by T. Styles
With part one of her plan out of the way, Bambi sent cars to pick everyone up since the bunker was off the map and couldn’t be located in any other way. Now we were just waiting for them to trickle inside.
I smiled and focused back on the table. “That’s a relief.”
“That was extra dry,” Bambi responded.
“I’m sorry, Bambi. My head is all over the place.”
“What’s on your mind?” Bambi asked placing a fork next to a plate.
“Bambi, please.”
I continued to set the places but now Bambi’s hands were stuffed in her pockets and she was staring at me. Realizing she wouldn’t leave it alone, I leaned up against the wall and looked over at her. “I don’t think it’s going to work between me and Bradley.”
“Why?” She frowned. “I thought we’ve been through this already.”
“You know why, Bambi.” I paused. “Between what he represents and me having an abortion, things haven’t been the same.”
“I don’t like this for you two,” she said. When she saw Bradley approaching, she leaned in and whispered. “Your marriage is the last stable one in this family. Don’t let it go because of something that couldn’t be avoided.” Bambi walked away as Bradley approached me.
When she was gone he asked, “What was that about?” He looked in Bambi’s direction. “She telling you to leave your husband?”
“Nothing, Bradley. Why you always tripping when it comes to Bambi? Who, by the way, is always on your side.”
He rolled his eyes. “You and this secretive shit is driving me crazy.”
“You acting like a guilty man,” I said under my breath. “When the only thing I want to do is get this meeting over with. Tell me dear husband, do you have something to hide?”
“You disrespected me, Denim.”
“What? How you sound?”
“You disrespected me when you had an abortion and that fucks me up. You listened to your mother over me and I gotta wonder who else you listening to.”
After putting the last place setting down, he was about to walk back to the room to get dressed but I pulled his hand softly. “Bradley, how long are you going to be angry with me? I’m your wife. And no matter what we’ve gone through, I’ve always forgiven you. I’m asking for the same.”
He snatched away and looked down at me. I saw his teeth gritting and knew he was trying to hold back. “You made a decision without me.” He pointed in my face. “One that you knew would hurt. And I will never forgive you.”
I could feel my stomach pull because I knew he was being honest. He was right. I made the decision to get rid of the baby but it was for the both of us. As wrong as my mother was, in a lot of ways, she was right. Neither Bradley nor me knew why Jasmine was born autistic. How could we be sure that it wouldn’t happen again?
“Is there anything I can do to push us in the right direction?”
He took a deep breath and said, “You can start by getting your mother out of our house. Until that happens, I have nothing else to say to you.” He stomped away.
Frustrated, I took a seat at the table and Race walked into the dining room and sat next to me. I could tell by the look in her eyes that something was wrong. “What’s up?”
Race looked around her, leaned in and whispered, “Mellvue is still alive. Bambi been asking me if it’s taken care of and I lied.”
I put my hand over my head. Just seeing the look on Bambi’s face a minute ago, I knew this would not be good. “Bambi just told me the chick was gone,” I whispered. “She got plans to tell the bosses tonight and everything. You’ve got to tell her the truth.”
“I can’t.”
“Race, this is not a good time to be holding back from Bambi. If she tells them a lie, it will ruin her credibility. I mean I thought you said that Roman was sick with the murder game.”
“She is but something else is going on with her that she’s not telling me about. I keep asking this chick if I can do something and every time she’s like she’s cool.”
I frowned. “Well she took our money so she gotta do the job,” I said point blank.
“I know,” she sighed. “I just wish I knew what was up with her.” She slammed her fist on the table. “Fuck!” she screamed out. “If Bambi asks you if the chick is alive can you lie for me?” she asked in a low voice. “I don’t want her thinking I’ve been dropping the ball. I’m trying to get my own house and she talking about putting me out of the game because I’m slipping. You heard her the day Mellvue showed up.”
“I got you,” I said touching her hand. “But you gotta get over that shit with Carey. You killed her and now she’s gone. Moping about it won’t bring her back.”
“I don’t know if that’s what’s bothering me, Denim.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’m not sure if I’m making the right decision about divorcing Ramirez.”
“Then don’t,” I said excitedly. I wanted her to stay with him. “Give it some time. There’s no rush.”
“If only it was that easy.” She sighed and got up.
“Where you ‘bout to go?” I asked.
“To get dressed.”
“Remember, we’re wearing all black,” I reminded her.
“I know.”
“Where’s Scarlett?” I asked.
“Get this shit. So Roman asked for her help awhile back. Today she called me and said she needed Scarlett on that favor. It has something to do with her having to lie about having a real job so she wanted Scarlett to pretend like she was her boss.”
“Why Scarlett?” I frowned.
“Cause she’s white,” she laughed.
I shook my head and giggled too. “Old girl is wild,” I responded. “I just hope after this shit is done, she takes lives like she’s paid to do.”
“If she don’t then I’ll have her taken care of.”
“I already know,” I laughed.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
BAMBI
Standing at the window, I grinned as I watched the black sedans pull up and park in the driveway outside of the bunker. I had to do a lot of shit to get the east coast bosses here and I wanted to be sure everything was perfect.
