Gangsta Twist 3 (8 page)

The St. Regis Bal Harbour Resort was everything they said it was and some. Taz and the entire crew were enjoying everything the resort had to offer from the private organic spa treatments to swimming to the scrumptious meals at the J&G Grill prepared by the internationally renowned chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten.

After four days of being totally pampered and extra relaxed, Taz decided that it was time for the business to be handled. He was sitting on the bed waiting for Sacha to come out of the bathroom. While she was off to take the twins to her mother and father's home in Tampa Bay, he would be meeting with Mr. Suarez at his home with the crew, getting the last meeting out of the way before the Network's quarterly meeting set up for Friday afternoon in a private cabana he had reserved.

The council had arrived the day after the crew, and Taz took time to speak to each member briefly. As soon as the conversation tried to turn toward the upcoming meeting, he put a stop to that because there was no way he was discussing any of his moves until he had the meeting with the Cuban drug lord of Miami. Today was that day, and Taz's palms were sweaty thinking about going into the lion's den once again. That's what it felt like it would be once he entered Mr. Suarez's home.

Sacha came out of the bathroom dressed casually in some shorts and a T-shirt with some colorful flip-flops on her feet. She had her long hair pulled into a ponytail. Her bronze-colored skin seemed to glow making her already exotic look seem even more exotic to Taz. He loved looking at his wife; she was absolutely gorgeous.

“Damn, li'l mama, you're looking real damn fine. Why don't I put off that meeting with the Cuban and we lie here on this bed and do the damn thang all day and night?”

“Humph. You wish. No way am I denying my parents their grandkids any longer. They have been pestering me and getting on my last nerves to bring the boys to them. They want the last three days of this trip with the twins and I am not getting in their way. So hold it together until I return this evening big boy. I promise I'll make sure you can get these goodies.”

Laughing, Taz said, “I can't wait! All right, baby, make sure you give me a call when you're on your way back. Tell your moms and pops that I send my love and that I'll be flying them out to L.A. real soon. Maybe for the summer if they want.”

“Okay, you know they're going to love that. All right let me go make sure those boys aren't driving Gwen crazy. I'm glad she's going to ride down to Tampa Bay with me. That's going to make everything easier.”

“That's cool. By the time y'all get back everything will be everything with the meeting with Mr. Suarez.”

She saw the stressful expression on Taz's face and said, “Handle it, Taz. Handle it so you can move forward with your plans. Everything is going to be fine.” She stepped to him and gave him a kiss. She slipped her tongue in his mouth and the kiss went from a tender moment to a passionate one instantly. She pulled back from him and said, “Whew! Damn, we may need to have a little quickie; you done got me all hot with that one, Mr. Taz.”

Laughing, Taz said, “Take off them damn shorts then and come hop on this here dick, li'l mama!”

Doing as she was told Sacha started laughing. “You ain't said nothing but a word!” She pulled off her shorts quickly and climbed on top of her husband's lap and got the ride of her life.

 

 

Saint Tramon, Piper Dixon, Malcolm Brown, and Chill Will were all having lunch at the J&G Grill. The main topic of conversation was the upcoming council meeting and what Taz had on his mind. Saint Tramon, the more reasonable out of the four, was truly baffled. It bothered her that with all of her connections she hadn't been able to find out exactly what Taz's meetings with Jorge Santa Cruz and Danny Orumutto had been about. Her sources did confirm however that Taz was having yet another meeting, this time with Mr. Suarez, the top man in the drug business here in Miami. This further piqued her interest because Taz was definitely up to something and she had a feeling that they weren't going to particularly care for what their young leader was going to present at the council meeting.

