The Mike Black Saga Volume 5

By Roy Glenn

The Mike Black Saga Volume 5 includes: Out of Control. No Loose Ends, Prelude to War, and Secrets of War
Out of Control
Mike Black and Jamaica have expanded their operations in Nassau. And if there was one thing you should say about Jamaica, it was that he was very good at his job. In a few short months he had just about taken control of the illegal gambling in Nassau. Jamaica and his men had forcibly taken over most of the gambling houses on the island and had opened up new one. The only real problem he had was with a man named Harry Walker and his wife Deidra. Together they ran a few spot and they stuck their hand in when there was money to be made as a middleman for drug deals. But Black has a way of making people see things his way.
Meanwhile, back in New York, Wanda has a plan of her own. Although she originally supported Black decision to put Nick in charge, she didn’t agree with it. And had Black consulted with her first, she would have told him so. Wanda always thought it was too soon to put Nick in that position. He wasn’t ready for it. With the memory of Rain slapping her with still fresh in her mind, her plan was simple. Take back control of the organization from Nick and if she destroyed him in the process of protecting Black interests, that was all the better. But you know Rain will have something to say about that.
No Loose Ends
Now that he has returned his house to order in New York, Mike Black has returned to the quiet life with his family in Nassau and his business with Jada West. The gambling operation is moving forward as planned and his new associate Deidra Walker is getting it done. But there are a few loose ends that need to be dealt with.
Prelude to War
In this prelude to Secrets of War, Rico and his people plan to put Leon out of business. The fact that Rain Robinson pulled a gun on one of Rico’s lieutenants only made matters worse. They catch Diamond & Pearl coming out of a club and shot it out. Bobby Ray is in control of the organization and against Black’s wishes has sought Wanda’s advice and counsel. He has taken an interest in model Lanisha Henderson. Now her ex Harold Myer is driving himself crazy to get her back and is willing to take extreme measures.
Secrets of War
The assassination attempts on his long time friend Leon Copeland, have forced Mike Black to return to the city. The day after he gets there an attempt is made on his life and you know Black does what he has to do. Just when Black thinks that things have quieted down, all hell breaks loose and once again, he finds himself in the middle of a war. And this time, it not Rain’s fault.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Roy Glenn
• Release date: Apr 1, 2020
• ISBN: 9780463642740

Roy Glenn

Multi-genre author Roy Glenn is best known as the Master of Urban Suspense for his iconic Mike Black Saga. A three-time AALBC.com Bestselling Author, winner of The Reader Warrior Choice award for Best Male Author and a B.R.A.B award for Best Duo, Roy Glenn always had a very vivid imagination. He began making up stories at a very early age, but his passion for writing those stories didn't come until much later in life.   His first novel, Is It a Crime, became a bestseller and gave birth to the popular character Mike Black. The Black series has spun off two other series, The Reign of Rain Robinson and a look into the past with The Vicious Black years. Roy was born and raised in the Bronx, and currently lives in Jacksonville, Florida, where he is working on the Above The Law series and Boss of the Family for television.  

Book preview

CHAPTER ONE

Atlanta, Georgia

Taquandria TQ Brown sat patiently in the car she had rented on Bell Street and waited. She looked at her watch, and thought that if things went the way they were planned, that they should be there any minute. What she didn’t know was that she was being watched.

A few blocks away, at approximately 10:25 A.M. a black Taurus sedan pulled into the parking lot at the Citizen’s Bank and Trust Company on Piedmont Avenue. Darryl and Alan Abraham, along with the two men they hired, entered the bank.

They had been laying low in Atlanta for two months, because they were forced to leave New Jersey after barely escaping when Nick Simmons and Rain Robinson came after them. Darryl and Alan along with Blue Claxton had engineered the robbery of two of their gambling houses.

On the night of the robbery when Rain saw Blue getting out of his car, anger welled up inside her as she walked toward him. Rain wanted to pull her pistol and blast him as soon as she got close enough, but there were too many people around.

Instead of getting him someplace where they could talk quietly and there were less witnesses, Rain confronted him as soon as she was close enough to do so. She started to pull out her gun; Blue was faster with his and shot Rain in the chest, but she survived. When she got out of the hospital Rain told Nick about it.

Blue had a team hit both our spots. They got damn near two hundred thousand dollars of my money and I want it back.

After Jap tracked down the rest of the men who were involved in the robbery, Nick and Rain killed them. Then, they followed TQ to a house where Darryl was hiding out. Nick told Rain to wait at the car while he checked out the house. But Rain didn’t listen. Darryl was alerted to their presence outside the house and made his move. Before Nick could get his gun out, Darryl drove TQ’s car through the garage door and opened fire with a Micro Uzi SMG. Nick and Rain hit the ground.

