“I am not sure yet. I left this life along time ago and I don’t know if I want it back,” she was honest.
“So you’re leaving me?” Messiah asked and sat on the bench.
“I don’t know where this leaves us. My mother lost her life cause she was a Capo’s wife and I don’t want that for me,” Tiffany expressed.
“What do I do now?” Messiah asked.
“Call Mallory,” She told him.
“What about you?” Messiah was wondering how his life came to this.
“I will always be around and call you when I am settled.” Tiffany got up to walk away.
“I love you T.” Messiah hated to see her leave but his granny taught him that if something was meant to be you have to let it go and if it comes back then it’s real.
“I know, I love you too boss.” Tiffany was happy that he was the man now. She just didn’t think she was cut out for that life again. Tiffany grabbed her duffle bag and booked a flight to the west coast to make this money. No matter how far apart she and Messiah was Teflon Mafia would live on.
In order to retire you need the money and Messiah nearly destroyed their income. Messiah didn’t tell her the truth about what happen the day she was drugged, and he went to meet with Mallory. Tiffany found out on her own about Mallory and put the pieces to the puzzle together. She lost trust after given him ample enough time to tell her. Tiffany didn’t want Teflon Mafia to be a public figure, but the more secrets that were kept put them close and closer into the light.
Tiffany’s heart spoke, meaning every word she’d ever said about loving Messiah. Tiffany’s mind was going thirty miles a minute thinking about Messiah. She couldn’t believe she was walking away after saying she wouldn’t. Looking back, she noticed he was watching her leave. Tiffany’s flight was boarding in three minutes, she was grateful because she didn’t have to see him any longer. “I have to do what I have to and so do you!” She said before handing her ticket to the lady at the door. What Ms. Anna told her about true love standing the test of time kept running through her mind.
**********
Mallory was sitting poolside of the beautiful hotel feeling marvelous while sipping a Miami Vice with huge sun shades to cover the bruise under her eye. Melinda sat beside her. They were celebrating the demise of Binx and possibly a new king on the throne. Mallory sat up and thought about going to the spa and getting a massage after she stretched her neck and felt tense. Her body was still sore from a previous incident, and the over the counter pain meds weren’t strong enough.
“You need to go to the doctor for that Mal!” Melinda said.
“I’m good.”
“If you say so… looks like yo’ ass need to be laid up in your room recovering instead of out here sipping.” Melinda said. Mallory hated when her little sister tried to tell her what she should do. “You talked to Messiah?” Melinda asked. Mallory rolled her eyes, she was sick of trying when she knew he would only turn her down for Tiffany, and Mallory wasn’t welcoming Tiffany. “Call him, let me talk to him,” she demanded. Mallory looked at her sister wondering was she crazy.
“For what?” Mallory asked. “You need to stop drinking.”
“I think you on some bullshit sis, you worried about a nut and our family has to eat tomorrow and so forth. Daddy has big business on the streets and his name is not in vain. Coca Leaf is his imprint, it’s up to us to honor his wishes in keeping it alive,” Melinda expressed. “Stop thinking about that man, fuck feelings at this point sis. Bills have to be paid so money has to get made.” Melinda schooled. Mallory understood where she was coming from. “Daddy’s will clearly states he wants Messiah, and nobody else.”
“Melinda, I know…I tried everything.” Mallory said as she stood and gulped the rest of her drink.
“Give me his number, I’ll call.” Melinda said taking her phone out.
“No, I’m not giving you his number!” Mallory said twisting her face up and walking back towards the hotel. Melinda followed her and asked again for Messiah’s number. Once they made it up to their suite Mallory’s phone binged. The message stated that the money was successfully wired. Melinda snatched Mallory’s phone and searched for Messiah’s name.
“What do you have his number saved as?” Melinda asked while scrolling her contacts.
“Some things are so much better when you don’t keep record of it,” Mallory said. Melinda put her phone down knowing it was a reason Mallory didn’t fuss when she snatched it.
“Dial it then… don’t give up Mallory tell him it’s not about y’all, it’s about an opportunity to be successful,” Melinda schooled. “Messiah will be a billionaire in a matter of months and guess who he owes for putting him there?” Melinda asked. Mallory was hyped now and thought Melinda was on to something and dialed his number. Slowly losing hope because the call went to voicemail, Mallory dialed again. No answer. She grabbed Melinda’s phone and called him.
“Hello.” Messiah finally answered.
“Messiah?” Mallory asked.
“What up?” he asked. “I was asleep when you called.”
“Where’s um, Tiffany?” Mallory asked.
“Gone why? What up?” Messiah asked.
“I need to speak with you as soon as possible.”
“Where are you? I’m in a hotel.” Messiah said with sleep in his throat.
“Me too… what hotel?” Mallory asked looking at Melinda she didn’t know if she should be scared or excited. Messiah told her told her the name and said he wanted to see her when she got a chance. Mallory was shocked and happy at the same time. She stood up when he said he was one floor under them. “Mess, are you serious? Where’s Tiffany?” Mallory asked not believing what she was hearing.
“We were just business partners, love. I’mma be waiting on yo’ ass too woman!” Messiah said in his sexy tone. The way he use to talk to her when they were together. Mallory fell in love with Messiah all over again.
