Chapter 13
“Kiss good-bye to our freedom for awhile gentlemen.”
—Carter
Monroe and Leena were surprised by the elaborate reception that had been paid for and gifted to them by Baraka. Although they didn’t know most of the guests there, they partied all the same. There were belly dancers, and flame spitters, and more presents than they could possibly open. The day couldn’t have been more perfect, but as it wound down, they all knew that sunrise would bring about a new era. Carter sat alone at the bar as he watched Breeze dancing drunkenly on the floor with Miamor. The two women looked so carefree . . . genuinely at peace, even if it were only temporary. Carter knew that they both deserved for this feeling of contentment to be permanent and he vowed to give it to them, especially to his lovely Miamor.
“So that is your girl friend?” Yasmine said as she slid into the barstool next to his.
Carter smiled. “That’s her.”
“Looks average to me,” Yasmine commented as she sipped from her champagne glass. She was obviously irritated and slightly intoxicated, equaling a loose tongue.
Carter smirked as he removed her champagne flute from her hands. “I think you’ve had enough,” he said. “You’re talking reckless. Besides, green doesn’t look good on you ma. You’re bigger than that.”
Yasmine cut her eyes at him playfully. “Everything looks good on me Carter, even nothing, but you know that already, don’t you?” she asked seductively as she rolled her eyes and walked away, clearly pissed.
Zyir and Monroe approached him next as they all watched Yasmine make her exit. “You better be careful with that one bro,” Monroe said.
“And you better reign her in before Miamor catches wind,” Zyir added.
“There’s nothing to catch wind of,” Carter assured. He looked at the glass of champagne that he had taken from Yasmine and downed it.
“Just watch out for that one. She’s been at your side since we got here and she don’t seem too happy to find out about Miamor,” Monroe said.
“I’ve got it under control. Luckily this is our last night in Saudi. Tomorrow morning we will be on a plane back to Miami. We’ve got to be prepared for the arrest. Get your heads together. We’ll be going inside for a few years. Doesn’t sound like much compared to the life sentences they were trying to throw at us, but I promise you it won’t be a cake walk. We’ll need protection. In prison its all about numbers and reputation. I’ll make sure we have that,” Carter said. “I need you two to be on the same team . . . we don’t have time for division from within.”
“That’s water under the bridge. We’re good,” Zyir said as he extended his hand to Monroe. Monroe pulled Zyir in for a hug and Carter nodded his head.
“Good,” he said. “Kiss good-bye to our freedom for awhile gentlemen. Tonight will be the last night you’ll enjoy for a long time.”
“Zyir,” Breeze whispered as she saw the caravan of black, chauffeured, SUV’s pull into the gates of Leena’s home. “Thank you God.” She held her nephew, little Carter in her arms. Monroe Jr. clung to the ends of her skirt. “Come on boys, your daddies are home,” she said happily. She was so eager to see them all that she could barely contain herself. When the cars stopped before her in the circular driveway she descended the steps. Miamor and Carter emerged from the first car.
“Welcome home brother,” Breeze greeted with a wide smile.
“Thank you B,” Carter replied. He reached down and scooped his son from her arms. “He looks like me,” he whispered. The infant had grown in the months that Carter had been away and now his features were clearly visible. Carter felt pure pride as he admired a mini-version of himself. It was every man’s greatest desire to have a son and Miamor had given him that. He would be forever grateful to her for such an amazing gift. This little person he held in his arms was his heir . . . the carrier of his last name, of his legacy. Miamor stepped to Breeze’s side and kissed her cheek. She then bent down to pick up Monroe Jr. knowing that Breeze was eager to get to Zyir. “Go get your man,” Miamor said with a wink.
Zyir emerged from the second vehicle and Breeze ran to him full speed. He picked her up and kissed her lips sensually. “I should kill you,” she whispered as tears flooded her eyes. “I really thought you were dead. Do you know what you did to me?”
“I know,” Zyir replied as he held her tightly. Nothing but love pulsed through him as he realized how incomplete he had felt without her. “I’ll never make you a widow Breeze,” he promised. He moved her hair out of her face and placed her on her feet. “I love you.”
As soon as the words left his mouth they were followed by the sounds of sirens. Breeze peered over his shoulder in alarm as she saw the many police cars pulling onto the property.
“Why are they here so soon?” Monroe asked as he emerged from the car. He rushed over to his son and pulled the toddler into a warm embrace.
“Daddy!” his son shouted in excitement.
“I love you Money,” Monroe said. Tears built in his eyes because the short lived reunion was hardly enough. He had hoped to spend a few days with his son before turning himself in. “Take care of mama for me okay? You’re the man of the house. Daddy has to go away for a little while longer, but I’m always thinking about you man. I’ll always come back for you. You’re my strong man?” he asked. His son nodded his head. Monroe knew that the young boy couldn’t comprehend exactly what was happening, but he felt obligated to say all these things before he was taken away. Monroe was becoming emotional at the fact that he was about to miss the next five years of his son’s life. It was a long time to miss of a young child’s upbringing. This was a long good-bye and he only hoped that one day his son would understand. Leena knelt down next to them.
“Tell daddy you love him Money,” she said. She grabbed Monroe’s hand as they embraced their son.
“Love you daddy,” the toddler spoke.
“We both love you Monroe and we’ll wait . . . for however long it takes,” she promised.
Monroe kissed both of their foreheads and then stood to his feet. Carter and Zyir came to his side as the wives and children stepped back.
Carter handed his son off to Miamor and etched her face into his memory. He kissed her lips. “Everything will be okay. I’ll be there, visiting you, writing you, whatever you need,” she assured. Carter nodded and in that moment held so much respect for her. A lot of women made the promise to ride it out but very few actually came through. He knew that this was one thing he didn’t need to worry about. If Miamor said it, she meant it and suddenly he was plagued with guilt for betraying her with Yasmine. A part of him wanted to confess his sins to her but he knew her too well. She would hate him forever because while she had been back in Miami fighting for him, he had been fucking the next chick. That resentment would only grow while he was locked up and it would tear them apart. He needed her. He loved her, even when his actions spoke otherwise. Miamor would be his motivation to keep his nose clean inside. Prison was a whole new world. Once you went behind the wall there was never a guarantee that you would emerge. five years could easily turn into forever if they caught a new charge. Miamor nodded her head and blew Carter a kiss as he was taken into federal custody. It was now up to the three of them to keep The Cartel afloat and to move them into the next era.
Leena picked up her son and turned around. “I’m not staying to witness this. We’re done with this street shit,” Leena said firmly. “When they get out, I want them to come home to something legit. I never want my son to see his father off to prison again.”
Leena stormed into the house as Breeze and Miamor shot each other a glance of sympathy. The two women huddled close to each other as Miamor cradled her son. It was a new day and as their men were carted away like common criminals Miamor knew that Leena was right. It was time to move forward in a different direction. It was time for maturation.