TQ came out the front door with a knapsack over her shoulder; she too was carrying a Micro Uzi. She fired as she walked around to the passenger side. Darryl got back in the car, while Taquandria kept firing. When Darryl slammed his door, Taquandria jumped in and Darryl drove off. Nick and Rain got up and fired at the back of the car as it drove away with the money.

But now they were running out of money.

It took a little while, but Jap, one of Nick’s best men, found out where they were hiding in Atlanta. When he saw them casing the bank, he let Nick know what was going on. Nick decided to let them take the bank and they would hit them afterwards. Nick brought his team, which included Rain Robinson, Monica Wynn, Travis Burns and Jackie Washington to Georgia. Travis and Jackie used to be part of a robbing crew. They’d hit banks, grocery stores, jewelry stores, and anything else that they could hit quick and come away with a large return for their investment of time. Now Travis used his computer hacking skills to rob banks, while Jackie ran a gambling house for Mike Black.

The team leader was Monika Wynn. She served in an Army Special Forces Unit with Nick. She was a munitions expert, trained in weapons and commando tactics. Monika was Alpha, Nick was Beta, Rain was Gamma, Travis was Delta, Jap was Epsilon and Jackie was Omega. Their van was parked up the street from where TQ waited.

Everybody down! Alan yelled and fired one shot at the ceiling. Everyone in the bank immediately hit the floor. Darryl moved to get the employees out of the offices. Then, he approached the branch manager and put a gun to his head.

Give me the key to the cart.

What key?

Darryl hit him in the head with the barrel of his gun.

Give me the fuckin’ key or die now! he screamed.

The branch manager quickly dug in his pocket and handed Darryl the key. While one of their men covered the room, Alan moved the tellers out from behind the counter. Alan went to each teller position and cleaned out the drawers while Darryl unlocked the cart and got the money. They quickly exited the bank and headed for the car they had waiting. Darryl and Alan jumped in the backseat and their men got in the front. The driver sped away.

Epsilon to Omega. They’re on their way.

Acknowledged, Epsilon. Proceed to the rendezvous point.

Acknowledged.

Omega to Gamma.

Gamma.

Begin your approach to target.

On it.

TQ looked in her rear view mirror and saw a woman walking down the street.

They need to hurry the fuck up, she said aloud and glanced at her watch again. When she looked up again, the woman was standing next to the car.

Good morning, Sunshine, Rain said and put two in her head. Gamma to Omega.

Go ahead, Jackie said.

Getaway driver is neutralized, Rain said and laughed a little.

Acknowledged. Omega to Alpha.

Alpha.

Assume attack positions.

Acknowledged, Omega, Monika said and turned to Nick and Travis. Let’s move, she said and her, Nick and Travis exited the van.

Monika climbed on top of the van with a rifle and positioned herself. Nick and Travis moved quickly and took up positions on either side of the street. Rain hid in front of TQ’s car.

The getaway car headed north on Piedmont Avenue and turned right onto John Wesley Dobbs Avenue and turned right again at Bell Street where TQ was waiting in a clean car to make their getaway.

Here they come, Jackie said as she watched them turn on Bell Street.

They parked the car behind TQ and got out. Darryl and Alan were carrying the bags with the money. Once they had all exited the vehicle, Monika fired. Her first shot hit the driver in the back of the head. Travis shot the other. Alan pulled his gun and looked to see where the shot came from, but before he got a shot off, Nick opened fire on him. He went down.

Alan! Darryl shouted as he watched his brother die. He fired back and ran toward the car. That’s when Rain stood up and put two in his chest. Nick took the bag from Alan, while Rain relieved Darryl of his bag. Jackie pulled up alongside them in the van. Once they were all in, she drove off.

CHAPTER TWO

Nassau, Bahamas

Mike Black and his daughter, Michelle, left Meka Brazil at Atlantis and headed home. Things had gone from great to really fucked up for Meka. She was Black’s financial advisor and for a while, when the market was up, Meka flew high along with it, and when it dropped she came down hard. It wasn’t that she had made bad investments. When consumer confidence in the stability of the markets dropped and investors began pulling money out, Meka lost big.

As a result of those losses, she was let go by the firm she was working for and they went under shortly after that. Now Meka only had one client left and she knew from her previous experiences that they weren’t using her to launder their money. She knew that game and how it worked, because it was how Meka earned a living while she lived in Miami. When things got a little hot in Miami, Meka moved north and put that life behind her, or so she thought.

One night when Meka came home, she unlocked the door to her apartment and flipped on the lights. Her apartment looked like it had been hit by a cyclone. Then she felt the cold steel at the base of her neck.

Hello, Meka.

