* * *
LaTanza had tried to visit Carlos the past two nights to no avail. They weren’t giving him any visits and she had to wait until today, four days after his arrest. To Chavez and the rest of the crew she looked a mess, even though at her worst she still looked good. She rode the elevator up to the visiting room floor. She was at the Metropolitan Correctional Complex in downtown Chicago. Carlos had been transferred there as well as everyone else who’d been arrested. The feds didn’t want Carlos talking to anyone so they held up his visits and phone calls until his lawyer and LaTanza made a few phone calls complaining about his rights. But the feds made sure that he knew that the other men were getting visits. They were already starting to fuck with Carlos. He saw Lucky walking with the CO on his way to a visit. Tesha had come to see how he was doing and to put a grand on his books. She was also there so Lucky could give her the 411 on what had gone down and what move to make next. She advised Lucky that Jamel had made the call for him, and that she had talked to Slim and made all of his arrangements to arrive back in the city, and that he’d made it.
The CO brought Carlos out to the visiting area, and LaTanza was sitting there looking as good as ever. She could see the relief on her husband’s face when he saw her. She smiled brightly showing off her beautiful teeth. She hugged her husband and shed some tears and sniffled telling him how much she missed him. They kissed and then he asked where Carlita was. She told him that she didn’t want to bring her until the next visit because she knew that they had business to discuss. Business that was very important and she wanted to see how the atmosphere was before she brought their child. Even though his heart ached to see his little one, he understood LaTanza’s thinking.
They got right down to business. The two held hands as Carlos told her exactly how everything went down. She took it all in and told him that Chavez said to ask if he thought it was Rios since he, Rios and Chavez were the only ones who knew of the meet. Carlos said that he know it wasn’t Chavez, that they went too far back for him to pull something like that and that he had nothing to gain seeing as he never wanted and doesn’t have the desire to be head of the family. That he was fine with being a lieutenant so he could still hang in the streets and soldier, that he liked getting his hands dirty. Carlos told his wife that if Rios fought the police they would fuck him up good. But if Rios got out soon, that meant that a deal was cut, and since he’s the first in line to be boss of the crew, then the early release would speak volumes, and they needed to take care of him.
LaTanza looked her husband square in the eyes and told him that Chavez and Fernando agreed that she should be in charge and that all he needed to do is say the word and that she would run the family to the fullest with the help of Chavez and Fernando.
Carlos leaned back and took in what his wife was saying. He wondered if she was up to the task of being boss then immediately thought, yes. Over the years she had given her input on a lot of the decisions that he’d made and she was never wrong. She has book and street smarts and could read the hell out of people. Along with Chavez, he figured they could hold down the fort until he could come up with a better idea if there was one. He thought for a second then told her to contact his cousin in New York and tell him what had gone down and ask him to make a trip to see him. Carlos’ cousin had lived in Chicago and New York most of his life and was second in command of a cartel there in the east. He had worked with Carlos for years and now Carlos needed his help. He trusted his wife to the fullest, but he needed someone who was used to running a drug empire and his cousin Jose, had been in the mix in the two cities for years. It was time for him to help the cousin who taught him the game and put him on. He needed him to help and look out for his wife, LaTanza. Now LaTanza, on the other hand, didn’t agree with it but didn’t let Carlos know that. Jose was a cross between Carlos’ highly street intelligent mind and Chavez’s savvy and ruthless mind so she’d have to be careful, but if Jose tried to run things and not let her be the Queen Bee, he’d end up wishing he’d stayed in New York and continued taking his bites out of the Big Apple.
* * *
Slim saw the barmaid smiling as she fixed a Jack and Coke on the rocks. Antwan and Reese would have to place their order for she only knew what Slim wanted. Slim told everyone that he’d meet them in a minute. Antwan asked where was the office and Noonie directed him and Reese telling them that they could get a drink in there. Tesha set the drink on the bar and came from behind it. The lights were dim, but Slim was able to see how the body was still growing.
“Damn, girl! You need to quit it!” he said looking her up and down.
