The feeling was so good. Pepper pushed Dame's head in further as she released herself into his mouth. Her body shook from the rush that was going through her. Dame licked her clean.
When it was all done, Dame rose up and kissed Pepper's forehead. "Goodnight."
19
THE CARTEL
Pepper, Dame and China were up early to go and see Mo'esha at the justice Center. Pepper hated Jail although she had never been. Her heart pounded through her chest. She didn't want to see Mo'esha behind bars like an animal.
Dame stayed out in the waiting area as China and Pepper made their way up to the telephone block. When they got to their station, Mo'esha was brought in. She still looked pretty and like she was holding up pretty well.
That made Pepper calm down.
When Mo'esha saw China and Pepper she smiled warmly. She was happy to see her friends but was sad she couldn't be on the outside with them.
Mo'esha took her seat and picked up the phone, and so did Pepper.
"Hey y'all! " Mo'esha exclaimed in the phone. "Hey!" Both China and Pepper said excitedly. "Damn, it's good to see y'all. I can't stand being up in this bitch." Mo'esha told them. Peppers eyes lowered.
"How much they talking?"
Mo'esha sucked her teeth. "Either I’ma get a life sentence, or a death Sentence. I'm thinking I’ma get the death penalty. The judge hates me." Mo'esha shrugged nonchalantly.
China and Peppers mouth hung up and their eyes both watered.
"What! No! You’re not going to get a couple of years?" China whined.
Mo'esha shook her head. "Nope. I went to court this morning. They said I'm facing Life or Death." Mo'esha said as though they were only going to give her a year.
"Bitch, why you seem so nonchalant? This is serious Mo'esha! You're never gonna get out of here!" China cried.
"I know how serious it is, hoe! But what's done is done. I can't take shit back. "
Pepper looked at her friend. "Why life or death? Do they have evidence? "
Mo'esha nodded her head. "Yep. Not only evidence, I confessed to both murders and I ain't give a fuck about it."
"You did what?!" Pepper yelled. "Why you do that?!"
“Because, Pepper. I'm guilty. You know I'm guilty and they know I'm guilty! I killed both those niggas and I ain't sorry for doing it like I told that cracker ass judge! I didn't give a fuck when I murdered them So I ain't go give a fuck now! I'm a soulja, An O.G. I'm about mine and I own up to that. Ima' represent." Mo'esha said confidently.
Pepper knew her friend was a soulja. Her most favorite soulja. All Pepper could do was respect Mo'esha for what she done and what she said.
"So, When is your sentencing?" China asked. "In 2 days." Mo'esha told them.
"Damn, why so soon?" China scrunched up her face.
"Because, bitch I confessed! If I confessed ain't no need to waste no more time. I'm Guilty! And my fingerprints were found at the scene of each murder. "
"You left evidence!" Pepper couldn't believe her ears. Mo'esha shook her head and lowered it. "Yeah. Damn man! When I stabbed that nigga in the hotel I must've dropped the knife. And with Jose, my prints were all over his Car door."
Pepper couldn't believe it. Bring a part of The Cartel she figured Mo'esha would've been smarter than to leave evidence. But she slipped up. And for that, she had to pay.
After the visit was over, Mo'esha promised to call them and let them know what her faith was. The girls kissed each other through the glass and China and Pepper made their way down to the lobby where Dame was waiting.
"What she say?" Dame asked, as he drove to the funeral home so Pepper and China could make arrangements for Si-Si to be buried the next day.
“Since she confessed to both murders and they found her finger prints, she's looking at a life sentence or the death penalty for the lack of her remorse," Pepper said in almost a whisper.
Dame reached over and massaged Pepper's face.
"It's ok, baby. Your girl a soulja," Pepper smiled.
"I know."
When they arrived at the walker's funeral home, China and Pepper walked through the doors and met with the funeral director. Pepper already knew how she wanted Si-Si to go out.