She recognized the voice. It was Cerrone Merkerson. Before she left Miami Meka stole half a million dollars from him. She knew he was there to kill her. He gave her a couple of days to come up with the money that she owed him.

When Meka got to her apartment that night, she was surprised to see Cerrone lying on her bed. Meka’s eyes cut immediately to the gun lying next to him. It took some doing, but Meka was able to calm Cerrone down. She started walking toward the closet. When she came out, Meka walked toward him with her gun. Meka reached the bed, took the gun from behind her back and fired three times. Two to the chest and one at his groin. Later that evening, she met Black. Meka leaned forward.

I killed somebody tonight, she said softly. Black listened as Meka told him what she had done.

Tomorrow morning you go to the airport, to Delta, Black told her. There’ll be a ticket to Nassau waiting for you. When you get there go to Atlantis, there’ll be a suite reserved in your name.

Meka arrived in Nassau that next morning and checked in the suite that Black had arranged for her. When Black arrived on the island a couple of days later, he and Michelle went to Atlantis. They talked as they walked along the beach.

We’ll talk in a couple of days. I’m sure I can make use of your skills.

After that, Black saw Meka back to her room and went home with Michelle. When he got there, CeeCee was sitting in the shade out by the pool. He went outside.

Where’s Michelle? CeeCee asked as soon as he was close enough.

She went to her room.

CeeCee sat up and took a deep breath. Well … sit down. I got something I need to tell you.

I am not liking the sound of this already, he said and sat down next to CeeCee. She leaned forward and took his hand in hers. Once again, she took a deep breath. What’s wrong, Cee?

For the last few weeks I haven’t been feeling right. It was like I’d be happy, anxious, exhilarated and exhausted, sometimes all at once.

Black looked at her strangely.

But the thing that bothered me the most was I’d have dizziness spells and I was getting nauseous. So while I was in New York, I went to see my doctor.

What did he say was wrong with you?

I’m almost three months pregnant,

Black didn’t say anything for what seemed like a long time. He just sat there, staring at her.

My God, Mike, say something, CeeCee said and a tear drifted down her cheek.

You’re pregnant?

CeeCee nodded her head.

Black started to smile, and then quickly his smile turned to a frown. Wait a minute. You went to see the doctor four days ago. Why didn’t you tell me before now? he asked and wiped away her tears.

To be honest with you, I was afraid to tell you.

Why?

I didn’t know how you’d take it, CeeCee said.

How do you feel about it?

I couldn’t be happier.

I didn’t know you wanted to have a baby.

"I wasn’t planning on it. I was on the pill, but I guess you’re stronger than that," she said and smiled a little. She was still worried because he still hadn’t said how he felt about it and she was afraid to ask.

Suppose he didn’t want any more children?

Suppose he wasn’t interested in having any children with her?

What if he asked her to have an abortion?

If that was what he wanted, she would do it, but she would be devastated.

You know what you’re having?

No. The doctor said if the baby is positioned correctly, an ultrasound might be able to predict the gender after 16 weeks.

We’re gonna have a baby, Black said and leaned forward. He gently touched her stomach. It’s a boy. I can feel him. Mike Black Jr.

CeeCee shook her head and started to cry. I can feel him too. Does that mean you’re happy about it?

Yes, Cee. We’re gonna have a son. I couldn’t be happier.

CeeCee jumped in his lap and threw her arms around him.

Oh, Mike I am so happy.

CHAPTER THREE

New York City

While Black and CeeCee celebrated, back in New York, events were taking place that would affect Jada West’s business in ways that she had never anticipated.

During their investigation of the suicide of congressmen Geoffrey Canfield, the police found Jada’s private number in the congressman’s rolodex. That led to her being taken in for questioning and resulted in an investigation into her activities. She had been down that road once before when an undercover vice operative named Rachael Dawkins was able to penetrate her inner circle. Having barely dodged that bullet, Jada had no desire to repeat it.

It didn’t take much thinking for Jada to decide that maybe it was time to get out of the business or at worst move her operation to someplace where the police weren’t investigating her. That’s when she thought about Mike Black.

They met years earlier when Jada was a dancer at a small club called Ecstasy and Black was there for a private party for rapper, The One. He enjoyed watching her and afterwards they talked briefly. They met again by chance at a restaurant. By that time, Jada was no longer a dancer; she had transformed herself into one of the city’s top madams with a stable of high priced call girls.

During their conversation, Black mentioned that he needed a reporter to plant an incriminating story about Pete Vinnelli; the DEA agent that arranged the murder of Black’s wife Cassandra and Jada was more than happy to help him. So when Oleg Mushnikov, an ex-KGB operative with ties to the Izmaylovskaya mob tried to shake her down for twenty percent of her business, she turned to Black for help.

