The Conglomerate: A Luxorious Tale (31 page)

             
Zay blushed from the recognition by his older brother, who’d also assumed the role of father figure when their father passed.  “I appreciate that especially coming from you.”

             
“I’m still a straight shooter and I give props where they are due,” he took a sip from his glass, “I’m curious about a few things if you don’t want to discuss them I understand.”

             
“Ain’t nothing I can’t or won’t discuss with you.”

             
“How much white do you have to move in a month to afford a place like this?”

             
“I don’t fuck with cocaine, stepped up to the major leagues and got into the dog food game.”

             
“You moved onto heroine?”

             
“Yeah. A little over five years ago, my connect showed me that the real paper was in heroine. One brick of the boy is equal to three to four bricks of quality coke.”

             
“Charlotte has changed,” Tony said. “This wasn’t much of a heroine city when I left.”

             
“It still isn’t people around here still prefer that white girl,” Zay responded. “Most of my business in the city comes from the Eastside, and the Greenville neighborhood. It ain’t much to brag about though. We do real good in Greensboro, Winston, and Durham. Those three spots are money in the bank. Nothing compares to the money we make in the Maryland, DC, and Virginia area. I’ve stacked crazy cake from them places.”

              “A dude from B-More that was locked up with us was worth a billion off that dope, but the nigga ratted when they got him. He shitted on his workers and gave up the name of his supplier from across the water.”

             
“That’s a damn shame,” Zay shook his head. “Made all that money and turned into a fuckin’ rat.”

 
              “Aye I know it’s some room for Rico and me to make a few dollars with you and Jason.”

             
“Nah, it’s not.”

             
Furrowing his brows, Tony frowned at his little brother’s answer. No was the last thing he expected to hear. “Damn it’s like that you can’t put ya family on?”

             
“Of course I could put you on and risk you going back to prison for the rest of your lives, catching twenty years in your early twenties is totally different from catching twenty in your early forties. Or, I could give you the money that we put up for you two.  I’m not talking a couple of hundred stacks either; I’m talking a few million each.”

             
Tony choked on the liquor that was gliding down his throat. He coughed roughly a few times. “A few,” he coughed again, “a few million? Y’all getting that kinda paper?”

Zay nodded his head.

              “I appreciate it man. I ain’t going to say no to it, a hundred stacks would have done me fine… I know that you had to hustle hard for that money, it’s not going to hurt your pockets?”

 
              “Not at all, I’ve had a great run. Even if it did hurt my pockets I’d do it for you and Rico. Y’all took care of us. I’m also doing it for Mama. I want y’all to stay free for her.  That’s enough money to buy a crazy house, a nice whip and start a business. I own a few businesses that I can give y’all the blueprint to and you two can stay out the game.”

              When Tony went away to do his time he knew that his family would be okay, because Zay was bright and a natural hustler. But the things that his younger brother had accomplished in the past two decades amazed him. He tapped the rim of his glass. “Hit me again lil bro.” Zay topped Tony’s glass off with two more shots.

             
Tony raised his glass. “When I left you were a boy, and now you’re a real man better than that you’re a self-made man. I’m so proud of you and thankful for you.”

Once again the brothers tapped glasses and tossed down the shots.

              “Could you keep the money thing between us?” Zay asked. “I really wanted to surprise the both of you with it. I knew that it was going to be hard. I knew that one of you was going to be coming at me about getting on, I just expected it to be Rico first.”

             
“Oh don’t worry he’ll be coming at you real soon,” Tony replied.  “Hell, he probably up there in Jason ear right now.” Tony was amped about the money, but there were other things that he’d picked up on and he wanted to get answers to while Rico was not around. It wasn’t that he was being sneaky, he just didn’t want to discuss sensitive issues in front of Rico. After eighteen years on the inside Rico was still a hot head and easy to fly off the handle. There were many days that Tony had to talk him out of impulsive and poor decisions that could’ve prolonged his time in prison or landed him on death row.

              “Zay what’s going on with this football nigga that tried your wife?”

             
“He done.”

             
“Done like what?”

             
“He dead.”

             
“You did ’em?”  Tony quizzed.

             
Zay looked his brother dead in the eye. ”Yeah.”

             
“Didn’t know you had the heart for the murder game, I thought it was a situation you might want me to handle.”

             
“You got a lot to learn about me big bruh, I don’t like killing. But, there is not a man walking these streets that can violate any member of my family like that and think they gone continue to breathe.”

