Cartier Diamond

By Richard Saxton

Five childhood friends are divided by love, lust,envy and greed. When money, power and respect just isn't enough. Friends and family become natural enemies. The blood is shed as friendships are tested and trusts are betrayed.

Cartier Diamond is the first novel in a series of novels called the Diamond Collection.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Richard Saxton
• Release date: Feb 13, 2013
• ISBN: 9780989021609

Richard Saxton

Richard Saxton is a Brownsville Brooklyn native. He moved from Brooklyn to reside in Rochester New York. Richard enjoyed writing as child. He was inspired by his mom Barbara Saxton who also wrote poetry and a slew of short stories. Richard has submitted his first Book Cartier Diamond. The first book in a series of collections to come that he deems the Diamond Collection. When Richard is not writing he runs his Entertainment company. Richard enjoys family,friends, traveling,and sports. He also wants to one day establish a youth outreach program.

Book preview

Cartier Diamond

By Richard Saxton

Just Life Global Publishing

Copyright 2012 Richard Saxton

ISBN -13- 978-0-9890216-7-8

Smashwords Edition

Table Of Contents

Chapter One - The Genesis

Chapter Two - El Gato – The Cat

Chapter Three - The Truth

Chapter Four - Arma De Fuego – The Gun

Chapter Five - Rise N Shine

Chapter Six - Home Sweet Home

Chapter Seven - This Means War

Diamonds are a girl’s best friend unless. . . .

Chapter One - The Genesis

He had been there all day; it was the same corner same people. Cartier came from a long line of hustlers and had been selling drugs as far back as he can remember. Cartier had been in the streets fending for his self ever since his mom got turned out on the very drugs he was selling. Cartier hated how his mom had turned out she had been one of the most eye catching women in the street. Now she was nothing more than an eye sore. Juanita Diamond was a half-breed woman with hazel green eyes and a bronze complexion; Juanita was five foot seven in stature, flowing brown hair and a coke bottle figure with a small dot of a mole above her lip, which she called her Marilyn. Cartier tried several times to get his mom off the drugs but several failed attempts at rehab cost him a lot of money and cost him his time. Cartier didn’t know much about his dad other then he was a cheating asshole of a jerk that left his family to die let Juanita Diamond tell it. Cartier had a brother named Maestro who at one time ran the city before he got shot and paralyzed from the waist down. Maestro still had a small reign on the streets although he was confined to a wheelchair for the rest of his life he was limited but true to his hustle. Before Maestro got shot a couple years earlier he did a small bid in jail and while in there he met a guy named Hector who was part of the Mexican cartel. Maestro had kept the population off him. It was then the Mexican connected Maestro to his pipeline of drugs on Maestro’s release. Maestro blew up and on his rise to damn near untouchable some jack boys tried to rob him. Maestro and his right hand man Prince killed every one of them but not without Maestro taking one. Maestro was Cartier’s connect to some prime coke. Cartier also has a sister he never met Elexese. Cartier had taken the helm when his brother got shot; now he was on his way up. Soon he would have a large army to do his dirty work. Cartier hated the game as much as the game hated him. After what the streets did to his brother and mother Cartier learned early the game loves no one and he treated every moment in the street like a veteran in a war.

