by Tiece
“Amara,” Dmitri called out snapping her back to reality. “Your father said to come in.”
“Oh,” she said with a shy grin. “Thanks.” She walked past him as he gazed at her curvy hips under her robe. For once it stopped at her knees, but he’d spotted her in skimpier attire before. His thoughts wanted to bang her good and show her what she’d been missing but he was scared to make a move thinking that her father would without a doubt find out and he didn’t want to get on Dom’s bad side, nobody did.
Amara walked through the double doors and found her father sitting at a medium sized dining table still eating his breakfast. She closed the doors behind her then made her way over to him.
“Come, sit down my love.” He said pointing to the chair right across from him. Amara pulled the chair out and sat down. For it to be only one person eating, the table was full of everything that breakfast had to offer like pancakes, eggs, bacon, grits, sausages, ham, and buttermilk biscuits. It was certainly fit for a king and he was indeed the king of that castle. “Eat up,” he insisted.
Amara wasn’t really hungry but if Dom asked her to eat then she was surely going to eat if not much, something. She grabbed a plate and put a few slices of bacon on it and some scrambled eggs then reached over and grabbed a buttermilk biscuit.
Dom smiled at her. “So what brings you into my chambers this morning?” Amara poured a little of the orange juice in her cup. She really wanted to stall a little because she didn’t know how to speak with her father about backing off of Malcolm and allowing him to stay with Diamond. She cleared her throat then drank a little bit of the juice. She looked over at Dom. He was still a very handsome man with a low waved haircut and a matching gray goatee mixed with just a little shade of black, which showed off his wise age of fifty-two. His medium cut slanted eyes always stared a person directly in the face which at times made her extremely tense.
“Father, I wanted to speak with you about Malcolm.” She nervously said then broke off a piece of her biscuit and ate it. Dom stopped eating for a second to look across the table at his daughter.
“Okay speak,” he said, his deep voice sounding like Dennis Haysbert. Anytime she heard it she thought about the All State Insurance commercial which was something she used to tease him about. Now things had gotten so intense over the years that there wasn’t much joking or teasing between the two; mostly only business.
“Father,” she nervously cleared her throat again. “Uh, I think that it would be better business for me to be able to have a decent relationship with my employees.”
“You mean Malcolm?” Dom asked, sipping on the hot coffee from the mug in his hand.
“Yes, Malcolm,” she confirmed with a sincere look in her eyes. “He is not only one of my employees but he’s also the loving father to my son. I just want him to be happy since we can’t be together.”
“Amara, this is business,” he said. “You already knew that if Malcolm broke the rules then he would have to pay the price. Did you think that just taking away five kilo’s from him for a few three weeks was enough punishment?”
“Actually I did,” she said.
“Well, you’re more diluted with false reality than I thought.” He said disappointedly shaking his head.
“I just don’t see where making him break up with Diamond is benefiting anything.” Dom sat his coffee mug on the table and pushed his plate away from him.
“Malcolm betrayed us by seeing someone on the outside without consulting with you first. Had we not been the ones intercepting that transaction then he would’ve had another connect behind our backs. I’ve worked too hard to allow sneakiness to go unnoticed in my squad.”
“But father, this is really hurting him.”
“This was only temporary anyway Amara or have you forgotten? Malcolm was set up to enter that strip club and find someone of his choosing to help her get up on her feet. In return, he knew that this was only being done to hopefully help him get over you for the most part. I figured with a new woman in his life that the transition would be easy. I honestly didn’t think that he’d fall in love with her and move her in.”
“Father you allowed him to stay with her for three years. What did you expect to happen?”
“It doesn’t matter what I expected, he wasn’t loyal and now he has to pay for it.”
“Do you not care about my relationship with him? He is—”
“Your son’s baby daddy,” Dom spoke with ill feelings. “And the father to my grandson, I already know this.”
“I just think that it’s important for us to stay cordial.” She pleaded. “And if I keep giving him these ultimatums and orders then he’s going to eventually hate me if he doesn’t already,” she said with tears in her eyes.
“What I tell you about that?” He asked. “Dry your tears. You are never to fall weak at any point in this game.” The sound of his voice roared when he said that which caused her to quickly wipe her eyes dry. “I gave you a choice back when you were eight years old, when your mom and I had gone our separate ways, to come with me. Even at eight years of age, you knew that if you stayed with her you wouldn’t live a life as lavish as this, so you came with me and here we are years later. We’ve built a nice empire for ourselves with loyal employees, well most of them,” he sarcastically stated.
“I know,” she whispered, but she felt bad that she’d sold her soul to the devil just to live in a huge mansion and wear the nicest of name brand clothes while driving the hottest whips around town.
“I chose the guys for you to recruit. You chose Malcolm on your own then when I asked you to break things off with him because he’d fucked up by selling to an undercover informant you then told me that you were pregnant by him. That is the only reason he’s not eight feet under like his traitor friend is.” He said confirming that he’d put out a hit on Malcolm’s ex-buddy to get rid of any harmful evidence that could come back to haunt him.
