Commit to Violence

Ebony Washington had the world at her feet. She was young, and she was beautiful. Ebony had a dream job which paid her enough money to get everything she ever wanted. She bought nice clothes, drove a new Volvo and she lived in a nice apartment near the Hudson River.

And Ebony was in love.

She drove her car slowly down West 132
^nd
Street, looking for a place to park. As she drove past her apartment and turned onto Riverside Drive, she thought parking was the only thing that she regretted about living in Harlem. Even though she could now afford to live anywhere she wanted, she was born and raised in Harlem and wouldn’t think of living anywhere else.

The last few days had been hard for her. It’s not an easy thing to hear bad things about the one you love, but sometimes you have to—even if it’s just to give you an opportunity to ask questions and give them an opportunity to respond.
It’s good to clear the air sometimes,
Ebony thought.
Get things out in the open.

She had spent the better part of the evening with Martin. They had dinner at Via Brasil on 46
^th
street. Ebony liked eating there. The food was excellent and the portions were always huge. She usually had the Misto, which was mixed grill skewered with Brazilian sausage, beef, chicken and pork, but that night she opted for the Frango Bossa Nova, which consisted of fried diced chicken in a garlic lemon sauce. After dinner, they went for drinks at People Lounge on Allen Street, another one of her favorite places. She liked the atmosphere, with its dark wood tables that accented the comfortable apple-green suede couches. The ample recessed lighting, the den-like atmosphere, the chocolate-brown walls, and the waterfall pane made the place feel so romantic.

Over Lychee martini’s she asked Martin about the rumors she’d heard about him being involved with gangsters and ordering the execution of a man in Mexico when things didn’t go the way they were planned. It made her feel a lot better when Martin looked her in the eyes and told her that those things weren’t true.

Martin told her that he had heard the rumors and was doing everything in his power to put a stop to them. Then he assured her that he wasn’t the type of man to be involved in anything like that. He even seemed to be a little hurt and somewhat disappointed that she would ask him questions like that. Ebony could feel the sincerity in his voice coming through loud and clear when he told her, "I love you, Ebony. I wouldn’t do anything that would mess up what we have here," Martin said to her and kissed her hand. "I would do anything for you."

Anything but divorce your wife
, Ebony thought.

On her way home she gave some thought to the fact that she was in love with a married man.
Hell, I’m not the first and I won’t be the last,
she thought. But no matter how she tried to rationalize what she was doing, the facts were still the same—she didn’t seem to care. His wife couldn’t love him as much as she did. The frigid bitch could never make love to him the way she did. And he didn’t love her; not anymore. He couldn’t love his wife the way that he loved her. He couldn’t, and that was all there was to it.

Ebony turned on Riverside Drive and circled the block again, thinking maybe she should end all the drama and look into getting a garage. She finally spotted a place to park and began the three-block walk toward her apartment.

She had walked about a block when Ebony heard footsteps coming up quickly behind her. Ebony looked over her shoulder and saw two men walking behind her. She began to walk faster, and so did her pursuers. Once she rounded the corner of 132
^nd
Street, Ebony began to run as fast as she could in a tight skirt and heels. As the men hit the corner they began to run after her.

Two doors down from her building, Ebony fell but got up quickly. But it was too late. They were on her now. She stumbled to her stairs and fell again. She turned and looked into the face of her attacker, who stood over her with a gun pointed at her.

"No! Please don’t! NO!"

CHAPTER TWO

Kenny Lucas ordered another drink and thought about the old days. He had worked for Mike Black for years. Back when somebody was trying to kill Shy, it was Kenny who provided Black with the information that put them on to James Kerns, and he was the key to it all. "The hit was set up then. But it didn’t get paid for until a week or so later in Detroit."

"You get a description?" Shy asked.

"Not a good one: Black man wearin’ a hat and sunglasses, about five-eight, maybe five-ten."

"That’s it?" Black asked.