Since they had to lay low from Macy, Pepper decided not to have a funeral, but to just Take Si-Si right to the Cemetery so She and China could say their final goodbye's and put their friend to rest in peace."
Pepper and China emerged from the funeral home exhausted. All Pepper wanted to do was get to the Condo Dame had rented for them back in Newport Kentucky.
The condo was beautiful and it looked over The Ohio River and Cincinnati.
The condo was definitely built for queens. When the ladies were settled in Dame kissed Pepper on the lips and said, "Aight, Baby. Y'all good and safe now. I gotta leave for a while though so I can get back to my plans with killing Macy. I think that nigga starting to suspect some shit so I gotta go handle that. Ima' be in touch though. I won't be long. I promise."
Pepper didn't want him to leave. She wanted him with her forever and now that he was in her life she couldn't see herself without him. But she knew that he was a strong man on a mission. Pepper nodded her head and tried to keep her tears from falling but she failed. Dame Wiped her tears away and hugged her tightly. What seemed like the longest hug ever he released her and pecked her lips again before turning around and walking out the door.
20
THE CARTEL
China and Pepper hugged each other tightly as They cried for their Friend and Cartel member, Si-Si. Seeing her in her casket was too much to bare. Memories from when they were teens flooded each Woman's brain. They missed Si-Si and even though Nay-Nay turned snitch. They missed her too. Now Si-Si and Nay-Nay could be together again.
Pepper made sure Si-Si looked beautiful. She looked like an Angel laying peacefully in her casket. Si-Si reminded Pepper a lot of that Mexican singer Selena who was shot and killed by her friend; except Si-Si was Puerto Rican.
China threw a rose inside the 6ft hole that her friend was being lowered into and whispered, "Bye Si-Si." Tears were pouring from both women's eyes like a waterfall. When Si-Si was fully loaded into the ground, Pepper lost it.
"No! Si-Si! No!" Pepper jumped up and down unable to control her emotions. She fell to her knees and broke down some more.
Theirs lives weren't supposed to be like this. They were all supposed to dead niggas and get money. Not get deaded.
Pepper began to think if she never would've accepted the hit to take out Macy none of this ever would've happened. But it was too late for ' What if's '. Once the funeral was over, The ladies couldn't rest easy because They were too worried about Mo'esha 's faith.
Pepper drove back to their Condo and flopped down in a chair at the kitchen counter with China right beside her.
Pepper's phone began to ring and she was relieved when she saw it was Dame.
"How was the funeral, baby? I know it was hard. " Pepper broke out crying again. " Yeah. It was so hard. I can't keep going through this, Dame. First Nay-Nay, now Si-Si, then this shit with Mo'esha. It's like it's never going to end! " Pepper cried into the phone. There was a pause on the other end. Pepper didn't know if Dame was still on the phone.
"Dame?"
"Oh, shit baby turn on the news! Ya girl on there!" Dame yelled.
Pepper looked at China who got up and ran over to the TV and turned it on.
Both women couldn't believe what they were seeing and hearing.
News Anchor:
"Today, A woman accused of murdering two men—one 9 years ago and the other 2 weeks ago was sentenced to death today. Not only did she confess to the brutal murders but her fingerprints were found at the scene. Mo'esha Veltrez is scheduled to die sometime next year."
Pepper dropped the phone that was in her hands and fell to the floor. She cried her eyes out until they were swollen. China ran over to Pepper trying to concole her. Pepper felt her world crumbling around her. She couldn't take any more
deaths and now she was going to be losing her number one soulja.
"It's ok, Pepper. It's gonna be alright. We're going to be alright," China cried.
Pepper knew their Days were over. They had come a long way but lost too many members. Although they all done dirt and killed many people, Karma had come full circle for Mo'esha, Nay-Nay, and Si-Si.
Pepper knew that Karma was real. And The La'Bella Cartel was over.
