The Family Business 2

by Carl Weber

  Yeah, and he’d give it to each and every one of them, first chance he got, I thought as I listened to my mother.

  “I want you to bring this girl to dinner next Sunday night. We’re going to have a little party for Sasha’s homecoming, and it’ll be nice to have some new blood around here.”

  I said, “Okay, Mom,” and then shoveled a fork full of food in my mouth.

  “On another note,” she said in a more serious tone, “I spoke with Orlando last night. He’s agreed to have an emergency board meeting to vote on H.E.A.T.”

  I dropped my fork and sat back in my chair. “Really? Pop know about this yet?”

  “Not that I know of, but I’m sure he’ll find out soon enough. He, Harris, and Orlando went to the office for a video conference call.”

  “Conference call on a Sunday?”

  “Your father got a text early this morning from Juan Rodriguez’s son Carlos that it was urgent he speak to him. I think it has something to do with H.E.A.T.” She rolled her eyes.

  “I wonder why they didn’t call me.” What if they knew I was siding with Mom and they were shutting me out because of it?

  “I told LC I needed you this morning. He didn’t seem to mind because it wasn’t a security issue.” This set my mind at ease, but only a little.

  “So what did you need me for?” I asked.

  “Now that Orlando’s okay with an emergency vote, we have to act fast. If my plan works, we’ll have all the votes we need to defeat H.E.A.T.”

  “What exactly is your plan and who do we have on our side anyway? Because from my count, the votes are looking a little skimpy to me.”

  “Well, London’s made it clear that her vote is with us.” Mom laid a basket of fresh rolls in front of me.

  I chuckled. “Bet that didn’t go over too well with Harris.” Harris had made it clear that he stood behind Pop and Orlando and that he expected his wife to follow suit. For a while there it seemed like London was relenting to keep the peace. I couldn’t imagine he took her decision to go against him on this easily. All he could see was the money.

  “He knows better than to push too hard. I’m sure he doesn’t want a repeat of last year’s fiasco with Tony Dash,” she said, referring to the guy that London had an affair with.

  “So that means we have me, you, London, and Rio, and they have Pop, Orlando, Harris, and Paris, which makes us tied.”

  Mom said, “We have to get Paris over to our side.”

  I was doubtful that would work. “Ma, you know Paris is so unpredictable and greedy,” I said, overstating the obvious. “Not to mention she’s a daddy’s girl. You know she’ll do anything for Pop’s approval.”

  “You can say that again,” Rio commented, startling us both as he entered the kitchen.

  “And we all know who the momma’s boy is, don’t we?” I joked.

  “Yes, we do, and proud of it!” Rio walked over and gave my mother a hug and a kiss. He had always been more attached to my mother than any of us. Ever since he was little, we couldn’t get him to do anything unless Chippy agreed to watch.

  “You just getting in, sweetheart?” Mom asked Rio.

  “Yeah. After the new club closed I went to an after-hours joint to handle a little business.” Rio stretched and yawned as he sat down next to my mother.

  “Hungry?”

  “That sounds good, but first I need some of this,” Rio said, pouring himself a cup of coffee.

  “You want a waffle with that?” My mother would die before any of her offspring went hungry. She managed to deliver a package of homemade food to Vegas once a week. It didn’t matter that he was locked up. She made sure he had her cooking.

  “Nah, I’m good with some of these rolls and that honey.” Rio motioned to me. “I’m about to take my behind to bed.”

  “Well, before you go, your brother and I have been talking and we need your help,” she said sweetly.

  “Sure, Ma. What you need? You know I got you,” Rio asked her, but he was looking at me. I’m sure by now he figured we were up to something. Funny thing is, I wasn’t quite sure what it was we were up to.

  “Rio, honey . . .” Mom placed her hand over his. “We need you to talk Paris into voting against H.E.A.T.”

  “Huh?” Rio looked perplexed. “I don’t understand. Why would I do that?”

  “Because I asked you to.” Her voice took on that serious edge, the one that usually meant “Just shut up and do what I say because I’m the parent and you’re the child.” Except at his age, Rio wasn’t trying to be nobody’s baby anymore.

