The Cartel Deluxe Edition, Part 2

by Ashley

  Chapter 9

  “I’m attracted to the bad boys.”

  —Leena

  BANG!

  The sound of the loud bell sent the beautiful horses bolting as the race began. The beautiful stallions were like well oiled machines as their strong bodies darted around the track. Dirt kicked up from beneath their hooves as each jockey swatted their individual beast, pushing them to their limit. The crowd was loud, rowdy, and watching in pure marvel Miamor and Aries sat back, watching anxiously as the jockeys rode the horses with expertise around the track. Timmy “Two Times” Bono stood to his feet as he and his cohorts cheered along the sidelines, in the first row of the stadium seating. Miamor had no doubt that they stood to make a pretty penny on the race, or at least they would have if she hadn’t tampered with the odds. Despite the 85-degree weather, various members of the Italian mob were dressed to the nines in expensive suits. Miamor’s heart raced in rhythm to the sound of the hooves hitting the dirt. She could hear the stampede in her ears and feel adrenaline pumping in her chest as she fisted the guardrail in front of her. Mona Lisa was in the lead and Miamor had to admit it was an exquisite animal. It was strong and determined as its nostrils flared while its legs moved swiftly. Miamor was enthralled. She anxiously stood to her feet. “Why isn’t it working?” she wondered as she watched as Mona Lisa neared the finish line. “Aries . . . its not . . .”

  Before she could finish her sentence Mona Lisa suddenly bucked and raised on its hind legs. The entire crowd stood and gasped as the horse seemed to freeze in mid-air, kicking its front legs in distress. The jockey struggled to hold on but was thrown off as Mona Lisa fell with a loud thud to the ground. The stampede of other horses raced right by the champion bred animal. No one seemed to focus on the winner as an underdog stole the race and an emergency team rushed out onto the track.

  Miamor glanced at the Italian mobsters and saw not a trace of jovial excitement in their expressions. They each had lost a fortune, as had most of the people in attendance. She had to force herself to keep the sly grin off her face. “Let’s go Mia,” Aries whispered.

  Miamor tore herself from the scene as she thought of the next part of her plan. Now she had to set-up the proposition to get Broome to drop the case against The Cartel.

  * * *

  Leena sprayed her Dolce Blue perfume as she stared at herself in the mirror. The emptiness that occupied her eyes was undeniable. As much as she wanted to tell Odom he was wrong, she knew that he was right. He could see through the fancy clothes, chauffeured cars, and queen on the throne, persona. Leena craved normality. If she were a normal girl in a normal world, her man would still be with her. He wouldn’t be faking his death or running from federal cases. Sadness was paralyzing and she had been forcing herself to live in a fog ever since Monroe had first disappeared from her life. Mecca and Monroe had consumed her with lust, with love, with money, and power . . . she had been sucked in by it all. Like a moth to a flame it all was so enticing. Now she had been burned and Odom was there, saying all the things that she wanted to come from Monroe’s lips. No, she didn’t want Odom, but she would love to experience life on the right side of the law. She stepped into her Donna Karan dress and maneuvered her arms awkwardly to zip it to the top. She placed a blazer over it and slid into six-inch heels. She exited her bedroom and descended the steps to find her son playing boisterously with Breeze.

  “Thank you for keeping him,” Leena said.

  “He’s my nephew Leena. This isn’t considered a favor. We are family,” she replied. She turned her focus to Monroe’s son. He looked so much like him, but his demeanor was mischievous like Mecca’s. Li’l Money might have been Monroe’s seed, but he had a piece of Mecca inside of him as well. Breeze recognized it even at such a young age. “What did auntie teach you? Huh? Diamonds are . . .”

  “Forever!” the three year old quipped loudly with nothing but youthful innocence. He had no idea how deeply rooted that statement was or how true it rang. He was born, Monroe Diamond II, he would grow into a powerful man. “We’ll be fine. Just get the money, finish this business and tell Odom to quit stalling you.”