Saint Tramon, at fifty-nine years of age, was still strikingly beautiful. One could tell by her smooth skin that she had been drop-dead gorgeous back in her prime. She was a true red bone, with long silky hair showing her Creole heritage. There had been numerous rumors of plastic surgery, but everyone close to her knew better. Saint Tramon had aged well and was still considered to be more than highly active sexually. The only thing she was guilty of doing was dying her hair. She detested gray hair and refused to let any gray be seen in her long tresses. Her breasts were still firm with very little sag and thanks to a strict seafood diet and regular workouts she kept her body in tiptop condition. She gave women ten to fifteen years younger than her a run for their money. She proudly boasted to anyone who cared to listen that she kept a different boy toy for her sexual pleasures. She was truly a remarkable woman, remarkable in many ways. When it came to running her business in New Orleans both legally and illegally she was not to be taken lightly. The rumors of voodoo also helped her maintain total control of the ruthless streets of New Orleans being how the New Orleans natives believed in that sort of thing greatly. Saint Tramon loathed Taz for many reasons and she would be damned if she didn't run him out of the Network. That was her mission and every person having lunch with her was in agreement: Taz had to go, one way or the other.

Piper Dixon was totally opposite of her female counterpart. Where Saint Tramon was light-skinned and full figured, Piper Dixon was petite and had a dark complexion. She kept her hair cut short and was most known for her expensive style of dress. She refused to be caught in anything that wasn't hand crafted by some top-of-the-line clothing designer. It was rumored that she spent millions on her wardrobe yearly. She had a serious passion for fashion. She could afford it because of the many profitable business ventures she ran in the Seattle area as well as Northern California. Her illegal enterprise made it so there was nothing that she couldn't afford. The one thing she wanted most though was for Taz to pay for what Won did to Pitt. She would go to her grave trying to punish Taz for what Won had done to her longtime friend and confidant, Pitt.

Malcolm Brown was a handsome man of caramel complexion. At six foot one his slim build gave off the track star type look. In very good shape and considered by most women to be “Playboy handsome” he was a man who loved and appreciated a beautiful woman. Business was first with Malcolm and women were secondary. He would never make the same mistakes his deceased uncle made. Yes, everyone knew that if he possessed a weakness it would be women. He was not a weak man and the one thing he wanted more than anything was the top spot of the Network. That meant he wanted Taz out, sooner rather than later.

Chill Will was a small, slim man. He stood a little over five foot eight. He was well known for his blazing temper. He could kill a man or have a man killed for the smallest things. Some considered him to be very petty. Most knew that he was extremely dangerous and not to be taken lightly. He had been totally loyal to Pitt and, for that reason only, he detested Taz.

“Okay, since no one seems to know what our young leader is up to it's safe to assume we're in for some surprises at the council meeting Friday. I suggest we make our pact now that whatever Taz is up to or presents to us we shoot it right down. I mean total nays from each of us,” suggested Saint Tramon.

“What if it's something that can be in our favor? We cannot go into the meeting like that,” said Chill Will. “I'm no fan of that young man, but I'm no fool either. He has done nothing but make one good move after another for the good of the Network. I say we wait and see what he is up to before we agree to shoot it down.”

“Makes sense to me,” said Malcolm Brown.

“Me too,” added Piper Dixon.

“Much as I can't stand that young man I guess you're right. I still feel we should be prepared to go against him because my gut tells me we're not going to like what he has to say. I mean why would he have to have these meetings with the main suppliers for the Network's drug connections? We all know how Taz feels about drugs. What was those damn meetings about?” Saint Tramon said obviously frustrated.

“There's no need beating ourselves up over something we don't know the answer to. We'll just have to wait and see at the meeting. What I do suggest we do though is have some words with Chinaman and see if we can get him on our side. He can be a deciding vote if need be,” said Piper.

“True. But honestly none of that really matters because Taz has the final say in everything,” said Chill Will.

“That is something that really irks the hell out of me. That rule applied to Cash Flo and Cash Flo only. It shouldn't be applied to Taz! We have to find a way around that somehow,” said Saint Tramon.

“It applies to the leader of the Network and right now Taz holds that title. The only way we can remove him from that position is if we can show and prove that he has been negligent or flat-out fucked up in his decision making concerning the Network's best interests. Taz has his supporters on the council and we all know that they will stand by his side unless we can prove he is no longer worthy of the top spot,” Malcolm Brown said seriously.

