Mafia Kingpin: Part 1. A Dark, Thrilling Organized Crime Romance set in Birmingham

By A. G. Khaliq

A cold and ruthless Mafia Kingpin, "kill or be killed" is what Louis lives by... Until he meets Sarina: a sexy, mysterious woman who turns his life upside down.

Follow Louis's journey as he transitions from a young, teenage boy into a mob boss, as he is influenced by his crime lord stepfather Steve Sawyers. Watch Louis as he is thrown into a dark and dangerous world of drug smuggling, gun trafficking, money laundering, fraud, sex, psychopaths and murderers...

There aren't any friends on these streets.

"A darkly disturbing, edgy, hard-hitting and compelling read from the start." - Book Viral Reviews

Part 1 of a duet and ends in a cliffhanger. Mature content intended for adult readers. Full-length romantic suspense/thriller: 138K words.

• Language: English
• Publisher: A. G. Khaliq
• Release date: Feb 9, 2021
• ISBN: 9780463357248

A. G. Khaliq

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Book preview

Part 1

A. G. KHALIQ

MAFIA KINGPIN PART 1

Text copyright © 2020 by A. G. Khaliq

Cover photograph purchased from stock website

Jail life researched from Guardian article

The right of A. G. Khaliq to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1998.

This book is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events, real people, real companies or real places are used fictitiously. Other names, characters, places, and events are products of the author’s imagination, and any resemblance to actual events or places or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior permission of the author.

Apart from the original work written by the author, all songs, song titles and song lyrics contained in this book are the property of the respective songwriters and copyright holders.

This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This book may not be re-sold, or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you are reading this book and didn’t purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to the author and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

To contact the author, reach her through her website https://agkbooks.wixsite.com/agkhaliq or Instagram @agkbooks

ALSO BY A. G. KHALIQ

Mafia Kingpin Part 2

Mafia Kingpin Part 1 & 2 Boxset

Coming soon with Limitless Publishing

Married to the Mafia series

Corrupt Me series

Never miss a release, and follow the author on Instagram @agkbooks

NOTICES

This is a dark depiction of the world of organized crime and mafia, not for the faint of heart. Mafia Kingpin Part 1 is part of a duet, ends with a cliffhanger and is not a standalone novel.

This story contains mature themes, sexual situations, strong language, graphic violence and explores sensitive topics which some readers may find upsetting or triggering. Reader discretion is advised. Intended for adults 18+ only.

Please do not read this series if you are easily offended. The opinions expressed by the characters in no way reflect the opinions of the author.

If you relate to any of the topics discussed, such as domestic abuse, mental health, blackmail, extortion or assault, please remember that you are not alone. Speak to somebody, or call the Samaritans, Childline, the police and so on.

Although the main character is Louis, this story uses alternating points of views. The person’s point of view that you are reading from is made clear with the use of sub-headings to avoid any confusion.

This story is a fictional crime thriller, and is set in Birmingham, a city in the United Kingdom. Therefore this story is written in British English and may have references to British slang and grime music. It is a story about a man’s battle to get out of the hood. Everything in this story happens for a reason, and the puzzle pieces fit together later on in the duet.

Louis is eighteen years old at the beginning of the book, and when the story rewinds time back to four years earlier, he is fourteen years old. Steve is his stepdad, and Abid and Trex are Steve’s sidekicks. Trex is white, and Abid is black.

BLURB

A cold and ruthless Mafia Kingpin, kill or be killed is what Louis lives by... Until he meets Sarina: a sexy, mysterious woman who turns his life upside down.

Follow Louis's journey as he transitions from a young, teenage boy into a mob boss, as he is influenced by his crime lord stepfather Steve Sawyers. Watch Louis as he is thrown into a dark and dangerous world of drug smuggling, gun trafficking, money laundering, fraud, sex, psychopaths and murderers...

There aren't any friends on these streets.

EDITORIAL REVIEW

Mafia Kingpin by A. G. Khaliq is an entire series packed into one gorgeous treat for fans of crime and stories with steamy action and compelling characters. Louis is a kingpin, a mafia boss who lives dangerously. He grows from a young boy to becoming a mafia boss and his power only increases. Then Louis meets Sarina, an insanely beautiful, yet mysterious woman, who shakes his world in ways he has never experienced before.