So, if I take care of this guy for you, what makes you think that I wouldn’t want twenty percent of your business? Black asked her.

Because you’d be doing me a favor. You know, Jada said and smiled sweetly. Like the one I did for you not too long ago. She never knew what Black did, and she never asked, but after that she never heard from Oleg Mushnikov again.

Jada remembered that Black had recently offered her an opportunity that, at the time, she wasn’t at all interested in. But in light of the investigation into her business, Jada now viewed his offer in a whole new light.

You have a talent for recruiting and training women to be high-priced escorts. The caliber of women that my international clientele would be willing to pay top dollar for.

What would be my end?

You could name your price. Call all the shots, or put somebody in place to run it for you. Unless of course you want to move to Nassau.

I just might. I hear you spend a lot of time in Nassau, Jada said. She wasn’t in love with him, or anything close to it, at least she didn’t think so. But she was definitely willing to go with him any time or place and do anything he wanted her to do.

With her decision made, Jada got dressed for a meeting with twelve of her top earners. She wore an Armani Collezioni herringbone jacket, Prada peep toe suede platform ankle boots, Gurhan white diamond & 24k yellow gold droplet earrings and a Marco Bicego 18K yellow gold multi-strand ring. At that meeting she explained that the police were investigating her and how it would affect business.

That’s the situation, ladies, Jada said.

What are you going to do? Jenna, one of her top earners asked. Because I’m not at all interested in going to jail, she said, and all of the other ladies agreed.

Well, Jenna, I’m glad that you asked. If things go the way I want them to, Jada began.

And they usually do, Yanjali, another moneymaker giggled.

I’m going to relocate to Nassau.

Nassau? LaChelle questioned. She wasn’t as good an earner for Jada as either Jenna or Yanjali, but she held her own. What’s in Nassau?

Mike Black, Yanjali said quietly.

Jada gave Yanjali a look. Yes, Yanjali, Mr. Black is in Nassau and he has access to an underserved international clientele. Any of you ladies who are interested are welcome to join me. All expenses paid of course, Jada promised.

I think I’m gonna stay here in the city, Simone, Jada’s top earner said.

I wish you nothing but the best, Jada said graciously. Anybody else? Before the night was done, eight of the ladies accepted her offer to travel to Nassau.

With her team on board, Jada called her travel agent that arranged their flight and accommodations on the island. Then she made a few phone calls and was able to leave a message for Black to call her. When he got the message, Black called her back right away. Since the first time he saw her dance that night at Ecstasy, he could feel the energy between them. She was beautiful, but it was more than that. Black liked her style. Jada West had class and he found that very appealing. But at the time, he decided that he would keep their relationship on a business level.

Jada West, please.

This is Jada. Mr. Black; is that you?

Yes. How are you Ms. West?

I’m fine now that I’m talking to you, Jada said sweetly.

I got a message to call you.

I wanted to tell you that I was going to be in Nassau for a couple of days, and I wanted to know if we could get together to discuss business while I’m there?

I’m sure that can be arranged, Black replied.

Excellent. I’m looking forward to speaking to you, Jada flirted.

When will you be here?

Tomorrow afternoon.

If you like, I can arrange to have you picked up from the airport.

That won’t be necessary, but thank you for offering. You are such a gentleman. I’m staying at a place called the Suites at Sandyport on New Providence Island. You are familiar with it?

Yes, I am.

Will you be available to meet for dinner there tomorrow evening, say seven o’clock?

I’ll see you tomorrow at seven, Black said.

Until tomorrow then, Jada said and ended the call.

Black hung up the phone and looked at Jamaica. He was overseeing their expansion of their operation on the island. Who was that? he asked.

Jada West. You don’t know her. But if that’s what I think it is, she’s the solution we been looking for to one of our problems.

I like her already, Jamaica said and they both laughed.

CHAPTER FOUR

New York City

Five Months Later

Wanda Moore sat in the back seat of her Cadillac CTS as her driver, James drove her to Cynt’s. It wasn’t a limo, but Wanda hated driving in traffic, so she hired James to drive her wherever she needed to go.

She looked out the window and thought about what she was about to do and how she had let things get to this point. Wanda wasn’t speaking to Nick Simmons at all because of his relationship with Rain Robinson. She hated Rain. The low life bitch had snuck behind her back and stole her man. And if that wasn’t enough, the memory of Rain slapping her in the face was still fresh in her mind.

She was barely speaking to Black because when she told him about it, he had the nerve to take Rain’s side, or at least that’s how Wanda saw it. Now she was on her way to Cynt’s to meet with Cynt, Doc and Grant. They each run gambling houses for Black and had the organization and the influence to help Wanda in what she planned to do. Her plan was simple. Destroy Nick Simmons and take control of the organization away from him.

