“Aw, thanks, Daddy. You’re the best,” she said as she grabbed the card. Kane leaned into the car and got a peck on the cheek and then stepped back as he watched her pull away in the white Mercedes Benz 6 series. Kane waved to her as he headed to the locker room of the country club to get dressed for a few rounds of golf.
* * *
“Nice doing business with you, my nigga,” Boone said as he slapped hands with Lil Noah. Boone had just copped a quarter brick and was elated because he knew that he was getting the best product in town. Boone was deep in the projects and it was his first time copping from the Regency. He had run into Lil Noah at the club and convinced him to let him get work from him.
“No doubt,” Lil Noah said as he side-eyed Boone. He didn’t care too much for Boone, but unlike Basil he didn’t let that get in the way of making money. He watched as Boone stepped off the stoop and got in his custom painted purple ’84 Cutlass. He had gold rims on it and tinted windows that were black as midnight. Lil Noah shook his head in disbelief, as he didn’t care for the flashiness of his new buyer, and began to see why Basil didn’t like him.
“Thought y’all didn’t fuck with homie,” one of the henchmen said as he stood on the stoop and watched Boone pull off.
“We don’t. But he spending money so I’m not discriminating. That’s Basil that ain’t fucking with him. Me, on the other hand, I don’t give a fuck,” Lil Noah said as he thumbed through the bills that Boone had just placed in his hands. He then added, “Yo, while we on the subject. Get Basil’s money together so we can send it down with the mule. Get that bitch Viv on the phone and tell her come pick up this bag.” Lil Noah grabbed his phone from his pocket and texted Basil, letting him know that the bag was on the way. They did the same routine every month, sending Viv down with the re-up money and Basil’s cut. She then would come back with the bricks of cocaine for distribution.
* * *
Kane eyed the golf ball, the beautiful silence allowing him to keep his focus. A cigar hung from the corner of his mouth as he closed one eye to get a precise look at the target. He took a powerful swing, knocking the ball off its tee, causing a loud pop to fill the air. “Fore!” he yelled as he watched the ball soar in the air. Kane placed his hand over his eyebrows to block the sun as he kept an eye on the ball while it traveled rapidly through the blue skies. It eventually fell onto the green about 280 yards away. A few of his Caucasian golf buddies clapped as they joined him in a friendly game between gentlemen.
* * *
“Good one, Garrett!” one of the men said as they slapped five with him. Kane smiled and then took a deep pull of the Nicaraguan robust cigar that was half smoked. Kane walked over to his golf cart to head over to the green, and saw another cart approaching him. Just as he put his club into his bag, he looked closer and saw that it was Landon. Kane made eye contact without looking away and Landon did the same. As they got within three feet of each other, Landon tapped his caddy and told him to stop. He apparently had some words for Kane.
“Top of the morning,” Landon said as he stepped off the cart and began to pull off his right leather glove.
“Top of the morning,” Kane replied, trying to feel out how Landon wanted the situation to play. Kane looked in Landon’s eyes and to his surprise, he didn’t sense any tension. Landon walked toward him and stopped just in front of him. Landon extended his hand and Kane paused. He looked down at Landon’s hand, surprised, and thought twice about returning the gesture. He saw that Landon was conceding and he knew the laws of the street. If someone doesn’t want a war, never press it. Always give a man just enough room to jump out of the window and escape. That’s exactly what Landon was doing. The kitchen that was called the streets was too hot for him, so he’d decided to jump out of the window, avoiding war. Kane smiled and felt dominant, seeing a powerful man of Landon’s stature bowing down. Kane reached out his hand and grabbed Landon’s as they shared a firm shake.
“Can we take a walk?” Landon asked as he looked around and then focused back on Kane.
“Sure,” Kane responded. He looked back at the guys he was currently in a game with and told them to go ahead so that he could discuss business. Landon instructed his caddy to take a break as well. Kane and Landon began to stroll the walkway around the huge golf course. Landon was the first to speak.
“I know our last meeting was a tad bit intense,” Landon said as he pulled out his own cigar and lit it while strolling. “However, I have mourned my son and that period is over. One can never get over a death of a child, but I’m learning to deal with it. I understand my son’s horrible temperament and after numerous discussions with my nephews, the truth came out. He was absolutely the aggressor.” Kane remained silent and listened closely, trying to see where Landon was getting to.
