by Kiki Swinson
“Really, bitch?” Cucci said as she looked at an over-thehill stripper who was onstage directly in front of them, dancing and shaking her flabby, outta-shape booty right in their faces. “You got a ass full of bullet holes and you got the nerve to be twerking on the pole!”
Honore and the rest of the girls busted out laughing hard as fuck as they chilled in their VIP seats. Club Starlets in Queens was all the way up! 50 Cent was in the spot throwing an EFFEN vodka promo event and all the pimps, ballers, and gangstas were in the club going hard. Dolla bills were flying everywhere, and DJ Envy kept spinning hit after hit to keep the vibe going. Strippers were giving lap dances and bussin’ it open for the crowd. Honore and the girls sat back drinking and cracking jokes as they watched the movie being made. But soon it was time to conduct business.
“I’d like to thank y’all for coming out,” Honore said as she stood up at the table and poured some vodka for her girls. “I wanted us all to get together and have a laid-back business meeting tonight. I handpicked every last one of y’all to be a member of my team, and by the way y’all been rolling I can tell I picked myself a handful of winners!
“What I know for sure is that each and every one of us are smart, sexy as fuck, and skilled at many different things. We all love money and ain’t none of us afraid to go get it. With the amount of beauty and brains we’re packing as a team, we can be bigger than these so-called hustlers who are busy throwing their money around in here tonight.”
“Goddamn right,” Breezy said. “I rock with you and Cucci real tough, Honore. I like your style and together we can rack up and stunt on everybody who ever tried to play us out. I don’t know about the rest of y’all but I’m tired of pulling nickel-and-dime licks. I’m ready to step my game up.”
“And that’s exactly what we are here for,” Cucci said with authority in her tone. “To take our shit to the next level. Fuck pushing drugs and taking charges for niggas. No more selling our bodies just to make pimps rich. Them days are over, do you hear me? We were all fortunate enough to land a gig at a branch of the New York Diamond and Jewelry Exchange, and this gig could be very lucrative for us all. So what I’ma do is have y’all put in job applications at different high-end jewelry shops all around the city. We’re gonna infiltrate those businesses and see what other connections can be made. All them rich white executives we work for are just as crooked as the corner boys. We’re gonna learn everything we can learn from them, then find their weaknesses and turn them into our profits.”
“And believe me,” Honore took over, “we ain’t in this for the short change, neither. We need y’all to hook up with the very top bosses and executives. Pussy runs the world, ladies. So whatever you gotta do to solidify your position, then do it. We will have meetings once a week and we’ll pool together all of our resources. Let’s start making our skills work for us! If we do shit right on the lower level, then the next thing you know we’ll be making some good connections on the black market and we’ll really start getting this paper.”
“But everybody gotta play their role,” Cucci reminded the clique. “We don’t discuss none of our business with anybody outside this crew, y’all understand? No gossip, no fucking pillow talk, no none of that shit! If y’all not willing to be professionals about this hustle then get up from this table and step the fuck off right now. This is how the big girls play, and if you ain’t all in, then haul ass.”
Cucci and Honore locked eyes with the other girls to let them know they were dead-ass serious. Both of them knew it was important to establish power and strength in order to earn respect and demand results.
“Good,” Honore said as she waved off a stripper that was making her way over to them. “Now that we’re all on the same page let’s toast up. We are no longer hood rats looking for a come-up, ladies. We are bad bitches who get out there and take what we want. We plan and we execute. We are thinkers before doers. We don’t get dick-matized and manipulated. We put the team above our own personal shit. When one falls we pick each other up. We are the Crushed Ice Clique, and we’re gonna take this diamond game to a whole ’nother level out here in these streets!”
* * *
Joel Samuelson was sunning on the top deck of his glamorous and expensive yacht and enjoying a beautiful view of the ocean. As he lay back in his lounge chair sipping on a chilled margarita, he looked toward the dock and noticed that Cucci and Honore had just arrived on time, as he had requested.
“Hello ladies,” Joel said with excitement dancing in his eyes. “I hope you brought your bathing suits. It’s a great day to go for a swim, don’t you think?”
