La Bella Mafia (15 page)

As a result of his newfound fame, the inmates around him showed nothing but respect whenever he graced them with his presence. Prison life for Monroe was far different than what Carter and Zyir were experiencing. He did what he wanted, when he wanted. The locks and chains were merely a façade. Even the prison guards wanted to keep him happy in hopes that when he got out, he would remember the favors they bestowed. He was like a king inside. Being locked down only intensified his network. The Feds were better off letting him be, because when you put him with other wolves he ended up leading the pack. The relationships he was building behind the wall would only strengthen his muscle when he was finally released. At first his reach was slightly limited to Miami but he was locked up with criminals who had run their own enterprises, shaken down their own cities, murdered under their own circumstances. Once Monroe recruited and took them under his wing the Cartel would emerge better than ever. The Feds had tried to stop him but they had only helped to decorate his crown because he was picking up some valuable jewels while being locked away. It was only a matter of time before he put them to use.

Let the five-year bid begin.

 

“We're moving to Las Vegas,” Miamor said to the ladies as they moved around the kitchen, preparing Sunday dinner. It was a tradition that they had started as soon as the men went inside. It had only been a few months but Miamor knew that it was of utmost importance that they remain strong . . . united. When Miamor got the go ahead from Carter to transition out of Miami she knew that it would be a hard move. She was reluctant to leave all that they had built but she trusted Carter. If he said it, than it was law. Las Vegas it was. It was up to her to get all the pieces put in place. Upon release, Carter and the men would be convicted felons which would automatically black ball them from the Nevada market. Anything they owned would be put in the names of their women.

“Las Vegas?” Leena asked. “No offense but I'm not moving across the country to jump into the pit of another fire. We know these streets. Why would we go somewhere else where The Cartel name has no clout?”

“In business you don't need clout, just money. When we move we'll be clean. Carter wants to open a casino,” she informed.

“A casino?” Breeze questioned.

Miamor nodded. She was just as unsure as them, but it didn't show. She knew that if her skirt showed than they would worry. She had to appear as if she had it all under control. She didn't, but they didn't need to know that.

“What do we know about the casino business?” Breeze asked.

“Not much, but we have friends who know it well. Baraka from Saudi Arabia will invest. I have a meeting with him this evening. While I'm setting up shop, Breeze you need to liquidate our assets here in Miami. Sell it all. The realty company, this house, your houses.”

“I'm not selling my house,” Breeze said. “And I'm definitely not selling my parent's old home. This is where I grew up. This is where the next generation of our family should grow up.”

“Where you grow up isn't usually where you grow old Breeze. There's too much history here. Miami won't give you a chance to grey. This city would rather see you dead. Keep the old Diamond estate if you like, but sell the others. This transition will be hard but I have a feeling that it will be worth it. Leena we'll need somewhere to stay when we get to Vegas. Think you can handle that?” she asked.

Leena nodded. “Yeah, I'll get on it right away.”

Miamor approached her next subject tactfully. “There is someone else I need to bring in on this.” She paused because she knew that conflict was to come. “I need Aries.”

“No,” Breeze replied without hesitation.

“Miamor!” Leena protested.

“Look without Aries, neither of you would have ever seen your husbands again. She helped bring them home. I can't run The Cartel without some bite behind my bark and I don't see the two of you putting in that kind of work. We need people like Aries to do our dirty work. She's loyal and I trust her,” Miamor said, arguing passionately on her behalf. Breeze shook her head and rolled her eyes in disbelief.

“Breeze just give her a chance. Talk to her. One time. If you don't like it than I'll leave it alone, but remember that there are a lot of niggas in line for the thrones. With the three of us sitting on top this empire, we have to prove that we are not to be fucked with. If not, there is only a matter of time before niggas begin to test us. If everyone does their part we will be out of this city by the month's end and will have some loyal soldiers following us. Just let Aries do what she does best.”

“Murder?” Breeze shot back sarcastically.

“She's protection Breeze and she's loyal. If she is on your side she is on your side. You don't have anything to worry about. The days of Ma'tee and that beef are long over,” Miamor tried to convince.

“I'll meet with her, but I'm not making any promises,” Breeze shot back.

“That's all I can ask,” Miamor said. “Now which auntie is watching baby Carter while I take this meeting?”

“That's nothing,” Leena said with a flip of the hand.

“You know I got you.”

“Pack a few days worth of clothes,” Miamor instructed.

