Gangsta Twist 3 (17 page)

“Yes, comrade, I feel you.”

“I'll give you a call tomorrow after I've thought this through some more.”

“All I ask of you is to think this through with a rational mindset. There will be the time when we will make the necessary moves against those who we deem our enemy in all of this. I will do as you requested and remove my men from your home state within twenty-four hours, comrade. I'll be waiting to hear from you,” Akim said as he hung up the phone and smiled at Alex.

Without saying a word to his longtime friend Akim dialed a number on his cell and waited while the phone rang. When Commandant Ivanov answered Akim told him in rapid Russian, “You did very well, Commandant. Now, I need for you to make sure everything is in place before you and your team return home.”

“Everything is in order, Akim. The other team has settled in and is prepared to surveil Taz and his crew as well as his wife, daughter, and mother. While we were playing out this ruse you planned they were busy setting everything in motion. Taz really thinks he's that good because they were able to spot us; that is funny because if we didn't want them to see us they would never have known we were around.”

“I know this. You know how Americans are. They have to be the best at everything they do. They continue to underestimate and that's one of their weaknesses. Taz is a good man though and a good friend. That is why I am making sure he remains above ground. Come home, comrades. You and your team will have a grand welcoming home party as well as being compensated for a job well done.”'

Commandant Ivanov smiled into the receiver of his cell and simply said, “
Da!
”

Chapter Twenty
-
four

Taz was spending the morning entertaining his mother and Mrs. Leslie. Actually they were the ones who were entertaining him with their jokes. Mama-Mama was busy cracking jokes about Reverend Collins and how he had been trying to get his mack on with her. Taz was in stitches as he listened to the women clown the poor preacher.

“I'm telling you, boy, that man think 'cause he's driving a brand new Cadillac he is the man!” Mama-Mama laughed.

“I mean really, the only reason he's driving that new car is because of the church. We chose to start the fund that saved the money to get him a new car because that old bucket he used to drive was barely getting his tail to service on time! Let alone trying to be able to move around the city to go visit our church members who aren't able to make it to church. Now he's some Billy Dee Williams wannabe pretty boy type. He better stick to serving the Word of the Lord!”

Laughing loudly, Mama-Mama said, “I know that's right, Mrs. Leslie, because he sure ain't going to have a chance to serve me anything else!”

Shaking his head from side to side Taz said, “You are too cold, Mama-Mama.” He checked his watch and said, “Okay, since you two seem to have everything in order here I've got to get going. If you need anything make sure you get at me, Mama-Mama, me or anyone of the crew. Cool?”

“Cool, dude. Don't worry about me, boy, we're just fine.”

Before he could speak again his cell rang. “Excuse me, y'all, this is a business call,” Taz said as he stepped into the kitchen with his phone to his ear. “What's good, Snuffy?”

“I just got a call from Chinaman. He told me Malcolm Brown got blown to bits last night leaving one of his broads' houses.”

“Blown to bits?”

“Literally. They blew his ass up with a bomb or some shit in his car.”

“Damn. Okay, what about the business that was out on his end?”

“I've already gotten at Jay Bogard and he is having his people in the D get out to the Chi as well as Indiana so they can take care of everything. From what I've heard from Snack, Malcolm had already made the moves and everything was in place. I'll know more when Jay Bogard gets with me, Malcolm's second in charge.”

“Did Snack say anything about what happened to Malcolm Brown? You know like what's the word right now?”

“Right now everyone is like ‘what the fuck?' No clue who did this shit, dog.”

“All right, stay on it and let me know what's what.”

“Will do.”

“What's up with your end?”

“Everything is great. The amigos out of Laredo are about to get with us so we'll have one of the loads out the way by the end of the night. Man, you were right about this move. It's crazy easy and the money is stupid dumb.”

“It looks like it's going to get crazier before it gets all the way good.”

“Dog, that's how this life is. Stay safe.”

“Always,” Taz said as he hung up the phone and then called Sacha and told her what happened to Malcolm Brown.

“Great. Now every time I get into one of our vehicles I'll have this shit on my mind.”

“Calm down, li'l mama, we are better than that and this shit has nothing to do with us. I'm sure whoever made this move against Malcolm was on some other shit. Most likely the man of one of the many females he was messing with, or some shit.”

