The Cartel 5: La Bella Mafia

“It’s so damn hot here! I thought Miami summers were bad, but this is almost unbearable,” Leena huffed as her driver helped her out of the SUV.

Lisa Matthews, owner of Vegas’ most prominent real estate agency, chuckled as she led the way into the condominium. “Living in the middle of the desert takes some getting used to. I’ve been here ten years and it still gets to me sometimes.” She waved her hands around at the buildings around them. This is city center. It is the most luxurious property in the entire city. I think you will love it,” she said as she led the way.

The beautiful Aria hotel was inspired by Chinese architecture and took her breath away as soon as she stepped foot inside. Everything was high quality, from the marble floors to the floating candles hanging from the fifty-foot ceilings. It was amazing and immediately excitement about this new venture filled Leena’s chest. “If the condos are anything like this casino, I’m already sold,” she said.

“I think that was the designer’s intention,” Lisa laughed. “Let the casino sell the real estate. This way please,” she directed, walking swiftly.

They took the residency elevator all the way to the top floor where the elevator opened up to a plush, 5,000 square foot, two-story, condominium. It came already furnished, with the best view of the strip, and a private plunge pool to match. Leena smiled. This was living. Maybe Vegas won’t be so bad, she thought.

“I love this,” she admitted.

“I have two other ones just like it. One sits atop of the Mandarin Oriental and the other atop of the Vdara. Both the same size, different layouts, but equally nice. Designed by the same person. All you and your sisters would have to do is move in,” Lisa said.

“It’s a done deal,” Leena said. “Let’s talk price.”

Leena was all about the numbers and by the time she was done negotiating she had walked the price down by a quarter million dollars for each condo. Lisa left out of the deal with only a fifth of her normal commission after Leena was done with her.

“We’re also interested in commercial real estate . . . casino’s in particular,” Leena said.

Lisa stopped walking. She had been defeated in negotiations with Leena over the condos but the word casino renewed her. She had never been involved in the purchase of one, but she knew that it was the cash cow. She silently wondered if this lovely black girl in front of her even had enough money to enter the ball game. Vegas was a ‘pay to play’ type of city.

“I’d be happy to help you. I know of a few properties that are on the market but we aren’t talking about million dollar properties here. You would have to have capital in excess of at least a $100,000,000,” Lisa informed. “There are many moving parts when it comes to the casino business. I can handle the real estate side, but you’ll need legal representation and you’ll have to set up a board of trustees, amongst many other things. I can get in touch with a few colleagues of mine that can help me execute this type of deal, but the money would have to be readily available.”

“That’s not a problem,” Leena replied cockily.

Lisa stammered, unable to form words. She had clearly underestimated Leena. She had assumed that she was the girlfriend or wife of some famous athlete.

“P-perfect,” Lisa said, getting excited about the potential commission to be made. “I just need to see your purchase permits, liquor and gambling licenses as well to get the process started. It takes ninety days to even hear back from the gambling commission. Acquisition of a casino requires a letter of loan approval as well from the financial institution that’s financing you. I’ll write down this information and when you are ready, you can contact me. I’ll be happy to assist you with the purchase of the casino, but I must warn you honey. You don’t have the right color skin or the right jewels between your legs. That alone will stop you in a city like Vegas. Old Italian money runs that industry.” Lisa handed Leena her card.

Leena placed it in her Louis Vuitton clutch and replied, “Yeah well new black money is moving to town. I would suggest they make room.”

