“Li’l bruh, what’s good?” The concern could be heard in Prime’s voice.
“Big bruh, shit crazy,” the young boy began. “Got some news you ain’t gonna like.” His words blared through the Porsche’s speakers.
“Talk to me.” Prime could already feel his pressure rising.
“Is this a clean line?” the young boy asked with skepticism in his tone.
“Nigga, fuck you think?” Prime barked. “What’s the deal? What ain’t I gonna like?” an irritated Prime questioned.
“They found Clips and Smoke at one of them Double Gs bitches’ crib.”
The mention of the Double Gs caused Prime to whip his steering wheel to the right and pull over. Both he and C Class possessed the same peculiar facial expressions.
“What the fuck you mean, they found Clips and Smoke at one of them Double Gs bitches’ crib?” Prime had already assumed the worst, but he needed clarity on what he was being told.
“Somebody killed them,” the young boy announced. “And the chick who lived there too,” he added.
Prime’s jaws tightened. “How the fuck did that happen? And why the fuck was they there?” Prime’s question was directed to the young boy, but he was looking at C Class as he spoke. C Class shrugged, clueless.
“I’on know, big bruh. That’s what everybody wondering. Thought you may have known,” the young boy answered.
Prime shook his head. He gripped the steering wheel tightly. Fucking Double Gs, he cursed to himself. “Which one of those bitches’ house was it?” he then asked.
“The girl Felicia.”
“So, this bitch kills two niggas who’ve been playing with guns and doing home invasions since they knew how to walk and talk before they managed to kill her. That’s what you telling me?” Prime couldn’t believe his ears. Both Smoke and Clips were known shooters, and they had a laundry list of work they had put in. He found it hard to believe that one chick could take out both of them at the same time before dying herself.
“That’s the crazy thing, big bruh,” the young boy corrected him. “From what we hearing, whoever pushed them killed the bitch too.”
Both Prime and C Class became wide-eyed. A setup? was the first thought to come to Prime’s mind.
“Yo, where y’all at?” Prime wanted to know.
“We at the spot close to Freemont.”
“A’ight, tell everybody to sit tight. Me and C’ll be through.”
“No doubt,” was the last thing they heard before the call disconnected.
“Yo, what the fuck!” C Class was the first to say. “What the fuck was them niggas doing at that dyke bitch crib? And how they let a motherfucka get the drop on them like that?”
They were the same questions Prime wanted answers to. He did a quick process of elimination. Outside of his issue and dilemma with the Double Gs, the only real major problem he had in the city was with Freeze and his crew, but the last time the two saw each other there was a mutual unspoken peace treaty between them. Prime counted Freeze out for being behind the murders of two of his top earners and shooters. Only one other thought came to mind that made any sense to him. A double cross? It was the only logical answer Prime could think of.
“It gotta be them bitches!” Prime exclaimed. “It gotta be,” he repeated and then whipped back into traffic heading toward old Las Vegas.
Chapter 5
Edge sat at her favorite pizza shop on Las Vegas Boulevard in the old area of the city, eating a large chicken and onion pizza and some Buffalo wings. She had been sitting for nearly a half hour at the agreed meeting spot, since she had arrived early. Two slices of pizza and five wings later, in walked Diamond. Edge’s eyes cut over toward the doorway. She could actually smell her as soon as she stepped in the establishment. It was the same Chanel No. 5 Diamond had been wearing since she’d known her. When the door flung open, the light breeze from the outside entered and carried the fragrance inside and throughout the pizzeria. She watched as Diamond strutted over to where she sat. Edge stood to greet her.
“Hey, you.” She opened and extended her arms.
Diamond flashed a half smile and leaned into Edge’s invitation. The exchange was brief, but enough for Edge to get a full whiff of Diamond’s scent. The reality of being a free woman and being able to hug someone she had thought about for many years had not yet set in. With all that had been going on, Edge hadn’t had the chance to think or even feel anything about anything other than the mission Diamond had sent her on straight out of prison.