  Leena nodded and then kissed Breeze on the cheek before leaving. The attention that Odom showered Leena with was flattering, but instead of making her feel good, it made her feel uncomfortable. She wanted Monroe to do those things, she wanted him to say the things that Odom said so eloquently. She wanted a square life. She could not endure any more of the streets. Although they came with many perks, if Monroe wasn’t there to enjoy them with her, it wasn’t worth it. Leena smiled at her driver as he held open her door and she slid into the back seat.

  Her thoughts were so plentiful that they distracted her and made the thirty-minute drive fly by. Before she knew it she was pulling up to Odom’s office. Passersby stopped as they attempted to see who was pulling up as the driver hit his hazards and hopped out to open her door. All they saw was legs for days as she stuck her Manolo out first to steady her balance. Leena exited smoothly, ran her hands over the fabric of her dress to smooth the wrinkles and then double stepped it into the building. Oddly, butterflies filled her stomach. So much weighed on her shoulders. She had to be coy enough to not disrespect Monroe’s legacy but open enough to Odom’s flirtation to keep him from turning snake. I’ll be glad when he come up off this money, she thought to herself. She was tired of the charade because honestly it left her confused at the end of the night. Odom seemed to spot the empty spaces of her life and put them under a magnifying glass. He made her question Monroe’s love for her. If he truly loved me would I even be in this position? She thought. “Stop it, of course he loves you,” she whispered, scolding herself. “This man is about to stop playing with my money. I’m not leaving here today until it’s in my possession.”

  Leena’s step was more confident as she marched into Odom’s office with determination. “Good morning Ms. Devereaux,” the receptionist greeted at first sight. The many calls she had been instructed to place and flowers she had ordered for Leena on Odom’s behalf . . . the woman was very familiar with Leena. “Please go right in. He’s expecting you.”

  Leena gave the woman a gracious smile and headed into Odom’s office.

  She went to close the door, but Odom interrupted her. “Leave it open,” he said with a direct tone. Leena paused and looked at him. “Sit.”

  He passed her two manila folders, sliding them across the table. “This concludes our business. The account numbers and trust information is inside the folders. Thanks for coming by.”

  Leena was taken aback by his tone and change of attitude. Just last night he was sending flowers . . . she thought. She was confused. He was abrupt with her, almost rude. He didn’t even look at her in the eyes as he spoke to her.

  He looked up from his desk. “You’re still here because . . .” he let the words linger and Leena jerked her head back, insulted. She flipped through the pages of the manila folder and saw that all of what she needed was inside. The jig would have been up anyway. Now that she had all of The Cartel’s assets in her possession she no longer needed to play nice. Leena stood to her feet abruptly. There was a weirdness in the room as if there was an invisible elephant between them. Fuck it, I’ve got what I came for, she thought. She turned on her heels but the nagging feeling that something was awry wouldn’t let her leave without finding out what the hell was going on. She stopped as she reached the threshold of the door. Turning to Odom she opened her mouth to speak, but Odom held up his hand to stop her.

  “Just leave Leena. I don’t want that kind of trouble. You’re off limits,” Odom said, visibly shaken as he lacked his usual confidence. He was abrupt, almost rude, and obviously intimidated. This wasn’t the flirtatious Odom that she had come to expect. In fact, it was almost as if someone had set him straight and she only knew one man that would do such a thing on her behalf.

  Leena smirked as her entire chest warmed. She knew that Monroe had sent a message to Odom. He had reached all the way across the world
to put a man in his place for coming at his lady. It was then that she realized that no matter the burdens, she loved the swag of being with a dope boy . . . especially one that had risen into infinite power. Monroe had status and because of that so did she. Odom never stood a chance.

  “You see Odom. That’s why you would have never been able to get even a whiff of this. I’m attracted to the bad boys and the fact that you were so easily scared off shows exactly how much bitch you have in you,” she said with a laugh. “And to think . . . I almost bought what you were selling.” She shook her head back and forth before adding, “Good-bye Odom.”

  Leena strolled out of the office with complete confidence that her man was alive and well. She just hoped that Miamor and Aries did what they had to do so that he could finally come home.

