The Black Kiss Of Death, page 21
part #1 of Montega Chronicles Series
Now Stephon was missing, and a hundred questions were floating in his head. The main one was: Did Stephon kill his sports agent and flee? If so, why? Deshawn snapped out of his mental investigation as a red C-class Benz slowly rode by and parked up the street. Deshawn dug into his pocket and pulled out a fresh pack of Newports. Giving the box a few taps before he removed the plastic, he pulled out a cigarette just as the women in tan business attire sashayed his way.
“I figured you’d be here,” she said, setting her briefcase down and taking a seat across from him.
“Tanya! What are you doing here?” he wondered.
“Checking up on my man. I see you’re still smoking those cancer sticks. I thought you told me you stopped. They’ll be the death of you one day,” she said before pulling the pin from her bun and letting her hair fall down.
“Well, I guess old habits die hard,” Deshawn replied while watching her shake her long hair out.
Tanya was a pretty brown-skinned beauty who happened to be Deshawn’s accountant, lawyer, and lover. The two grew up together in the same neighborhood in Brooklyn. Both had an ambition to leave the ‘hood and become somebody important. Ironically, they got rich helping each other out.
Tanya watched as Deshawn lit his Newport and puffed away.
“Still haven’t got any word on your brother?” she asked as she sat down and crossed her legs.
“Nope, and, truthfully, I don’t think I ever will. Stephon never disappeared before. Right now, I’m just trying to handle the fact that I may never see my brother again. Shit hurts bad, Tanya.”
Tanya felt his pain. She had never seen him so down. He was always so strong-minded, fearless and confident. Leaning forward, she placed her hand over his in the middle of the table. “Don’t worry, baby, everything’s gonna be alright. I’m here for you if you need anything.”
Deshawn looked at his girlfriend’s hand and smiled. But, before he could say anything in return, someone walked up to the table. This time, the undercover shooters that were hidden in the midst of all the customers, got up and approached. Seeing it was Hillary Agugbo, the African crime boss, Deshawn signaled for them to remain seated.
“Mr. Butler, it’s nice to see you up and about,” Hillary said pleasantly.
Tanya released Deshawn’s hand and eased back in her chair. “Hillary, by all means, have a seat,” Deshawn insisted.
Once the South African was seated, the waitress stopped by the table to take their order. “Just a glass of Pellegrino for me,” Tanya said.
“I’ll have a glass of freshly-squeezed orange juice,” Hilary said, folding his hands.
The waitress then looked at Deshawn. “And you, sir?”
“Hennessy straight, and fill it to the brim,” Deshawn said.
Hillary paused to look at Deshawn. “I take it you’re still distraught about your brother. I have some information about him that might be of value.”
“What is it?” Deshawn asked, putting out his cigarette.
“A few months back, we believe that your brother was associated with the Black Kiss of Death. My brother saw her in LA and had one of his men follow her all the way across town, to a nice, tidy mansion. But, before he could strike, he was called off. When he went back to the mansion, it had burned down to the ground. Simon traced the house to Stephon Butler, your brother.”
Deshawn thought long and hard about what he had just heard. Clyde had told him stories about a mysterious woman running around LA trying to control whatever she got her hands on. Come to find out, it was Clyde’s very own sister. Raking his fingers across his bald head in frustration, he asked, “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner? Why wait damn near two years later?”
“Because we thought you were in on it. At that point, we didn’t know who to trust. Throughout the years, we’ve lost almost a hundred men, including Tanetche’s wife.”
“Well, why trust us now?” Tanya asked.
Hillary calmly replied, “After seeing what happened on the news, I realize that you couldn’t have known about this bitch. That is why I am here now.”
Deshawn tried to think back to his meeting with Diamond. It was already too late to retaliate. Diamond had been welcomed into the Underworld. And, in the Underworld, a boss couldn’t kill another boss unless the council okayed it.