Although she originally supported Black’s decision to put Nick in charge after Freeze was murdered, she didn’t agree with it. And had Black consulted with her first, she would have told him so. At that point she knew her power was slipping away from her. When Black left the country and eventually married Cassandra, she was the boss, Freeze and everybody else answered to her and she liked it that way.

When Black came back to the city, he let Cassandra play like she was in charge, but everybody knew that she was just a puppet mouthing the words Black was putting in her mouth. When Cassandra was brutally murdered, Black was distraught and put Freeze in charge. But Freeze always turned to her for advice and counsel, so she still had power. Then Freeze was murdered.

Wanda always thought it was too soon to put Nick in that position. He wasn’t ready for it. But she went along with it because at the time, she was in love with Nick and knew that she would still have influence.

If she chose to be honest with herself, and at the moment, she didn’t, she would have to admit that she still was in love with Nick and that’s what all this was really about. But none of that changed the fact that Nick wasn’t ready to lead the organization.

But Black is so fuckin’ loyal to Nick that he can’t see that. Men can be so blind.

Nick had only just returned from a ten year absence and was just getting back into things. He ran off and joined the army when Bobby Ray threatened to kill him over Camille Augustus. And then he stood by and let Freeze get killed. Wanda knew that there were more than enough people in the organization that blamed Nick for Freeze’s death, and just as many who were dissatisfied with the way Nick ran things. She was going to meet with three of them now.

James parked the car in front of Cynt’s and got out to open the door for Wanda.

Thank you, James. I’ll be about an hour.

Do you want me to wait?

No. I’ll call when I’m ready to go, Wanda said and went inside.

Since she didn’t like walking through the crowd of horny men and naked women, Wanda used her card key to gain access to the steps leading directly to Cynt’s office. When Wanda walked in the office, Cynt, Doc and Grant were all waiting for her.

Sorry to keep you all waiting for so long, Wanda said as Cynt got up from behind her desk and let Wanda sit down.

That’s okay, Wanda. It just gave us a chance to talk among ourselves, Grant said as he got up and refreshed his drink.

Not talking about me I hope, Wanda mused.

Of course not, Cynt said and sat down in one of the chairs in front of the desk. You know damn well what we been talking about.

And she did. Over the last few months, each of them had come to her individually to express their displeasure at the way Nick ran the show. More to the point, the way Rain treated them.

Rain was queen now, and she conducted herself that way. Nick let Rain make the rounds to collect the money from all of their spots. When Rain showed up, she always traveled with four men. They had become known as The Purple Gang. At first Rain didn’t like it, then she thought it was funny. But when she saw the type of reputation they had developed; she ran with it. They were feared and they did whatever she told them to do.

I’m sick of that bitch Rain, Cynt said.

You got to do something to get that bitch off my neck, Wanda, before I have to kill her young ass, Grant added.

She was in here last night with that gang of hers. Disrupted the whole house, Cynt said.

Them niggas ain’t got no respect for shit, Grant said. What they did to Pegram was unnecessary.

Wanda’s eyes narrowed and she looked at Grant. Pegram was a thief and a liar who deserved to die.

There was silence in the room. No matter what Rain did, or how she did it, Wanda had no use for thieves.

You need to talk to Nick and get him to do something about her, Cynt said.

There’s no talking to Nick. He doesn’t see anything wrong with what she’s doing, Wanda said.

That young bitch got that nigga so pussy whipped that he can’t see things for what they really are, Grant said, then he realized he was talking to Wanda. I’m sorry, Wanda.

That’s all right. Sad to say that you’re right. He can’t or doesn’t want to control her.

So what we gonna do about her? Grant asked.

Wanda looked at Cynt. We all know what needs to be done. Wanda you need to take over, Cynt said just as Wanda told her to. She didn’t want to be the one to suggest it. Things went a lot smoother when you ran things.

Wanda knew that Grant would go along. The one she was worried about was Doc. You’ve been very quiet, Doc. What do you think?

I agree that something needs to be done about Rain. But I’m just not sure this is what we need to be doing. Have you talked to Black about this?

Yes, I have, Wanda lied. And he is busy in Nassau. With Jamaica expanding his operation on the island and CeeCee expecting a baby, he doesn’t have time to be bothered with this.

I know all that, but what did he say? Doc asked.

He said to do what I think is best, Wanda lied again and looked at Cynt to back her up.

I’m sure that Black will support what we’re doing here, she said quickly. And I know each one of you know enough people who are tired of Nick’s shit that we won’t have any problems making this move.

That’s right, Grant said quickly. My people are behind me and ready to make a move.

