Beating the Odds

by Sherrod Tunstall

  When Diamond was done putting dishes and trash in the tub, she took a wet dish cloth and slowly wiped the table.

  Brad could tell that Diamond was playing hard to get, but he wasn’t giving up just yet. “I love to see a young and independent woman do her thing. How long have you owned this place? You look much too young to have a spot like this. How old are you, sixteen or something?”

  He forget the cardinal rule: Never ask a chick her age. Damn, I hope she don’t judge me for that one.

  Diamond looked up at him, still wiping the table. “No, I’m nineteen. I’m not independent, and I don’t own this place.” She cleared her throat. “Armand’s name is on the lease.”

  Okay, I got her talking, even though I struck a nerve, thought Brad, starting to sweat.

  “Do you have a napkins on you, bae?” he asked.

  Diamond went into her apron and handed some napkins to Brad.

  He slowly took them from her soft hands. “Thanks, ma.” Brad wiped his brow.

  “You’re welcome, sir,” Diamond said as she wiped down Swag’s chair.

  “You must really like to clean, uh . . .” said Brad, but hit himself on the knee, thinking he had screwed up. Smooth, Brad. Real smooth.

  “Yeah, Armand likes this place clean from head to toe,” said Diamond.

  Brad laughed, reminiscing about the days working in the restaurant. “I remember having to do this shit back home.”

  “Home?” asked Diamond in amazement. “Where’s home for you?”

  “I’m from St. Louis, Missouri. Maybe you could come visit me sometime. I can show you a good time in the Lou,” Brad said, rubbing his hands together.

  Diamond shook her head. “Oh, I don’t think Armand will allow that. I haven’t left Rio in ten years. Now, if you’ll excuse me . . .”

  Before Diamond could walk away, Brad grabbed her arm.

  “Do you need something else, sir?” Diamond asked, looking at Brad’s hand on her.

  Brad let go of her. “I’m sorry to grab you like that, but . . .”

  Think of something to win her over, you idiot.

  “Oh, uh, Diamond, since we’re going to be neighbors for the next few days, I was wondering if you and I could go on a date. You can show me the sites of Rio. Maybe we can get a bite to eat or a drink. What do you say, Diamond?”

  Diamond took a deep breath. “Look, I don’t want you to get hurt. Don’t even look at my apartment door. I’ve been Armand’s property since I was a child, and—”

  Diamond stopped talking when she looked up to see a man in a dark suit looking at her and Brad. The last thing Diamond wanted was for one of Armand’s goons to kill him.

  Diamond bent down and whispered in his ear. “Be careful. Like Nicole Kidman said in the film Moulin Rouge: You’re bad for business. Good-bye, and stay away from me.” Diamond looked up to see the man in the suit coming their way. “Good-bye.” She ran back into the building.

  Brad watched her run back inside like she stole something.

  “Hey! Cuzzo!” shouted Swag.

  Brad looked back to see Swag with a man in a dark suit. He got up, still thinking about Diamond and still holding the napkins she gave him.

  * * *

  In the limo, Brad and Swag were quiet. Brad’s mind was on the conversation he had with Diamond. Even though it was short, in his mind, it was still sweet.

  Swag looked over at his cousin. “What’s up with you, cuz?”

  Brad shook his head, smiling and looking at Swag. “Man, Diamond. Before I leave Rio, I would definitely like to get me a piece of Diamond. I could just . . .” He couldn’t get his mind off of her.

  “Man, don’t mess wit’ her,” Swag advised.

  “Why not? Baby was eyeballing me for real. Didn’t you see her?”

  “I saw her, but I’m telling you this as your cousin. Don’t mess wit’ that girl. You’ll get us both in big trouble. She stays on the same floor we on, but when she comes by, don’t say shit, a’ight? Not one word!”

  Brad wasn’t sure why, but he promised Swag that he wouldn’t say one word to Diamond. Thing is, he wasn’t sure if that was a promise he was going to keep.

  Chapter 5

  Nightlife

  That evening, the fellas decided to party at one of Rio’s hottest nightclubs, The Nuth. The club had an exotic jungle theme to it, but it was very upscale, with some of Brazil’s most beautiful women and biggest ballers. The music was off the chain in the club. All eyes were on the fellas, and everyone knew right off that they were Americans.

