by Saundra
“DaVon.” She announced his name, stepped in his space, and kissed him lightly on both cheeks.
“How are you, Ms. Lady?” DaVon greeted her.
“Baby, this is DaVon’s lady, Precious.”
“Hi.” She glared at me. “This is the first time I’ve met someone with that name.” Her accent matched Pablo’s. “Precious, I’m Penelope.” She extended her hand to me.
“It’s good meeting you, Penelope.”
“Why don’t you ladies have some more drinks so me and my guy DaVon can talk,” Pablo suggested.
“Sure, babe.” Penelope leaned in and kissed Pablo on the lips. Their vibe was so sensual, a blind man could see they were in complete love with each other.
“I’ll be back.” DaVon winked at me before walking off with Pablo.
“Penelope, I just want to say this house is beautiful.”
“Thank you. Come on, I’ll take you on a tour.” For the next half hour Penelope showed me around. The house was off the charts. Penelope shared that it was fourteen thousand square feet and some change. And I believed her. The house had ten full bathrooms and three half bathrooms, along with two elevators, not to mention a two-story round glass wall that overlooked the pool and waterfront. To put it mildly, the house was ridiculous.
“So, Precious, what is it you do?” We had just finished the tour of the house and were having a drink.
“Well, right now I’m actually in college, my major is business. And I own a dry cleaning business.”
“That’s good. Sounds like you have a love for business.”
“I guess you can say so. I helped my dad run his dry cleaning business since I was a child. What about you?” I asked.
“I have a few business ventures. My most successful is my chain of designer shoe stores. I even have one in Saint-Tropez.”
“Oh snap.” I was surprised to hear that. I read about Saint-Tropez all the time in the magazines and on the blogs. It was a hot spot for the rich and famous. “Ain’t that the place where all the celebrities vacation on yachts and whatnot?”
Penelope smiled and sipped her wine. “That would be it. Pablo surprised me with a house out there about five years ago. And once we had that, it was a must that we buy a yacht. It’s simply beautiful there. Business was going good with the other shoe stores, so two years ago I opened a shoe store there. And business is booming over there.”
“Wow, that’s what’s up. I can only hope to be so successful one day.” I was really impressed with her accomplishments. Never had I met anyone who owned a chain of anything, and in a place as famous as Saint-Tropez made it just that much more impressive.
“And if you will be in this life, you should always stay connected and loyal. For every reason.” Her voice took on a more boss-like tone. “Now my other interest, besides the business, is always standing by my man,” she said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Nothing should matter more than that.” She looked off into the distance and my eyes followed. They landed on DaVon and Pablo still talking. Whatever they were discussing was serious, because they didn’t seem the least bit bothered by all the entertainment around them. “While they build an empire, you hold it up.”
“I guess I never thought of that.” I was honest. The knowledge she was supplying was all new to me. “But without a doubt I would always stand by DaVon.” That much I knew for sure.
“I think we have a lot in common. I see some of you in me when I first got with Pablo. Just remember that even when you are in Los Angeles, you are connected. Never hesitate to reach out, Precious.”
“Trust me, I will not.” The conversation had taken on a meaning of its own. Penelope seemed like no other female I had ever met. Something told me that as beautiful and elegant as she was, she was one Spanish chick that was not to be crossed. And I liked her standards. It gave me something new to think about.
Chapter 17
Back in Los Angeles I couldn’t get my mind off Penelope; what she had said set off bells in my mind. Made me conscious of things that I sure wasn’t conscious of before. Her style and grace were impeccable; just looking at her you would never know that she was the wife of a kingpin. Pablo was the connection from the Spanish underworld, and not known by many. How DaVon had come by him, I probably would never know. I just prayed that he stayed on his good side.
Miami had been great but we had made it back to LA. Snatching up my cell phone, I dialed up Keisha. I hadn’t heard from her since I had left for Miami. I wanted to check in on her. Since the loss of the baby, she had been kind of quiet and withdrawn. After the fifth ring her cell phone went to voicemail. I hated leaving messages, so I didn’t. I figured she could call me back once she saw she missed the call.