What do you say, Doc? Wanda asked and wondered could she have Doc assassinated if he wouldn’t go along.

As long as Black doesn’t have a problem with it, I’m in, he said somewhat reluctantly. Me and my people will support whatever we decide here.

Then it’s settled, Wanda said.

Where do we start? Grant asked.

Before we do anything I think it would be a good idea if all of us beefed up our security, Doc suggested.

I think that would be a wise move, Cynt added.

I don’t have a problem with that, Wanda said.

Okay, after we add some new faces, what then?

When Rain comes around for the money, don’t pay her, Wanda ordered. And tell her that if Nick has a problem with it that needs to take it up with me. I’ll take all the heat.

Agreed, Cynt said quickly.

Agreed, Grant said.

Doc? Cynt asked.

Agreed.

Thank you all for coming, Wanda said, and everybody stood. They shook hands on their new alliance.

Come on, Doc, Grant said and patted a still reluctant Doc on the back. I’ll buy you a drink.

After that, Doc and Grant got up and left Cynt’s office. Once they were gone, Cynt turned to Wanda.

What are you gonna do when Black finds out what we’re doing?

If we do what we gotta do and do it right, it will be over with before he finds out.

Don’t you think Nick will tell him what’s going on?

And admit that he can’t handle his business? I know Nick. He would die before he admits to Black that he can’t handle little old me, Wanda laughed.

I hope you’re right. I’m just glad that Bobby is still down south running behind Pam’s crazy ass, Cynt offered.

Me too. If Bobby were here, we couldn’t do this.

Cynt laughed. Yeah, I know. Bobby would shoot all of us for being disloyal to Black.

We’re not being disloyal, not at all. The way I see it, we’re doing what is necessary to protect his interests.

And if she destroyed Nick in the process of protecting Black’s interests, that was all the better.

CHAPTER FIVE

Nick Simmons got up from behind his desk and left the office. He realized that he was out of Johnnie Walker Black and thought that it would take too long to call the bar manager, to get a barback to go get him another bottle. It would be quicker to go himself, so he headed for the liquor room to get it.

When he got there, Danielle, the food and beverage manager was in there doing paperwork. She was what she liked to call sexy skinny; her skin was the color of honey, with long reddish brown hair. Danielle had an infectious smile and a thing for Nick.

Hey, Nick, she said when he walked in.

How’s it going, Danielle, he said barely looking in her direction and headed straight for the Johnnie Black. She wanted to tell him how she felt, but Danielle was scared to death of Rain and what she would do if she knew that she was interested in her man.

But it’s okay for a girl to dream, Danielle thought and fantasized about her shutting the door to the liquor room and seducing Nick.

You want me to check that out to your office, Nick? Danielle asked. Fantasy or not, she still had a job to do.

Huh?

That bottle? You taking it to a bar or your office?

To the office, Nick said as he walked out. He went back to his office. Nick had set up shop at J.R.’s. A nightclub and gambling spot that used to be owned by Rain’s father, Jasper Robinson. When JR died, Rain took over the spot and promptly turned it over to Nick.

Nick poured himself a drink and waited for Rain to get back to the club. He sat there drinking and as usual, his thoughts turned to Wanda. He was still very much in love with her. Only problem with that was, he couldn’t get enough of Rain. Everything about Rain excited him to his core. She was all gangster; all the time and her sex was incredible. They were perfect together. He thought about the first night that they made love.

If that’s what you wanna call it.

They stared into each other eyes while the bullets flew over their heads. I want to fuck you so bad, Rain said.

That’s how she was, all gangster, all the time, even in bed. And she was totally devoted to Nick. But after they settled with the Abraham brothers, Rain was bored. At Nick’s request, she had given up the dope game and needed something to do. Nick decided to let her start making the rounds, collecting money from all of their operations. It didn’t go well at first, people who had been with Black for years didn’t know who this child that Nick sent was; they complained, and she got no respect. It was his idea for her to recruit a couple of guys that were loyal to her.

That gave birth to The Purple Gang, Donavan, Brandon, Chris Toney and Memphis. From that point on, Rain had no more issues with respect. Their reputation was solidified when Rain found out that a numbers runner named Teddy Pegram was skimming. Rain knew that this was her opportunity to make an example, so everybody knew that she wasn’t to be played with. She went to see him one afternoon at the bar he hung out in and The Purple Gang dragged him out.

They took him to his house, and after a brutal beating, they stripped him naked and bent him over the kitchen table. Then they took plastic cuffs and cuffed his waist and ankles to the legs of the table. Then Rain stepped up behind him.

What you gonna do? Pegram wanted to know.

Rain came around and leaned on the table next to him. I know your bitch ass is hoping that I strap up and fuck that ass, she laughed. But I got something else in mind.