The last time the two had seen each other it was quick and to the point: no hug, no pleasantries. But now that Edge had handled what she had agreed to for Diamond, by killing someone without question or hesitation, she was able to focus on other things, like Diamond. Although their agreement was simple and fair (get her out of prison, and in exchange she’d agree to put somebody in the dirt for Diamond), Edge wanted more than just to be a one-time hit woman for her ex. That was a small price to pay for freedom, thought Edge. But she and Diamond had history, and none of it was business related. It was all strictly personal. And Edge was already contemplating how, if possible, they could rekindle that after all these years.
“Hungry?” Edge asked.
“No. I’m fine, thanks.” Diamond sat in the booth space directly across from her.
“What? You used to love Johnnie’s pizza and wings,” Edge recalled.
“That was a long time ago,” Diamond rebutted. “Things change,” she added.
“I see.” Edge grimaced. Her first attempt had been shot down within five minutes of their meeting.
Edge had chosen the particular eatery thinking it would make for a great icebreaker, since it was once one of Diamond’s favorite places to eat at. The two of them had so much history surrounding the establishment. It was Diamond who had actually turned Edge on to the pizza joint. Both their first date and one-year anniversary had been spent at Johnnie’s. Whenever they celebrated something, they usually did it over food from Johnnie’s. And Johnnie’s had been the peace offering for many nights Edge and Diamond had beefed.
Edge studied Diamond, who sat stone-faced with her fingers interlocking. She realized Diamond was not the woman she remembered her to be. Aside from still being beautiful and thick in all the right places, everything else about her was different. Since the first time Edge had laid eyes on her when she had gotten out of prison, she noticed the difference, but she charged it to it being the way she handled business. The Diamond she remembered smiled and laughed a lot and was only serious when she was in the courtroom or the bedroom. The one who sat across from her now seemed like someone who didn’t play, laugh, or joke about anything.
Diamond actually reminded Edge of herself. She credited that to Diamond’s involvement with the Double Gs. Throughout the years, she had been hearing a lot about the organization and the way they operated, which was why she was surprised when she discovered that Diamond was part of the group.
There was an awkward silence that sat in the air. Diamond was the first to break it. “I didn’t get to tell you, but I appreciate what you did.” She had no facial expression and showed no emotion when she spoke.
“A deal is a deal, right?” Edge responded with the same demeanor.
“You could’ve gotten out and said fuck me,” Diamond replied.
Edge chuckled. “I know things change, but some things don’t.” She stared Diamond in the eyes when she responded to her.
If anyone knew her, she knew Diamond did. She wanted Diamond to know that even though Diamond had changed, she hadn’t. She was a woman of her word back then and a woman of her word now. Again, Diamond was both expressionless and emotionless; but, this time, Edge saw a familiar look in her eyes. It was a look Diamond always made whenever she believed what Edge was saying.
Diamond reached into her Gucci bag. When she pulled her hand back out, she possessed a manila envelope folded in half. Edge watched as she put it on the table and slid it in her direction.
; “What’s that?” Edge looked down at the envelope, already having an idea what it was.
“It’s for you,” Diamond offered.
Edge shook her head. “Nah, I’m good.”
“Don’t be prideful. Take it, E,” Diamond encouraged her.
Her words rubbed Edge the wrong way. Yeah, she definitely different, thought Edge. She slid out of the booth’s seat and stood. “Our business is done. Thanks for everything.”
“Edge, wait.” Diamond grabbed her by the wrist. “I didn’t mean any disrespect. It’s just—”
“It’s cool. No need to explain. I get it,” Edge said dryly. She broke free of Diamond’s grip. “It’s not personal, just business, right?” She spun around and made a second attempt to walk away, but Diamond grabbed hold of her again.
“No, that’s not it. Please, sit back down,” she insisted.
Edge turned to face Diamond. She peered down at her. “For what, D?” Her tone came across as a little harsh, but Diamond excused it.
Diamond grimaced. “Because I asked you to.”