As the story moves from book to book, the protagonist is plunged into deeper levels of darkness and crime and new characters surface in the plot with the stakes always getting higher. There is a mix of drug smuggling, fraud, money laundering, sex, and characters that are downright psychopathic. Mafia Kingpin is dark and gritty, a series that explores the basest desires and the beauty of romance. You'll find heart-wrenching action, chilling and unnerving situations, and characters that are exceptionally written. The author has written a series that grips the hearts of readers and won't let them go until the very satisfying denouement. Sarina is one of the characters I adored and the influence she has on Louis is spectacular.

A. G. Khaliq is the kind of author who creates scenes that are focused and whose descriptions are forensic. The author writes the scenes in such a way that they play vividly in the imagination of the reader. Mafia Kingpin is a sensational read, a story that is steamy in every sense, including the action and the romance. I love books that awaken the most dormant emotions and senses in me and this dark series does just that. 

Reviewed by Christian Sia for Readers' Favorite

SECTION 1

PROLOGUE

§ LOUIS §

No weakness.

That had always been my motto.

Taking over my stepfather's criminal organisation set me alight on a dark and fiery path. I sold drugs, I smuggled firearms into the country, and I collected debts from people who wouldn't pay up.

I was the Don.

Motherfuckers knew better than to cross me.

I was powerful.

Indomitable.

People feared me.

The consequence for anybody who crossed me was a bullet between their eyes...

And the funny thing was, that I thought I had my life together until I met her.

Sarina.

That sexy, mysterious woman who just screwed with my mind to the point that I couldn't wait till I would next see her.

She was confident, bold, and drop-dead gorgeous…

She was everything I liked in a woman.

She liked to play…

And she liked to play dirty.

Sarina made me believe that love existed, even for a criminal like me.

But life comes at you fast.

It sure does come at you fucking fast.

One day, you think that you have it all...

And the next, God can send your world crashing down on you, and make you lose everything that you worked so hard for.

We have to make so many sacrifices in life. So many sacrifices to get to where we want to be.

I was a monster. A devil.

Destined for hell my whole damn life.

And she was an angel.

And you know what they say.

They say if you keep dancing with the devil you’ll get burned.

There was only one way that this shit would end.

They always say that the only outcomes of being in the game are winding up dead, or going to jail.

Would I really get my own happily ever after, being the bastard that I was? With all of the people I hurt, all the bodies I’d made drop, all of the lives I’d destroyed?

My name is Louis…

And this is my story.

Growing up in Birmingham, being forced and groomed into the mafia under the influence of my stepfather.

The man who ruined my motherfucking life.

Every choice, every decision…

Led to my own fucking downfall.

Let me take you right back to the beginning.

Where it all began.

Right from when I was just a fucking child…

Sit tight, be patient, and enjoy the rollercoaster.

It’s gonna be one hell of a bumpy fucking ride.

Don’t say I didn’t warn you.

CHAPTER 1

Not all is what it seems

§ LOUIS §

Punch after punch, I hit Thomas, letting out all the anger and frustration that had built up in me after all this time. I'd been waiting for the perfect moment to kill him for so many years.

Blood gushed out of his body as I stabbed him. His groans of pain rang like bells through my ears.

Don’t you ever come near me again, you filthy bastard. I’m teaching you a lesson. Stay the fuck out of my way, I said coldly. As I was about to kick his head again, I watched the colour drain away from his face and his eyes close. I stepped back, contemplating what I had done.

What had I done? I withdrew my hands from the body, only to find them covered in blood. My head spun and I put my hand to my forehead, and fell to the ground.

"Please stop! I cried. Please." The pain was overwhelming. I could barely breathe.

He scoffed. It’s nothing more than you deserve. You’re a dirty little bastard and your family will face the consequences of what you did. I’ll never forget how you betrayed me.

There was a brief moment of regret on his face. He pierced the knife into my flesh, cutting deep inside me. I began to scream. It was then that the sirens started.

As I started losing consciousness I noticed a girl in the background, watching me. She had a look of pure horror on her face.

You over there…

"Please … help me..." I tried to speak, but it just came out as a mumble. My eyes began to close, and blood was gushing out of my mouth. I never saw the girl again.