Rain went back behind him and looked between his legs. Damn, you got a little bitty dick. Everybody in the room laughed except for Pegram. That’s all right. This is still gonna hurt.

She took a step back. Now, you gonna tell me where the money you stole from Nick is.

I told you, Rain, I ain’t steal no money.

You a fuckin’ liar! Rain screamed and as hard as she could, kicked Pegram in the groin with the tip of her stiletto.

Shit! Pegram screamed.

Rain kicked him again. Tell me where the fuckin’ money is! then she kicked him again. She had kicked him ten times and the Purple Gang looked on and cringed each time Rain made contact.

Chris Toney leaned on the table next to Pegram. You need to tell her ass where the money is before— but before he could finish his sentence, Rain kicked him again.

Awe, shit!

I was gonna say before she kicks you again and your dick falls off.

Rain laughed. Chris Toney you need to shut the fuck up and get out the way, ’case I miss and kick you in the nuts, she said and kicked him again.

Okay! Okay! The money is in a safe deposit box at my bank.

Rain came around and leaned next to him. See, that wasn’t so hard. Now, where’s the fuckin’ key to the box?

Pegram told her where the key was, what bank it was at and the box number. Then she made him call the bank and tell the manager that two men were coming to access the box just so there wouldn’t be any problem.

Rain sent Chris Toney and Memphis to the bank to check out the box. She kept Pegram cuffed to the table while she waited for them to call and let her know what was in the box.

It was a little over an hour later when Rain’s cell rang. What’s up?

It’s Chris. We at the bank.

Okay. What you got?

Dude got a hundred and fifty in cash in that box. Plus a bunch of jewelry, a small bag of loose diamonds and three—

Four, Memphis corrected.

Four Rolexes, Chris Toney said.

Pack it up and take it to Nick, Rain ordered.

You got it.

Rain ended the call and stood up. She walked over to the table and leaned next to Pegram.

You had quite a little nest egg in that box. But how I know that was the only one? Nick say you been around a long time, so I’m thinking you been skimming for a long time.

That’s all there is, Rain, I swear.

I don’t believe you, but it don’t matter. she stood up and looked at Donavan and Brandon and they left the room.

Did you know Nick was in the army? Of course you do. Like I said, you been around a long time. While he was in the army he traveled all over the world. He likes to tell stories about the things he did and about the different people and their cultures. Did you know that in some cultures they cut the hands off of thieves?

Pegram’s eyes got big.

By this time, Donavan and Brandon had returned and were standing on either side of the table. Each one had a machete in his hand.

You got one more chance to tell me where the rest of the fuckin’ money is before these niggas cut your hands off.

I told you, Rain, that’s all there is. Please, Rain, please don’t do this, Pegram begged as Donavan and Brandon raised their machetes.

All you gotta do to stop it is tell me where the rest of the money is, Rain said calmly.

There is no more fuckin’ money! Pegram yelled at the top of his lungs.

You’re a fuckin’ thief and a liar! Rain yelled back. She looked at Donavan and Brandon. Cut them off.

No! Pegram screamed in terror as the machetes came down.

Pegram screamed as the blood oozed out.

Stop all that fuckin’ noise! Rain yelled and took out her gun. She stepped to Pegram and shot him in the head.

Later that night, they dumped his naked and beaten body, along with his hands in front of the bar they took him from. It didn’t take long before word got around.

Rain had sent a message.

There was a knock at the door. Nick picked up the remote and flipped on the monitor to see that it was one of the guys in security.

Come in, Nick shouted.

Sorry to bother you, boss, but there is a woman here that says she needs to see you. Says to tell you it’s important.

She got a name?

Mercedes.

Bring her up, Nick said, and security left the office.

Mercedes was a dancer who worked at Cynt’s and for a short time was involved with Mike Black. He grew tired of her when he realized that she had as much brains as a box of rocks. When Black left her alone, Mercedes gravitated toward Nick. She wasn’t afraid of Rain.

Too stupid to be afraid, Nick thought.

But Nick kept her around, one because she was beautiful and two, she kept him informed on what was going on at Cynt’s. One thing he learned from Freeze is that, you can’t be everywhere at once, so you gotta make sure you got people everywhere that will keep you up on what’s going on, Freeze told him on more than one occasion.

Nick got up and went to the safe in the office. He counted out five one hundred dollar bills. There was another knock at the door and security showed Mercedes in and left them alone.

Hey, Nick, Mercedes said and sat down.

What’s up, Mercedes. What you got for me today?

Something is going on.

What makes you say that?

Grant and Doc were at the club today. I think they were meeting with Wanda. I didn’t see her, but that guy that drives for her, he was there.

You know what it was about?