She walked toward him with arms held out ready for the hug she was going to receive and give. “Shut up, boy, and hug ya girl!” They embraced each other and rocked side to side as the hug lasted for awhile.
Slim held her and whispered, “I’m gonna handle whoever set up Lucky, believe that!”
“I know, baby, I know,” she sniffled, doing her best to hold back her tears.
They let go of each other and Slim asked, “So where the hell is your dude?”
Tesha smiled sheepishly.
“Don’t be looking all like that. Lucky told me about you and Ant. And where is that nigga? I ain’t seen him since we were shorties. Tell him to get his ass out here!” Slim looked around the club and when he turned to look behind him, Ant was standing there.
“Ant?” Slim said even though he knew it was he. Lucky had sent pictures of Anthony and here he was standing face to face with his old sandbox playing in partner.
“Whad’up, fam?” Ant said as reached out to give Slim some dap.
“Fuck that! Gimmie some love!” He hugged Ant telling him how glad he was to have him home and sorry about Auntie Gloria. Anthony’s mom wasn’t really Slim’s aunt, but they spent so much time at one another’s house when they were little that Slim called her his auntie. Ant told him thanks and sorry that he had to come back under these circumstances. Slim told him not to worry, that he was going to get Lucky out, and it was time that some people paid for fucking with his crew.
Ant replied, “Now that’s what I’m talking about.”
Slim grabbed the Jack off the bar and nodded for Tesha and Ant to follow him to the couch that was facing a flat panel that was playing BET. The three sat and from there on out it was business. Tesha was on one side of Slim and Ant the other. First Slim wanted to know what Lucky had told Tesha when she went to visit him. Tesha told him that Lucky was doing well considering the fact that he was locked down. Money was put on his books and some woman he was dealing with was taken to see him. Tesha also told Slim exactly what Lucky told her about what went down and all events that led up to him getting arrested. He took it all in especially about the anonymous tip that led to the arrest—a tip that was aimed at Carlos. Slim thought for a moment about the set up being aimed at Carlos and that Lucky just happened to be the one dealing with him. He sipped on his drink as he realized that he had to wait and see who was appointed as head of their family while Carlos was gone. It would possibly give him some insight as to who had a part in the set up and it had to be someone close in their organization because seeing as how Carlos wouldn’t have let it been known to just anyone that he was going to be at a meet with the drugs.
Slim told Tesha and Ant that he was ready to go talk to the other members of the crew. He looked Ant over and said, “Damn when we were little I'd never thought you were going to grow up to be this damn big! All cocky and shit. When we get time we’re going to have to hit the gym, what you pressin’?” Slim did the imaginary bench press with his arms.
“Fam, I don’t know my max but I can hit 315 for ten reps. Can you handle that?” Ant asked smartly.
Slim laughed and said, “Oh you cocky, with yours, huh? I see we gonna have to bang together.” He patted Ant on the shoulder. “Cause you beasting it and I’m trying to get my swole on.”
Inside the office were DC, Noonie, Ant, Tesha, Greg, Antwan, Reese and Slim. This meeting was for Sl
im to let everyone know what his plans were in dealing with the problems that have been occurring over the past few months. Lucky had kept him abreast of all that was going on, and he didn’t like what he was hearing. He left Lucky in charge to run things the way he wanted and things were going good until lately. Soldiers getting killed, stash houses getting robbed and lieutenants getting jacked, namely DC. He told everyone that sloppiness couldn’t be tolerated when you are making money hand over fist because the haters are out there and will cut your throat for your piece of the pie. That sometimes niggas will knock you off just because they hate seeing you riding in that whip that attract attention. He told them to be mindful of when they bounced in the club and all the women flocked to them because of their power. The haters who are too lazy to grind themselves or don’t have the skills to grind whether it’s legal or illegal gets pissed—especially when they’re full of the liquid courage.
Slim laid down the law that no product is to be kept in any house that you lay your head at and definitely not where a funky ass broad is staying. He told Tesha, “No offense, not talking about you.”
She knew what was up and that he was directing that order to DC mostly so she shrugged her shoulders saying, “None taken.”