  I finished where Mom left off. “Rio, there’s so much going on with Alejandro, Orlando, his baby, the Jamaicans. . . . We need to scale back and not create a situation where we’re gonna have more problems. Mom thinks H.E.A.T.’s going to cause us major problems, and so do I.”

  “If getting Orlando back has shown me one thing, it’s that life is too precious to take unnecessary risks. We don’t need the money or the power,” Mom pleaded with him.

  “Look, I hear you both,” he answered, “but I can’t talk Paris into voting against H.E.A.T.”

  “Sure you can,” I said. “You’re her twin. You’re the only one who can ever talk any sense into her.” Rio was the one person who could always influence my hardheaded sister when nobody else could. He could even overpower LC’s grip on her. Call it the twin thing, but the two of them coexisted in a way none of us did. Growing up they were like two bodies, one brain most of the time. It turned out they were of one mind on this H.E.A.T. thing too.

  “Because I’m voting for it,” he said.

  “Excuse me?” My mother’s face went pale. “Did I hear you correctly? Didn’t I tell you I was voting against it?”

  “Yeah, but I’m my own man. I vote the way I see fit,” he said confidently. “I’ve been a part of H.E.A.T. since its inception. Sure, Orlando created it, but I’m the guy who brought it to market. People out there suddenly see me as a player, not just the youngest son in the Duncan empire. I’m commanding respect because they know that if they want H.E.A.T. they have to go through me. This is what I’ve wanted my entire life. I’m not going to throw that away.”

  “Rio, you can’t just think about yourself,” I said.

  Mom added her two cents. “Son, I am so disappointed in you. You are really breaking my heart. What have I done wrong to raise you to care more about making money than protecting your own family?” She shook her head, staring at Rio like she no longer recognized him. She was obviously hurt.

  “I’m sorry you feel that way, but I believe it’s a good thing for all of us. If you just go with it, I believe you will see that too.”

  My mother reached out for his hand and pleaded with him. “You’re my baby and I’ve always looked out for you. Now I need you, Rio. I need you to vote with me on this. I’m counting on you.”

  “Mom, you can count on me for a lot of things, but just not this.” Rio dropped his final bombshell, stood, and quickly exited the kitchen before he had to hear anything else about it.

  Mom and I stared at each other in shock. Neither one of us expected Rio to take such a strong position for the other side.

  “If he’s voting with them, there is no way we’re going to win this. Pop, Orlando, Harris, Paris, and Rio make it five votes against our three.”

  Instead of appearing defeated, Mom actually smiled at me, sitting up taller.

  “What are you smiling about? We need at least a tie.”

  “Let me explain something about your mother,” she said, still smiling. “I don’t like losing; never did. Ask the woman who dated your father before me. Chippy Duncan always has something up her sleeve.”

  Paris

  42

  It felt like we’d been sitting in the reception area for hours. I couldn’t wait to get out of there. My mother, on the other hand, didn’t seem fazed. She was sitting there all calm and composed, her eyes glued to the door in front of us. Momma was on some kind of mission, but she still hadn’t t
old me what the fuck we were even doing there.

  Earlier, I’d been chillin’ in my room, blasting some old school Tupac. When my mother came in unannounced, I was sure she was going to raise hell about me playing loud rap music while her precious grandbaby tried to sleep. To my surprise, it was like she didn’t notice the bass beat, the profanity, or even the baby.

  “Get dressed,” she said in this no-nonsense tone, making it clear that she wasn’t asking me to get dressed, she was telling me.

  “I am dressed,” I said. I had on a pair of ripped jeans and a halter top.

  “Not to go out with me you’re not.”

  “Where?” I asked.

  “Me, you, and Jordan have somewhere to be, and I don’t want you looking like a hoochie-momma. Dress like you got some sense for once in your life.”

  “What’s that supposed to mean? I don’t dress like a hoochie-momma.” I hated it when she got all critical.