Chapter 55
A NIGHT BEFORE THE NEW YEAR
In Pennsgrove, New Jersey, on Route 60, in a motel called the Westly Inn, A-Z sat in a room with a bottle of Grey Goose vodka, a pack of cigarettes, and a jar of Dro. He had been hiding out as part of the federal witness protection program. He was set to go to court the 10th of January to testify against Diamond on major drug charges.
After sparking up a joint, he turned on the TV to watch a movie. It was 11:49 PM, and A-Z was getting a little woozy off the weed. He got up to check on the officers who were supposed to be out front. They were gone. As A-Z started to panic, Butta’s wide body squeezed through the door.
A-Z cursed, “What kind of fucking witness protection is this?” he mumbled before turning to see Butta come into the bedroom.
“Ain’t no protection for you, muthafucka,” Butta stated.
Butta smacked A-Z on the side of his head with the gun. A-Z stumbled over the television and spilled to the floor.
“Yo, man, wait, I can explain!” A-Z pleaded while pulling himself to his feet.
“I trusted ya ass. Put you under my wing and you gonna play us like this. Like we wasn’t gonna find you. You a bitch-ass nigga, A-Z. And, the worst kind of bitch-ass nigga is the one who act like they thorough when, really, they weak. You shoulda rode it out. You know Diamond woulda got you out of a jam. No, but you was too fuckin’ weak. Fuck it, though,” Butta said, aiming his .357 and turning up the volume on the TV. It was the final count down to the New Year. “5…4…3…”
“Butta, wait. Don’t do this!” A-Z begged.
“Long kiss, you snitch-ass nigga,” Butta said.
“2…1…Happy New Year!”
BOOM!
Chapter 56
THE SNOW WHITE QUEEN
Diamond sat behind the defendant’s table, next to her lawyer, Latanya Gibson, waiting as the DA tried to stall for another court date. It was obvious that they weren’t ready. “Ms. Anderson, I won’t grant your motion for a continuance because you do not have your witness here to testify today. I’m sorry, but I will have to deny your motion and proceed, without the witness,” the judge proclaimed to the district attorney.
The DA was speechless. A silent courtroom waited for the DA. She stood and said, “Council has no further evidence, your honor.”
After a brief recess, the jury came back with the verdict. “In the case of the United States versus Diamond White, the jury finds the defendant, Diamond White, not guilty.”
The DA turned to look at Diamond and Tanya, shocked. Both women rose and hugged each other before heading through the throng of spectators. Although Clyde wasn’t there, there were still spies hovering about to report back to him.
As she exited the courthouse, the news reporters crowded Diamond to get an interview. But, Diamond’s bodyguard, Bain, quickly escorted her straight to her limousine. When she was inside, the phone rang. “Hello?” she answered.
“Hello, Diamond. Congratulations,” Zelinski said.
“Thanks. You know what? Why don’t we celebrate at dinner tomorrow night? My treat,” Diamond suggested.
“Sure,” Zelinski eagerly replied. “That was exactly what I had in mind. How about Mr. Chow’s. I love it there.”
“You got it. Eight o’clock. I’ll see you then,” Diamond said before hanging up.
Staring into space, Diamond thought for a moment. Taking a deep breath, she dialed Semok’s number. After the third ring, he answered. “Hello?”
“Semok, it’s Diamond. I need to talk to you today about something. It’s very important.”
“Okay, but you didn’t give me a chance to congratulate you on embarrassing the district attorney,” he said.
“Congratulate me later,” Diamond replied before giving him the time and the place.
After hanging up the phone, she ordered the driver to take her home. Diamond couldn’t wait to get there and celebrate with Hector. Although they had been arguing lately, they still settled their differences with fabulous make-up sex.
When Diamond arrived at Hector’s estate, she got out and had Bain keep the engine running as she rushed through the door and up the steps to see him and tell him about everything that happened in court. When she got to his room, he was sitting on the bed, talking on the phone. “Okay, Jack, thanks again,” he said before hanging up.
