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Kiki didn’t sleep that night. She lay in her bed staring at the ceiling, turning Rico’s words over in her mind. “Feed them lies.” He wanted her to become a player in a game where pieces disappeared for less. One wrong move, and she could take herself—and her family—down for good. Morning hit like a slap. At school, Nasir sat beside her during homeroom. His sketchpad was open, half a drawing of a girl with lightning in her eyes staring back at her. “That me?” she asked quietly. He nodded. “You looked like this yesterday. Stormy.” Kiki wanted to tell him everything. That her brother was in over his head. That she might have to lie to the feds. That life didn’t feel like hers anymore. But she didn’t. Instead, she leaned closer and whispered: “You ever feel like you’re in too deep?” Nasir looked at her like he already knew. “All the time. But drowning and swimming look the same from the outside.” Before she could respond, her phone buzzed. Unknown Number: Meet. 7 p.m. Grant Park. Come alone. Kiki tucked the phone away. She had a plan now. Or at least, half of one. At exactly 6:58, she stepped into Grant Park, hoodie up, nerves buzzing. The sun was low, and the trees cast long shadows over the cracked sidewalks. A black SUV sat parked near the basketball courts. She walked up slowly. The window rolled down, revealing a clean-cut man in a navy windbreaker, a gold badge clipped to his belt. “Ms. James,” he said. “I’m Agent Rylan. Your brother spoke highly of you.” “Doubt it,” Kiki muttered. Rylan chuckled. “He said you were smart. Loyal. That you could finish what he started.” “What did he start, exactly?” Rylan’s smile faded. “He gave us pieces. Names. Places. But we need the full map. You’re still moving through the network. You’ve got Rico’s ear. That’s valuable.” “So you want me to spy for you?” “I want you to do the right thing.” Kiki stared at him. “And what do I get?” “Protection. Immunity. Your record stays clean. You want out? This is your ticket.” Kiki nodded slowly. “Fine. I’ll get you what you need.” But in her mind, she was already plotting. That night, back on the fire escape, Kiki met with Dre. “You told them I’d help?” “I had to,” Dre said. “They were gonna bury me if I didn’t.” Kiki took a deep breath. “Fine. Then we play it. But not their way. Ours.” “What’s that mean?” “It means I give them fake drops. False names. While you and I figure out how to wipe this mess clean. Rico’s ready to move too. But we gotta be ten steps ahead of everybody.” Dre looked at her, a mix of guilt and awe. “You sure about this?” She didn’t blink. “I was raised by the streets. But I was made for more.” Kiki had just turned seventeen. And she was already pulling strings from both sides of the city. Not for power. For freedom. And she was just getting started.

Hustle & Heart

ProudMommy0321

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Ceria Mcgrone

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