"There’s a place in Brooklyn, a chop shop. Guy there named James Kerns is supposed to have arranged the meet with Leon." Because of that piece of information, Shy was able to find and eliminate her enemies.

After Black and Shy got married and left for the Bahamas, Freeze took over and Kenny became one of his top lieutenants.

And then Freeze died.

There were a lot of people that blamed Nick for Freeze’s death. It was the night that Mylo, who turned out to be a rogue DEA agent, tried to fix the Middle Weight Championship. When that didn’t go his way, Mylo tried to get away. Nick and Freeze caught up to him, but neither Nick nor Freeze thought to take Mylo’s gun.

Mylo knew that if he went anywhere with Nick and Freeze they would kill him. He reached for his gun and turned to Freeze. The move caught both Nick and Freeze off guard. Mylo fired two shots to Freeze’s stomach.

The crowd ran for cover at the sound of gunfire and Mylo ran away with them. Freeze grabbed his stomach and fell into Nick’s arms.

"Don’t let him get away, Nick," Freeze told Nick as he laid Freeze on the ground.

"I’m not leaving you," Nick said to Freeze before he died. And even though Nick found and killed Mylo three days later, Freeze was still dead, and there were those in Black’s organization that hold Nick responsible, and Kenny Lucas was one of them.

Kenny had finished his drink and was about to leave the club when Bo Freeman came and sat down next to him. Before Freeze died, Bo was his enforcer.

Freeze brought Bo in, taught him the game. Then Bo got arrested and did five years for criminal possession of stolen property, illegal possession of a vehicle identification number plate, and conspiracy. It wasn’t too long after he got out that Freeze put Bo in place, running the cloning operation.

When Nick let Freeze die.

Like a lot of people, Bo thought that when Freeze was killed that Black would tap him to takeover. And like Kenny, Bo was one of the people that thought Nick was responsible for Freeze’s death.

Bo ordered a round of drinks and Kenny ordered the next two. After awhile the subject turned, as it usually did when Bo was around, to Nick.

"That and the fact that I don’t think the mutha fucka is up to the job. Too busy chasin’ that young pussy around to be about his job," Bo said and turned up his drink. He signed to the bartender to bring them another round.

"Sounds like you want some of that young pussy," Kenny said and finished his drink.

"The bitch got body, but all I’m sayin’ is Freeze never let ho’s get in the way of business."

The bartender poured another round. "True." Kenny held up his glass. "But them days you talkin’ about is gone. Freeze is dead. Black and Bobby are businessmen. So whether you and me think that Nick was careless and should have taken Mylo’s gun, that nigga runs this shit now."

"Well, maybe I ain’t all that satisfied with Nick’s leadership."

"And I guess you think you could do a better job?"

"I know I can."

Kenny took a sip of his drink and shook his head. "So why don’t you kill Nick and step up," he said and laughed a little.

"Maybe I will. When the time is right," Bo said and put down his glass. He turned and looked at Kenny. "When that happens I need to know where you stand."

Kenny laughed. "I don’t even know why I bother to fuck with you, Bo," he said and started to get up. "What you gonna do when Black comes after you?"

"If Black don’t see that Nick had to go, then maybe Black gotta die too."

"You are crazy," Kenny said and got up from the bar.

On his way out of the club, Kenny ran into Cruz Villanueva. He was the nephew of Hector Villanueva, whom Black had dealt with many times. Black had known Hector since the old days when they both worked for André Harmon. Black did Hector a favor that cost Black money, but allowed Hector to buy cheaper and better quality product—a favor that put Hector in the position of power. His move to Miami only made that position stronger—a favor that Black called in when Shy needed to buy cheaper and better quality product from Hector.

"When I met you, we discussed a business arrangement," Shy said to Hector that day in Miami. "I wanted to know if the offer was still good."

Hector paused for a minute and looked at Shy. "You know I used to live and do business in New York. I still have many friends and many business associates there. Some have told me about the problems you are having. In fact, they tell me that just last night you took another loss. Is this true?"

"Yes. But I am moving to correct that situation," Shy said quickly.