21
THE CARTEL
Pepper and China sat in their seats waiting for what was to come—the death of another Cartel member. But this death wasn't being done on the streets, it was being done by the hands of the Law. There was no escaping it. They were about to put down The Beautiful Mo'esha Veltrez. One of the most dangerous Women Cincinnati had ever seen.
Pepper's heart raced in her chest and her eyes were filled with tears that were hidin ' by the oversized sun glasses she wore. Both China and Pepper had to seal their identities because they didn't want any heat on them.
Pepper felt she was going to shit her pants when they brought in Mo'esha and laid her on the Hospital bed strapping her in like an animal.
China squeezed Peppers hand as anxiety built up inside of her as well.
Mo'esha turned her head and looked at both ladies knowing exactly who they were behind the shades. Pepper had told Mo'esha long ago that they would be at her execution and what they would be wearing.
Pepper saw no fear in Mo'esha eyes. It was like she was ready to die and was at peace with her fate.
The doctor wrapped Mo'esha left arm with a long rubber rope preparing to stick her with the poison that would ultimately stop her heart.
"Misses Mo'esha Veltrez. Do you have any last words?" The priest asked.
Mo'esha never took her eyes off of Pepper and China as she spoke,
"I just want to say that I will forever and Always Love My Girls. We're a crew. Even with my death, The La'Bella Cartel will live on. I love you Mami's. Remember me when I'm gone."
Pepper almost lost it. So many tears was pouring down her face she couldn't stop it. She loved Mo'esha for being the real bitch she was. No matter what, Mo'esha will forever and always be in her heart.
As the Doctor stuck the needle in Mo'esha's arm, she never flinched or took her eyes off her crew. She knew they would miss her as much as she would miss them. Mo'esha also knew that there was no heaven for a soul like her own. She had no heart, and she regretted nothing. She knew she was ruthless and the devil had her soul. No one even cared about her. Her parents left America and never looked back. None of her family was in the states. The Cartel was her family and all she ever knew. She knew Pepper and China would never forget her and that her legacy would live on.
As the poison filled her veins, Mo'esha 's eyes blinked uncontrollably. Pepper knew that her friend was hanging on for as long as she could. As the poison reached Mo'esha's heart, she began to feel herself slipping away. An overwhelming feeling of sleepiness came over her and she couldn't control the closing of her eyes.
As soon as Mo'esha 's eyes closed, Her heart flat-lined on the monitor.
The doctor Pressed on Mo'esha's neck searching for a pulse.
He glanced at his watch and back at the audience and Announced, "Time of death, 5:15 pm."
Pepper's head lowered and her heart dropped. The Beautiful Crazy Mo'esha was dead.
EPILOGUE
THE CARTEL
The Hot Summer weather was beautiful. Green leaves were blowing in the wind and The sun was way up in the sky.
Pepper and China sat at the very top of Eden Park looking down below them at the Ohio River and the skyline of Kentucky.
Both Women were in a daze just thinking about their lives and how things had changed over the years. They wished that Nay-Nay, Si-Si, and Mo'esha were still with them physically. But they had to live knowing they were with them in spirit.
China's Long White Sun-Dress blew to a perfect rhythm with the wind. She sighed and looked at her friend Pepper.
Who would've thought that it would just be the two of them left?
China looked back at the river and said, "Who would've thought this would be our lives? Started out with five and ended with two. I don't know about you, but I'm sick of this life. I want to move some place new. Some place I never been to, start a new life where no one knows me and I could leave this old life in Cincinnati far behind. I prayed to God and asked him to forgive me for all the wrong I've ever done in my life, and I feel he's forgiven me and now I can move on.”
Pepper felt what China was saying and where she was coming from. She had been feeling the same way. She wanted to have a life with Dame and maybe start a family. But she knew until he deaded Macy that couldn't be. Macy was the only thing standing in the way.
"I feel you. So where you trying to go?" Pepper asked, looking at her friend. The only crew she had left.
"I was thinking L.A. Maybe meet me a rich man or a rich superstar like Denzel." China said smiling. Pepper shook her head and laughed.
