacy properly. With that thought, Malek smiled and pulled off, headed home.
    Malek knew that the next time he talked to Halleigh, she would be wearing a wire, and he would have to incriminate himself to get her off the hook for murder. He prepared himself mentally as he was about to voluntarily walk the path of self-destruction.
    Halleigh sat in the unmarked van on her block, three houses down from her and Malek’s home. She clenched her jaws tight, and water filled her eyes as Rodriguez put the wire on her. She was shirtless, with nothing on but a bra, as Rodriguez applied tape on her chest to position the microphone right.
    â€œNice rack,” Fuller said as he stared at Halleigh’s plump breasts.
    â€œFuck you!” Halleigh said as she gave him a cold stare. If looks could kill, Fuller would have been circled in chalk.
    â€œYou wish,” Fuller said with a sinister grin. “Look, you have to get him to say something about him supplying kilos of dope to his runners. If he doesn’t say that, the deal is off.”
    â€œI know what the fuck I have to do! I hate you!” Halleigh said as she continued to give Fuller a deadly stare.
    â€œYeah, yeah. Just remember what I said. If you don’t follow through with this, you will never see your son, except through steel bars. It’s your choice.”
    Halleigh knew Malek was sacrificing himself for his family, and the fact that she was about to help Fuller put him behind bars made her sick to her stomach. She had