“Hell to the nah,” Cucci said with the stink face. “I mean I’ll sit out here and catch me some sunshine on this beautiful brown body, but I’ll be damned if I’m getting my fresh-ass hairstyle wet.”
“I’m with Cucci on this one playa.” Honore chuckled as she sat down next to Joel and put her slender hand on his pale thigh. “Pour me up one of those good looking drinks so I can relax. This is a nice-ass yacht, man. I need to get me one of these right here. I would throw a mean-ass party on this joint.”
“This is nothing,” Joel said as he got up to fix the girls some margaritas. “This is just one of the many toys that I like to show off from time to time. Work hard and put your time in and you can have plenty of these, designed specifically to your liking. Believe me, I work hard and I play even harder.”
“Thanks for the motivation, boss man,” Cucci said as she swatted an imaginary bug away from her. “We ain’t got it like that yet, but I’m trying to get big like you sooner rather than later. Now, I know you like our company and all that, but there’s gotta be another reason you called us out here, so pass them dranks and let’s cut to the chase.”
Joel laughed. “You ladies don’t like to waste time, huh?” He took a deep breath as he handed them their drinks. “Well all right, let’s cut to the chase then. I have an urgent issue that needs to be handled very discreetly. It’s involving a former partner of mine by the name of Davie Shiloh. Davie is a very powerful underworld figure who is also a major player in the international diamond world. He’s got his hands in everything that moves overseas, and he runs a crew of guys who are downright scary.”
“So what the hell do you want us to do?” Honore bucked. “If your friend is such a big boy in the diamond game then how could me and Cucci possibly handle him? We don’t have the kinda muscle or the kinda money to go at somebody like that.”
“He has a weakness for pretty women,” Joel said as he stared at Honore’s perfect tits. “Specifically, he’s very fond of pretty Asian women. I know neither one of you fits that description, but I was wondering if you knew anyone who did. Shiloh is extorting one of my friends and pressuring him to deliver a precious Black Stone diamond that just came into the country. If we can rob Shiloh and get our hands on that jewel, then my friend is willing to split the profits down the middle.”
Honore shook her head. “Nah, I don’t think—”
“So what’s the cut?” Cucci interrupted as she raised her eyebrows. “I know you don’t know the exact amount but just gimme a ballpark figure.”
Joel shrugged. “Somewhere between sixty and seventy apiece,” he said without blinking. “And that’s a tax-free hunk of change that can be ours if we can come up with the right somebody who can help us get close enough to Davie to steal that diamond. Plus, I’d rather it be someone else who does it, and not you two. Honestly, I wouldn’t be comfortable putting either of you directly in harm’s way. So what do you think? Do you know anyone who can fill that role and who’s also trustworthy enough to get it done?”
Honore and Cucci looked at each other as they both pictured Mai from the Crushed Ice Clique doing the job.
“I think we might have somebody in mind,” Honore said slowly. “I know a half-Asian chick who is so bad she can charm a fucking snake right out of his skin. But after she gets up on this Davie Shiloh cat, what happens next? What’s the Plan B? What if she runs
into some trouble and gets caught up with this dude? How do we cover her ass if the shit ends up going sideways?
“Well that’s part of the risk you’ll be paid to take,” Joel said as he shrugged his shoulders. “We don’t have the firepower or the men to come at Davie forcefully. He’s the type of man who has to be finessed, so whoever the girl is, she’d better be a pro because she would essentially be on her own. Look.” He shrugged again. “I’m not trying to sugar coat it, this is going to be a risky task but then again, in our line of work, what isn’t risky? We take crazy chances every day in this business. It’s part of the lifestyle that we live because we want the big rewards. So can you make this happen or do I have to find someone else?”
“For that amount of fucking cash?” Cucci said as she downed her drink. “You goddamn right we gonna make this shit shake! Davie, Shavie, or whatever the fuck his name is won’t be getting his hands on a damn thing. Let me and Honore work our magic. Just make sure your friend has the moolah ready when it’s time to roll.”
Honore sat back and didn’t say anything but her gut was telling her that this might not be such a good idea. Joel was right about one thing though. This was a no-risk, no-reward type of business. If you were playing the money game scary then you would never make a real profit.
