Pretty Kings 3 Page 13

  ****

  The next day Bambi was standing in front of me and I was sitting at the dining room table. “Do you realize how stupid you made me look?” Bambi asked. “I told them that Mellvue was dead and she wasn’t. What were you thinking?”

  “I wanted things to go smoothly. I wanted you to know that I could handle things because you were talking about cutting me off. Something I couldn’t stand!”

  “Ain’t no need in getting mad at her,” Denim said. “What’s done is done. Now the question is, what are we going to do about it?”

  Bambi looked at me but I could tell I ruined the trust. “Are you sure this bitch is dead now?” she asked me.

  “It’s all over the news, Bam,” Denim said. “Saw it this morning.”

  Bambi seemed relieved but I could tell I was not her favorite person anymore. “Set a meeting up with Roman. I’ll speak to her.”

  ****

  We were back at the location where I first introduced Bambi to Roman. And Bambi didn’t waste any time getting right into it. “I’m disappointed in you, Roman,” Bambi said softly. “And it isn’t for the reason you think.”

  “Then what is it for?” Roman asked through clenched teeth.

  “I’m disappointed that you didn’t come to us from the onset. When you first needed help. We could’ve ended this a long time ago.”

  “I didn’t want to get you involved. But now I need to be there for my family. My husband doesn’t know that our son has been murdered and I have to go home and explain everything to him. All I want is to get out of the contract after I find Yoko.”

  “I’m sorry, Roman. I really am. But I can’t let you out of the agreement. Over the past couple of weeks, you have proven to be invaluable to my organization. And even after your mishap today with Mellvue, for some reason you were able to complete the job without people recognizing you. You’re an enigma. And I’m at war with the Russians.” She paused. “I need the best on my team. I need you.”

  Roman held her head down and I felt sorry for her. I knew what it meant to want out but not be able to leave. It was something like my marriage. But Bambi was right; this was business. “But it’s not in my heart anymore,” Roman said. “To kill, I mean.”

  Bambi laughed hysterically. “Of course it’s in your heart, my dear. Once a killer, always a killer. Use the anger and continue to be the best. In the end, for people like you and me, anger and murder are all we have.” With a lowered brow, Bambi said, “Live with it or die.”

  ****

  The weirdest shit happened. After Roman and Bambi met, Roman’s son Sailor was returned to her. The little dude was actually alive. But to make sure that our new killer would be freed up, we decided to take out her enemy.

  It was eerily silent at the place where Yoko lived for the moment. The right side of the street was lined with eight of our Hummer trucks with green matte paint jobs. Three of our soldiers stood in front of each with the exception of the Hummer directly across from where Yoko, Roman’s enemy, would stand.

  Me, my sisters and Roman all stood in front of the vehicle closest to Yoko’s hideout. When the midget came outside Bambi stepped forward. She wore green fatigues and her long flowing brown hair blew in the wind. Roman was leaning on the truck, shrouded in a black hoodie with white paint over her face and black paint over her eyes.

  This bitch was thorough and I was so glad she was on our team.

  Yoko looked scared as she stared at all of us. “So this is how I die?” Yoko yelled to Roman who remained leaning on the truck. “Your son is safe, Roman,” she yelled. “I didn’t kill him even though I told you I did. I would’ve never hurt him.” She rubbed her growing belly. “I’m pregnant too, you know.”

  Silence.

  Although Yoko made it seem like she returned him, from what I was told, the little boy fought his way out of his captor’s possession and an old lady returned him to his family.

  She didn’t give up anything.

  “When we were younger you had a code,” Yoko continued. “To never kill the innocents.” She swallowed. “Will you keep my baby alive? Do you still honor that code?”

  Roman chuckled. “You right, Yoko. When we were younger, I did operate by a code. But you taught me that having a code was dumb. Do you remember what you said?”

  “N…no,” she stuttered.