  Chapter 10

  “Stop bluffing.”

  —Yasmine

  Carter shook his head in disdain as the blackjack dealer swept up the losing hand. Saudi Arabia had given him a new ritual. He spent his mornings at the card tables trying to beat the odds but today he was nothing but bad luck. He felt a presence behind him as the scent of Yves Saint Laurent invaded his space and Yasmine came into his peripheral view.

  “Looks like you need a break, the tables are murdering you,” she said in her husky tone. Carter looked up at her and she flashed him an amused smile.

  “You find my losses funny,” he cracked with a half-smile.

  She pinched two fingers together and scrunched her face. “Just a little bit. I’ve been in the camera room watching you lose all morning,” she said. She chuckled and reached down to pull him from his seat. “Let’s go. Join me for brunch,” she said.

  Carter stood to his feet and pulled a wad of money from the pockets of his Brooks Brother slacks and placed three hundred dollar bills on the table. The dealer broke change but when he went to hand Carter the chips, Carter waved his hand. “Keep it,” Carter said. He always tipped the dealers well and they loved him for it. “See you tomorrow morning Mr. Jones,” the dealer said, never losing count as he dealt a new hand to the remaining players.

  Carter nodded and then placed his hands in his pocket as he followed Yasmine out of the casino. The blare of slot machines filled the massive space and the smell of tobacco smoke clung to his clothing.

  “I need to get out of these clothes, take a quick shower. I don’t want to ruin your meal by smelling like an ashtray. I can meet you in a half hour,” he said.

  “Nonsense, we can stop by your penthouse on the way,” she said.

  Carter nodded. He didn’t know her well but from what he could tell, she wasn’t accustomed to the word no. The pampered Arabian princess always got her way.

  “Fine,” Carter said. “You remind me of my sister, Breeze.”

  “Well Breeze must be fabulous,” Yasmine responded. “Now let’s get you changed before I starve to death.”

  They laughed as they conversed on their way to the top floor. When they arrived Carter’s two hospitality servants stood ready to wait on him, hand and foot.

  Each woman was equally beautiful, but Carter made sure not to take advantage. “Mr. Jones is fine for the time being ladies. You are dismissed for the day. I promise to take good care of him,” Yasmine said.

  Their disappointment was apparent but they didn’t dare object as they left the room. “I think your staff is quite fond of you Carter,” Yasmine said in amusement.

  “They are just doing their job,” Carter responded as he unbuttoned his shirt, revealing his chest and stomach.

  “Oh don’t tell me you don’t notice the affect you have on women? You’re quite intriguing,” she said. Her eyes revealed her own interests and Carter shook his head with a smile.

  “You’re trouble,” he said.

  “Men like trouble,” she said with a wink.

  Carter disappeared into the bathroom. “I’ll make this quick,” he said. He showered, the warmth of the water easing the tension from losing as steam filled the bathroom. As he placed both hands against the shower walls he lowered his head beneath the stream. Making it quick he lathered his body and rinsed. He reached for his towel and exited, wrapping it securely around his waist. Carter dripped water across the floor as he made his way to the large walk-in closet that adjoined the master bath. Surprisingly Yasmine was already inside.

  “I thought I’d choose something debonair for you to wear,” she said. “You have great style.”

  Carter smirked and walked around her. “Thanks but I can piece my own shit together ma. Women like to incorporate too many colors, too many fabrics. I’m simple. Black Ferragamo pants, black button up, nice Mocha shoe, preferably, Prada,” he said as he pulled each item down.

  “Nice choice,” she commented.

  “Glad to have your approval ma,” he said with a wink as he held his towel in place. “Now do you mind?” he nodded toward the door.

  Yasmine gave him a flirtatious purse of the lips as she turned on her heels. “Don’t make me wait too long. I lose interest easily,” she said and somehow he knew that she wasn’t talking about brunch.

