Cartier Cartel (30 page)

"That's a beauty, but my limit is fifty large," Jason responded. "Show me
something around that price and not no bullshit Manny. Don't try to play
me."

"You're one of my best customers," Manny replied. "Why would I
disrespect you?"

Manny was slick and if he could pull the wool over somebody's headhe would. That was how he stayed in business. He'd just bought a beauty of
a diamond for eighteen thousand that would appraise for double. He'd sell
that to Jason for forty-five thousand and he was almost certain Jason would
be pleased.

"I got just the perfect ring for your wife." Manny turned around and
walked to the safe. He kneeled down and rifled through a few manila
envelopes before settling on a small one with writing in red ink. He went in,
retrieved the ring, and watched the expression on Jason's face.

"Damn, I like this, but how much?"Jason asked.

"Five grand under your max. At forty five thousand it's a steal. It's
appraised for sixty."

"So, if I tell people I paid sixty grand for it, they'll believe me?"

"If they know about diamonds they will."

Jason shook his head and sealed the deal.

On his way home, Jason stopped at a local florist. Ronald, the owner,
would always call him when they were about to discount the flowers and
give Jason a good deal. Almost every week he bought Cartier roses or some
beautiful arrangement. This week, there wasn't a discount, but he knew she
would love the long-stemmed roses.

Jason was shocked to see the whole house was completely darkened.
There wasn't one light on, nor was Cartier's car in the driveway. He was good
at sensing trouble. Wherever Cartier went, she would call him and let him
know. That was proper protocol, especially when it involved taking Christian.
When he called her cell phone it went straight to voicemail. He called several
times later, and each time, directly to voicemail.

He called Monya.

"Did you fucking call my wife?" he angrily asked.

"Damn nigga, get off my shit," Monya replied. "If you want some
pussy tonight come through, but don't be calling here with your stupid
accusations"

"Did you call my wife, bitch?"Jason yelled. "Yes or no?"

"I didn't call Cartier yet. But don't get too comfortable, because by this
time tomorrow, she will know!"

"Go ahead with that dumb shit you talking."

Jason hung up and felt relieved. He thought Monya was brazen enough
to go along with her threat. Next, he called Trina.

"Hey, is Cartier there?" he asked when Trina answered.

"No," Trina snapped.

Not noticing the animosity in her voice, he continued. "Do you know
where she is, because I'm home and I can't find her?"

"If she's not home, then that's not where she wants to be."

"What do you mean by that?" Jason asked.

"Jason, I don't got time to teach a grown man how to be just that-a
grown man. I gotta go," Trina said dismissively and hung up.

Jason was heated. He didn't like riddles nor did he understand why he
detected sarcasm in Trina's voice or where the hell Cartier and Christian
were. And since Monya claimed she didn't call Cartier-which he didn't
know if he should believe her or not-he decided to go by the one friend
that she still had-Bam.

t was pretty late when Jason arrived on the block. He looked to see if
Cartier's car was parked out front, but it wasn't. He began to panic. If he
didn't find her soon, then he was going to the police and report her missing.
As he approached Bam's door he could hear voices. Distinct and clear. It was
Cartier and Barn, only he couldn't make out what they were saying. He felt
mixed emotions: relief and anger. Why did she have her phone off all day
and why was she at Bam's this time of night? He decided to ask those exact
questions.

Jason knocked heavily on the front door. He postured and stuffed his
hands deeply inside his pockets. The footsteps were faint and became
increasingly heavier as they drew closer. The figure looked apprehensively
through the peephole and then retreated. Again, he heard voices, now hushed
and muffled.

He knocked again. And waited. Finally, his pressure was up. He began to
bang on the door yelling out to Cartier. When there still wasn't any answer,
he began to kick. The flimsy door began to give way on its hinges before it
was finally flung open by a sour-faced Cartier. She had her hands perched on
her hips and a menacing look in her eyes.

Before Jason could open his mouth and begin cursing her out for making
him worry, she charged him with all her strength, and began kicking and
punching him all over his upper and lower body.

"I heard you! I heard all of it!" she kept repeating as he desperately tried
to block each blow.

"Stop it," Jason pleaded. "S-s-stop!"

Cartier was relentless. She was emotionally drained and humiliated. She
couldn't believe that her husband would make a fool out of her for the second
time with the same bitch.

