Long Live the Queen, page 11
“How long before we reach the next location?” I asked to change the subject.
“Should be there soon. I think you will like this one better. David is the best so either way he got you.” We veered onto the next exit to get off the interstate. We then drove for another ten minutes before he pulled into the parking lot. David was already inside.
Once inside I was feeling the place right off. The space was already equipped with the counter space and shelves in the back storage area where we could store the hair. According to David the electrical system had been updated in the building in the last two years. I took pictures so I could send them to Promise, so she could give her thoughts. But I could already see the plans we had discussed coming alive in the space.
“All the businesses in this area have high revenue, respected brands, and good traffic flow. Most of them have been here over ten years all with a rise in equity and revenue every year they have remained.” David shared valuable information with me. He wanted me to know as a realtor he had done his homework.
“I like the sound of that. What about crime?” That was a top priority to me as well.
“No crime has been reported within twenty miles of this area in the last seventeen years.” That turned my head on my shoulders. No crime in seventeen years in anyplace in Florida. Hmmph.
“That’s a plus.” I shook my head with approval of that fact. I slowly started walking around again, reviewing some the spots I had already seen. Marlo stood back and spoke with David. I could hear Marlo ask him about his wife having the baby. After taking a few more pictures I rejoined them.
“What do you think?” Marlo asked.
“This is definitely a workable space.”
“Sounds good. Well, I can line up some more properties by tomorrow afternoon? If you need to see a few more.”
“Tell you what, I will let you know something later today.”
“Sounds good. It was really nice meeting you, Precious.” David smiled, he was nice looking, he appeared to be about twenty-six or so but younger than thirty. Marlo said he was cool guy; his father was a big shot lawyer who had represented Penelope and Pablo for many years. And that his wife Tangela was a black super model who worked a lot in Europe, they had just had their first baby a daughter Melanie Grace two months prior.
“You want to grab something to eat?” Marlo asked as he started up the Bentley. I was about to answer just as his cell phone interrupted me.
Marlo shook his head as if whoever he was speaking with could see him through the phone. He simply replied to them to hang tight. He ended the call and put the whip in drive. “I’ma drop you back at the crib but I’ll be back to scoop you, soon as I’m done,” he said as he entered traffic, turning block after block with focus to get back to the interstate. He looked calm but his body language read something different, like aggression. Something was up.
“What’s up with the call, is it business?” I asked him straight out. The light in front of us was yellow. He slowed and then made a complete stop as it turned red.
Marlo gazed out the window to the left of him and gripped the wheel, then looked back at the light. “That was Phil. He got the sucka ass nigga who tried to body me in eyesight at the barbershop with two of his fuckboys and his old lady.”
Now it made perfect sense. The focus, the aggression. But he wanted to go handle that business and seat me in the protection room until he was done.
“Hmph,” I replied out loud. Now I had a bit of aggression. “You never told me who was responsible.” I didn’t like the fact that he had not voluntarily shared the information with me yet. But I knew he had been in pain and trying to heal so I had tried to give him time.
Marlo took off soon as the light turned green. He eyeballed traffic, sucked his teeth, and said, “It ain’t shit. The nigga a fake ass boss wannabe in Miami . . . he go by Maurice. Word on the streets he been trying to get next to El Guapo but El Guapo ain’t fuckin’ wit’ him.”
“So, he a hater. Okay.” I looked out the window my mind was made up regardless of why he had violated but I had to make myself clear. “I ain’t going to the house to be a sitting duck. We partners, remember? I think I proved that shit when we first met, if I need to jog your memory.” I was referring to when not long after Penelope and Pablo thrown us together. He had taken me along for a ride wearing a long hot ass red coat in the dead heat wave of a Miami summer. And unbeknownst to me it was on some settle the score shit. So, I think I had made my point. I looked over at him, he took his eyes from the street and glanced at me. “I won’t be caught not having your back.” And I meant that.
I could see the stubborn set of Marlo shoulders. “Nah, this my beef. I ain’t trying to involve you.”
