Once Anari saw how flashy Zya was, she quickly hooked her up with Anderson Wallace, a lawyer who was a pro at washing money. His laundering services were a lifesaver, and after having numerous conversations with Snow and Zya, he convinced them to start front businesses. They opened over ten businesses, ranging from real estate to record labels. Zya even started her own clothing line. They had their hands involved in anything, and whenever they made a move, it was always to benefit them and improve their position in the dope game.
Snow even went as far as to open up a funeral home. He knew that it would be the perfect investment because it would help them conceal any evidence of any murders they might have to partake in. “No body, no murder,” he had explained to Zya. Their business endeavors were wise because they allowed them to cover their paper trail with the IRS. They would never get caught up on a tax evasion charge because every single cent they spent was accounted for, right down to the last penny.
They made sure that they were affiliated with the right people too. Snow suggested that they make contributions to political parties because, he said, “Politicians are the smartest crooks of us all. They never get caught.”
Zya was making so much money that it didn’t make sense for her to keep her job at the restaurant. She was already a part of the roundtable, so she would still receive a cut from Stello’s profits anyway. She was big money, and the word was spreading quickly. Everybody wanted to be down, but Zya knew better.
After her run-in with Lonnie Wade, she began to realize that she needed to watch who she surrounded herself with. She hadn’t heard from the detective in a couple months, and she hoped that he had forgotten about her. He had wanted her to do the unthinkable, and that was become a snitch, but now she was directly involved with Supreme Clientele. She couldn’t give him any information if she wanted to. She hoped that Wade didn’t pop back up because the way she was flashing money, he would know that she knew more than she was letting on. She was knee-deep in the game now, and there was no getting out. She hoped that the cop wouldn’t bother her again, and she told herself that she would be extra careful just in case he did resurface.
All I need in this life is Snow, Anari, and my money ... and I’m good. Fuck the world and everybody else in it.
Jules looked at the picture of Zya and felt an intense hatred toward her. At first he didn’t believe the things he had been hearing. He thought that his li’l niggas had been misinformed about what Zya had been doing. He tried to give her the benefit of the doubt, but the more time that passed, the more he began to believe that she had pulled dirty and tried to play him. He hadn’t heard from her in almost two years. Since her very first visit to Riker’s, Zya hadn’t stepped foot back inside the prison.
She was pregnant with my muthafuckin’ kid and couldn’t even write to let me know what was going down. That was my unborn child too. I had a right to know, he thought as he stared at the picture of the woman he used to adore. He was hurt deeply by her betrayal. She had meant the world to him, and he would have done anything for her. When she told him that she was pregnant, it had been the happiest day of his life. He had been looking forward to being a father and maybe even a husband to Zya one day. He had it set in his mind that when he got out, he was going to settle down with Zya and take care of his family.
When she stopped accepting his calls and the visits stopped, he was devastated. They had done so much dirt together, and she had been loyal to him for so long, that he never expected her to turn on him once he got locked up. His hatred for her was driving him crazy, and the only thing on his mind was revenge.
That bitch killed my seed and tried to leave me in here on stuck. He was losing his mind, thinking about her betrayal, and was counting down the days until he was released. His lawyers had been working on his appeal and had informed him that the search warrant that was used during the raid had not been valid.
I’ma be out this bitch in less than a month, and the first thing I’m gon’ do is dead Zya’s ass. His love for his former girlfriend had quickly transformed into hate. The last time he had seen her had been when he first caught his charge. He had expected her to come every other Monday, but the only visits he got were from his cousin, Tisha. Tisha was pregnant and came to visit Jules often to show her support. Before Jules got locked up, he used to spoil his little cousin, and she felt obligated to be there for him while he was away.
After Jules found out about Zya’s abortion, he had to ask Tisha to stop coming. It was too painful for him to see his cousin’s newborn baby because it reminded him too much of the child that he was supposed to have. Zya had taken his life from him in the blink of an eye. He had nothing to look forward to when he got out. The only thing he was anticipating was the day he ended Zya’s life. Killing her was the only thing that would put his mind at ease. He was not only hurt by her actions, but embarrassed that, in the end, he had been the one looking stupid. He loved Zya, and even though he had not always been faithful to her, she was always the only woman who had his heart. He always came home to her at night, and thought that she had cared for him as much as he did her. When Zya just disappeared without an explanation, his ego was wounded, and his stubborn nature couldn’t let her get away with what she had done.
“Is everything in order for the first of the month?” Khadafi asked as he looked around the table.
“Everything my way is in order. Zya’s coke is a hit on the West Coast. The customers can’t get enough of it,” Emilio responded. Emilio ran the West Coast drug market.
“Good, good. The first of the month is our biggest payday nationwide,” Khadafi said. Khadafi, the man who ran the Midwest drug market, ran the meeting as Anari and Zya sat back and listened. They didn’t have too much to say. Zya knew that her operation was good. She didn’t need any directives from anybody. Snow made sure her shit was tight, and the rest of the table was beginning to notice. Anari took a piece of paper and slid Zya a note.
I’m going to Miami for the weekend. Are you available to make that trip with me?