“This is true. Or we can simply have him killed.”

The other three council members sat there silently and stared at Saint Tramon. She finally spoke the words that each of them had thought about seriously over the last six years but never had the nerve to say aloud. Murdering the leader of the Network could cause the demise of what they were a part of or make everything go the way they all wanted it to. It could cause a war within the Network so serious that everything could go ass backward for all of them. Was it really worth the risk? This question was swirling around inside of each of the four council members' minds as they sat there in silence.

Taz, Tari, Red, Wild Bill, and Bob arrived at the Suarez mansion fifteen minutes late. Taz laughed when Tari told him that they were what was called fashionably late. Once the gate was electronically opened Red eased their rented SUV inside of the massive grounds of Mr. Suarez's home. When they pulled in front of the mansion Taz took a deep breath and told the crew, “Okay, this is for real the one meeting I am worried about. I intend to play this cool, but at the same time remain firm on my stance. In no way though do I want to insult Mr. Suarez so I need y'all to keep your poker faces on even if he says some slick shit. There's nothing we can do if he gets salty at us, so there's no need for any signs of emotions to be shown. If we have to go to war with the Cubans then we'll express ourselves when we get to it. Y'all feel me?”

“Better fucking believe it, dog,” said Red.

“One hundred percent, my nigga,” said Wild Bill.

“All the way, baby,” said Bob.

“I'm good with that, Taz. You just make sure that you stick to what you're telling us,” Tari said and smiled.

Taz returned her smile. “I got you, Tee. Come on, there's Castro, Mr. Suarez's number one.” They all got out of the car and followed Taz up seven steps of the front door of the Suarez mansion. Taz reached his hand out and gave Castro a firm handshake. “What's good, Castro, you're looking well.”

Castro at six foot three was a mean-looking Cuban who gave the impression that when it came to him handling his business it would be handled very violently. To those who were close to him or considered him a friend he was a calm and cool man. He smiled at Taz and said, “I try to keep myself looking good. You know that, Taz. I see you're looking dapper as ever.”

“You know how I do.” Taz turned and waved toward the crew and said, “You remember my crew?”

“
Sí.
” He then gave each crew member a nod in greeting. He faced Taz again and said, “I must search all of you now, Taz.”

Taz gave a nod and raised his hands so Castro could search him. After he finished searching Taz he quickly pat searched the rest of the crew and smiled. “You good, Castro?”

“Always good when dealing with you, Taz. Come. Mr. Suarez is waiting.” He then led the way inside of the mansion followed closely by Taz and the crew.

Mr. Suarez was sitting behind a huge mahogany desk inside of his office looking every bit the boss that he was. When he saw Taz he stood and came from behind the desk smiling. He stepped to Taz and gave him a hug and said, “Welcome, Señor Taz. Welcome to my home.” He turned, faced the crew, smiled at them, and said, “All of you look so serious. Smile, this is a beautiful day!” That seem to put the crew at ease as each smiled and greeted the Cuban drug lord of Miami. After telling everyone to be seated Mr. Suarez went back behind his desk and said, “Before we get to this serious business meeting that you suggested we have, Taz, I want to take a moment to share a few things with you if I may?”

“I have no problem with that, Mr. Suarez.”

“Good. Because when I'm finished I'm positive all of the seriousness concerning your reasons for this meeting will vanish. Let me start by saying I already know about your plans to end our business with one another as far as the purchase of the yay-yo from me.”

Taz's face remained neutral as he asked, “And may I inquire as to how you came up with this information, Mr. Suarez?”

Mr. Suarez laughed and said, “From a very reliable source. So reliable in fact that I felt he was needed here today for this meeting.”

As if this had been rehearsed, Castro entered the room followed closely by none other than Akim Novikov and Alexander Sokolov. Taz was no longer able to maintain his poker face. The shocked expression on his face brought a smile to Akim's. “Ah. I see that my American comrade is shocked to see me.”

“Very shocked. What's the business, Akim?”