No, but I heard Doc tell Grant that he hope they know what they’re doing, because you weren’t gonna go down without a fight.

Nick didn’t say anything at first, and then he got up and went back to the safe. He counted out another five hundred and handed the grand to Mercedes.

I need you to get close to Dwayne. He’s Cynt’s right hand. If anything is gonna go down, he’ll know about it. I need you to find out how they’re planning on coming at me. And I need to know who’s all involved in this and do it fast.

Mercedes smiled. I can do that. Dwayne been trying to get this pussy since the day I walked in the door. But he is so fuckin’ goofy looking that I never gave him any play.

I’m counting on you, baby. You do this and I’ll take care of you.

Mercedes left J.R.’s and went right back to Cynt’s to get close to Dwayne. She was smart enough to know that this was her ticket out of Cynt’s for good.

CHAPTER SIX

Russell Stokes had always considered himself an ambitious man. Whatever he set his mind on, he usually got. He controlled a small organization with his hands in drugs, gambling and prostitution. Russell did all right for himself, but he wanted more.

So much more, and he was determined to get it.

For years he had envied the size and scope of Black’s organization. He tried once to make a move to seize control of some of Black’s operation when Black left the country with Cassandra Sims. Shy, as she was called ran a smooth drug operation. With both of them gone, Russell saw that as his opportunity to take control of both.

What he hadn’t counted on was Freeze.

Since niggas talk, it wasn’t long before Freeze got word about what Russell was planning. He wasn’t the least bit interested in him expanding his drug operation. That’s some shit for Chilly to deal with, Freeze told Kenny Lucas that night. But if that mutha fucka thinks he gonna catch us slipping and ease up on my shit, he oughta think again. We ready for whatever.

What you thinking about doing? Kenny asked, but he had known Freeze for a long time. He knew exactly what he was gonna do.

Freeze picked up the phone and made a call. When he was done, Freeze checked his weapon and got another one out of the drawer. Let’s go. We got some shit to do before tomorrow night.

Word was that Russell had opened a new gambling spot that wasn’t too far from one of Black’s joints. That following evening, Freeze and Kenny paid him a visit. As soon as they walked in the door, Russell’s men were on edge.

Russell saw them come in, but he wasn’t too worried. He had four good men in the house, and it was just Freeze and Kenny. His thought was that if they planned to do anything other than look around and talk, Freeze would have brought more men. He was a little surprised that Freeze found out about the spot so quickly, but he knew how niggas talk.

As time passed and Freeze didn’t do anything other than drink gamble and talk shit, Russell and his men began to relax a bit. That all changed when Freeze’s cell rang.

What’s up? Freeze answered.

We’re outside.

Then it’s on, Freeze said. He ended the call and looked at Kenny.

Both men stood up, took out their guns and opened fire. Russell’s men were caught completely off guard. When the shooting stopped, all four of Russell’s men were dead. None of them had gotten off a single shot. All of the gamblers in the house ran for the door and Freeze’s gun was pointed at Russell. He had his gun out, but thought better of using it. Russell put his gun down, knowing that if Freeze wanted to kill him that he’d be dead already.

There was complete silence in the room until the door opened and in walked Mike Black and Bobby Ray. As they walked past Russell’s dead soldiers, Bobby shook his head.

What a waste, he said, and he and Black sat down at the table with Russell.

Russell, Black said and moved Russell’s gun out of the way.

Russell smiled and laughed a little. What’s up, Black?

What we got going on here, Russell?

I, ahh, you know, had opened up a little spot.

Bobby punched Russell in the face. No, Black said, and Bobby punched him again. What we got going on here is you failing to understand something. When you walk outside and look around all you see is mine.

Bobby punched Russell in the face again. Understand now? Bobby said and punched him again.

In case you don’t understand, let me explain it to you. That means that you don’t open any spots around here. You don’t move your number runners in, and you definitely don’t even think about selling no dope on my streets.

Understand, Bobby said and punched him again.

We’ve talked about this kinda shit before; haven’t we, Russell? Black asked.

By this time Russell was bleeding from the mouth as a result of Bobby’s work. He didn’t answer.

Bobby punched him again. Answer the man!

Yeah, Black, we talked about this before, Russell said softly.

Bobby punched him again. I can’t hear you.

Yeah, Black, we talked about this before, Russell said louder this time. Don’t hit me no more Bobby, please.

Bobby laughed and then hit him three more times in the face. The last one knocked Russell out of his chair. Kenny stepped up and picked Russell up and put him back in the chair.

Now, where were we? Black asked Russell. Oh yeah, do you remember what I told you the last time we talked about this?

That if I tried this shit again, I would regret it.

Bobby was about to hit Russell again, but Black held up his hand.

"What part of that