“So, if you are willing to bury the hatchet … I am as well.”
“I appreciate you approaching me to talk. Once again, my condolences for L.J. Everyone wishes that night never would have happened. To be clear, I never had a hatchet to bury. I respect you and your organization. I just had to protect my family, as I know you can relate,” Kane said smoothly.
“Yes, I can,” Landon said as he blew out a cloud of smoke. “I have been wanting to talk to you about something.”
“Sure, what’s on your mind?” Kane asked.
“I am looking to expand. My family back home in Boston are looking for a supplier. The days of street gambling and extortion are over. We need to get in the winning game. That’s where you can help me out,” Landon said as he stopped and looked around. He leaned in close to Kane and whispered, “I need a cocaine connection, my friend.”
“Oh yeah?” Kane said calmly as he stopped as well. He tossed his cigar, but not before taking a huge puff.
“Yes. I know we have had a shaky past but I believe the best way to mend things is to get into business and make money for each other.”
“Agreed,” Kane said, understanding the rules of the streets and engagement.
“We need fifty kilograms,” Landon said.
“That’s a lot for your first order.”
“Well, I’m not your typical buyer. This is only the beginning. If you partner with me, we can make a lot of money together. So what do you say?”
“I say you have yourself a supplier. Twenty a piece,” Kane said as he smiled and reached out his hand. Landon nodded his head in agreement and the beef was over right at that moment. The rush of selling a brick overcame him and it felt like the old days. This was selling coke at its highest level, and he understood the connections and thoroughness of Landon. He decided to let bygones be bygones and get to the money. They shook hands and established a connection that had the potential to be monumental.
“I will be in contact very soon. Thank you, Kane,” Landon said humbly as he looked over to his caddy and waved. Within seconds, the golf cart arrived and Landon hopped in and took off.
Kane’s mind began to turn; he would keep a close eye on Landon, but he refused to miss an opportunity to prevent a war and also gain a buyer, a potentially major buyer at that. He was ready for whatever Landon wanted to do. In his mind, it was clear that the Irish didn’t want any smoke and he was content with that. He smiled, knowing that it was time to bring his boy back home where he belonged. He pulled out his phone and called Basil.
“It’s time,” Kane said simply.
“It’s time?” Basil asked as a smile spread across his face.
“That’s right. I’ll catch you up when you get here. Welcome home, Youngblood,” Kane said as he smiled as well.
“I’m on the first thing smoking back home. I just have to wrap up some business here this weekend. Some major players coming into town for the all-star weekend.”
“Oh, okay. I guess that’s the place to be. Moriah is supposed to be down there as well. Keep an eye on her for me, okay?”
“You know I got you, big homie,” Basil said as his heart dropped at the sound of Moriah’s name.
“I’ll le
t you know where she’s staying once she books. Make sure my baby girl stays safe. She’s my precious gem. Just watch out for her.”
“I got you,” Basil reconfirmed.
“After that, get yo’ ass up here so I can give you an old-fashion schooling on that chess board.”
“We’ll see soon enough,” Basil said with his smile shining through his voice. Kane knew that his protégé was smiling and he was too. He was glad to have his best guy back up top with him.
CHAPTER TWENTY
He felt a tear drop from his eye as well. His soul rained for her; a beautiful rain.
—UNKNOWN
“What you mean, somebody ran in here? Who was it?” Lil Noah said as he looked down at Viv, who had tears in her eyes as she sat on her couch explaining.
“I told you before, I don’t know. He had a mask on,” Viv explained for the fifth time.
“How they get in the safe?”
“They put the gun to my head and said if I don’t open it, they would blow my head off,” she yelled as tears continued to flow down her face. Lil Noah was skeptical and was sure that it was an inside job. Or more likely, a made-up story altogether. He had been stashing Basil’s cut at Viv’s all month, and the day that she was supposed to go down to take it to Basil, she got robbed? Something was fishy and Lil Noah knew it. He instantly grew furious but tried his best to hide it.