"You need to be castrated," she cried as she released her fury.

Jason had no idea what was going on. It was all happening too quickly.
Finally, he was able to grab both her hands and restrain her. He grabbed her
in a bear hug and wouldn't let her go.

In all the commotion, Bam never came out to intervene.

The young couple were sweating profusely and breathing heavily.
Eventually, Jason got the situation under control.

"Ma, what did I do now?" he asked.

Cartier collapsed on the ground overflowing in tears. Her heavy weight
pulled Jason down with her.

"How could you do this to me again?" she shrieked.

"What ... you gotta tell me what I've done

"I heard you today ... on the phone ... when Monya called me. I heard
you two arguing about her having your baby and getting an abortion. You
promised me that it was over."

Jason's heart began to beat fast. When he knocked the phone out ofMonya's
hand, it must have still been on. His first and only reaction was to he.

"What are you talking about? That wasn't me."

Cartier cried even harder. She knew he was lying to her. She could hear
the panic in his voice. She felt defeated. One part of her wanted to hear the
he, just so the pain would stop. But she knew she had to be a woman and deal with a situation she didn't have any input on creating.

"Just leave," she finally said.

"What? I'm not leaving you-"

"You better leave!" Cartier screamed like a crazywoman in a high pitched,
unrecognizable voice.

Jason was visibly shaken. He'd never seen his wife like this.

The pain cut Cartier deeply. She looked like a helpless, wounded animal.
He saw her pain first hand, up close and personal.

Jason felt so guilty for putting his wife through the torture and torment.
He couldn't even think about what he'd do if he ever found out Cartier was
with another man. Not only did Cartier find out about his indiscretions, but
she'd have to constantly look in the face of two children as a reminder. She
was more woman than he was man. He decided to go home and give her
space. He wanted to go in and see Christian, but considering Cartier's state,
he thought against it.

He tapped on the door and asked Barn to take her inside. Barn didn't
even try to hide her roll of the eyes, but he knew he deserved the disrespect.

t was the first day of September, and Cartier was tired of playing the fool.
She was tired of being Ms. Nice Bitch. She was going to beat the shit out
of Monya and risk her freedom. Pounding on Monya's fragile body was going
to be worth any time she would spend behind bars.

She sat parked three cars behind Jason's SUV and waited. She was no
longer angry that Jason and Monya were still fucking. The moment she
forgave Jason was the same moment he'd made the decision that he could get
away with everything. It's no different than when a woman is being abused
and the abuser says he's sorry. The moment she forgives him usually is the
same moment he knows he'll hit her again.

Today, Monya would get her ass whipped for messing with another
woman's man. For all Cartier cared Monya and Jason could fuck like rabbits.
She was no longer felt emotionally attached to Jason.

Truth be told, Cartier fell in love with Jason out of loyalty. He stood by
her when she did her bid, while brothas like Ryan kicked her to the curb.
As she grew older, she knew she was wrong. And for that, she was pissed at
herself. It took prison for her to realize the error of her ways. She made plans
sitting in that eight-by-six cell every day for seven years. Now she was pissed
at herself, because she actually could have done better by herself, without
Jason weighing her down.

Three hours later, Cartier was still waiting. She didn't even care, because
the more she sat, the more she thought about what she wanted to do to
Monya. She sat back and remembered when they were younger, when she
was the confrontational one. She was always quick to argue or fight. It was
Monya who shied away from altercations. She always had to be pushed to
argue or fight. Now, their roles were reversed.

Cartier really did her best to avoid getting into fights, and it seemed that
fighting was all Monya wanted to do. Cartier knew what happened. Monya
had smelled Donnie's blood. It had made her power hungry. She thought she
was invincible, the baddest bitch on the block. Killing had a way of doing that
to a person ... giving them that false bravado.

Eventually, Jason staggered out of Monya's apartment building, oblivious
that he was being watched. He was so pathetic that Cartier actually despised
him. She hated him so much she wanted him dead and she'd spit on his grave.
But that was only wishful thinking. Sometimes a man can make you hate the
ground they walk on, loathe the air they breathe, and actually wish death on
them.

Cartier hated that Jason made her feel that way. She had already planned
her future, and they included a new start with her and Christian only. Jason
wasn't and wouldn't be in her plans, so she told herself. But everything started
after she handled her present business-beating the shit out of Monya.