Why did you do this? a cop hovered over me. Why did you attempt to kill this man?

It’s nothing more than he deserved. He’s a dirty little bastard and his family will face the consequences of what he did. I’ll never forget how he betrayed me. I repeated the exact same words that Thomas had said to me when he attacked me all those years ago.

The cop stared at me, long and hard. He lifted me from the ground, took my hands behind my back and put them in handcuffs.

You are under arrest for attempted murder, he said.

What the fuck?

You have the right to remain silent. Anything you say or do may be held against you in a court of law. You have the right to consult a lawyer…

As the cop said these words, I felt the world stop rotating around me. I could feel my head spinning; I was in a state of shock. It took me a few minutes to realise that this wasn’t a bad dream, this wasn’t a fucking nightmare. I’d screwed up so badly. I was supposed to kill this motherfucker and my mind started playing tricks on me, reminding me of the past.

No weakness… that was my fucking motto. So why the fuck didn’t I just stab him and get out of there? Why did I have to remember every brutal moment of Thomas double-crossing me at the wrong time?

All my memories, everything I’d worked for. It was all gone. It was all worthless now, and it all meant nothing. I was going to jail. What the fuck had I done?

If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed for you before any questioning if you wish.

As I spun back to reality, the cop read me the last of my rights. I didn’t know what to do. I was desperate. I couldn’t go to jail… I couldn’t. I wouldn’t be able to cope in there. It would fuck me up mentally… put me over breaking point.

This is all a misunderstanding. I’ve never been to jail before. I can’t do this to my mum, she’ll be at home worried…

The cop rolled his eyes at me, folding his arms.

Save the sob story for when you’re behind bars, he said angrily. Come with me.

He grabbed hold of me with force, throwing me into the backseat of the police car.

***

LATER THAT NIGHT

The policeman led my mum to the cell.

Your son was found late at night attacking a teenager in the alleyways, the cop explained. My mum stared at me, white in shock. I’ll leave you two to speak, before I’m going to have to ask you to leave. The cop walked away.

Mum was trembling, taking deep breaths in and out. I could see the hurt and betrayal in her eyes.

I’d failed her. I’d failed my own fucking mother. After how hard she tried to raise me up right, to make sure the hood didn’t get the better of me.

This was what I gave her in return.

How could you do this, Louis? Tears welled up in her eyes. All my life, I’ve just been trying to provide for you, to give you a good future. And you turn out like this. Her voice was bitter, and she broke down into fresh sobs.

Mum, I’m sorry, I said, hanging my head, knowing I was a goddamn disappointment. He deserved it, he-

Shut up Louis! I’m sick of your excuses! Mum shouted. Nobody deserves to get killed. Nobody. This man is fighting for his life in hospital, and here you are, feeling proud about it like a little bastard. I’m so ashamed of you.

Mum, you wouldn’t understand! You don't know what he did to me, he…

This is all my fault, for giving you too much freedom for your own good. Letting you roam around at 4 in the morning without asking where you were, letting you be friends with the bastard friends you have.

Don’t blame yourself Mum, I…

I drew a deep breath. I could feel my heart shattering and tearing apart as the realisation hit me. My mum, who bore me in her womb for 9 months, watched me grow from a kid to an adult, raised me by herself when my dad wasn’t in the picture. I’d let her down. I let down the only woman who’s ever had my back in this cold world, in this world where your own friends wouldn’t think twice before stabbing you in the back. I let down the only woman who’s been there for me from the very beginning.

I - I never meant to let you down, Mum.

But you did. You goddamn did.

Mum turned away from me. She couldn’t even look me in the eye anymore.

These past few years have been torture for me. When that man attacked you…

I drew a deep breath, because I knew she was talking about Thomas.

"When that man tried to kill you…

"I really thought I'd lost you.

"I thought I'd lost my only son, my son who I'd do anything for. I thought you were gonna die.

"I spent weeks just lying down next to you in hospital, praying for you to recover. I was so relieved when the doctor told me you were going to survive. I swore to myself that I'd never let anything bad happen to you again, that I'd keep you close to me and make sure you never got into something like this again.

I failed myself.

It’s not your fault, Mum, I tried, but I knew it was no use.