Edge ran her hand down her face. She let out a gust of hot air and shook her head, before sitting back down.
“Thank you,” Diamond offered.
Edge just nodded. She never could resist Diamond or tell her no.
“I’m sorry,” Diamond then said. The sincerity could be heard in her tone.
“Thanks,” Edge accepted.
“I wasn’t trying to be a bitch or nothing.” Diamond paused. “Things are just complicated. You know. But you don’t have anything to do with nothing, so you don’t deserve how I was coming.”
“I was thinking the same thing,” Edge agreed.
That made Diamond laugh. “Same ol’ Edge.”
Edge made no reaction to the statement. “You didn’t have to try to play me like I was some hired help or a charity case.” Edge let Diamond know how she felt about the envelope she slid across the table.
“Honestly, the money was not to offend or try to buy you. It was a welcome home and thank you gift. I figured it would help in whatever your plans were now that you’re home. You know I’ve never intentionally or deliberately tried to make you feel any type of way. Especially over no money,” Diamond reminded her.
Edge pondered the statement and agreed. Diamond had always been straight up with her and played fair no matter what the case. For that moment, Edge felt as if she were sitting across from the old Diamond. “I know that.”
“Good.” Diamond lit up. “Now take this shit and put it to good use.” Diamond slid the envelope back across. For the first time since the two had been sitting up in Johnnie’s, Diamond flashed a huge smile.
Her smile was enough to ease whatever tension there was between the two. Edge reached over and took the envelope. She stuck it in her back pocket.
“So, what are your plans, now that you’re out?” Diamond wanted to know.
Edge thought about the question. Other than wanting things to reignite between her and Diamond, she had none. “Nothing,” she abruptly responded.
“Well, would you be interested in something?” Diamond wasted no time asking, hearing how Edge had nothing on her agenda.
“I don’t think that Double Gs shit is for me,” Edge replied, thinking Diamond was trying to recruit her.
“I know. That’s not what I had in mind,” Diamond corrected her.
Edge was surprised. She was sure that’s what Diamond was referring to, but she was glad she wasn’t. “So, what did you have in mind?”
“Let’s ride and talk,” Diamond suggested.
This time it was she who stood. Edge followed suit. Before heading for the exit, Diamond picked up a slice of pizza. “And, don’t get it twisted. I still love me some Johnnie’s pizza.” She winked at Edge, before sashaying toward the door.
That’s the Diamond I know and love. Edge smiled and strolled toward the open door Diamond held for her.
Chapter 6
The City of Las Vegas’s temperature had risen, once again, thanks to the Double Gs. The media was broadcasting nonstop about the assassination of Officer Douglass, the government’s key and only witness against the Double Gs, at the memorial service of Douglass’s wife and daughter. Every law enforcement agency was in overdrive. That seemed to be the normal mechanics for the past few weeks.
Agent McCarthy was in shock as he sat in the hospital’s waiting room watching the news. When the nurses came in and interrupted him watching it in his daughter’s room, so they could wash her up, he rushed out to the common area where visitors waited, hoping the television was not occupied by something else. When the breaking newsflash first appeared across the screen of the TV in his daughter’s room, he thought he was both seeing and hearing things. Public executions? Outrageous! He was still pissed behind the disturbing news. Although it wasn’t stated or confirmed, he was positive the Double Gs were behind the hit.
He was still trying to wrap his brain around the fact that they were so bold and able to kill Officer Douglass in broad daylight with all of the cameras covering the service and all of his colleagues swarming the area. But he wasn’t all that surprised considering the deaths of other agents and officers at the hands of and orders from the organization. Images of Agents Mullins and Craven illuminated in his mind.
For as long as he lived, he’d never forget Agent Mullins’s brains blown out the back of his head as he lay slumped over the steering wheel, and how Agent Craven had been thrown to the back seat of the unmarked car from the impact of their crash. McCarthy shook his head in disgust remembering how the Double Gs had left a gender sign on Agent Craven’s crotch, mocking the federal government. And now he would never forget today as the media continued to report the demise of Officer Douglass.