Leena frowned in confusion.

“The meeting is in Saudi Arabia.”

 

 

After a long and tiresome flight, Miamor emerged from the private luxury jet a bit fatigued. The thick heat that seemed to blanket the air was the first thing she noticed as she made her way down the stairs. A driver waited at the bottom and he greeted her with a smile.

“Mrs. Jones, welcome to Saudi Arabia,” he said.

Miamor nodded and placed her Versace shades over her eyes as she stepped into the vehicle. Miamor took a deep breath as she rested her head on her closed fist while propping her elbow on the windowsill. She would never admit it, but she was exhausted and completely overwhelmed. Since giving birth it seemed that her life had been moving at a rapid rate. She hadn't had a moment to breathe. Her emotions were all over the place and some nights she barely slept. If she didn't know any better she would have thought she was battling with a bout of post partum, but she was a ‘Murder Mama' . . . nothing had ever gotten the best of her. She wouldn't start to accept defeat now. She wished that she lived in a world where everything was black and white; where she could be a mother to her son without worry of her past coming back to haunt her. A woman with a body count like hers was never supposed to bear a child. The child always paid for the sins of the mother and she feared that eventually her murder record would catch up to her. She could only hope and pray that it never did.

Lost in her thoughts, the hour long ride passed her by in no time and when she arrived at the resort she was escorted to the gardens, where a private luncheon was set up strictly for the occasion.

Baraka had a guard waiting at the entrance and she spread her arms out wide as she was searched thoroughly. He walked up to her wearing a tan cloak and matching head wrap. A friendly smile decorated his face.

“I have heard many tales about the infamous Miamor Holly, but your legend does not do you justice. It fails to mention how lovely you are,” Baraka said.

She smiled. It never failed. It seemed that no matter their ethnicity, men always fancied her. Men found her irresistible.

“Thank you but apparently my legend hasn't been updated yet. My last name is Jones now,” she replied, letting it be known that his flirting was in vain.

“Carter's wife?” Baraka said, obviously shocked.

She nodded confirmation but the sound of clicking heels caused her to turn her attention to see who was approaching from behind.

“Father, you didn't tell me we had a guest.”

Baraka extended his hand to his daughter. “Miamor this is my daughter Yasmine. Yasmine this is . . .”

“Carter's girlfriend,” Yasmine finished for him without a smile. She clearly wasn't happy to see her. “I know who she is.”

“Appraently you don't,” Miamor replied, sensing ill vibes from Yasmine. “I'm his wife,” Miamor corrected, giving no smile of her own. Her intuition was in overdrive as she eyed Yasmine intently.

“Funny, he never mentioned that,” Yasmine shot back.

Miamor scoffed. She wasn't going to discuss her man with a woman that was irrelevant. There would be no playing badminton with snide remarks. This wasn't a competition and if it was Yasmine would lose . . . Miamor killed the competition, literally.
You don't want to see any part of me little girl. Keep it moving,
Miamor thought. She focused her attention to Baraka, blatantly dismissing Yasmine.

“Shall we discuss business?” Miamor asked.

“Absolutely. I look forward to meeting with your representative,” Baraka said. Arab men held women in low regard when it came to business. The men wore the pants. Period. Point blank. In Baraka's eyes Miamor's place was to be seen but rarely heard. “I assume since Carter is not available you have a family member, perhaps a brother, or consigliere to do things on your behalf?”

Miamor smiled, realizing the difference in cultures made her presence awkward. “I'm fully capable of handling this independently. Until Carter is free, I am the only person who has the authority to negotiate on his behalf. It's a bit different for you, I understand, but I think I can hang with the boys,” she said charmingly.

A woman with such a strong presence was uncustomary to Baraka and the way she used her femininity to enamor him left him with a stiff one. He was taken aback by her instantly. He had fallen under the murder mama spell. “I think that you can,” he replied. “I like a woman who knows how to get what she wants,” Baraka said. He held out his bent arm for her to latch onto. “Shall we?” She embraced him as he escorted her onto the grass until they reached their table.

Yasmine followed closely behind. There was no way she was sitting out of this meeting. If it concerned Carter, she wanted to be involved. She would do anything to be in his presence again.

The three of them sat and ate while having casual conversation. Yasmine did most of the questioning . . . too much for Miamor's taste.
This bitch wants to know more about Carter than anything else. The fuck?
Miamor thought. Her patience was wearing thin so she fast-forwarded to more serious matters.