Mum slapped me across the face. My hand sprung to my face. I was shocked, because she’d never laid hands on me before. I guess I deserved it. She gasped, not believing what she’d done.

I don’t ever want to hear from you again, she said quietly. You deserve this time in prison.

I felt a lump in my throat. I tried my best not to break down.

No Mum, you don’t mean that… I tried putting my hand on her arm, and a tear rolled down my cheek. I love you Mum, don’t do this to me…

The policeman is waiting outside the cell. I better not keep him waiting.

Mum gave me a long and hard stare.

I love you Mum, I said, desperately trying to find some proper closure between us.

Mum shook her head, and turned on her heel, following the policeman out the cell. I was alone again.

MUMMMMMM!

I fell to the floor in anguish, screaming for my mum. I cried and cried out for her, but she didn't come back. I was going to be spending five years of my life with nobody here to look out for me.

***

REWINDING BACK TIME

FOUR YEARS EARLIER

WHEN ALL THE MADNESS BEGAN

I sat down in front of the TV, playing Crash Bandicoot as usual. My stepdad Steve was coming round today. Steve was black, in his 40s. I couldn’t wait to see him. He always came round to see me, and help Mum with money, because she was finding it hard to manage without Dad.

Dad left me when I was ten. I hadn’t really given it a second thought. I didn’t need him, and Mum was strong without him.

Dad is Caribbean and Mum is white. I was half black, and half white. Dad’s parents disowned him when they found out that he secretly got married to Mum, because they didn’t like her. After staying with us for a long time, Dad finally realised he’d had enough. When Dad left, Steve came along.

My phone started ringing, and I jumped to answer it straight away.

I’ll be there in 5 minutes, little man, Steve said on the other end of the line.

Can’t wait! I’ll go tell Mum to get the table ready, I replied excitedly.

That’s live, son, I’ll let you know when I’m here.

I hung up the phone and made my way to the kitchen. Mum was standing there washing the dishes, with her back turned to me.

Mum, we need to put the food out. Steve’s gonna be here any minute! I said, with my hands on my hips.

Mum looked startled. That was fast. I haven’t had time to make him anything. Mum held her hands against her face, trembling. I didn’t know why she was panicking so much, or why she looked so scared and nervous, but I decided to shrug it off.

Why am I so stupid?! Mum screamed.

I laughed awkwardly, furrowing my eyebrows, and then put my hands up to stop Mum from rummaging through the cupboards. Mum, it’s calm! We have tuna and bread, we’ll make him some sandwiches.

I guess that’ll have to do, Mum replied, unsure. She blew a small sigh of relief and then started preparing the food.

The doorbell sounded. Steve’s here! I said excitedly.

I ran to the door and opened it. Steve came in and gave me a massive hug. You alright, little man? he chuckled.

I’m good, man! I said happily. He walked into the living room where Mum was standing, scratching her arm uneasily. She straightened out her hair and clothes, and Steve’s arms folded angrily; it was like his blood was boiling just by looking at Mum. He raised an eyebrow at her outfit.

Linda, a word? Steve hissed, gently moving me aside.

Okay, Mum said, afraid.

Sorry, I said awkwardly. I’ll get out of your way.

He took Mum into his arms, smiling over me at his shoulder. I smiled back, reassured.

§ STEVE §

What the fuck are you wearing? I hissed angrily at Linda, grabbing her hair, so that Louis couldn’t hear me.

I… erm… Linda took deep breaths in and out, jumping up, looking frightened. I knew she was trying to remain calm for Louis’s sake.

I rolled my eyes angrily, walking away from her. I was pissed off, and I couldn’t be arsed to deal with her bullshit today.

Come on, Louis, I said. Linda adjusted her clothing so her cleavage couldn’t be seen. Louis nodded happily and we both walked towards the television.

§ LOUIS §

You still play Crash Bandicoot? Steve laughed, as he looked at the television screen. He reached for the bag next to him and pulled out some games, ‘Grand Theft Auto’, ‘Assassin’s Creed’ and ‘Fifa’.

I gasped. Steve, you’re the best! I opened up the CD’s, unable to believe my eyes. These must have cost you a fortune!

It’s been a while since I got you something nice and you’re always playing the same old stuff, it’s time to play suttin’ new! he said cheerfully, ruffling my hair.