"Bitch, please. You might get you a rich man but you ain't getting Denzel honey!"
Both ladies burst into laughter.
"So, when you leaving?" Pepper asked. China looked at Pepper and frowned.
"Me? You ain't coming?"
Pepper shook her head. "Nah. You know me and Dame got something going on here. When he kill that Macy nigga, we can build a life together."
"Do you really think you could trust him?" China asked, with a worried expression.
"Yeah, Girl. I see it in his eyes. Plus, if he was working for Macy we would've been rocked a long time ago."
China nodded her head. "True. But I'm leaving tomorrow. I don't want to be here longer than I have to be. I already got my ticket."
"So bitch you been knew you were leaving?" Pepper said, playfully hitting China in the arm.
Pepper looked into her friend eyes with a sincere look on her face.
"I love you, China. You're all I got left. If Things don't work out with me and Dame, I'll join you in Cali."
China smiled and hugged Pepper tightly.
****
"Are you ready? You sure this is what you want to do, China? " Pepper asked, not really wanting her friend to leave.
"I'm sure, Pepper. It's about time I get out in this world alone and experience new things."
Pepper wanted to object, but China's mind was made up.
Pepper walked China all the way to her gate. Before China walked in the gate and got on her plane to start her new life, she turned to Pepper, hugging her tightly.
"I love you too, Pepper. Take care."
China gave Pepper one last squeeze before letting go and walking through the gate to go to L.A.
When Pepper got back to her car she cried. She was going to miss China but she knew her friend needed to find her own way just like she did.
Pepper's phone sounded off. She fished it out of her purse. It was Dame.
"Hey, baby," Pepper said through sniffles.
"Baby, meet me at the condo. Hurry up, it's important. " Dame said and hung up.
Pepper couldn't tell by his voice if something was wrong but she put her car in drive and hurried home. When she walked through the door, Dame was sitting at the kitchen counter, waiting for her.
"Baby, what is it? What happened?" Pepper asked in a frightened tone.
Dame smiled and stood up.
"I deaded that nigga. I got him. I just couldn't put it off anymore. It was time." Dame waited for Pepper to speak.
Pepper looked into Dame's eyes. "Really? Macy is dead? How did you do it? When?"
"Earlier today. I just had to. I was so tired of that nigga thinking he was the man and that he couldn't be touched. When he started talking about how he was Scarface and he was going to dead this person and that person I just pulled out my heat and fired two shots in that nigga head. After, I bounced." Dame told her. Pepper was at a loss for words.
"What about his goons? They weren't there?"
Dame smirked. "Oh, they was there. But it ain't what you think. Macy's goons weren't really his goons," Dame paused. "They were mine."
Pepper had a surprised looked plastered on her face. "What! You telling me the goons never worked for him? They worked for you?" Pepper Repeated.
Dame nodded his head. "Yep. When Macy only friend died, Macy ain't have nobody. That's why it was so easy for me and my goons to get in with Him. I never deaded the nigga cause I ain't want it to be that easy. He wasn't as smart as he thought. I wanted that challenged. I wanted to befriend that nigga and get in his head, that way when I deaded him, he would see he wasn't untouchable, And that I could've touched him all along."
Pepper was dumb founded but amazed at her Mans skill.
She smiled and jumped into his arms.
"So, does that mean we can start our life together now?"
Dame nodded his head and smirked. "Yep."
He looked around the condo. "Where's China?" "Oh, she left for Cali today. She said she was tired of Cincinnati and that she needed to find her own way. We'll keep in touch though."
Dame nodded his head and let Pepper down to stand on her own two feet. He looked at Pepper in her eyes and pulled her close to him.
"I love you, Pepper." He said with Sincerity. Pepper wrapped her arms around Dame's waist and pecked his soft lips.
"I love you too, Dame. I love you too."
LOVE, ROSES, AND STICK UPS
Love, Roses, and Stick Ups Page 11