Long Live the Queen, page 1
Also by Saundra
Her Sweetest Revenge
Her Sweetest Revenge 2
Her Sweetest Revenge 3
If It Ain’t About the Money
Hustle Hard
A Hustler’s Queen
A Hustler’s Queen: Reloaded
Anthologies
Schemes and Dirty Tricks (with Kiki Swinson)
Published by Kensington Publishing Corp.
Long Live the QUEEN
SAUNDRA
www.kensingtonbooks.com
All copyrighted material within is Attributor Protected.
Table of Contents
Also by
Title Page
Copyright Page
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
DAFINA BOOKS are published by
Kensington Publishing Corp.
119 West 40th Street
New York, NY 10018
Copyright © 2022 by Saundra
To the extent that the image or images on the cover of this book depict a person or persons, such person or persons are merely models, and are not intended to portray any character or characters featured in the book.
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, organizations, places, events, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any means without the prior written consent of the Publisher, excepting brief quotes used in reviews.
The Dafina logo is a trademark of Kensington Publishing Corp.
ISBN: 978-1-4967-3879-0
First Trade Paperback Printing: December 2022
ISBN: 978-1-4967-3880-6 (e-book)
First Electronic Edition: December 2022
I would like to dedicate this book to my loving mother, Inez Patricia Patterson Diggs. No words can express how much I miss my mother. One of the most caring, giving persons God ever created. Mom, I dedicate this book to you. You are loved and missed, but you will always be in our hearts. Gone but never forgotten.
Acknowledgments
First, I would like to give honor to God and thank Him for His Grace and Mercy, He gets all the glory because without Him nothing would be possible. And I truly believe that. To my daughters DJ and CJ and my husband, Onester, I love you three to the moon and back. DJ, stay in them books that degree coming soon. To my dad and stepmother, I love you both, and I really enjoyed your first visit to Indiana. Little sis did that long drive and did not blink. LOL! To all my brothers and sisters: Roy, Cardell, Angela, Saidah, and O’Raefo, I love you guys and keep supporting me. To my stepdaughter, Oneisha, you already know I love you, girly.
Shout out to all my family and friends. I also want to shout out my nieces, Zaleika, Corlunda, and Corlexus, I am so proud of you three ladies. I watch you now with your own kids and see how hard you work for a better future, and I smile, I love y’all. To my niece Mya, you graduated this year Class of 2021; proud of you, niece, and I love you. To my nephew Travis first let me say how proud I am of you graduating Class of 2021. And now I’m even prouder to say you serve our country, I love you and wish you nothing but success. To my nephew Cardell, AKA Lil Carl, just know we love you and support you no matter what.
I would like to thank my editor Norma Hernandez thanks for being there when I have questions and easing my mind while I complete my projects. And thanks to my Kensington/Dafina family for your continued promotion and support of my work. Shout out to my readers who continue to support me book after book. Thank you for the love you show. Without you all this could not be possible, and I thank you so much. Latunya Jones, here you go. I know you on the edge of your seat and I know Kim Harper is right behind you. LOL Enjoy
What can I say—this writing journey is one filled with ideas and more passion than I can describe. It brings me absolute joy. Being able to share it with others is the icing on my cake. Long Live the Queen is here to take over. A page-turner to the end and even then, you will beg for more. So sit back, relax, and get ready to turn the pages, from your favorite author.
Saundra
One Key Stroke at a Tyme!
Chapter 1
POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP, POP
So many bullets rang out I lost count. But I suddenly felt arms I recognized as Marlo’s wrapped around my waist. My body folded into his as he pulled me backwards. The bullets stopped and all movement seem to instantly cease as the smell of gunfire filled my nostrils and clouded the air.
“Bab, you okay?” Marlo’s words blew down the crease of my neck and into my ear. Still feeling some type of way about him withholding that Pablo was his father, I took a swift step away from his embrace. My eyes landed on Salvador’s bloody, bullet hole-filled body, hunched over and lifeless, with all the color drained from his face. His henchmen lay in a pool of their own blood, dead. Other unknown men stood around glaring at the bodies with their guns still drawn as if they expected the bodies to move. I glanced over at Marlo, whose eyes were also now glued to the bloody scene at hand.
“Mane, what the actual FUCK!” he yelled, his eyes now on the tall Hispanic man, who looked to be about fifty, with curly hair and a small cherry like birth mark on his right cheek. And just as if he had just realized who he was Marlo mouthed, “El Guapo.” The name slid out of his mouth in a gruff but surprised tone.