Mum came into the lounge from the kitchen. She gasped as she saw the games. Steve, you shouldn't have! You spoil him rotten! And you know I'm struggling with money…

I rolled my eyes, suddenly pissed off. Mum, will you stop going on about money and let us have fun for once? Jheeze.

He's right Linda, he deserves it. Let the kid breathe, for God's sake, Steve said, folding his arms.

But I've got bills due soon that I need to pay… Mum said timidly.

You know I'll pay your goddamn bills so what's the problem? Let me do some nice stuff for the kid, I don't even see him that much anymore.

I - I…

That's enough Linda. Steve rolled his eyes and I did the same. It was annoying how fucking over-bearing my mum was sometimes.

I opened up Assassin’s Creed and started playing it on my console.

§ STEVE §

I chuckled happily as I watched Louis play Assassin’s Creed, and then looked around the room to see Linda crying at the other side of the room. I sighed, walking towards her.

Hey, cheer up babe. I’m sorry for being a moody prick, I’ve just had a long day. I gave her a hug to shut her up, and she sighed underneath my touch uncomfortably, feeling obliged to hug me back. This just pissed me off more. I kissed her on the cheek, desperate to get a normal reaction out of her, and she drew a deep breath in nervously.

It’s okay, Linda mumbled.

That smile is what I like to see, baby girl! I grabbed hold of her face, kissing her forcefully, not giving a fuck whether she liked it or not.

§ LOUIS §

I put down my games controller and walked over to Steve, wondering what was taking him so long. Him and Mum were making out, and I felt like puking. I shifted about uncomfortably, wishing they would stop.

Mum giggled, pulling away from Steve and Steve kissed her cheek again. I didn’t understand their relationship. One minute, they were at each other’s throats, and the next, they were playing happy families again.

Steve, Louis is here! Mum said, with her hands on her hips.

So what? Steve rolled his eyes, and sighed.

I’m gonna go upstairs, I said awkwardly.

Steve coughed, embarrassed. Shit, sorry Louis. I just haven’t seen your mum for a while, that’s all. He shrugged, and I rolled my eyes. So what’ve you two made me to eat? I’m starving.

Sandwiches, I shrugged.

Sandwiches yeah? Steve said. I quickly handed him one of the sandwiches from the kitchen. He started eating it, and then sighed angrily.

What is this crap? Some out of date tuna, Louis. Make me some proper food, he said angrily.

Mum looked mortified.

I didn’t even make it, Mum did! I said defensively.

Steve stared at Mum with a blank expression on his face, and Mum looked down to the floor sadly.

It’s alright babe, we’ll order some takeaway instead, Steve said reassuringly. He turned back to me. Louis, put this shit sandwich in the bin.

I nodded, taking it back from him to put it back on the plate. But before I knew it, the plate slipped, and smashed all over the floor.

Shit, I sighed, suddenly even more pissed off than I was before.

For fuck’s sake Louis, you’re so dumb sometimes, Steve scolded.

Look at all this mess! Mum said angrily, taking her head in her hands.

I can’t be arsed to tidy this shit, I complained. Can we just chill and play games? I turned to Steve.

Yeah, we will do. Linda, tidy this mess. I’m gonna order pizza now.

Mum shook her fists angrily, storming out of the room.

§ MUM §

I stormed into the kitchen to collect a dustpan and broom. While I was away from Louis and Steve, I kicked the hoover on the floor angrily. I started screaming, tears streaming down my face.

§ LOUIS §

Yeah, that’ll be two 12-inch pizzas mate, Steve said on the phone.

That’s a twenty minute wait, yeah?

Make it quick if you want a tip. Steve hung up the phone and then turned back to me. Now, we playing Grand Theft Auto or what?!

Fuck yesss! I exclaimed.

Language Louis! Mum said angrily, as she walked back into the room.

Sorry Mum, I said awkwardly, and Steve rolled his eyes. I suddenly felt bad for the way I spoke to her earlier. Let me help with that, I signaled the broken plate on the floor.

Thank you baby, Mum sighed.

***

The floor was cleaned and tidy now, and Mum was in a much happier mood. We all sat down together on the sofa, having a fun time playing games.