Still, Honore just couldn’t shake off the feeling that this shit was gonna be way too dangerous. She was the one who had recruited Mai for the Clique, and this type of thing wasn’t part of the program. But hell. The last thing she wanted was to hear Cucci bitching all day about a missed opportunity, and of course if they passed on this offer then Cucci would have every right to be upset, because that type of money was way too tempting to turn down.
Honore threw back her drink and shook off her misgivings. This diamond stealing shit was like Lotto. You had to be in it to win it, and a paper chaser like her was always down to play.
CHAPTER 19
Mai Taylor pulled up to one of New York’s most exclusive clubs in style. Joel Samuelson had rented her a blue Porsche Panamera and provided her with a pocket full of cash so she could look and feel like money. Mai was the only Asian-looking member of the Crushed Ice Clique, so naturally Honore and Cucci had chosen her for the special mission that they needed to execute.
In reality, Mai was a half-black, half Korean bombshell. Her mother was a very light-skinned black woman, and her father was a Korean computer programmer. Mai’s slanted eyes and her wide cheekbones combined with her black girl’s hips and ass was a sexy sight to behold. She was a walking thirst trap as she glided through the rowdy crowd and made her way over to the VIP area of the high-priced club. Just as planned, she spotted her mark Davie Shiloh, who was relaxing on a Versace couch and watching two half-naked white girls passionately kiss each other beside him.
Bodyguards were posted up and turning chicks away left and right as they fought to get next to the rich underground trader. Mai downed her glass of Belvedere vodka and straightened out her sky-blue hip-hugging Dolce & Gabbana dress, knowing for a fact that she wouldn’t be denied.
Slowly and confidently, she switched her slender body and curvy ass over to the bodyguards, making sure they got a full look at her.
“Hey, teddy bear,” Mai said to one of the guards, smiling brightly and ensuring that her sex appeal was on fleek. “I’m looking for a good time tonight. I heard this is where the ballers hang out. Do you think I qualify to party with the big boys?”
“Well damn, sexy,” the taller guard said. “Maybe you do qualify, but Mr. Shiloh doesn’t go for ass implants or fake tits. If you want to get across these ropes I’m gonna have to make sure your shit is legit. Do mind turning around?”
“No problem.” Mai winked. She turned around slowly and let them get a good look at her buns. She felt the guard’s big hands rub her left cheek and then smack it. She heard him gasp as he watched it bounce.
“Yo,” he said to his boy, covering his crotch with his hand. “This one right here is a hundred percent grade A beef. No additives or preservatives, sir.”
Mai giggled. “So w’sup, big boy. Am I good or nah?”
“Yeah, you good baby because I can tell all of that is real,” the guard said as his hungry eyes roamed over her sweet hips. “Go ’head in, lovely,” he told her as he held the velvet rope aside, “and make sure you treat the boss man right. If there’s any left when he’s done with you, then maybe you can let me get seconds on summa that gushy shit.”
“I might be able to save you some, big boy,” Mai said as she reached out and caressed the guard’s crotch, loosening him up and making him drop his defenses. “Just wait. I’m gonna take real good care of you later.”
Mai stepped into the dimly lit private area and she immediately caught Davie Shiloh’s attention. After just one glance at her his eyes bulged in his head and his dick got stiff as he pushed the two tongue-slobbering girls away from him.
“Well hello there,” Davie said as he gestured at Mai to sit down. “You might be the most attractive chick in this entire club tonight. Please, come on over here and have a seat.”
“Well thank you, daddy,” Mai said softly as she walked over and sat her juicy ass right down on Davie’s lap. “I was told that you’re the man with all the power and I like that, but I also see you have company already. It’s a little crowded over here, don’t you think?”
“These two hood rats don’t have shit on you,” Davie said, sliding his tongue in Mai’s ear as he caressed her thigh. “How about we cut the bullshit, all right? I’m a rich man and I would like to take you home with me. I’ll make sure you’re well paid for the night, and we’ll have a lot of fun as long as you give me everything you’ve got. Does that sound like a good deal?”