Unzipping my suitcase, I decided to go ahead and start unpacking my things. Maria was downstairs making her famous chicken tacos, and I couldn’t wait to have some. I figured as soon as I was done unpacking, I could run down and have a few. Just as I pulled the zipper back on my suitcase, my cell started to ring. Keisha’s name lit up on the screen.
“Where you been at? I thought you had fallen off the face of the earth,” Keisha ranted into the phone nonstop. “Actin’ like you can’t answer nobody call, got your phone going straight to voicemail.” My phone had died on the plane on the way back from Miami, so I’d waited until I arrived home to charge it up.
“See, it’s not like that at all.” I giggled. “DaVon and I made a trip up to Miami and on the way back my phone died.”
“Damn, bitch, what’s in Miami? Guess you making moves now?”
I laughed but didn’t respond as I realized DaVon’s business in Miami was just that, his business, so there was no need for me to disclose why we were there.
“Silence, huh?” Keisha chuckled. “Well, I guess what happens in Miami stays in Miami.” And she was right about that, but I didn’t feel the need to clarify, so I changed the subject.
“So how have you been?” We hadn’t really talked much since she’d had the miscarriage. I wasn’t sure what to say to her, but I wanted to be sure she was cool. Keisha was always playing hard, but I knew she had been happy about being pregnant.
“Under the circumstances, I’m cool. I just try not to dwell on it. I got my energy back, but I just been chillin’.
“That’s good, you need to be able to relax.”
“Nah, ain’t no relaxin’. Buffy done had her ass over here damn near every day, gettin’ on my last damn nerve. Yesterday, I threw her ass out. Told her to stay the fuck away before I kill her.” I couldn’t help but laugh as I imagined Keisha cursing Buffy out. “Don’t laugh, that shit ain’t funny.” She couldn’t hold back and let out a chuckle.
“I’m sorry.” I continued to laugh. “Buffy just making sure you straight.”
“Straight my black ass; she was naggin’ the hell outta me. And as usual, Quincy spendin’ all his time workin’. Day and night that’s all he does. So basically a bitch alone . . .” She paused. “That nigga thinks he the only one who can bump on the street. Nigga keep forgettin’ I’m grade one in these streets. Been hustlin’ way before his ass. But it’s cool, I’ma let him do his thing, while I relax and flex that weave.”
I was glad she remembered that she had her own thing going. “Right, that’s still yo’ hustle. You already done made that official. “
“And I have so many more plans. That’s why your girl tryin’ to ride these waves steady. It’s gone all work out.”
“I know it will . . .” I paused. I could hear sadness in her tone but not defeat. “Listen, I’ma roll through tomorrow and we can do some shopping. Are you down?”
“Hell yeah, you know I’m always down for spending Quincy’s money. Just hit me up and let me know what time. But speaking of shopping, I know you ain’t went all the way to Miami and didn’t drop them stacks.”
“You know I did. You gone have to check me out too. Miami gone have me slayin’ out here in L.A.”
“Bitch, I feel you. It’s cool though. I’m gone boss up to
morrow. Don’t forget to hit me.”
“I won’t.” I hung up the phone. After I finished unpacking, I realized I was tired and wanted to climb into bed. But first I had to have some of Maria’s tacos. There was no way I was missing out on them. So after taking a hot shower, I raced downstairs with full intentions to fill up.
Chapter 18
I woke up with my dad heavy on my mind. Lately I had been seriously considering doing something to the house. Possibly fixing it up, doing a little remodeling. I didn’t wish to sell it or anything. But I felt it really needed a makeover. But just thinking about the house forced me to think about him long and hard. What would he like, or not like? Then that brought on the feeling that I was still trying to suppress my anger at him. I was trying so hard to shake the feeling of loneliness and his betrayal. And I missed him so much.