Akim and Alexander took seats next to Taz and waited for Mr. Suarez to speak.

“Taz, you have to understand that the business moves you're about to make will affect a lot of different organizations. You are taking a lot of money out of people's pockets by pulling the Network from the drug trade. No one can make you spend your money, but that won't stop some from being disgruntled with you.”

“Are you one of the disgruntled people, Mr. Suarez?”

Laughing loudly, Mr. Suarez said, “By all means no! Next to Akim here I'm one of your biggest supporters. Your biggest problem lies within your very own organization. There will soon be a strong dissent within the Network that will either destroy your organization or remove you from your position at the top spot. The only way you will be able to maintain your position of power will be by being smart, shrewd, and extremely violent. That added with your ace in the hole you should come out of this situation unscathed and remain in total control.”

“My ace in the hole. What's my ace in the hole, Mr. Suarez?”

Mr. Suarez stared directly in Taz's eyes and smiled as he answered his question. “Me. I'm the man who will make all of your problems seem simple to deal with.”

“How?”

“May I take it from here, Mr. Suarez?” asked Akim.

“Please,” said Mr. Suarez.

“At the time of our last meeting I hadn't had the privilege of meeting Mr. Suarez here; that is why you weren't informed. Since then I've met and have had several serious discussions with Mr. Suarez. He knows of our plans and agrees fully with the moves we are planning to make. The loss of the Network's drug purchases from him are minor compared to what he will gain by dealing with us in the arms dealing ventures we've discussed. More important, Mr. Suarez has a friend within the Network who is currently not one of your biggest fans, Taz.” Akim saw anger flash in Taz's eyes and smiled. “Be calm, my friend, this is to our advantage in every way.”

Through clenched teeth Taz asked, “Who is this person?”

Shaking his head no, Mr. Suarez said, “You are not ready for that information just yet, Taz. Please be patient and understand my position with this. If I exposed my associate then you would do something that would destroy our position. Patience is key with this; let it play out the way we all want it to. This way you will be able to remain two steps ahead of your opposition.”

Taz sighed and nodded at the logic that was spoken by Mr. Suarez.

“The council right now is in total confusion trying to figure out why you have had meetings in the last month with Akim here, Jorge Santa Cruz in Colombia, Danny Orumutto in California, and now myself. They don't have a clue to what your intentions are, yet they know it's something major and you have them somewhat scared. Though you are the youngest member of the Network, they respect you greatly for what you have accomplished thus far. Your supporters on the council are behind you one hundred percent. But your adversaries on the council want your head. Each member who is against you has a different reason for being against you; this you already know. What you don't know is that Danny Orumutto is pushing buttons now trying to manipulate certain council members in hopes to stop you from making the changes you plan to make by ending all drug activity within the Network. That's where things get tricky.”

“How can Danny Orumutto be manipulating shit and no one knows what my moves are?”

“Because he hasn't tipped his hand to that yet. He's waiting for you to inform the council of your decision to remove the drugs from the equation and then he's going to use his influence with some of your council members to start a war within from the anger he is positive will come from some of them. He hopes to destroy you one way or the other, Taz.”

Taz stared at his crew one by one as he thought about what he had just been told. “I understand. So, this member you have on my council informed you of all of this?”

Mr. Suarez waved his right hand from side to side and said, “Some, but most of this is what I've deduced from Danny Orumutto and his actions. He has contacted me and asked me to see what I could do to intervene and hopefully help him with this situation. Danny Orumutto is a shrewd young man and should not be taken lightly, Taz. You are a leader in every sense of the word. Won was one hundred percent accurate by making you the man to take over the Network in case of his demise. I respect your loyalty and rectitude; that is why I have used my inside source to help keep the Network's business with me intact. Akim has given me the opportunity to become a partner with you in this arms dealing venture. I'm a man who will never be one dimensional so this arms dealing venture excites me greatly.”

“Your part in all of this is to help me remain in control of my organization so we can move forward and handle our business with the arms dealing?”