"Shy, it hurts me deeply to tell you this, but I must retract my offer."

"Why?"

"You’re not a good risk at this time. Please under-stand, once you have settled these matters I would have no problem extending the offer," Hector said.

"Just like that?"

"Well of course you can always do it all on the front end."

"I can’t do that."

"Yes, I know, due to your problems. Of course, if Black were to guarantee your investment that would eliminate all of my objections."

"Hector, you better than most know. As a matter of principle, I will not do that," Black said. "And you insult me by mentioning it."

"My apologies, Black," Hector said bitterly. "Once again, Shy, I’m sorry we can not work together."

When Black saw the disappointed look on Shy’s face, he knew that he had to do something. "Well, Hector, I do have a better idea." Shy and Hector both looked at Black.

"I’m listening," Hector said.

"It’s simple," Black told Hector that day in Miami. "You extend to her the same deal that you offered her."

"No, Black!" Hector shouted. "Only if you stand with her."

"Hector, listen to me. All I am asking is that you stand behind your word. I know that you are an honorable man."

"Understand me, Black. I can’t do that," Hector said as Shy looked on, feeling left out of her own business.

"Hector, look at me," Black said, looking Hector in the eyes. "I would consider it a personal favor if you would stand behind your word and do this for her."

Hector sat back in his chair and pondered Black’s proposal. Shy sat quietly, looking back and forth at both of them. Finally, Hector said, "Shy, it would be my pleasure to do business with you." He got up from the table and handed Shy a card. "Call this number in New York when you are ready to do business. It is always a pleasure to see you, Shy. And you, Black, I hope this concludes our business together," he remarked as he and his associate walked away.

As they walked away Shy looked at Black curiously. "You mind if I ask you a question?"

"Sure, I knew you’d have questions," Black said, continuing to watch Hector until he was out of sight.

"Well, thank you. I only have a few questions. First of all, what just happened?"

"Hector owed me a favor."

"What was that?"

"I introduced him to Angee."

Black explained how back in the day, Hector used to buy from André, who was killing him on price. Hector knew he could get a better price from Black’s friend Angelo Collette. One night while Black was at his club, The Late Night, Angelo came in. He talked with Black while Hector looked on and waited for his chance. When Angelo went to entertain himself with the ladies, Hector came running up to Black and begged him to introduce him to Angelo.

"Hector; let me make sure I understand you. You buy from André, who pays me. And now you want me to introduce you to Angelo, so you can stop buyin’ from André, who pays me. Is that what you’re asking me? Let me make sure I understand you. You want me to take money out of my pocket to help you. Is that what you’re sayin’, Hector?"

"Yes, Black," Hector said.

"You owe me a favor, Hector."

"Okay," Shy said.

"So I take Hector over to Angee and I say, ‘Yo, Angee, this is Hector Villanueva. He’s an honorable man and deserves to be taken seriously.’ So Angee dismisses the honey he’s talkin’ to. He says to me, ‘Is he a good guy, Mikey?’ "

"I said, ‘I wouldn’t introduce him if he wasn’t.’ That’s why he owed me."

"That’s what all that honorable man stuff was about. You were reminding him that he owed you," Shy said.

"You catch on quick, college girl," Black said.

"Now, did you fuck his wife?" Shy asked, praying he’d say no.

"Yes," Black said to Shy.

Black had been having sex with Hector’s wife, Nina, for a year, but didn’t know she was married. She never wore a ring, and Black never asked her any questions.

"I never called her. I never even knew her number. She never knew mine. I’d see her around, we’d hook up, then I wouldn’t see her for a while," Black said.

"So when did you find out she was married?"

"I saw her one night on the street, and she walked up on me. We talked for awhile then she says, ‘Oh shit, here comes my husband.’ So I’m like, ‘You’re married; to who?’ And she points at Hector. I never saw her again after that day."

After Hector found out about the affair, he sent Nina to Miami so his family could watch and insure her fidelity.