***

20 MINUTES LATER

§ STEVE §

That’ll be 25 quid, mate, said the delivery man, as I took the pizza box out of his hands at the doorway. I handed him his cash quickly.

Thanks donny, enjoy your food! he said, as he took the cash.

Will do, big man, I replied, making my way back inside.

When I made my way back to the living room, my phone started ringing. Louis tried looking over at my phone but I wouldn’t let him.

Louis, take the pizza to the table for me g. Just let me answer my phone.

Louis nodded happily, diving into the pizza straight away. Fat fuck.

As soon as he took it from me, I stormed out the room, because I knew the name ‘Abid’ flashed up on my phone screen. From the get-go, that meant this call wasn’t gonna be good fucking news.

I pressed the green phone button on my phone, and Abid started rambling on the other end.

What do you mean, ten bags are missing? I shouted angrily.

§ ABID §

Bilal. The motherfucker that crossed us. Me and Trex were in an old parking garage, and we had Bilal tied up in a chair with his mouth taped.

We’ve counted the cash g. We’re missing ten bags of cash and two weeks’ worth of goods. You need to fucking sort this, we’re losing money fast, I said to Steve down the line.

§ STEVE §

I started sweating, frustrated. I treated Bilal like a brother… and now this was the news that I was fucking receiving.

Bilal… no fucking way man, I sighed. The last person I thought was gonna fucking snake us.

I didn’t like that motherfucker from the start you let him in with us, Abid said on the other end of the line. "He’s always been making booky movements, and now we’ve caught the motherfucker before he did any more damage.

I took out a long, deep breath, and reached into my pocket for a box of cigarettes.

You still there, Boss? What do you want me to do?

I put a fag in my mouth and lit it. Put a blade to the motherfucker’s neck, stick nails in his toes. Burn his feet till the bastard talks. I’m on my way.

You got it, Boss. I’ll text you the address.

I hung up the phone angrily, taking more puffs of my cigarette. I looked down at my phone, my eyes lingering at the text with the address written on it. 33 Sycamore Street.

I ran downstairs, making my way out the door, slamming it, getting inside my whip and driving off.

§ LOUIS §

I heard the door slam and put my half-eaten pizza slice back in the box.

Steve? I called. Steve, where’ve you gone?

Mum finished eating too, and got up. Do you want me to have a quick look around the house? she asked.

No Mum, I heard the door slam. He’s gone somewhere.

Oh right. Bit rude of him to just walk off without letting us know, Mum said condescendingly.

I raised my eyebrows. I’m gonna save him his share of pizza, Mum. He’ll come back, I know he will.

Mum smiled at me warily. Hopefully sweetheart, he’s probably just gone to run an errand. I’m sure he’ll be back soon.

I nodded, smiling at Mum and going back to my pizza… but as soon as I looked at the box, my smile faltered. I don’t know why I kept kidding myself. Steve always let me down, and I was always making excuses for him, latching onto a dream. I guess I was too blinded by this perfect image of Steve that I never saw him for who he really was. Mum was always giving me that I told you so look… but for once, just once… I wanted to prove her wrong.

I took my phone out of my pocket and sent Steve a text saying Where are you?

§ ABID §

I slapped Bilal’s face, holding a lighter flame next to it. This motherfucker deserved all the torture that was coming to him.

Trex, hammer a nail in the bastard’s finger, I said angrily.

Trex nodded and walked over with his hammer, while Bilal was trembling, his face red and beaten from my doing, his legs shaking. Trex started waving the hammer in Bilal’s face, and I ripped the tape from his mouth.

You gonna talk, motherfucker? Trex shouted.

Bilal started bellowing in pain, crying desperately. I - I can’t! The Surenos will fucking kill me!

I started laughing. Poor bastard didn’t have the slightest idea about how we were gonna deal with him if he didn’t co-operate.

What are you on about, motherfucker? I said. If you don’t give us information, we’re gonna kill you our fucking selves.

I can’t die, man! I gotta feed my mum, she has no money, my little baby sis needs looking after man, she’s only two, my mum’s not well, she…

You should’ve thought about all that shit before you ratted us out to them motherfuckers, Trex shouted. Now you’re gonna have to face the fucking consequences.