That would have never happened on my watch, McCarthy told himself as his eyes remained glued to the television. He was all too ready to get back to work and finish what he started. There was so much going on right now, and he believed that, without his expertise and knowledge, a lot more would follow. In his entire career, he had never seen anybody get away with killing so many law enforcement officers like the Double Gs had. As far as he was concerned, they were winning and the good guys were losing. He didn’t think Agent Reddick was smart and levelheaded enough to strategically respond well to all that was happening. He thought him to be too impulsive. Agent McCarthy was sure now more than ever that more law enforcement officers would get killed. He felt no one could put a stop to the Double Gs reign of murder and mayhem but him, even if it meant putting his own life on the front line. He had no choice left, he felt. No one knew more than him about Starrshma Fields and the organization, he believed.
While watching the recurring story about Douglass’s murder, McCarthy couldn’t help but notice the newsflash at the bottom of the television. The words POSSIBLE GANG-RELATED EXECUTIONS ON OUTSKIRTS OF LAS VEGAS followed by TWO MEN AND ONE FEMALE FROM DIFFERENT GANGS FOUND DEAD IN HENDERSON HOME caught his attention. For some strange reason, he had a gut feeling that the incident was related to the Double Gs.
I hope it’s not who I think it is, he thought, knowing that his deepest plant in the Double Gs organization resided in Henderson. It can’t be, he told himself. She’s too good and has been undercover too long to have been found out, he wanted to believe.
McCarthy pulled out his phone and texted the number only he had access to. Usually after five minutes, she’d respond. Fifteen minutes went by, and still he had no response. “Shit,” McCarthy cursed under his breath.
This can’t be happening, he thought, already beginning to think the worst. His agent deep undercover, Agent Marsha Briggs, known to the Double Gs as Felicia, was his best kept secret next to his latest plant in the organization.
His train of thought was interrupted by the nurse who was assisting his daughter. McCarthy made his way back to his daughter’s room, where he found her sound asleep. He tiptoed in and kissed his baby girl on the forehead.
Ten minutes later, Agent McCarth
y exited the hospital.
Meanwhile, in the middle of nowhere in North Las Vegas, Agent Reddick was leading a task force on an independently owned airfield. After several sightings and anonymous calls and tips, the small aircraft carrier that hovered over the memorial service during Officer Douglass’s murder was traced back to the open dirt field. For hours, Reddick rendered instructions and positions until he was sure he had the stand-alone aluminum dome-shaped building surrounded. The last thing he wanted was for another agent or officer to lose their life behind him being careless, unprepared, or disorganized. He realized he had underestimated the Double Gs. It was something he didn’t intend to do again from here on out.
He put his lips to the front of his walkie-talkie and pressed down on the longer side button. “On my command, all teams move out!” he yelled into the walkie-talkie.
He could see agents spilling out of vehicles rushing toward the aluminum dome. He and three other agents hopped out of the jet-black Denali with weapons drawn. Reddick ducked low looking from right to left, shifting his block from side to side. The other agents spread out and followed suit. By the time Reddick reached the oval-shaped facility, his agents had the place surrounded.
Reddick scurried over to a spot just shy of the front entrance. He put his hand in the air and used his fingers to communicate with his fellow agents. He held three fingers up and began to tuck them one after the other. When he tucked the third finger, all at once all of the agents bum-rushed the inside of the facility.
Jake was wiping his hands off with yet another oily towel, which he instantly dropped while throwing his hands up at the sight of what seemed like over a hundred assault rifles and handguns being pointed at him.
“Don’t move!”
“Let me see your hands!”
“Hands in the air!”
Those were some of the shouts that were directed toward Jake Stolkoff by the agents, who by now had infrared beams covering his body from head to toe.
“Get on your fuckin’ knees! Now!” Agent Reddick yelled, running up on Jake. He didn’t even bother waiting for Jake to comply. Instead, he threw his arm around his neck and swept him off his feet with the swipe of his right leg.
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