Book excerpt: Tierra Thompson has a chip on her shoulder and an ax to grind. She was born in the hood, and at twenty-one she's grown tired of calling it home. After hustling and being hustled by the dealers around the way, the hard truth is setting in and Tierra has to decide if she's willing to sell her soul to escape the grittiness of the streets. Nichelle Martin has been Tierra's best friend since childhood and used to be her partner in crime until she lucked up and became wifey to Renaldo "Renny" O'Neal. Renny is known in the borough of Queens, as being the man who's making all the paper. With Nichelle's new upgraded status, her lifestyle is in stark contrast to the one formerly shared with her best friend Tierra. Escaping the grimy projects that her man now reigns over is proving to be bittersweet for Nichelle.