Gangsta Twist 3 (9 page)

“Do you think he has someone inside of the Network too?” asked Alex.

“I doubt it, but I wouldn't totally disregard that. The hatred for Taz is great in that organization so anything is possible.”

“Let's wait and see what the reaction is from their council meeting tomorrow and then we'll decide which way to take this matter.”

“
Sí.
My question to you Señor Akim is who has the privilege of taking that young, dishonorable son of a bitch Danny Orumutto's life? Me or you?”

With a deadly smile Akim shrugged and said, “Why not the both of us? We both have longed for the opportunity to dispose of that trash. A man who can kill his own father and uncles to achieve leadership of the family business is a man not worthy to have what Danny Orumutto has. If he invades our moves in any way then he dies slowly and painfully.”

“If he doesn't invade our plans with Taz he still dies slowly and painfully. I'm tired of waiting for him to give me a reason to kill him. Osata was a good man and a good friend of mine.”

“Yes, the elder Orumuttos were solid men who didn't deserve their untimely deaths. So, it seems that Danny Orumutto's fate has been set!”

“
Sí.
Set in blood.”

Sacha and Gwen were driving down the highway headed back toward South Beach after dropping the twins off at Sacha's parents' home in Tampa Bay. Both were thinking about the meeting that Taz and the crew were having with the Cubans. Each had their own concerns because they knew that if things didn't go right, their men could soon be caught up in something violent, and that scared the hell out of each of them. Speaking her thought, Gwen said, “Damn, mommy, I sure hope everything went well with the Cubans this afternoon.”

“I was just thinking the same thing, mommy. Taz has been really stressing behind all of this. If things went well at the meeting then things should be good tomorrow at the council meeting,” Sacha said.

Shaking her head no, Gwen said, “I don't know. Things may get even more touchy when Taz informs the council of his plans. It looks like this year will be a wild one.”

“You mean a violent one. 'Cause if things go left then Taz and the crew are going to get back on that murder shit like they were with those Hoovers six years ago.”

“Lord knows I am in no way trying to see Bob back in that state of mind, mommy.”

“I hear you, but it's almost impossible for it not to happen. This is the life our men lead, and all we can do is support them and stand by their side. At least we won't have to worry about them actually getting their hands dirty. Their murder game now is all about sending out hit squads and shit.”

Laughing, Gwen said, “How in the hell did I let you get me caught up with a bunch of serious-ass movie type gangsters?”

“You know you need to quit that shit. Your horny ass chose Bob not me!”

“True. But your hot ass fell head over heels for Taz first, which in turn had me end up meeting Bob. So this is all on you, mommy!”

“You are a mess.” Changing the subject Sacha said, “I'm so glad my parents are keeping the twins. I'm thinking about asking them to keep them for a couple of weeks depending on what takes place at the council meeting tomorrow.”

“That's smart. I've already spoken to Bob about flying the kids back home so they can stay with my parents for a little while. They love it when they get to be with their grandparents. I feel we need to make sure everything is good all the way around before we bring them back home.”

“We have to keep all our kids safe.”

“Priority
numero uno.
Tell me something, mommy, why haven't you ever told me about your brothers?”

Sacha frowned and said, “That's a subject I have tried to keep buried real deep, mommy.”

“I understand,” Gwen said hoping Sacha would dead this conversation. She wasn't that lucky though.

“How did they die, mommy?”

“They were murdered.”

“I know that. I saw the sad look on your mom's face when she saw me staring at the picture of your brothers on the mantle. She smiled sadly and told me how she misses her sons every single day. She also told me how she feels so cheated by the murdering bastards who took them away from her. I saw how sad she was and instantly began thinking about the accident. That type of pain never leaves you, mommy, and I do mean never. That's why I'm curious as to how you've been able to suppress those memories of your twin brothers.”

“I wouldn't say that I've suppressed the memories of my brothers. I just don't like to talk about them. I miss them dearly and think of them almost every single day. My sons look so much like my brothers that it's kind of scary.”