When Hector moved to Miami, he very violently carved out a spot for himself. Cruz had worked for his uncle for years, but craved the power his uncle possessed. Hector knew that sooner or later Cruz’s need for power would bring them to a point when Cruz would try to assassinate him. Together, they made the decision to send Cruz to New York to expand his business. When Cruz came to New York, he took over the drug trade in the South Bronx. Now he’s set his sights on making a move uptown.

"You not leaving already, are you, Kenny?" Cruz said as Kenny passed.

"Yeah, I was about to get out of here," Kenny said and Luke and two of his men stepped closer.

"Stay and have a drink with me. I got something I want to talk to you about."

Kenny signaled for his men to back off. Luke put his gun away and took a step back. Kenny stepped to the bar. "What could you and I have to talk about?" he said and sat down at the bar.

Cruz signaled for the bartender. "Bacardi and coke, and bring my man whatever he wants."

"Chivas on the rocks."

The bartender left and Cruz leaned closer. "I been thinkin’ about takin’ my program uptown. I got the product and the people to make it happen. The only thing stopping me is Stark."

"Why tell me?"

"Everybody knows that Black stands behind Stark."

"I don’t know what you’re talkin’ about," Kenny told Cruz, but he knew exactly what he was talking about.

As a favor to his long-time friend, Angelo Collette, Black agreed to take what Angelo referred to as, "A little more than just an introduction from you, Mikey."

"Like what?" Black asked Angelo that night.

"I was thinkin’ that maybe you would take more of an active role. You could be kind of a stabilizing influence. You know, keep problems down. Naturally you can charge a fee for your service," Angelo suggested, and then he added, "I would consider it a personal favor."

Angelo considering his involvement a personal favor caused Black to reluctantly go against his convictions. "Angee, I can’t get involved for my own reasons, but what I will do as a personal favor to you, is offer advice and counsel to Stark. And should the need ever arise; I’ll act as an intermediary to resolve any disputes. You got a problem with him, you come to me. But understand, this is not a service. This I do for you out of friendship. I will not accept a fee. But for reasons that I know you understand, I can’t go any further than that."

After that, the word got around that Black was the power behind Stark. Words that even though they weren’t exactly true, Stark did nothing to dispute.

The bartender returned with drinks for Kenny and Cruz. When he left, Cruz continued, "Even if you say you don’t know what I’m talkin’ ’bout, everybody knows that Black is Stark’s muscle, and that means you."

"What do you want, Cruz?" Kenny said, becoming more and more annoyed by the conversation.

Cruz turned away and took a sip of his rum. "I hear a lot of things."

"Like what?"

"Like maybe you ain’t too happy with the way things are going and might be willin’ to listen to another offer."

"So, I’m listening," Kenny said, even though he knew that no matter what Cruz had to offer, he wouldn’t be interested. There was no question of his loyalty to Black, but Kenny thought he needed to know what Cruz was planning.

"You come work for me. I could pay you twice what Black does."

"That’s not gonna happen; and if you try to move uptown, Black will crush you like the roach you are," Kenny said and turned to walk away.

"Don’t walk away from me," Cruz said and grabbed Kenny by the arm.

Kenny pulled out his gun and shoved it in Cruz’s face. "You ever touch me again, I’ll kill you," he said, and Cruz let go of his arm.

"This ain’t over," Cruz said as Kenny walked away.

"Yeah, and your mama ain’t a two-dollar ho." Kenny gathered his men and they left the club.

"Yeah," Cruz said and drained his glass. "You one mutha fucka that’s gonna have to be dealt with."

Outside the club, Kenny and Luke got in Luke’s car. Luke’s men got in another car and followed them from the club. They had driven a few blocks when another car cutoff the car with Luke’s men, and ran them into the cars parked along the side of the street.

Luke looked in his rearview mirror at the accident and was about to turn around to see if either of his men were hurt. He saw two men get out and open fire on the car. "Did you see that shit," Luke yelled, when a Ford 350 pulled up behind his car. The big truck slammed into his rear end.