Brooklyn Brothel (21 page)

Well, maybe not ultra. All I needed to really make me happy was for Tony to spend some quality time with me. I missed the warmth of a man with his arms wrapped around me at night. I paused, lifted my cigar and puffed. I grinned proudly toward Cinnamon as if everythin’ was all good. It was important to keep the morale lifted. As she scooped the money from the floor, and shuffled it into a large, white, plastic bag, I kept my thoughts on Tony. Crazy thing is, every night he would promise to come by and spend some time with me. “Just the two of us,” he’d say. But it neva happened. It seemed his wife had him on a tighter leash than I expected.

I threw my right leg onto my desk and puffed again. As I released, I got cute with my smokin’ abilities. I exhaled, blowin’ tiny circles into the air just above my head. Then I
reached ova to pull back the curtains on the bay window. It had become my favorite feature of the house. I loved how it gave me a clear view of majority of the block. Call it nosey, but I loved sittin’ smack in front of the window late at night watching the cars go by.

“Quick! Turn out the lights!” I ordered to Cinnamon.

“You okay?” she asked.

She looked worried about me.

“Of course. Why you say that?” I kept looking out the window moving behind the thick mahogany curtains just a bit.

“’cause you actin’ strange. That’s why. Drink some more damn wine.” She laughed.

“I thought a car slowed down in front of the house, that’s all. I can see better when the lights are out in here.”

“I’ll leave the money here so you can put it in the safe before you go to bed.” She stretched her arms widely. “I need a shower, then I’m going to bed. I can’t keep stayin’ up with you half the night drinkin’ and smokin’ girl…I’ve got my beauty to maintain.” She laughed again while tappin’ the side of her cheeks.

“Bet,” I told her feelin’ extra lazy, or maybe even a touch of depression. “Put the money in for me. The code is 1223. It’s Tony’s birthday.”

For a moment, I wanted to retract what I’d just said. Tony would kill me if he knew I’d given Cinnamon the code to his safe. But hell, she was runnin’ shit behind the scenes anyway.

Before I knew it, she was done and had thrown Tony’s wallet onto my desk. “That was inside the safe,” she said. “Remember to give it to him, he left it here yesterday.”

“Thanks.”

When the door shut, I turned the music off and let my imagination go wild. I grabbed the wallet openin’ it up
quickly. To no surprise, I was hit with a picture of his wife stuck down in the plastic slot on the left, and his driver’s license on the right. Without hesitation, I removed the license, rubbin’ my finger across his handsome face. I wanted him in the house with me. I needed him in my bed. I thought about callin’ Tony on his cell, but knew he wouldn’t answer. If he was gonna swing by it woulda been before ten. That was his normal track record. Either he’d spend a few hours with me during the day or a quick forty-five minutes before ten. Yet as always, promises promises, promises, that things would change.

I lifted the receiver and dialed. “Operator, I’m lookin’ for a number for Tony Marcelli.” I rattled off the address written on the license knowin’ the number wouldn’t be listed. I guess I wanted to torture myself.

When the female voice rattled off a telephone number, I yanked my foot off the desk and sat up boldly in the chair.
What kind of gangsta had a published number
? I hung up from the operator in a flash and dialed. My hands shook as the phone rang.

By the second ring, a mild-mannered voice spoke, “Hello.”

I said nothing.

“Hello,” she repeated.

“Is Tony there?”

“He isn’t. Who’s calling?”

“Chantel,” I answered boldly. She didn’t respond.

“Just tell’em to call his second home.”

Click.

Chapter 16

I woke up
the next mornin’ a little later than usual. I’d spent half the night thinkin’ about my unstable life and where I really belonged. A part of me wanted to run far away where nobody even knew me; a chance to start my life ova again.
Of course takin’ Toy’s cash with me entered my mind
. Then, I slapped myself. I was makin’ crazy money; money I wouldn’t make anywhere else in such a short period of time. There was only one thing missin’ in my life.