While he stood thinking Cartier never saw the old man approach. He saw the old man often. Cartier had grown fond of the old man. Every day the man would stop and have words of wisdom for him. When Cartier woke from his daze the old man walked passed him saying nothing never looking his way. He thought to himself that’s strange. Cartier called out to the man, Hey Old School no words of wisdom today. The man turned and gave a glare so cold it chilled his body. The old man turned and walked away still saying nothing. Damn, Cartier thought to himself I like old school. I wonder what’s eating him. Cartier stood bewildered watching the old man turn the corner glancing once to give a reminder of the glare. As the man moved out of sight Cartier’s friends pulled up and walked up Smiley, Tek, Hook and Dame, which every one called him, Dam for short. Cartier laughed to himself because he thinks the abbreviation is for Dam you ill. Little does Dame know it really means Dam you be lying. Only the crew knew this inside joke. Dame was a knucklehead. Dame was the type who tried to live up to the Dam you ill title by doing stupid things. He would do real stupid things like shooting his gun for no reason, abusing women, anything to earn a reputation for being crazy. Dame was a punk and the crew knew it. Dame didn’t know the only reason why he was still living was because of the respect Cartier and Tek earned. Dame always had some amazing story. They all grew up together. They were around each other from sun up to sun down. Dame always found a time when they weren’t together to have some ridiculous adventure. When his adventures happened beat the heck out of them. Then there was Cartier's cousin Smiley who was the nerd of the bunch he lived a very sheltered life and Cartier’s aunt Mimi didn’t play. Aunt Mimi hated the fact him and Smiley were so close. Smiley had been a straight A student which is why Cartier made Smiley handle his books. It was also the reason why Smiley was his right hand. Cartier took care of the streets and Smiley handled the books. Smiley was soft and hated guns he always believed things could be resolved without violence. Cartier made sure no harm came to him the streets knew that to step to Smiley was stepping to Cartier. That was a problem the streets didn’t want. For some reason Smiley and Dame were the best of friends. Cartier never knew why. They were such an odd duo. Smiley was always smiling or cracking a joke he was hysterical. A couple summers back Smiley got shot. Smiley laughed so hard at the facial expressions of everyone he peed his pants from laughter. He laughed the hardest at Hook. Hook was six foot two, built like a boxer and wore an expressionless look all the time. Hook never smiled he was somber and quiet. No matter what the issue Hook had your back. Out of the whole crew Hook was the most intimidating presence among them. Hook was the silent killer. So of course Smiley made fun of his face of concern. Of all Cartier’s friends Tek and Hook worried him the most. Cartier knew Tek was envious of him and from each passing day that animosity showed.

Tek was a die-hard hustler he was always finding a way to make money hustling, pimping, extortion, gambling and robbing other dealers. Tek had a way of manipulating and physically enticing people to give him whatever he wanted. Tek was ruthless he killed anyone who he thought opposed his theory of making money. Tek took Hook everywhere he went he had Hook brainwashed. Rumor had it that Hook killed seven people in a gambling hole they robbed at Tek’s command. They all grew up together from the sand box to the street. They all shared the corner they stood on. Cartier knew Tek wanted it all. The old man told him last summer. The best way to know what your enemy was thinking was to keep them close to you. Cartier kept Tek real close. Deep down Cartier knew he couldn’t trust Tek even though they shared the corner together. Cartier had secretly opened a house and redirected most of his traffic away from the block.

Smiley spoke first What up Cah, Everything is everything, said Cartier. How the block looking, said Tek. The block is mad slow, replied Cartier. Hook gave a head nod and then sank into the surroundings. Dame slapped Cartier up and went into the store. Dame came out several minutes later with a beer. Yo, Guess what kid? said Dame. Last night after I left you nigga’s I seen, Dame was talking but Cartier had stopped listening. Here he goes thought Cartier. Cartier drifted into his surroundings. Cartier's mind drifted into why the old man had not spoken to him. Cartier gazed at the spotlight in the street that the street lamp made. Cartier’s thoughts were interrupted as a shadow moved across the street. As Cartier’s eyes darted back and forth Hook had already drew his weapon and shoved Tek. At that instant the first shot had ripped. Dame dropped his beer and drew his weapon and let off an explosion of his own. It was the start of world war three. Shadows emerged from the two corners. Flashes from behind cars showing they were in numbers. Cartier grabbed Smiley as bullets riddled the store walls and windows. Shots were echoing from three corners now. The Cut, The Cut, go thru the cut, hit the cut, yelled Cartier. It was paths behind the store that led to different streets. All four men break behind the store. The sparks from all the guns seemed like the fourth of July. As they cut Tek suggested they split up. Cartier you take the straight path, Smiley take the path behind Ms. Winters and Dame take the path behind the Kholmans, Hook and I will back track and we’ll meet at the game room, barked Tek. As the figures darted down there chosen paths halfway through Cartier stopped running. For some reason everything had seemed strange to him. A noise Cartier froze and dipped to the other side of the path. Cartier crouched low and began listening carefully. It sounded like voices from the other side of the path at his exit point. Yo he got to be coming, just chill, said a voice. Cartier was still as he was listening to the voices come from the other side of the opening. Cartier sat there contemplating his next move. He would have to hop the fences behind him he thought. At that instant Cartier got to a low squat position and eased toward the fence as he was about to make his leap over the fence three houses down a door opened up and a light voice said over here". Cartier was skeptical but at this point he had no choice but to trust the voice. Cartier took off he hopped the first two fences in a flash. As Cartier leaped the last fence the figure started to become familiar to him. It was her Cartier had seen her quite a few times walking from the bus stop. The girl was gorgeous she had a honey complexion, hazel brown eyes and long flowing brown hair. She caught his eye months ago. Their eyes had met for the first time recently when she showed up at Poppito’s store and ever since it was smiles and hellos but no real conversation. Finally Cartier thought as he ran towards the crack of light coming from the door. As Cartier stepped on the porch a thunderous sound bellowed thru the silence. Cartier felt the bullet pierce his back and burn through his shoulder Cartier stumbled onto the floor. He heard the door slam as he set eyes on her Cartier heard her scream go faint as he lost consciousness.