“
Sí.
”

“Tell me, Mr. Suarez, what would you say if I told you I didn't want nor need your help in this matter?”

Laughing, Mr. Suarez said, “I'd be totally shocked because I honestly feel you won't be able to pull this off without my assistance. Like I said, Señor Taz, I am your ace in the hole.”

Taz gave him a nod and said, “True. But you have revealed things to me this afternoon that have troubled me to the point where I'm on the verge of murdering every member of the council who I feel is against me. If I did that then why would Akim and I need you as a partner?”

Speechless, Mr. Suarez turned toward Akim and shrugged with raised eyebrows.

“Taz, Mr. Suarez is a valuable asset to us, not only because of who he has on your council informing him on matters. He's a key component for the storage as well as some of the transport of a large amount of the weapons that will be shipped to your country. That's another reason why we need him as a partner. Mr. Suarez is demonstrably the most important part of all of our business. We cannot have you go off murdering half of your council because that will draw too much attention toward you and that's something we can ill afford. Remain calm and detached so you can make the right moves for us to win, comrade. I understand your anger, but do not let your emotions override your intelligence here.”

Taz gave that smile to each man and answered in a measured tone. “I'm a good pragmatic judge of what I can and can't do, Akim. I respect you highly as I do Mr. Suarez here. I want to take the Network higher than it has ever been. I intend to making Won's dreams become a reality. You have my word that I will not do anything to jeopardize what we have put together.”

“But?” asked Mr. Suarez.

“Yes, but, I want to know who the member on my council is who has betrayed an oath that was taken way before I became the head of the Network. That person must and will be punished for violating that oath. If you refuse to divulge that information to me on this day then our business ends today.”

Shaking his head no, Taz said, “Never. I would never disrespect you, Mr. Suarez. I am merely stating how I feel and what I must know. If I had someone within your organization informing me of some of your private business dealings would you not want me to give you that person for betraying you?” Before the Cuban could answer Taz continued, “As I stated I will not do anything to jeopardize our business. But I must know who this person is because if he or she has betrayed me once they may have done it with others. When the time is right I will murder this person for the travesties committed against my organization.”

“When the time is right? When will that be, Señor Taz?” asked the Cuban drug lord.

Taz again gave that faintly mocking smile and said, “Once our business has begun to flourish and everything is good all the way around for all of us.”

“You give me your word this day that you will not expose this person until we have removed all threats from Danny Orumutto as well as your other adversaries within your council?”

“I do.”

Mr. Suarez stared at Akim for a moment and then said, “Señor Malcolm Brown is the man who has been keeping me abreast of the Network's business dealings. I have one more request, Señor Taz.”

“Yes?”

“When you deem it's time for Señor Brown to meet his demise would you make his death swift? He doesn't deserve to die painfully.”

“If a bullet to the brain is okay with you then it's just fine by me,” Taz said in a deadly tone.

 

 

After Taz and the crew left the Suarez mansion Akim, Alex, and Mr. Suarez continued with their meeting. “Taz took that exactly as you thought he would, Akim,” said Mr. Suarez.

“Actually he took it better than I thought he would, and that bothers me.”

“Why, comrade? You don't think Taz would go back on his word and put all of our business in jeopardy because of his anger?” asked Alex.

“Taz's anger is something that he will control. The calm demeanor he expressed tells me that we should monitor our colleague's movements very closely because he feels threatened and when a man as deadly as Taz feels threatened there will be more death than what may be called for.”

“
Sí,
I agree. I didn't much care for revealing who my contact was within the Network. Malcolm Brown is a greedy man, a power-thirsty man who has always wanted to gain the top spot of the Network. That is the only reason why he chose to betray his associates. Now that I have given Taz that information I feel bad for the outcome of Señor Brown's life.”

Akim shrugged his shoulders and said, “This was something that needed to be done in order for our business to progress. Danny Orumutto will have to be dealt with, too, it seems.”

“
Sí.
The sooner the better. If he gets wind of any offensive moves being planned against him he will strike fast and hard.”