As soon as the thought of Carlton entered my mind, my eyes darted to the clock. It was a couple minutes after nine, so I figured I’d give it a try. Callin’ Dre wasn’t one of the easiest things to do. He always had somethin’ smart to say. Of course tellin’ me what his girl thought about the situation like I gave a shit. If I were to ever find out that bitch put her hands on my son, it would be on and poppin’. The phone was on its fourth ring when she answered. The voice I didn’t want to hear. I tried to be extra nice.

“Ahhh…Lolita. This is Chantel. Did I miss Carlton already? I know he has to be at school by 9:30.”

There was silence.

“Is he there?” I asked. “Helloooooo,” I sounded off tryna be cute.

“You need to talk to Dre,” she snapped. “He said he was gonna tell you.”

Her tone worried me. What did he need to tell me? I asked myself. “Tell me what? You can tell me,” I replied. “No
need to wait for Dre.” Chill bumps rose on the tips of my arms.

“Nah..it’s on him. I’ll tell him to call you.”

Click.

I nearly lost my mind. The bitch hung up leavin’ me hangin’. There was no way Dre was gonna call me ’cause he didn’t even have my number. Besides, I’d called a few times before tryin’ to speak to Carlton and Dre said he wasn’t home, or a few times he said Carlton was asleep. That nigga had plenty of opportunities to talk to me, but didn’t.

I paused for a quick second takin’ my mind off of my mini-panic attack. Kitty was at my door knockin’ like she really needed me.

“What the fuck is it?” I snapped.

“I really gotta talk to you. I got some info you probably need to know about.”

From the corner of my eye, I could see that both Gino and Mike had pulled up and double-parked out front. Instantly, I slid my big hoop earrings on and touched up my lips, hopin’ to get outside to break the ice. Gino was a beast, and since he didn’t know Mike, I didn’t want no trouble.

“Kitty, I don’t have time to hear it right now.”

I shooed her off with my hand, and hurried to throw on my gear. It was weird, but since I’d gotten my new position, it was hard for me to even listen to peons anymore. Besides, I had to hurry.

By the time I’d slipped on my pumps, and slid my revealing halter dress ova my head, Mike was knockin’ at the door. I rushed to get it, just in time to see Gino walkin’ up the stairs off the front porch, just yards behind Mike.

My expression showed that I was confused. I’d made a fool of myself thinkin’ Mike had come to talk to me. Instead, he was at my door with Angel standin’ next to him. Before I could even say anythin’, Gino brushed past them both and
walked into the house like he owned the place. He neva said good mornin’, fuck you, or how’s everythin’. Nothin’.

I was pissed. First off, it was Friday, so I had a big day ahead of me; no time for games. I wanted to know what possessed Mike to bring Angel by without askin’ me. Besides, just a few weeks ago, he acted as if Tony was the anti-Christ, and now he wanted to bring girls by his place.

“Well hello, Angel,” I said sarcastically, still not lettin’ them all the way into the house.

“Can we come in,” she uttered. “This looks a little strange.” She looked ova her shoulder noticin’ that an elderly neighbor had an eye in our direction.

“For a moment, I guess.” I stood back slightly and welcomed both Angel and Mike inside the tiny foyer. “You’re here for work, I assume?”

Angel looked up at Mike with a funny expression. Her lips quickly bawled up into a knot and she crossed her arms. “This was already arranged,” she told me.

“Not by me,” I snapped, then crossed my arms mimickin’ Angel’s.

I turned to glance behind me ’cause I could hear Gino makin’ crazy noises with his mouth. He was in the corner crackin’ his knuckles, and throwin’ fake haymakers. I guess he was protectin’ me. “Calm down Gino, I got this.”

Mike neva said a word.

Gino neva said a word either, nor did he even once look up at me. He continued to throw quick, imaginary punches, while his nylon sweat-suit made sounds every time his body switched positions.

“Look Mike, I make the decisions around here and nobody told me anythin’ about Angel comin’.”

“Tony told me to come,” Angel abruptly announced. “Should I call him?”

My eyes widened. I was sure she could smell my defeat.

“So where do I change?”

“Not so fast…let’s get back to Tony. Oh yeah…when did you talk to him?”

“Plenty of times,” Angel responded. “Yesterday, for starters…but again… all the time. How you think I got outta jail?”

I looked at Mike, then at Angel. My whole mood sank.

“He bailed you out from when you got locked up behind that Betty bullshit?”