Zya read the note and wrote back: Hell yeah, I’m down. What’s down there? We got business to take care of or something?
Anari replied: Nah, this weekend is strictly for pleasure. I’m gon’ show you how to really enjoy some of this money you making. You’re gettin’ money like a don diva. Now you’ve got to play like a don diva.
The next night, Snow stood in her bedroom doorway watching her pack her clothes for her weekend trip.
“Damn, shorty, you got to go?” he said as he walked toward her and stood directly behind her.
“Yeah, I need a vacation. Why, you gon’ miss me?” she asked him as she cocked her head and smiled.
He kissed her neck and ran his hands up and down her body. “I’m gon’ miss something,” he said as he turned her around and unbuttoned her pants.
“How much you gon’ miss me, daddy?” she asked him as she started to unbutton his jeans.
He didn’t respond, but he picked her up and laid her gently on the bed. He kissed her, his tongue caressing every inch of her mouth. His fingertips made her skin tingle, and she loved how gentle he was with her. He always took his time with her, and he made love to her like he aimed to please. He wasn’t one of those men who only thought about themselves. Everything he did was to make her feel good. He stopped undressing her and lay down next to her.
“What’s wrong?” Zya asked him.
“You gon’ be all right this weekend?” he asked.
Zya smiled and replied, “Yeah, baby, I’ll be okay. I’m good. Ain’t nothing gon’ happen to me, so stop worrying.”
“If there’s any problems . . .”
Zya put her finger up to his lip. “Shh, come here.” She kissed his chest and then made her way down. By the time she was done with him, he was satisfied and carefree.
The next morning, Snow drove her to Anari’s private landing strip. They were taking a private jet to Miami, and Zya was excited about the trip. He got out of his car and pulled her
Louis Vutton luggage out of his trunk. He walked up to the stairs of the jet, where a stewardess took the bags from him.
Anari stepped off of the plane and walked down the stairs, where Zya and Snow stood.
“You must be Torey Snow,” Anari said. “It’s good to finally meet you.”
“You too,” he said as he shook her hand gently. He looked at Anari and noticed how beautiful she was. She didn’t look to be a day older than thirty. She was so feminine, and as he looked back and forth from Zya to her, he could see a resemblance. He couldn’t believe that the woman he was standing in front of was the same woman that the streets feared. Her reputation was so notorious, and to him it seemed like the woman and the myth didn’t match.
“Your coke connect has been very helpful,” she said.
“So has your money,” Snow replied as he kissed Zya on the top of the head. “I’ll see you when you get back,” he said. “You ladies have a good time.”
Diamonds on my neck. Di-diamonds on my grill. I’m bossy ...
Zya and Anari cruised slowly through South Beach, Miami, as Kelis’s hit song blared from the stereo system of a black convertible Mercedes Benz CLK 550. They rocked their heads to the music. They drove down to the port of Miami, and Anari parked the car. There was a huge ship sitting at the end of the dock.
“We’re taking a cruise?” Zya asked.
“Nah, this is a casino that I’m thinking about investing in. An associate of mine owns this. It’s a floating casino. The boat goes out every night at ten. It’s invitation only, though. All of the players are very exclusive.”
Zya nodded as she got out of the car and headed onto the boat. When she entered, the only thing she could hear was the sound of the slot machines. It was so alive in the place, and the different shades of red mixed with deep tones of wood made the room seem bright and energetic.
“Damn, Anari,” Zya said as she watched everyone in the casino turn around to speak as they walked by.
“They all just think I’m a big spender. No one in here knows who I am. They just know that I drop a lot of money every time I come,” Anari explained as she made her way through the crowded casino. She walked up the spiral staircase that led to the top level of the ship. It was where the tables were located, and she headed straight toward the dice game.
“You know how to shoot craps?” Anari asked.
“Just in the streets. I’ve never rolled the dice in a casino before,” Zya explained as she shook her head from side to side.
“It’s the same game, only it’s better,” Anari said as she stepped up to a table.
A white man in a suit and sunglasses walked behind the dealer’s table and handed one of them a briefcase. The dealer popped the latch and opened it up to reveal money that was neatly stacked and wrapped in $1,000 bundles. Zya and Anari were the only women around the entire table, and all eyes were focused on the transaction.
“How much?” one of the dealers asked as he looked up at Anari.
“A hundred thousand. Split it up between me and my girl,” Anari instructed. The dealer nodded, and multi-color gambling chips were given to Zya and Anari.
Zya shook her head and said, “Anari, I can’t take that.”
“Why not? You helped me make it, so help me spend it. Fifty G’s ain’t shit. I come down here and lose that in an hour. Just enjoy yourself and relax. You’ve earned it.”
Zya picked up the chips from the center of the table and placed them in her rack.
“Hey, excuse me!” Anari yelled as a waiter walked by.
The man stopped walking and said, “Would you like to purchase a drink, Miss?”
“Yeah, bring me a Long Island. Zya, what you drinking?” she asked her friend.
Zya looked at the waiter and said, “Bring me a daiquiri. It don’t matter what kind.”
Anari placed a $500 chip on the waiter’s tray and said, “That’s your tip. The drinks from this table are on me for the night. Bring me the bill at the end of the shift.”