Pulling the covers off me, I sat up on the side of the bed and contemplated fixing a cup of coffee. That could possibly get me going. I really needed to get dressed and go down to the cleaners and pick up the deposit. But it was easier said than done. Suddenly the loneliness and betrayal I felt because of my dad rushed over me. I couldn’t rise from the bed as the tears rushed down my rosy cheeks. The bedroom door swung open and I quickly tried to wipe the tears away as DaVon stepped into room. The last thing I wanted was for him to see me crying.
“Babe, what’s going on? Why the tears?” He rushed over to me, concerned. My attempt to hide the tears had failed. And I was not in the mood to talk about it.
I forced a smile on my face. “That’s not tears. My allergies are acting up. I’m good,” I denied. But the pit of my stomach was boiling over with pain. I fought to keep a straight face.
“Listen, if something’s botherin’ you, I’m here.” Concern was all over DaVon’s face.
“I told you . . .” I tried to finish my statement. I really wanted to. But the pain in the pit of my stomach boiled over until I could no longer hold it. “I can’t take it anymore, DaVon,” I cried.
He rushed over and put his arms around me.
“Babe, what’s up? Talk to me.”
Tears ran down my face. I had to take in a deep breath to control the shaking in my voice as I tried to speak. I had to calm down first.
“It’s okay. Take your time.” DaVon held on to me. Slowly I removed myself from his embrace. DaVon rushed to the bathroom and brought out some Kleenex.
Dabbing at my tears, I dried my face. “I’m fine now.” My voice was still a bit shaky. “I was just thinking about my dad. I feel so alone in the world. You know . . .” I had to pause again to take in a deep breath so that I would be able to go on talking. “When I was growin’ up it was just him and me. And he shielded me from the world as best he could, but how could he do that yet lie to me daily? Do you know that he let me believe my entire life that my mother was dead . . . that she died when I was a baby? He died with that lie. I had to discover after his death through some fuckin’ letters that it was not true. Who the fuck does that!” I screamed. The pain was deeper than ever and it stung like a thousand knives. I wasn’t sure if I would ever understand his motive.
DaVon hugged me tight again. “Babe, you don’t ever have to feel lonely, because I’m here for you, always. You always got me, don’t doubt. I love you more than you’ll ever know.”
“But why would he do it, DaVon? Why would he lie?”
“Ain’t no way to ever know that, Precious. Sometimes people do things that simply can’t be explained. Maybe he had good reason.”
“Good reason?” I snatched my neck back and looked at him with attitude. How could he agree with what Dad had done? “How can you say that? No mother deserves to not be in her child’s life. Especially when she is begging to be there.” The letters all but haunted me.
“I don’t know, babe. I wish I had the answer. Is she still alive? Have you tried to find her?” He asked valid questions. But I hadn’t even thought about contacting her. I was just stunned to find out that she was not dead.
“I don’t know. The last time she wrote to him, I was about six years old. She either gave up writing to him or he hid those letters somewhere else. I still can’t believe he successfully hid those letters from me all that time.” The tears again started to flow. I felt like I had a bucket of tears inside me waiting to leak out.
“Babe, just know that I’m here for you. I’m your family now, and you know that without a doubt I love you beyond measure.” He kissed my forehead.
“I know.” I sniffed back tears. I was so thankful to have DaVon; without him I would have been lost.
“Listen, why don’t you take a ride with me?”
“I can’t, babe, I got a few things to do . . .” I had got so caught up in my feelings I had almost forgotten about my busy day.
“Come on, ride with me?” DaVon repeated.
I would have given in, but I couldn’t.
“I can’t, I have to run by the dry cleaners to pick up the deposit. Then I have to meet up with the contractor at Dad’s house. And I told Keisha we would go shoppin’.” I ran down my to-do list. “And you know if I cancel on Keisha she’ll talk mess until whenever.”
“Aye, but I still want you to take this ride with me.” I was prepared to give him the same no again, but he forced his handsome smile on me. “Come on, ride wit’ your man.”
I couldn’t resist his charm, so I agreed.
Thirty-five minutes later we were pulling into the driveway at a weird location. It was back in a wooded park area with big trees, a running path, and the coolest breeze I had felt in a long time. I rolled up my window.