  “Well I do. You told me to leave the code shit to computer programmers. And I told you that one day you’d want someone to have a code.” She paused. “Well I guess that day has arrived.”

  “Roman, please, I’m begging you.”

  “I know you’re hurting, Yoko. I cried too. I lost the only people I cared about because of you. So tell me something. What the fuck I look like caring about that demon growing in your belly now?”

  Silence.

  “You ready?” Bambi asked Roman.

  “Yes.”

  “Give the word and the men will act.”

  The soldiers cocked their weapons and aimed at Yoko, ready for Roman’s word.

  “Wait a minute,” Roman said raising her hand.

  I thought she had a change of heart. Instead, she walked slowly across the street. It was so silent you could hear the leaves rustle on the trees. Roman’s hands were stuffed in her pockets and when she was finally upon Yoko, she looked down at her.

  Without a word, Roman removed a switchblade from each pocket and plunged them into the sides of her neck. Blood spurted out of Yoko’s flesh and Roman mouthed, “Goon.”

  I knew in that moment we had a secret weapon. She would be used to save our operation and get closer to the Russians. It was definitely time to battle.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  THE RUSSIANS

  Arkadi was pacing next to a table inside of an old abandoned IHOP restaurant. He was distraught and incensed with anger. They met there whenever they couldn’t get to their hideout in D.C. Right now they were in Baltimore, Maryland, not too far from Jersey, D.C. and Virginia.

  Inside of the restaurant were fifteen Reapers waiting for leadership.

  “They killed my fiancé,” he yelled at Iakov as if he were unaware. “And all you want to talk about is money and profit margins! What about her, brother?” He paused. “She was only woman I ever loved!” Each time he yelled, his face reddened as sweat dripped down his cheeks. “I want my revenge and I won’t stop until I have it!”

  Iakov slowly walked toward Arkadi. Standing over him, he placed one hand on his shoulder and used his other one to slap him. “You better get your life together and look around you.” He stepped out of his way so that he could see that fifteen of the Reapers were around the table waiting on action. “You need level head. Never show weakness in front of warriors. You’ll lose their respect forever.”

  Arkadi wiped the sweat off his face and backed up. “But I want revenge, brother,” he whispered.

  “Then get the revenge you seek.” He paused. “Lead them to destruction.”

  Arkadi gazed up at his brother and wiped the sadness from his face. Slowly he swaggered toward the table and placed both hands on top of it. Staring at the young men before him, he said, “I want you to bring me their—”

  His message ended abruptly when a hail of bullets came crashing into the restaurant. As they ripped through the foundation of the building, it seemed as if there wasn’t a safe place in sight.

  When Iakov saw a few of the men take bullets to the upper body he rushed up to his brother and knocked him to the floor. Together the both of them crawled toward the back of the restaurant to protect their lives.

  Gunfire continued to tear into the walls and when it stopped, the Russians remained lying down until fifteen minutes passed and the smell of gunpowder filled the air.

  Slowly both men stood up and walked toward the table. The scene was gruesome. Blood and guts covered everything in sight. The assassins successfully killed all but two, the most dangerous two.

  The Russians.

  “Who do you think it was?” Arkadi asked.
/>
  “Don’t be stupid, brother,” Iakov responded.

  “But how did the Kennedys know where we held meetings?”

  “The same way Mellvue found them.” Iakov walked around the table, taking in all of its gore. “They researched using reputable resources. I won’t stop until every last one of those chorn is dead! I don’t care if it’s the last thing I do.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

  SCARLETT

  Sitting at the dining room table with a vegetable omelet in front of me, I was slowly settling into depression. Another sat across from me on a beautiful cream plate with red strawberries around the perimeter. I prepared breakfast for two because I thought Camp would join me.

  But after the meal was finished, he came downstairs in a hurry to break our meeting off. “I’m sorry, baby. But I have an important meeting with Swanson. I’ll have to take a rain check.”