  The fellas were having a good time on the dance floor with some of the finest women. Travis and Tyler were dancing with Japanese twin sisters. Stan was at the bar, talking mad game to this sexy Latina who couldn’t speak a word of English but smiled at him anyway. Brad was making good conversation with this Afro-Brazilian woman, pretending that he was talking to Diamond. Swag took this fine-ass Indian girl back to the limo and fucked her real good while thinking, Damn, what a night.

  * * *

  Coming home from a long day at the bakery, Diamond went into her apartment, took off her dirty uniform, and slipped into a nice hot bubble bath. As she let the soothing water relax her tense body, she thought about her little conversation with Brad. She didn’t know why, but she felt good vibes coming from him, just as she had when she saw him when she was coming out of her apartment earlier. Even though, in her mind, he was desperately trying to get close to her, she couldn’t. She didn’t want him to get hurt on account of her. She had seen enough pain, hurt, and loss for one lifetime.

  Brad, thought Diamond, feeling more relaxed. Could he be the one?

  After her bath, she slipped into her white pajamas. She looked in the refrigerator to find some dinner, but all she saw in there was a salad with more vegetables and fruit.

  She sighed. I can’t live like this. She removed three oranges, along with a bottle of water, then went to the living room to watch reruns of her favorite show, City of Men.

  As she was watching TV, the door squeaked open. She snapped her head to the side to see who it was. It was Armand, holding a bag in his hand with that same devilish grin on his face.

  “Hello, my little Diamond.”

  She sighed and barely wanted to speak. “Hey.”

  “What’s the matter with my precious jewel?”

  Diamond was not in the mood for Armand. She turned off the TV then got off the sofa. “I’m tired. I had a long day at the bakery. All I want to do is go to bed.”

  When she tried to go down the hallway, Armand blocked her path. “Not until you open your gifts.”

  “Can I open them tomorrow? I’m really beat.” She tried to go around Armand again, but this time he grabbed her arm tightly. She squinted her teary eyes. “Ahhh, you’re hurting me.”

  “I said I have gifts for you. Now, come on.” He dragged her back into the living room then shoved her down on the sofa.

  Diamond blinked away her tears. She kept thinking, Be strong.

  Armand placed the bag of gifts in front of her. She wasn’t excited, because she already knew there was a catch. Her name was on the bakery, but she didn’t own a damn thing. It all belonged to Armand. He figured Diamond and the building were his property. It was his money that paid all the employees and bills for the business. He never gave Diamond a cent of the money. The way he paid her was through shelter, clothing, and food. To him, she had cost him enough already.

  “Now, open your presents,” Armand commanded while rubbing the back of her head.

  The first box she opened had a beautiful grapefruit-colored Diane Von Furstenberg Zarita lace dress. Even though he’s an asshole and a greedy bastard, he has good taste in clothing, she thought. She opened up the next box and saw a pair of nude-colored Christian Louboutin leather python pumps. The last gift took Diamond’s breath away. It was a sunflower diamond necklace from Harry Winston. It was 363 round diamonds, twenty-five carats in a platinum setting. Diamond suspected that Armand had spent a pretty penny on
that necklace. She lifted it from the box and placed it against her neck.

  “Be careful with that shit. You’re wearing that tomorrow night, and I don’t want you to damage it.”

  “Tomorrow? Why?” Diamond asked curiously, knowing that Armand never took her anywhere. She was either in her apartment all day or in the bakery with no pay.

  “There’s a man from New York who wants to do business with me. I need a beautiful woman by my side that will make him want to be partners with me.”

  “Why don’t you take your wife?” Diamond lowered her head. She didn’t like being used.

  “What did you just say to me?”

  “I said, why don’t you just take your wife? She was a supermodel. She’s beautiful, well-known, glamorous, and she’s a successful businesswoman. I’m none of those things.”

  Armand was insulted. “How dare you suggest that I take her! That bitch’s mouth is too big. She will blow the business deal with her talk of her years in the fashion world and her magazine. So, no! All I need for you to do is to be quiet and look exceptional. Got it?”

