Kola appeared emotional and started to shed tears. It was Oscar-worthy.
Nikki pretended to console her cousin. “Candace, just calm down. Calm down.”
“I can’t. I need some air. I need some fuckin’ air,” she spat. “I can’t look at him!”
Nikki escorted her cousin outside, and a few other ladies followed, exiting the club for air and removing themselves from the chaotic scene.
Nikki and Kola exited club Versus playing the role of two distraught women who had seen a friend die. They didn’t want to leave too quickly and raise suspicion, so they lingered outside, watching the cops rush inside the club to try to maintain order.
The ladies stayed around for an hour and gave their statement to detectives. When the coroner brought out Sao’s body in a body bag on a gurney, Kola quickly turned her head away, feigning weakness. The detective she spoke to assured her that she would be OK, and then the girls left.
When they got a few blocks from the scene, they both smiled.
Nikki looked at Kola and exclaimed, “Oh my God! You are the fuckin’ bitch, Kola! I can’t believe we actually pulled that shit off!”
Nikki pulled out her cell phone and dialed OMG’s number. It rang three times before he picked up.
“Speak, Nikki,” he said.
“We good on that,” she informed him. “We gonna be some happy bitches.”
“Y’all are, huh? I see your cousin is about her business. I like that. Tell her to come see me tomorrow morning and we’ll talk.”
“Cool.”
“Good work, though.”
Nikki hung up, excited. She looked at Kola. “He wants us to come by tomorrow. We are in there.”
Kola smiled, and the two raced home feeling a sense of accomplishment.
Epilogue
The Hamptons area of Long Island, with its pristine waterfront homes, picturesque beaches, and trendy shops and restaurants is one of the most prestigious places in all of New York. Celebrities and businessmen own million-dollar homes in the area. Just seventy miles from Manhattan, it is a legendary place for parties and events. Chico thought it was the perfect place to throw an extravagant all-white birthday party for Blythe.
Apple had become a memory to him, and he needed to focus on his future and his woman. Too much time, money, and energy was spent in Mexico searching for a ghost. And, reluctantly, he’d moved on from that chapter of his life.
The balmy evening was filled with joy and laughter as dozens of guests made their way into the secluded estate sitting on acres of land with a phenomenal view of the beach. Chico had spared no expense. It’d cost a fortune to rent the place, but it was well worth it. The entrance was decorated with a series of stylish Balinese statues along the wall, and a wooden gate led to the reception area. The ground floor was a marvelous sight with its alluring dining area and large bar. In the back of the estate sat a huge in-ground pool set amid the minimalist garden, along with a pool deck and a Balinese bale to relax on.
Blythe was at first overwhelmed by the beauty and size of the estate, which made the Great Neck home that Chico had bought for her look like a cottage.
Security for the event was tight, and guards were situated all around the property, while the waiters and waitress glided around the affair in their white tuxedos, carrying large silver platters of hors d’oeuvres.
Blythe was delighted. It was the best birthday she’d ever had. She looked stunning in her white open-back, rhinestone-studded coat with a low-cut front, matching rhinestone-studded boy shorts, and a pair of white stilettos. She was the most eye-catching woman in the place.
Chico wore a white three-button, single-breasted Perry Ellis tuxedo. He was the epitome of sharp, sporting a white gold, diamond Rolex and a diamond pinky ring. He stood in the distance watching his woman work the crowd.
Business was good for Chico, and life was even better. He had the streets on lockdown, and he had defeated his enemies. Cross was incarcerated, Edge was dead, and Kola had been MIA for a few weeks. Two-Face was put down, and any suspicion about him was diverted from his organization, and his deal with the Mexicans still stood. The murder of both Two-Face and Edge remained unsolved, and the detectives didn’t have any new leads.
Jason stood tall in a white tuxedo similar to Chico’s, wineglass in his hand. He looked over at his date, Ariel, who stood by the pool. She was Brazilian and had the looks and body of a movie star.
“You outdid yourself with this event,” he told Chico.
“I’m glad you could make it, Jason.”
“I couldn’t miss this. This is a beautiful estate. I might have to invest in a home in the Hamptons myself.”
“Yeah, we might need to.” Chico smiled.
“But, on a side note, what’s this I hear about you going to Mexico? Was it business or pleasure out there?”
Chico was reluctant to answer him. He didn’t want him to know that he went looking for Apple. Jason would have called it a foolish move. Chico looked at Jason and said, “I just needed to take care of somethin’. That’s all.”
“You sure?” Jason said. “Because I hear different.”
