Motown Takedown (Motown Down Book 3) (38 page)

We needed to hit Casper’s place before it was picked over but I needed to see a guy about a ring for Cinn first. The only thing we agreed on was she deserved the fattest, most flawless shit they had. Taking the boys with me seemed like a good idea. An hour in and two punches thrown later, I was ready to put them up for fucking adoption.

Finally making it clear they’d shut the fuck up or die, all but Sam decided to wait in the truck. Without saying a word which I appreciated, he watched the process play out and then watched my back on the way out. This I knew was an act of loyalty and respect. Plus, I was carrying close to a mill in my pocket and we both knew anyone dumb enough to encroach would die for it. With my own eyes I saw Sam itching to make a kill. Shit, part of me hoped someone would step so I could watch him in action.

That scenario slammed into me hard and I heeded it because I knew someday Silent Sam would be my right hand.

“Cinn finds out you lied, she’s gonna cut you,
”
Jones says going through Casper’s computer. The kid had a knack for technology and I was giving him the chance to work his magic. “Or cut you off, if you get me.”

“She ain’t finding out,
”
Dopey says turning over cushions. “If she don’t know then she’s safe. Right, boss?”

“This here is man’s work,
”
Pillbox says going through the bins. “Cinn would make us do it anyway so Monarch’s doing her a favor.”

“Yeah,
”
Sam says eyeing my reaction. “I’m sure she’ll see it that way.”

“Hey,
”
Dopey says facing the group. “You guys ‘member the time Cinn found out Jones got that bad dope that made him twitchy?”

Bring your kids to work day was turning out to be entertaining and enlightening. Not only did they lower their guards, they were honest to God good at what they did.
Each of them also had stories and I wanted in on this conversation. This was during her time in confinement with the asshole so if there was a good memory, I wanted to hear about it.

“I have to hear this,
”
I say setting the ledger down I was thumbing through.
Side note: Casper kept shitty books.

“Check this,
”
Pillbox says tossing an empty bottle over his shoulder not caring it broke on the floor. “We bought an eighth, right? College prick, up charged our asses. Jones rolled it and hogged like always but he started doing some weird shit. When it stopped being funny and shit got real, we tweaked and called Cinn.”

“That shit was bad news,
”
Jones says shuddering at the memory. “Like I was Smokey from Friday stuck in a damn chicken coop. Fuck you assholes for laughing too!”

“Cinn showed up with Pope and gave him a sedative,
”
Sam says grinning. “Calmed his ass down quick. Then she asked for the prick’s address where we got the shit and paid him a visit.”

“What did this visit entail?
”
I ask already knowing but wanting to hear it from them.

“Cinn made him and his crew smoke it,
”
Jones grins. “
All of it
.”

“Yeah,
”
Sam says rubbing his hands together. “Then when they started to tweak, she shot the guy who sold it to us in the ass. Best part was she said he could have a head start. Motherfucker ran in circles for a full ten minutes and got nowhere. Homeboy was all sorts of fucked up. ”

“When did this happen?”

“About three years ago,
”
Pillbox confirms. “Didn’t see her for a long time after that though.”

“Yeah ‘cuz that asshole Savage found out and…
”
Jones stops short before finishing.

“Keep going,
”
I prompt him.

“He pumped her full of shit and she OD’d,
”
Sam growls. “That’s when we decided we wouldn’t drag her into our shit unless it was an emergency.”

“OD’d?”

“Hospital for close to a week,
”
Jones whispers. “Pope said it was bad, real fucking bad. But we didn’t find out ‘bout it until he got out himself and warned us showing up at the den would be bad for us and worse for her.”

“Savage almost killed her, Monarch,
”
Sam grunts. “She sold drugs she didn’t do drugs. Motherfucker filled her up with cocaine. She got hurt covering our asses. I know this because it wasn’t the first time she took up for us. We wouldn’t have come around at all but we heard she was with you.”

I was fucking livid. First, because I did not know this and Pope, Gunner nor Cinn shared it with me. Second, I wanted to kill him all over again. Third, I wanted to hug and shake my woman for putting herself in danger over her boys. But they were her boys, have been for a while. She loved them and that’s what made Cinn who she was, a legit queen. But first and foremost she was a survivor. My queen cares for you she’ll take away your troubles and suffer the punishment. I couldn’t say that I’d do the same for anyone except her, not even my men.

Cinn however, did every chance she got.

“You boys would die for your queen?
”
And I got nods all around. “She’d die for you too,
”
I tell them. “Apparently she almost did but that will not be happening again. Agreed?”

They understood so I didn’t dwell on it. Instead, I had them box up what we were taking with us and load it in the Tahoe. When Ransom called asking to meet to talk shit out, saying he had intel, I agreed wanting it over with. He was coming here at 7:30 which would make me late but it had to be done.