  She nodded while holding her empty stomach.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?”

  “I’m just hungry.”

  “You have veggies and fruit in the fridge.”

  “No. I need a steak, chicken, or some of my cupcakes.”

  “Hell, no! You’ll get fat, and you’re worth too much to get fat on me. Next you’ll wanna have a baby. That will make you even more fat and ugly. If I find out you ever ate a steak or sweets, that’ll be the last thing you’ll ever eat.”

  The last time Diamond had a good meal was at nine years old. From then on, it was strictly veggies, fruit, and mineral water. Even though she worked at the bakery, she was never allowed to eat her own creations or take any home. The last time Diamond did, Armand locked her in her apartment closet for three months, giving her minimal food and water. He would sometimes check the entire apartment to make sure that she didn’t eat anything she wasn’t supposed to have.

  “So, how are you goin’ to thank me?” Armand displayed an evil grin.

  Diamond fidgeted with her fingers. She looked down, already knowing exactly what he wanted. “Thank you for the gifts,” she whispered.

  “No.” Armand unzipped his pants and pulled out his hard, five-inch dick. “Thank me now.”

  The sight of his penis made her sick, because she knew that he’d slept with plenty of women around the world without using protection. “Armand, not tonight. I don’t feel well.”

  He grabbed her by her hair, forcing her to get down on her knees.

  “Ahhhh!” Diamond screamed.

  He slapped her so hard that her head jerked to the side. “Shut up and thank me!”

  Diamond stared at his manhood for a moment before putting it in her mouth.

  “No funny shit, slut!”

  She sucked on his salty dick like her life depended on it—which it did. And while Armand’s eyes rolled back, so did hers. This asshole.

  “I’m about to cum! Faster, you dirty bitch!”

  After two measly minutes, all she could do was shake her head. Armand forced his dick deeper, spraying his semen down her throat. She gagged while looking up at him with sadness in her eyes. He patted the back of her head as a reward for doing a great job.

  “You are worth everything at your parents’ expense. Your family stole from me, costing me money and causing bloodshed, so it was only natural I took their most precious treasure. Now we’re even”

  The thought of her parents pissed Diamond off. I gotta get out of this hellhole soon!

  Chapter 6

  Conquer and Destroy

  It was a beautiful, sunny day on the beach in Ipanema, a neighborhood located in the southern part of Rio de Janeiro. Taylor was looking luscious in her yellow-and-white two-piece bathing suit, lying on her beach towel, wearing Fendi glasses and reading I AM IMAN, by her mentor, Somalian supermodel Iman. Taylor had thought about writing her own autobiography one day, but for now she had too much on her plate with her magazine, her miserable marriage, and figuring out how to be with Desmond.

  She stopped reading to look at the waves in the ocean and even at the people who strolled by. There were plenty of women, in particular, lying on their beach towels, on their stomachs, with their backs and asses out, trying to get a tan. Taylor thought about how much she had missed a woman’s touch, and then she glanced at several men who were either playing in the water or playing soccer. Their bodies and faces were just as desirable, and once Taylor got a glimpse of what half of them were packing in their Speedos, she realized why she was so in love with Desmond. His package was all that, too, and she regretted being married more with each day that passed.

  Being without Desmond was painful, but thinking of him caused a tingly feeling to stir between her legs. She immediately crossed her legs and tried to focus on reading her book.

  “Taylor!”

  She heard the female’s voice from a distance. Taylor looked up and saw Milena walking along the beach with five other women. They were all attractive and were fitting for her magazine.

  Taylor stood to greet them, but first she air-kissed Milena’s cheeks. “Mmmm, how are you, my dear?” Taylor said. “Well, I do hope.”

  “Superb, but let me introduce you to the girls.” Milena looked at the Japanese twins. “This is Yoshi and Aoki.”

  The girls nodded.

  Milena looked at the Latina chick. “This is Sasha.”

  “Hola señorita,” Sasha said.

  “Hola,” Taylor countered.

  “These two are Ocean and Star.” Milena pointed to the Afro Brazilian and the Indian woman.