Dame and Smiley reached the game room at the same time. Yo you think anybody got hit? They should have been here by now, said Dame. Nah, They probably taking extra precautions, replied Smiley. Yo who the fuck was that? said Dame. I don’t know, All I know is that they were fucking deep, replied Smiley. Hey! Smiley. As Smiley turned he saw it was Sasha and her crew. Sasha was a chocolate girl with cat eyes and booty that made Buffy the body jealous. Sasha was a diva to the hood. Sasha was sexy and the whole hood wanted her. Sasha only gave the hood stars her attention. Sasha was about money first. The crew she surrounded herself with all high-end fashion boosters. All of them were sexy, built, and shaped just like her. Sasha liked Smiley he was cute to her. Smiley was tall and thin always stayed dressed and he had money. He was Cartier’s right hand man and the hood knew it. As Sasha walked up to Smiley Dame extended his arms for a hug. Sasha thought to herself I can’t stand this crazy motherfucker I wish someone would kill his ass already. Dame used to date Sasha’s cousin Kiki. Dame was very abusive and all of a dog in heat. Sasha hated him for the one time he beat Kiki into a bloody mess and put her in the hospital. Kiki was never the same after Dame. She turned to drugs and prostitution after that incident. Sasha gave him the phony hug but as always Dame went around her waist and grabbed her ass in the embrace. Dame locked on So what’s up with me and you Sasha, said Dame. Sasha wiggled from his Jaws of Life death grip and replied, Nothing boy you used to go with my cousin what I look like dating you too. I’m saying she had some growing to do plus I always liked you, replied Dame. No I’m good only nigga got a shot at this pussy right now is Smiley! replied Sasha. Sasha walked over to Smiley grabbed his hand and placed it in her wetness. We miss you baby when you coming home, said Sasha. Get the fuck out of here, That nigga can’t handle that ass, said Dame. Whatever nigga, said Smiley. Dame and Smiley laughed and joked with Sasha and her crew while waiting on the others.