“I understand. I'm not trying to pry here, mommy, just doing my psychological thing here.”

Laughing, Sacha said, “Trust and believe I know. But let's change the subject, okay? We're out here in sunny Miami and we still have some time to have some more fun before we get back to the business at home.”

“I concur. Shit, I've been trying to get Bob to take me on the beach so we can get nasty with it. His ass is scared we'll get caught.”

“You might! You know we're not trying to have to bail you and your damn husband out of jail for indecent exposure way out here in South Beach.”

Laughing herself now, Gwen said, “That's what South Beach is for, some damn indecent exposure! Have you paid attention to all of the bad-ass exotic women walking around this place? We're damn lucky to be able to keep our men's attention honestly.”

“Oh trust and believe we have their attention all right. I wish Taz's ass would try to stray; then he'd see that he's not the only gangsta in the family.”

“I know that's right! Get us back to that resort so we can do the fun thang, mommy!”

Sacha checked the time on her watch and said, “We should make it back right before sunset so it's on!” They were both laughing as they drove toward South Beach.

Taz was furious. He wanted Malcolm Brown's head served to him on a platter. The betrayal he felt by knowing that he had been passing information about the Network's business to Mr. Suarez made him feel somewhat inferior and that was a feeling he wasn't accustomed to. Malcolm's actions showed weakness within the Network, at least that's how Taz was looking at it as Red drove them back to the resort. Each crew member was caught up in their own thoughts and each member knew that Taz was on the verge of going the fuck off. The only solace they had was the fact that Taz gave his word to Mr. Suarez and Akim that he wouldn't handle shit with Malcolm until the business was handled. They were still upset as Taz was. Their crew was based on loyalty and love. Loyalty first. They would never do anything to bring any shame or harm toward Taz. Each would gladly give their life first.

When Red pulled into the parking lot of the resort Taz sighed and said, “Meet me in the cabana we're using for the meeting tomorrow. We need to talk about all of this shit. Give me twenty minutes to get my mind right.” With that said he jumped out of the SUV and went to his and Sacha's cabana. He didn't realize that Tari was right behind him until he was sliding his key card into the door of his cabana. “Come on, Tee, save it until I can at least have a drink please,” he said as he entered the cabana and headed straight toward the fully stocked bar. He grabbed a bottle of Courvoisier XO and poured himself a drink. After downing the first glass he quickly poured another and sat down on the barstool. “You do know that this is some real fucked-up shit right? How do you think this makes me look, Tee? Like some fuck-up who can't run shit. Won is up there looking down on me shaking his fucking head right about now.”

Tari stepped to the bar and sat on the barstool next to Taz and said, “Stop that shit. You know damn well you're hated by Malcolm as well as Saint Tramon. Shit, the council is split when it comes to you so don't even go there. Honestly, this type of shit was to be expected. They dislike you to the point that they are willing to do whatever it takes to get you off the top spot. Why are you tripping so damn hard about something you should have anticipated happening?”

“That's fucking it right there, Tee! I have been so caught up trying to make sure I've been making all of the right moves for the Network's future that I missed that shit. You know I know what's what with the hating and all of that. I never thought anyone on the council would be disloyal to the Network like that. This thing is based on some real live honorable gangsta shit. The oath taken was supposed to never been violated. To know that it has been in the name of hating me pisses me the fuck off. I should have seen this shit coming and been on top of my shit better. I slipped, Tee. But that shit ain't happening no more I tell you that.”

“What you got working in that crazy head of yours, Taz?”

“I can't expose my hand yet because I've given my word and I will stand on that. But the degree of the council meeting has just been turned all the way up. I was going to be subtle about the changes I was bringing to the table. Fuck all of that shit now though; that shit is a wrap. I'm giving it to they ass straight the fuck up. The vote shit won't even be spoken on. I'm telling them what it is and how it will be. I'm breaking it down to them and letting everyone know either they will be with it or out of it. One year from tomorrow all drug business will be concluded within the Network. Period.”

