The eBook comes with the bonus novella ‘The Twins’. The paperback (Twins) is sold separately.
Lady Dy and Queen Be are terrors in the Black Underworld. Best friends as close as sisters, they are inseparable. They both love Henry, Dy’s older brother, in very different ways. Their worlds implode the night Henry is arrested after an anonymous tip to the police. Suspicion turns into innuendo. Innuendo into division, until the inevitable happens bitterly dividing the women, sending them spiraling into very different, very deadly directions.
Opening
Slowly opening his eyes as the pain continued to assault his senses, Meech took in his surroundings. What the hell, he thought using his free hand to rub the large lump at the base of his skull. The last thing he recalled was standing outside of the warehouse admiring the full moon, smoking a black and mild, as he waited for Snow to show up. They were meeting tonight to discuss a new territory Beasley was trying to acquire. Dallas “Meech” Ware was a hustler, basically muscle for hire. He worked with Beasley and her crew for virtually two years now. Reeling his mind in for the moment, Meech tried to reposition himself, finally noticing his right wrist was being held immobile by the silver handcuff clasped firmly over it. Following the short chain he saw the other end securely fastened to the thick solid steel post in the middle of the concrete floor where he now sat, one solitary 150-watt bulb shining brightly on him. Turning his head and body as much as the handcuff would allow, Meech tried to determine if he were alone inside the warehouse.
He slowed his breathing so he could actually hear another sound besides his own, detecting the faint rustles of movement nearing him. Managing to continue his measured breathing, Meech inhaled the wafting scent of hibiscus and orchids. Be’s perfume, he thought closing his eyes and continuing to enjoy the fragrance.
“Welcome back,” Beasley said calmly finally stepping into his line of sight as the spotlight was distinguished and the entire warehouse became illuminated in soft blue-gray florescent lighting.
Looking up into her face, Meech saw the anger in her eyes and began wracking his brain for the cause.
“What’s going on Be,” Meech asked a lot calmer than he felt.
The woman standing in front of him was cunning, calculating, and deadly. Beasley “Queen Bee” Roberts worked her way up through the ranks of the streets with her now ex-bestfriend, Lady Dy, killing every enemy and resistance along their journey. Blowing a man or woman’s brains all over the street, floor, or wall, was nothing to her and Meech definitely didn’t want to find himself on the receiving end of her wrath this evening; yet here he was.
“Meech,” she began, blowing the breath out slowly as she gathered herself. “Why are you here,” she asked calmly, still giving him a look.
Still lost, Meech gave her a quizzical look in response as she smiled slightly, no mirth in the gesture.
“How much of my money did you think you could divert before I would notice,” Beasley threw out, growing agitated.
She was angry because she genuinely liked Meech. He performed well in the organization since she picked him up a couple years ago. They got along well and she actually trusted him. The fact that he was gorgeous played a small part in her tolerance for some of his more questionable antics. Beasley casually looked over the 6’4” frame, slim but not skinny, soft caramel in color; toned and cut like a wrestler. His face was pretty boy sexy with the matching soft caramel eyes, straight white teeth and barely noticeable cleft in his chin. She actually contemplated sleeping with him on more than one occasion, but always reeled the lustful thoughts in before acting on them. Now she would be forced to put a bullet in his skull. A waste, Be thought as Meech finally began to speak.
“Be, I don’t steal, you know that,” he told her calmly as she continued to remain mute.
Meech knew in his heart the truth, but right now he better make a believer out of Beasley or end up dead.
“I don’t know where you’re getting this fucked up info, but its bullshit, plain and simple,” he continued confidently.
Beasley grunted slightly, turning toward the door and calling out the command to enter. Just as Meech suspected, Snow walked into the room seconds later, cocky smirk placed firmly on his face. He stood beside Beasley as she once more turned to Meech and spoke.
“Snow has been with me far longer, Meech,” she told him evenly. “I would say he has a bit more credibility than you right now,” she added as Snow continued to smirk.
Meech couldn’t stand the bastard. He knew Snow carried a deep and abiding case of heated desire for Beasley, but she would never give him the time of day. He also knew Snow was jealous of how close he and Beasley became.
“I told you he wasn’t shit,” Snow spoke up full of himself at the moment.
Meech gave him a look but said nothing, turning his focus back to Beasley.
“Snow tells me that you were trying to recruit him for your little enterprise, offering him half of the quarter million dollars you’ve already stolen from me,” she continued, voice growing colder.
Meech sighed deeply summoning his best head game and looked directly into Beasley’s eyes.
“Can we talk,” he asked softly. “Just you and me,” he iterated, giving her another look.
Intrigued, Beasley watched him a few moments more before nodding slightly and dismissing Snow from the room. The fury rolled off him in waves as he gave Meech an evil look, managing to calm himself however as he graciously smiled at Beasley and told her he would be waiting outside. Giving him a short nod, Beasley watched until he left the room, closing the door before returning her attention to Meech.