“Magdalena, please prepare a bottle for CJ,” Miamor said as she walked around her new home. It was immaculate. All white with floor to ceiling glass windows and her view was amazing. The entire strip could be seen below her and the mountains were in the far distance. “Auntie Leena really outdid herself,” she cooed to her baby boy as she bounced him in her arms. She looked at him. She was completely in love with her son. The past year and a half of her life had been pure hell without Carter. She missed him on a daily and discovering her way as a mom on her own had not been easy, but she had finally found her groove. With the help of Magdalena, she was doing just fine. She wasn’t the typical Susie homemaker but she loved him all the same. There was something to be said about motherly instinct. Even the most wretched soul could be saved when it came to loving a child and Miamor completely adored hers. CJ was a perfect mix of his parents and he reminded her of Carter so much that she couldn’t help but be completely putty in his hands. He was now one and a half and the bond they shared amazed her. She had been hardened by life’s circumstances but when it came to her son she was a soft cookie. She couldn’t wait for Carter to finish his bid and rejoin their family. Life would be so perfect. Until then she had to fill his shoes and command an army of goons as they took over a new town. The doorbell rang and Miamor carried CJ with her as she went to answer the door. Breeze and Leena were the only ones who knew where she lived. The rest of The Cartel members had been put up in Summerlin, a safe distance away from where the bosses actually rested their heads. The only members that were allowed to be close were Aries and Fly Boogie. They took up residence in rental apartments in the hotel portion of the resort.

“Hey,” she greeted as she allowed them entry.

Breeze immediately scooped her nephew from Miamor’s arms. They shared a bond like no other. Breeze loved on her nephews constantly, spoiling both Monroe and Carter’s sons as if they were her own. “He’s getting so big! I can’t believe he will be two in a few weeks,” Breeze said as she held him above her head while making love faces at him. “I’m throwing him a party,” she said.

“Glad you have so much time on your hands,” Miamor shot back with a smile. “While you’re doing that, I’ll be dealing with the gaming control board and gambling commission. They denied my application.”

“We have to have that. You’re being boxed out by the Italians,” Leena said as she lifted Monroe Jr. up and sat him on the kitchen island. She removed his shoes, kissed his cheek, and then placed him back on the floor. Miamor shook her head as she realized that the three of them were truly multitasking. Raising children, running an empire, and holding down their men was no easy task but through sisterhood, they were making it. In that moment she was truly grateful for Leena and Breeze. It had been an unlikely sisterhood, but somehow it worked.

“We will get it. I’m going to make sure of it. I know a few Italians in high places,” Miamor replied.

Miamor had known that she would need Timmy Bono sooner or later. A business alliance between the two of them could only prove to be fruitful. He owed her a favor and she was smart enough to only use it when it was absolutely necessary. This greasy, olive oil smelling, mu’fucka is just what I need to get by in this town, she said. Timmy “Two Time” Bono was old mafia and he had much respect in the game. Just because he had never been to Las Vegas didn’t mean that the Italians who ran the city had never heard of him. They knew exactly who he was so when he requested a sit down, they obliged. They just didn’t know that he was bringing a guest along with him.

“Let me do the talking toots,” he said as he smashed out his cigarette on the brick exterior of the butcher’s shop that they were about to enter. “Just stand next to me and look pretty.”

She smirked but didn’t respond. She would let him think that he was running the show . . . for now. As soon as she entered the shop the smell of blood overwhelmed her. Italians were all about their produce and fresh meats and cheese lay behind the glass freezer cases. It smelled like a slaughterhouse and her stomach turned as they bypassed the front, walking directly into the back.

A bulky, overweight, man stood off to the side and allowed Timmy to pass, but he stopped Miamor dead in her tracks, pushing her chest slightly.

“This is Gucci you fat fuck,” she said in irritation as she slapped his hand away.

“She’s with me,” Timmy Bono said. His words were like magic. He might as well have said ‘abracadabra’ because suddenly the big man magically had a change of heart, letting her walk by. A card game was taking place inside a walk-in deep freezer and to her surprise a man hung in the corner, hog tied and hanging by his hands as he shivered uncontrollably. Miamor didn’t flinch. She had done worse in her day so the bloodied man before her was all in a day’s work. This wasn’t some rival drug crew in Opa-locka, or a hustler on the come-up in Carroll City. The Italians weren’t running an amateur show. They were a crime syndicate that had reigned over Las Vegas for years. She was well aware of her adversary . . . but they were unaware of theirs.

“Who’s the girl?” one of the men asked as he filled the air with putrid cigar smoke.

“A friend,” Timmy Bono stated.

“Timmy “Two Time” you are always welcome in Las Vegas. Chicago is where the bosses reside. They’ve spoken highly of you. Your rank is recognized here. This mouliano we don’t know. You shouldn’t have brought her here.”

“This mouliano’s name is Miamor and I run The Cartel from Miami,” she said, speaking up for herself.