Tari gave a nod in understanding and then asked, “Are you sure this is the approach you want to take? This could possibly turn a council member who's on your side the other way.”

“I doubt it. If it does then so fucking what? After this meeting every single one of those muthafuckas will be under my microscope. I'm putting the feelers on everyone, even the ones I feel are on my side. I trust no one but the crew, period. And I swear to God, Tee, if I find any more disloyalty within that fucking council it's—”

Tari cut him off and finished his sentence for him. “Off with their heads.”

Taz down the rest of his drink and said, “You muthafucking right.”

The Network's first council meeting for the year began promptly at eleven a.m. with a healthy brunch served by several maids and butlers provided by the resort. After brunch was finished, a brief break was taken while everyone got themselves together by either taking restroom breaks to fix their makeup or the men stepped out to the living room area of the spacious cabana to have a smoke. Everyone met in the back of the cabana where Taz had arranged for a long conference table to be brought. Each member of the council was seated at the conference table with Taz at the head of it. Tari and the rest of the crew were there dressed in all black. Each crew member wore serious expressions on their faces as they stood at prearranged spots around the room, basically surrounding the council members. This show of intimidation was a move Taz came up with the night before. He was about to flex his muscle and he wanted everyone on the council to know that he was not fucking around with any of them.

Taz was immaculately dressed in a well-tailored black suit, crisp white shirt, and a perfectly knotted tie. He was looking the part of the leader of the Network to a tee. His handsome features were clouded with a determined look on his face that seemed to come out of nowhere. During brunch he had been extremely cordial and pleasant with everyone; now it seemed as if he had become someone totally different than he had been a mere hour or so ago. It was time for business.

Taz stood and got the council members attention by staring at each one of them one by one. The room fell silent as they waited for Taz to begin. He stared to the right side of the table at his supporters on the council but kept the granite rock-like look on his face. Jay Bogard, G.R., Snuffy, Snack, and Chinaman returned Taz's glare with a curious look on their faces, wondering what was wrong with their leader. To Taz's left were his adversaries on the council. Saint Tramon, Piper Dixon, Chill Will, and Malcolm Brown. Taz didn't want to give anyone more attention than needed, but he couldn't help but give Malcolm Brown a few extra seconds of his glare.
You bitch
-
ass coward, I cannot wait until I take your last breath,
he said to himself as he stared at the man he felt was a traitorous peasant. He then cleared his throat and said, “It's time to get to the business. Before we go over the numbers for the end of the year and other matters there is something that I have to bring to your attention.”

“Excuse me, Taz, but shouldn't your team step out of the room for this meeting? This is highly irregular isn't it?” asked Saint Tramon.

“With all due respect, Saint Tramon, I am the head of the Network, I make the decisions. I understand that things have been a certain way years before I became the leader of this esteemed organization. But things are about to change. My team is here and will be here for the entirety of this council meeting. Now, as I was saying, I have something serious that I need to bring to the attention of this council. What I am about to inform you about is not up for debate or vote. I've made my decision and nothing anyone on this council can say will change my mind.”

“Wait a minute, Taz, that's not how we've been doing things. What's with this aggressiveness all of a sudden?” asked Malcolm Brown.

With her hands clasped behind her back Tari crossed her fingers, praying that Taz didn't rush Malcolm Brown and start beating the shit out of him. She sighed with relief when Taz smiled and continued talking.

“As I stated, things have changed, Malcolm.” He held up one finger and said, “In one year, one year from this very date, the Network will have concluded all business dealings concerning all narcotics. That means that there will be no more distribution of X pills, cocaine, codeine, oxycodone, heroin, or marijuana.”

“What!” several of the council members screamed in unison from both sides of the conference room.

“Come on, Taz. You can't be serious about this,” said Chinaman. “How do you expect for us to continue to make serious money? Most of our major moves are from the distribution of narcotics.”

“I understand your concerns, and if you will let me finish with what I have to say without interruption, all of your questions will be answered and I feel you will be satisfied. If not, then so the fuck what.”

