Pretty Kings 3 Read online

  Kevin frowned and finally he saw him for the person that he was. A bitter man who was unsympathetic to his family’s needs. “Naw, my man. We gonna keep you right here. Just be ready to make them calls when this shit dies down. We’re going to need another shipment ASAP.”

  “Yeah, we know you know how to take care of that shit at least,” Denim said.

  When they left, Mitch stomped toward the phone. He pulled out a piece of paper from his pocket. It rang twice before it was finally answered. “Sarah, my dear. How are you? I just heard about what they did to you!”

  “Not good,” she sobbed. “I’m in a cab, Mitch. They threw me out on the streets like trash. They turned my own daughter against me! I hate them all!”

  “Well do you have anywhere to go?”

  “They bought me some house that won’t be ready for a few weeks. Unless I plan on sleeping on the cold hardwood floors, I don’t have a plan,” she sobbed louder. “I guess I have to stay in a hotel until then.”

  “Nonsense,” Mitch said. “I have somewhere you can go. It’s one of my homes in Washington, D.C. From its view you can see the monument in the city.”

  “For real?” she responded excitedly.

  “Yes, my dear,” he said. “Anything for my friend.”

  “I didn’t think you could do anything for me,” she replied sounding more upbeat. “Since you’re stuck there like a prisoner.”

  “My dear, a man like me can touch anybody from anywhere.” He exhaled. “I wonder how long they think I will allow them to keep me here before I wage a war of my own. On their own territory.”

  Sarah exhaled. “I love my daughter but that’s exactly what they need. To be shaken up a little. Is there anything I can do for you? Anything at all?”

  “Yes.” He sat on the arm of the recliner in his room. “There is a woman, who sometimes works for Bambi. The one you told me was disgruntled at the dinner with the east coast bosses.”

  “Yes, Yvette.”

  “That’s her. Give her this number and tell her I would like her assistance.”

  “What will you give her if she agrees to call?”

  “Money and power.”

  “That’s a hell of a start.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT

  BAMBI

  I had a sick feeling in the pit of my stomach. Something was going on with my sons.

  My entire family and me were about to split up in groups to go out in the streets to try and find them. It was agreed that Scarlett would stay in case they came back or called. Besides, she was feeling as bad as I was about Camp’s death so she would be no help to us in the streets.

  Ready to go find my boys, when I opened the front door Roman was standing there. I was so nervous that I pulled my gun on her and when I looked behind me, my family did the same. She didn’t say she was coming over and at this point I felt she could’ve been against us.

  In my book, everybody was an enemy.

  With her hands raised in the air, she said, “Don’t shoot.” Her green eyes looked at my family and then me. “I’m here because I need to check your cars.”

  “Our cars?” I asked lowering my weapon. “For what?”

  “I’ll tell you everything you need to know later. Just point me to your vehicles.”

  ****

  Standing in my dining room, I was looking at six small black boxes that Roman pulled from under all of our vehicles. “So you’re actually saying that someone put these on our rides without us knowing?”

  “Yes,” Roman responded. “They’re GPS trackers. This is probably what they used to trail Camp and maybe even the twins.”

  There was something about the way that Kevin looked at her that made me feel like he knew her. But I was too worried about my boys to think more about it.

  “How do you know?” Ramirez asked.

  “I know because I used these same devices to locate a few marks I had to handle recently. They are considered the most accurate in the business.”

  My temples throbbed terribly.

  “If they know where we are, why haven’t they tried us?” Denim asked.

  “I’m not sure,” she responded. “But it could be the fifteen hummer trucks with armed men that you have surrounding the property at all times. Perhaps they realize that breaking the fortress may be easier said than done.”

  “Yeah, they would have to be willing to lose a lot of men to come through here,” Kevin said shaking his head before taking a seat. “That’s not including the ten men we have circling the house at all times.” He sighed.

  “But how could they have gotten the devices on our cars?” Ramirez asked. “If they can’t break the fort they certainly can’t get to the property on foot to put them there.”

  “Was anyone on your property who should not have been?” Roman asked.

  “You mean outside of you?” Denim asked suspiciously.

  Roman shook her head as if she was hearing things. “I have clearance to be on your property. Remember? You and me both know that if I didn’t I would be dead.”

  “Still seems odd that you didn’t let us know you were coming,” Denim said. “Just popping up over here is a little suspect.”

  “If I wanted you dead you’d all be corpses now.”

  “Be easy,” Race warned putting out her hand. “We’re sensitive right now and threats could lead to the wrong actions. Like your head being popped open.”

  “No disrespect, boss,” Roman responded. “It’s just that I’m not the enemy and I would appreciate not being treated like one.”

  Race sighed. “Go ‘head with what you were saying.”

  Roman exhaled. “I need you all to think about who has been here lately. Have you had anyone here who should not have been?”

  “I can’t think of anyone,” Race said scratching her head.

  “Yes you can,” I said swallowing the lump in my throat.

  My family all looked in my direction. “Who?” Kevin asked.