Just as I had never met Salvador before until that day, I had never met El Guapo. I was aware of them both and their quest to be the one and only at the top. A position they both hungered, and I should say battled, for. And now it seemed settled in blood, and death. Just moments before Marlo and I were standing face to face with Salvador as he laid out his plans for us to rule as King and Queen of LA and Miami’s drug distribution. And here now, bold as shit, El Guapo stood before us voicing the same demand as we stood in a pit of blood, and uncertainty.
“Precious, I know you have seen me blowing up your phone.” The sound of Promise’s voice tossed me back into reality. But a hint of anger still tingled up my spine from those previous events. For a second, I had forgotten where I was. Staring out of my bedroom window for about the past hour I had been replaying those moments in Peru over and over in my head. I could only vaguely remember getting off the plane in LA and driving home from the airport.
The ride back from Peru was almost a blur as well. I had all but refused to discuss anything with Marlo besides the game plan for the new position that had been forced on us. To be honest there was nothing we could do. We had a duty that was bigger than us, we were employers, people’s livelihoods depended on us. We were how they ate. But our employers were no longer available to provide for us so that we could provide for our own. The life on which our bread and butter depended was now El Guapo. And he had christened us the new life that would oversee all supply and demand in our areas. It was simple, may our businesses rest in peace. And to be honest, possibly us. So here we were back in the states and our plane ride discussion revolved around that. Our approach had to be strategic. First things first, we had to meet with Crew leaders to let them know we were the new Pablo and Penelope, the new point of contact for collection and distribution. This would bring shock and jealousy, among other things. But one thing was for certain: none of that would change what was to be.
Before departing, Marlo and I decided the first meeting would be held in LA, so he would arrive promptly in twenty-four hours. He only had time to stop in Miami and pack another bag. Next up, I would head to Miami to be in the meeting that would be held there. It had to be clear to the Crews that we were bosses in both LA and Miami. In the meantime, I would have Mob schedule the meetings in LA.
“Precious.” Promise said my name again when I didn’t respond to her, but this time there was concern in her tone. I blinked back my thoughts and quickly ran over in mind what she had said so I could provide an answer.
“I’m sorry. It’s my phone, I think the ringer is still off.” I was nonchalant about my phone hiccup. I had thrown it on the bed when I had strolled in my room, its existence not important to me at the time. I had only used it once since I touched back down in the states to call Mob. But I did remember turning the ringer off before we met with Salvador. I
“I knew something was up. I rang the doorbell and was about to use my key until Rosa opened the door to let me in. What’s up with you today? Why are you standing here in a trance staring out the window? I know it is a beautiful day outside. But . . .” Promise took steps that brought her closer into my space. The concerned grimace on her face confirmed she knew something was up with me. I knew I had to come out with it because she was stubborn and would never let it go.
I sighed as my right arm came up and my hand went to the back of my neck. I could feel the tension built up, like a tight knot trapped. I rubbed lightly in the area, and pressed down a little to ease some of it. “Shit has been crazy.” I finally released with my eyes closed as the slight massage I gave myself took some pressure off. I slowly reopened my eyes. And made a quick mental note to schedule an appointment at the spa, to have them massage that stubborn tension right out. “Pablo and Penelope are dead. They were killed.”
“What?” Promise eyes grew wide and confusion burst from them. “I mean do you know what happened?”
I shook my head with disappointment. I couldn’t believe I just had to say it, it still sounded strange coming from my mouth. Pablo and Penelope were some of the most connected people I knew. To say they had been killed was a bit much, simply unreal. “Plies.” His name tasted sour in my mouth. “Turns out he was a snake.”
Shock was Promise’s reaction, it was clear she was at a loss for words.
“Yep, that bitch ass nigga wasn’t shit, not an ounce of loyalty. He was offered money to kill Clip just to get him out of the way. And he would have carried out the act, but somebody beat him to it.”
“Hell naw.” Promise head shook right to left. “But Clip was his boy.”
“Like I said, he was a snake. Only money and position mattered to him. Marlo and I were summoned out to Peru to meet with the big boss, Salvador. That is where I have been these past few days. And guess who’s already there when we arrived? Mr. Plies himself. Bold as flies claiming a pile of shit. Salvador said he needed someone to watch his distribution and spy on me for some time now. You know, when I first burst on the scene. Clip refused to do it. So, Plies jumped at the chance to be somebody and took the job. Long story short he didn’t get to Clip fast enough, but he murdered Pablo and Penelope for Salvador. Now Salvador, who wanted Pablo and Penelope out of the picture, had a plan for Marlo and me to take over in their position.”
“What do you mean take over in their position?”