I ignored him. “Where the guns at, Marlo? This ain’t no debate.” I uttered just as he veered back onto the interstate.
Again, he gripped the stirring wheel tight with his left hand then gazed at me. “My shit in the trunk. Don’t leave home without it.”
“Point this car to the exit that takes us to that barbershop.” My tone was matter of fact. He knew I was beyond convincing otherwise.
We arrived and with no words soon as the Bentley halted, we both jumped out. I stood by the edge of the trunk while Marlo popped it open. I gazed around the scenery. Not being from Miami I didn’t know the area, so I had no idea what it should look like. But there were people jumping out vehicles going into shops on both sides of the streets. It was a normal hot day in the three o five.
I stepped around the trunk and stood next to Marlo and their lay out as if they were waiting to be picked over was gun heaven. I reached in and grabbed a short Uzi for the muscle. Then I grabbed a nine-millimeter complete with a silencer and placed it in my hand and held it close to my side, pointed towards the ground. Marlo held two of the same nine millimeters as I did.
Marlo shut the trunk and took the lead we and quickly made our way inside. He pushed the door open and right away I noticed two of Marlo’s guys standing post with guns on two unknown dudes. It didn’t take a genius to know they were with Maurice, who I quickly understood was the guy Phil was guarding.
Phil wasn’t holding a gun, but his stance was clear. Maurice sat glued to the barber’s chair. Dark skinned, with a stocky muscle build, he looked like if he stood, he would be every bit of six-five in height. His body language read bully. But his bald head and goatee made him a very attractive man. I was sure he was a player for the bitches in the streets. Damn shame he was on his last day. I noticed his “old lady” as she had been called, sitting in the corner off towards the right. Her eyes were glued on us, she looked unbothered by our presence. She was a pretty girl with big eyes, clear skin, but one look at her and I could see the street in her, she looked me up and down.
The dumb look on Maurice’s face when he caught sight of Marlo turned anxious. He chuckled lightly and tried to give a stupid smile. The sight of his gold-plated teeth and a few diamonds told me he was definitely from the south. “Aye mane . . . I’m glad you here . . . maybe you can figure out why yo’ man here violating me and my crew.” His eyes were on Marlo, but he quickly turned them back to Phil. He was trying to keep his eyes on them both, but his nervousness could not be hidden. He was a pussy at the moment.
I could see Phil’s face twisted up he looked like he might explode. “Marlo, can I please dead this sucka ass nigga?” He barked; his body moved from side to side. He was ready to buck.
A calm look was embedded on Marlo’s face. “A sucka ass pussy nigga to be sure.” His words were harsh, but his tone was calm. I watched both his hands as they slowly raised in the air, yielding a nine-millimeter in both. Maurice’s eyebrows seemed to raise in slow motion as he laid eyes on each gun. “Lights out nigga.” Marlo squeezed one bullet from each gun hitting him twice in the chest. Maurice’s body bucked forward as he tried to stand. Just as he did, I see his woman pull up a Ruger like I said I could tell she was from the streets. But I was prepared, I squeezed a round off and hit her between the eyes.
Maurice’s body was slumped back in the barber’s chair. The chair swayed a bit to the right then stopped. Marlo stepped over and shot him in his upper skull. He watched as Maurice’s brains filled the back of the chair then the floor beneath it. Marlo turned and faced Maurice’s flunkies.
“Damn, y’all gotta die for this weak ass nigga.” He sucked his teeth as if in thought. “A damn shame.” Again, both his guns go up one pointed at each; a bullet released from each chamber at the same time. Both shot in the head. Dead.
“Take care of this.” He instructed Phil, his demeanor still calm. He then faced the owner who he addressed as Ray. “This shit will be cleaned up in a minute.”
“No problem.” Ray said. Phil picked up a duffel bag that was next to his feet and told Ray it was his. Ray had been the connection to Maurice. And for that he was paid nicely, but everything came at a cost. Ray’s life was also no longer his. Any suspicion that he had ran his mouth, him and his family would be six feet, no hesitation, no questions asked. That was the true price of the duffel bag full of green dreams. Either way Marlo and I were done. We exited the barber shop.