Giving the boys cash to go eat while I handled Ransom alone, I sent her a text letting her know I was running behind. She didn’t bitch and I appreciated that. Sitting here in Casper’s place I had my concerns. Hoping the boys didn’t crash my truck was one. Wondering if Cinn was in fact naked waiting for me was two. What the fuck intel Ransom even had was three, four and five.

It was nearing seven now so I checked my weapons then sat at the desk to wait. When he showed I’d allow him five minutes to talk and that was it. In this business you either worked it out or died within the first three. Granting him five was not the norm for me. But given our history I’d give him that before I gutted him.

Fuck, I was going soft.

“Where’d you learn how to cook?
”
he asks stuffing his face. It didn’t matter what I made, he ate it and praised me for it. Life in Savage’s den wasn’t five-star dining but for a few years he indulged my need for family style dinners. But of course like all things regarding Savage it went to shit and I stopped cooking for the only family I had.

“A book,
”
I grin. “Duh.”

“A book,
”
he says thoughtful. “Glad you had your books, Cinn.
”
I heard what he didn’t say. Which was glad you had your books during your stay in hell.

“I had you too, Monarch,
”
I remind him. “Together or apart you were never far from me.”

“I’m covered in tributes to you,
”
he says sipping his wine. “Not one of them compares to you making me a meal, Cinn.”

“I don’t know,
”
I say raising my own glass. “I’m pretty fond of those tributes Monarch.”

“It’s just ink,
”
he insists shaking his head. “I didn’t draw the shit out, just told him where to put it. Yet you put love into filling my stomach, making sure I’m fed and taking care of me.”

Having heard enough, I set my glass down and push my plate away to go and crawl in his lap. Taking both hands I part my robe and place them on my skin. “You filled my heart, Eros,
”
I say leaning into him. “It was empty before you.”

“We’re both full, Mo chuisle?
”
he asks kissing my nose.

“Bursting.
”

Monarch let me know he was going to be late so I told Pookie I was making us dinner. It was the least I could do considering I was basically forcing him to hang out with me. If he was bothered he didn’t let it show, which I liked. A chef I was not, but I could do chicken and vegetables if I had too. Assuming Monarch and the boys would be hungry too, I went to the fridge and hauled out a large amount of poultry. Feeding boys was a
big
fucking job. This got me thinking about kids and how, if we had them, I’d pay someone to feed them. I refused to spend my life in an apron regardless of how flawless I looked in it. Cooking to pass the time was one thing. Cooking because I had to
…
No.

Pookie offered to keep Ares so I could prepare without a pit at my feet and I agreed. Not because I didn’t love Ares at my feet, I did. But because I sensed Pookie liked the company. He was an older guy, perpetually single from what I gathered, and a criminal from the get. He also loved my man, held care for me, and would be joining us for dinner.

As a family…

With the chicken in the oven and the veggies steaming, I poured a glass of wine and reached for my phone. For a few minutes I sent dirty ecards to Camo and Kandace. Then when Camo,
who cannot let shit go
, reminded me of her beauty, I took a selfie to remind her she was delusional. And in the silence of the kitchen I laughed at my own joke with no one there to hear it. Camo, quite simply was beautiful and I loved her, Kandace too. Both of them could stop traffic. Granted, I could stop traffic
and
cause a ten car pileup, but I was certain that went without saying.

Hitting the intercom, I let Pookie know it was time to come in and eat. Or rather, come in and keep me company but I was calling it dinner. Monarch and the boys would have to settle for reheating theirs or eating it cold. When he didn’t answer, I hit the button again and waited. I was going to do it one more time but the oven timer went off and I took dinner out and placed it on the island. I was just about to head over to the intercom again when I heard the hall door that led to the garage disengage. Grabbing plates and silverware, I turned to set it down and was about to ask Pookie if he wanted some wine. But when I looked up it wasn’t Pookie joining me, but Ransom.

“Smells good,
”
he says leaning against the jam and immediately I noticed him favoring his right arm.

“How did you get in?”

“Used my code,
”
he smiles big.

“Your code was erased, Ransom.”

“Busted,
”
he winks. “I used Pookie’s code since he no longer needs it.”

Oh God, Pookie…

“Where’s Ares?
”
I ask playing it cool when I was anything but.

“What’s for dinner, Cinn?
”
he asks coming forward and I could see blood coming through his shirt and pain etched in his face. My stomach at that moment cramped, my palms went sweaty and my heart started to race.

“Where is my dog, Ransom?”

“Chilling with Pookie,
”
he says casually making his way closer to me. “Not like I was getting in while the mutt had use of his mouth. How’s your arm by the way? Mine hurts like a bitch, sharp fucking teeth.”

I couldn’t help it, my knees gave out.

Rushing over, he lifts me up with one hand but I had no fight in me. My fucking heart was shriveling up in my chest. “Shh,
”
he says petting me. “It’s okay, Cinn, he’s in a better place now.”

“You killed Pookie. You killed Ares,
”
I whimper and I was too devastated to even be embarrassed about it.