Angel nodded her satisfaction that I finally knew.

“Cinnnnamonnnnnnn! I shouted. She came runnin’ down the stairs with a crazed look on her face.

“What is it? What’s wrong?”

“Show Angel to her room.” I threw my hand up and pointed sharply. I guess they all knew I was pissed. “Lemme see what Tony has to say about this.” I quickly walked into my office and grabbed the phone from my desk.

However, before I could even dial one number, Gino ran in. He frowned, then eyed the phone. His expression said put it down. It didn’t take long for Cinnamon to smell the trouble so she quickly ushered Angel off to the upstairs bedrooms.

“Handle your business with that guy first,” Gino ordered. “Tony said don’t call, he’ll come by after four.”

A fool I was not. Gino’s look had me shaken a little. I called Mike into my office. When he stepped inside, I tried to act like everything was okay. “How much do I owe you?” I asked openin’ the top drawer to my mahogany desk.

“Sixty,” Mike answered.

Now I knew he was tryna play me, but I didn’t wanna discuss nothin’ in front of Gino, especially the fact that Mike had been ignorin’ my calls. “I’ll see you out,” I told’em, handin’ him the three twenties.

Mike snatched the money and took off like he had no intentions on talkin’ to me about anythin’ else. I rushed behind him, almost trippin’ on the outside mat that said welcome-like we were one, big happy family at the brothel. “Mike,” I called out, “wait up.”

He kept movin’ swiftly as if he didn’t hear me. I called out again. “Mike!”

Suddenly, he stopped. When he turned to look at me, his eyes slowly moved toward the window. Gino was obviously watchin’ us from above. I neva looked back, I just extended my hand pretendin’ to thank Mike for his business. “We really gottta talk,” I pleaded. “Can you call me later?”

“When I tried to tell you about Tony, you didn’t wanna listen. But believe me, you’ve fallen for his scheming bullshit.”

“What do you mean?”

“Damn, for somebody who’s been to prison, you sure are naive.”

His tone comforted me deep inside. It seemed like he really cared. “You mean ’cause he got me workin’ here?” I whispered. I threw my hands up like I just wanted him to tell me. I hated the guessin’ game.

“Why are you whispering? Nobody can hear us.”

“I don’t fuckin’ know,” I said, in a softer tone, yet now grittin’ through my teeth. “Just tell me what you know!” I had my fist balled up down beside my waist.

“Co-Co, Tony had Betty’s place raided. The people he’s with are big time. They got all kinds of people on their payroll. Including cops,” he ended.

From my expression, he should’ve known I seemed confused.

“I tried to tell you,” he continued.

“Wait, wait, wait, wait,” I kept repeatin’ in between my head shakes. I couldn’t process what he was sayin’. “So are
you tryin’ to say, he told on Betty so he could open this place?”

“Oh…so now you’re getting it. This was all orchestrated. And you were obviously a part of his plan.” He pointed toward my chest makin’ sure I was clear on what he was sayin’. “Don’t you find it strange that as soon as Betty’s shut down, the contractors were ready to go into this spot, and have it fixed up in no time?”

I shrugged my shoulders

“How’d you get your girls?”

I had a stupid look my face. “Well, I hired Cinnamon.”

“Tony bought this place three months ago. My police friend told me everything step by step. You ever heard of the mob?”

My jaw dropped. It took me a second to take in all that he’d said. I couldn’t dare tell Mike that Tony offered me a job before Betty’s was even shut down. Just the thought of the idea had my thoughts churnin’. I turned to look ova my shoulder hopin’ to do a quick spot check on all the windows. With no sign of Gino, I asked the inevitable, “Are you sayin’ Tony’s like a mob boss?”

“No, he’s not the boss, but he’s into some crooked shit. And that guy right there…is an enforcer.”

Mike’s face seemed to be drainin’ his color as he pointed. By the time I turned to follow his finger, Gino was rushin’ toward us at full speed. Everythin’ happened so quickly. I neva even got a chance to tell Mike to call me later. Within seconds, Mike had jumped into the driver’s seat of his car, and sped off. The sound of his tires screechin’ off built even more adrenaline in my gut.