Bilal started shaking uncontrollably. My mum’s got cancer man, I can’t die, I…

I don’t think this motherfucker understands, I spat. I nodded at Trex and Trex nodded back, it was like our fucking code when we mutually agreed with something. Trex resealed Bilal’s mouth with tape, and Bilal started wailing again. He was really fucking pissing me off now.

We gave you a chance to talk, motherfucker, Trex warned. He took the nail in his fingers and crouched down to Bilal’s feet, positioning it in the middle of his foot. He started hammering it inside and Bilal rattled in the chair in pain. I set Bilal’s hand alight with the flame in my hand.

You could’ve had it easy, motherfucker, I said. Told us what we wanted, we give you protection, you get to live for one more day. But you had to make it difficult for yourself.

I put out the flame on his skin and nodded at Trex again, who removed the tape off of Bilal’s mouth again. Bilal wailed in pain, crying horribly for a short while. I was getting quite fucking tired of babying this bastard and getting no results.

A - a - alright, I’ll fucking talk! Bilal stuttered, hardly able to compose his sentences properly. The Mexican motherfuckers were gonna kill my mum man, I had to do what they wanted…

What are their plans?! I roared. WHAT ARE THEIR FUCKING PLANS, BILAL?!

T - they want t - territory, Bilal mumbled.

Answer our questions properly, motherfucker! Do you have a fucking death wish?! Trex shouted.

§ STEVE §

I walked into the car park with my phone in my pocket. It started buzzing so I took it in my hand, and a text from Louis appeared on the phone.

Where are you?

I took out a deep breath that I didn’t know I was holding, and ignored the message, shoving my phone back into my pocket. Louis was the least of my worries right now. He was just a fucking kid… only 14. I didn’t want him to get caught up in my life. As far as Louis and his mum were concerned, I was just a plumber. Not a fucking mafia kingpin. It was the best thing for all of us if they didn’t know my real lifestyle.

I shrugged off my jacket and threw it to the ground. I nodded at Abid and Trex, walking closer to them.

Boss is here now, said Abid.

I saw Bilal in his chair, trembling, and rage suddenly boiled over me.

I trusted you, motherfucker! I roared. I saved your ass so many times, and this is what you do to me?!

Steve, I s - s - swear, I d - didn’t have a choice!

Shut the fuck up, bastard!

I freed Bilal from the ropes, and then punched him so hard that he knocked off the chair, falling onto the hard ground with a painful smack. It wasn’t enough, though.

I began punching his face and beating him repeatedly, kicking him in the ribs in repeat succession. Bilal was wailing underneath my grip, but I wasn’t satisfied. This motherfucker needed to suffer for double-crossing me. Double-crossing me, the very man who brought him into my organisation, gave him an opportunity, helped him level up in business, push product, make shit tons of money.

P - please Boss, I was t - talking, I w - was! Bilal cried.

Sorry, I didn’t quite hear that, I said quietly, and then stamped on Bilal’s face. At this point, Bilal was struggling to breathe. I grabbed him with force, sitting him straight and slapping his face, which was already blue.

Talk to me, motherfucker, I spat.

I s - said they w - want territory!

What territory, motherfucker?! I roared. By now, my white vest was drenched in sweat. I ripped it off and threw it to the side.

O - over all the places we sell to. S - Small Heath, Alum R - Rock, S - Smethwick…

My face dropped. It felt like my blood was running cold. Somebody was coming for my organisation? Everything I’d built from nothing, built from the ground up. They wanted to destroy everything I’d worked so hard for? Everything I’d put my blood, sweat and tears into?

They were coming for all of my territory? I didn’t just own Birmingham in the drug business. I owned pretty much the whole of the damn United Kingdom. I had operations in London, Manchester, and even Cardiff, a city in Wales. I’d learnt the game well. I had somebody taking care of operations in all of the other cities too on my behalf. Was this the result of their own fuck-ups? I didn’t know. I guess I needed to keep a better eye on the bastards that I allowed to represent me in my organization.

I wasn’t going to let a pathetic cartel come and compete against me. They needed to be sent a warning not to fuck with me. Nobody was going to ruin what I’d built. Nobody. Maybe the Surenos being given a warning would also teach other cartels a lesson too, to not sell on my goddamn land.