             
“Okay, okay, and what’s with this dude y’all looking for that robbed ya spots?”

             
“That’s a long story and nothing that I want you to worry about. I’ll fill you in on that tomorrow. Right now it’s time to party.”

             
“Damn right,” Rico announced entering the room, dapper in a white Versace tux with navy lapels and navy Mauri gators. His tieless shirt was unbuttoned down to the third button. “What’s that new shit they saying now? Time to get up.”

             
“No,” Jason said following Rico into the room. “It’s turn up and I wouldn’t miss hearing that dumb ass term if no one ever said it again.” 

             
They were over joyed just by being able to be together the brothers burst into laughter as if Jason’s response was the funniest thing ever said.

             
“Ayo,” Zay said. “We gotta go Joey’s texting me they ready to start the dinner at the L Room.”

             
“What’s the L Room?” Rico asked. “I thought the party was at the Luxe.”

             
“It’s all in the same place,” Zay answered. “Now get a glass I want to make a toast before we leave. He raised his glass, “You,” he motioned his snifter toward Tony and Rico, “you two stepped up as teenagers to fill the shoes of our deceased father.  Because of your love, guidance, and discipline Jason and I stand here as men. I love you. I mean we love you. And, because you took such good care of us, even putting your life on the line to do so, it is now time for us to take care of you. Tonight, I toast to my big brothers, Tony and Rico the last of a dying breed.”

* * *

The brothers arrived at the Luxe Enclave in two different chauffeured vehicles; Jason and Rico were in an impressively beautiful whit
e Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe with the top down.  Zay and Tony traveled there in an equally extravagant white Rolls Royce Ghost.  Getting out the car, Rico was visibly awe struck by the size and the magnificence of the Luxe Enclave, he looked at Tony who was walking up.

              “Y’all own all of this?”

             
“This isn’t mines; this is my wife’s and her friends.”

             
“Yeah,” Tony interjected. “But we all know that you made it happen.”

             
“No, I didn’t have anything to do with it, this is all them. The money that my wife put in was money that she made from promoting.”

             
“Wow, that’s crazy,” Rico said looking around at the three eloquent beige brick, marble, and stone buildings and the gorgeous greenery in the late spring sunset. “I thought this was going to be like one building. This place is like an upscale office park.” 

             
The Enclave grounds were flanked by additional security that was hired in case John Doe decided to strike. They were not the run of the mill security either. The firm that was hired dealt in high profile security and black ops.

             
The L Room’s door’s opened and out walked Joey in a white Phillip Plein tight fitted, short-split sleeved, studded shoulder mini dress. The white Zanotti Cruel Summer six-inch heels on her feet elongated her slight bowed, but well-toned legs and gave her infinite curves. Joey’s red mane was laid for the gods in long wavy curls and M. Latrice had flown in from Miami and slayed her makeup. She was so striking that Zay, her own husband, had to do a double take. 

             
“Gat damn,” Rico whistled. “Who is this bad ass bitch?”

             
Jason elbowed Rico in the side, “that’s Joey… Zay’s wife!”

             
“Oh shit, my bad babe bro,” Rico said to Zay. “I knew she was pretty from the wedding pictures that you sent, but they didn’t do her any justice and her dress was white, but it wasn’t fitting like that one.”

             
“You straight,” Zay said in a trance, staring at Joey as she came toward them.  When she got near, he grabbed Joey by the waist, pulled her close, and spoke softly into her left ear.

             
“Damn baby, what you trying to do catch tonight?”

             
Blushing she replied, “I guess that means I look good in this dress.”

             
“Yeah, you looking too good in this
little ass
dress, I think you might need to take it off.”

             
“Not,” she playfully pushed him away. Turning her attention to Tony and Rico, Joey said, “Welcome home!”  She embraced them both. “I’ve heard so much about the two of you from your mother and brothers.”

             
“We heard a lot about you too,” Rico scanned her up and down, “but we didn’t know it was like that.”

             
“Ayo,” Zay said giving Rico the side eye. “That’s enough bruh.”

             
Everyone laughed.

             
After exchanging a few more pleasantries with her newly acquainted brother-in-laws, Joey said, “Well, welcome to Luxe Enclave before the party starts we have dinner waiting in the L Room. I wanted to fill your stomachs with food before you start filling them with liquor.” Hand in hand with Zay, Joey led the way inside to a small event room.  When she opened the door a crowd around forty to fifty family members and friends yelled, “SURPRISE!”