  “Don’t play with me, Paris. You know exactly what it means. Now get dressed and meet me downstairs in fifteen minutes. I’d like to be on time for once.”

  “Okay,” I whined, sitting up on the bed. “So you gonna tell me where we’re going?”

  “You’ll find out when we get there. But if things go the way I’ve planned, I’ll take you shopping at Saks.”

  That was all the incentive I needed. I hopped up, threw open the closet, and started riffling through my clothes. I wasn’t worried about Jordan. I knew my mom would have him and his diaper bag ready. That was the kind of shit grandmothers were good at. My mom never forgot anything. She had already taken Jordan off the bed, along with his favorite toy, and was gliding out the door.

  With the restrictions placed on my life lately, this offer of shopping felt too damn good to be true. I was not about to mess it up by ignoring my mother’s instructions on the dress code, so I pulled out an outfit I knew she’d approve of: a Stella McCartney knit dress, some Lanvin booties, and a simple Chanel blazer. I even threw on a triple strand of black pearls and pulled my hair back. After a little eyeliner, mascara, and lip gloss to brighten my face I was ready. The car and driver were already waiting as we stepped out the front door.

  When we pulled up in front of the office building, I looked at my mother, hoping she’d give me an explanation. She just picked up the baby and said, “Let’s go.” I wasn’t sure why we were here, but I was scared to death of the possibilities. This was the last place on earth I wanted to be.

  To top it all off, these people had the nerve to make us wait. I was about to start cursing someone out when the secretary finally came out and told us, “The congressman and his wife are ready to see you now.”

  My mother handed Jordan over to me as we followed the secretary into a lavish office. This was the moment I’d been dreading. I’d met Congressman Sims and his wife on one other occasion, back when he was still a councilman, and it definitely wasn’t pleasant. I made a pretty bad first impression. I was praying they wouldn’t hold it against me.

  The congressman stood as we entered, waving us to the sofa across from them.

  “How can I help you, Mrs. Duncan?” He gave her a fake-ass smile that I’m sure he thought looked charming. This guy was a politician through and through.

  “For someone who donated so generously to your campaign, you certainly took your time scheduling this meeting,” Momma snipped at him. No one intimidated my mother. After all, she was married to LC Duncan, who could buy this guy ten times over.

  He kept his cool, attempting to unruffle her feathers. “As important as my supporters are, you can understand that the first twelve months in office are the most challenging. We don’t get back to New York from Washington as much as we would like, and when we do my time is extremely scarce.”

  My mother quickly dismissed his weak apology. “Okay then, in the interest of your scarce time, why don’t we get straight to the point.” She looked him dead in the eyes and said, “Ronald, I need a favor.”

  “A favor.” He glanced over at his wife. A look passed between them that was too quick for me to read, then they both smiled at Momma. His wife was as good at the fake-ass plastic smile as he was.

  “Well, Mrs. Duncan, I hope I can help you. What kind of favor exactly do you need?” he asked.

  “I need you to ask your friend the governor for a favor on my behalf.” Momma didn’t bother to smile.

  “Mrs. Duncan, I’ll be the first to admit that you and your husband have been generous contributors to my campaign, but why would I be motivated to ask the governor for a favor?”

  I watched my mother. She didn’t even flinch.

  “Because if you don’t help me, I can promise you are never going to see your grandson again.” Momma nodded toward Jordan, who lay peacefully in my arms, sucking on his pacifier. I almost dropped him when I heard her announce he was their grandson.

  “What are you talking about?” Congressman Sims stood up, sounding incensed. All the blood seemed to have rushed from Mrs. Sims’s face, making her a pasty yellow. She didn’t speak—looked like she couldn’t. She just sat there with her mouth half open, staring at my son.

  “You were aware that before your son passed he and my daughter were acquainted? They were seeing each other. Dating. Hooking up. Whatever you choose to call it.”

  “Yes.” The words came from Mrs. Sims. Both she and her husband had their eyes fixed on Jordan, and neither looked happy. Not that I could blame them. If they thought they were getting a surprise, they had no idea how much this whole thing stunned me. What the fuck was my mother doing? She hadn’t mentioned a damn thing about doing this on the way over.