  “Can I go with you?”

  He ran his hand from the front to the back of my hair before kissing me on the forehead. “Not this time, baby. He wants to meet with me alone.” Ever since he left, I wondered what they were talking about. Would Swanson tell him all of my secrets?

  Without giving me a chance to be submissive to his will?

  I was about to scrape both plates off into the trashcan when Ramirez came downstairs. His slippers scraped against the hardwood floor. “Oh, hey, Scarlett,” he yawned before scratching his belly. He wasn’t wearing a shirt, just grey pajama pants, and his muscles seemed to buckle as he moved. “Where’s everybody?”

  “They went to take care of some business,” I sighed. “You know the saying. You’re not a Kennedy unless you have something else to do.”

  He chuckled. “Tell me about it.”

  “So why aren’t you gone?”

  “Kevin told me he had everything under control. From what I’m told, the hit on the Russians was successful. So now it’s just a waiting game.”

  I nodded. “Whose is this?” he asked pointing at the omelet.

  “It was for Camp, but you can have it if you want.”

  He quickly sat down and pulled the plate toward him. “Hell yeah I want this bitch. I thought I was going to have to eat some cereal. Good looking out.” He chuckled picking up the fork and stabbing into the omelet. “I can’t remember the last time I got a home cooked meal.” He swallowed and smiled. “Damn, girl. What you put in this?”

  I grinned, pleased he enjoyed it. “Seafood, cheese, green peppers. Stuff like that.”

  “Well you did a good damn job.”

  Remembering what he just said, I asked, “So you haven’t had a good meal from Race lately?”

  He stuck a piece of food in his mouth, chewed for a few seconds and put the fork down. It clanked on the table. “I know you know the status of our situation.”

  “I wasn’t trying to be nosey, Ramirez. I’m sorry.”

  “I know, ma,” he responded. “I’m used to dealing with the fact that we may be over. I mean, what can you do when the person you love doesn’t want you anymore? It’s just tough hearing it.”

  I laughed. “You’re asking me? The woman who is married to your brother who wants a divorce? And is only staying around until we find Master?”

  “I’m sorry, Scarlett. I didn’t mean to be insensitive.” He paused. “How you holding up with Master missing?”

  I swallowed and tried to pretend as if I didn’t know where my son was. “I’m trying to make it. Things would be easier if I knew Camp would be with me no matter what.”

  “You’re doing better than me. I don’t know how to deal with this shit, Scarlett.” He shook his head. “I love Race. I just want her to love me back.” He paused. “I feel like no matter what I do or say, she’ll never be able to see that. And the shit hurts. I’ve fucked many. I’ve had more orgies than I can remember. But I’ve never loved another woman before Race.”

  I placed my elbows on the table and rested my face in my hands. “I don’t know if we can do anything about being rejected but deal with it.” I put my hands down. “Every day I pray that an idea comes to me. Every day I pray that Camp will see me for the woman I could be if he would just give me a chance. But nothing I say or do seems to work. He hates me.”

  “He doesn’t hate you.”

  “That’s what it feels like, Ramirez.” Tears rolled down my face. “I wish I could take back every foul thing I did to him so that he would give me another chance at our marriage.”

  “I feel the same way. Had I known bringing Carey into the picture would’ve compromised my shit, I would’ve never done it. But now it’s too late.” He sighed. “I guess we both have to deal with the fact that things may be finished in our marriages.”

  Although what he was saying was true, I didn’t want to hear it. Suddenly I cried so deeply I couldn’t control myself. Ramirez pushed the chair back and ran over to me. Lifting me into his arms, I rested my face in the pit of his chest.

  He smelled good.

  Something like coconut and baked apples.

  For some reason, I felt myself heating up and when I looked up at him, he was looking directly at me. Like I belonged to him.