The firm and blatant tone in Taz's voice shocked the council as they sat and waited for Taz to continue. Suddenly there seemed to be a tremendous amount of fear in the room. Taz could see it in each of the council members' eyes, and that was exactly what he wanted. He wanted them to fear him. Fuck their respect; he no longer cared whether they respected him or not. Going that route had led to them all being betrayed by that weak-ass Malcolm Brown. It was a new day for the Network, and Taz was about to make sure they damn well knew it.

Taz went on to explain his plans for the Network. He went into a detailed description of each and every move that would be made as far as the arms dealing was concerned. He broke down the numbers so each member could see that they would all be making large sums of money and what would be lost from the ending of the drug moves would easily be made up for within the first year of the deals being made with the selling of weapons. He also explained to them about the meetings he had with each head of the other criminal organizations they were affiliated with. He told them how he had been assured that there would be no ill feelings toward the Network for the ventures they were about to pursue. When he was finished he sat down and said, “Now, I will listen to what you have to say. Again understand that my mind is made up and nothing will change that.”

“So, you're saying that you are giving us one year free of any obligations financially to make a full profit on all of our moves with drugs?” asked Chinaman with a smile on his face.

Taz smiled because he knew that Chinaman would love that part of it all. “That is correct. One year, you will owe the Network nothing for the support or use of any of our resources to conduct your business. That is because during that year I will be finalizing everything and making sure that everything is in proper order with the Russians. I am not a man who wants to lose money. I want to make as much as possible. That's why these arms dealing moves will be a go ASAP. Drugs will ruin us one day. That is my stance on that, and that is why I feel the time is now ripe for us to make this transition.”

Laughing, Chinaman said, “I love it. I fucking love it! I'm in!”

“Thank you for that, Chinaman.”

Snuffy, G.R., Snack, and Jay Bogard each gave a nod in Taz's direction, letting him know that they too were on board with him. Taz waited for the naysayers to speak, and he didn't have to wait long at all. Piper Dixon was first up to bat.

“You always have a choice, Piper. If any of you choose not to adhere to what I am bringing to our organization then you will no longer be a part of the Network. You will no longer have access to any of the Network's resources. Basically you will be on your own to do as you please. You owe us nothing and we owe you nothing. You want to continue to run your drug operations it will be with no assistance from the Network and any of our associates. If I find out that anyone who remains on this council is in fact working with anyone who chooses not to adhere to what I've come up with then things will get ugly.”

“Are you threatening me, Taz?” asked Piper Dixon with fire in her eyes.

Shaking his head no, Taz replied, “No. I'm giving you my word; either roll with us or get rolled over. Period.”

Next at bat was Chill Will. “You want us to stop doing business like we've been doing for the last three decades just like that?” he asked and snapped his fingers for emphasis.

“Nothing can happen just like that, Chill Will. That's why I'm giving you all one year. One year from this day to bring everything to an end as far as drugs are concerned. That should more than compensate for the time I need to get everything running properly. In one year the arms dealing will be even more profitable than what we are getting from the drug distribution. There will be less risk to any of us getting caught up in some federal indictment for conspiracy with that drug shit.”

“Like I said, three decades we've been handling our business so why do you feel we'll get caught up in some drug conspiracy now? Can't you see that we know what the fuck we're doing? Or are you just being an arrogant fuck because you're in the position of power to do so?”

Taz smiled. “I'm making this move because I feel it will be best for the Network and for our future. If you are in disagreement then you can get the fuck out, Chill Will. If you think that I will let you get away with insulting me again please understand that would be very unwise. Arrogance has absolutely nothing to do with my decisions. I am trying to win at this shit and win long term. Yes, you all have been able to move the drugs for a very long time and that is exactly why I feel it's time to switch things up. As the leader of this organization it is up to me to excel at compartmentalizing the rigors of our clandestine operations and I plan to do so at all costs, by protecting our interests and making as much money as I can for us. All I need from each of you is proper storage facilities in your controlled states. Once that has been established everything else will fall right in place. Along the way you will have the authority to make side deals and get the reduced rate on all weapons and make even more money. Not only will your responsibilities be lightened, your pockets will be fattened. What's so hard for you to understand about that?”