  They both waved at Taylor.

  “Good afternoon, ladies. Sit. Please sit so we can chat.”

  All of the ladies put their beach towels down and sat in a circle.

  A devilish grin crept on Taylor’s face. “Well, ladies, how did you do with those American boys?”

  “We did good. They were a hit at The Nuth,” Ocean said.

  “What else? Did they say why they were in Rio?”

  “The one I was with said they were on a free vacation, which was a favor from a friend,” Star said.

  Ocean interjected. “And that’s also the one she screwed in the car, you slut!”

  “Oh, shut up! I felt bigger and better dicks in me than that American bastard. It was like watching water boil.”

  All the girls laughed.

  “Shhh,” Taylor shouted. “Let’s get back to business! What else did you girls learn about the Americans?”

  “Nothing much, but we’re taking them to Club Zero Zero tonight. We plan to get them highly intoxicated to get more info,” Aoki said.

  “Excellent,” Taylor replied.

  “Club Zero Zero?” Milena questioned.

  “Sí,” Sasha said.

  “I’m going there tonight with my latest flame. We’re having drinks with Armand and his mistress.”

  “More good news,” Taylor hurried to say. Her cell phone alarm went off. “Sorry, ladies. I have to go now. I have a lunch date to get to.”

  Taylor got up and grabbed her book and towel. Under it was a purse full of money for the women to splurge. They were sure it would come in handy.

  * * *

  Two hours later at the Sheraton Rio Hotel and Resort, Taylor walked into the hotel suite with her hair flowing down her back, showing off in a sleeveless yellow scoop-back dress and Alexander McQueen thong sandals.

  “You’re late,” a man said in a dry tone.

  Taylor turned around to see Rio’s police chief, Duke Pinto, sitting on the sofa. He was a handsome man with peanut butter skin, a medium build, a short afro, and a thick beard. The olive green button-down shirt he wore went perfectly with his khaki pants and brown leather shoes. Taylor couldn’t resist a compliment before taking a seat next to him.

  “Sorry I’m late, darling, but I had to get ready, and I couldn’t figure out what dres
s to wear. I have to look good for you too.”

  Duke licked his lips. He couldn’t deny that Taylor was one sexy woman. “Yeah, babe, but working out and Botox injections won’t last forever.”

  Taylor twisted her lips. “Eat me!”

  “We can save that for later.” Duke tried to slide his hand under her dress, but she slapped his hand. “Okay. Let’s get down to business.”

  “Let’s.” Taylor rolled her eyes.

  “What new info do you have on that son-of-a-bitch husband of yours?” Duke tossed back a gulp of his whiskey.

  “My girl, Milena, said he has that American boy named Swag with him. This time, the American brought four of his friends to transport cocaine back to the United States.”

  Duke nodded and sucked his teeth. “Good. Good. Where are they staying?”

  “At my husband’s apartment building, where he also keeps that Belizean whore of his.”

  Duke laughed. “How long are they here for?”

  “I don’t know. That’s why you need to act fast. Tonight the men are going to Zero Zero with a few girls I hired to keep an eye on them. Armand will be there as well, having a business dinner with another dealer. That whore will be by his side, which suits me fine.”

  “Okay. I’ll have an undercover cop keep an eye on those Americans.”

  “Good. And soon you’ll have Armand.”

  “Yeah, and the governor will get off my back. I’ll then be a hero to the people of Rio.”

  This bastard, Taylor thought. Hero, my pretty ass.

  “Taylor, there’s one thing I don’t understand about this whole situation. Why did you want to help me and the governor bring down your husband?” Duke asked.

  “Because . . .” Taylor paused to touch Duke’s leg. Her thoughts switched to Desmond. “It’s personal, very personal, and I’m sure you wouldn’t understand.” She shot Duke a seductive grin.

  He giggled then inched in closer to Taylor. “So, after I lock your husband up forever, I was wondering what your future plans are.”

  To marry Desmond and get the hell out of Brazil, she thought as he continued to fill her head with his bright ideas.

  “’Cause you’re going to be single, and I was wondering if we could get together. You know how much I want to be with you, and . . .”