  Unhurriedly he lowered his head and kissed me softly on my lips. Electric jolts coursed through my body. Things were moving so fast and I couldn’t stop them if I tried. In a matter of seconds, he turned me around and my hands were pressed against the cool table. Thinking he was about to do the ultimate, push inside of me, I was sweetly surprised when he kissed me on the neck instead.

  “I know this is wrong,” he said as he ran his tongue along the side of my neck and up toward my ear. “But I need you right now, Scarlett.” His breath was heavy and heated up my lobe. “Can I make love to you? If you don’t want me, all you have to say is no.”

  “Yessssss.”

  Without delay, he eased into me.

  “Fuck,” he moaned. “Judging by how wet you are, I can tell that you need me too.”

  He was right. I hadn’t been with a man since Ngozi. Camp refused to sleep with me or like he said, “Give me the wrong idea.” Although it felt good, I knew the guilt about what I was doing would stay with me forever.

  But for now, I would enjoy every second of this moment.

  ****

  Sitting in my car, I was trying to figure out where to go. I was ashamed I fucked my brother-in-law and ashamed to have betrayed Race. All of my life I seemed to allow my feelings to lead me.

  I was lonely.

  I was confused and I was scared.

  Knowing that I may have destroyed a marriage beyond repair caused me to hate myself. Should I tell her? Or keep the secret moment that Ramirez and I shared private?

  I was clutching the steering wheel, trying to figure out what to do when my phone rang. It was Swanson. “I just met with your husband.”

  My heart thumped wildly. “And what did you tell him?”

  “I told him that I might have some very important information.”

  “And what is that?”

  “Come now, Scarlett. Don’t play coy. You know exactly what I’ll tell him. Unless I can be convinced otherwise.”

  I leaned back in the seat and put my hand on my head. My pussy was still moist from my indiscretions with Ramirez. I just wanted all of this to end. To go away.

  And suddenly running away from everything sounded like a good idea. I had enough money to bounce and I decided that would be my plan. But first I would meet with him.

  “What do you want, Swanson?”

  He exhaled and said, “I’m going to text you an address. When you get there you’ll see a black sedan behind the building. I’ll be inside of that vehicle with my dick in my hand. You’re a smart girl. You’ll know what to do from there.”

  ****

  When I arrived at the address, I spotted the car right away. I could hear soft jazz music playing from the car and my stomach flipped. Slowly I approached the vehicle and he unlocked the door. I slid inside and he adjusted the volume of the music, making it lower. I loo
ked over at him and for a second he refused to say a word.

  “So how does it feel to fuck a nigger every night?” he asked. “To be married to one? Do you feel dirty?”

  My jaw dropped because I couldn’t believe what he was saying. “You tell me, Swanson. Aren’t you fucking one yourself?”

  He laughed. “It’s different for a white man. We own everything about the black race, including their women. But to sleep with a nigger and have his children as a white woman is unacceptable.”

  I could feel my forehead tightening.

  “Tell me, my beautiful redhead,” he continued, “is the rumor true? About them having big dicks?”

  I was getting frustrated and angry at the same time. “I’m here, Swanson. Now what do you want from me to keep my secrets safe?”

  “Why would you give your son up?” He positioned himself so that he was looking directly into my eyes. “It’s obvious how much Camp loves him. Why give him away when his father wants to be in his life? I’m curious.”

  I looked down at my shaky hands. “I did what I thought I had to do at the time.”

  He unzipped his pants and released his dick. Stroking it to a thickness, he said, “Fuck all of that. Get over here and top me off.” He paused. “And I don’t want none of that lazy licking shit either. I want you to suck it just like you do for that nigger, redhead. How do the blacks say? Let me see what that mouth do!”

  When I saw his little limp stick I tried to determine how I was going to prevent myself from throwing up. Slowly I eased toward him. I guess I was moving too slowly because he grabbed the back of my head and pushed my face down against his penis. It rubbed against my cheekbone and smelled like rubber. Like he was wearing a condom and took it off earlier.