I was relieved when we made it back to Marlo’s house. “I’m going to take a shower,” I told him soon as were inside. The sticky Miami heat was too much for me. I shed myself of my clothes no sooner than I stepped in the bathroom. I turned on the hot water and stepped inside. I placed my face under the warm water. It felt so good to my skin I could have screamed out from pleasure of the shower’s soothing feeling.
Reluctantly I released my face from the water so I wouldn’t drown. I held my head back and let the water cascade down my neck and breasts and let the warmth from the steam relax me. I slowly opened my eyes and glanced off to the left of me. Marlo stood on the other side of the glass. Even through steam I could see he was naked. He pulled the glass door open and stepped inside. The look in his eyes as he ate me up with them was full of lust. I matched his look. The boy was so fine.
“Partners, huh? Are we only partners in crime?” He leaned down closer to my still damp face. I was on complete fire for him. My face was not the only thing wet; I was so ready for him. I reached up and placed my hand behind his head and pulled his luscious lips into mine. We kissed so long and deep. He wrapped his free right hand around my waist and pulled me into him so tight. He felt so good. Suddenly I remembered his wound and slightly eased back.
I looked down at the area of the scar tissue where he had been stitched and noticed it was barely visible down there. “Is this okay? I don’t want to hurt you.” I looked into his eyes.
With no answer Marlo lifted me up and I straddled him, with the water running down his back I rode him, as he guided me, until we both moaned out in ecstasy. Talk about soaked and wet.
Chapter 23
Miami was becoming my second home all over again. All the constant trips out here were starting to remind me of when Pablo had me and my crew heading up his territories. Not that I minded coming to Miami, but LA was home and sometimes I felt like I had attachment issues to my hometown. But with Promise spending so much time in Miami visiting Money, I didn’t mind so much.
This time she had been out here for three weeks, and I missed her and couldn’t wait to see her. And we were in for a good time because I had flown Toya and Reese down for the party Money was having at his club. I had booked us a President Suite at the Ritz and they were hype about staying there.
“Oh shit, I can’t believe we up in Gucci.” Reese said in a whisper holding on to my arm. Toya was walking on my heels, her eyes as big as flying saucers. They both were in awe of the place.
“Pinch me, Precious.” Toya finally made her way to my side. “This place is bananas.”
I grinned. “Aye, look over there.” I pointed towards Promise in the shoe section talking to the saleslady. One thing I could count on, my sister not being late to shop. Promise was a shopaholic and I always allowed her to go crazy.
“Promise.” Toya almost leaped in the direction but kept her cool. Promise looked up and saw us and excused herself from the saleslady and skipped towards us.
Toya reached her first and they hugged. Then Promise raced over to me and we hugged. “Aww, Precious, I missed you.” She held on tight before letting go.
“You sure?” I teased her. Reese stepped around and hugged Promise.
“I’m so glad you guys are here. We are going to have so much fun. We gone tear these Miami streets up.” She eyed Reese and Toya. “Precious, where’s K, I thought she was coming?” She referred to Katrina.
“Nope, I tried to get her to come but she wanted to hang back.”
The saleslady approached. “Hi ladies, I’m Marsha. I will be attending you today. Can I get you a bottle of white wine while you relax?”
“Yes, please.” Promise smiled and winked at Toya and Reese. “First class, right?”
“For real. This here is the life.” Toya grinned.
“So, what have you guys been up to since I been gone? Catch me up with the juicy,” Promise inquired.
“Quavo asked me to go to Puerto Rico with him,” Toya revealed abruptly. “What y’all think about that?” She asked. Her eyes seemed to land on each of us individually. Marsha approached us with a tray that held four glasses and a bottle of wine. She popped the cork then filled a glass for each one of us.