             
Tony and Rico were happily shocked and trilled to see so many aunts, uncles, cousins, and people from the past. For more than two hours the older Tappens’ brothers reminisced with the people that they grew up with. Their young adult cousins, who were children when they caught their time, fascinated them. Noticeably absent to Tony was their mother’s sister, Fran, and her son Isaac. Growing up Isaac often stayed with them while his mother worked third shift. Four years younger than Jason, Isaac was like a little brother to all of them. 

             
While walking Dorenda to her car after the dinner, Tony asked her, “Ma where is Auntie Fran and Isaac?”

             
“You know Isaac in the hospital.”

             
“For what?”

             
“He got shot.”

             
“When?”

             
“Two weeks ago, he was in a coma for week.  Didn’t Jason and Zay tell you?”

             
“No. Who shot him?”

             
“We don’t know. Some fool broke in and tried to rob him,” Dorenda replied, oblivious to the real reason behind her nephew’s shooting. “I’m on the way to the hospital to pick up Frannie now she’s going to stay over at my house tonight to get a break from the hospital. You and Rico should come over for brunch and then we can go to the hospital to see Isaac.”

             
“Okay Ma.” Tony kissed Dorenda on the cheek and hugged her. “Get home safe and text somebody to let them know you made it. Don’t text my phone though; I’m still trying to figure out how to work that thing.”

             
“I’ll send Zay a message when I get home and don’t you boys drink too much.”

             
“We’ll try not to Ma.”

             
“Goodnight baby,” Dorenda got into her navy Lexus LS 460 and backed out of the parking space. 

             
Tony watched his mother drive off into the night, when Dorenda’s taillights were out of sight he returned to the L Room. All of the older relatives had left. Only a few guests that were staying for the party at Luxe remained, and they were sitting at the table with Tony’s three brothers enjoying cold bottles of champagne. Tony leaned over to Zay.              

             
“Let me holla at you for a minute.”

             
“Sure big bruh,” he got up and stepped a few feet from the table with the eldest Tappens.

             
“Why didn’t you tell me about Isaac?”

             
“We just wanted you and Rico to enjoy this night before we put all that in your head.”

             
Tony knew that something was amiss with Zay. A light went off in his head and Tony asked, “Did he get shot during the robbery at ya spot?”

             
“Yeah,” Zay replied reluctantly.

             
“Why are you being so hush-hush about this robbery with me?  What is really going on?”

             
“Listen, that robbery wasn’t just a simple lick by some local, it’s more to it. I haven’t told you because I know how you are. You’re going to try to step in and help. Besides, it’s something that I don’t even want you worrying about right now. The only thing that I want you to do tonight is have a ball, bag a few bitches, and get pussy from all of ’em if you can.”

             
“Aight,” Tony responded. “But tomorrow I want to know everything. You been holding this family down solidly, and now that I’m home any niggas that even think about fucking with you or this family, I’ll put ’em in the ground personally.”

Joey came over and inter
rupted before Zay could respond. “Excuse me baby,” she rubbed the small of Zay’s back. “But I need to borrow Tony over at the table for a second. Both men followed Joey over to the table where Rico and Jason were still sitting with a few guest.

             
“I have to head over to the Luxe now and judging by the line outside its going to be insane tonight, so I wanted to introduce you two,” Joey pointed to Tony and Rico, “to a few people who will be taking care of anything you need.” Joey waved the Luxe staff over. “Guys,” she addressed the staff, “this is Tony and Rico. Tonight is their night and we’re going to give them the five star treatment. Familiarize yourselves with all the faces at this table with the exception of the ones that you already know of course,” she smiled.  “Everyone right here will be in Tony and Rico’s VIP section,” Joy said addressing the table. Joey began introducing the staff, starting with two pretty, sexy women dressed in metallic silver bra tops, matching hot pants, five inch platform pumps and white bunny ears.

             
“This is Nicole and Sicily, your bottle waitresses. They are assigned to your booth only. Whatever you need they will be at your beck and call.”

             
“Anything?” Rico asked, eyeing Sicily’s thick brown thighs then winking at her.  Sicily didn’t mind the overt flirting, he was a possible come up in her mind. The older females on staff had been talking about Tony and Rico’s history in the city, even mentioning that the elder Tappens probably still had money.