“Salvador had plans to make Marlo and me the major distributors for LA and Miami.”
“Why you say, ‘had?’” Promise had been around me long enough to know my meaning in other words. She paid attention to detail when I talked.
“Salvador sucks dirt now and forever,” I confirmed with certainty.
“Sucking dirt?” She repeated the words as if to replay them back in her head for confirmation. Her eyes fell back to me. “What the hell happened to him? Or better question. Who happened to him?” Promise’s eyes squinted at me.
“El Guapo killed him.” I confirmed to ease her suspicion. I knew she thought right away I had finished him off. And while I would have liked to be the one to pull that trigger, the fact was El Guapo beat me to it.
“Okay this too much for me.” Promise threw her hands in the air to wave everything I had said off. “Where the hell is Plies’s rat ass at? I’ll pop a cap in him myself.” Her statement made me burst out with laughter. She laughed too. My sister was my keeper at the drop of a dime.
My tone went back to the seriousness the matter caused for. “No worries. Snakes don’t crawl long in this game. Plies is sucking dirt for now and forever also.” My statement was clear.
“Good. Wait, who did him the honor?”
“His sponsor, Salvador.”
Promise sucked her teeth. “See? What goes around comes around. Weak ass nigga.”
“A true fact. The proof is in the bullet,” I added.
“Oh, and this all works all for the good of you, now you don’t have to work for Salvador who clearly was a snake too.”
“Well, actually Marlo and I are now employed by El Guapo, who now holds Salvador’s power and has the same demands of us as Salvador,” I announced to her dismay. The immediate frown on her face confirmed that. I had laid out everything but purposely I had left out the part about Pablo being Marlo’s dad. I was not prepared to discuss that secret that had been kept from me. I didn’t even want to think about it but couldn’t shake it.
“Damn, this is all a mess.”
“Some would say so.” I finally stepped away from the window. I walked over to the bed and picked up my cell phone. I had called Mob on the way from the airport and told him we needed to meet up. I had to get going. “Listen, I have to meet up with Mob. As usual I have business to handle, you know that never ends. But we’ll talk later.” I looked over at my twin then made a quick exit from the room before she could question me.
Chapter 2
In the garage I jumped in my new white Ferrari 488 with Red Interior, while the garage door eased up, I slid on my Tom Ford sunglasses. I backed up just as Promise reached her black Porsche. She glanced over at the Ferrari and smiled. She was crazy about this car. I planned to get her one just like it for our birthday. I slowly drove down my driveway and made the interstate my destination. I knew rush hour was about to approach and I didn’t want to be a victim of it. I veered onto the freeway and let my Ferrari rip. I was in the mood for some speed, then a nice drink.
Downtown traffic was already deep. People were getting off work and in a hurry. I pulled up to a red light, and the vehicle next to me honked their horn. I glanced over at the blue minivan sitting stuck waiting on the light to change, and the white young blonde woman who was driving let her window down and yelled. “I love your car so much.” Then she gave me a thumbs up just as the light turned red. I was not in the mood, but I forced a smile before stabbing out.
I pulled up to the Bird & Bees bar, a hot spot in downtown LA. The crowd was always thick, but I been cool with the owner since DaVon had introduced us, they had been close. So, all I ever had to do was call ahead and one of their best tables was reserved for me. Soon as I took a seat Mob strolled in.
“What’s up Precious? Mannn that Ferrari out there lookin’ sweet and hot. When you gon’ let me bend some corners?” Mob always wore a serious look, so everyone always assumed he was mean. But he really was a sweetheart. Around me, he softened and would smile or even ask me to drive my whip. We were cool like that.
“You already know you can borrow that car whenever you ready,” I said. The waitress approached the table with our drinks. I had ordered two cognac shots for us both. I knew we would need them. At least I did. I had not had a drink since before Peru. And with the situation at hand, I really needed one. If only to mourn Pablo and Penelope, which I had not done yet. There had been no time. Business had to be handled first.
“A’ight. I’ma slide to pick it up one day.” He grinned, then looked down. “Damn, wait, two shots. This must be deep.” Mob sat down and ate me up with his stare. “Come on now, Precious, drop the bomb. You can’t sit there and make me sweat.”
“Drink up,” was my words to him. I picked up one of the shot glasses in front of me and put it to my lips and sucked down the brown liquid with intense energy.
Mob’s eyes never left my face, but he picked up one of the shot glasses in front of him and gulped it down. He set his empty glass on the table.
The brown liquid warmed me. I was ready to talk. “We have some major changes that are taking place as we speak. Marlo and I are now in charge of major distribution, and all collection for LA and Miami.”
