by Ashley
Miamor smirked as Breeze walked out of the room. She was like a proud mama because although Breeze didn’t like it, she had finally come into her own. Maybe she can help me run this thing after all, Miamor thought. “We depart for Vegas at the end of the month. We’ll be in touch.”
She walked out and Leena followed suit as their stilettos clicked on the concrete floor as they made their exit.
* * *
Miamor’s conscience had never played tricks on her but she couldn’t get the faces of the women she had ordered killed out of her mind. As she sat in her son’s nursery, watching over him as he slept, she wondered how many kids were now motherless because of her. Miamor was evolving. Ever since she had given birth and Carter went away she had been experiencing a vulnerability that was so foreign to her. She heard the ringing of her phone and she quickly answered it, to stop the sound from waking up her son.
“Fly Boogie?” she said in surprise as she checked the time. It was nearly three a.m. “Did something go wrong?” she asked.
“Nah, nothing like that. I’m at your door. I didn’t want to ring the bell. Last time I did that you stuck a gun in my face,” he said. “I kind of like my face.” She could hear his smile and she shook her head as one melted across her face too. He had a way with her . . . he reminded her of what it was like to be young . . . reckless . . . brave. “I’ll be down.”
She eased out of her son’s room and hustled to the front door. She checked the peephole to make sure that Fly Boogie was alone. She paused because a part of her knew that she should send him away. Whatever he wanted could wait until morning, but she didn’t want to.
“Remind me again why you’re at my door this late again?” she asked, placing a hand on her hip as she leaned her head against the doorframe.
“The bodies were taken care of,” Fly stated.
She wagged a finger as she raised an eyebrow. “You talk reckless,” she replied. “Take off your jacket and lift your shirt.”
“You think I’m police ma?” he asked. I just put eight people in the ground for you for turning state’s evidence and you think I’d turn around and set you up.”
She didn’t respond. She just looked at him as he sucked his teeth and lifted his shirt, revealing his toned abdomen. She eyed the V-cuts in his pelvis and the .45 he had tucked in his waist as she pursed her lips. Fly Boogie was young and thugging it. She remembered the good old days and she found his carefree attitude appealing.
“Satisfied?” he asked.
She nodded. “You have blood on you,” she said.
“That’s cuz I put in work. Don’t insult me ma, I’d never switch up on you,” Fly Boogie stated seriously.
She pinched the bridge of her nose feeling conflicted. “Sorry. I’m tripping. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’ve never felt remorse after murking anybody, but tonight it made me sick to my stomach.” She didn’t know why she was telling him this. Perhaps she needed to vent. Carter was usually her listening ear, the one person that she could express her true feelings to. With him gone, she had so much pent up emotion that it felt like she would burst.
“You’re human. It can’t be easy being a woman and in your position,” he said. “I know you’re official and everything, but you don’t got to be tough all the time.”
“Come on,” she said as she started down the hall. “Let’s clean you up.” They walked into the bathroom and she wet a towel with hot water and wiped it across his strong chest, cleaning the blood spatter and dirt off of him.
“You’re beautiful,” he whispered, causing her to tense up and stop. “Everything about you Miamor. You’re dope as fuck.”
“Fly you shouldn’t . . .”
Before she could even finish her sentence he covered her lips with his. It had been so long since she had felt a man against her that she fell into the rhythm. She knew that she should have stopped him, but she didn’t. She melted into this young tenderoni, allowing him to pick her up and place her on the sink as he cupped her face with both hands. It felt so good . . . too good. It was reminiscent of the way that Carter used to touch her. Carter . . . as soon as his name appeared in her thoughts she froze, pulling back. “We can’t. I can’t,” she whispered. “This is a mistake. You can’t look at me like that.”
“Any man would look at you like that,” he answered.
Miamor picked up the towel and wet it once more as she sighed. “Fly you’re young. You need a young girl. I’m pushing thirty,” she chuckled. “There’s nothing fresh about me. You need to get you a good girl.” She dismissed.