“Had to, Cinn. Pookie was nothing, no one, easy to kill and past his prime,
”
he says moving us toward the sink. “If it makes you feel better, the dog tried getting to you but…couldn’t.”

“Ares knew,
”
I growl. “Ares fucking knew you were dirty.”

“Yeah, but Ares is also really fucking dead so that knowledge is a little too late don’t you think?”

“What kind of monster kills a dog!”

“You’re looking at him,
”
he says coolly. “Now take a seat, we need to talk.”

When I refused to move, he grabbed my almost healed arm, dug his fingers in deep which earned a cry from me and then put me in the chair with a shove. Later, I’d be offended he didn’t even bother threatening me with a gun but right now I was too heartbroken to take offense. Monarch was running late, Pookie and Ares were dead and I had no weapon to protect myself with. Physically I couldn’t best Ransom so I’d have to rely on using my head. The same head that was in a really fucked up place right now.

“You sent the men down to the riverfront didn’t you?”

“I did,
”
he agrees. “That didn’t go as planned. Fucking rookies. Kill Monarch, secure Cinn. How in the hell they fucked that up is beyond me.”

“What do you stand to gain by killing Monarch? I’m speaking hypothetically of course, because he’s him and you’re, well…you.”

“You suffered unspeakable hell to willingly walk into another one,
”
he says making a plate. Seeing him eat the food meant for my family chapped my ass. “Monarch is a liar, Cinn, and he’s been lying to you since the day you met.”

“Do tell,
”
I say rolling my eyes while trying not to cry. “My social calendar is open.”

“He wasn’t celibate for one. Monarch bagged any available pussy in the metro area. He didn’t hold out for you, he got off every chance he could.
”
Taking a big bite of chicken he smiles, “Delicious,
”
before he continues. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s your pussy he wanted but it was occupied, so to speak. To be fair, once he struck that deal with Savage he sent his long time piece packing.
”

“He’s a giver,
”
I shrug but if I survived I was punching him in the dick if this held truth.

“If you truly believe he brought you here to be queen you’d be mistaken. He brought you here to grow his business, use your contacts, and fuck you at his leisure. The day you spit on Savage’s grave you started a chain of events that would make your tie to him irrevocable. By starting a war you chained yourself to Monarch and he let you.”

“I don’t see them as chains, Ransom.”

“You should,
”
he says sipping my wine. “Monarch needs you to stay in the game, Cinn, you don’t need him. You already have the loyalty of your den, whose size exceeds his. While you empower him he weakens you.”

“And you’re here to save me?”

“I’m here to help you,
”
he corrects. “I’ve been trying to help you all along. From the second I saw he was as nuts as Savage, I’ve tried to help you. Have you considered the reasons Pope and Gunner no longer report to him? Or why Demo has his head up your ass? You’re the future Cinn, he’s the past.”

“I disagree.”

“Right now he’s got your boys with him while he tears Casper’s place apart hoping to gain more territory. Territory you secured when you took Casper on. Monarch is Savage. He’s greedy, cocky, and doesn’t give you the credit you’re due. This will get him killed and if you don’t wise up and break away you’ll die with him.”

“How do you know he’s at Casper’s?”

“Because he told me,
”
he says cutting another bite. “See for yourself.
”
Sliding his phone over, I scroll down the thread and do in fact see it for myself.

“So while he’s expecting you there, you’re here,
”
I point out. “And what happens when I refuse to buy into your bullshit? You kill me?”

“I don’t want to kill you, Cinn,
”
he says softly. “I want you to lead as you were meant to and I want to be a part of it.”

“If Monarch dies.”

“He’s as good as dead already, Cinn. It’s just a matter of time.”

“You could have just called.”

“I wanted to do it in person so I could see your face when you hear the truth,
”
he says biting into the broccoli. “Especially the part where I tell you he not only tortured your dad and lied about it, but also made a deal for your future. He was more than his second, Cinn and Savage couldn’t afford to lose him. Instead, he set him up to expand the business here. His incentive for doing this was you. The deal was Savage got the time to break you in, to see what you could do given some power. Monarch agreed but didn’t want to put in the effort in training you. But he made it clear he expected to reap the benefits of your training when he returned for you. Granted, Savage took shit to a whole new level and when Monarch fulfilled his end and wanted you back. Savage refused which started this shit storm. Monarch may not have known the horrors you suffered, but he left you there to suffer none the less. Ask yourself why he allowed Savage to live after a dozen attempts on his life. Does Monarch strike you as a man who’d let that shit go? Then ask yourself, while Savage was busy focusing on Monarch, what wasn’t he focusing on, Cinn? The answer is the business. The business you ran. You did Monarch’s dirty work for him and for what? Gaining what you already had? The moral of the story here is, Monarch and Savage are the same man wearing two different faces.”

After finishing his pep talk
,
Ransom took another bite while I ran to the sink to throw up. He even continued to eat while I emptied my stomach a few feet away. In the back of mind I thought his ability to eat in the presence of puke was seriously disturbing. Almost as disturbing as how I planned to kill him.