Excited, I closed the heavy burgundy curtain and faced my family. They were in their respective seats around the long cherry wood table. Dressed in all black, I was proud to say that they all exuded money. We hadn’t looked this good in a long time. And I felt as if we were united.
We were Kennedys.
Scarlett’s red hair hung over her shoulder and brushed against the straps of the black silk dress she wore. Denim’s dreads were pulled in a neat ponytail and Race’s brown hair was in a sharp bob that hung at her jawbone.
The fellas were looking lovely too. Camp in a pair of black jeans, black t-shirt and black jacket. Bradley in his two-piece suit with a designer button down shirt that he released the first three buttons on. Ramirez was sporting black velvet Tom Ford corduroys and a black shirt.
Although my brothers-in-law looked hot, Kevin’s look was delicious. He was dipped in a double-breasted black suit with a red hanky stuffed in his jacket pocket. I wanted to fuck him and kill him at the same time and I knew his selections were on purpose.
They were meant to seduce me.
Good job, Mr. Kennedy.
You succeeded.
“They’re coming,” I told my family as I walked slowly toward them. I stopped at the head of the table and stood next to Kevin. I caught the nigga looking at me. The long black dress that I wore with the slit down the side made way for my thigh every time I moved.
“I hope this works,” Kevin said as he folded his arms over his chest. “You did a lot to get them here, Bambi. Hopefully shit won’t backfire in our faces.”
“Wake up, husband. It already has worked,” I reminded him. “Now you should trust and support me.”
“I’m here ain’t I?”
Fuck Kevin!
Either he was jealous or holding onto animosity
about our past beefs. Either way, I was in no mood for drama inside the camp tonight.
I turned my attention toward the door. When our trusted butler opened it, one by one the bosses trickled in. First inside was Nine Prophet of the infamous Prophet family. The collar of the black fur coat she was draped in stroked her high cheekbones and set off her gorgeous dark skin. My butler accepted her coat and I gently shook her tiny hand before shaking her husband’s.
I heard that Nine’s mother and father were brother and sister. And that her husband was actually her cousin. No matter what the circumstance, when it came to business she was deadly and didn’t play.
She was one of Mitch’s top customers and she commanded an army of almost a thousand men.
With her support alone, we were winning.
“Bambi, it’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” Nine said with a slight nod. It felt like I was in the presence of a queen and I knew that although young, no more than twenty years old if I’m guessing, she was a boss. She appeared regal and a slight smile rested on her face.
“The pleasure is all mine,” I said softly. “The circumstances aren’t the best but I’m glad you could make it.”
“What better circumstance than war?” She winked.
“You have a beautiful home,” her husband Leaf said politely. He handed me a bottle of Ace of Spades even though I requested that the guests bring nothing.
Classy.
“Thank you,” I replied. “My sister will show you to your seats,” I said as Denim approached.
The next bosses in line were Rasim and Snow Nami of the Nami family. This is business, I can’t lie, but the moment that 6-foot something man hovered over me, he took my breath away. With tattoos all over his neck, I could see his muscles protruding through his black button down shirt.
His wife Snow was equally stunning. Much shorter than him, when I looked into her hazel brown eyes I could tell that she deserved to be at his side. I wondered how much a man as handsome as he was had put her through. “Thank you for inviting us,” Snow said. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you.”
“The pleasure is all mine,” I responded shaking her hand. “Thank you for coming.”
After I shook Snow’s hand, Rasim moved closer and I swallowed. “Whatever you need from us, we got you,” Rasim said gazing at me a bit longer than necessary before walking inside.
“Thank you. That means a lot.”
I don’t know what made me do it but when I glanced behind me, Kevin wore a frown on his face.
Jealous ass nigga.
I’m sure he’d be trying to fuck me after this meeting was all said and done. Because although the men were attractive, I had no doubt that Nine Prophet with her body of a goddess and Snow with her elegant curves had his dick rock hard.
Female bosses were so intoxicating.
After greeting the Namis and the Prophets, the next group that trickled in was Carissa, Mercedes, Yvette and Lil C. Back in the day, they ran an operation called Emerald City. There was so much money coming out of Emerald City that their husbands were considered rock stars in Washington, D.C.
I’m not sure of the exact story but from what I’m told, although their men ran Emerald City, to expand their reach they put their girlfriends onto the city while they tended to business in their outside shops.
Shit was sweet and a lot of money was made until one of the men, who I believe fucked with Yvette, brought another bitch into the picture. This caused a feud amongst the men and compromised things. And like the saying bros before hoes, the women stayed together and moved their men out of Emerald City by taking command of their soldiers.
The last I heard, every last one of their men died.
Later, Lil C, Mercedes’ son, ran Tyland Towers, which he called Camelot. He was doing pretty good too but eventually Emerald City and Tyland were torn down by a company called National Improvement for a Greater Generation Association, or NIGGA for short, and they lost everything.
This is where I came in.
Generally, I didn’t fuck with new bitches but my good friend Toi introduced me to them after the tear down. Mercedes, Yvette and Carissa were down on their luck and I helped them out because she vouched for them.