“What you're saying makes perfect sense, Taz,” said Malcolm Brown. “It's the sudden change that I think has us all wondering. You giving us one year to make as much as we can is very generous. At the same time we're accustomed to doing things the way we have been and that makes us somewhat skeptical with what you've brought to the table.”

Already agitated by Chill Will's insult Taz had very little patience for anything Malcolm Brown had to say. “It doesn't matter to me what you think or how skeptical you are about the decision I've made. This is how it's going to be, period.”

“I like this and though I may not agree with your tactics this afternoon, Taz, I feel what you are doing will help us all in the long run and you have my support. I'm in,” said Saint Tramon and the room fell in silence from the shock of her words. Even Taz was speechless, as he stared at her unbelievingly.

“To say I'm shocked would be putting it mildly, Saint Tramon. But I do appreciate your support on this. Let me make something clear to you all. I have no ulterior motive here. All I want is for all of us to win. I want us to continue to make money and maintain our strengths so that our peers will see that we are still a force to be reckoned with. We won't be losing money; we'll be gaining more as well as positioning ourselves as major players in the game. The Russians as well as a few others are behind us with these moves. Trust me on this, we will win.”

“There is no need for you to be shocked, dear boy, I don't dislike you personally. I've grown quite fond of you honestly. I respect how you have maintained the position as our leader. I just don't care for how you got the top spot. That's personal though; this is business. And when it comes to our business it all boils down to profits and losses. I have no time for losses. You've given us the opportunity here to make some very large profits indeed. One year of distributing narcotics without any fees given back is more than generous on your part, Taz. To hear that our responsibilities with the Network's business as far as arms dealing is concerned will be minimal yet the profits will remain just as large as our narcotics sales is basically a win all the way around. We would be fools to go against you on this.”

Taz smiled at the sly old woman and wondered what she had up her sleeves because in no way was he falling for her sudden support for him.

“There is one thing that worries me, Taz.”

“Yes?”

“Let's say that things don't go as smoothly as you plan. Will you be willing to revisit the drug trade?”

Taz thought about that for a few minutes and said, “Just as I am giving you all one year to get things situated with the switch we're about to make, that's what I will give in return. One year. If in one year you don't see the profits that I have predicted here today then I will grant permission to whoever wants to, as you said, revisit the drug trade.”

“That is more than fair of you, Taz. As stated, I'm in,” said Saint Tramon.

“So am I,” Chill Will said reluctantly.

With a nod of his head Malcolm Brown agreed as well.

Piper Dixon smiled at Taz and said, “I will give this the run you request, but I want it on record that I feel we may be setting ourselves up for something slick to happen. Those Russians are smart as hell as well as crafty. I don't trust them. From the money standpoint its only right that we make this move with you, Taz, it would be stupid not to. I'm in. One more thing though.”

“Yes?” asked Taz.

“Don't you ever fucking threaten me again, Taz. Leader or no leader you have no fucking right to think you can intimidate me or threaten me in any way. You do that again and we will have a serious problem on our hands. A problem that will be addressed violently.”

Taz raised his hands in mock surrender and said, “I did not mean to disrespect you or your gangster in any way, Piper. But I will not apologize for my statements because when it comes to this organization, I am dead serious, I will do whatever it takes to make us win. If I feel there's an issue or a problem that issue or problem will be addressed aggressively. No threats. I don't waste time giving those. I speak from my heart and I tell no lies. If I feel like any of you will cross me for whatever reason you may have business or personal, I will take your lives without thinking twice about it. That is no threat to any of you here today. That is my word. This meeting is adjourned until our next council meeting in four months. Enjoy the five thousand dollar a night cabanas for the remainder of the week.” Taz stood and led the crew out of the cabana.