Murderville 2: The Epidemic (19 page)

“You’re tense, baby. Let me make you feel better,” she whispered. Dahlia dropped to her knees and unbuckled his expensive slacks, then slid his zipper down slowly. Just the thought of Dahlia’s head game had Omega’s manhood standing at attention, and he squirmed in his seat in anticipation. She handled his throbbing dick gently as she removed his thickness and massaged it softly, jacking it in her grip. A small moan escaped Omega’s lips. He didn’t have to coach Dahlia. She knew exactly what to do. First, kissing the tip, she slid her warm lips onto his dick, taking it into her mouth inch by inch until she was full of his strength. She sucked on his dick until his toes curled, and he couldn’t contain the euphoria that was building inside of him.

“Shit,” he moaned as he pushed her head down into his
lap and grinded his hips in ecstasy. He released, and she swallowed every drop of his nectar, causing his body to tense up until she released him.

“All better?” she asked as she looked up at him with a smile.

His head fell back in amazement. “All better, baby,” he replied with a hearty laugh.

Dahlia stood and headed out, her seductive legs moving with a model’s precision. “If you need more than that, you know where to find me,” she said. Just as she was about to disappear from sight he called after her.

“Dahlia!”

She peeked back into the room.

“Yes, baby?” she asked.

“I’m sending diamonds to Po in his next shipment. This isn’t cocaine, and I’m not sure if he can handle this game. I need someone in L.A. to watch Po and keep an eye on my money. Pack your bags. I’m putting you on a plane tomorrow evening,” he said. Under normal circumstances he would have never given Dahlia the freedom or authority to do such a task, but he needed eyes on Po 24/7. Since Dahlia was Liberty’s cousin, she was the only person who would be able to get inside of Po’s home with an open invitation. When dealing in diamonds, Omega couldn’t take the same risks as he did with cocaine. Dahlia would be a live-in checks and balances system for Omega.

Dahlia nodded and replied, “Whatever you need from me.”

She hid her smile until she was out of sight. Just like
clockwork, she had manipulated him into having her way. She couldn’t wait to get to California. She had never been so far away without Omega by her side. She was ready to test the waters on her own and see how she could make this temporary freedom last forever.

FOURTEEN

WHEN DAHLIA STEPPED FOOT OFF THE PLANE
she fell in love with L.A. at first sight. The warm weather, the hustle and bustle of the city, and the palm trees made her feel like a socialite. She made her way through the airport, her beauty mesmerizing the other patrons. Dahlia’s aura exuded sexuality and beauty like no other. She was used to getting attention for her dark, exotic, sensual looks, and she welcomed it. She was about to make America her runway as she put on a show. She made her way down the escalator and the first face she saw was Liberty’s. She smiled brightly, genuinely happy to be reunited with her cousin. After decades apart, it felt so good to have her bloodline around her.

“Dahlia!” Liberty squealed as they embraced and swayed from side to side. “I’m so glad that you’re here!”

“I couldn’t wait to come, Lib. I was so sad when you left Sierra Leone. Now we’re back together, and you get to show
me around your city! La La Land, isn’t that what they call it?” Dahlia asked.

“The land of dreamers,” Liberty said with a head nod. “Po asked me to bring you directly to him. I know that you two have a lot of business to handle. But after he’s done with you I can’t wait to spend some time with my cousin.”

“What hotel am I staying in?” Dahlia asked.

Liberty smiled and replied, “I would never put you in a hotel. You’re staying with me and Po. We have more than enough space.”

Liberty took Dahlia to their home and showed her to her room. Dahlia admired the elegantly decorated mansion, and although it was slightly smaller than Omega’s place she could tell that Po was getting money. The way that Liberty beamed with happiness told a story of new love, and Dahlia knew that Liberty was a kept woman.

Po knocked on Dahlia’s bedroom door and stood with his hands in his pant pockets as he greeted her. Po’s brown skin, stocky stature, and handsome face were hard for any woman to ignore. Dahlia was always taken aback when in his presence. Po had an energy that screamed “rich nigga,” and women loved it.

“Is this room big enough for you, ma?” he asked.

Dahlia looked around the thousand square foot space that was expensively furnished and nodded with a smile. “It’s fine. Thanks, Po.”