“Talk,” she told him, removing the .9mm from her pocket, attaching the silencer. “And make it good,” she added as Meech again swallowed and opened his mouth.
“You do know Snow wants you right,” he began as Beasley smiled a tad but said nothing. “And you also know he’ll do anything to eliminate his competition,” Meech told her as she gave him a slightly quizzical look.
“Come on Be,” he began again, his tone changing. “You’ve got to know I have some feelings for you,” Meech threw out, praying he could pass off the lie.
He liked her well enough, but his heart belonged to another. That however would need to wait until he could get out of this room, alive.
“So what are you saying,” Beasley interrupted his thought.
Meech again exhaled heavily for good measure.
“Snow is a liar and would do or say anything to have you naked and his dick inside you,” he told her plainly as Beasley frowned. “I haven’t stolen from you Be, and I’ve never lied to you, you know this,” he went on as she continued to regard him.
“I’ve got $100 that says if you let me walk out of this room and watch Snow’s reaction, you’ll see I’m telling you the truth,” Meech told her.
“He’s trying to set me up, and he’s trying to make a fool out of you, Be,” he finished and prayed he got through.
Beasley contemplated the things Meech spoke, her mind cataloging and recalling other instances through the last few months when Snow seemed to be very much off kilter. Sighing deeply, she reached into her pocket and pulled out the handcuff key, tossing it to Meech. Wordlessly he unlocked the cuff and rose, getting the feeling back in his legs, before he walked over to her. Close enough to touch her; he didn’t. Meech wasn’t stupid. You didn’t touch Beasley without her permission.
“Thank you for believing me,” he said softly, his eyes looking deeply into hers.
Beasley sighed quietly, nodding without comment and turned leaving the room. As promised, Snow was standing outside of the room when she emerged. The corners of his mouth tightened in fury as he watched Meech emerge immediately behind Beasley. Forcing himself to hold his tongue, he simply gave her a look as she raised an eyebrow but said nothing, walking away. Meech paused long enough to give Snow the finger and a sly wink before turning and following Beasley to the game room’s bar, where she offered to make him a drink.
Chapter 1
I told you not to trust that bastard didn’t I,” Dymond said calmly as Meech told her about his close call with Beasley.
“I know Dy, but damn,” Meech threw back lamely as she told him to hush and listen.
She ordered him to be at her place in an hour.
“If I send Reaper looking for you, it won’t be nice,” Dymond replied evenly.
Meech swallowed hard. “I’m on my way.”
He shook his head as he placed the phone back in the cradle. He was between a rock and a hard place. Dymond hated Beasley and the feeling was mutual. Both ladies were deadly with a capital deadly, but he had to do something to get out from under Beasley’s deluded controlling hand. She might fuck around and start believing his ass, he thought irritably of Snow. He joined her crew for the money true enough, but Meech’s motivation was powered by something else. Something that kept him searching on a daily basis for the thing he knew Dymond wanted in the worst way. If he could be the one to give her that, Meech knew she would be his forever and no one, especially Reaper, would stand in his way.
Truthfully as much as Meech wanted Dymond, that sister didn’t give a damned inch when it came to any dude. Still she was seriously beautiful with her sexy self. Dymond was no petite stick figure. She was a shapely, toned, size 16 with everything in the right place; breasts so firm you could bounce a quarter off them, ass for days but no signs of cottage cheese clusters, tiny waist and flat almost washboard abs. She flawlessly flowed with beautiful soft brown eyes which pierced you when she looked at you and smooth cocoa chocolate skin. The one time he caught her hair down it was a warm cinnamon brown, softly waving around her face as it hung almost mid-back. He almost believed the rumors that she was gay, but he knew at least one guy she slept with and of course he recalled history of his own with her. Dismissing the romantic thoughts knowing they would only give him a serious erection with no release, Meech instead concentrated on staying alive and pulling off the caper to make him Dymond’s lover and right hand.
*****
Dymond thought about Meech as she sipped her cognac. His being killed tonight would have thrown a serious crimp in her well laid plans. Why can’t men do simple shit right, she brooded as Reaper entered the room, giving her a look and waiting for instruction. Dymond thought back to her early days when she was first establishing her empire and how many men she and Beasley dispatched before they took them seriously. Reaper came from the third crew Dymond, Beasley, and their associates toppled. Big Juan, Puerto Rican, with a seriously deadly attitude and a deep seeded disrespect for women. Dymond recalled how he begged for his life after they burst into their safe house and dropped all his bodyguards like flies. She smiled slightly recalling the look passing between herself and Reaper. She could see it in his eyes. The man wanted to kill his boss; so she gave him the pleasure. Reaper was everything his name suggested Dymond recalled as she drained the glass and poured another small shot. He beat Big Juan with a length of hose, peppered with tiny tack nails, drawing blood with each strike. Then he pulled his teeth, one by one, with a pair of pliers, only after cutting off the man’s lips and eyelids so he could see his torture.