I slowly turned away from Bilal, my heart thumping against my chest. My blood was boiling to the point it almost dried up. I got up on my feet, and the room was silent for several minutes as the sweat on my face fell onto the floor in tiny droplets.

Abid took a deep breath in. So the Surenos want our territory, Boss… He began, sighing. What’s our next move?

I said nothing. All I could hear… All I could feel… Was my pulsing heartbeat raising through the roof.

I swallowed. I knew I owed them an explanation. I knew I owed them a plan, a strategy on what we were going to do moving forward. Abid and Trex, my fucking sidekicks. The only men who I could really rely on… The only men who I could really trust. The men who’d been there for me from the beginning.

Boss? Trex repeated nervously.

I lit a cigarette, taking several inhalations… before slowly turning around to face Abid and Trex.

They want our territory? I pondered. We give them a fucking war. We go out for fucking bodies. I let my head get back into the zone, ready to assert my authority again.

So what’s the plan, Boss? asked Abid.

I started elaborating my strategy to them, every word, every fine detail. They nodded in approval, and we started devising together who was going to do what.

§ LOUIS §

Mum put me to bed, kissing my forehead. I had silent tears rolling down my cheeks. I felt so embarrassed… so fucking ashamed of myself. I felt stupid for crying over a man I knew I couldn’t count on in the first place. Of course Steve was going to fucking disappoint me, over and over again.

I took a deep breath in as Mum stroked my hair, kissing my forehead again. Mum, why did Steve let me down again? I asked sadly.

He’s busy with work, honey, Mum said reassuringly. I’m sure he’ll make it up to you… She took a deep breath in. He loves you to bits.

If he loved me so much, he would spend time with me, I said, suddenly angry. Whenever he comes over, something always comes up. I’ve had enough of it.

Cheer up, baby. Steve’s a busy man and there’s nothing we can do about it. I hate how he leaves, just as much as you do.

I hate him, I said bitterly. I never want to see him again. He always gets my hopes up for nothing, I’m done feeling like shit because of him.

Mum cradled me in her arms as I broke down into fresh sobs.

At the end of the day… It had always been Mum and me. It was only me and my Mum that had each other’s backs. Steve never cared enough to let his personal life take a backseat for just once… I guess I knew where his priorities lay.

§ STEVE §

Good plan, Boss, said Abid. We’ll call everyone and let them know our next steps now. We’ll ship in more product from the USA to make up for all the money we’ve lost, too.

You need to make sure we’re buying the best fucking bud there is, so the streets will know to buy from nobody but us, I replied, and then looked at Bilal, lying beaten and bruised on the floor. As for this motherfucker…

Yeah? Trex asked.

Slice the motherfucker’s neck, I ordered.

NO! Bilal shouted. P - p - please! I gave y - you w - what you wanted, p - please l - let me live, I’ll d - do anything…

Trex stepped closer to me. A - are you sure, Boss? he murmured in my ear. He gave us information, the prick could be useful…

Yeah, I’m fucking sure, I said angrily. The prick snaked us, and we ain’t got no room for snakes on our team, info or not. Get rid of the bastard, I got somewhere I need to be.

Got it, Boss, said Trex.

Trex got the knife ready, walking slowly towards Bilal, who was lying and howling on the floor, begging for his life.

Any last words, motherfucker? asked Trex.

Bilal bellowed in tears, and Trex shrugged.

Rest in peace. Trex sliced Bilal’s neck as Bilal screamed, bleeding out as the colour drained away from his face.

§ MUM §

I stared at myself in the mirror, smoothing my hands over my ass and smiling at how I looked. I put some finishing touches to my makeup, adding lipgloss to my lips and another swab of mascara to my eyelashes. I was excited to finally go out. I deserved it… I worked too hard, and I spent so much time looking after Louis. Steve wasn’t here either, so it was the perfect night to relax and unwind with my friends.

My phone started vibrating in the pocket of my dress, and I started smiling to myself as I thought about who it could be. I took out my phone, hoping the name on the screen would be who I thought it was.

And the butterflies started hammering in my chest… Because I was right.

Matthew had texted me, "I’m gonna go pick up the lads and the girls, and then

Reviews for Mafia Kingpin

[Beverly DeLomba · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I love this book, it was well written I read it without putting it down until It was done,