He went to speak and she placed a finger over his lips. “Don’t Fly. You got one kiss. Let’s just leave it at that. I like you. I don’t want you to go down that road. It wouldn’t end well for you. Carter is away, but he’ll be back and when he gets here I don’t want your loyalty to be tainted. Just forget it ever happened okay?”
He nodded, but still stared intently. “Yeah, okay,” he replied.
“Here let me clean you up,” she said, starting again. She stopped when she felt the temptation of his hard body. She passed him the towel. “I’ll wait in the living room.”
When he came back out she stood against the wall with her arms folded “There was so much blood. You were covered in dirt. What did you do with the bodies? Dig a grave?”
“I dug four,” Fly Boogie replied. She looked up at him in shock as he continued to explain. “I threw the bitch niggas who ratted in with the sharks. I buried the women in an old field. Nobody’s going to find them don’t worry and if they do they won’t be tied to us. Tossing them in the ocean didn’t feel right to me.” Miamor looked up at him completely understanding where he was coming from. His compassion made him even more attractive. In her younger days she would have made him hers, but what she didn’t know was that she had ruined love for him. Fly Boogie would never give too much of himself to any other woman all because of Miamor. She had him mesmerized without even trying and if he couldn’t be her man, he would be her illest soldier. No questions asked.
“Have you ever killed anyone Fly?” she asked.
“I’ve hit a nigga off before for coming at me. Nothing like tonight though,” he responded truthfully. “If that’s what I’ve got to do, I’m with it. Whatever it takes to keep you on the throne ma. Anybody who got a problem with it can get it. You need a finger wrapped around the trigger, I’ll pull it every time.” She realized why he had come to her home. He was feeling the hangover of homicide and he wanted her to coach him through it. She took his hand in hers and placed them under the running stream of water as she cleansed him. She hated that she had tasked him with the burden of death. Fly Boogie wasn’t a murderer. He would do it if he had to, but he didn’t prefer it. He was just a hustler . . . a damned good one at that. She made a vow to herself not to turn his soul black. What she didn’t realize was that Fly Boogie was committed to protecting all that Carter, Zyir, and Monroe had left behind, including their women . . . especially her. Although she was the one holding everything together he saw through her visage. Miamor hid her weaknesses well, but she wasn’t superwoman and until Carter was home to hold her down, he would have her back.
Chapter 18
“I know a few Italians in high places.”
—Miamor
Year Two
“It’s so damn hot here! I thought Miami summers were bad, but this is almost unbearable,” Leena huffed as her driver helped her out of the SUV.
Lisa Matthews, owner of Vegas’ most prominent real estate agency, chuckled as she led the way into the condominium. “Living in the middle of the desert takes some getting used to. I’ve been here ten years and it still gets to me sometimes.” She waved her hands around at the buildings around them. This is city center. It is the most luxurious property in the entire city. I think you will love it,” she said as she led the way.
The beautiful Aria hotel was inspired by Chinese architecture and took her breath away as soon as she stepped foot inside. Everything was hig
h quality, from the marble floors to the floating candles hanging from the fifty-foot ceilings. It was amazing and immediately excitement about this new venture filled Leena’s chest. “If the condos are anything like this casino, I’m already sold,” she said.
“I think that was the designer’s intention,” Lisa laughed. “Let the casino sell the real estate. This way please,” she directed, walking swiftly.
They took the residency elevator all the way to the top floor where the elevator opened up to a plush, 5,000 square foot, two-story, condominium. It came already furnished, with the best view of the strip, and a private plunge pool to match. Leena smiled. This was living. Maybe Vegas won’t be so bad, she thought.
“I love this,” she admitted.
“I have two other ones just like it. One sits atop of the Mandarin Oriental and the other atop of the Vdara. Both the same size, different layouts, but equally nice. Designed by the same person. All you and your sisters would have to do is move in,” Lisa said.