“I know that you will want to rest after that long flight. Whatever you need Liberty can get for you. I know y’all got some bonding or some girl shit to do, so I’m gonna
leave you to it. I’m expecting a new shipment in today,” Po said.

Po had no idea that the shipment would be different than any other he had received before. Omega was hitting him with the diamonds unexpectedly, to see if he could handle a new hustle. If not, Dahlia knew what to do and would coach Po until he was ready.

The port was busy with imports coming into the city as Po, Rocko, and Ayo headed toward their crate.

“That’s us right there,” Ayo pointed out as a crane operator lifted a heavy steel crate from the ship and placed it onto the port’s dock. The white man looked down at Po and nodded his head, knowing that a $20,000 payment would be waiting at his doorstep later that night. The operation was so flawless that it was almost impossible to be caught. Anyone who could have made it hard for Po was on his payroll. As long as everybody ate, nobody complained and money was good.

Rocko cracked open the package, and the three men stepped inside. Po frowned when he saw that it was full of fish tanks. He walked over to one of the fragile cases and picked up the clear rocks that lay inside.

“Fuck is this? You sure this the right bin, fam?” he asked Ayo as he let the rocks filter from his hand back into the fish tank as if he were playing in sand. “This shit look like it belong to an aquarium or something. This can’t be for me.”

Ayo chuckled, and then replied, “Oh, it’s for you.” He walked over to one of the tanks, lifted the lid, and picked up one of the rocks.

“Looks like a bunch of bullshit to me,” Rocko stated.

“They’re diamonds,” Ayo said. “You’ve just graduated to another level. This is an entirely different game, Po. Omega must think you’re ready.”

Po’s heart galloped inside of his chest as he thought of the money to be made.

“What about the niggas we got waiting for bricks? I’ve got a nigga in Denver waiting on fifty. That’s a lot of money to miss,” Rocko said.

“That’s li’l nigga shit compared to what we on now. Trust me,” Po said as he held up a diamond. “These are on the market for everybody. Crack is a black drug, coke is for the hood niggas, but everyone buys diamonds. White, black, shit, purple . . . this hustle don’t discriminate.”

“The biggest market will be the Arabs,” Ayo said.

“If that’s the case, then we got a problem, cuz they ain’t gon’ cop from us. Those Arabs hate black mu’fuckas,” Rocko stated seriously.

“They hate black
men,
” Po rebutted as he traced his five o’clock shadow with his hand. “But they
love
black women, and I happen to have two in mind that no man can resist.”

“Who’s that? Because unless you sending Liberty in there—”

“That’s exactly who I’m talking about,” Po interrupted.

“Who’s the second chick?” Ayo asked.

Po rubbed his hands together and replied, “Dahlia.”

Ayo looked at Po in surprise because it was rare that Omega sent his woman anywhere alone. But with a shipment so valuable no measure was too extreme.

Rocko stepped up and said, “I’ve got a third bitch in mind if we need her.”

“Call her and set up a meeting tonight. Let’s get these diamonds packaged and get the fuck out of here,” Po replied. “It’s money time, fam.”

Po knew that he would never be able to establish a relationship with the Arab jewelers, but once he sent Liberty and Dahlia their way it would be a wrap. It was the perfect plan because diamonds weren’t a violent game. He could send the women in without the threat of danger. It was time for Liberty to come off the bench for the team. He needed her, and she was one of the few people that he trusted with something so valuable.

FIFTEEN

LIBERTY AND DAHLIA WERE LIKE MOVIE STARS
as they destroyed Rodeo Drive, so exquisite that even bitches turned their heads with a mixture of jealousy and admiration as they strutted past. Stunning in Italian designer fashions, the two looked as if they had stepped off the front cover of
Vogue
. The ladies were VIP in all the stores. Champagne and caviar awaited them before they even stepped foot inside the doors.

Dahlia was in heaven. She couldn’t believe that Po allowed Liberty to roam around the city on her own. Omega always made Dahlia feel as though she were on a very short leash. If he couldn’t escort her, then he sent a guard with her, and it was more for control then for protection. Omega had to know everything about everyone all the time, and he was especially invasive when it came to Dahlia.

“So you and Po seem comfy,” Dahlia said in a girlish, giggly tone as they walked arm in arm like they used to as kids.

Liberty blushed and nudged Dahlia with her hip. “We are. He’s so good to me,” she admitted, finally feeling no guilt for the way she felt about him.