  Carter knew that he would have to tread lightly with Yasmine. She had been very hospitable during his time in Saudi Arabia. He spent more time with her than he did anyone else and he enjoyed her company. She flirted, he enjoyed it, but he would not cross that line. He was grateful to her father for his assistance in their hiding out and thought that in the future he could make a great ally. Pussy wasn’t worth the destruction of a great business relationship. No matter how pretty the face it was attached to may be.

  * * *

  “Good morning daddy,” Yasmine greeted as she looked up from her mimosa to see her father approaching over Carter’s shoulder.

  “Somehow I knew I would find you here,” he said as he leaned down to kiss his daughter on the cheek. “I’m sorry to interrupt, but I thought I’d invite Carter here to a game of poker.”

  “I’m not much of a card playing man,” Carter admitted.

  “Then you must learn,” Baraka insisted. “It’s the kind of table that you want to have a seat at. Not everyone is accepted to play.”

  “Count me in,” Carter agreed.

  “Very good,” Baraka said. “Seeing as how the two of you spend so much time together, Yasmine may as well teach you. She’s quite the accomplished poker player. Maybe it will keep her out of the city and safe behind the walls of comfort I’ve built for her, eh?”

  Yasmine’s mouth dropped as she realized that her father knew about the attempted kidnapping. “Father, I . . .”

  Baraka raised his hand to silence her and turned his attention to Carter. “I appreciate you taking care of her and bringing her back unharmed. For that, I owe you a debt. We can discuss more this evening. It seems you are a good man to have around. Just like your father,” he said. He shook Carter’s hand and gave him a pat on the back before walking away.

  “How did he know?” Carter asked.

  “He runs this town. He knows everything,” she shot back. “And everyone worth knowing. The card game is important. Dignitaries, kingpins, investors . . . very powerful men come to my father’s monthly game.”

  Carter licked his lips and replied, “Then you better show me what you got ma.”

  I’ll show you all right, she thought. While Carter was trying to learn the game, Yasmine was trying to learn him. She loved being in his presence and the more time she monopolized of his, the more she wanted him for herself. Forget his girlfriend. He is here and she is all the way there. Its not like she is his wife, Yasmine thought. By the time I’m done with him, he won’t remember her name.

  Yasmine had a poker table set up in her suite and dismissed the dealer so that she could teach Carter one on one. After hours of drinking and lessons she finally said, “I don’t think there is anything more for you to learn. You’re kind of horrible at this.” She laughed and he shook his head in amusement.

  “You know you are the only person who I’ve let laugh at me in yea
rs. You know that right?” he replied with an embarrassed smile.

  “Oh, well perhaps you have soft spot for me in there after all,” she concluded.

  “Perhaps,” he whispered back as he lifted the glass of cognac to his lips.

  She came from behind the table and said, “Don’t worry. Poker is all about the bluff anyway and you are very good at that.”

  “I don’t bluff ma,” he shot back.

  “You most certainly do,” she replied. “You’ve been telling yourself that there is nothing between us since the day you met me. That’s the biggest bluff of all.”

  He eyed her as he stood, challenging her words as he moved closer to her, invading her space. “You’re very good at bluffing but you can stop now.” She leaned in and kissed his full lips and it felt so good that her legs buckled slightly. She creamed in her panties instantly as his strong hands lifted her off of the floor. She wrapped her legs around his body and pressed her pelvis into his manhood. It was big and bulging against the zipper to his designer slacks. The friction alone threatened to make her explode. He laid her across the poker table as he ripped open her blouse, popping every button until her voluptuous honey colored breasts were revealed.

  “I can’t,” he said, tormented as he pulled away, but she wasn’t letting him get away this time.

  “You can,” she whispered lustfully. “My pussy is so wet Carter. Stop bluffing.” She pulled her panties to the side and rubbed her blooming clit. It was swollen and he could swear that he could see it pulsating in desire. It was begging him to conquer her. “Nobody has to know Carter. I can be your little secret.”

  Carter loved Miamor, but he was a man and the sight before him was too much to resist. He undid his belt and stepped out of his pants quickly. She wanted it. She had been begging him for the dick since he had arrived. She was a beautiful girl. He had to. Carter couldn’t stop himself as he slid into her wetness.