A round of applause went around the table, and everybody placed their drink orders. The dealers brought the dice down to Anari, and she shook her head.
“Pass,” she said. The dealers went to Zya, who was standing directly next to Anari. She put a $500 chip on the pass line and picked up the dice. Everybody held their breath as she tossed them to the other end of the table.
“Eleven!” the dealer shouted as the dice landed. Zya got cashed out $500 from her bet, and then continued to enjoy the game. The liquor came non-stop, and she was feeling good. The alcohol had her talking big shit at the crap table, and she was having a lucky night. The dice seemed to agree with her that night because every time she rolled, she hit point after point. Everybody bet on her, and she was making everybody money that night.
“Give me a thousand dollar hard six,” Anari instructed as she placed two black chips on the table.
The dealer placed the bet, and Zya looked at Anari and said, “What’s a horn?”
Anari laughed and shrugged her shoulders. “I don’t know. It’s the only bet on the table that I don’t already have, so I said fuck it.”
Zya laughed and replied, “Fuck it. Give me a five hundred dollar hard six.”
Anari shook her head and looked at Zya like she was confused.
“What?” Zya asked.
“You over there pinching pennies and shit. You got to bet big to win big,” Anari suggested as the waiter delivered a round of shots to the entire table.
Zya threw her head back and felt the liquor warm her up as it traveled down her throat. She slammed the shot glass down on the table and said, “You gon’ stop acting like you the only one out here getting money. Five thousand hard six!” she yelled as she threw the chips to the dealer.
“Six thousand!” Anari laughed and said.
“Ten thousand!” Zya said as she smiled devilishly around the table. A crowd had formed around the craps table, and everybody was in awe of the two women who were recklessly throwing money out onto the table, trying to outdo each other.
“Final bets!” the dealer called. Zya and Anari mugged each other playfully and burst out laughing.
“A hundred thousand hard six,” a male’s voice said as he parted through the crowd and threw the money on the table. Gasps broke through the air, and Zya saw a brown-skinned man in an Armani suit and a fresh Caesar haircut step up to the table. He made direct eye contact with Anari, and she smiled without saying a word.
The dealer handed Zya the dice, and she picked them up and schooled them against the table. A crowd had gathered around the table, but nobody spoke. Everybody was anticipating the outcome of the dice. The whole room was frozen with anticipation, and dozens of people crowded the table. She took a deep breath, closed her eyes and then tossed the dice.
“Six the hard way!” The dealer yelled in disbelief and shock. Zya jumped up and down from the excitement, and the crowd roared in applause. Security squeezed the cup of water he had been holding, crushing the cup like Zya had just crushed the casino. They were paid out $100,000 each, and the man who had placed the largest bet was given a $1,000,000 check, written directly from the owner.
“Damn,” Zya whispered as Anari grabbed her arm and pulled her away from the crowd.
Zya followed Anari up to the man who had placed the bet. Anari walked up to him and punched him playfully in the arm.
“You get on my nerves. I’m always the biggest player until you walk up in here,” she said. He leaned down and kissed her on the cheek.
“Zya, this is Von . . . my husband. Von, this is the girl I’ve been telling you about.”
Zya smiled and shook her head. She couldn’t believe that Anari had known the guy all along. “Nice to meet you, Von,” she said.
“I been hearing good things about you. Anari talk like she’s found a protègé’,” he said as he kissed the top of Anari’s head.
Damn, she be talking about me like that. I hope I keep impressing her, because I’m trying to do it big lik
e her. She done put in so much work to where she ain’t got to do shit now but sit back and collect her money, she thought silently as she looked up at Von. He was mysterious to her. There was a bad scar on his neck, but his face was flawless. He was definitely a fly nigga, and Zya knew that he had just as much if not more money than Anari.
“Y’all ate?” he asked.
Anari shook her head then turned to Zya. “You hungry?”
Zya nodded and Von said, “Good. You can buy since you just won all that money.”
Zya laughed and replied, “I got you.”
They sat down in the casino’s restaurant and ate dinner together. Zya was intrigued by Anari and Von. They were on top, and it was apparent that they were very much in love. “So, how did you guys meet?” Zya asked as their waitress brought out her steamed lobster and crab cakes.
Anari looked skeptically at Von and said, “Should we tell her?”
Von shrugged and said, “She’s your friend. Do you trust her?”
Anari looked at Zya and said, “He tried to kill me.”
Zya looked confused, but didn’t say anything.
Von shook his head and said, “You love to bring that shit up, don’t you? It didn’t even go down like that. She had a nigga fooled,” Von said.
Anari and Von argued playfully as they explained to Zya the story of how they met. Von met Anari several years ago, while she was still haunted by the death of her baby’s father. After the tragic murder of her son, Anari was forced into the game. A girl named Shawna had gotten close to Anari so that she could set her up and kidnap her son for ransom. Something went wrong, and Anari’s son was killed. Anari was out for blood, but Shawna had love in the streets, and Anari knew that she would be hard to touch. She dove into the game head first to get money, so that when she confronted Shawna, she would be powerful enough to avenge her son’s death.
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