Diamond walked over to hug him, but he stood and pulled back from her. With an arched eyebrow, she folded her arms over her breasts. “What the fuck is wrong with you?”
“You want to know what’s wrong with me? How about your secret dinners with Jose, huh? What the fuck is that about?” Hector shouted.
Diamond’s face softened. She didn’t know Hector had a private investigator watching her. She definitely didn’t want to hurt him or have him thinking that something was going on. Unfolding her arms, she said, “Baby, believe me. It’s not what you think it is. Me and Jose --”
He gave her a wicked backhand across her face, sending her spit spewing out of her mouth.
“You lying bitch!” he shouted before balling his fist to strike again.
As he cocked his fist back, Diamond did the same with her blue steel .357 revolver, stopping Hector in his tracks. Seeing the gun pointed at him, he took a big swallow and challenged her. “What chu gonna do? Shoot me? You ain’t got the guts.”
“You’re right,” Diamond replied with tears rolling down her cheeks, “I don’t have the guts to shoot you. But, I damn sure got the heart to kill you.”
BOOM!
The bullet slammed in the center of his neck exiting though his spinal cord and out his back, paralyzing him as he fell to the ground. Hector choked on his own blood. Diamond squatted down to look at him in the eyes sadly. “I’m sorry, Hector. I’m so sorry. But, I made a promise to myself never to let you put your hands on me again,” she whispered to him before kissing him on the lips.
Hector’s eyes widened because he had a feeling about what would happen next. Diamond aimed at his forehead just as Bain came running into the room to see what was going on. Diamond ended Hector’s life with a head shot.
BOOM!
Afterwards, she called Butch to dispose of the body. Sadly, she looked at Hector once more. As much as she wanted to break down, she wouldn’t let it happen. She then headed out the door for the meeting with the underboss of the Russian Mafia. On her way, her conscience continuously ate at her. She felt bad for what she had done. She knew she was out of line for not telling him about what was really going on, which gave him every right to be angry. This is what her conscience was telling her. However, her pride was saying that it didn’t give him the right to put his hands on her. She wasn’t that type of female. Once she pulled up to the restaurant, she had to get herself together before she became an emotional wreck.
Inside, Semok Budinov was already seated and ordering his favorite dish. As he sat and waited, he watched his two undercover henchmen to see if their position wasn’t compromised. Looking over to his right, he saw a large African-American who he thought he had seen before someplace. The guy sat at the table, reading the sports section while enjoying an apple danish and a cup of coffee.
Semok wondered how a guy that young drank so much coffee. Then, he studied his belly and said to himself, “Go figure!”
As Semok tried to recall where he’d seen the guy, Diamond walked in the busy restaurant and sat across from him.
“You order already?” she asked.
“Yeah, I was hungry. If you want, I’ll get you a waiter.”
“No, no, that won’t be necessary. I’ll be brief with you. I’m not buying anything else from you guys. My reason is that I’ve been offered a better deal with my brother.”
Semok frowned. “Your bother?”
“Yes, Clyde White,” she replied with a poker face.
Semok also played a good game of poker. “Oh, I see.”
“The reason I came here today is to offer you a deal,” Diamond said.
“Offer me a deal?” Semok asked, confused.
“Yes, I’m giving you a chance to make your money in the Underworld with the Great White Organization,” she said, her elbows pressed to the table and her chin resting on her hands.
Semok had to smile it off because he was completely confused. “Listen, Diamond --”
“Let me tell you something, Semok,” Diamond said, cutting him off. “I know that your people killed my father. So, don’t think otherwise. I also know that you’re tired of being under Zelinski’s thumb and want to take control of the Russian Mafia. I am here to give you that chance,” Diamond explained.
“And, what about Richard?”
“Aren’t you the underboss?” she asked.
“Yeah, so?”
“And, you and the rest of the Russian Mafia are tight, right?”
“Why, yes, of course,” he replied, wondering what she was getting at.
“Well, let me handle the Russian don. You just buy him a nice suit and a pretty casket. Deal?” she asked while extending her hand halfway across the table.