“Aye, you ain’t got to be scared.” DaVon chuckled when I let the window up.
“Oh no.” I laughed as I realized he thought I was afraid. “I’m a little cold is all . . . but I’m straight. Trust,” I reassured him.
“A’ight, sit tight. I’ma handle this and I’ll be right back. Now give your man a kiss.” Leaning in my direction, DaVon licked his lips and it reminded me of LL Cool J. Passionately and unable to control myself, I sucked on his bottom lip, then slid my tongue in his mouth. “Damn, babe,” escaped DaVon’s mouth. Sitting back into my seat, I gave him a sweet smile.
DaVon climbed out of the car and walked to the back. I heard him open and shut the trunk. As he came around toward the front of the car, I noticed he was carrying two big army-type green duffel bags. I watched as he approached a money-green, old-school Monte Carlo sitting on twenty-four-inch rims. A tall black male stepped out, resembling Nino Brown from New Jack City. Then, suddenly, a Range Rover pulled up next to the Monte Carlo and out climbed Clip and another one of DaVon’s peons who went by Mob. Mob, like Clip, carried the reputation of a beast in the streets because he had a love for knives, and he was known to butcher up his problems. And word on the streets was he was number one at it. Simply put, he was not to be fucked with.
The black Nino-looking guy approached DaVon. When they were within earshot DaVon dropped both duffel bags on the ground, and they shook hands. I was too far away to make out what they were saying, but their facial expressions and body gestures specified business only. DaVon glanced off his right shoulder at Clip and Mob and he gave them a signal. The trunk on the Monte Carlo went up and, for the first time, I noticed a tall, bulky, brown-skinned dude standing at the back of the trunk. I froze for a minute thinking something was up. But the trunk to the Range Rover also went up, and Clip and Mob immediately started loading something from the Monte Carlo into the Range Rover, with the help of the brown-skinned dude.
I sat and watched the entire transaction in disbelief, but with a hint of apprehension, and yet a bit of exhilaration. The feeling was overwhelming yet fulfilling at the same time. I had been in such a trance, watching Clip and Mob empty the Monto Carlo, that I had not even noticed DaVon walking back toward the car. He opened the door, slid inside, and startled me.
“You a’ight?” He leaned over to me, nearly closing the space between us, his cologne, as usual, soothing my nostrils.
“Oh, I’m fine.”
“You saw what just happened . . .” His voice trailed off, and he looked back in the direction of Clip and Mob as they drove off. The Monte Carlo busted a U-turn and went the opposite direction. “This is my life, Precious. One hundred grand. And now it’s yours,” he said to me, still looking off in the direction where everything had taken place. Slowly, he turned his attention to me again. A calm seriousness, but full of sexy, was all over his face. “One day we will be billionaires living on a boat out in the middle of the ocean. You just witnessed enough kilos for us to retire ten families and make them rich. But that’s just the icing on the cake, the best is yet to be seen.” Again, he looked off into the distance. “And never forget Pablo and Penelope.”
DaVon put the gear shift in drive, and we sped away. I felt the first rush of something I could not explain for the life of me. And I understood things that I had no idea I could. From that day forward, I would occasionally make trips with DaVon; he made sure of it. Even though I never understood why I was there, I was learning that my man was smart, and even though he already had more than anyone could ask for—hell, he was rich already—he would go farther. The sky was the limit for DaVon and me.
Chapter 19
“Precious, where you at?” Keisha yelped through the phone as soon as I answered.
“Just leaving school. I been in classes all day.” My brain was tired, but it was no use sharing that with Keisha, because if she had fun in mind there would be no excuse that she would accept.
“Damn, girl, school be kickin’ yo’ ass, huh?”
“Without a doubt.” I had to be honest. “But it’s cool, I got this.” I gave myself a pep talk. Because sometimes after staying up late nights, studying or doing papers, then a full day of classes, and some days straight to the dry cleaners right after, I would be drained. But positivity was the big picture, and support from DaVon kept me going. So I was good. “What’s up with you though? I ain’t heard from you in a few weeks.”