He told Noonie that he wanted to know where every stash spot was at and what corners they ran. He also wanted to know where that nigga, Bone’s, spots were at and where he laid his head. He looked at DC telling him and that ho, Cat, also. Everyone caught the look and knew DC didn’t like it, but the fact was that he slipped when it came to a bitch and that’s what Cat is and Slim wasn’t about to let a Myte deal go down again. He then told everyone that they still were holding their respected positions even though Antwan and Reese were there. He explained that they were to report to them and they would report to him. He told DC to get all the men that ran the corners together and he would meet them tomorrow so he could lay down some laws and to get to know them.
Ducet, one of Lucky’s bouncers knocked on the door and waited for the answer to come in.
“What’s up?” Noonie yelled.
Ducet who was tall and heavyset opened the door and stuck his head in. “Sorry to interrupt.” He looked at Slim. “A white man in a Lincoln pulled up. I got him at the bar. He says he was told to meet you here. Says he’s Lucky’s lawyer.”
“Oh shit, I forgot,” Tesha said as she stood. “He called and said he had some good news so I thought it would be good if he came and told us in person seeing as how you are here, Slim.”
Slim told everyone that the meeting was over and that he was glad to be back home and that they were going to make money and all was going to be well. He told DC and Noonie that he’d call them later. The men stood and they left, all but Ant, Reese and Tesha. Antwan would have stayed, but he had just gotten in town and had a son he hadn’t seen since he’d left. He kept the baby mama paid sending her thirty grand every six months, but it was nothing compared to being there and now he was home.
They invited the Italian suit-wearing lawyer in the office. He had a glass of vodka and OJ clutched in his hand. He kissed Tesha on the check. He knew her well because he was the lawyer that Lucky dealt with all the time. She introduced Mr. Buehler to Slim and then they got down to business. Buehler spoke to Tesha but often directed his attention to Slim and Anthony. Anthony, because he knew that was Lucky’s son, and Slim because he could tell that the man who automatically commanded attention was in charge. When it was all said and done, the expensive lawyer explained that he’d met with the DA who let it slip that they didn’t have much on Lucky and Frank. The police had jumped the gun and the drugs were never taken out of the trunk. They didn’t have anyone on tape so they had no conversation and the drugs were in Rios’ vehicle. They had both vehicles on tape leaving one of Carlos’ houses and for a moment the two were in the car together until Rios dropped Carlos off and he got into another vehicle. The prosecutor decided that he was going to drop the charges on Lucky and Frank since the lieutenant on the case agreed that she was happy with only Carlos and Rios.
Tesha jumped for joy, and Ant couldn’t help but to smile at the thought of his father coming home. Slim thanked the lawyer and told him if there was anything he needed to just let him know. The lawyer just shook his head telling him that he was fine and why not? He’d made fifteen grand for only a few days of work.
The lawyer left and Slim told Ant that they needed to have a talk. They sat at the bar along with Antwan. Slim told Ant that he wanted to make a move on Bone, nothing big, but he wanted to get his attention. To let him know that the ruler was back. Ant told him that he figured they should kill two birds with one stone and the best way was to get his new girl, DC’s old girl, Cat. She was lying up with Bone and was the one who set up DC. Slim asked did he have a plan? Ant raised his shot glass, Slim and Antwan followed his lead and their glasses clinked when he told them that he did and wanted to put the plan in effect tonight.
They downed the shot of Patron and Slim nodded saying, “Well let’s start this shit off right, fam.”
Hos Jump up To Get Beat Down
Antwan and Slim were sitting in the parking lot of a club in the suburbs south of Chicago. The city was predominantly black with a few Hispanics. They were watching a black suburban rock back and forth. The windows were tinted and you couldn’t see inside the new SUV, but they knew who was causing the truck to sway. Grimy ass Bone was sitting in the rear seat with Cat on top riding the shit out of him. They thought about walking up to the vehicle and putting about seventeen shots in it, but that would have been too easy and there were too many police in the area that would have hindered a smooth getaway. They sat quietly sipping their cognac out of the plastic cups they’d gotten at the liquor store, chillin’ like old times, until their two enemies finished getting down gutter style.