  “It wasn’t here at the bunker. But when we were at the other property Race allowed Mellvue to come into the house,” I said softly. “She could’ve had someone in her car who placed them on our cars then.”

  “But I was watching her when she pulled up in that cop car and when she left,” Denim said. “She couldn’t have done it. We had eyes on her the entire time.”

  “But you didn’t have eyes on her car when she was in our house,” I said. “So we don’t know who else was inside of it.”

  Silence.

  As they spoke amongst themselves, my mind went elsewhere. The realization was more apparent than I wanted to admit. My sons were tracked by the Russians and were probably dead now. My body trembled. I was the weakest I’d ever been in my life. I didn’t feel useful and I didn’t feel present.

  I zoned out for a second and when I came to, I said, “Can you find out where they are?” I paused. “The Russians?”

  Roman walked away from the table and leaned up against the wall. “I’ll try. But I don’t know a lot of personal information about them. Even Vito and Derrick do a good job of keeping their movements limited.”

  “That’s because they have something to do with the twins going missing,” Kevin exhaled. “I know it.”

  “I don’t care what we have to do or what money I have to spend. They have my boys,” I said calmly although I was screaming inside. “And I want them brought to Kennedy justice. Alive if possible.”

  Roman looked at the boxes and walked over to them. Picking them up one by one, she turned them right side up. Her eyebrows rose and it looked as if she had a bright idea. “Give me a few hours. I think I may be on to something.”

  ****

  I was in the bed, the covers pulled over my head. Too weak to move and too weak to contribute to the war against the Russians after learning that we allowed someone to infiltrate our property who possibly murdered Camp and held the twins hostage.

  But where was the ransom call?

  I was done.

  Unable to t
ake care of myself.

  Unable to breathe.

  It had been three hours since my family left when Kevin came into the room in a hurry. He pulled the sheets off of my face. “Baby, come into the living room. Roman is here.”

  “Does she have my kids?”

  “No. But she does have some information you’ll want to hear.”

  ****

  Slowly I pulled myself to the living room. Roman was there talking to the rest of the family. When I came out she walked over to me carefully and stopped. I guess she could tell I was in a fragile state and that made me dangerous.

  “Have you found the Russians?” I asked softly.

  “No but I discovered where they hold their new meetings,” she said confidently.

  I felt the breath rush from my body. “How were you able to get the information?”

  “When I left earlier today I went back to the company who sold the devices. It’s a little spot in Georgetown. For a few bucks, the cashier told me that a white woman bought them not too long ago. She fit the description of Mellvue. Although she gave a fake name, the cashier recorded the information on her driver’s license. At first I got excited thinking we would have the place where they rest their heads. So I drove out there and got something just as good. The place where they do their business.”

  “Can we find out where they live?” I asked.

  “She says she doesn’t have any more information and I believe her.”

  The disappointment washed over me.

  “Do we have to put eyes on the building where they hold their meetings?” Ramirez asked.

  “I’m already on top of it,” Roman said. “I had my partner go over there while I came here.”

  “Any word from him yet?” Kevin asked standing tall.

  “Yes,” she smiled. Her eyes widened. “They’re holding a meeting now.”

  ****

  The Russians

  Iakov was standing outside smoking a cigarette. They were having a meeting inside and he took a break to clear his mind. Leaning against the cool brick wall in the alley, he took a quick pull and exhaled. He allowed the smoke clouds to hover over his head. If things continued as they were, he figured he’d have control over the Kennedy King operation within a few days. And after that, he was certain that Mitch was sure to come his way.

  He took his second pull on the cigarette when suddenly a thick rope was dropped down over his head and pulled tightly around his neck. Shocked, he dropped the cigarette and when he looked up he was staring into the face of an angry Kennedy King soldier.

  Iakov gripped at the rope, his face reddening as he struggled to catch his breath and remove it from his throat. Just when he felt light headed, as if he were about to die, the rope was loosened slightly. His body slammed on the ground and Kevin walked around the corner.

  Standing over top of Iakov as he gasped for air, he said, “Don’t worry, Russian. I’m not going to kill you just yet. Although you’ll wish I had.”

  ****

  Iakov was sprawled out on the ground behind the truck he was transported in. Dust covered his face and the place where the rope caressed his neck was bloody due to it breaking into his flesh. The noose was connected to the vehicle and Bambi was inside waiting on word from her husband before making a move.

  Kevin stood above Iakov and he was unmerciful and serious. “Where are my sons?” he asked calmly.

  “I swear to you, I don’t know.” Iakov coughed to get some air due to being choked repeatedly. “Kevin, I ask for mercy even in war. Think about it. Your wife was in my possession and I didn’t do her like this. Why treat me in this way?”

  Kevin kicked Iakov in the stomach, forcing blood and guts to spew from his mouth. “Where are my boys, Iakov? Where are my sons?”

  “I don’t know,” he said with lowered eyes.

  “So you want to play hard to get.” Kevin lifted his head and looked at Bambi. He nodded and she turned the truck on. Kevin looked down at Iakov and said, “Let’s see if your answer is the same after she’s dragged you a mile or two.”