Tek was furious. How the fuck did you two clowns let that nigga get past you. I had him come down the straight path. What do you mean he didn’t come all the way thru the path? He broke off from the path dipped in one of those houses and he shot a round at us before he went in, replied Ice the braver of the two men. Tek’s rage began to show. His eyes went red and he began to grit his teeth. Oh so he fires a shot and you two stupid motherfuckers did what? I don’t see any marks or dead fucking assassins out here. You idiots hear a shot and froze. You fucking assholes hear a shot clueless to where it came from. You don’t fire a single shot back and this nigga gets away. Tek turned to Hook I don’t know why I fuck with these coward ass nigga’s out here. A nigga’s got to do shit his self. We did shoot back. We're not fucking cowards believe that, said Ice. Tek gave a faint smile to hook. Tek turned to the two men saying So what you're saying is you are not a coward. So you saying you two nigga’s are not pussy right. Tek’s grimace turned to a glare. So you saying you motherfuckers go out in a blaze and die for your crowns right. That’s what we do that’s why you hired us, said Ice. Right!! I did hire you and yet the job didn’t get done. Yet you two idiotic nigga’s die for your crown. You are so right I did hire you Tek nodding approvingly. So you ready to die for your crown? Ice went to draw his weapon and felt the steel of Hooks gun on the back of his head. During the exchange he lost sight of Hook’s whereabouts. Hook snatched Ice gun from his hands and then stripped his partner of his gun. Now let me ask again. Are you ready to die for your crown? Ice stood tall puffed up his chest and said, Whatever Yo do what you got to do. Tek looked at Ice’s partner who silent during the exchange was realizing things weren’t looking good for him and his friend. What about you are you dying for your crown too? Wait before you answer that. Boom a loud explosion echoed and he watched his friends’ body fall to the ground like a bag of potatoes. Tek turned to him and said ok I turned off your answering machine. It’s okay to say I want to live no one would fault you for that. He looked down at his partner who was now lying there bleeding missing half his face. He looked up at Tek and whispered, I want to live. Tek tapped the guy’s shoulder and said, I thought you did." Find your way down south and don’t let me see in the hood at no time. If I find out you went to the police I kill your entire family. Do we have an understanding? The man nodded at Tek agreeing to the terms. Tek walked away. The guy looked down at his friend and started to turn in the direction of Tek. Boom!!! Before he could even pivot his head Hook let off the round that left the man slumped next to his friend.

Oh shit, did you hear that? Smiley said. Hear what, replied Dame. I just heard some more shots. Dame replied, You tripping your ass still shook up scary ass nigga. Dame turned back to Sasha and the group of girls.

Hook put his gun away. Do you believe these two nigga’s? Tek kicked at both bodies. So what do you think Hook? Do you think you hit him? Hook shook his head I don’t know for sure. I heard a scream so I’m assuming I might have. I hear Po-Po we better get the hell up out of here. Hook paused for a second and finally asked Tek what had been in his mind since Tek devised the plan. Yo Tek do you really think Cartier took your stash? I mean we all grew up together. I don’t think he would. Tek interrupted. You don’t think he would what? Since when do you fucking think? He’s a fucking thief!! Cartier stole my stash, stole my customers, and stole my corner. That shit that he's holding is not the same shit the family holding. That shit he got driving customers crazy. If that was my man he would link me to his connect. Explain why he didn’t put us on to the link. That nigga is not my man he’s a grimy cut throat ass thieving nigga and I refuse to let any nigga in the street play me or steal from me.

At that moment Tek drew his gun for the first time that evening. Hook do you condone a thief? Tek cocked his hammer and asked, Are you down with Cartier Hook? Hooks face went blank. What? Hook said. You heard me motherfucker!! I asked you was you down with Cartier replied Tek. I was just saying we all grew up. Tek took a step closer. I didn’t hear you. You were saying what? I didn’t say anything. Tek stared into Hook’s eyes seeing the fear in them. Do we have a problem Hook? No replied Hook. Hook knew what Tek was capable of. For the first time in his life it was Hook that was staring down the barrel of a gun. All the countless bodies he stacked up on behalf of Tek. Here he was at the mercy of Tek pleading his own life. I hope we’re good right now, said Tek. I would sure hate to kill you too. Make sure this is the last time you ever question me and my judgment. I got you, said Hook. Tek heard sirens let’s blow and get to the game room.

Dame and Smiley were standing outside the game room. Dame was drinking a beer telling one of his amazing stories when Smiley noticed Hook and Tek walking up. Sasha and her crew noticed Tek and decided that was their cue to leave. Sasha kissed Smiley’s cheek then pulled his face and tongue kissed him. Bye baby I’ll be at home waiting on you. Man please that nigga know he not hitting that big Ole’ fat ass replied Dame. Shut up Damien you just mad cause nobody wants your sorry ass, replied Sasha. Fuck you stank bitch kick rocks, said Dame.