“It’s a done deal,” Leena said. “Let’s talk price.”
Leena was all about the numbers and by the time she was done negotiating she had walked the price down by a quarter million dollars for each condo. Lisa left out of the deal with only a fifth of her normal commission after Leena was done with her.
“We’re also interested in commercial real estate . . . casino’s in particular,” Leena said.
Lisa stopped walking. She had been defeated in negotiations with Leena over the condos but the word casino renewed her. She had never been involved in the purchase of one, but she knew that it was the cash cow. She silently wondered if this lovely black girl in front of her even had enough money to enter the ball game. Vegas was a ‘pay to play’ type of city.
“I’d be happy to help you. I know of a few properties that are on the market but we aren’t talking about million dollar properties here. You would have to have capital in excess of at least a $100,000,000,” Lisa informed. “There are many moving parts when it comes to the casino business. I can handle the real estate side, but you’ll need legal representation and you’ll have to set up a board of trustees, amongst many other things. I can get in touch with a few colleagues of mine that can help me execute this type of deal, but the money would have to be readily available.”
“That’s not a problem,” Leena replied cockily.
Lisa stammered, unable to form words. She had clearly underestimated Leena. She had assumed that she was the girlfriend or wife of some famous athlete.
“P-perfect,” Lisa said, getting excited about the potential commission to be made. “I just need to see your purchase permits, liquor and gambling licenses as well to get the process started. It takes ninety days to even hear back from the gambling commission. Acquisition of a casino requires a letter of loan approval as well from the financial institution that’s financing you. I’ll write down this information and when you are ready, you can contact me. I’ll be happy to assist you with the purchase of the casino, but I must warn you honey. You don’t have the right color skin or the right jewels between your legs. That alone will stop you in a city like Vegas. Old Italian money runs that industry.” Lisa handed Leena her card.
Leena placed it in her Louis Vuitton clutch and replied, “Yeah well new black money is moving to town. I would suggest they make room.”
* * *
“Magdalena, please prepare a bottle for CJ,” Miamor said as she walked around her new home. It was immaculate. All white with floor to ceiling glass windows and her view was amazing. The entire strip could be seen below her and the mountains were in the far distance. “Auntie Leena really outdid herself,” she cooed to her baby boy as she bounced him in her arms. She looked at him. She was completely in love with her son. The past year and a half of her life had been pure hell without Carter. She missed him on a daily and discovering her way as a mom on her own had not been easy, but she had finally found her groove. With the help of Magdalena, she was doing just fine. She wasn’t the typical Susie homemaker but she loved him all the same. There was something to be said about motherly instinct. Even the most wretched soul could be saved when it came to loving a child and Miamor completely adored hers. CJ was a perfect mix of his parents and he reminded her of Carter so much that she couldn’t help but be completely putty in his hands. He was now one and a half and the bond they shared amazed her. She had been hardened by life’s circumstances but when it came to her son she was a soft cookie. She couldn’t wait for Carter to finish his bid and rejoin their family. Life would be so perfect. Until then she had to fill his shoes and command an army of goons as they took over a new town. The doorbell rang and Miamor carried CJ with her as she went to answer the door. Breeze and Leena were the only ones who knew where she lived. The rest of The Cartel members had been put up in Summerlin, a safe distance away from where the bosses actually rested their heads. The only members that were allowed to be close were Aries and Fly Boogie. They took up residence in rental apartments in the hotel portion of the resort.
“Hey,” she greeted as she allowed them entry.
Breeze immediately scooped her nephew from Miamor’s arms. They shared a bond like no other. Breeze loved on her nephews constantly, spoiling both Monroe and Carter’s sons as if they were her own. “He’s getting so big! I can’t believe he will be two in a few weeks,” Breeze said as she held him above her head while making love faces at him. “I’m throwing him a party,” she said.
“Glad you have so much time on your hands,” Miamor shot back with a smile. “While you’re doing that, I’ll be dealing with the gaming control board and gambling commission. They denied my application.”
