Array Ashley - Murderville

The first book in the Murderville series, 2011

The First of a Trilogy

First, I would like to thank the most high for blessing me with the gift to paint pictures with words. It’s something I don’t take for granted and realize the opportunity that you placed in front of me. To do what I love every day and earn an honest living from it is a blessing.

Second, I want to thank my beautiful wife and best friend for holding me down and being my foundation. Thank you for giving me unconditional love, which is only found rarely. You also gave me the best gift a woman could ever give and that was my child. I love you, Ashley.

To my boy: I love you with all of my heart, son. I will always be there for you, and you make me go hard every day. I see myself in you, and you make me a better man.

To Baby and Slim of Cash Money: Thanks for standing behind our product and giving us a platform to display our passion to the world. Great minds think alike, and I’m glad to be part of the Cash Money family. From the first conversation, we knew that we were a part of something major. Thanks to all of the Cash Money Content staff for making this machine run. To many more years!

Carl Weber: for giving much more than my first publishing deal. You showed me how to become a better businessman one conversation at a time. You broke down business dealings in such a way a kid from the streets could understand, and now I have a burning desire to expand my horizons. Natalie Weber and Denard “G”: love you guys like family. It’s an honor to know and be affiliated with you. Shout out to my girl Davida Baldwin: you are amazing.

Marc Gerald: What can I say? Within the first sixty days of meeting, you made things happen in a manner that I couldn’t forsee. You are truly amazing, and after the dust settles I know I can call you a friend much rather than an agent. You are the best in the business and that’s documented. Let’s triple up this year. A special thanks to Molly Derse and Sasha Raskin. You two ladies are amazing and I wouldn’t rather work with any other agency.

To Silk White: We connect on many levels and you my man outside of this book shit. Keep doing what you are doing and the sky is the limit.

Love you, Aunt Kamela and Shay.

Thank you to my best friends and brothers Jon Love, Pooh Bear, Shelton, and Lil Recco for keeping me grounded. To my cousins Shawna, Loretta, Ebonie (love all of you). Naldo Bonner and Julius Rutherford… Y’all my brothers until they put dirt on me. Special thanks to Black and Nobel for being real and authentic. I consider you guys family. What up Hakim! I appreciate the love. Shout out to Johnnie Coleman Jr (Pop). R.I.P M.T and Lovie Price (Mama).

And to my Jersey Plug… I would never mention ya’ name.

JaQuavis Coleman

Of course I want to thank GOD for my many blessings. HE has showered me with so much happiness in my life and has allotted me with HIS favor. I am always appreciative and acknowledging of HIM because without his love I would not be the woman that I am today. I have shouldered many burdens and encountered many roadblocks in my life, but I know that HE walks beside me and helps me to remain strong and focused. For that I am eternally grateful. I will continue to use this gift of writing to share with the world.

To my husband: I love you. Since meeting you I have been on a natural high and nine years later we are still going strong. My heart belongs to you, and I am so honored to be able to spend forever with you. I appreciate you for loving me and for taking care of me. You are the pillar of strength when I am weak and my inspiration when I lose sight of our destiny. Our fate is intertwined and our bond is unbreakable. Our connection is so strong and pure that I am sure our love was written in GOD’s original plan. HE made me to fit you. You are my best friend. I believe that you will take over the world one day, and when you do, I will be right there as your number one supporter, holding you down, standing beside you like I always have. We have a love made for the history books.

To my heart, my joy, my reason for everything that I do… my son, Quaye Jovan Coleman: I love you. I love you. I love you. I don’t know any other way to say it. You are the seed of true lovers and the most perfect baby for whom anyone could ask. I am looking forward to seeing you grow and learn. Your mommy would do anything for you and I cherish you. Since the day I found out I was pregnant, you have brought me so much joy. Your love is untainted…the purest thing I have ever felt. You teach me to be better every single moment of your life. You inspire me, and you are the fuel that sparks my ambition. On the worst of days you brighten my world. I will forever be indebted to you for the serenity you give me. You are the legacy of two great people and you were made from true love. I know that the mark you leave on this world will be remarkable. Greatness is in your bloodline so always live up to your potential. If you never believe anything else in your life, believe this. I love you from the depths of my heart.

To Carl Weber: there are not enough words to express the amount of respect and gratitude that I have for you. We are family and you have truly helped me build a reputable brand in this business. After so many acknowledgements, I’m running out of things to tell you, lol. Thanks for all of your wisdom and for believing in my talent. You are a great mentor, dear friend, and GODfather to my son. We have so many feats to conquer ahead of us in this business.

To Baby, Slim, and Vernon of Cash Money Content: Thank you for the wonderful opportunity. I appreciate you for recognizing my talent and for elevating A &J to the next level of street fiction.

To our super agent, Mr. Marc Gerald: You are the best at what you do, and I think this new relationship is a perfect fit. Can’t wait to see what the future has in store. Thanks for everything that you do and for having our best interests at heart.

To Molly, Sasha, Natalie, Brenda, and Denard: Thanks for all of your hard work. I appreciate each of you.

To Davida Baldwin: your creations are unmatchable and so remarkable. You are so talented and I thank you for the wonderful cover designs. You’re the best at what you do.

To all of the readers: I value you more than you will ever know. Thank you for riding with A &J. I hope to never disappoint you. I love what I do, and I put every piece of me into these stories. I appreciate your loyalty and support. Without the fans, we would be irrelevant. I hope you enjoy our new classic.

Ashley Antoinette Coleman

“BLOW HIS MUTHA’FUCKIN BRAINS OUT, A’SHAI!” the man ordered. His heavy accent laced every word as he stared at the young rebel that stood before him. The boy was inexperienced when it came to murder and was intimidated by the chaotic madness that he was amidst. The older rebel looked at his protégé while slyly grinning in sick satisfaction, as he anticipated the fatal gunshot. A’shai’s hands shook as he held the rifle firmly and looked into the terrified eyes of the man who lay on the ground. A’shai was only twelve years old and was about to kill for the first time. The man who was about to become a victim was three times A’shai’s age; tears filled his eyes as he begged A’shai for mercy.

“Do it!” the older rebel instructed A’shai as he smiled in amusement. A’shai’s mind urged him to pull the trigger, but his index finger wouldn’t budge. The look in the man’s eyes was a reflection of his own emotions: in them A’shai saw fear. The sight of the grown man’s submission did not make A’shai feel powerful… instead he felt powerless because there was nothing he could do to save him. A’shai gripped the rifle even tighter and grit his teeth, trying to muster up enough courage to do it. His adrenaline pumped furiously and despite the guilt growing on his conscience he knew that he had to pull the trigger. His manhood depended on it. Once he made his first kill, he would be respected as a man and his childhood would be over. Just as A’shai found his nerve, his heart dropped in sympathy as he saw the dark stain spread through the fabric of the man’s pants. He had shamefully pissed on himself. A’shai was just as afraid as the man he was ordered to kill and his shaky aim gave him away. A’shai urinated too as his eyes grew big as golf balls and his breathing became heavier.