“Alright!” Mallory said hanging the phone up and jumping up and down. Getting what she wanted felt great. It was official she was spoiled and no matter who tried to break it, she got what the fuck she wanted.
“Don’t forget Mallory… Coca Leaf La Familia… numero uno.” Melinda said giving her a stern look.
“I know, but this is the closest I get to make the offer again,” Mallory said walking toward the door heading to Messiah’s room.
*********
Messiah caught the flight to where Mallory said her father was in the hospital at. He checked into the nearest hotel which happened to be a five star joint. Even though he and Tiffany had separated for the time being he was still celebrating his birthday. When he woke from his nap the phone was ringing like crazy so without looking he answered. Mallory was on the other end and the called concluded with her on the way to his room.
The door creaked open and in walked Mallory, she was still bruised, but pretty. Messiah turned the TV to CNN, he always liked to keep up with the news. “Sit down.” Messiah told her Mallory smiled and sat down. “What you got up your sleeve?” Messiah asked.
“You and what we talked about not long ago.” Mallory said with her back to him. Messiah could tell she was looking for somebody to come through the door, and honestly he was too. Tiffany was a very unexpected person, they’d trained that way and he didn’t know if Tiff would come in on a mission. Messiah didn’t sweat it thinking they’d cross that bridge when they get there, in the meantime he had pressure built up.
“Nobody coming up in here, love.” Messiah said tying to ease her slight paranoia. “Now, what’s the business?”
“I thought you weren’t going to agree,” Mallory said.
“You told me you were going to call me when your pops was buried, but I wanted to tell you where I stand now” Messiah said.
“I’m not even worried about us anymore I’m over it. I just want my family to eat and our name to stay alive, that’s my father’s wishes,” Mallory said. Messiah listened at Mallory sound as if she’d grew up now that he and Tiffany had parted ways.
“How will we celebrate my reign then love?” Messiah asked sitting up in the king size then standing. He only had his polo boxers on and his dick was standing at attention.
“Meet and greet with the Coca Leaf Boys, remember Alphonse you use to hang with?” Mallory asked.
“Yeah that was my main nigga, like my brother out there in that concrete jungle,” Messiah said thinking about his hustling days.
“Well he’s your right hand, he will show you everything my daddy did…”
“Mal… I was one of the biggest hustlers. I’m pretty sure I know how to run an empire.”
“Daddy has businesses, he’s an owner of several fast food joints and mechanic shops,” Mallory informed him.
“Mallory… I know everything about your family, some better than you so I don’t need a spoiled rich girl to tell me shit about the hustle. All I want you to do is take this dick, my birthday is coming up and I’m ready to celebrate,” Messiah said. In his heart Teflon Mafia was stamped across it and if he wanted to raise his dollars he needed to create a different avenue.
“Tiffany just let you go like that?” Mallory asked boldly.
“We were only business partners now leave that alone and tend to me,” Messiah said.
Mallory pulled him closer to her and pulled his boxers down under his butt then took his dick into her mouth. Messiah licked his lips and looked down at Mallory, just a few days he was rejecting everything about Mallory. Fighting the urge because of his love for Tiffany, now she was gone and today he finally poured the gasoline on Mallory’s fire.
Bitch, you and your family about to pay the Mafia…
Messiah thought with a sexy evil grin while Mallory served him porn star fellatio. It was just like Messiah’s mind was freestyling Lil Wayne’s No Ceilings to No Feelings.
Chapter Seventeen
Tiffany was doing her morning exercises, she had Binx and Messiah on her mind but a bigger part of it on the money. Sweat rolled down her forehead as she did her lunges, today she was meeting with a new client by herself and was sort of excited. When she completed the exercise routine she got her phone and dialed Binx’s number. “What’s up… Sweetheart?” he answered. Tiffany smiled because she could tell he tried his best to talk to her.
“Nothing much, I was thinking maybe you should come out here,” Tiffany suggested to Binx.
“No!” Binx said with seriousness in his tone. Tiffany knew it would be a matter of time before Mallory find out he was still alive. “Why…you…saying that?”Binx asked.
“I just think you shouldn’t be there if you feel someone have a price tag on ya’ head,” Tiffany said. The phone went dead, she looked at it, and knew he must have gotten upset and hung up in her face.
Tiffany didn’t call back. She jumped in the shower and then dressed in a pair of floral print skinny jeans and a dusty rose chiffon top. She didn’t have time to play with Binx this morning. The cell phone rung and Tiffany checked the ID, it was Ms. Anna, but she didn’t answer. Tiffany hoped Messiah hadn’t called her and told her what’s going on between them. She stepped into her pretty dusty rose wedges and sprayed her favorite perfume D&G Rose the One on.
Bleep Bleep Bleep Bleep
the phone buzzed back to back. Email notification. Tiffany knew those were more possible jobs. She checked the messages and both were back to the east coast. Tiffany grabbed her purse and headed out the hotel to meet with the driver she rented. The city had so much traffic and her nerves were just that bad to drive in it. On the ride to the location, she marked the dates to meet with other clients.