The silence that fell over the room let her know that they had heard of The Cartel before.

“You’re a long way from Miami,” Mr. Cigar said as he held his cards close to his chest. He didn’t give her the respect of looking at her as he spoke, but the other men at the table stared intently.

“I’m here to buy a casino. After being denied a license, I was told to come here. Apparently the gambling commission has a commission. I take it that this is it,” she commented. “I come in peace and offering five percent of my earnings to you Mr. . . .”

“Salerno,” the old man huffed.

“In addition to my five percent I come with a gift,” she said. She placed a suitcase in front of him. “A million dollars. No pressure, just a gift. I hope that my application can be reconsidered. I’ve done square business with Mr. Bono. I know that it is necessary for me to have an Italian presence in my casino. I’m prepared to offer him a position on the board, to represent the interests of the Italian community.”

“Smart girl,” Salerno stated. He didn’t even pop open the briefcase. He simply slid it to the man sitting at his left and said, “Put that up. We done here or you gonna interrupt my card game all day?”

Miamor contained her smile because she knew that by accepting the money he was accepting her terms. Had Carter walked into the joint they would have never done business with him. Italians hated black men, but they loved black women and Salerno could get used to the pretty, young, thing with attitude that had waltzed into his butcher shop. He had a hard on for Miamor. Her skin tone, the contours of her hips, her breasts, even her pretty face . . . he lusted after it all. There was no way he was turning her down, at least not until after he had sampled what was between her legs.

“Have a good day,” she said as she turned around.

“Bono, pull up a chair. Deal him in,” Salerno stated. “Oh yeah and toots . . .” he said to Miamor just as she reached the door. She rolled her eyes. Apparently it was the nickname that all Italian men had reserved just for her. “Make that ten percent and if you ever cross me I’ll cut your pretty fucking tongue out of your mouth and lick my balls with it, eh?”

Miamor smirked before turning on her heels and walking out, completely satisfied. She was one step closer to fulfilling Carter’s dream. By the time he came home, his casino would be up and running.

“This is all you get in Las Vegas for $100,000,000,” Leena asked skeptically as she turned up her nose at the old, musty, hotel and casino. The machines were old and outdated; the furniture rickety and rusty. Breeze, Leena, and Miamor looked around slightly taken aback.

“It was scheduled for demolition,” Lisa Matthews said as she held out her hands. “You didn’t pay for the building. It was the location that cost you. You are right on the South end of the strip. Your location alone is worth at least three times more than what you paid. A little TLC will have this place up and running.” The real estate agent tried to sound optimistic but even she wasn’t buying the load of crap that was falling out of her mouth. “All the three of you have to do is sign right here on the dotted line and this property will be yours?”

Miamor breathed deeply as a heavy feeling sank into her chest. This was the moment that they all had been waiting on, but she couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed. She had never had to make moves on behalf of anyone but herself. She wished Carter was free. Letters and phone calls weren’t enough to fill the void that he had left in her life. She had been making plans, executing plays, and moving on his behalf. There was no way to let him know about every thing that went down before she did it, so she was playing so much by ear in hopes that she was acting in accord to what he wanted. Was this the property that he would want? Would he be displeased that she had to cut a deal with the Italians in order to make it happen? Miamor was so unsure about so many things, but it was too late to back out now. She took the pen from Lisa’s hand and reluctantly provided her signature. Leena signed next and then Breeze.

“Congratulations,” Lisa said as she tucked the paperwork securely in her briefcase. “You are now the proud owner of . . .” The woman paused and said. “What are you going to name it?”

“The Davinci,” Miamor replied.

“Has a nice ring to it,” Breeze stated. “How did you come up with that?”

“Because I’m going to make this a work of art,” Miamor answered surely. Leena pulled a bottle of Champagne out of her oversized bag and popped the top. The girls squealed in excitement as the bubbles overflowed.

“We don’t have glasses,” Breeze said.

“Than hit it like a thug B, stop being so prissy,” Leena teased. Breeze laughed as she tilted her head back as Leena poured champagne in her mouth. The girls laughed as they each drank a bit in honor of their first official day as owners of The Davinci Resort and Casino.