Almost laughing aloud, Dymond reeled her thoughts in and spoke. “Meech is on his way, make sure everything is in place,” she told him calmly as Reaper watched her with those brooding brown eyes.
“Are you going to be there,” he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Dymond smiled slightly and Reaper knew what that meant. Without a word, he turned and left her presence as she watched the 6’8″ inches of dark, lava flowing, chocolate leave her presence. Reaper was her bodyguard, but everyone assumed they were much more. Dymond supposed the fact they were inseparable did nothing but lend credence to the assumption. Everywhere she went, Reaper went. The even occupied adjoining rooms, with a door separating them that was never kept locked. Reaper told her time and again he needed to be able to get to her in the event anything went down. Dymond admitted, only to herself, how very much she came to depend on the man and his expertise. She trusted him with her life. They were also friends and that it made it easier. When she and Beasley experienced a parting of the ways, Reaper remained loyal and stayed with her, quickly assuming his role by her side.
Dymond loved the fact he wasn’t full of ego, always having to do stupid things to exert his manliness. She readily admitted there were some tasks far better suited for a male hand, and she allowed Reaper free reign to handle those. There was the underlying, unspoken, current of electricity that ran through their interactions as well, but neither was ready to admit or act upon the connection, so they simply ignored its existence. Dymond loved Reaper’s smile, the skillfully carved dimples, framing the perfect face he possessed. His laughter was musical to her, though she didn’t hear it often, only on the occasions he allowed himself to fully unwind and relax. Sighing softly Dymond dismissed all thoughts of Reaper on a personal level and returned her attention to business. Meech was quickly reaching the end of the line with her, and if he didn’t produce some results in the next few weeks, Dymond was seriously contemplating ending his existence. Turning to head upstairs and shower, Dymond passed Reaper standing outside her door.
“Cook wants to know what you want for dinner,” he said simply, eyes on hers again. Dymond shrugged slightly.
“You choose, “she spoke, turning and leaving the decision to him.
*****
Snow wasn’t at all happy about the stunt Beasley pulled earlier. Why the hell does she let that asshole keep playing her, he thought angrily as the young girl began undressing for him. He needed to relax and unwind so he came to Madame Chu’s. She supplied the finest stock of prepaid pussy in the city and Snow definitely wanted to indulge every nasty fantasy he ever concocted concerning Beasley. The woman was gorgeous and he definitely wanted her. Soft, sexy pouty lips, with expressive deep brown eyes; Beasley owned a figure that definitely turned heads. Snow wanted one of the round voluptuous breasts in his mouth as he pleasured the nipple and heard her moan softly. Snow’s manhood was hard enough to stand without assistance now as the young oriental woman began sucking it aggressively. Putting a small amount of the white powder on the back of his hand, Snow quickly snorted it and enjoyed the effects of the drug and the girl’s skill.
“Yeah, that’s right, lick it,” he told her as the girl followed his direction and he continued to think about Beasley.
Snow came hard moments later as the girl swallowed his load and thanked him for her tip, leaving him alone in the room. He paid extra for the blowjob without a condom. Snow liked it that way, so he cheerfully ponied up the cash. His cell vibrated and he checked the ID before answering.
“Yeah, what’s up,” Snow threw out.
“Can you get out tonight,” Breed asked calmly.
“Not, an issue,” Snow told him. “I’m already at Madame Chu’s.”
“Hmph,” Breed returned. “Well when you’ve finished your fun, meet me over on Madison Court, same house,” he told him and disconnected.
Snow sighed deeply rising and putting his pants on. He definitely needed to be careful. Bet if it was your ass in that room you wouldn’t have walked out, his mind taunted. The jealously came full circle again and any hesitation he may have earlier felt about connecting with Breed was gone. Snow would have Beasley and the empire he always wanted, by any means necessary. Breed was going to be that means. Dressing finally and snorting another line of cocaine, Snow headed out to his Jeep, jumping behind the wheel and cranking up the sound as he headed for the meet. The sleek silver Maserati Quattro Porte fell immediately into the traffic behind him, the driver’s eyes alert and attentive as he followed his target to his destination.
Snow pulled behind the Black Phantom parked at the cub getting out and heading inside the small brick front duplex. He easily pushed the unlocked door open and walked inside the barely illuminated dwelling. The Maserati also parked as the driver held his position and watched the entrance of the house, waiting for the occupants to emerge.
“So I’m here, what now,” Snow threw out greeting Breed who was enjoying a drink as he walked into the den.
“Did she kill him,” he asked calmly as Snow frowned deeply and told him no.
“That slick muthafucka somehow got out of the shit, as usual,” Snow spat bitterly.