“Okay, okay. Let’s slow down and go through this one more time. Someone came in, put a gun to your head, and forced you to open up the safe. Right?”
“Yes, that’s exactly what happened. I was so scared, Noah. I could have been killed,” Viv said as she began to wipe her tears away.
“Okay, so let me ask you this. Who knows about Basil keeping his money here or you making runs for him?”
“Nobody, I swear!” Viv said, sensing that he was growing suspicious. “I keep my business, my business. I never told anyone,” she pleaded as she instantly stopped crying. Still, Lil Noah knew something was fishy. He looked into her eyes and stared at her, searching for any hint of guilt in her mannerisms.
“Cool. Let me get to the bottom of this,” Lil Noah said as he put his hand on her shoulder, assuring her that he believed her. “I’ll give you a call later.” He began to walk out and saw that the small window that was next to the door was shattered.
“This is where they must of broke in at, huh? They busted out the window and unlocked the door to let themselves in,” Lil Noah said as he examined the door.
“Yeah, that’s exactly how they got in. I was so scared,” Viv said as she hugged Lil Noah from the back. “Thank you so much for coming by so quickly. I feel safe now.” Lil Noah turned around to face her.
“Don’t worry. Everything will be all right.” Viv hugged him and then kissed him on the cheek.
“Thank you so much,” she said as she reached back and slid Lil Noah’s hands under her two heavy cheeks so he could feel the weight of her load. Lil Noah looked down at Viv and smiled. His natural instinct was to squeeze them so he did. Viv instantly felt him beginning to rise through his pants.
“No worries,” he said as he removed his hands and pulled back. He looked her up and down and licked his lips. Her hourglass shape and thick stature was just his type; he’d always admired Viv’s beauty but never acted on it out of respect for Basil. He shook his head and headed out the door. Vivian watched as he walked out and closed the door behind him. She placed her back against the door and smiled, knowing that he was putty in her hands. She had made off with Basil’s money without any fingers being pointed at her. Fuck that nigga. He shouldn’t have quit me. I just made that nigga pay the tax owed when you cross me, she thought as she continued to smile and think about what she was going to do with her cut. She reached into her blouse to text Boone.
We are in clear, she texted and then pushed the SEND button. Just then, a knock at the door erupted, startling her. She quickly turned around, looked through the peephole, and saw that it was Lil Noah. She smiled and already knew what time it was. He was coming back to get the kitty that she was blatantly throwing at him. She opened the door then turned on the spurs of her heels and began to walk back into her living room, knowing that Noah was looking at her backside. She had on shorts pulled up as much as possible so that her cheeks hung out the bottom of them. Her two big teardrop-shaped butt cheeks were on full display and her shorts were wedged in her crevice. Lil Noah stepped in and locked the door.
“I knew you were going to come back. You want some of mama’s pie?” she said seductively as she turned around slowly, ready to wrap Lil Noah into her web. She instantly began to think how she would turn him out with her seasoned sex and make him become her new sponsor.
When she turned again, ready to pounce on her newfound prey, she shrieked in terror. She was staring down the barrel of a nine-millimeter. Lil Noah bit his bottom lip in passion as he dug the barrel into her forehead and placed his free hand over her mouth. He backed her into her couch and pushed her down.
“Bitch, if you make a sound I’mma blow your head off. Try me,” Lil Noah said as he gave her a menacing scowl, praying that she made a wrong move so he could blow her brains out.
“Wait … Wait. Please tell me what did I do?” Viv pleaded as she put both hands in front of herself, as if she could block the bullets.
“First of all, your dumb ass don’t know how to rob right. You said that someone broke in, but when I went outside the glass was on the outside of the door. Meaning, yo’ dumb ass broke it from the inside. Second of all, you supposedly almost just got your life taken by a masked goon but somehow you willing to give me some pussy within the same hour. You didn’t think your plan out, did you?” Lil Noah asked as he shook his head at her botched idiotic plan.
“Wait, I can—”
“Shut up!” he said as he pulled out his phone and dialed Basil’s number.
“Hello,” said Basil as he sat on the bed, counting the money that he had just gotten from Big for the party that coming weekend.
