The Cartel Deluxe Edition, Part 2

by Ashley

  He wiped the tears from her eyes. “Don’t ever put yourself at risk for me ma. I’m not worth your freedom. I’m not worth tearing a mother away from her son. You hear me? I can take care of myself. Our li’l man can’t. That’s your job while I’m away. He is me and I am him. He is my weakness Miamor. So make him strong. Make him your first priority from now on. I come after that, you understand?”

  She nodded. “Yes and that selflessness is one of the many reasons why I’m in love with you,” she whispered.

  Carter smiled and gave her a small laugh.

  “What?” she asked as she frowned in confusion.

  “That Murder Mama shit is sexy,” he whispered. “You rode out for yo’ man.”

  “Always,” she replied with a laugh. He watched her as she gave him a mischievous grin and disappeared under the sheets. They had been apart for too long. She had to remind him of all the things about her that he loved so much. It was time for round two.

  * * *

  Monroe stared out of the window of the penthouse suite as he leaned his head against his forearm. The sun was rising indicating a new day, yet Monroe still hadn’t let go of the old one. His mind was restless. Sleep didn’t come easy for him these days and the beautiful servant massaging his shoulders did little to calm his worries. A constant burden rested on him. It was the cause of all of his tensions. No amount of rubbing would make those go away.

  “Can I do anything for you?” the Arabian goddess asked sweetly.

  Out of nowhere a voice responded. “You can remove your hands before you find yourself without any.”

  The servant immediately let go of an astonished Monroe as he turned to see Leena’s not so sweet face. Her scowl was harsh as she stood with her arms folded across her chest.

  “Really?” she asked as she cocked her head to the side.

  Monroe didn’t justify her displeasure with a response. He rushed her, picking her up, his arms wrapped under her behind as he lifted her. His excitement couldn’t be contained as he pushed her against the wall, knocking expensive French paintings to the floor. Their kiss sent them to another world as the servant stood awkwardly, watching them. She cleared her throat.

  “Hmm, hmm.”

  Monroe waved his hand, dismissing her without ever losing focus of Leena and the servant fled the room. As his hands explored her body, he realized he hadn’t been homesick. Monroe had missed his woman. He lifted her skirt and ripped her panties as she fumbled with his pajama slacks.

  He filled her up to capacity as he pulled back, moving her hair out of her face gently. Her mouth was slightly open and he slid his tongue inside as he made love to her against the wall.

  “I missed you,” she whispered. “Oh God, I missed this.”

  Monroe had so much anger, so much emotion, so much love, so much everything . . . built inside of him that he was more passionate than he had ever been with her. Monroe had left Miami on bad terms with Leena. They had fought, they had been beefed out when he had been forced to go on the run. Leaving her while they were in distress ate him up inside. He didn’t like to leave loose ends untied and it had been weighing on him. The last time they had seen each other, hateful words had been spoken. He needed her to feel his love for her and he was trying to give it all to her in that moment. Her legs were wrapped around his waist and he pinned both wrists above her head, with one hand. He placed the other hand around her to pull her love into him. Her wetness soaked him as his hips went in and out. Leena was a prisoner to his stroke. At his mercy, she could do nothing but close her eyes and let him take her on the orgasmic high. Monroe moved from her lips to her neck, to her breasts, as he kneeled before her. He kissed her belly button, her stomach. She gasped. She held his head and braced herself because she knew where he was headed. He found her throbbing clit and took it between his moist lips. “I’m sorry,” he whispered. “I’m so sorry.”

  Before he even said the words, all had been forgiven, but she didn’t tell him that. She let him pour all of his woes into her as he licked and sucked her gently. “Agh,” she moaned. “Money, wait.”

  “No baby, just cum,” he said.

  Leena brought her knees up and pushed it into his chest, sending him onto his back. Straddling him in a Sixty-nine, she placed her flower back over his face as she eased his manhood into her mouth. She could taste her sweetness on his tongue as she pulled on him with her tongue. Deep, then shallow, then deep, and wet . . . oh so wet, until finally he reached his peak. He sucked her clit mercilessly as he pulled her hair, causing her to lift her head as his seed spilled. He knew she had gotten hers as well when he felt the tremble of her thighs.