Mai giggled. “Sounds perfect to me,” she said. “And trust me, I’ll make it worth your while. Just try not to fall in love because I’ll be out the door first thing in the morning.”
Shiloh grinned.
“We’ll see about that. Let’s get out of here.”
* * *
Forty-five minutes later Mai and Davie were wrestling around in a king-size bed at his mini-mansion. She was riding his dick like a champion jockey and driving him crazy with her petite Asian body, long black hair, and curved hips.
Davie was giving her a run for her money though, because he had a fetish for tying women up and being very aggressive when he fucked. He was spreading her legs open way wider than they should naturally go, flipping her over roughly and jamming his dick up in her brutally, and pinching her nipples and squeezing her booty with a killer-grip. Mai took the pain as best she could, trying to ignore her aching body and keep her mind on the dough she was gonna get after lining this nigga up.
When Davie was all sexed out and had acted out all of his nasty, twisted fantasies, he collapsed beside her and fell into a deep sleep. Mai waited for thirty minutes until she heard him snoring deeply and was sure he was in his second dream, and then she made her move. She gently slid out of bed and rifled her nimble fingers through his pants pocket, searching for his keys.
Davie was still snoring when Mai crept her sore ass outta the room and tiptoed downstairs. She had no clue which room she was looking for but she started in his spacious office. It didn’t take long for her to see a small safe in the corner of the room. She skimmed through his key ring as she headed toward it, but as soon as she reached out her hand to touch it the light clicked on and scared the shit outta her.
“Are you looking for something, Miss Sexy?” Davie asked as he stood behind her in his checkered boxers with a slick smirk on his face. “Did you lose something in my safe, lil mama?”
“Hey, Davie,” Mai said as she whirled around and dropped the keys near her feet. She smoothly walked over to Shiloh and wrapped her arms around his muscular waist. “I couldn’t sleep, my love, so I just figured I would take a little tour. I didn’t think you would mind. I’m sorry if I offended you. Your house is just so amazing. I love it.”
“That’s okay, love,
” Davie said as he leaned forward and gave her a juicy kiss. Then in one swift motion he gripped Mai by her neck and lifted her straight up in the air until her feet dangled over the floor. He still had the slick smirk on his face as he watched Mai thrash around and struggle to get a scream out.
“Go ahead and yell. Nobody’s gonna come help you. You’re gonna have to wake up way earlier in the morning if you wanna scheme on me, you slant-eyed bitch! Fuck was you doing in my shit? Huh? You’re gonna tell me why you came here and who the fuck sent you. Believe me, since you love my house so much you might never fucking leave here. At least not alive.”
CHAPTER 20
“Ladies, we have a problem,” Joel said to Honore and Cucci as they plopped down on the couch in his living room. He had called an emergency meeting and urged them to come over to his crib as fast as they could.
“What the heck is going on?” Cucci said nervously with her eyes bucked open wide. “What the hell is the problem?”
“The problem is that the goddamn plan fell through,” Joel admitted. “It’s all bad.”
“Exactly what in the fuck are you saying, Joel?” Honore demanded as her lower lip quivered. “How bad is it? Is Mai okay? I didn’t hear nothing back from her yet. She was supposed to check in, but I figured she was still sexing Shiloh up and working him over. Where the hell is she? Do you know?”
Joel grimaced as he grabbed his cell phone and pushed play on a video.
“Oh my fucking God,” Cucci said in a chilling voice as she stared down at the screen. “No . . . this shit can’t be happening.”
A horrible picture of Mai filled the screen. She was beaten and bruised and in someone’s bathroom. A naked light-skinned dude with a swinging dick and a brolic frame was standing over her, dunking her swollen, busted-up face in a bathtub full of water. Mai thrashed wildly and kicked her feet and clawed out as the man laughed deeply and kept right on submerging her under the water. Over and over again he held her down until her body twitched and spasmed, and then just before she passed out and drowned, he lifted her up and allowed her to take in a deep, sucking breath. The panic and fear in Mai’s eyes as she coughed and choked was bone-chilling, and the torturous scream she let out before he dunked her under again was something that would haunt Cucci and Honore for the rest of their lives.
