The Corner III (No Way Out) (30 page)

“Sit there and drink. What, do you want to watch?”

Liza showed her nervousness and finally spoke, “I don’t think, I mean…”

“Senorita, it’s sex or your life. I don’t know you and you are new security for Mrs. Fuentes—”

“Yes, I’m Carlos’ cousin, and he asked me to watch his wife’s back and that’s it.”

Chacho laughed, “I don’t give a fuck about who, what, where, when, or how. You are floating in Mexican waters where sharks and other carnivorous creatures make their home. So, unless you want to become fish food, you will let me in between those pretty tanned Spanish thighs, unless you are the police.”

Liza looked at LaTanza whose facial expression told her that she’d better start undressing. Liza womaned up and did what she had to do, and during the entire act, she felt the worst part was LaTanza sitting there totally tuned out to what was happening.

Once Chacho was finished, he and the two women were shuttled back to land on the same speedboat they were brought there on. They were to iron out the details of their new partnership, and LaTanza was getting horny. She couldn’t help the fact that when she made power moves her hormones were triggered, making her want to have passionate sex, and that’s the reason she’d brought Fernando along.

*     *     *

Lucky, Jamel and Fight Doctor entered Lucky’s home. Fight Doctor knew how Lucky was able to purchase the thirty-nine hundred square foot home but didn’t dwell on it. He knew his friend had a good heart, and the way he got Jamel out of the game and back into boxing was something he knew no one else would have been able to do, so he appreciated that of Lucky.

As the men passed by the kitchen, Miss Joplin said, “It’s about time. You had everyone worried.”

Tesha hugged Lucky and congratulated Jamel with a big hug and kiss on the cheek. She was introduced to Fight Doctor by Lucky, then she took their coats and hung them up. The men headed to the basement so they could tell everyone the news of a promoter getting Jamel a fight with a number two ranked fighter since his opponent dropped out because of a hand injury sustained while training.

Everyone was cheering the words,
champ, champ, champ
as Jamel entered the basement, and that brought a big smile to his face. Lucky had a smile on his, also. Hugs and handshakes came Jamel’s way, letting him know how proud everyone was of him. He realized that this was the type of love a man was supposed to receive. It was easy for him to sell drugs because that’s what addicts craved and would do anything to get it. It was easy to pull a trigger after the first time, because usually on the streets, it’s either you or the man on the other end. But when the hard work of training paid off with victories and people congratulating you for all the work you have put in, it was gratifying.

Anthony was sipping a beer, and Jamel, water, as they stood next to each other. Anthony pointed the remote toward the huge television, and in an instant the movie began playing. It started out with Jamel training and Fight Doctor who was barking at him like a chained junkyard dog. Lucky glanced at Fight Doctor, who was holding a healthy glass of Jack and Coke in his hand, and saw the smile on his face. The truth was that even though all the people in the basement were part of a crew that did dirt, Fight Doctor could feel the love, and that was something Jamel was going to need to make it to the top.

The DVD continued to play, showing more clips of training, talking with his trainer and the fighting. There was also a clip of Jamel and Lucky in the training room when Jamel told Lucky that he was fighting to make him proud.

Reese grabbed Jamel by the neck with one of his muscular arms, telling him, “Sensitive ass nigga!” He then hugged Jamel. “I’m just fucking with you, baby boy. That’s some for real shit, and I like that. Keep your head on, and make all of us proud.”

Everyone chatted and kicked it. They were eating Miss Joplin’s food and enjoying the party. There was not a care in the world to them, and they all thought that life couldn’t get any better. Slim was standing at the end of the bar sipping his cognac watching the scene unfold and couldn’t imagine anything happening to his family. And that’s what they were, family. He watched as Fight Doctor mingled and seemed to be enjoying himself. He knew of Fight Doctor’s dislike of the game they were all in, but knew Fight Doctor couldn’t deny the love they all had for each other, even though they
were
doing wrong, and Slim was trying to find a way to right that wrong. Tesha and Chantel were walking around with a tray filled with champagne flutes, serving everyone. Lucky had told them he and Fight Doctor wanted to propose a toast, so they got everything ready.

Lucky got everyone’s attention then said, “I want to thank everyone who has supported Jamel. I asked everyone to let him be so he can train since my friend, Fight Doctor, is going to put him through a rigorous training program that will call for Jamel’s undivided attention. And as you all saw last night, good training is starting to pay off.” The basement erupted with cheers. Lucky quieted them, then gave the floor to Fight Doctor.

“Well, I don’t have much to say but that I’m proud of this young man. Has worked so hard to get to where he is, and Lucky and I wanted to tell you all that he just signed to fight the number two ranked fighter in the world.” The cheers were louder than before. When they quieted, he continued. “I too want to thank you all for keeping Jamel focused, and I, hope that you will continue because this is a family that he needs, and when he wins, you all win.” Fight Doctor took the bottle of water from Jamel’s hand, and on cue, Tesha handed him a glass of champagne. Fight Doctor nodded toward his fighter and said, “Go ahead, you deserve it.”