Heels touched the pavement first. Thick dark legs were all they were able to see for the door was blocking the rest of Cat’s body.
“This nigga and that ho’s triflin’,” Antwan said as a semen filled condom flew past Cat and hit the side of a Navigator that was parked next to Bone’s Suburban, then landed on the concrete.
Slim laughed at Atwan then said, “Don’t act like you never got down and grimy in a parking lot before, nigga.”
“Yeah, but I ain’t never threw my little swimmers on a muthafucka’s whip. Shit, a nigga would kill a muthafucka if he knew he threw a rubber full of nut on his shit,” Antwan laughed.
Cat shut the door and walked toward the club to meet up with her girl as Bone started his engine and drove off. Slim’s cell rang as Antwan said, “Damn, I see why DC was fuckin’ that bitch. Her black ass got a body. No wonder she’s wearing a mini-skirt in fuckin’ November. She’s trying to show off that ass.”
“What’s up?” Slim said into his cell.
Anthony told him, “That’s her.”
“One thing fo’ sho’, bitch got a body. Be careful following that nigga. Just see where he goes and get the address,” Slim told Anthony who was parked several cars away from them.
Slim’s plans were to have Bone tailed for a week so they could get all the addresses to where he frequented so if he wanted to find Bone’s ass he would know of some of the places to look. He and Antwan were at the club tonight to mingle with the crowd and to stunt in front of Cat since she had no idea who they were. Once they got her greedy sack chasing ass to bite, they were going to reel her in and teach her a lesson about fucking with people from Slim’s crew.
A ‘Blame it on the Alcohol’ was pumping through the speakers and the club was packed. Antwan slipped one of the security guards a fifty to let them in and a c-note to one of the bouncers on the inside to get them a table. The thick neck steroid taking man did just that and some of the hoochies and hood rats took notice. They started heading toward the two men who were dressed in expensive jeans, silk shirts and ice that was blinging so hard Stevie Wonder would have taken notice.
They made small talk with some of the women but made sur
e that they kept an eye on Cat, who was on the dance floor with a small time hustler who she knew she could get to pay for all her drinks tonight and a carry out of shrimp and wings when he took her home. She could have paid for that bullshit herself, but she liked the game of getting a nigga to pay and do whatever.
Cat was working up a sweat on the dance floor and the young baller she was with was grinning coolly like he was doing something, but then there it was, she got notice of the two men sitting in the corner. They had women feigning over them and she could see why. The ice on the men said they were paid and the way the women were flocking to them meant that they were spending loot, and she wasn’t going to miss out on shit.
The song ended, and Cat got rid of her young companion by telling him that she needed a drink. He looked at the line that was longer than the one at the DMV on the last day of the month to get your plates. He didn’t want to stand in line for a drink but knew he had to get Cat’s fine ass something to quench her thirst so he told her he’d be back. He went to one of his partners who was there riding his coattail and told him to get the drink—to basically stand in line for about ten minutes. When the young baller turned back around to where Cat and her friend’s table was, he didn’t see her there. He scanned the overly crowded club and saw Cat sitting on Slim’s lap playing with his iced out ‘S’ that was laying on his chiseled chest.
Fucking bitch! He thought as he told his boy to get a double Hennessy instead.
It didn’t take long to woo Cat’s ass, and Slim talked her into going outside to talk. Cat agreed and she followed him outside to his tinted out black Lexus. Antwan wasn’t too far behind. Slim and Cat stood outside his vehicle, and he wrote down her number. He eventually convinced her dumb mini-skirt in the winter wearing ass to step inside his vehicle where she could keep warm as he continued to woo her. She stepped in and that was the worst thing she could have done. Slim sat next to and sweet-talked her. He went to kiss her on her cheek. He noticed that she had closed her eyes to take it all in and that’s when she felt a pain like she had never felt before. He had punched her so hard in the jaw two teeth loosened. Blood seeped out her mouth when she gasped.
The Corner II Page 21