“You hear different from who?”
“Just stay on track with business, Chico. You don’t need any distractions. We’re making money, and plenty of it. Look around you. Years ago, did you ever think this would be us in the Hamptons mingling with celebrities and the elite? Shit, look at our women. Such fine creatures for us to enjoy. You don’t want to end up like Cross. He’s a stupid muthafucka. You keep washing your money long enough, and you won’t have to hide a damn thing from the government anymore, because every piece of income will be legitimate.
“So, a foolish trip to Mexico with a hired gun only attracts unwanted attention to you, and then it will trickle down to me. I don’t need the unwanted attention, Chico. I came too far to fall, and so did you.”
Jason, a career criminal, had stayed off the feds’ radar for a long time. He had become the new “Teflon Don.”
The two men moved farther away from the crowd, where they had a little more privacy.
Jason took a sip of wine. “Any heat from Two-Face peoples?”
“Nah, nothing yet,” Chico said. “And my cop on the inside says the investigation turned cold.”
“Cool. I like to hear that. But you stay out of the limelight. We’re where we want to be right now, on top and in control of things. There’s no need for the boat to rock. That means let the past be the past. So you need to insulate yourself from that street shit, and the daily activity, and become more business-minded. You have soldiers for problems.”
Chico nodded.
Jason continued to advise him on a few things, and then the two went to be with their ladies.
It was midnight now, and the party was in full swing. The DJ was playing hip-hop, that had the crowd moving its feet, and the food and liquor were flowing.
Chico was hugged up against Blythe, kissing her lovingly and wishing her a happy birthday in her ear. She smiled, eating up his affection and enjoying her birthday to the fullest. It was her time to shine and she loved her man greatly.
“After this, you and me gonna celebrate your birthday the right way, alone in one of these rooms and only in our birthday suits,” Chico said, making her blush.
She smiled. “Oh, really?”
“Ya know it.”
As the two stood by the pool, Chico continued to hold her in his arms, a side of him that people rarely saw. He could be caring and affectionate when he wanted to be.
It was almost time for Blythe to blow out the candles on her birthday cake. It was her favorite, an extravagant, foot-tall, red velvet cake decorated with edible jewelry and pearls.
The couple stood around the cake along with other guests, and they began to sing and wish Blythe a happy birthd
ay. Glowing like a princess, loving friends and family surrounded her, and the celebrities in attendance recognized her like she was one of their own.
Blythe quickly blew out the candles and thanked everyone for coming, and then she began cutting into the cake, aching to sink her teeth into it.
Chico stood away from the cutting of the cake, sipping his wine and looking around the impressive party he had put together. Some faces he knew well, and some he didn’t know at all. He stepped away from the pool and walked toward the patio.
As he stared into the sea of faces, someone caught his eye. He couldn’t believe it. He was wide-eyed as he focused on the woman wearing a long ruffle trim gown with open back and low-cut crossover front that showed her ample cleavage. Her hair was long and black like a panther. A handsome gentleman in a sparkling cream suit escorted her.
Chico thought he was seeing things. He locked eyes with the woman approaching, and she smiled.
“Hello, Chico,” she greeted.
“What the fuck?”
“Surprised to see me?” she asked coolly.
After numerous plastic surgeries by some of the finest surgeons in the world Apple was almost completely healed from her burns. It had cost a small fortune, but the money was well worth it. She felt rejuvenated and alive again.
Chico was almost speechless. “Apple . . . how did you find me?”
Apple smirked. “Easily. But I’m surprised you never found me.”
“I tried. I looked all over for you.”
“Oh, did you?”
“Yes, I did. I truly did. I swear on everything I love.” Chico shifted nervously on his feet. His heart began to beat rapidly. He continued, “But you look good.”
“I do, huh? Feeling good too. You remember Guy Tony?”
Both men nodded at each other. No need for words or a handshake.
Apple looked around. “Lovely setup. I see you went all out for your new woman for her birthday.”
“I thought you were dead,” Chico explained.
“Well, I’m not. I’m alive, looking good, and very aware of things now.” She kept looking around the estate. “Very aware.”
Chico was almost paralyzed from shock as they stood eye to eye. He glanced over at Blythe, who was standing by the pool and the birthday cake, entertaining a few people.
Apple leaned in near Chico and whispered in his ear, “Your reign on top will be short-lived. Enjoy it while you can, ’cuz I’m back. Checkmate, muthafucka.”
To be continued
Guard the throne
Control is the game. Money is the prize.
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