“You not going to believe this shit,” Lil Noah said as he stared at Viv.
“What’s up?” Basil said as he continued to put the money in stacks. Colorful bands for the small ones and beige ones for the big stacks, as usual.
“I got a call saying that somebody ran into Viv’s spot, roughed her up, and made her open the safe.”
Basil instantly stopped counting the money and frowned.
“Wait, what happened?” he asked.
“But dig this, this bitch set it up. She tried to throw me some pussy, thinking I was a tender dick. Plus the bitch didn’t even think the shit out. She says they broke the glass to get in, but the glass was scattered on the outside of the door.”
“Oh, I see. She bust them out, huh?” Basil said calmly as he smiled. “How much was taken?”
“It was about fifty here.”
“Fifty? Check her phone,” Basil said, still calm. Lil Noah reached into her cleavage and pulled out the cell phone that was slightly sticking out from it. She screamed, thinking he was about to harm her.
“Shut up, bitch.” He went through the phone. “Bingo,” he said as he saw the text she’d sent to Boone. “She just texted Boone that they were in the clear. I knew it.”
“You know what? Tell her that’ll be the last real piece of money she will see her entire life. She can keep that,” Basil said as he continued to count the money that was scattered in front of him. “I just made that amount today. That’s nothing to me. Don’t touch her … let her go. Let her breathe. We will catch up to Boone later. Tell her if she tells Boone that we know, you’ll come back for her. Keep it a secret in exchange for her life.”
“You sure?” Lil Noah said, sounding disappointed in Basil’s decision.
“I’m positive. Just cancel her. She can’t eat with us anymore. We’ll find another mule. Oh yeah, and I’ll be home soon.” Basil hung up the phone and continued to count his money. He smiled to himself and thought about returning home. He had bigger
fish to fry than worry about the theft. The way he saw it, he just paid Viv fifty thousand to get out of his life permanently. So it was a fair exchange from his viewpoint.
“Today is your lucky day. Basil saved yo’ life. He told you to keep that money. But you dead in these streets. You are no longer needed. Oh yeah, and don’t tell Boone nothing or I’ll be back around to see you,” Lil Noah said as he tucked his gun and tossed her phone to her. Vivian sat there frozen in fear as her heart beat at what seemed like two hundred miles per hour. Lil Noah shook his head as he exited the place, wishing he would have hit it before he exposed her. Damn, he thought as a grin appeared on his face.
* * *
Every variation of beauty in a woman was in attendance. High heels and snug dresses were the dominant attire. It was the night before the annual NBA all-star weekend and the city was filled with A-list celebrities and the top professional athletes in the country. Miami was literally the hottest city in the nation that weekend. Meanwhile, Basil and Mecca sat in the cut at the multimillion-dollar mansion that was the home of Big of the Miami Heat. They were tucked a nook that was similar to a club’s VIP section, and a few members of the Cartel stood around them wearing all black from head to toe, and draped in platinum jewelry that was encrusted with diamonds. They were shining more than the NBA players that were in attendance. Basil stuck out like a sore thumb, as he wore tailored slacks and a white-collared shirt that was neatly tucked in his pants. He didn’t wear any shining diamonds or jewelry but his presence was still felt. Swagger oozed off of him and his confident stride and smoothness were of the likes of Kane Garrett, the man who’d given him the game that made him a street king. His Italian designer loafers were suede and the only thing that shined on them was the emblem on the toes that matched the buckle on his belt. Music blared from the DJ’s speakers and the clock had just struck midnight. The private event was small and intimate. The men-to-women ratio was lopsided, with the women outnumbering the guys four to one. Phones weren’t allowed and had to be checked at the front door. Also there were no pictures allowed, maybe because of the mounds of blow that were on tables scattered around the room. Basil watched everyone closely and only drank water while they drank champagne and cocktails. He looked over at a Cartel member who had a leather book bag on his back, knowing there were a few more ounces stashed in there. Basil was waiting for Big to tell him he needed more blow, so that he could run up his tab. By the way people were using their noses as vacuums, they would be needing more by the end of the night. Basil sat back patiently and watched his work, work for him.
The Streets Have No King Page 17