I allowed them to stay in one of my homes and in return, they moved coke for me. Under my watch, before long, they reclaimed the new towers that the organization built and flooded them with our work. Not being able to battle the violence and keep the property drug free, NIGGA sold the property back to the government and now it belonged to Yvette and her crew.
Mercedes shook my hand and said, “Thanks for inviting us, Bambi.” I never got over how beautiful she was. If I’m telling the truth, they were all stunning.
Mercedes’ light skin was red probably because it was a bit chilly outside.
Carissa shook my hand next, her fine hair was pulled back into a ponytail and she looked as if she was part Indian.
Yvette greeted me last and her grip was firm. Although she was the shortest of the crew, I always got the impression that she was the most deadly, just like Race.
Unfortunately, I also sensed jealousy of my success whenever she was in my presence. A few times my instincts said to cut her off but Toi begged me not to. My friend was the only reason Yvette was still getting money and she was the only reason she was still alive.
Yvette smoothed her short haircut with her hand and looked at the bosses and then back at me. “I guess it’s time for war.”
“Indeed,” I said as Denim showed them their seats.
With them out of the way, Lil C walked up to me next. A large gold medallion rested on his black t-shirt and the scent of his leather jacket was so strong I could tell it was new. He was young and a little arrogant but I could see he was born in the dope game and that made me respect him.
He reminded me of my sons, Melo and Noah.
He scratched his curly hair and smiled. “Looking good, Ms. Bambi,” he said licking his lips. “Very good.”
He was always coming on to me, which was hilarious in my book. This lil nigga couldn’t handle one of my titties if I put the nipple on his lip. Let alone my pussy. The only reason I didn’t hurt his feelings was because he was harmless. For now anyway. “Have a seat, C,” I said shaking my head.
“My bad,” he smiled raising his hands in the air.
The final person to walk in was Kelsi and I had great respect for him also. Just like Lil C, Kelsi was born in the dope game and used to move coke with his mother Janet.
Although he was from the D.C. area, he moved to Atlanta and made a huge name for himself. He exuded strength and when he stepped into my house there was something about him I respected immediately.
Although I knew he couldn’t be any older than thirty, he still rocked a few grey hairs in his goatee.
Shaking my hand firmly, he handed me a bottle of Chateau Margaux, the most expensive wine in the world. Loving his swag, I gave it to the butler with a nod and he sat it on the table.
“Bambi Kennedy. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you. Your reputation precedes you.”
“Kelsi Stayley,” I responded with a smile. “The pleasure is all mine.” I gestured toward everyone else. I caught him checking out Denim and Bradley caught them looking at each other. “Please…have a seat.”
With everyone now present, I swaggered over to the table. I was preparing to thank them for coming but Sarah walked in. She was wearing a white t-shirt and soiled grey sweatpants.
Leaning up against the wall, obviously drunk out of her mind, she said, “I’m sick of you bitches not inviting me to the party. With all these fine ass niggas in here.” She eyeballed Kelsi, Rasim, Leaf and Lil C. “I’m a part of this family too, you know.”
When I looked at Denim she appeared frozen.
Sarah raised her hand and that’s when I saw the glass. Slithering her tongue into the cup, she lapped at the wine a little while looking at me through the bottom.
That was it!
I was done with
this fat, ugly bitch.
I was headed over toward her to lay hands but Kevin got up and put his palm on my lower back. “I got her, baby.” He kissed me on the cheek as if we were still a couple and for some reason, I was relieved.
As he ushered her hating ass from the place where only bosses roamed, I looked at the guests and said, “Sorry for the distraction. Let’s eat and then do as bosses do.”
****
Dinner was over and cocktails were served. “Where is Mitch?” Nine Prophet asked as she leaned back in the chair with her legs crossed. “Shouldn’t he be present at this meeting?”
“He should, but considering that security is high, we feel it best to keep him out of it,” Kevin responded.
“Besides, we’re all grown,” I joked. “We don’t need daddy.”
“So you don’t trust us?” her husband responded.
“We’re in the dope business,” I replied, “where the motto is trust no one.”
They all smiled.
“And yet you invite us to your home anyway,” Nine winked at me.
“Trust is one thing,” I said. “Respect is another. And you earned that.”
Nine nodded and winked again. The chick had mad swag and I must admit I liked her a lot.
“Tell me something, what makes you think the Russians will try to take out our entire operation?” Kelsi questioned as he wiped his hand down his chin. “It seems a little ambitious.”
“Because the hope is that if your operations are down, you won’t have money to cop coke from Mitch,” Denim said.
“And if you don’t have money, Mitch isn’t eating the same way he has in the past and his profits will be down,” Bradley added. “So they’re trying to smoke Mitch out to force him to do business with them.”
“But if they can’t get Mitch, why impact our businesses?” Yvette asked. “We don’t buy from the Russians.”
“Because eventually the Russians hope to bully you into a business relationship with them using whatever bullshit product they secure,” Kevin responded.
“And we’ve gotten information that if you choose not to use their powder, once they’ve secured another connect, they will attack,” I said.