“Hmph,” Breed replied. “Still not necessarily a problem though,” he continued as Snow watched him quietly.
“She will definitely keep a closer eye on him, which means you can do a lot more moving and realigning while she does,” he explained as Snow grunted his understanding.
“I need you to be ready to make a move in the next sixty days,” Breed told him once again.
“I’ll be ready,” Snow grunted.
As they continued to talk Snow’s mind again took flight, recalling his meeting Breed and the unusual proposition the man presented. Shit, what do I care, his money is long and plenteous, Snow thought almost smiling.
“I’ll contact you again in a week,” Breed told him rising. “Have something good to report by then,” he added giving Snow a look before walking out of the door and to the Phantom, getting in and driving away.
Snow followed moments later jumping into the Jeep and heading back to Beasley’s. The Maserati stayed put as the driver pulled out his cell and made a call, reporting all he observed.
*****
Dymond watched from her darkened position outside of the room. Meech was pacing anxiously as Lorenzo, another of her strong lieutenants told him to relax.
“Man, shit, how can I relax,” Meech threw back. “My ass is on the line.”
“But still, relax man, damn,” Lorenzo again told him just as Reaper walked into the room.
Dymond took the man in immediately seeing the disdain on his face as he looked at Meech. My sentiments exactly at the moment, she thought, smiling slightly. Returning her attention to the men in the room, Dymond continued to watch and wait. Her mind drifted and she thought of Beasley, the frown coming quickly and turning acidic. After all the shit we’ve been through, she pulled that stunt and then thinks it would be cool, and I would let it slide, Dymond mused.
“Wait a minute, what the hell are you talking about,” Meech threw out loudly, breaking Dymond’s thought and bringing her attention back to the present.
“I’m talking about the real reason Beasley let your ass walk out of that death trap still breathing,” Reaper answered coldly, the look in his eyes deadly.
Dymond was tempted to break up the tension but decided to let it play out. Reaper wouldn’t kill Meech without her permission.
“What’s your fucking problem with me,” Meech answered, his own eyes narrowing.
“I don’t trust you,” Reaper replied, not missing a beat.
“Well, it doesn’t matter what the fuck you trust,” Meech immediately told him. “Lady Dy runs shit, and she’s the only opinion I give two shits about,” he finished angrily.
Reaper didn’t reply but Dymond saw his jaw clench and his fists balled tightly. Lorenzo spoke finally, cutting the thick anger in the room.
“Meech, look, you have to admit the shit is crazy,” he told him diplomatically.
“Hell everybody knows Be is as ruthless as Dy, and if it were Dy your ass would be sniffing up dirt right now,” he went on as Meech began to calm slightly.
“I think she’s wet for me,” Meech said finally, exhaling deeply and accepting the drink Lorenzo offered.
Dymond smiled malevolently hearing the words from his mouth. Well, that will definitely come in handy, she continued to brood and listen.
“Yeah,” Lorenzo asked. “Well hell, we could definitely use that shit to get to her and take her ass out,” he finished as Reaper nodded slightly still eyeing the man ambivalently.
“I would need to get Snow’s bitch ass out the way first, always causing drama and shit,” he threw back as Lorenzo chuckled.
“Hell, no problem,” he told him calmly. “His ass is always at Madame Chu’s,” he went on, calling the brothel by name.
“Let me run all this shit by Dy and see how she wants to work with it,” Reaper told them as Meech frowned marginally.
“Why isn’t she here,” he asked, wanting very much to see the woman.
“Busy,” Reaper replied simply, his tone implying that was the end of it.
Meech let the subject go, though he didn’t want too. He hated that the only person able to get close to Dymond was Reaper. If he could talk to her, get another five minutes alone with her, things would turn out differently he brooded, thinking of a night long ago.
*****
Reaper walked out of the room and stopped at the open hallway to his left, turning and facing it, looking directly into the darkness.
“He’s weak and you need to get rid of him,” he said calmly, knowing she was there.
Dymond didn’t speak, still looking directly into his eyes as he continued to look into her own.
“I don’t trust him, and he’ll destroy everything you’ve put in place if you don’t move him, soon,” Reaper told her once again.
He knew she was looking into his eyes, he felt her. That’s the way it was with them. They didn’t have to speak to be able to communicate. He finally heard the soft sigh before she spoke.
“Would you like to handle it personally,” she asked and saw the vein in his temple began to throb.
“Yes,” he replied honestly.
“It’s your call Reaper,” Dymond told him, trusting his judgment fully.
“If he becomes that liability, end him,” she said simply as Reaper smiled slightly, turned and walked away without another word.
Dymond continued to sit in the darkness observing Meech as he sat in the room alone now. She could tell from the look on his face exactly what he was thinking about. That was a mistake that should never, ever, have happened, Dymond told herself as she too left her hiding place.