“I know that Malcolm isn’t perfect, but he’s a good guy. He takes care of Marco, spending more time with him than I do. Don’t you know that I wish I could be in his life full time but being who I am you won’t allow me too? I don’t have a life here except for work and keeping my ears and eyes close to the streets to keep my boys safe. I take care of my dope boys better than I do my own son. I someday want to be in a happy relationship with someone and be able to take my son to a public park and play, but it’s not safe for me to do that just because of the work I do. No one knows that I even have a son except for you and mom. Dmitri doesn’t even know and he’s your right hand man. I’ve kept my personal life as private as possible because you asked me too. Now, just once, would you please just consider this one favor and let Malcolm stay with Diamond? Think about her daughter.”
“No,” Dom quickly stated without a care in the world.
“Give him ten trips of getting five bricks instead. He can pay for his mistake that way,” she said knowing Malcolm on a more personal level than Dom. She knew that he was sorry, but Dom wasn’t having it.
“No,” he firmly stated again then looked away at his cell phone as it vibrated an incoming call. “This conversation is over.” That was his way of telling her that it was now time to leave. Amara got up from her seat and quietly exited the room. She was beyond hurt that her father could be so mean and cold, but there was nothing that she could do.
Once she was out of sight he answered the phone. “Hello,” he said. “Didn’t I tell you to never call me for anything?” He angrily stated then listened for a moment. “For the second time, we have nothing to discuss and if you call this number again you’ll be sorry.” He then ended the call and sat quietly for a moment.
“Dmitri,” he called out. Seconds later Dmitri walked inside the suite.
“Yes sir.”
“I need you to stay close to your friend today and see where his head is at.”
“That’s no problem sir. Is everything good with him?” Dmitri asked, even though he didn’t have a problem with it. Plus,
he could never say no to a man that took him in after he’d lost his father to a senseless murder and his mother to an overdose of drugs. If nothing else he was loyal to Dom and would always be no matter what.
“Yeah, everything is good. I just need you to see what he’s talking about. Find out if he’s been doing anything shady.”
“He’s a pretty stand up guy,” Dmitri said. “But if you need me to see what he’s been doing lately then I will.”
“Good, and tell Ronnie that I’ll need him on standby later tonight. I need him to do a job for me.” He said feeling like his past was trying to come to light and he wasn’t about to let that happen. He was a very powerful man who had done many things to be in that position. Most of the things weren’t nice or remotely sweet, but those things had to be done in order to secure his place on the throne; a seat that he planned on sitting for many more years to come.
“You need him tonight?” Dmitri curiously asked.
“I don’t think it’s in my best interest to wait any longer. I need this matter taken care of ASAP.”
“Okay,” Dmitri said already knowing that it was surely going down if Ronnie was involved. Ronnie was his right hand man and best friend. He was a straight shooter, literally, and had a few dead bodies on his hands already. He didn’t play at all and joked very little. Only Dmitri could make him laugh and that only lasted for a few seconds at best. He was cold hearted and ruthless and always carried a gun. If there was a hit man out there that could get the job done, it would be him.
“Just make sure that you find out any information you can on your boy today and I will call you later to confirm everything.”
“Yes sir,” Dmitri stated.
“Are you hungry?” Dom asked looking at all the food on the table as if nothing serious was just discussed.
“No thank you,” Dmitri responded. “I need to be on my way to Macon.” Macon was where he was originally from, but he mostly stayed in the mansion to be close to Dom in case he needed him.
“Okay well, you may leave then,” he stated as he watched Dmitri exit the room. He didn’t really want to go through with the plan of having this person knocked off, but the phone calls were the one thing that was upsetting. He normally didn’t have to tell a person something more than once but this person just wouldn’t accept him telling them to leave it alone. If this secret got out it could destroy everything he’d worked for and he wasn’t about to let that happen. He picked up the phone to call his clean-up man. On the first ring, he answered.
“What can I do for you?” The clean up man asked.
“I need you to be in place tonight. What we discussed a couple months back will be going down.”
“Don’t worry Sir; I’ll be there to clean up the mess.” And with that, Dom ended the call.
__________
Malcolm put on his Tank Francaise Cartier timepiece then walked over to check out his ensemble in the full length mirror. He was fresh to death in a smooth dark gray Ralph Lauren black label polo shirt and a pair of black Cargo Ralph Lauren shorts. He had a thing for pockets because he always kept something in them; especially money and his .22 handgun. It was small, yet powerful and if a nigga got wrong they would feel the force behind it.
He looked down at his shoes and smiled, wearing a new pair of black Ralph Lauren socks and an eight hundred dollar fresh pair of black double zip bar Giuseppe Zanotti high top sneakers. Diamond had bought him those two months prior on one of her expensive shopping sprees. His shoes cost more than his whole outfit next to his more expensive Cartier watch. It was only one thing that he was missing and that was his smell good so immediately sprayed on the Eau de Cartier cologne then walked out of the bedroom grabbing his truck keys as he passed them.