  Momma was the only one in the room who still seemed in control of her senses. While the rest of us were reeling in shock, she was all business. “What I’m saying is that nine months after your son died, my daughter gave birth to his child. The baby Paris is holding is Trevor’s son, your grandson, Jordan. Can’t you see the resemblance?”

  Mrs. Sims leaned forward to try to get a better look at Jordan, but her husband held her back. The poor woman was so flabbergasted she was shaking.

  “Momma,” I said, but she put her hand up.

  “Hold on, baby. I’m in the middle of a conversation.” She turned back to Sims. “Well, Congressman, what’s it going to be?”

  “What is this really about, Mrs. Duncan? Money? Do you want money from me and my wife? Are you trying to scam us with a baby so you can get paid? Well, I for one will not be extorted. We are not giving you a dime. As a matter of fact, I want you to leave my office right now or I will call security and have them remove you.” He picked up his phone and shook it at my mother. I watched fascinated as she lowered her handbag to the table and leaned back on the sofa, not intimidated in the least.

  “Do I look like I need your fucking money?” Her voice held no trace of the cuddly grandmother she’d been earlier. “My husband buys and sells bullshit politicians like you every day. Why the fuck would I want your money?”

  “You can’t speak to me this way!”

  “Why can’t I?” she said. “In three years you’re going to run for office again—possibly senator. Maybe the governorship is on your radar? I don’t know, but what I do know is that you’re going to need money. Not just campaign contribution money, but super-PAC money, which my family and I will gladly contribute to heavily.”

  Sims continued to hold the phone, but refrained from dialing any numbers—or even speaking, for that matter.

  “On the flip side, the very last thing you’re going to want is to have the Duncan family as your sworn enemies backing your opponent. Now, I’m asking you for a favor. I don’t want your money; I do, however, want your friendship”—she gestured toward Jordan—“and for us all to be a family.”

  “Is that really my grandbaby?” Trevor’s mother slipped away from her husband and stood next to my mother.

  Momma looked her dead in the eyes and said, “Grandmother to grandmother, that’s your son’s baby. Look at him. He’s
wearing your son’s face.”

  Mrs. Sims looked down at Jordan and beamed. “May I hold him?” Her voice shook with hope.

  “Honey, I don’t think that’s such a good idea,” the congressman stammered.

  Mrs. Sims paid her husband no mind, repeating her request. “May I please hold my grandson?”

  My mother nodded, encouraging me to pass Jordan to her. Mrs. Sims took him from me, pulling the blanket back around his face and staring at my baby.

  “Oh my God, Ronald. She’s right. He has Trevor’s eyes and nose. Oh, and there’s no mistaking those Sims lips.” She looked up at her husband, her eyes glistening. After a few moments, she stepped closer to her husband, snuggling and kissing Jordan. This time it was her voice that turned steely and absolute.

  “Whatever it is they want, Ronald, give it to them. I don’t give a damn if you have to call the president for a favor. I don’t want any problems with these people. They are the mother and grandmother of Trevor’s son, and this baby is the only part of my son I have left.”

  I sneaked a peek at my mother, noticing the slight trace of a smile forming at the corners of her mouth. I guess we were going shopping at Saks.

  LC

  43

  I scanned the faces sitting around the boardroom table then took my seat with a scowl on my face. When Orlando first told me about this emergency board meeting that his mother had talked him into, I’d told him that I didn’t like the idea. But that wasn’t why I was upset. My dark mood was a result of the news I’d received.

  I cleared my throat. “I apologize for being late. I was on a call with Carlos Rodriquez. He just informed me that his father was murdered last night outside his home in Puerto Rico.”

  There were gasps and then a stunned silence throughout the room. Juan Rodriguez wasn’t just a business associate; he was a friend. Our kids had played together when they were young.

  “Oh my God. Lola must be a wreck,” Chippy said sadly, placing her hand over mine.

  “Do they have any idea who did it?” Orlando asked.