I took a sip of my wine right away. Then I was ready to give Toya an answer to her question. “You have to make that choice.” I know my answer was simple and probably not the response Toya was seeking. But it was a real one.
“I agree with Precious. Because if we tell you not to go then you gone be trippin’ on us if you find out he took another chick, on that free trip.” Promise teased.
“Yeah, I might be.” Toya smiled. “And not for nothing, I think I’m starting to like him but I’m also afraid . . . Dell put me through so much.”
“Oh, hell NOOO!” Promise squeezed up her face with disdain. “Please don’t tell me you gone let that sorry, good for nothing determine the rest of your life.” She still looked agitated from the thought of Dell.
“Fuck Dell! With his punk ass.” Reese gripped her wine glass and twisted her lips. There was no secret that none of us cared for him.
Toya smiled; she was not surprised by their reaction to him. “That’s what I keep telling myself, whenever he pops in mind. But . . .”
“You got a passport?” Promise asked cutting her off.
“Yep.” Toya replied but looked curious at Promise question.
“Then that’s yo’ answer to your question. Fuck Dell!” Promise rolled her eyes.
Toya turned to me. I had nothing different to say when it came to Dell. “Aye, you heard Promise.” I threw my hands up. “Now stop talking about Dell and pick some out of this Gucci so we can hit up Chanel.”
Toya and Reese both look at each other and said, “Chanel.” They hugged and jumped up and down.
The plan was to spoil them rotten while they were in Miami. There was no budget. They could have all the Gucci and Chanel they liked. And they weren’t shy about grabbing what they liked either. I dropped sixty thousand in Gucci and eighty thousand in Chanel and didn’t blink. And it was worth it, we were going to look good at the party.
Toya eyes rolled with her head as she glared around Money’s strip club. The dancers were climbing poles and doing tricks that looked to be almost like magic. It brought back memories from the first night Promise and I had attended. “They bad, right?” I chuckled. “But you ain’t seen nothin’ yet. Wait until you see the baddest bitch they call Taste.”
“Well, if she better than what I see now, I’ll be here until the doors shut.” Toya eyes were lit up with excitement.
“And I’ll be with you. I’m about to spend all of my money up in here tonight.” Reese followed up. She too was so impressed at first her mouth had just hung wide open from disbelief. She finally closed it so she could speak.
I shook my head with laughter and continued towards the VIP lounge. Guys all but groped us with their stares as we made our way through the club. Reese was behind me and leaned over my shoulder, enough so I could hear her. “These guys fine as hell up here. I might need to go jump on one of these poles.”
“I know right,” Toya added with a chuckle. I laughed and kept on to our destination.
Promise’s face lit up at the sight of us as we stepped inside the VIP lounge. A few people were in the room standing around in a group involved in a conversation. I didn’t notice Money, but I was sure he was about the club somewhere or in his office, conducting business.
“Aye, the turn up just arrived.” Promise scurried over to us.
“A bet. And I’m all sorts of ready for it too.” Reese started swaying her hips and bobbing her head to Cardi B and Bruno Mars’s “Finesse.”
“Ya’ll lookin’ good in that Chanel and Gucci,” Promise complimented Toya and Reese. Toya had on a bodycon dress that cut off at the thighs by Gucci with some bad pink Gucci pumps to match. Reese was killin’ a pair of white Channel pants with the Channel belt wrapped perfectly around her waist, and wife beater type top by Channel that look like it had been painted on.
“I feel like money right now. Can’t NO BITCH TELL ME NOTHIN’!” Toya tugged at her dress as if it was trying to rise above her butt. I could only smile.
“Y’all some bad bitches for real though,” I complimented them. “We about to get this party started tonight, ain’t no limits.” I boasted, then turned to Promise. “I hope you told your man. We got this tonight,” I added. One of the bodyguards that had been at the door when we came in approached us.
“Marlo” was what he leaned over and said in my ear then handed me a Louis Vuitton bag which I already knew was full of money. Marlo had wanted to be sure we enjoyed ourselves to the full extent and supported the young ladies that were on the poles doing their thing.