“I know you don't believe that, Taz. What normal man has access to blowing up a man's car? Especially a man like Malcolm Brown. He was respected as well as feared all around his city. There's more to this and you need to look into this deeper before you automatically assume any different.”

“Makes sense. All right, I'm on my way home. Call the crew and have them meet me there. Love you, li'l mama.”

“Love you too.”

Taz came back into the living room and Mama-Mama could tell something was heavy on his mind. She stood and motioned for Taz to join her in her bedroom. “Excuse me, Mrs. Leslie. I need to speak to my boy in private.”

“No problem, I'll get something started for lunch,” Mrs. Leslie said as she went into the kitchen.

Once they were inside of the bedroom Mama-Mama asked Taz, “Is everything all right? You look like death has knocked on your door, boy.”

Amazed at how well his mother knew his looks and moods he said, “Yeah, a so-called friend of mine was murdered last night in Chicago.”

“So-called? What kind of friend can be labeled like that?”

“Long story, Mama-Mama. The thing is things are getting out of hand and I need to make some firm decisions soon.”

“I know when it comes to these decisions you will make the right ones. You must do what you have to do in your business to make sure things remain intact.”

“Yeah, but it seems as if it's more than just business. It's getting personal and before I let anyone of my people get hurt I'll do what I have to do.”

Nodding her head in understanding, Mama-Mama said, “Always hope for the best, Taz. Remember, it's easy to hope for the best as long as you're prepared for the worst. Your father was the best at that; he made sure that he was always thinking ahead of everyone else around him.”

“That's exactly what I've been trying to do but every time I think I got a proper hold on a certain situation something else pops up unexpectedly and causes me more confusion. It's crazy and in a way I just want to fall all the way back and leave this life alone and raise my sons with Sacha and live happy with my family.”

“Why don't you do that then?”

“I took this responsibility six years ago because it's what Won wanted me to do. I can't shy away from it just because things have gotten a little heated on me. Especially now that I know he was my father. I can't let him down, Mama-Mama.”

She smiled lovingly at her son and said, “Boy, if you ain't your daddy's son. There is nothing in this world that I could say to change your mind because I know you won't listen anyway. Won wanted you to have the power he chased his entire life. You have it, son, so do what needs to be done.”

“I will. This power he left me is like a heady drug: only the strong can resist its pull. I'm not addicted to power but at the same time it makes me feel different at times. I know I have to flex my muscle and when I do I ask myself am I doing the right thing. But I know I have to use it to further our purpose. We got to win at all costs so I can't and will not relinquish this power for nothing in this world.”

Mama smiled and said, “You just make sure you don't let nothing happen to you or I'll have to step up and show my gangsta side and you know Mama-Mama don't play!” They started laughing and gave one another a hug. “Everything is going to work out fine. You're a leader, Taz Good. Lead like you're supposed to. Lead like your father expects you to. It's in your blood to lead, boy.”

Taz smiled at his mother and gave her a nod in understanding. There was no need for any more words; he knew he had to handle his business. He gave Mama-Mama another hug and kissed her on the cheek. “You take it easy out here, Mama-Mama, and remember to call any one of us if you need anything or feel like talking.”

“I will. You just make sure Sacha brings my g-babies on time for their home schooling.”

Taz smiled at that and said, “Well that kinda got me in trouble so it may be me bringing them over here.”

“I don't care who brings them. You just make sure they get here, ya hear me, boy?”

“Yes, Mama-Mama,” he said as he stood and left the house. Business needed to be addressed. Shit had just gotten more hectic.

 

 

When Mr. Suarez received the call that Malcolm Brown had been murdered in Chicago the first name that came to his mind was Taz. Would Taz break his word and move on Malcolm Brown? After thinking about that for a few minutes he couldn't shake how he was feeling so he picked up the phone and called Akim in Russia. After bringing the Russian up to speed on what happened to Malcolm Brown he asked him, “Do you think our young friend in Oklahoma City had something to do with this, Señor?”

Akim thought about that question for a few seconds and answered honestly. “Taz would not break his word. The only way he would go against what he promised was if he felt a direct threat from the man. Malcolm was under your control so Taz wouldn't move on him. If he felt threatened he would have moved on Saint Tramon or Danny Orumutto first.”

Shaking his head in agreement into the receiver of the phone Mr. Suarez said, “
Sí,
this makes sense. Now we've lost some of our advantage with this situation, how do you think we should precede, Señor?'