  She climbed off of him headed toward the bathroom. “Come shower with me?” she asked.

  Monroe arose and followed her into the bathroom. The steam from the shower quickly filled the air as they stepped in together. “How are you here right now?” he asked.

  “I could never stay away from you Money. I love you,” she said. She took the soap and squeezed some on a towel and began to wipe his broad chest.

  “I’m sorry ma, about everything. I don’t want to fight with you. This shit has eaten away at me since we left Miami. I couldn’t reach out to you, couldn’t hear your voice. The last time I saw you, we were yelling and saying shit that we should never say to each other. I love the shit out of you Leena. I want you to know that, every minute of every day. I just got ghost on you and I didn’t know if you knew. I needed you to know . . .”

  Monroe gripped the back of her neck as he spoke. Their faces, inches apart, their soapy bodies close. They just wanted to be one.

  “I knew,” she replied in a husky whisper.

  “No ma, you don’t know,” he said as he looked in her eyes. “I can see it in your soul. You couldn’t feel me. You didn’t know because I didn’t show you good enough. Marry me.”

  “What?” she said as she pulled back.

  “You heard me ma, I’m not speaking French,” he laughed.

  “When?” she asked.

  “Now,” Monroe replied. He eased her under the stream of water as the remnants of their lovemaking circled the drain. Cleansed and feeling pure Monroe didn’t know if he was caught up in the emotion of their reunion or if this had been his plan all along. All he knew is that he wanted her to be his. He wanted her to know that what they shared was nothing less than authentic.

  “Let’s go,” he pulled her out of the shower. “I want to be married tonight by the time to sun sets you will be a Diamond,” he said.

  “What? Money!” she exclaimed. “This is crazy! We can’t do this. Not here.”

  Monroe paused. “Is this what you want?”

  Leena was suddenly breathless but her smile was infectious. “More than anything in the world.”

  “Then that’s all that matters,” he said.

  * * *

  Miamor looked over at Carter and smiled. He gave her a wink causing her to blush as they sauntered through the desert atop of the humps of brown camels, wearing all white. Monroe rode in front of them and Zyir behind them. The day was slowly slipping away as the sky transformed from blue to beautiful mixtures of orange and red. The tan sand dunes around them served as the only backdrop. Dusk was upon them and happiness was in the air.

  Leena rode last. She was carried on a canopy-covered platform, escorted on the shoulders of four men. Her identity concealed as they made their way into the desert where her wedding ceremony awaited. She couldn’t believe that this was happening and so suddenly at that. She peered out of the canopy to see the imam, who stood patiently, waiting for them to arrive. Although she wasn’t a practitioner of Islam, the Muslim religious leader, was the only option. There wasn’t enough time to fly her own priest out so she would be wed under the blessings of the Muslim tradition. Her heart beat out of her chest. She was nervous but nothing about her was unsure. The connection that she shared with Monroe was incomparable to anything that she had ever felt for another human being. Their friendship was deep like a bo
ttomless ocean. Not even they had explored all of its depths and secret places. She looked forward to embarking on the journey of intimacy together in the years to come. Damn, I’m about to become someone’s wife, she thought. A few tears built up in her eyes. She had never been a princess. She didn’t know what it felt like to be entitled, to be royalty. Her entire life she had always dreamt of the day that her prince would come. The reality was so far from the dream that it made her emotional. She always envisioned marrying into a traditional family. She imagined baking cookies with her mother-in-law or giving corny sweaters to her father-in-law for holidays and birthdays. Monroe’s family was incomplete however. His mother, his father, and Mecca were pieces to the family puzzle that would forever be missing. In a perfect world, they would have been front row at the wedding but today their absence was blatant. She could only imagine how hurtful that was to her man. She wiped her eyes. She didn’t want to ruin her flawless make-up or put a damper on the day but she couldn’t help but wish that they came from a more traditional world. A world where street wars and chaos didn’t exist. She let the fabric close and took a deep breath as she felt the four men who acted as her carriage, stop moving. This is it, she whispered. “You’re about to be Leena Diamond,” she whispered. Leena knew how big of a responsibility came with the name. Carter Diamond’s children had been raised to believe that diamonds were forever. The name rang bells in the streets of Miami. She was about to take on the legacy of another man . . . of her husband, and while it was one of the most joyous things she had ever felt, she also felt overwhelmed. She realized that she was about to make this thing official and that there was no turning back. Once she was in, she was in and the only out was death. Leena wondered if she was making the right choice. Their love wasn’t perfect, but life was not a fairytale. It was time for them to solidify as one. She couldn’t ask for a better mate. The curtain opened and she stared into the eyes of Zyir.