“Hey baby,” Diamond spoke as she relaxed on the dark tan suede sectional watching a re-run of The Braxton’s. “You’re looking mighty handsome.” She admired his gear from head to toe and the scent of his cologne was so enticing.
“Thanks love,” he said walking over and kissing her softly on the lips. “So is this what you’re doing all day?”
“Yep, while you’re gone and Amber’s away I’ll be sitting right here catching up on my favorite shows. Think I’m gonna take advantage of this me time.” She grinned. “So how long do you plan on being out?”
“Most of the day,” he responded. “I’m stopping by Russell’s first then I’ll be on to handle some other business.”
“Alright, I’ll see you when you get back.” She said still tuned into the episode that she’d missed the night before. “Be careful.”
“I will baby,” he stated then exited the house.
__________
Russell walked out in his yard to pick up the morning newspaper and like clockwork Chloe came bending the corner with her usual morning sprint around the block. The closer she got to him the faster his heart began to beat. Standing there with a hangover from his late night out, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity to speak with her and see where her mind was at.
Chloe slowed her pace seeing this sexy man standing there waiting for her in nothing but a pair of black gym shorts, a white tee, and black bedroom slippers. She gradually stopped once she was within inches away from him.
“Hey Russell,” she spoke trying to calm her breathing, but that didn’t stop her from feeling a little uncomfortable; especially not knowing where his head was at.
“What’s up Chloe,” Russell spoke back. He felt a little embarrassed too, but hell it was only one way to get over it and that was by talking about what made them so nervous to be around each other. “I didn’t expect to see you at that house party last night.”
Chloe shyly smiled. “Yeah, you were the last person that I expected to see there too.”
“It’s funny how knowing one person can connect you to meeting others.” He grinned a little.
“Tell me about it,” she said. They stood there staring at each other for a brief moment neither of them not knowing what to say.
“Soooo,” Russell dragged, thinking about their drunken state and wild turn of events. “I’m surprised you’re out exercising this morning. I’m still feeling queasy as hell from all that free liquor.”
“My stomach is cast iron,” she laughed. “I can hang with the best of ‘em.”
“I believe you,” he remarked, remembering how she was taking shot after shot after shot as if she’d been missing out on some serious excitement. Chloe stood there wondering how she could explain the events that happened after the party. She was certainly caught up.
“Hey about last night, I know I overstepped my boundaries.”
“No don’t sweat it.” Russell cut in. “I won’t tell if you don’t.” What they shared was a passionate kiss after she’d gotten him alone in his car and wanted to talk about her displeasure with Lance being in the dope game. One thing led to another and before long Chloe’s tongue was down his throat and his hands were groping her breasts.
“I do love your brother. I don’t know what got into me last night.” She still felt ashamed that she’d acted so desperate for some kind of attention.
“It was probably those shots of Hennessy that you were gulping down like Ed the wino.” Chloe laughed at his smart remark.
“Yeah, you’re probably right.” It was so easy to talk to Russell because he looked so much like Lance which was why it was so easy for him to get to first base. The party was thrown by one of her co-workers and Russell showing up caused anyone that saw them together to think that he was Lance. Russell by chance was invited by one of his do boys who had hyped the event up like it was going to be the hot shit and true enough after kissing Chloe it had indeed became the hottest event that he had attended all year.
“Is my brother okay?” He asked knowing that Lance had called several times through the night but Chloe was determined to give him some of his own medicine. She gave him the courtesy of answering only once to inform him that she was out enjoying herself with her girlfriends and that she’d retu
rn home later.
“Yeah, he’s good. I think I just surprised him by not being home when he returned from your house. See, I didn’t tell him that I was even leaving.” She grinned. “But those were my intentions anyway.”
“I see,” Russell commented looking down the street. He could hear Malcolm’s roaring pipes and base from his speakers heading their way.
“Well, let me go,” Chloe said. “I know Tammy’s doing her Saturday morning routine, but I don’t need nobody whispering about nothing that’s none of their business.”
“Malcolm’s cool, but I feel you,” he said. “I’m sure I’ll see you around.”
“You’re right about that. Oh and thanks for keeping quiet about last night.”
“Last night? What happened last night?” He teased causing her to grin as she began sprinting down the road heading towards her house. Russell couldn’t help but think about that night as he watched her sexy ass jiggle in them pink spandex tights she had on with a smile on his face.
Malcolm pulled in the driveway no sooner than Chloe could get a few feet down the road. As usual he had his music thumping hard and loud. Russell just stood in front of the truck with a smile on his face then yelled out over the music.
“Maaan, turn that shit down before you wake up the neighborhood.” Malcolm laughed and switched back the ignition then stepped out of his Dodge Ram. Even though he was 6’1 it seemed like he jumped in and out of his truck because the 30’ inch Asanti rims had it sitting up so high.
“What’s good fam?”
“Nothing much bro,” Russell spoke back as they gave each other dap then headed toward the porch to sit down and talk.