Semok liked what he heard. He knew that if Zelinski stepped down, he would give the job to his son. However, if the boss died, everyone would vote for Semok because the men loved him. Smiling broadly, Semok shook Diamond’s soft, manicured hand.
“You got yourself a deal,” he stated.
“Good, just make sure he’s not heavily guarded when we meet tomorrow at Mr. Chow’s. I’ll take care of the rest. Oh, and give me Mad Max’s number. I have a job for him, as well,” she replied before she gave an odd hand signal.
Out of the mist of the customers, several shooters who were seated in different areas of the restaurant stood and began to make their way to the exit, including the guy that Semok thought he’d seen before. It all came back to him. He had seen him with Diamond. His name was Butta.
Chapter 57
THE LIP GLOSS DON
In a new location in Long Island, New York, Tanetche, watched the news on CNN as Diamond walked out of the federal courtroom and into the safety of her limousine. “That bitch got away,” he said, throwing the remote at the TV. Tanetche’s anger blazed every time he saw her face. He thought about how his wife had died in a car bombing that was meant for him.
“That anger will eat you up, Tanetche.” Hillary said, looking into the fiery eyes of his brother.
“She killed Shelly,” Tanetche said with clenched teeth. “The only reason that bitch is alive is because of that manipulating motherfucker, Carlton Butler. Fuck him. He doesn’t run shit.”
“Brother, calm down. Why don’t you take a trip with me to South Africa? You could use the vacation,” Hillary suggested, putting a hand on his shoulder.
Tanetche swatted it away. “I don’t want no vacation. I want revenge, and I won’t rest until I kill that bitch!”
“Ever since you got into this war with her, you’ve gone over the edge,” Simon said, taking a seat on the couch.
“That’s because he hasn’t been able to kill this one,” Hillary joked as the two shared a laugh.
Tanetche glared at his brother. Although it was just a joke, he knew his brother was telling the truth. Throughout the Agugbo brothers’ rise to power, they never had a problem getting rid of troublemakers. But, this bitch Diamond just wouldn’t go away.
Tanetche stormed out of the living room and walked upstairs to pack his bags. “Where are you going?” Hillary asked.
“I’m going back to LA, and I won’t leave until that bitch is in the ground.”
Hillary then turned to his brother, Simon. “No matter what she’s done, she’s still Clyde’s sister. Follow him, and make sure you keep an eye on him. He’s hot-headed and stubborn. I don’t want him to fall into any trap because his pride got in the way.”
Simon nodded and went to prepare for his trip out west. He would leave a tracking device in his brother’s luggage.
At Mr. Chow’s, Mr. Zelinski sat at an isolated table so he and Diamond could be alone. The only person nearby would be his hit man, Mad Max, who took up a spot in another booth a few feet away. A few minutes later, Diamond arrived in a brand-new, black and white, Maybach 57’s.
Diamond hopped out of the vehicle dressed in a silver Armani silk V-neck dress that came up to her mid-thigh. She wore Jimmy Choo sandals and had her hair in a tight bun. In her hand was a silver suitcase.
She was also accessorized with an iced-out diamond necklace and studded three-karat earrings. She was dressed to kill. When she got to Zelinski’s table, he was mesmerized by her beauty. “Good evening,” she said pleasantly as the hostess pulled out a chair for her across from Zelinski.
Diamond sat the briefcase beside her on the floor. “Hello, Diamond. Might I say that you are one fine work of art,” he complimented her. “I took the liberty of ordering your food for you, if you don’t mind.”
“No, that’s fine, thank you,” Diamond responded gratefully as she looked down at the steaming plate of peppered lobster with a touch of garlic sauce and lemonade Pellegrino, string beans and spring rolls with fried seaweed.
After they ate, they drank wine and chatted as if they’ve known each other for years. Diamond checked her diamond-faced women’s Chopard. Seeing that it was getting late and most of the customers had already left, she decided to wrap it up. “Well, Mr. Zelinski…”