  “Hey Lee,” Zyir greeted with a smile.

  “Hey Zy,” she replied with an equally dazzling grin. She was a woman in love and it showed. She was truly glowing on this day.

  “You ready?” Zyir asked.

  She nodded. “Doesn’t feel quite right doing this here without Breeze and the babies. My parents,” she admitted.

  “Right now all that matters is that you and Money are here. Everyone else is just extra,” Zyir schooled as he extended his hand.

  Leena placed her hand in Zyir’s. For years he had acted as brother to Leena and uncle to her son. He was truly loyal and Leena was glad that he was there to escort her to her awaiting groom.

  “Here goes nothing,” she said as she beamed while Zyir reached up and lifted her into the air before placing her on her feet. Her Carolina Herrera dress was long, made of soft silk. It was simple. No poof, no train; just a long flowing fabric that hugged her body just right. The thin straps held it up against her lean yet curvacious frame. She stood next to her Zyir as she hooked her arm within his. All eyes were on her. Carter and Miamor stood lovingly to the side while Monroe stood beside the imam. If she had any qualms before they were all erased the moment she saw his face. He calmed her soul with just one glance and she knew that it didn’t matter who wasn’t in attendance. All they needed was each other. That’s what true love was all about. Zyir escorted Leena all the way to Monroe. A sense of peace washed over her. The closer she got to him the more her smile brightened. Zyir stopped and extended his hand to Monroe.

  “Congratulations . . . family” he told Monroe with a nod.

  “Thank you bro,” Monroe replied. The gestures were a far cry from the bullets that had been flying at each other the last time Leena had attempted to wed Monroe.

  Monroe turned toward Leena and grabbed her hand as they stepped in front of the imam. Her fingers merged with his as if they were two pieces of one puzzle coming together. They turned to one another as electric compatibility sparked through them. The imam cleared his throat and began speaking in Arabic. The English translator who stood behind him brought clarity to his words.

  “We stand here under the laws of Saudi Arabia and the blessings of Allah to join this man with his first wife. The couple has requested to recite their own vows as they enter into this union,” the translator expressed.

  Monroe stepped toward Leena closing the small space between them as he gently caressed the side of her cheek. His eyes drank her in, admiring her. “You’ve never looked so beautiful,” he said. He was overcome with emotion as he peered at his bride and she could see tears accumulating in his eyes. She wiped them away for him as he began his vows. He pressed his head against her forehead as he cupped her face and closed his eyes. He was visibly overwhelmed. “No woman has ever given me what you give me Lee. I promise to protect you and keep you well because when you are safe, I feel whole. When you hurt, I hurt, and I promise to never do anything to hurt myself. You give me a reason to breathe Leena. You’re the air in my lungs. You fill my spirit. You steer me straight and bring morality to the world of wrong that I live in. You have intrigued me from the first day I met you. I promise to never let that intrigue die. To always reinvigorate our love and keep it fresh as the years go by. I promise to appreciate you, to nurture you, to support you, to honor the woman that you are. I will cherish you and walk with you faithfully. I vow to never burden your spirit with disloyalty. You have my fidelity until the day that my body fails me and I am no longer of this world. Even still my spirit will always walk with you. I will forever love you ma, from day one until the death of me.”