  Bambi hit the gas and sped off, dragging Iakov’s body against the road, burning the flesh off his back in the process.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

  THE KENNEDY KINGS

  There were miles of dusty road leading to Iakov and Arkadi Lenin’s compound. Twenty Hummers filled with eight soldiers each were approaching the land, all ready for battle.

  Once upon the property, they were met with armed men who were hired to protect the Russian land. But they were shocked upon realizing that they were outnumbered. Not one of them was a match for the army that the Kennedy Kings commanded.

  Not ready for war, some ran and others stayed to defend the outside of the property.

  Within seconds, gunfire blazed from every hummer and before long, every man inside and outside of the home was killed.

  Five minutes later, the last Hummer containing Bambi approached the property. The truck parked sideways and Bambi hopped out. Moving quickly toward the door, she removed her weapon and entered her enemy’s home.

  Denim, Race, Kevin, Bradley and Ramirez followed her, tearing up the house in the process. After going through every room, looking in every cranny and searching around every corner, there was still no sign of her sons anywhere.

  Standing outside of the property, defeated and scared that she still hadn’t located the twins, she looked out into the land. Warm tears rolled down her eyes. “Where are my children, Kevin?” She paused. “Where are they?” she cried out.

  Instead of answering her, he approached her and pulled her into his arms. After a minute, he asked, “What do you want to do now, baby? Just say the word.”

  With tears rolling down her face, she said, “Torch this bitch!”

  ****

  Arkadi was in the back of a speeding shiny black Denali after just receiving the most horrible news of his life. That his brother, Iakov Lenin, was dragged to his death on the back of a truck.

  What hurt him the most was not that Iakov had been killed. Anything was possible with war. He was devastated that before his death he told them where they lived. They were Russian and he was certain that if the Kennedys found him, he would take the whereabouts of their home to his grave. He could only guess what other information he divulged to the Kennedys, hoping he would survive.

  He reached for his vodka bottle in the small cooler in the car. But instead of it being clear, it was red. He knew immediately it was the blood of his brother. Looking at the bottle, he read a passage on the side.

  ‘We killed your brother and you will be next. This drink is on us.’

  When a cell phone rang in the truck, Arkadi’s right hand soldier answered the call. “Hello.”

  From the back seat, Arkadi could read his impression although he hadn’t spoken. He knew immediately that whatever news his soldier now possessed would not be good.

  “Okay. I’ll tell him,” the soldier responded before hanging up.

  “What is it?” Arkadi asked readjusting himself in the backseat.

  He exhaled. “The Kennedy Kings just bombed Vito and Derrick’s houses. Vito was murdered and they still can’t find Derrick.” He paused. “Boss, where do you want me to take you? It’s no longer safe here for you.”

  “I must get away from here.” He looked out of the window. Suddenly everything looked different and he realized he was a foreigner in a country he misjudged. “I need time to regroup and think of plan.”

  “Do you want me to buy you a ticket somewhere?”

  “Yes. I need plane ticket for Russia.” He paused. “But before we go, give word to execute the hit on Prophet Mansion.” He paused. “They took out my allies and now I will take out theirs.”

  ****

  Darkness acted as a cover as Arkadi’s soldiers traveled on foot down a road that led to the Prophet Mansion. Realizing he needed to disable the Kennedy Kings operation like they had his, Arkadi aimed for the most powerful ally, the Prophets.

  Slowl
y fifty men descended upon the walkway leading closer to the acres of land the mansion sat on. Confidently they continued down the way until they reached the gate. One man after the other, with automatic assault rifles in their hands, approached.

  To their surprise, the iron gate surrounding the land was open at the entrance. The leader of Arkadi’s army, a 45-year-old navy seal, placed a finger over his lips to silence his men. He was listening for the sound that indicated that they were not alone.

  Feeling as if the coast was clear, he motioned for all of the men to merge onto the Prophet compound. But the moment the first boot stepped past the gate, bright lights spilled on the land, exposing everything in sight.

  “Wait,” the leader yelled raising his fist at his men. The fog would not allow them to see a foot in front of them and he wanted them to be cautious. He wanted to spare as many men as possible.

  When the ex-navy seal saw red dots all over his soldiers’ foreheads he knew what was happening, they were at war. Within seconds, gunfire blasted from the Prophet Mansion killing every Arkadi soldier in sight, except the commander.

  With the souls of his dead men in the air, the smell of gunpowder enveloped him and a cloud of smoke made it difficult to see the mansion. Suddenly he heard a calm feminine voice.

  “Put down your weapon.”

  “No,” he yelled as he aimed into the thick fog. “I’m not letting you kill me!”

  The woman giggled. “Look at your jacket, soldier. If I wanted you dead, you’d be gone now."

  When he glanced down he saw his jacket was speckled with red dots as if he were a Christmas tree. Slowly he lowered his weapon and raised his hands. After a few seconds, from behind smoke emerged a beautiful woman with skin the color of pure coffee. Dressed in a chocolate fur coat, she moved closer to him.