“We have to have that. You’re being boxed out by the Italians,” Leena said as she lifted Monroe Jr. up and sat him on the kitchen island. She removed his shoes, kissed his cheek, and then placed him back on the floor. Miamor shook her head as she realized that the three of them were truly multitasking. Raising children, running an empire, and holding down their men was no easy task but through sisterhood, they were making it. In that moment she was truly grateful for Leena and Breeze. It had been an unlikely sisterhood, but somehow it worked.
“We will get it. I’m going to make sure of it. I know a few Italians in high places,” Miamor replied.
* * *
Miamor had known that she would need Timmy Bono sooner or later. A business alliance between the two of them could only prove to be fruitful. He owed her a favor and she was smart enough to only use it when it was absolutely necessary. This greasy, olive oil smelling, mu’fucka is just what I need to get by in this town, she said. Timmy “Two Time” Bono was old mafia and he had much respect in the game. Just because he had never been to Las Vegas didn’t mean that the Italians who ran the city had never heard of him. They knew exactly who he was so when he requested a sit down, they obliged. They just didn’t know that he was bringing a guest along with him.
“Let me do the talking toots,” he said as he smashed out his cigarette on the brick exterior of the butcher’s shop that they were about to enter. “Just stand next to me and look pretty.”
She smirked but didn’t respond. She would let him think that he was running the show . . . for now. As soon as she entered the shop the smell of blood overwhelmed her. Italians were all about their produce and fresh meats and cheese lay behind the glass freezer cases. It smelled like a slaughterhouse and her stomach turned as they bypassed the front, walking directly into the back.
A bulky, overweight, man stood off to the side and allowed Timmy to pass, but he stopped Miamor dead in her tracks, pushing her chest slightly.
“This is Gucci you fat fuck,” she said in irritation as she slapped his hand away.
“She’s with me,” Timmy Bono said. His words were like magic. He might as well have said ‘abracadabra’ because suddenly the big man magically had a change of heart, letting her walk by. A card game was taking place inside a walk-in deep freezer and to her surprise a man hung in the corner, hog tied and
hanging by his hands as he shivered uncontrollably. Miamor didn’t flinch. She had done worse in her day so the bloodied man before her was all in a day’s work. This wasn’t some rival drug crew in Opa-locka, or a hustler on the come-up in Carroll City. The Italians weren’t running an amateur show. They were a crime syndicate that had reigned over Las Vegas for years. She was well aware of her adversary . . . but they were unaware of theirs.
“Who’s the girl?” one of the men asked as he filled the air with putrid cigar smoke.
“A friend,” Timmy Bono stated.
“Timmy “Two Time” you are always welcome in Las Vegas. Chicago is where the bosses reside. They’ve spoken highly of you. Your rank is recognized here. This mouliano we don’t know. You shouldn’t have brought her here.”
“This mouliano’s name is Miamor and I run The Cartel from Miami,” she said, speaking up for herself.
The silence that fell over the room let her know that they had heard of The Cartel before.
“You’re a long way from Miami,” Mr. Cigar said as he held his cards close to his chest. He didn’t give her the respect of looking at her as he spoke, but the other men at the table stared intently.
“I’m here to buy a casino. After being denied a license, I was told to come here. Apparently the gambling commission has a commission. I take it that this is it,” she commented. “I come in peace and offering five percent of my earnings to you Mr. . . .”
“Salerno,” the old man huffed.
“In addition to my five percent I come with a gift,” she said. She placed a suitcase in front of him. “A million dollars. No pressure, just a gift. I hope that my application can be reconsidered. I’ve done square business with Mr. Bono. I know that it is necessary for me to have an Italian presence in my casino. I’m prepared to offer him a position on the board, to represent the interests of the Italian community.”
“Smart girl,” Salerno stated. He didn’t even pop open the briefcase. He simply slid it to the man sitting at his left and said, “Put that up. We done here or you gonna interrupt my card game all day?”