“I’m happy for you, Liberty,” Dahlia said. She noticed the glimmer in Liberty’s eyes when Po’s name came up. She looked like a girl in love. Liberty absolutely glowed from happiness, and Dahlia was jealous. Her man was more powerful than Po, but when it came to catering to his woman, Omega didn’t know the first thing about pleasing her. Yes, he was friendly with his money and showered her with every material possession she could ever want, but Dahlia craved intimacy. She wanted to be his queen. The one who sat beside him on the throne, not the one who kneeled at his feet to earn her scraps. Dahlia wanted what Liberty had, plain and simple . . . an American boy.

The two made their way home, riding with the top down in Liberty’s silver Aston Martin Virage and enjoying the feel of the ocean-misted air whipping through their hair. Dahlia couldn’t help but think,
This is the life.
L.A. was where she needed to be. Liberty was crazy, because if Po was Dahlia’s man, she would be running things, and the entire city would be her kingdom while the people in it . . . her peasants.
She don’t know what to do with a man like Po. With all this freedom she has, I’d be the queen,
Dahlia thought. Liberty was weak; she played in the background because she was so tormented by her past. Dahlia understood, but she knew that the past was the past. It couldn’t be changed.
Fuck it, the shit happened,
Dahlia thought. She refused to let it dictate her future. She had come up hard,
so as a result, she became hardened to the point where she was only out for self.

Dahlia was in such deep thought that it felt as though they arrived back home in the blink of an eye. The two women walked into the house, laughing and conversing about the day’s events. They entered the great room and paused when they saw Po, Rocko, and Ayo standing in a circle looking as though they were in the middle of an important conversation.

“Oh, sorry, Po. We didn’t realize you were busy,” Liberty said as she turned to head out of the room. Dahlia stayed put, eyeing the men curiously before following Liberty.

“Liberty, Dahlia, I need to talk to you,” Po said.

“Is something wrong? Did something happen?” Liberty asked.

“Everything’s fine. I want to show you something. Sit down, ma,” he instructed as he motioned toward the leather sofa. He nodded to Dahlia and said, “You too.”

He pulled a silk pouch out of his pocket and emptied a small diamond into his hand. He held it up in between his forefinger and thumb for them to see. The stone caught the light in the room, and an array of colors danced in the diamond, resembling a disco ball.

“Where did you get that?” Liberty asked, her heart pounding from the sight of the imperfect stone. She was from Sierra Leone . . . spotting a diamond so pure was instinctive to her. Back home, children died, people were dismembered, and men became devils for stones just like the one Po held in his hand. She shuddered from the memory alone.

“Omega,” Dahlia answered for him.

“Why are they in my house?” she asked, lips trembling.

Po could see that Liberty was becoming upset, and he said, “Let me have a minute with Liberty.”

Rocko, Ayo, and Dahlia left the room.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Liberty asked angrily. Her question took Po off guard.

“Let me explain, ma,” Po said.

“I told you about the diamonds,” she whispered. “The men who deal in diamonds have blood on their hands, Po.”

“Liberty! Listen to me,” Po said, grabbing her shoulders and making her face him. Liberty’s jaws locked as she looked at him with watery eyes. “Omega sent these diamonds here. I had no idea he even wanted to bring me into this side of the game, but I’m in now. What you want me to do? Back out? Cuz I don’t think it’s that easy to get out, ma. You just don’t walk away from some shit like this,” Po whispered harshly. “Now these diamonds can make me . . . make us very rich, Liberty. I can give you anything you want, ma. We can—”

“We can’t do anything, Po,” Liberty said. “You don’t get it. I would rather be broke and on the streets than get rich off those diamonds. I don’t know why I thought you would ever understand.”

Liberty was about to storm out when Rocko stepped back into the room.

“Yo, give us a minute, fam,” Po said in frustration.

“I don’t mean to interrupt, bro, but ol’ girl is here,” he said.

“Don’t let me stop you,” Liberty said as she stormed out of the room. But she stopped dead in her tracks when she entered the foyer.

“Trixie?” she called out as she saw her old friend standing ten feet away from her. Her hands flew up to her mouth in disbelief. It had been years since they had last seen each other, but it was a face that she would never forget. Trixie was half the reason Liberty had survived her days on the ho strip. They had been good friends once upon a time.