Noonie yelled, “Cause after tonight it’s back to water, orange juice and Gatorade!”

They all laughed, toasted and enjoyed the moment.

*     *     *

Liza took a long hot shower and cleaned her vagina as best she could. She had been in an uncompromising situation. If she didn’t have sex with the drug lord, she would have surely been killed. When she signed up for the job, she knew that she would be alone without any help and would have to make decisions to keep herself alive—and tonight she made one. She decided that she’d listen in on LaTanza and Fernando as she dried off and dressed. When she turned on the listening device, she could hear moaning and groaning. The two were having sex, so she stopped listening and fixed herself a drink and sent an email to the FBI. Her supervisor would be pleased with the information she was sending and all she could think about was how she was going to move up in the ranks of the bureau. This was her dream, and she had no problem erasing the sex she’d just had out of her mind, but would remind the kingpin of it when she slapped the cuffs on him.

11

“Don’t get it twisted, baby. Fear has never pumped through these veins.”—SLIM

Slim was sitting in De Cero, a modern day tanqueria on West Randolph Street. It was an upscale Mexican restaurant where ‘fresh’ was the standard. Slim had heard of the restaurant but had never eaten there and when LaTanza suggested to meet there for lunch, he agreed. He and Reese met Chavez and her outside the establishment, and they entered together. Slim and LaTanza were well-dressed in the latest designer fashions. Reese and Chavez weren’t dressed hood, nice jeans and casual shirts were their attire. The four sat. Chavez and Reese ordered Tequila, Slim, water and LaTanza, a pineapple jalapeño margarita. Once the drinks came, they told the waitress they needed a moment before they ordered. Once she left, Slim didn’t waste any time getting to the point.

“What happened to Bone is a shame, and from what I hear your boy had something to do with it.” Slim nodded toward Chavez, and the Mexican’s grin was evil.

Reese could tell by the look in Chavez’s eyes that he was Bone’s killer.

LaTanza said, “You heard? People talk a lot so you shouldn’t listen to everything they say.”

Slim asked, “Is it true?”

Chavez interrupted, “Is it true that civilians are untouchable in this game?” His voice had become harsh.

Slim answered, “That is true. They are to be untouched.”

Reese added, “There are always casualties of war.

Slim wished Reese would have kept that comment to himself because he was sympathetic to Chavez’s babies’ momma getting killed and knew the comment would only infuriate the killer.

Chavez smirked as he glared at Reese while directing his words to Slim. “That is true what your boy here says about casualties of war. I hear you got a new girlfriend that used to live in my part of the city. It would be a shame if she became what you say, Reese, ‘a casualty of war’.”

“I’m going to give you a pass on that indirect threat, but choose your words carefully, partna, when talking to me,” Slim said calm manner but firm voice.

LaTanza interrupted the testosterone-filled conversation saying, “Relax men, we are here about business. Now Slim, I don’t have much time. My daughter has a play that she’s in that I’m not going to miss.” She sipped her drink. “Like I stated to you yesterday, we are willing to pay the share we would owe Dmitri. You give it to him, and we are on our own.”

Before Slim could answer, the waitress arrived with their food. She set the tray down with the assortment of various tacos that were made with fresh ingredients. LaTanza had a chipotle chicken, Chavez, a chorizo potato taco, and Reese, a battered catfish with Mexican slaw taco. Slim touched his food and as soon as the waitress was gone he said, “Well, you need to come with me to meet with Dmitri, that would be the best way to do business.”

She smiled, “Aw, Slim, you need me to hold your hand. Don’t tell me you’re afraid of the Russians?”

“Don’t get it twisted, baby. Fear has never pumped through these veins. There is a correct way of doing business. Besides, we have to iron out what we are going to do about Bone’s share?”

“That’s not my concern,” LaTanza said between bites.”

Slim smiled. He knew LaTanza figured he didn’t know about Reynard and her getting in bed together. Noonie received the information from Boogie last night, and Slim had figured out what was going down. He was having the meet with LaTanza, a standard procedure, and to see how she was going to play it.

Slim said, “It is a concern to both of us since the
three
of us are in business together.”

“Things change, Slim.”

“Just like that, huh?”

She simply shrugged her shoulders.

Slim smiled, “So, you tell your boy about the card you have been holding for months? He kills Bone and you have the man you want in charge of the BDs so you can pull his strings like a puppet.”

LaTanza wiped her mouth. Sipped her drink then said, “I saw a business opportunity and took it. Slim, I’m not a gangster, and I don’t get into that shit. I’m a businesswoman, and my only concern is what benefits my family. I chose to pull out and have my own connect. You made friends with those Europeans so you deal with it.”

Reese said, “So, is it back to the way it was? Because if it is, once we leave this table—”

Slim raised his hand for Reese to keep quiet.

“I’ll deal with the Russians, and I will contact you for what you owe. How things play out when I meet them, it is what it is. When I walk away from this table, your territories are yours and mine are mine. If your people are in our areas, then it is what it is,” Slim told her as he stood and threw a fifty on the table.