1. Sovereign aka Queen, Martinez #3
“I told you; you know how she gets.” Clapback smiled.
She loved and cherished our Abuela. Abuela spoiled her rotten.
I tossed her messy ass the keys to my Porsche, I also gave her a knowing look.
I would get off into Em’s ass later. It was only her that ran her mouth telling our Abuela my whereabouts.
Soon as the car came to a stop, I wasted no time walking towards the first town car.
I didn’t need Abuela making a scene with her men.
Before the driver could get out and open the door for me, I opened it myself, still feeling tight about the fact that my seventy-four-year-old grandmother, pulled up to one of my trap houses.
Soon as my eyes connected with hers, she smiled and lifted her glass of wine to her thin lips.
She would never be the one to speak first so out of respect, I pushed my attitude away and forced a fake smile.
“Abuela, what a pleasant surprise.” My smile dropped fast. She still said nothing as she tapped the headrest.
“Hector, take me on a tour while I talk to mi Nieta.” He said nothing as he pressed a button to make the petition rise up slowly.
“Still very classless, Nieta.” Which meant granddaughter in Spanish.
I gave her all of my attention and remained quiet.
There was no use of speaking when she clearly already had her speech figured out.
Hector finally started to drive as I kept my eyes on Abeula.
She still looked good to be in her seventies.
Her hair was pulled up into a neat bun with loose curls framing her face.
She had a couple of wrinkles that told on her age, but she was very beautiful.
We shared the same hazel brown eyes and nose.
Her gaze was out the window, with her champagne flute locked in her hand.
“Mi hijo (My son) was very stubborn like ju. He cost me millions of dolares, by marrying ju mama,’” she smiled then placed her light brown orbs on me. Her gaze could make one of the toughest men known to mankind fold.
“Ju see, I had a powerful woman that he was supposed to marry to link dos familia’s together.” Her thick accent was strong. Everything she said was very slow and deliberate so you could understand exactly what it was she was saying. Abuela never repeated herself.
“I have billions… and I have to pass it on soon. Your Abuela is getting old, I want to travel di world. Ju see?” Her french tip short nails drummed against the glass flute; her eyes darkened. I cleared my throat and fixed my posture out of respect.
“What does that have to do with me, Abuela?”
“Toda! (Everything!)” squinting her eyes and raising her voice meant that this whole conversation was going to go left. I was getting it out of the mud. I had my own supplier and soon I would be able to do distribution once she stopped being stubborn and let me cop all my shit from her.
“Ju think, the way you move is smart?” She tapped her forehead with her index finger. “Killing a man, with no men? Trusting an ex-enemy like Xavier to clean ju mess?” My stomach tightened and started to twist. I have never known Xavier to be an enemy. In my eyes he was solid.
“Si mijo, nothing concerning my blood gets past me. I’ve been watching you very closely. I must say, I’m not impressed.” She tooted that thick nose of hers heavenward and shook her head.
“Where is Xavier?” I tried to keep my voice calm.
At all times I tried my hardest to remain respectful.
This was my Abuela, but if she killed Xavier then that would be fucked up on my end.
Xavier was the only clean-up person I knew who had a crew that could make things happen at the snap of my fingers. Not only that, I paid him well.
“In di river with the pigs that you had on your low budget payroll. Xavier was using all evidence and giving it over to di sergeant. The money ju sent, is back in your account.”
“So now, I guess… I owe you?” I sighed ready for her to hit me with the bullshit.
“Mijo… you have owed me since the day, ju was born. You have the rest of this week to get your affairs in order. Empress will run things until ju return.” She finally broke the intense stare down and smiled wide at me. The smile pained me because it mirrored my father’s wide smile.
“Return from where?” I raised my arched brow.
“Mexico, there you will be groomed by me and a couple of others. Your organization here is falling apart. You are borderline broke. Ju are a Martinez. A petty savings like yours is shameful.” She cleared her throat then looked out the window.
I could see that we were pulling into my private condo compound.
“Look at me, Sovereign… Si, you will live up to ju name. Make me proud and your Papa. I have so much dolares that I’m ready to walk away and turn all my contacts and connections over to ju.
All di power, all di muscle will be in your possession.
Di policia, will never look ju way.” She smiled again.
“What is the catch, Abuela?” This was the part I knew I wouldn’t like.
“Casamiento (Marriage).”