  Leena was filled to capacity with joy. His words were so heartfelt and unrehearsed. They weren’t perfect, but they were Monroe. They symbolized everything that embodied the man he was and she loved them. No vow had ever sounded so sweet. His words sent the sentiment of love into the air.

  Leena’s mouth fell open. At a loss for words, her tears finally freed themselves. It was his turn to wipe hers away. “I don’t know how to follow that,” she said overcome with a small chuckle, causing Monroe and everyone witnessing the ceremony to laugh and erupt in applause.

  “I’m simple Lee. You know what I need to hear,” he whispered while gazing lovingly at her.

  “I will love you,” she whispered. “I vow to love only you until I die.”

  “That’s my girl,” Monroe said with a coy grin. “That’s enough. That’s all I’ll ever need from you. I’ve got the rest.” He turned to the imam and nodded his head.

  Again in Arabic he spoke as the translator assisted. “By the powers given to me by Allah, you may kiss your lovely bride.”

  Monroe’s lips graced hers so delicately that she melted into him. They were now husband and wife. A new family, a subsidiary of The Cartel, had just been forged . . . not by blood, not by money . . . but by love.

  Chapter 13

  “Kiss good-bye to our freedom for awhile gentlemen.”

  —Carter

  Monroe and Leena were surprised by the elaborate reception that had been paid for and gifted to them by Baraka. Although they didn’t know most of the guests there, they partied all the same. There were belly dancers, and flame spitters, and more presents than they could possibly open. The day couldn’t have been more perfect, but as it wound down, they all knew that sunrise would bring about a new era. Carter sat alone at the bar as he watched Miamor dance happily with Zyir. She looked so carefree and genuinely at peace, even if it was only temporary. Carter knew that she deserved this feeling of contentment to be permanent, and he vowed to give it to his lovely Miamor.

  “So that is your girl friend?” Yasmine said as she slid into the barstool next to his.

  Carter smiled. “That’s her.”

  “Looks average to me,” Yasmine commented as she sipped from her champagne glass. She was obviously irritated and slightly intoxicated, equaling a loose tongue.

  Carter smirked as he removed her champagne flute from her hands. “I think you’ve had enough,” he said. “You’re talking reckless. Besides, green doesn’t look good on
you ma. You’re bigger than that.”

  Yasmine cut her eyes at him playfully. “Everything looks good on me Carter, even nothing, but you know that already, don’t you?” she asked seductively as she rolled her eyes and walked away, clearly pissed.

  Zyir and Monroe approached him next as they all watched Yasmine make her exit. “You better be careful with that one bro,” Monroe said.

  “And you better reign her in before Miamor catches wind,” Zyir added.

  “There’s nothing to catch wind of,” Carter assured. He looked at the glass of champagne that he had taken from Yasmine and downed it.

  “Just watch out for that one. She’s been at your side since we got here and she don’t seem too happy to find out about Miamor,” Monroe said.

  “I’ve got it under control. Luckily this is our last night in Saudi. Tomorrow morning we will be on a plane back to Miami. We’ve got to be prepared for the arrest. Get your heads together. We’ll be going inside for a few years. Doesn’t sound like much compared to the life sentences they were trying to throw at us, but I promise you it won’t be a cake walk. We’ll need protection. In prison its all about numbers and reputation. I’ll make sure we have that,” Carter said. “I need you two to be on the same team . . . we don’t have time for division from within.”

  “That’s water under the bridge. We’re good,” Zyir said as he extended his hand to Monroe. Monroe pulled Zyir in for a hug and Carter nodded his head.

  “Good,” he said. “Kiss good-bye to our freedom for awhile gentlemen. Tonight will be the last night you’ll enjoy for a long time.”

  * * *

  “Zyir,” Breeze whispered as she saw the caravan of black, chauffeured, SUV’s pull into the gates of Leena’s home. “Thank you God.” She held her nephew, little Carter in her arms. Monroe Jr. clung to the ends of her skirt. “Come on boys, your daddies are home,” she said happily. She was so eager to see them all that she could barely contain herself. When the cars stopped before her in the circular driveway she descended the steps. Miamor and Carter emerged from the first car.