“I know that you originally had planned to open a casino with Carter. As you know Nevada gaming will never approve a license to him now that he has a criminal record. I on the other hand am squeaky clean,” she said.

“I find that hard to believe,” Baraka replied quickly and with intrigue.

“Where it counts Mr. Baraka,” she added with a laugh. “On paper I'm as legit as they come. My credit is impeccable and I have no record besides juvenile stuff that was sealed long ago. Carter trusts me to be the front woman for this new venture.”

“As do I,” Baraka admitted. “You are sharp and fearless if everything that I hear is true.”

“I'm sure that some of it is embellished,” she said coyly.

“Tell me,” Baraka leaned up, intrigued. “Is it true that you once severed a man's . . .”

“Don't believe everything you hear,” she interrupted, not wanting to cop to anything. She didn't want her reputation to scare off his business. How the story had traveled all the way across the world she had no clue. She had to chuckle slightly to herself. She had been a wild girl before Carter had calmed her slightly. He really did bring stability into her life.
The good old days,
she thought.

“Besides that is something only a disgusting woman would do. Its quite barbaric, don't you think? Certainly not the type of woman that Carter would take as a wife,” Yasmine shot.

“Sometimes barbaric is necessary when people don't stay in their place,” Miamor replied with an underlying tone. “My husband can be quite brutal himself when the situation suits it.”

“I will put up fifty million to finance half of the new resort and casino in Nevada. I take it The Cartel can come up with the other half,” Baraka suggested.

“We can,” Miamor said.

“Nevada isn't an easy town to takeover. I'm sure you are quite skilled in the art of war, but you will need an entire army. I don't have that type of support. This is where The Cartel would be beneficial,” Baraka insisted.

“It's where we excel,” Miamor replied.

“I'll write you a check and have my lawyers draw up the paperwork immediately. In the meanwhile . . .”

Miamor cut him short, “In the meanwhile you can get the money in cash.” She pulled a folder from her Birkin bag and slid it across the table. “I had the liberty of having our attorney draw up the agreement. All you have to do is have your people look it over and sign.”

Baraka laughed heartily at her wit and handed the paperwork off to Yasmine. He stood. “Please Mrs. Jones, enjoy a suite, rest up, do a bit of gambling if you prefer. We have excellent spa facilities. Whatever you would like. I will have the contract and the money returned to you by the time your wheels are up tomorrow. When you speak to Carter be sure to tell him that he is a very, very, lucky man,” Baraka stated.

“He knows,” she smiled graciously.

“Well than give him my best,” Baraka replied.

When he walked away Miamor felt like jumping for joy, but instead she kept her cool. The financing was the hardest part. Now that she had gotten the ball rolling there wasn't much that would stand in her way to getting Carter's casino.

 

 

“Where d' fuck is dis' bitch?” Aries muttered as she sat inside of the restaurant waiting for Breeze to arrive. The waiter walked up and refilled Aries drink.

“Slow day?” Aries asked.

The waiter gave a slight smile and a shrug before walking away.

Being back in Miami had brought the accent right back out of her. She was in her element and right back in the mind frame of a stone cold killer. She had forgotten completely about the suburban housewife and mother that she had forced herself to transform into. “De bitch is lucky I'm agreeing to meet her at all.” Aries was losing patience. Breeze was twenty minutes late. Aries had already let the spoiled princess choose the time and place. She was feeling a type of way about being made to wait.
If it twasn't for Miamor, I would slit de' bitch's pretty little throat. Arghh! Waiting tis' for the fucking birds,
she thought. Aries had always had a temper problem when it came to anyone with the last name Diamond. She had a bitter taste in her mouth over Anisa's death. Their entire crew had fallen apart the day they set their sights on The Cartel. Distracted by her thoughts, Aries didn't notice the two large men heading toward her. She had been too busy looking for a carefree, sun-kissed, impeccably dressed socialite that was Breeze Diamond. What she didn't realize was that Breeze had grown up and life had hardened her. She didn't move without thinking nowadays. In fact, the place where they were meeting, Breeze owned. It was empty for a reason. Breeze had ordered it to be. She never left anything to chance anymore and as the two goons parted Breeze became visible. Aries motioned to stand but Breeze stopped her. “Sit down. If you make one move too quickly my pits right here,” she paused as she nodded toward the two men who stood faithfully at her side. “They'll put a bullet in your head. Do we understand each other?”