“Very cautiously, Mr. Suarez, very cautiously. I think our friend Malcolm Brown's murder was a message of sorts.”

“From who?”

“Who else? Saint Tramon. This has her devious handprints all over it. I don't know why. She must have deemed Malcolm Brown a threat or no longer useful and had him disposed of, knowing that this will cause the proper amount of confusion within the Network.”

“But why?”

“That, my friend, is the million dollar question. The answer will come soon though, that I'm positive of. Let me go now. I need to speak with our friend in Oklahoma City. I will give you a call later this evening, Señor Suarez,” Akim said as he ended the call. He then called Taz. When Taz didn't answer his phone he hung up and sat back at his desk.
What the hell is going on over there in America?
he asked himself as he poured himself a shot of vodka.

 

 

By the time Taz made it to his home every member of the crew was already inside of his den waiting for him. He stepped straight to the bar and poured himself a shot of XO and downed it before speaking. Sacha checked her watch and saw that it was way too early in the morning for him to be drinking. That told her one thing: Taz was pissed.
Not good, not good at all,
she thought as she waited for him to speak.

“What's wrong, dog? You look pissed off,” said Bob.

“I'm tired of the games. I'm to the point where we need to just say fuck it and smash Saint Tramon and Danny Orumutto and get this shit over with so we can move forward with our business. I'm not used to this laidback shit we've been on. I've tried this because Akim and Mr. Suarez feel it would be best for our business.”

“What's good for business could be bad for all of us,” Tari said wisely.

“My thought exactly, Tee.”

“Go with your first mind, dog; don't second-guess your instincts,” said Red.

Taz nodded and said, “I'm about to get back at Akim after that conversation; then we'll decide what's what. Either way I feel it's time to become more aggressive with this shit.”

“I think I can speak for us all on this, Taz. We're with whatever you're with, my nigga,” said Wild Bill.

Every member of the crew plus Sacha shook their head in agreement with Wild Bill's statement.

Taz pulled out his phone and called Akim. As soon as Akim answered Taz wasted no time with greetings. “I'm tired of the games being played, Akim. I'm ready to take the offense on this and bring all of this shit to an end. Saint Tramon and Danny Orumutto have pushed me to my point.”

“What? Calm down, Taz. What makes you think Saint Tramon and Danny Orumutto have done anything?”

“Come on, Akim, who else would blow Malcolm Brown to pieces?”

“What good would it do for them to have had that done to him, Taz? That's the question you need to ask. Honestly, I was calling you to ask if you had made this move against Malcolm Brown.”

“You fucking with me right?”

“Answer the question, Taz.”

“I find it best to ignore wild accusations, Akim, especially when you know damn well I am a man of my word. If I would have moved on Malcolm Brown you would have known it because I would have told you.”

Akim sighed and said, “I wanted to hear you speak those words, Taz. I don't think you did this and I must agree with you that Saint Tramon and Danny Orumutto are the most obvious suspects. But why? Why take Malcolm Brown out?”

“Somehow he overplayed his hand or pissed them off; who knows and for real who gives a fuck? Saint Tramon is lying in the cut trying to play me. Before I let the snake bitch strike I'm going to make my move. I'm tired of this soft shit, Akim. I'm not trying to ruin our business because it looks like it will be a success just as you predicted, but what good am I to this good business if I'm no longer breathing?”

“What are you saying, Taz?”

“I'm saying I'm going to give them one last time to come at me and make me feel shit is good. If they don't come correct and make me feel as if it's all good then it's time for them to go. I already have to find a replacement for Malcolm Brown on the council; finding one for Saint Tramon wouldn't be a problem at all.”

“Are you going to have a meeting with them to discuss these concerns of yours?”

“I'm going to get in contact with Danny and set something up. I'm sure I'll see Saint Tramon at Malcolm Brown's funeral and we'll talk afterward. Then I'll make my decision.”

“Understood. I support you on whichever way you choose to go with this, Taz. I too am tired of these games. Let's address it together, comrade, and move our business forward as planned.”

Taz had a smile on his face and so did every member of the crew sitting inside of the den. The only person who wasn't smiling was Sacha.
Oh, shit, it's about to get crazy now for sure,
she said to herself as she stared at the man she loved more than anything in this world.